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

Update Time!

It feels like it's been quiet a while since my last update!! It's been about a month i think. I finished the cute baby cardigan i was working on, which used up most of my yarn pick for the month of May. I didn't have enough to do the sleeves still, adorable nonetheless. I also whipped up a Poppy hat, one of my favorite patterns ever.. which i paired with with one of my favorite Red Heart SS colorways, 'Peruvian Print', the outcome was awesome and random all at once. I'm going to try to squeeze another one out with the yarn i have left(not sure if i'll make it, but i'll try!).

I've been spinning and working on some WIPs(works in progress) as well, however i decided to cut down on yarn time due to discomfort. Crochet used to cause this quite a lot, with the new ergonomic hooks i got a while ago it hasn't though, and i haven't been doing all that much crochet lately. This time around it has to be either the knitting or spinning, unfortunately even gaming, it seems like i'm working with my hands nonstop all day. I've been looking up other hobbies and/or looking for other ways i could do things in order to give my hands a rest; reading(an actual book as opposed to audio books) is a great way, as is any video game where you can play it via the Kinect, PS' Move controller or even some Wii/Wii U games that use the wand. It has me a little sad, but i think everything will work itself out in time.

Knitting wise i'm still working on my sweater as well as the cat themed cowl and a new project, a wedge shawl. Crochet wise i'm still working on my Nintendo Inspired blanket as well as a needle holder i can  hang on my wall. I don't have all the details yet, but i'll be updating on my Rav as i'm making progress. There is some spinning that's still waiting to be washed and i'm working on some awesome fiber i turned to rolags recently. I love this stuff! In my video update i also share my yarn pick for the month of June which is pretty awesome; i'm looking fwd to work on it!

Last but not least, my New York trip is coming up!! I plan to visit the Lion Brand Studio for sure and have a few other smaller yarn places on my list. I'll be staying in the Manhattan area for the week and am really looking fwd to it. Being a couple of blocks away from Nintendo World will be amazing, not to mention very close to Time's Square. I'll try to take some pictures and/or have an update for you guys. I will be taking some projects to work on, specially during the drive (it's about a 4-5hr drive from where i'm at) and of course, will be taking some gaming stuff as well.

Talking about gaming... i totally forgot to mention the ones i beat recently. DuckTales Remastered was pretty awesome, it really brought some memories from back in the day. I plan to make a Tunisian crochet pillow for this one, inspired by the 8bit version from the NES day. I also recently finished LoZ: Majora's Mask. I played this back in the day of N64 and i had forgotten how much there is to do, a lot of side quests and all of that. I thoroughly  enjoyed it(probably more than the first time). For this one i was thinking of making an amigurumi, but i still have to brainstorm a little to see what it is i would really want to make. Check out my video for more blurbs.

Yarn & Fiber Haul!

My first purchase was some amazing fiber from Expertly Dyed (check out her etsy shop here). I purchased from her before and always love her stuff; i also suggest checking out Jennifer's YouTube channel specially if you're into spinning dying and/or learning more about fiber in general. 

These 4 batts were purchased with the idea of spinning two of them together, as each are around 2oz each. I got two of the green batts (really did remind me of grass, i'm thinking if i should spin these next) in the 'Textured Grass Block' colorway. The other two have already been spun and are getting a few days of rest before plying; these will become a transitional 2-ply yarn. The yellow color was 'Banana Glama' while the orangy red is 'Harris & Donegal'. All these batts are a mix of many fibers, too many to list here but if you want more details check out my handspun project page on Rav here. These have really inspired me while making batts or rolags on my blending board. 

My other purchase from Etsy was a cute project bag from Southpaw Creations featuring some woodland animal. I didn't take a picture of it but do check out the cuteness in my video below. Erin also has a YouTube channel i suggest checking out if you like to see other's finished projects and/or if you're inspired by such(i know i am). I've also purchased from this shop before... i can only say good things. She's recently put up a couple of new styles as well. 

Last but not least, my yarn haul from Discontinued Brand Name Yarn... so much for being on a yarn freeze, lol. I stocked up on a sweater's quantity of Lamb's Pride Superwash in the 'Turf Green' colorway, 8 skeins in total. I have really been into green lately and am craving to make a sweater out of this sort of color, i just have to find the perfect one! I stocked up on a couple of yarns which i have purchased last time as well, these are the Cherry Tree Hill Yarn Supersock Select in the 'Bark' and 'Apricot' colorways, i got 2 skeins of each. They also had some Cherry Tree Hill Yarn that i had to get my hands on, the Broad Band Supersock. These have large color blocks in the most interesting palettes, i got 5 in total (African Gray, Cherry Blossom, Old Rose, Birches and Spring Frost). I plan to choose one of those to gift to a lucky person when my 1k YouTube subscriber giveaway happens as well so keep an eye out for that! 

Project Updates & Fiber Spinning

I got a couple of projects completed this time around; among those is the Kimono-belt inspired cowl based on a character's costume from one of my recently completed games; Bravely Default on 3DS. You can check out my project page for more info here. I love it actually, and think the bow is such a cute embellishment(it covered the jog too!). Talking about games, i have also recently finished DuckTales: Remastered. This was a remake of the original NES game from back in the day; I can really say it was thoroughly enjoyed. What has this inspired? Hm, i'm torn between something via tunisian crochet or a knitted colorwork project. I should have something in the works by next time for sure so stay tuned for that!

I finished another Poppy hat using my yarn of the month pick, I Love This Yarn in a blue tweed colorway. I'm working on a baby sweater that will hopefully take care of the rest of the skein, since my aim is to use all or as much of it as I can. Some progress has also been made with one of my KALs, which is the INFINICATS cowl(project page here). I still have some ways to go, but so far I love the colors and the charts are so fun to work. Last but not least, I started on a sweater, it will be my first bottom-up and the first where I'm using 100% wool (rather than my usual synthetics). This is a Knit Picks Bulky yarn in a very gorgeous blue hue called Bluebird; you can view my project page on Rav here. I barely started on this project but there's no rush, as the hot weather has just started in my neck of the woods. 

Spinning has taken a lot of my time these last couple of weeks, not to mention my blending board has finally arrived. I finished spinning a couple of fiber batts(and rolags) that will be resting a few days before plying. The blending board is amazing and so much fun to play with. I made two batts and spun those in the same yarn in order to make a transitioning color yarn(ideally, will have to see the results after plying). I have plenty of fiber to play around still... If I could go back and forth between spinning, making batts and knitting/crocheting all day everyday I totally would! The other fiber I spun was some I picked up at the recent MD Sheep and a Wool festival. The colors are a little more muted than I would have liked after being spun, yet the fiber was a dream to work with and spun very smoothly. Eventually I would like to take inspiration from the colors in this fiber to make a yarn with bigger color sections. That's pretty much it, as usual check out the vid for more blurbs!

Yarn Haul, Earings & an Alpaca

This was another purchase from Ebay; a cute Alpaca plush! I take from the label that his(or her) name is Alpacasso; and this specific one features a cute little blue hat and a bow(this is the 'Love Hat' version). This one is 7" and i actually forgot i had bid on this until it was over and i discovered i won! So cute and a little over $3(including shipping), she(or he) is totally worth it. I'm going to plant this next to my black Alpaca which came to me from Arizona via swap. Don't they look cute together?



These sheep stud earnings came from Asia, however i ordered them via Amazon(check them out here). They were a find at under $4(including shipping), and they're adorable. When i purchased them they weren't eligible for Prime shipping so it was no surprise that it took a couple of weeks to arrive. I was excited to receive them before MD Sheep and Wool so i could wear them; however when the day came i totally forgot about these! Still, i love them!

Last but not least; i have made another order from Discontinued Brand Name Yarn. This also took place before MD Sheep and Wool, i really think the last fiber haul set off all the yarn/fiber purchasing. Regardless of what i purchased at the festival, i did really try to limit this haul to the skeins that i felt like i couldn't do without. This does include a skein of self striping yarn i'll be giving as a prize once i hit 1000 subscribers on my YouTube channel(check it out here). I'm quite pleased with this haul; details below. As always, check out my video(at the end of this post) for more blurbs :).




Cherry Tree Hill Yarn - Fingerpaints Supersock Silk Self Striping
80% Low Micron Superwash Merino Wool / 20% Silk
420 yds / 4 oz
Colorway: Rasta Man







Cherry Tree Hill Yarn - Supersock Select Fingering Colorways
100% Superwash Merino Wool
420 yds / 4 oz
Colorway: Java








Cherry Tree Hill Yarn - Supersock Select Fingering Colorways
100% Superwash Merino Wool
420 yds / 4 oz
Colorway: Beach






Cherry Tree Hill Yarn - Supersock Select Fingering Colorway Solids
100% Superwash Merino Wool
420 yds / 4 oz
Colorway: Apricot







Cherry Tree Hill Yarn - Supersock Select Fingering Colorways Solids
100% Superwash Merino Wool
420 yds / 4 oz
Colorway: Bark

Henry's Attic Yarn - Superwash Baby
100% Superwash Merino
436 yds / 100 grams
Colorway: Firestarter






DBNY Yarn - Sock - Dip Dyes
100% Superwash Merino
420 yds / 4oz
Colorway: Melon

900 YouTube Subscriber Giveaway! CLOSED

And the winners are..... Congratulations guys!!




---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey guys, this is amazing! We now have over 900 subscribers on my YouTube channel(check it out here). To thank you guys I have 4 prizes for you this time. This giveaway is open internationally and will run for one week starting today; May 9 - May 16, 2015. The requirements are below.


1. Be a subscriber to my channel
2. Share this specific video OR my YT channel via one(1) social media outlet of your choice.
3. Leave a comment on the video which reads: 'I am a _____________'(you fill in the blank) and sharing where you have shared the video or my YT channel.

That's it guys, good luck everyone!!

Project Update & MDSW Haul

This has been a pretty full. MD Sheep and Wool was this weekend, and i have to say it was an awesome time...i made it home with some amazing yarn and fiber and managed not to break the bank(mini-haul!). It was a gorgeous day to be outdoors and i got to meet another fellow knitter(and crocheter); Dalequan from the SheSpins on YouTube. Unfortunately i didn't bump into anyone else i recognized this time around, but next time i will plan this out!

I made it out with a smallish yarn haul; including a yarn for you guys(i'm already planning ahead for the 1k YouTube subscriber giveaway)! I got a skein of Merino in an orangy/peachy/grayish colorway called Fire Opal, and picked up the Berry Delight colorway for you guys; this is an awesome pink/purple/green/brown blend. A skein of Old Mill Yarn also made it to my stash, i just loved all the different shades of brown(i should have picked up more of this, i would love a sweater quantity). Last but not least(yarnwise) i picked up a huge mega skein of Blue Moon yarn of BFL Sport in the H2OH YEAH! colorway; which has amazing blues and green shades throughout.  I did purchase two fiber braids; a Wool and Silk blend in the 'Seamist' colorway as well as a natural braid of Blueface Swirl by Gale's Art. I found this one specifically gorgeous since it's a combination of natural colors; it's a cream with grays and browns, no dye needed.

I finished the Sloan Shawl on the way to MDSW and was so excited that i used most of my yarn pick for April(save a couple of yards). I love everything about this shawl; the yarn, the texture, the colors, the look, i would definitely make this again(and recommend it to others). I also picked out my yarn pick for this month which is some I Love This Yarn in the Seablue Tweed colorway; i'm thinking baby clothes or something similar for this yarn. For more blurbs check out the video as usual :)