Le I Am The Walrus Moustache Beanie

Herro, welcome to my poorly neglected blog as of late. While I haven't been blogging I have been getting some things done. The end of my summer is proving to be very busy and I start school next week. My insanely organized amazing geomorphology professor has already sent out homework, yay? I am not back in school mode whatsoever.

Although I am thinking that as this is my last semester at my current college, I will give myself a break and take some "fun" classes. I want to take digital photography so I can improve the look of my blog, and maybe learn some graphic design. I have been a little better at utilizing other social media outlets that I have listed on the sidebar. Some I'm finding are more useful than others, and when my blogging skills improve and I get more followers I may delete them.

I thought perhaps it was a mistake to name my blog Misty Mountain Designs because I haven't had the time to make things for my Etsy store, or design much really. Its really difficult with school and work to find much down time. However, I am almost finished with my next design, here is a sneak preview:

Le I Am The Walrus Moustache Beanie (muahaha)

I am in need of a couple test knitters if anyone is interested. Its a simple knit, you should know how to carry the yarn behind for color work, but that only last for a few rows, otherwise is simple stockinette. You don't have to be a hipster but I've heard that could be helpful (but a true hipster wouldn't admit they're a hipster) :] 

I've contemplated making this a strictly knitting blog, but I've always wondered, do you guys enjoy blogs that share random photography and their current playlists? I recently ran into a blog that does something similar and I really love the layout. I'm going to work on building my design skills to reflect this, although on my current pc it may not be possible. It has been bluescreening at least twice a day lately, and it can't handle loading photoshop (so anticipate some crappy photos or instagram ones like the above).

Hope everyone's week is going well! I promise I won't be a lazy blogger anymore! (*hint hint* the random photography will help me not be a blogging fail!)

I hope you all can join Ginny's Yarn Along and Tamis Amis's WIP Wednesdays.

p.s. My mega huge entrelac blanket is getting turned into a granny square blanket... the other one was just way too big... Entrelac would be better for a lap sized throw blanket. Oh and my ravellenic games shawl is halfway finished, still.

WIP Wednesday/Yarn Along

When motivation to complete one project fails, see top right hand corner Shaw's cove, then the ultimate procrastination ensues: doing a little of everything.

I really needed a mindless stash-busting project and lately I've been inspired by Ivy at Pumpkin Spins and Evelyn at Project Stash to start a big blanket. A while ago my mom gave me her entire stash of wool (almost doubling my stash) and I've decided to make a large super warm entrelac blanket. Entrelac is mindless and easy in that I don't need a pattern and its enough to keep my interest.

Next, in the top part of the photo you will see the spinning I am doing for Tour de Fleece. Lets just say, there is a reason I'm not the team anchor, lol. But i'm trying, but its not happening. On the spinning note though, some of you may have seen that earlier tonight I posted that my knitting machine was for sell. I didn't think anyone would want to buy it and I already had someone contact me wanting it. So i'm using that money to save up for a spinning wheel! Soo excited!! I can't wait!

Lastly, the white fabric in the hoop is the beginnings of learning how to embroider. For several months now I've envisioned this intricate bag that mixes quilting, sewing, embroidery and applique and the last skill I need is embroidery.

I've got some good projects started now I just need to build up the steam to finish some neglected wips, oh and that shawl! And the neglected Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers that I am still reading!

I hope you all can join Ginny's Yarn Along and Tamis Amis's WIP Wednesdays.

WIP Wednesday/ Yarn Along

Two weeks have passed and I have yet to make much more progress on the Shaw's Cove shawl. This California heat is not conductive to finishing anything. The green peaking out of the yarn keeper is for a test knit that I keep having to frog. The pattern is turning out to be beyond me, but I think its the pattern to be honest.

I am halfway finished with a slouchy hat that I am making a friend I've known since the seventh grade. When that is finished, I am going to knit her son Rebecca Danger's new pattern "Basil the Boogie-Woogie Brontosaurus". What colors do you think I should use on it?

I need to get some motivation before the Ravellenic Games commence! I am on team Middle Earth (but of course!) and will be knitting Fellowship! The Shawl. I will be using a skein from my stash of Creatively Dyed Yarn's Calypso in a beautiful tonal green. Is anyone else participating?

As you can see, I am still reading Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. I highly recommend it, but then, I may be biased. ;]

I hope you all can join Ginny's Yarn Along and Tamis Amis's WIP Wednesdays.

WIP Wednesday/ Yarn Along

Happy Fourth of July to everyone in the states!

For this work in progress Wednesday I only have a few things to show. I am still working on the purple and orange Shaw's Cove but I haven't made very much progress on it as of yet. I've found motivation difficult to come by and the pages of a good book all but too inviting.

That being said, I have started a couple of small projects. The first being some more of the Rose Quartz roving.

 The next wip is from Lion Brand's Sock-Ease yarn that the local Joanns had on clearance. Not that the colorways they have appeal to me but when I saw four skeins of marshmallow just sitting there at such a cheap price, I had to utilize the opportunity to test out some dying techniques.

Kool-aid was the inspiration for this dye job, although I'm not sure that I really like the color. In fact, until I knit it up, in wound up form it doesn't look any better than the colorways that Lion Brand carries. Also, Tropical Punch, Pink Lemonade, Mango and Grape smell absolutely horrid mixed together. But it did create an interesting colorway, to say the least. And my cameras refused to take adequate photographs of it. My phone captured the most accurate representation, but that isn't saying much.

Does anyone have any idea what I could possibly knit from this?

Currently Reading: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

I hope you all can join Ginny's Yarn Along and Tamis Amis's WIP Wednesdays.

WIP Wednesday/Yarn Along

I am happy to announce that I am only two lace repeats and an edging away from finishing my Shaw's Cove crescent shawl! From the prior link you can find the original pattern designed by Chrissy at LeftSideKnits. It is the most difficult pattern I have ever attempted, however it is the best pattern I have ever had the pleasure to knit. There are painstakingly detailed written directions as well as charts. You never have to guess how many stitches should be on the needles because it is written there. As well as how many repeats of each section you should have. It is a really great pattern for an intermediate beginner looking for a small challenge. Until July 11th you can purchase the pattern at a discounted price, for $2.50 from which it will increase to $5. I highly recommend this pattern! I am absolutely loving mine so far.

Other works in progress include items for the Etsy store. Soon I will be posting stitch markers and a few hats. Stay tuned!

I am currently re-reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien in honor of the movie which is set to be released Dec. 14th. I plan to re-read the Lord of the Rings trilogy as well. After which, does anyone have any good reads they suggest?

I hope you all can join Ginny's Yarn Along and Tamis Amis's WIP Wednesdays.