Natural Chics Who Love to Knit

So Excited

2010-02-18T15:57:00.000-08:00

There are tons of things to do before the shop opens. We have now pushed the date back to the fall. While we haven't decided upon an exact date, I am so excited! We have decided to start off with fall vs. spring. I personally believe that this is a good look --we can knit more stuff for the shop in time for the fall!

I don't have time to go in to all of the details, I have to go search my stash so that I can decide what I am going to knit for the shop next! Stay tuned!!!

Peace and Love,
Donna Shae/Love Life Live

Slowly, Slowly, Slowly

2010-02-18T09:46:00.000-08:00

Please note that surely is no where in the title. I am slowly working on completing a spring scarf for the shop. Its a beautiful pinkish tone that is very light weight and will help keep you warm on those chilly spring days and look uber cool while doing so! (Yeah, I just went there.) However, I am slowly, slowly, slowly losing all motivation to knit for the shop. To be perfectly honest I am losing motivation to knit anything. I should be taking advantage of every opportunity that I have to knit instead of sitting around doing next to nothing. I finally picked up one of the spring scarves that I am working on for the shop. This sucker will need a blocking like no other because I am definitely not enjoying how it curls on the sides. I thought I would be able to get away with one skein of yarn, but it looks like this might actually be a two skein-er!

I'll admit I am not a fan of pink at all. I just don't like it. I recently purchased a pair of shoes that had pink in them and I tried to convince myself not to buy the shoes because I loathed pink that much. I bought the shoes and I lurve them. But, I digress...

This isn't really pink, I get a red/orange/pink vibe from the yarn. It can be paired with black or brown and has the most wonderful drape that I have gotten from a cotton yarn. I normally only like cotton for dish/wash cloths, but this is a cotton blend and it is awesome. If this one doesn't take me forever and a day I will make another one in a different color so people have options. Nothing like going to a store, finding a shirt you love and it only comes in black. People like options so why not give the people what they want?!?!

This is a close up of the lace. You can't really tell because I took the picture with my Blackberry and my Blackberry refuses to let me be great...

This weekend I vow to be great I will complete this skein of yarn and start a new one. I have to do something. March 12 is not looking very good right now. So, so, so, so sad.

Peace and Love
Donna Shae/Love Life Live

Brimmed Hat

2010-02-09T17:37:00.000-08:00

So, I'm making a friend of mine a brimmed hat, the Straun by Ysolda Teague. I know I know, it's not for the shop, but, I'm learning a new technique, that I will be able to use to make hats for the shop, so take that. And, it will open up our market for men.

I've given myself a deadline of Sunday to finish. I should at least have my knitting finished by then, so i'll call it a success if all I have to do is work out the brim. I've already been thinking of patterns in my head that I want to make with a brim. They will probably be for winter, but I'm looking forward to it.

Lovelifelive and I went to Chicago this past weekend and scored some awesome yarn. I even bought some yarn to make a beret (my next project) for the shop.

Stay tuned!!!

Peace and Blessings ~ Dani D/Naturalknitchic

The Infinity, that took Infinity

2010-02-04T04:29:00.000-08:00

I am finally finished with the Infinity Scarf, that took infinity to make. Well, obviously it didn't take infinity to make, but it took forever.

I think that I need to block it, so, I'm going to do that tonight hopefully. I should have time, since lovelifelive is canceling knitting. We are going to Chicago this weekend, so I need to pack and do some things around the house, but I think I can make time to block this gem.

Please excuse my sexi-ness, I was sick. Overall, I am happy with it. It's very light, and I love the color.

I also started another project, for a gift, but it shouldn't take me long.

It's going to be a hat with a brim for a friend of mine. It's knit from the top down, which I've never done. I had a time with the cast-on and first row. But, I finally got it. I'm only giving myself a week to finish this bad boy.
Peace and Love ~ naturalknitchic/Dani D

Start Itis

2010-02-02T15:22:00.000-08:00

We have moseyed our way into February and I have yet to complete one project for the store. I have knitted many stitches, but completing an item --yeah, that has yet to happen. Wait, I lied. I have completed an item for the store, but I don't like it so really its back to the drawing board. I have an idea of what I want to do, I just need to do it.

This weekend while yarn shopping with my sister I purchased the prettiest yarn. Yesterday while sitting on my couch watching Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time --I decided to cast on for another spring scarf for the shop. This isn't right because I have yet to finish anything for the store --but I keep starting stuff. (Start itis at its finest.) Hmm, where is the logic in that? So far I have started, two spring lace infinity scarves, one spring lace cotton scarf, and one shawl.

L to R: Lace infinity scarf made from bamboo silk, Shawl made from Dream in Color Smooshy, and Lace Springtime scarf made from a blend of cotton and acrylic. I plan on giving the shawl to someone as a gift and I will make sure make up another for the store. (Even though the increases were brutal!)

Although I have finished one of the spring scarves, I plan on frogging that sucker. I have been working diligently with the hopes of finishing something soon, however the future looks a little bleak. I am hoping and praying that I finish something soon. I know the solution to my problem; I need to decide which item I will finish first, complete it and then work on the next item. Will I do that? That's the million dollar question!

Peace and Love,
Donna Shae/Lovelifelive

Unsure

2010-02-01T06:02:00.000-08:00

I can't decide how wide to make my infinity. Lovelifelive did not like her first one, and I cast on approximately the same number of stitches. I think I'll like it better if I make it somewhat wide, but I'm not sure. I'm scared that if I cast off, I will hate it and I will have spent all this time on it for nothing. I'm thinking I'll do maybe 4 - 6 more repeats before casting off, wish me luck.

In other news, I need to get on the good foot, I need to have 5 knitted items for the store by March 13th, and I'm behind. I will finish this tonight (tomorrow at the latest ;-)).

~Dani D/Naturalknitchic

Epic Fail/Back to the Drawing Board

2010-01-29T09:46:00.001-08:00

I have been working diligently (as well as NatuarlKnitChic) for items to offer in the shop this spring. Our goal is to have 10 items available to viewers --so that means five a piece. Well, I have failed [EPICALLY] at the task so far.

Assata is pissed too!

1.) My first Spring Infinity scarf was a disaster. I should have cast on more, like 150 more than what I originally cast on. Also, I should have used bigger needles because of the weight of the yarn. Oh yeah, and I cast off WAY too tight. (What's wrong with me? This isn't my first time and the fair --I know the deal.) Just not thinking properly I guess.

2.) I cast on 400 stitches to work on another infinity scarf... Working lace every row, I forgot to yarn over, or I dropped a stitch and couldn't figure out where or how I made the mistake. Finally I found my mistake and guess what? I couldn't fix it! This was after I worked 1649 stitches. I was so upset, I wanted to cry. Instead I flung my needles across the room like I was up for a role in some melodramatic soap opera that my Aunt Mary used to watch. So sad. So, so sad. I stared at the needles for a while and decided that I would cast on using some bamboo silk that I have. This is what I originally started working with.

Before and after the "BIG" take down...

3.) I couldn't decide how many stitches to cast on. I finally set in on a number, sent NatrualKnitChic a message and she said that I should cast on more --using smaller needles of course. Well, I'm at work, I cast on already and I didn't feel like waiting. I said to hell with it, I can always block and so I decided to go for it. I cut off the excess yarn, only later realizing that hey, guess what? I am using smaller needles and I DO need to cast on more stitches.
On smaller needles, should have left them there the first time!

I promise to get it together, I must!!! 3rd time is supposed to be the charm right?!

The Week Goes On

2010-01-26T16:19:00.000-08:00

And the beat goes on... And the beat goes on...

Check out Dani D. showing off her beautiful spring scarf that will be available in our Etsy shop in March!

January has seem to FLY by us and to be perfectly honest, I haven't gotten much done. So sad, I know. It was my goal to have two projects for the store completed by the end of January it doesn't look like I am going to have that finished. Let me be honest, I'm not sure if I am going to have finished one...

This weekend NaturalKnitChic and I got together with hopes of working on a project for the store and to talk ish while doing so. Friday night we were going to drink Martinis and knit... That plan didn't work out so well. After her nephews basketball game we talked about ish and then we drank martinis, the next thing you know we were playing Super Mario Bros on the Wii. If you are familiar with this blog, you'll know that the Wii and I don't get along very well --it keeps me from getting things done. Don't believe me, check this out! :-(
Needless to say we stayed up all night playing the Wii and drinking Martinis, Dani left my apartment a little after 4 in the morning!!!

I woke up the next day and thought, today cannot be like last night! I tried to clean and the Wii began calling my name. I played a couple of games --I must admit playing with 2 players is a lot more fun than playing with just one player! But, finally I got out of the house, ran some errands and made my way to Dani's house. We watched Tru TV, ate dinner, popped in a movie and started to knit.

Why am I making this hideous face?

We both made excellent progress on our spring scarves for the shop. I actually finished mine the next day. I tried it on, and wasn't convinced...

See why I am not convinced?

I will take it down and start over. One of two things will need to happen with the scarf. I will need to cast on more stitches or I will need to cast on fewer. I am back at the drawing board now so we shall see how it goes --I'll keep you posted.

Peace and Love,

Lovelifelive/Donna Shae

Good Progress...

2010-01-21T06:43:00.001-08:00

So, I finally finished the never ending cowl that was getting in the way of my progress for the awesome infinity scarf.

So then, I go to work on the infinity scarf, and I've messed up (which I do quite often). But, I'm not sure how long ago I messed up, and it's ribbing, so it would be obvious so I can't just ignore it. So, I frog it, and since I'm frogging it, decide to try a different stitch.

I like this much more than my initial one. I have to rave about the yarn that I'm using too. It seemed kind of small when I bought it. I only purchased two skeins, but I think those two will be plenty. I want it to be kind of wide and I think 2 skeins will be just enough to make it happen.

Peace and Love
Naturalknitchic/Dani D

No Knit Weekend

2010-01-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of fanpop.com
THIS is how I spent my weekend...

As you all know, I love to play the blame game. Whenever I do something that I should not be doing, I point my hand (that way no fingers are pointing back to me) at Natural Knit Chic/Dani D. So please don't be surprised when I tell you that I only knit a total of 20 rows (if that) this weekend because of Dani. Let me explain.

After class on Saturday I had lunch with Dani and her family. While eating, laughing, and joking Danielle told me about a new game that she got for the Wii --New Super Mario Brothers. She said how much fun the game was and how she was addicted to it... That should have been my first sign to go straight home. I ignored the signs. I went to get the game and as soon as I got home I played. I played the game for 3 hours straight, okay maybe 4. :(

I refused to pick up my knitting needles, I played and played and played until Cops came on. (Yes Cops --don't judge me!) I didn't knit much then, I was too excited to return to the game. After Cops went off I started the game once more. After another 3 hours I finally shouted, "Enough, this game shall be the end of my knitting career," and put on my favorite movie --Pride and Prejudice. I knit for a bit, but I finally went to sleep. I did the same thing on Sunday.

I am sure that I would have been able to start my project if Dani would have never mentioned the game. So you see, its all her fault. Dani REFUSES to let me be great! :)
I want to say that I will begin knitting tonight but, I have to be honest I really want to play the game again...

Peace and Love
Donna/lovelifelive

Focused

2010-01-14T06:36:00.000-08:00

I am so focused on getting blackpurls up and running. I think about it all day. I keep coming up with new ideas on things that we can do. And when I knit, I only want to work on the infinity scarf that I've started:

I swatched, I never swatched, but I swatched to make sure I would like the stitch with the size needles I chose. And I think it's going to be a pretty awesome infinity scarf for the spring. Light, lacy, and versatile. However, something is getting in my way. You want to know what that something is...

Check out the noble cowl. I'm using one of my favorite yarns, malabrigo, on some of my favorite needles, Harmony wood. But for some reason, I just cannot get into this cowl. I started it well before Christmas. It is for my mother, who purchased a brown coat and needs something to keep her sweet little neck warm. And this pattern, is making my mom walk around cold. Or maybe it's her daughter. Either way, it's getting in the way of me working on what I REALLY want to work on, and keeping my mama warm. So, I'm attacking it. I will not work on anything else until this thing is finished and on my mothers neck. Or in her house, or at least out of my house. I only have about 34 more rounds before it's complete. I have given myself a deadline of next Tuesday for it to be done, or I'm taking it down. At this point, that would be a tragedy, considering I'm more than half finished. I will not be defeated by this cowl.

Peace and Love
~Dani D/naturalknitchic~

Dani [Natural Knit Chic] Is Going to Kill Me

2010-01-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

Remember this? I was so happy about my signature needles that I couldn't wait to use them, so I just had to cast on a new project. The real deal is what I decided to call it because I would actually follow the Danica pattern --well kinda. I have made the entrelac scarf many times, however I didn't switch colors every row like the pattern for Danica called for. I started the scarf and was loving it, switching colors every single row, I added in some burgundy for a more feminine touch --I was on my way. However, the more I looked at it, the more I could not picture the person in it. I was still getting a masculine vibe from it. So, instead of frogging it, I decided I will give it to my brother. He'll wear it, it has a very masculine feel to it...

So I started another Danica. I had the yarn in my stash and I think it will fit her perfectly. I love the colors of this yarn. I am not a huge fan of how fuzzy the yarn is, but it is still very pretty. There is something about working short rows with self striping yarn that I cannot get enough of. I heart it dearly. I'll be honest this was something that I wanted to keep for myself, but I can always buy more of the yarn and work another project. I keep saying that I'll get tired of working the entrelac pattern, but I haven't yet. We'll see...

One good thing has come from my knitting so far in 2010. I finished another project for one of the 3M's. Woot-woot!!! I have one more project to make for Michael, then I am finished... Yaaaaassssss!This beanie is for Mike that works in IT, I hope he likes it. Sorry about the sad picture that is on the net. I took it with my blackberry and the camera feature SUCKS!

Peace and Love
~Donna Shae/lovelifelive~

Here and Now

2010-01-08T17:25:00.000-08:00

Dani and Donna in Jo-Ann fabrics browsing yarn and needles.

Now, like right now. HA! I [Donna/lovelifelive] am sitting with Dani/NaturalKnitChic in Borders. We had our first official 2blackpurls meeting and we couldn't be more excited!!! (Yes, triple exclamation marks, that shows exactly how excited we are, one would not suffice!)

We have worked out some of the kinks, while laughing, joking, smiling at people we don't know, and taking silly pictures as well. (Those are always fun.) But, we put aside the jokes and got serious. Well, long enough for me to stop looking at everyone and listening to what was going around me. (Yes, I am bad like that in public places.) But, in my defense, people talk loud and I hear them. Lol!) But, I digress...

*Some things we accomplished*

What we well offer in the shop.
How often we will meet.
How many items we will have when we go live.
A date to go live.
[Boring] Banking stuff, and much more.

Dani taking notes while promoting peace!

I am not sure why I am hiding like this.

These pictures were originally for twitter, but we thought, hey why not add them to the blog! Stay tuned, more to come!

What's the Deal?

2010-01-08T08:29:00.000-08:00

Hello and good day to anyone who has stopped by to read this blog.

We haven't really worked out all the kinks to what we will write about on this blog, but I felt it was looking a little bare. I'm sure Natural Knit Chic won't mind at all. :-)

For Christmas my bestie, my business partner, my sister from another mister; Natural Knit Chic bought me a pair of Signature Needles for Christmas. I was itching to start something on them. So you can understand my excitement when a friend of mine said their mother wanted an entrelac scarf. I had the yarn, I had the will, and most importantly I had some awesome needles to begin my project on! So I started an entrelac. One of my favorite go to projects when I need a quick fix. Almost something sort of like instant gratification.

Entrelac Scarf.

I am not really fond of metal needles, (unless they are Addi's) I am not knitting with them. Well, let me say that I lurve, (yes lurve) knitting with my new Signature needles. They allow me the option to knit loose or tight. I have only done about 5 or 6 tiers, but I am really enjoying them. I am making another entrelac using Wool-Ease for my little cousin Gabby. Wool-Ease tends to get stuck on my wooden needles, so it makes knitting a little harder. Oh well, I'll stick with the wooden needles, no biggie. However, next time I will be using my Sigs! :-)

That's all for now. Happy Knitting!

~lovelifelive/Donna Shae~

Allow Me to Introduce Us

2010-01-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to BlackPurls!!

Back in 2006, lovelifelive had a new hobby. She and her mother would get together, and knit. Then she started teaching children at the local library. She was so excited to knit, that she taught her best friend, naturalknitchic. They would get together and knit regularly. From time to time, they both toyed with the idea of selling their knitted items, and now, we are ready. That is how blackpurls came along.

We are two, natural, fabulous young women, who love to knit. We put our love and hard work into each item that we make.