A Warm Thank You

I just wanted to check in quickly to extend a heartfelt thank you to you all for your kind words regarding my news last week.

Slow and Steady

You commented on the blog, emailed me directly, mentioned it on Ravelry, called the shop, and some of you even visited the shop- thank you for being such supportive people. It means the world to me, and my man.

The peony tree at the shop- Drop. Dead. GORGEOUS!

While it is indeed a pretty exciting time, less than two weeks into this process I am seeing how this whole wedding planning business is going to cut into my knitting time significantly. Oh the horror! I see why some knitters elope.

Price tag? 35 cents.

Us seasoned knitters know however that there is always time for socks- no matter what this wedding prep demands of us.


Are you feeling some wedding socks the way I'm feeling some wedding socks?

No one wants cold feet on their wedding day.

Can I Register For A Black Cat?

As I've mentioned here before, I'm rather superstitious.

Try as I might, walking under ladders, black cats crossing my path, and shoes on the table always leave me feeling a little on the uneasy side.

If you'll recall however, one superstition that I was able to move past (albeit much pep-talking was needed on my part) was the dreaded sweater curse. This was one myth that I found myself willing to battle head on last July, when I cast on a sweater for my dear man's 30th birthday.

You could say that I turned my nose up in the face of that curse and proudly gifted a lovingly knit sweater to my man- all whilst being without 'the ring'. I wanted something extra super special to commemorate his big day. That sweater was not so much the only way, but the best way this knitterly girl knew how. I weighed out my options and decided that I was willing to take my chances.

Besides, I could always ask for it back if things didn't work out- right??? (I conveniently have a brother who is of a similar size).

Now let's fast forward to this past Sunday- May 13th.

At the end of a beautiful hike through the Hockley Valley, just before heading down to his parent's place for some Mother's Day celebrations, my dear man showed that sweater curse who's boss and popped the question.

Let me do a quick recap here my fellow knitters- I knit the sweater, and then I got the ring, on May 13th no less!

Expected date to wed?

Sometime in the Winter of 2013.

Would you look how far I have come!?!?!?

Seemingly, when I go swimming, I emerge from the water with the
same hair-do as my man. Totally a sign that we were meant to be...

Stuff it sweater curse.

I win.

Love The One You're With

I was listening to Brenda Dayne's podcast 'Cast On' last week, and she was conducting an interview with a yarn shop owner in the States. At one point in the interview she asked the shop owner 'So, what's your favorite yarn?' (SUCH a good question!) to which the shop owner replied 'Whatever yarn I'm working with'.

Well, you know what knitters? I get it.

I totally and completely get this lady. And not just because we both have a key to a yarn shop on our keyrings, but because as I was knitting away on my boring-plain-old black socks while listening to that podcast, I found myself thinking  'Holy smokes. This is absolutely my favorite yarn in the world to knit with ever'.

My current love- Waikiwi by Natually Yarns

Last week, my favorite yarn was a variagated cotton.

Next week it's going to be a teal green worsted weight wool.

I feel like I'm a kid again, when my 'best friend' changed more often than I changed my underpants.

Pincushion Proteas Please

Opportunities to knit seem fleeting in this short lifetime my friends, so be sure that whatever yarn you have on those needles of yours- it's love.

Two Hoots For Handmade

As soon as a knitter (or 'maker' of any kind) hears the good news that a new baby is brewing, we start churning out baby stuff pronto. Well at least I do. In this particular case especially. I didn't waste one precious minute. It took me a good number of knitted baby projects before I felt I had landed on the right one. My sewing plans however made up for my knitting indecisiveness. This baby is a pretty special person, and only the best will do.
I have had this fabric in my stash for about three years now. I picked it up at the Creative Festival and despite the price tag, 25 year old me said to myself  "I'm sure I'll meet a baby worthy of this adorable fabric someday". 

Quilt tied with Sheldrige Farms Merino Sock Yarn

Fast forward a few years and sure enough, I was right. Not only am I about to meet a very worthy baby... but when something sits around in your stash long enough, you begin to forget that you ever paid for it, and it feels FREE! (Having said that however, I am pretty sure that you can't put a price on a handmade baby gift.)
So, I got to work piecing, stitching, tying and binding.

I like little sets of things. Or gifts that tell a story. And I wanted to make a whole little ensemble to go with this quilt. I made one attempt at this, but it was a sad lesson in "Lynn, no matter what you think, you don't remember the colours exactly so just bring in the darned fabric already!"

The tiger stripe sweater was originally intended for this babe. When paired with this blanket however, it looked absolutely vile. 'Vile' just won't do for this little person.

When I finally got over my stubborn self, I brought in the quilt top to the yarn shop and VOILA! A match in baby sweater/quilt set heaven was made.

Details for you and your favourite little person
Pattern- Striped Cardigan by Debbie Bliss, found in Baby Cashmerino Book 2
Yarn- Debbie Bliss Eco Baby (a 100% organic, fair trade cotton) 2 balls each in shade 14 and 26
Needles- 3.25mm and 3.5mm

All good stories need a good introduction- something to grab the reader. So because I tend to do things a little backwards around here, I'm going to show you how this little baby-gift-story-line of mine began.

The Village Grocer wins major points in the wrapping paper department

Hey Baby! We love you!
Hoot!

Be Still My Beating Heart

There are few things that I love as much as yarn. Er... let me rephrase that. There are few things that I love almost as much as yarn.

But peonies are certainly up there.

I flippin' adore them.

I walked into my local florist yesterday to see what she had in that flower filled fridge of hers. I literally gasped out loud to the point that the poor merchant of blooms felt compelled to ask me (in all seriousness) if I was ok.

Of course, I'm totally ok.

In fact, I've never been better.

Could Baby Knitting Be My New Sock Knitting?

I have knit another baby sweater. And not anything especially new or exciting... just another version of one I've already knit.

Pattern- Churchmouse Yarns and Teas 'Easy Peasy Baby Jacket'
Size 6-12 months

I love it. Like... I love it a lot.
And I realized while knitting it, that I also love knitting baby things.

Yarn- Cascade Luna Paints in Shade 9833
2 skeins

It satisfies that piece of my knitterly pie that socks satisfy. I can see progress quickly, I know it will get put to good use, and it's portable- easy to pick up and put down, then come back to.

Hers and His

As I was clicking away on this project however, I began to reflect on when exactly my last pair of socks came off the needles.The answer? Too long ago (aka just over two months ago).

I got worried that maybe my sock knitting had been replaced. It left me hoping and praying that maybe once the darling babe that I'm so anxiously waiting for arrives, my sock knitting will resume. (I've got some sets of feet to keep warm already!)

Earlier in the week however I had an invite to a friend's place. Knowing there would be some sitting around and chatting involved, I grabbed the nearest ball of sock yarn I could find (one needn't look too far in my place). I ran out the door and cast on.

And do you know what I discovered?

Much to my relief, my love of socks has most certainly not been replaced.

Why... Hello socks!

I've missed you terribly.

Feeling A Bit Wooly Headed?

Something nasty has been circulating as of late.



I hope your medicine cabinet is stocked!