Iris' Knit n Things

Virus  Front of Virus Shawl Back of Virus Shawl This was so much fun to crochet. Which I have not done in a long while. This Christmas I plan to gift this to a special lady, my boyfriend's mother. She loves green and I so hope she loves this shawl. The yarn I used to crochet this shawl is from Cascade Yarns, I don't remember the color's name. I had so much fun making it that I must crochet one for myself. I have this beautiful variegated yarn from Germany that will look gorgeous in this pattern. I know it's only June, but I really want to send  homemade gifts to all my friends and family that have requested something from me. I never have time. So this year I have made plans to be more organized with projects both at home and at work. I read somewhere that having too many unfinished projects is a sign of bi-polar, so I guess I'm a mess.

Spring Knitting I just finished blocking Hetty  by Andi Satterlund. I am currently obsessed with her designs. I used a lovely white yarn from Debbie Bliss. Cotton and silk blend. I wanted to use pearl buttons, instead I used some shell buttons that I all ready had in my statch . Here's Hetty blocked and ready to wear, Front and back view.

What's on your needles? It's been a while since I've posted anything. So much has happen in the last year. All for the better. I've moved to a bigger house. Mother lives with me now.  I now have a studio, where I started to organize my yarns and other hobbies paraphernalia's in one room. I've completed tons of projects, as well as getting back to sewing. In the knitting department, I am currently working on this: Hetty from  Andi Satterlund , I am using a white cotton, silk blend yarn from Debbie Bliss, called Cathay. I am in love with Audi's designs! She has an eye for getting the shaping of the pattern that really compliments the curves. I've made another of her patterns called. Miette , Which you can download for free,  in a cotton blend yarn for the summer in a mint green color also Debbie Bliss. The picture is not the best, but It's really a cute,crop, cardigan which I have plans to wear with this really cute green summer dress. Hope everyon...

 My very first Haapsalu Shawl! Pattern used was free, online, called EZ 100th Anniversary PI Shawl: Camping. Designed as a tribute to Elizabeth Zimmerman's 100th Birthday. Four years ago. The yarn was Clouds from Knit Picks, baby alpaca, in a light pink color. It's perfect for knitting during the hot days of summer.

Fancy Kitty Front View Fancy Kitty Side View This is not a torture device my friends, but a Drum Carder from Fancy Kitty . Used to process wool into batting, or roving for spinning. What it does is comb your fiber out and and remove some bits and pieces of vegetable matters in the end it will produce some fluffy wool which can be easily drafted for spinning. Happy Spinning.

I found an inexpensive way to dry my alpaca wool, using PVC pipes, and some burlap cloth in which I've made a stand to place my wool to dry out in the sun, and it's working wonderfully. I love that I can just take it apart and store away for the next batch of wool. Here you see a picture of  some baby alpaca in white and black wool which I've wash with some Kookaburra Delicate wool wash, it makes the wool smell lovely, not to mention the affect it has from drying out in the sun, which brings out the natural Tea Tree and Lavender oils scent to full bloom. It 's so light and soft that once it's completely dry, I must quickly remove or a light wind will blow them all over the place  (Ask me how I know?) I must keep an eye out for birds as well, they seem to love alpaca wool to build into their nests, I've seen several nest around my yard nicely engineered  with intertwining of Spanish moss, wool and twigs. Birds are so creative. I am so looking forward to c...

So slim after being sheared Baby Crias Local Alpaca Farmer was having a Shearing day. The Shearer goes from farm to farm, it's a community effort, and a great way to learn about these great animals. There was one alpaca who had bonded with the Pyrenees guide dog named Sam, and he would not leave her side as she was being sheared. It was amazing to watch how these two had developed such a friendship, so much so, that he would keep all other alpacas away from the food until she had first bid. Amazing! I was there to help the farmer catch them and lead them to be sheared. For my help I got these in return. Baby Alpaca!

Currently, I've encounter a new love. That is,  the love for anything Estonian ! The history is very interesting too. I've began several projects which incorporates this technique, One is the Flit' n Float scarf from the Spring edition from Knitty 2009. Which I've completed thus far. The other is a round shawl which uses patterns from the book tittle Haapsalu Scarf by Siiri Riemann and Aime Edasi.It's written in Russian, however, it's been translated in English. I've also started a Lilly of the Valley lace scarf which is a true Estonia pattern. What I love most about these pattern is the fact that they're from the Victorian era which is a very fascinating time for history.  I will post pictures once I've completed knitting and blocking.  The scarf above was knitted using Alpaca which I've spun in lace weigh on my wheel. The Haapsalu shawl I am using Alpaca yarn as well, which I've purchase from Knit Pick several years ago. I am seriously...

Here are the view of my completed Central Park Hoodie. As I mention before I had to use two different shades of yarn. So What do you think? It really does not look too bad with a pair of Jean. I think I will try again and this time I will have enough yarn to complete project. Front Zipper Back

I found a local Alpaca farmer who gave me four bags of the most lovely alpaca wool.  Yes gave me as in "FREE". He mostly deals with the selling of the Alpaca's and was not heavily invested in selling the wool. So he had tons of it and would give it away to anyone who was interested. I love to spin and one of my favorite wool to spin is Alpaca. It's silky soft and has no grease. Sheep wool has lanolin in it, which is great for the hands but not for spinning wheels. So I spun up some wool and knitted this for the Farmer's wife as a "Thank you", for this lovely wool. I hope she likes it.

This Cardinal comes to my yard every morning around 10:00 am, he also has a  mate, however she's not as colorful as he is, but lovely never the less. I've started putting out bird feeders. And he came by to say thanks! Picture not as clear as I would like, since I am hiding behind my glass door, so as not to scare him away. 

Funny how a couple of inches of Snow can close this little town down.

Iris Velazquez Evans Crocheting Teacher , Evans Knitting Teacher , Evans Spinning Teacher

 Central Park Hoodie Determine to finish this project. Pattern is called the Central Park Hoodie designed by Heather Lodinsky. It previewed on Knit scene 2006 fall issue. Here you see the front right, left, and the back. What's left are the sleeves, and the hoodie. However I have a dilemma. I don't have enough yarn to complete the hoodie, and this yarn along with the dye lot have been discontinued.  I've tried the internet and other websites. Still no luck locating this yarn. So my solution is knit the hoodie with another yarn and hope that it will look just as great. I really like this pattern.

Monkey again!       I love this pattern from Cookie and I love the yarn from Socks that Rocks. I just don't love the two together, well the colors. Even so, I guess I can wear them with some jeans.  I will begin private knitting classes for anyone that is interested. I am list on

Mom loved the vest and the color so much, that she wanted me to knit her this pattern, designed by Stefanie Japel. The pattern is called Shapely boyfriend cardigan It's a great pattern and supper fast to knit. If you are looking for an cardigan pattern to learn how to knit with, I would highly recommend this pattern. In fact I love it so much I am planning to knit one for myself. Once I've complete the sleeves and knit in the front edges for the button, and button holes I will be ready to sew in the buttons. I think the old girl is going to like this one.  Pictures coming soon!

 I did it! completed this vest just in time. This pattern is called Gentle Teresa by Jean Chung, was posted on Knitty's fall issue. I love the way this pattern combines lace stitches along with cable knitting.  I used a wool cotton blend, which I purchased from Knit Picks, from the Shine Sport line, called Serenade. I am happy to say that my daughter loved it! I want to start designing my own patterns. I think I am going to try to take a couple of courses and see if I can master the art of designing my own knitting patterns. 

I just finishing blocking my shawl, which I knit just for me. It's a smaller version of the "Sky-walker" shawl. Just perfect for those chilly nights as you read a good book. I used a lovely merino wool and silk blend yarn from KnitPicks.The color is called Bare, an off white shade. However, I had a bit of an accident while I was knitting this shawl. Some of the edge got  stained and would not come off when washed. So I soaked in brewed tea. I was able to hide the stain and now have this pretty antique white color.

Once as I  read a thread on my friend's Face book, that she was cold  in her office during the hot summer when the AC ran high.  I offer to knit her a nice lace shawl, so that she may keep in her office, and wrap around her shoulders to keep her comfortable, yet not too warm. That was almost two years ago. I know, I know. I should be ashamed of myself, even so, I can now say that it is finally done,  as you can see in the picture above. I hope she will enjoy it, as much as I enjoy knitting it. The pattern is called Sky walker Shawl, the yarn is called Shadow, from Knit Picks, in a lace weight, merino wool, the color is called "Forest Heather". Which according to my friend is one of her favorite colors. Maybe next time, I'll get to post a picture of her wearing it. I have to admit, I enjoy knitting this shawl so much, that I am starting a new one, in a white, alpaca wool, for another good friend. I wonder if my sister would enjoy one as well. It looks really class...

Here's the completed Project. Came out really cute.