Poster Madness

Ever since I have created my alphabet series of prints I have received requests to put the entire alphabet on one print, poster style. I held off from doing it for a bit because I just couldn't find a layout that I liked. After receiving yet another request late last week I decided it was high time I sat down and put something together! So I did:

And there it is! It does come minus the grey box around the outside. That is just there to show where the poster actually ends. This bad boy comes in an 8.5"x11" and 11"x14" option. And if you really really really want it in true poster fashion, there is an option to request the poster in 18"x24"! I am really happy with how it turned out, and am proud to finally have the option in the shop for those who have wanted it!

I've got a thing:

I really do. I've got a thing for yellow, orange, and green. There's no stopping my attraction to these colors. Any shade, any combination, if it has these colors in it I'm all over it. So it is natural that while playing around on Etsy, I often type "yellow, orange, green" into the search bar and watch what happens! Today, I made the perfect Etsy Outfit compliments of my  most favorite colors:

First, something to hold back all my hair. It's really important on those windy days in Philadelphia. Really, really, important. This beautiful wrap comes compliments of corrieberrypie. 

Next, a beautiful green tea and honey necklace from the talented Stephanie Gibson. I've seen many a combination of these necklaces hit the front pages of etsy and I love them all. Perhaps I enjoy this one just a little bit more because of the fantastic color choices and all. 

 

Okay, so this one doesn't quite follow the whole "yellow, orange, and green" rule, but it makes for a pretty fantastic outfit! This is the Dunes Organic Tank Top from Hende. I know how fantastic her clothing is because I happen to own one of her tank tops already (fabulous people. fabulous)

So for as many months as humanly possible I choose to wear a pair of Rainbow Sandals. I could write an entire novel about how and why this came to be, but because this is a post about an awesome outfit I'll spare you the boring (awesome) details about how the rainbow sandal obsession came to be. Because I do live in the wonderful state of Pennsylvania, there are some months when shoes are a must. For those months I'd love to adorn my feet with some of HydraHeart's Keyhole flats. Besides said sandal obsession, my second shoe obsession is with ballet flats. They are easy to walk in, look cute, and make me smile. That is my criteria for a shoe worthy obsession, and people, the rainbows and ballet flats make the cut.

Okay so last but most certainly not least, is this Reversible Bird Bag compliments of Retrofied. I love a big tote, and I love birds. This has both. Enough said. Actually I could say a whole lot more, but you're looking at the picture and seeing just how fantastic it is, so I'll spare you a wordy reason why I just need this bag in my life right this minute.

There you have it folks. The perfect Etsy Outfit compliments of my favorite colors. 

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do! 

It Figures. . .(Lola Pattern)

Well until I figure out how to get my PFD linked to the blog here is the Lola pattern written out: (sorry, I wish I was more computer savvy than I am)

LOLA:

NOTE: This pattern is written with instructions for a small and med/lg sized glove (larger size in parentheses). I have small hands so the 40sts worked well for me. If you find you would like more than the 44sts simply increase your stitch count by a multiple of 4. Place 2 of those stitches on needle 2 and 2sts on needle 3. Enjoy!

Materials: 1 Skein Kersti Merino Crepe (114yards/104meters)

Size US 6 (4.0mm) DPN set of 4

Darning Needle, and Stitch Holder/Waste Yarn

 

 

Herringbone Stitch Pattern:

Row1:      *P1 . K1 (YO . Sl 1 stitch purl wise . K2 . PSSO 2knit sts) 3times . P1*

Row2:      *P1 (K2 . Sl 2sts just worked back to left hand needle . Pass 3rd stitch over the 2sts just worked, and then pass the 2sts back to the right needle . YO) 3times . K1 . P1*

Repeat these two rows for pattern

 

CO 40(44)sts and divide as follows:
Needle 1: 16(16)sts     
Needle 2: 12(14)sts      
Needle 3: 12(14)sts

 

Join to work in the round
Work 10rnds of 2x2rib  (K2.P2)

 

Now begin pattern as follows:
Needle 1:   P2 . Work Herringbone Pattern . P2

Needle 2:   P2 . K10(12)sts

Needle 3:   K10(12)sts . P2

 

Keeping needles 2 and 3 the same for every row, work the herringbone pattern for 10 repeats (total of 20rows).

 

 

THUMB:

Work needle 1 in pattern and needle 2: P2 . K10(12)

For needle 3: K5(7) . slip the next 4sts onto a stitch holder or waste yarn and CO 4sts using the backward loop method. End K1 . P2

 

Continue in established pattern for 6 repeats (12 rows total).

 

Work 5 rows of 2x2rib and BO in rib pattern.

  

THUMB GUSSET:
Place the 4sts from the stitch holder/waste yarn onto a dpn. Pick up an additional 10sts from around the thumb hole and divide over 2 dpns. (14sts total)

Knit all stitches for 5 rows or desired length and BO. 

 

SECOND GLOVE:

CO for second glove, and work the same as the first glove until you finish the 10pattern repeat.

 

THUMB:
Needle 1: Work in pattern
Needle 2: P2 . K1 . slip the next 4sts to stitch holder/waste yarn, and CO 4sts using the backward loop method. End K5(7)
Needle 3: K10(12) . P2

Continue as for the first glove to finish the second.

 

FINISHING:

Weave in ends and enjoy!

Make for yourself or make as a gift, but please remember this pattern is copyright of Cabbages and Kings. No portion of this pattern may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the designer.

...and they shall be called, Lola

I hope everyone had a nice Easter! I spent mine up at my family's and it was lovely indeed (although a bit on the cold side).

So I have had this beautiful, super colorful yarn, and just couldn't find a pattern that I thought would suit it. I wear fingerless gloves throughout early spring, late fall, and winter when I walk my dogs so I was thinking I wanted to knit a pair of them even though spring/summer is right around the corner (I hope).  After a lot of searching I decided, "I'm going to write my own pattern." Well you know what?! I love it so much I thought I'd share it with everyone! If you knit, make a pair and enjoy!

ps. You can find the pattern over on the right hand side of the blog under, "knitting patterns."

Happiness in Pictures

Ever been here? Longwood Gardens is one of the most magical places in SEPA (in my opinion). Now over, the best time to visit is during the Orchid Festival. I'm pretty biased because Orchids are a family favorite. The bright green flowers in the one photo were the same exact kind I carried in my wedding (40+ flowers, people) and my grandma carried white orchids in her wedding. I have successfully kept one orchid alive for 3 years, and one of my grandfather's sisters has a million gorgeous orchids in her home that she has grown for years and years. My Aunt previously owned a flower shop (daughter of the orchid grower) where my mom worked, and I helped out when needed. We discussed orchid colors and types frequently.  Folks, we are just orchid people.

I was having some personal heartache in my life in the not so distant past and my grandma (we call her Sonna) suggested going to the Longwood Gardens to ooooh and ahhhh over the orchids. It is the perfect pick-me-up! I will leave you with a few of the 90 or so pictures I took. If you live in the area, or not, and haven't been there you. need. to. go.

Going there makes me want to be a botanist. If only I liked science!

ps. Mitsy thanks for reminding me I needed to post this! I shouldn't promise posts by a certain day! You are the best, BBF!! :)