With Pom Poms on Top

Yes, I put pom poms on my boots.  No, it doesn't look tacky!  I used bright red on black boots so they look very festive, but there are so many colors of this yarn, you could easily style them to wear all winter long!  These are my latest pattern, and I really hope you enjoy them.  They are quick and easy to make a pair of, and they only take one ball of each yarn.  They are very affordable.  Make some for you, or make some for the kids.  These are sure to be a hit with everyone!

Also coming soon are a new mitts pattern, as well as something you never thought you could make with hairpin lace.  Both of these patterns should be out by the end of next week, so just hang tight and customize your boots while you wait!  Thanks for reading.

New Patterns

Now that I have gotten settled and found employment here in Sacramento, I have had more time to develop patterns, and to begin spending time on the computer again.  I am excited to tell you that I have new patterns available for download on Ravelry.  I have just listed a couple pairs of mitts, and some fabulous boot toppers.  You absolutely must check them out!  All my patterns are reasonably priced.  I am thinking of publishing an ebook soon if all goes well.  Please support me by favoriting my patterns and downloading them for your use and enjoyment.  I love getting feedback as well!

All of my patterns can be viewed here!
http://www.ravelry.com/designers/anna-simonsen

Recent Yarnventures in Sacramento

So I am now pretty much settled in Sacramento, although I find myself in my car typing this post because we don't have internet at home quite yet.  And I find myself low on battery as well, because my car adapter refuses to work.

So far my yarnventures have been to unpack all my yarn and decide where to put it all.  That was no easy task mind you.  My Grandma recently sent me all her yarn and that was a lot of yarn.  I 5 shelf bookcase, a 3 shelf bookcase, and a desk devoted to my yarn, books, and tools such as loom, knitting needles, knitting machine, and embroidery machine.

Now I find myself meeting yarny people in Elk Grove, a half hour drive away, but totally worth it.  There are yarn shops closer, yes, but this one takes the cake, or gives it as the case may be.  I went to their Knit N Nosh event and boy was it great!  I had so much fun, helped new knitters when they got stuck on projects, and worked on my newest soon to be pattern for sale.  Knitique is well worth the drive, and has a great selection.  I know I will be going back there soon to buy a beautiful set of interchangeable needles very soon.

Balancing Act: Crafting and Moving

Wow..... I am likely moving cities a month or so from now.  That is the scary part.  I know what city.  I know my fiancee will have a job.  I don't know if I will have one.  We don't have a place yet.  And we don't know exactly when we are going.

And then there is the not so fun part....  Packing!  Ugh!  Its even less fun when you don't know exactly when you are moving.   What do I pack first?  How am I going to deal with the pets?!  I have to have everything out of the house for the inspection of the apartment, but if its hot they can't exactly hang out in the car...  I have things like candles that don't appreciate getting hot either.  Uhaul trucks aren't air conditioned....  Will they melt?  I'm hoping it is going to cool off enough before we go that I don't have to worry about that too much...

Oh my gosh.... There is so much to do....  I am giving stuff away, throwing stuff away, donating stuff, all to have to pack less.  Am I going to regret getting rid of some of this stuff?  Where do I donate my Hot Topic coats?  Not very many people are into trench coats and leather....

And then there is my knitting.  How long can I put off packing it?  Should I get rid of some of my stash?  How do I take the time to work on projects when I should be packing?  I have a new scarf pattern in progress to put up on Ravelry.  I am in a hurry to get lots of decent patterns up for sale so that I can supplement my income.  Especially since I will possibly have a loss of income....  I know I'm probably not doing any more weaving until I move...  How do people do this?!

So... the thing I'm most excited about?!  There is a Stitch N' Bitch group where I'm moving.  There isn't one here!  And there are tons more yarn shops there!  I'm sad to go because I have friends and family here and no one I know there, but its an adventure!

Back from Vacation/A New Pattern

I just got back from a week long vacation to visit my Grandma in Boise, Idaho.  I went to a yarn shop up there called Puffy Mondaes, and they were awesome!  I came back with some beautiful burgundy and sparkly fingering weight yarn, destined to be a shawl.  I am thinking something lacy and airy.  I also bought some beautiful fiber dyed in green, gold, black and white.  It is 80% New Zealand Merino and 20% Silk.  That shop was actually in Nampa, about a 15 minute drive down the freeway from Grandma's house!  Oh how I wish my local yarn shop was as amazing.

I almost finished a tee style sweater while I was there, and I just finished it yesterday.  And today, I finished some new slippers and published the pattern on Ravelry.  They are my Keep It Simply Squishy(K.I.S.S.) Slippers.  They are the perfect weekend project and last minute gift.  Hopefully my Etsy and Ravelry sales will pick up soon so I can support my habit a little better.

Oh, and I just started a pair of Toast for my Grandma.  Her skin bruises easily, and she hates to go out with her hands showing, so I am making a light blue pair of simple fingerless mitts to hide the bruises.

Okay..... Break over.

My rabbit is now a happy member of my family, although he did not enjoy getting his first haircut.  There was lots of squirming and kicking involved.  I had lots of scratches.  I am still working on him being willing to lay on his side or back without freaking out.  He is getting much better.  He has a snobby attitude and is a bit bossy.  He has been deemed Admiral Twist.

 I also added some new things to my Etsy Shop!  There is a scarf and a shawl.  Both are handwoven.  New patterns coming soon.  I can't publish my most recent pattern because it is meant to look like Toothless from How To Train Your Dragon, and Dreamworks told me no.  Pretty sure I am allowed to offer it for free though.  If so, I'll put the link up on Ravelry.

I also started spinning the hair from the first bunny haircut!  Not sure what I'll make out if it yet.  I am blending it with wool.  The picture is the single of Angora and wool on the spindle, and a cop of plain wool on a needle.  The two are destined to be plied together as a two ply yarn.  I am thinking of doing the Wisp out of it, if I have enough, or maybe a scarf with a similar stitch pattern.

I just finished weaving some hand towels for my bathroom.  I had to seam them by hand, no sewing machine, so it took forever to do the hems.  But, they look pretty snazzy for the fact that sewing is not really my thing.

I am almost done test knitting a pattern for some quick to knit slippers as well.  I have the first slipper done.  I will list the pattern on Ravelry and Etsy as soon as its ready.  More patterns are coming soon!  All in all, I have been a busy beaver lately, so I didn't get to blogging much.  Thanks for reading!

A Break From Fiber

Okay, don't freak out, but I am taking a break from fiber temporarily.



Just kidding!  I am getting a Satin Angora bunny!  I have spent the last couple days redoing my old bunny cage for him.  The drawer pan had rusted, the food cup was trashed, and there was no longer a water bottle.  So.... I bought a water bottle and food cup, and then got on to the hard part.  I scraped off old paint, sanded, and used The Must For Rust on the pan.  Once I got it fairly smooth, I spray painted it with a beautiful dark green.  The inside of the pan doesn't look perfect, but it will be covered with a pan liner anyway.  The goal is no more rust.  I decided to use Rustoleum, as it will still bond with metal that has some rust, and it will protect it from rusting again.

Now all I need is the bunny!  Talk about fiber, I can harvest his beautiful fur four times a year and spin him into some beautiful yarn.  I will be picking him up either today or tomorrow.  Pictures coming soon!

For now, enjoy a picture of my spray painting fail.  Now.... off to take a shower.