Yarn Review: Mirasol Nuna

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I picked up 2 skeins of Mirasol Nuna yarn on an online shopping whim and I am so pleased I did. This yarn is listed as a sport weight but I'd say it's somewhere in-between sport and fingering. It's 40% Silk, 40% Wool, and 20% Bamboo. You get just shy of 200 yards per skein. It's silky soft, has a beautiful sheen, and is absolutely wonderful to knit with. I've been holding onto this yarn from quite some time now and when I saw Veronik Avery's pattern I knew this yarn would be perfect!


I used two full skeins in Maya Blue on this Lace Ribbon Scarf. I used size 4 needles and it ended up being around 5 foot long. I added 4" of fringe on both sides. This yarn blocks like a dream! This scarf is so airy and light and it feels wonderful against your skin. I absolutely love this yarn. I wish my local specialty shop carried it. Either way I am certainly purchasing more off eBay.



Check out these other projects made with Nuna. :)

Daleks Exterminate your Pumpkins!

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Happy Halloween Everyone! Don't exterminate too much candy. :) Is this not the most awesome Halloween pumpkin ever!? Mad props to its creator.

Daleks don't tickle your fancy? Well, you can't go wrong with big cats having tons of fun with pumpkins!


The Big Cat Rescue is local to Tampa, FL...just like me :) Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!

New Purse! Simplicity 2396

I wanted to share the new purse I finished a few weeks ago :) I used Simplicity Pattern 2396. The pattern's body was significantly larger than my finished bag. I traced the pattern onto paper and redrew myself smaller dimensions for a medium sized bag. I think it's sizing is now perfect. :) I wasn't paying much attention when sewing this purse together because I accidentally sewed the lining with my pockets to the front side of the bag. Which is ok...except for the fact that my instinct is to put the heavier side towards my body. Note to self. Watch for this next time.


I used Amy Butler's Memento in Burgundy, Sunspots in Wine and lined with Arabesque in Lime. I adore these prints. I used about a fat quarter of each fabric since I played with the sizing of this bag. The only thing that bothers me about Amy fabric is that cat hair sticks to it like a magnet. I have to lint roll this bag every few days. I also didn't put a closure onto the top. I originally was going to put a magnetic snap but the ones sold at Joanns are entirely too strong. They'd pull on my fabric and cause a mess for sure. If anyone knows where to find some light strength ones be sure to send that info my way :)


I also wanted to share this new mug my boyfriend bought for me :) I've been looking for a new coffee mug for work for some time now. Isn't this one just the cutest?

Free Knit Pattern: Autumn Pixie Hood

I've been looking for a super cute pixie and I couldn't find a free pattern I liked. So my solution...Make one! This hat is super simple. It's knitted on a pair of strait needles and is essentially a large rectangle until you sew it up.

Onto the pattern!


Supplies:
US Size 10 Needles (6mm)
Chunky/Super Chunky weight yarn - My estimated guess of about 170 yards.
Any pair of circular needles for blocking. (You can probably even use string for this part)
Extra needle for the 3 needle bind off (does not have to be same size, you can even use your circular for this)
Squirt Bottle (for blocking)

Stitches:
K – Knit
P – Purl
K2Tog – Knit 2 stitches together.

Pattern: Brim
1. CO 86.
^My hat sits and drapes down my shoulders. You can lengthen or shorten the CO if your prefer shorter sides. (82, 78, 74 etc..) The pattern will work exactly the same for any stitch count.

2. 6 rows of 2x2 rib. (2K, 2P)
^Switch colors here for 2 color brim as seen in the photos below.

3. 7 rows of Knit.
^For a thicker brim color you can end your yarn color here if you wish.



Pattern: Hat continued...
4. 4K, 78P, 4K
^On every Purl row you will always knit the beginning and ending 4 stitches

5. Knit row (86K)
6. 4K, 78P, 4K
7. *4K, K2Tog, K76, K2Tog, 4K (84)
^Every other knit row (or every 4 rows) you will decrease in this manner.

8. 4K, 76P, 4K
9. Knit row
10. 4K, 76P, 4K

Repeat from * 5 times if you are using a super chunky yarn. (74 stitches remaining) For normal chunky yarn I recommend repeating 6 or 7 times or until desired width. Note: decreasing at this point is optional.

Block Hat:
Transfer knitting to a pair of circular needles.
Lay down knitting onto ironing board and pin in place. (you can stretch your knitting if you feel it needs it)
Spray with squirt bottle and let dry.

Finish Off:
*Note: Decide if you'd like your bind off stitch to be on the inside or the outside. The brown hat above has an inside seam, the red hat below has an outside seam. I find that the pointy pixie tip is more apparent with an outside seam, but this also depends on your yarn choice.

Starting at bottom of hat stitch up the side using a 3 needle bind off.
Finish off, tuck in, and secure yarn on inside of hat.

Fringe:
I cut 9-12 pieces of 22” length yarn. Weave 3-4 piece sections into 3 bottom corner sections of hat and braid down. Tie off with small piece of yarn. Trim yarn evenly. Repeat on other side.

Enjoy your new Autumn Pixie Hood! :)

For the Autumn Pixie Hood above I used Homespun yarn in Prairie for the brim and Earth for the remaining body. I mixed my yarn colors in the fringe for a more blended look.

For a Red Riding Hood look I used Loops & Threads Charisma yarn in red. It's super chunky and velvety soft. Because the yarn is chunkier than the homespun the hood came out a bit larger even though the pattern is the same stitch count.



I really hope you enjoyed this pattern! If you have an account on Ravelry I'd love to see your finished photos! :) Please use for personal use only.

(c) 2011 Tori Carroll/PosiTori.com

Win a Halloween Owl Plush!

My good friend Elise over on Mini Tidbits is doing a giveaway with Gleeful Things. Follow the link over to her blog and leave a comment in order to be entered to win. See more of Elise's owls over in her Etsy shop. What a good way to get into the halloween spirit.

The contest ends on October 20th! :) Good luck!

Jellyfish Please!

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I finally released my pattern for my Rainbow Amigurumi Jellyfish. :)
I took my time writing up the pattern and photographing my process for this tutorial pattern. Its a simple pattern that even a beginner can understand. I'm really excited about this PDF. :D

Fall Scarfs

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It's fall and Florida is starting to get some heat relief! The weather has been wonderful and everything I wish our summers would be. With the cold fronts moving into our northern states I know it's due time to start making some lightweight fall scarfs! I came across these wonderful Free Tutorials over on Ravelry and wanted to share :) The photos link out to their pattern sources, so get knitting!