handknit – sarah inskeep designs

Cozy Evening In

January 29, 2019 sarah

I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather these last few days and so am enjoying a nice cozy evening in: Knitting, watching Netflix, and listening to Sunny snoring! (Her snores are truly the coziest, most soothing sound of well-being I think I’ve ever heard! 😴💗🐶💗😆💗) I also love the way she tucks her back feet under her front armpits to keep them warm while she’s sleeping – so brilliant!

Making some good progress on this cabled and bobbled cowl/snood I’m knitting. I really love the yarn combo: One strand of Rowan Kidsilk Haze held together with a lovely fingering weight Ewe So Sparkly Sock yarn from Tempting Ewe Yarns! I’m working on writing the pattern, so that’ll be along in the near future. 😊

What’s making you happy this evening? How do you like to spend a cozy evening in?

Hats, Knitting

Headbands!

October 21, 2018 sarah

I love warm headbands.

I love hats too, but headbands are uniquely suited for Fall! I mean, they…

Keep your ears nice and toasty,…
Prevent over-heating by allowing excess body heat to vent,…
Don’t interfere with “up” hair styles,…
And they’re just plain fun! (Not to mention stylish!)

If you follow me on social media, you’ve probably seen this photo of a hat pattern I’m working on called “Desert Star.”

I’ve been toying with idea of creating a Desert Star Collection, and could not get the thought of a Desert Star headband out of my brain!

So I made two versions, and I need your help to decide which one to write and publish!

Headband Number 1: Narrow(er) Headband

So sorry about the rolling edges in these two photos, I hadn’t yet blocked this one!

This style is simple and traditional, no shaping, just a colorwork headband with ribbing on both edges. It provides both plenty of ear coverage and top ventilation!

Headband Number 2: Wide(r) Headband

This style is a hybrid hat/headband cross, also known as the “Mom-Bun-Beanie.” It has minimal crown shaping, and is a little wider, providing a bit more ear/head coverage and a bit less top ventilation while not interfering with your up-do!

Having made and worn both, I have to admit that each is very likable – for knitting and wearing!

But… I think that I personally prefer the wider headband because I find that I like a bit more head coverage.

Which headband would you rather knit/wear? Don’t worry, there’s no judgement here! I’m just curious to know what you all think! 😊

Family, Knitting, Sweaters

A Sweater for Claire!

October 6, 2018 sarah

I’m working on a Fall sweater for my niece, Claire!

The pattern is Stripey Duffle Coat, by Kate Oates of Tot Toppers.

I’m knitting the size 2T and desperately trying to finish ASAP because I want her to be able to wear it this Fall before she outgrows it! 😂

The yarn is Berroco Vintage Chunky in colors #6101 (white) and #6145 (black); and I LOVE it! SO soft and squishy and warm! 😄

I discovered this pattern whilst browsing Ravelry late one night this past Spring when visiting my sister and her family in Maryland.

The moment I saw it, I just knew I had to knit it for Claire!

We visited their local yarn shop, Cloverhill Yarn Shop in Catonsville, MD, first thing the very next morning; and purchased the yarn on the spot! 😄 What a lovely shop it was, and such sweet, nice people working there! Visiting was truly a pleasure!

Yes, I realize that I’ve had ALL Spring AND all Summer to knit this sweater… and yes, I realize that it makes no sense whatsoever to wait until now and then be in a desperate hurry to finish… but what can I say?! 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m a terrible procrastinator and I almost always plan too much to do and not enough time! 😂

Now I just have the weaving in of yarn ends, sewing on of buttons, and the blocking left to do! I’ll be sure to post a pic or two when I’m done so you can see the finished item! 😊

What’s on your needles this Fall?? Are you a procrastinator too? If not, what’s your secret?! 😉 We’d love to hear all about it!

~Happy Knitting!

Health, Knitting

Grateful

September 4, 2018 sarah

Today I’m enduring another migraine, but I’m grateful for the peace & quiet of my home,…

…for Sunny, always my faithful companion and loving friend,…

…and for my knitting with all of its therapeutic and meditative qualities that help to take my mind off of pain. 💗

What are you especially grateful for today?

~Happy Knitting!

Knitting, travel, vacation

Vacation Knitting

September 2, 2018September 3, 2018 sarah

How many projects does a knitter need to bring on vacation???

That’s a very good question. [I suspect the answer may be different for every knitter, and every vacation! 😉] This time around, I packed four projects that have been in progress for some time in the hopes that I’d finish or come close to finishing one or more of them… 🤞🏻😆

Project #1: Fox Cub Sweater Set Hat & Booties

I finished the sweater portion of this set a month or so ago, in time to gift it to the parents-to-be at their baby shower!

I’ve been working on the matching hat & booties over the last few weeks, hoping to finish them before the baby arrives!

Booties just need foxy ears, and embroidered eyes and noses now! 😄

I feel like the hat came out smaller than I was hoping… I usually knit 3-6 month size for new babies because they grow so fast! Maybe I mistakenly knit the Newborn size? Or accidentally used smaller needles? Not sure what happened there… 🤔

At any rate, I think (hope!) the hat will fit the Newborn for a couple of weeks at least, so I’m going to go ahead and send it!

But I’m giving serious thought to casting on for a larger size hat to send along as well… 😊 So much for finishing, right?! 😆😂💗

Got the ears and faces on the booties done, though!

Aren’t they cute?!

I confess that I like them so much that I could not stop taking photos! 😆😂

I find knitting for babies SO gratifying! 😄💗

Project #2: Blanket Square for Carrie

This one I did finish! The knitting was already completed, so I just wove in my ends and blocked my square!

Project #3: Cowl/Snood Sample

That’s Pepper snuggled up on my lap there, “helping” with my knitting! 😉💗

This one is for a new design I’m working on; a chunky, cozy cowl/snood. Part of my process is that I knit as I design, and there were a few specific design features I wanted to work on… so I knit until I ran out of yarn. Then I ripped it all out, made the changes I wanted to make in the pattern, and started all over again! It’s all just part of my process. Sometimes I have feel/see/do something in order to make a decision about it. 😉 So this counts as progress in my book! 😊

Project #4: Capelet Sample

And last, but definitely not least, I also brought along a sample that I’m knitting for a new capelet design. I think this may be the third time I’ve knit this sample 😒… It happens that way sometimes! 😜😊 Anyway, it’s a great traveling companion, and ended up being my go-to project for on-the-beach-knitting as its very portable and I’ve thoroughly memorized the pattern! 😆

How many knitting projects do you like to take with you when you travel? Do you prefer to cast on something new, or continue/finish WIPs?

~Happy Knitting!

Family, travel, vacation

Beach Knitting

August 20, 2018 sarah

I’m working the second little bootie in the Fox Cub Set I’m knitting for Hubby’s cousin’s soon-to-be-arriving baby boy. I think these booties make great beach knitting because they’re small and uncomplicated while also not boring! 😉 You can check out my project page on Ravelry here, and see a previous post where I began the Fox Cub Sweater Set here!

One of the things I enjoy most about beach knitting is that one does not lack for entertainment!

No need to turn on a podcast, or Netflix, or Hulu, or an audio book. There’s more than enough going on in real life at the beach to keep one thinking, laughing, and entertained during even the longest of stockinette or garter stitch stretches! 😂😄

Today I really enjoyed watching Joel and Vera building a sand track with tunnel for her matchbox cars…

Of course not quite all of the cars actually made it back home again… 😬🤭😜

But it was good fun! 😄

And then of course Vera begged me to make her a “sand blanket.” So…

This is “Vera Dragon” taking a little nap underneath her “sand blanket…”

And this is “Vera Dragon” smiling her sly little dragon smile! 😂

Vera and I agree that braids are definitely a girl’s best friends at the beach! Not only do they look super cute, but they keep [most] of the hair from being blown constantly into one’s eyes by the wind, and they allow for the minimum amount of washing and combing possible (definitely a strong perk in Vera’s opinion!)! 😊😂💗

Adriana is such a peaceful, laid back baby! I watched over her for awhile this morning, and it was SO easy! We got in some quality snuggles, and then all I did was change one diaper, watch her sleep, and occasionally put her binkie back in her mouth for her!

Easiest babysitting ever! 😄

On a completely random note, meet The Amazing Acrobatic Squirrel who entertained us on the deck this afternoon!

Evening really is a good time to walk on the beach! It’s so much cooler, less crowded, and the light is really pretty…! This evening a small rain cloud was just starting to sprinkle a few rain drops on us as we took this photo. Vera was wondering out loud how it would be walking back home in the rain… Good thing we brought some umbrellas! 😄

Love these colors, and the peaceful sense of just existing and accepting oneself and others for who we are that seems to roll effortlessly off the ocean waves…

What do you most enjoy about the beach?

~Happy Knitting!

Knitting, new patterns, Puppy

Knit & Chew!

August 14, 2018 sarah

Our morning Knit & Chew (usually out on the back deck) has become something of a ritual for Sunny and I. In fact, Sunny can get quite bossy about it if she thinks I’m taking too long making the coffee… 😂☕️

Knit & Chew: The unreasonably early morning version (indoors because it’s so early there’s not enough light outside yet for knitting)…

Would you believe me if I told you that getting up so early was originally Sunny’s idea? Sometimes I think she pretends she needs to go out just because she misses me! 😊💗 Apparently, sleeping next to our bed isn’t close enough! 😂💗

Wait. What? How did this get in here?!

It’s the “I’m so cute when I’m napping that Mommy can’t help herself” nap time photo bomb… 😜😂

Knit & Chew: The totally reasonable morning version…

And some sneak peeks at swatches for a new design I’m working on! More details forthcoming! 😄

The needles are Knitters Pride Royales, (the 10″ / 25 cm single points)…

And the yarn is Knit Picks Palette!

What’s on your needles today? What’s making you happy right now? We’d love to hear all about it! 😄

~Happy Knitting!

baby, Knitting, Yarn

Happy Mail Day!

June 9, 2018 sarah

Look what arrived (in the middle of a torrential downpour no less!) today!

My yarn order from The Loopy Ewe!

Yarn always makes my day better, but a delivery from The Loopy Ewe makes me especially happy!

(They are super excellent and super quick, by the way; which is always good, particularly where yarn is involved! For example: I placed this order on Tuesday, and it arrived on Friday of the same week! 😄)

Usually when I order yarn, I do so with a particular project in mind, as is the case this time. (Unless it’s an occasional splurge on a gorgeous hand dyed skein that I can’t pass up! 😉)

This yarn order happens to consist entirely of Cascade 220 Superwash; the pink is in their worsted weight, and the others are sport weight. I love this yarn for many reasons, but particularly for baby knits because of its softness and easy care (machine wash-and-dry-able).

So now that my yarn has arrived, I am totally thrilled to be able to get started this weekend on some knits for a new little niece and a new little second cousin who will both be arriving later this Summer! 😄💗

Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash in “Rose Petal.”

The pink yarn is for my new little niece,…

…who needs a Gullfoss blanket!

This is her big sister, Vera, three-and-a-half years ago, enjoying her orange Gullfoss!

The sport weight yarns…

Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport in White, Black, Picante, Silver Grey, and Extra Cream Cafe.

…are for a Fox Cub Sweater Set for my new little second cousin!

What are your favorite go-to knits and yarns for the babies in your life?

In other news, today was a happy mail day for Sunny too! While I was happily photographing my new yarns…

…Sunny was happily going to town on the tissue paper they came wrapped up in! 😂

Although I wasn’t quite fast enough to get a photo of her in the act, I did manage to document her handy work (above), and her “I don’t know what you’re talking about because I’ve been laying all the way over here sleeping the whole time” face (below)! 😂😂

I didn’t mind her tearing up the tissue paper at all (if I’d had plans for it, I would have kept it out of her reach). It was just too cute and funny not to share with you! I promise that she’s a really good puppy who usually chews only on the appropriate items! Here’s a photo to prove it:

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and very happy knitting!

Knitting, shawls, Weather

Perfect Morning!

June 6, 2018 sarah

Sunny & I enjoyed a perfect morning today!

For me, that meant coffee & knitting out on the back deck (with Sunny nearby, of course 😉)!

For Sunny, that meant a new beef chew & lying in soft, shady grass!

It’s such a relief to have some sunshine at last! And today was perfect – brilliant blue sky, warm sunshine but not too hot, a lovely breeze… listening to the music of the stream and the birds, watching all of the little creatures out and busily about! The one word that keeps coming to my mind for today is: JOY! 😄☀️🌸🌼🌹

Progress on my Daisy Shawl sample continues on apace!

What are you up to today?! 😄

Knitting, Puppy, Spinning

Lesson Learned…

May 29, 2018May 29, 2018 sarah

This afternoon while I was working on some sample knitting…

I learned a very valuable lesson:

Do not leave alpaca wool (waiting to be spun) un-attended while assuming that Puppy is still contentedly chewing the bone she was totally engrossed with 30 seconds ago! 🤣🤣🤣🙃

Sunny: Who? Me?! No, I have no idea who got into the alpaca wool…!

SUCH an innocent face! 😂😂😂💗

Sunny When She Thought My Back Was Turned: Hmmmm… Do you think she bought the act…?

Heehee!! Not for a second!😂 But it sure was cute! 💗

Fortunately, it seems that Sunny was having so much fun pulling the alpaca wool out of its bag and spreading it around the house that she hadn’t actually chewed up any of it yet! So I was able to pick it all up and save it. 😊 Happy Ending! 😄