Nintendo World Haul! NYC

During my New York visit at the beginning of the month i visited the Nintendo World store in New York City and left with a small haul. I was fortunate enough to stay at the Millennium Hotel(about 2-3 blocks away) which enabled me to visit it on a daily basis. I would have loved to shop there daily, but my real reason to visit was to make use of the Street Pass feature on my 3DS'. I don't leave my house without it :).

They had a Legend of Zelda display section that featured most, if not all of the games in the series; it was pretty amazing. It included Zelda merchandise and collectibles - my favorite had to be the character figurines; i wouldn't mind having some to add to my collection eventually. They also had a specific section based on Majora's Mask. I don't think my pictures captured it in its entirely... however it was pretty neat. My favorite game(other than Occarina of Time) is The WindWaker, the display for this was my favorite section as well. They had these tiny figures that i've yet to start collecting(that's if i decide to, lol).  They also had an awesome larger figure of Princes Zelda, i was looking for Link but unfortunately i didn't find him(perhaps i just missed it?).

The first day in NY it was pouring. Don't ask me how but i totally forgot to take a jacket or something with a hood with me. In the case that it would rain again, i got a Zelda/Triforce themed hooded sweater. It didn't rain much more during the rest of my trip so didn't actually get to use it, but in general i know i definitely will. I also picked up a blue shirt that simply says 'Nintendo World, NY' as well as a shirt one of my friends picked up for me last month while the store celebrated their 10th year anniversary. They didn't offer the limited edition shirt online, so it was awesome that he was able to pick me up one. It came with a collectors coin as well(which you can see in the pics).


I got a Boo plushie to go along with my Goomba. I love him, he's so big and plump, lol! Talking about plushies, I got a small ? Block from the Toys R Us in Time's Square as well. It may be tiny but it's awesome, specially because it makes the sounds(and fortunately has an on/off switch lol). I picked up a couple of smaller things from Nintendo World as well; a cute Mario pin and a handy Bullet Bill keychain. Overall, it was an amazing time. Check out the video for more blurbs and pictures.

Yarn Haul & Lion Brand Studio

I visited the Lion Brand Studio while in NY and it was a great experience. I was able to take some pictures(view more in the video) and really enjoyed the atmosphere and found everyone there rather friendly. I walked out with a mug that reads 'No skein, no gain' which is probably my favorite find during this trip. I purchased some acrylic fiber, a couple of magnets and cards, and an adorable set of stitch markers. They also included a free bag for spending over $50... Huge win! Check out the video below for more on the Studio as well as Purl Soho.


This awesome haul is from discontinuedbrandnameyarn.com. I scored some more awesome skeins for my stash!





Berroco Comfort Chunky
Colorway: Ocean
50% Super Fine Nylon/50% Super Fine Acrylic
100 grams/150 yards







Berroco Comfort Chunky
Colorway: Faded Denim
50% Super Fine Nylon/50% Super Fine Acrylic
100 grams/150 yards








Berroco Comfort Chunky
Colorway: Snow
50% Super Fine Nylon/50% Super Fine Acrylic
100 grams/150 yards

Berroco Vintage DK
Colorway: Gold
50% Acrylic/40% Wool/10% Nylon
100 grams/288 yards








Berroco Vintage DK
Colorway: Emerald
50% Acrylic/40% Wool/10% Nylon
100 grams/288 yards








Berroco Vintage DK
Colorway: Brick
50% Acrylic/40% Wool/10% Nylon
100 grams/288 yards






Cascade 220 Quatro
Colorway: Grape Vine
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards







Cascade 220 Quatro
Colorway: Carnation
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards

Cascade 220
Colorway: Mint
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards







Cascade 220
Colorway: Fudge Ripple
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards







Cascade 220 Heathers
Colorway: Scarlet
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards








Cascade 220 Heathers
Colorway: Peachy
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards







Cascade 220 Heathers
Colorway: Patina
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards







Plymouth Yarn Diversity
Colorway: Carnival
100% Wool
100 grams/420 yards








Plymouth Yarn Diversity
Colorway: Fiesta
100% Wool
100 grams/420 yards








Plymouth Yarn Diversity
Colorway: Earth
100% Wool
100 grams/420 yards

Hats, Shawl and Misc.

I got a few things done before leaving for NY and had some time to work on a few others during the drive(to and from). Hats seem to be the theme for this update, as i have quite a few completed this time around. I made some Poppy hats... this is a free pattern via ravelry and it has to be my favorite to date. I love the way it's worked, it's pretty quick and it's taught me a lot about short rows.

I aimed to use up all of one of my favorite Red Heart SS Colorway - Peruvia Print - and didn't have quite enough to make a second hat so used some gray as well. I also whipped one up with some DK weight in a blue/purple color that came from a swap and last but not least, i used some of my hand dyed Superwash in a pretty fun colorway. I don't use my own hand dyed yarns often enough... it's about time! More projects will be made out of this, as i found out i enjoy using yarns made or dyed by me quite a bit :).

Only 3 projects came with me while on my trip and only 2 got worked on. The one that was completed was a crochet shawl/kerchief which turned out pretty awesome actually; it's a free pattern as well, i'm not sure why it doesn't have more projects(i thought it was so nice and super fast). Check it out on Rav via my project page here. I used up my yarn pick for the month of June on this and it was a really great pairing. It was my first time using Vanna's Sequins yarn and my experience was positive regardless of the minor hiccups(ie shredded skein). The other i worked on was the Arabella Sahwl(also a free pattern), i got a panel of the shawl done and started on the 4th.

My current tunisian crochet project also came along but i didn't have a chance to work on it at all. This one is based on a current video game i completed, Ducktales Remastered. This pillow will feature Uncle Scrooge, the 8 bit version. I had also finished crocheting the pieces for an amigurumi i made inspired by the LoZ: Majora's Mask, just did not have the chance to stuff and put together yet. This will be the Keaton character and i already know it will come out adorable! I'm looking forward to what this week brings for sure. Check out my video for more blurbs!

Semiannual Fiber Project Update 2015! January to June

Half the year is already gone! I've have made a project page for every project so far(on Ravelry, find me as malonb). I've also tried to take (good) pictures of said projects, not only for my project page but to also feature in the video below. I do have an original blog post that lists all my projects throughout the year(you can view it here) but at this point you'd have to backtrack through my blog quite a bit so i'll bring the list here for easy access . If it's an available pattern(paid or not) i have a link for it, as well as for the appropriate project page for each item. Enjoy!

January:

• 'Harvest' by Tincanknits (free pattern) - Project page
• January Yarn Club Pick - Leg Warmers (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Cable Baby Blanket' by Bernat (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Cable and Gusset Mittens' from the Circular Knitting Workshop - Project Page
• 'Sockhead Hat' by Kelly McClure (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Bandana Cowl' by Purl Soho (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Father Pullover' by Melissa Leapman/Red Heart (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Purple & Green Scrap Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Ambleside Shawl' by Victoria Magnus(paid for pattern) - Project Page

February:

• 'Striped Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page
• February Yarn Club Pick - 'The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief' by Orange Flower Yarn (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Poppy' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Unforgettable Hat Beanie' by Elizabeth Trantham (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Purple Swirl Hat' by Mandie Harrington (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Cardinal Tunisian Crochet Pillow' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Barley Color Blocked' by Tincanknits (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Nyan Cat Pillow - Tunisian Crochet' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Space Invaders Tunisian Crochet Pillow' (no pattern) - Project Page

March:

• 'Pikmin Tunisian Crochet Pillow' (no pattern) - Project Page
• February Yarn Club Pick - 'Fingerless Mitts' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Super Mario Character Pillow' (no pattern) - Project Page
• March Yarn Club Pick - 'Trapezoid Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Poppy' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• March YarnClub Pick - 'Purl Ridge Hat' by Roxanne Yelle (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Amigurumi Egg'  - Free pattern published in my blog - Crochet
• 'Mini Mushroom Amigurumi' - Free pattern published in my blog - Crochet
• 'Shy Little Unicorn - LOZ: :Epona - Horse Amigurumi' x2 by Anan Paula Rimoli published in 'Amigurmi Toy Box' - Project Page

April:

• 'Knit Mushroom Mini Pillow'  (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Cloud Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Optimistic Handbrake Cowl' by Kay F. Jones (paid-for pattern) - Project Page 
• 'Bear Amigurumis' x2 (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Yellow Handbrake Cowl' by Kay F. Jones (paid-for pattern) - Project Page 
• 'Bravely Default - Pirate Fingerless Gloves' (no pattern) - Project Page

May:

• April Yarn Club Pick - 'Sloane Shawl' by This.Bird.Knits (paid-for pattern) - Project Page
• 'Bravely Default - Kimono Inspired Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page
• May Yarn Club Pick - 'Poppy' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• May Yarn Club Pick - 'Gidday Baby' by Georgie Hallam (free pattern) - Project Page

June:

• 'Poppy' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Poppy in Gray & Peruvian Print' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Poppy in Hand Painted Superwash Merino' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Poppy in Purple' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• June Yarn Club Pick - 'Wisteria in Amaretto' by Stine Gudmand-Hoyer (free pattern) - Project Page