The Break-Up Blanket

Once upon a time, I broke with a dear boyfriend. It's ok though. These things happen and I'm over it now (although I appreciate the sympathy I just felt come my way from you).

I recall shouting out to a friend to do a wee demo for me on how granny squares were born. I figured a little round-and-round crocheting would do my body some good- and did it ever. She came to my rescue, and I crocheted my way through that broken heart.



Fast forward quite some time and I finally realize how littered my living room floor is with these granny squares. You know when something has been there for so long that you stop even noticing it's even there? Like... dirty laundry? Or a dead house plant? That happened with these squares.

Upon re-discovering these little morsels of crocheted goodness, I did a quick count and realized that I wasn't all that far off a decent sized afghan. So, I got back to it.

The squares I completed most recently were done at a slightly more relaxed tension as I wasn't nursing any broken hearts, but I'd say it all worked out in the end.

Wouldn't you?

It would seem that I am entering that phase in my life now where wedding invites are beginning to roll in more and more frequently. While I had considered packaging this up for a wedding gift, I can't imagine that a real friend would hand off a 'Break-Up-Blanket' as a wedding gift.

That's just cruel.

Right?

Soooo it's all mine.

And the yarny-good details??

Yarn? Cascade 220. 19 skeins total. 8 colours, 10 squares per colour. 2 skeins per 'set' of 10 squares (1 skein in the colour, 1 skein in navy border) plus that 1 extra skein of aqua I had to dip into for the double crocheted border. Ya follow?

The Hook? 4.5 mm

It's the cheapest therapy going- baby.

Not to mention, I'm cozier than I was before the break-up.

I'd say I came out on top.

Wouldn't you?

Happy beginning of Summer to you all!

Nuts to Slow and Steady! I Need Some Instant Gratification!

I am at it again- more cowls that is! I just can't stop... And the best thing about this one? I was able to cast on, knit the thing, rip it out and re-knit it...ready for this?? ALL IN ONE DAY.

So, that means that you could actually make this for a set of twins on the day of their actual birthday when you realize that you forgot to get them something. HA! How perfect is that?

My neighbours are going to start to wonder why I keep asking dear cousin to take my picture outside in various summer outfits with winter accessories. I wouldn't blame them...

It looks pretty simple though... doesn't it? So you wonder why I had to tear it out? Well... it is simple. So simple, it hurts (in a good way, like a deep tissue massage).

BUT, I thought I would be clever and add extra stitches to the pattern to make it deeper. Silly me though refused to dip into a second skein and the result of my modification was that I had a cowl for a giraffe- not me.


In any case, this was one of the less dramatic rrrrrips of my knitting career and I am happy I sucked it up and did it. I tend to just chuck projects that need a tear into a closet and forget about them. Yup... I have a closet designated for such projects. When I need to go in there, I open and then close it REALLYFAST. It's not a place I like to linger much.




Things you wanna know?


Pattern- My Kinda Cowl by Trisha Woodson
Yarn- Magnum by Cascade Yarns
Needle- 12.75 mm
Ease Factor-So easy I was thinking of casting one on and knitting it while I sleep tonight.



Huh. In writing this post I realize that I actually have a set of very special twin friends with a birthday fast approaching... June 28th.

Oooohhh... relax Lynn. You've got loads of time.



So, I think I'll stop and enjoy the roses.

That's what I do.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

It all began when one customer brought in their lovely version of this Kristen Kapur pattern called 'High Line Shawl' knit out of Estelle's Super Alpaca. I was taken with it, but listened to the little voice in my head that said "No Lynn. Even though you have been wanting to try out that chunky alpaca for a dog's age, you have enough on your needles to keep you busy for the next 10 years. Chill out."

I thought that by the next day, I'd be over it.

Well... I sort of was.

That is, until another customer brought it in.

And then- ANOTHER!

At this point, I had no choice. I simply had to cast on.

Which obviously, I did- because I cast off not too long ago!


There were four skeins of that marvelous chunky alpaca sitting on the shelf in this vivid shade of red, and they were mine.

All mine.



And the pattern? I can't say enough. My crush on Kristen began not so long ago when the latest issue of Knitty showcased her adorable cardi called Que Sera (for which I have the yarn wound, but not knit).


But after this project walked in the door, my love affair really began. She's super. And I have just made my crush public. (Can you feel me blushing?)


I never thought of myself as one who would get much use out of a wrap such as this, but let's be realistic... The days that it's cold enough to wear chunky alpaca?

I'll be cocooned like this.

And I'll get TONNES of usage. I just know it.

Clearly today wasn't one of those days that I planned on staying cocooned for long

So why bother knitting in lace you ask? If I am just going to bunch it all up around my neck for no one to see but me?

It's kinda like wearing a killer pair of lace underwear.

Does anyone really need to know you're wearing them?

Not really.

But do you feel like a million bucks?

Absolutely.

DETAILS WE LOVE!

Yarn- Estelle Super Alpaca

Needles- 9mm (even though the pattern calls for 10mm, I just used what was within arms reach)

Pattern- 'High Line Shawl' by Kristen Kapur

Difficulty level- Super great intro into lace. Just... don't try to watch Slum Dog Millionaire while acquianting yourself with the pattern. I had several big rrrrrrip outs occur.

So, to those customers who knit this shawl and inspired the heck out of me?

These are for you.

Cowls in June? Why of course!

When yarn rolls into the shop, it's hard to resist the temptation to immediately wind up a skein in my favorite colour and cast on. When Madelinetosh rolled in, the temptation was as strong as ever- and I succombed.

What could I possibly do with one skein though? HAH! Easy-peasy. Go on Ravelry and copy what 71 other people have done- knit the 'Honey Cowl'!

BANG! I cast this sucker on yesterday afternoon, and cast off first thing this morning. Not only is that a testament to how beautiful the yarn is to knit with, it's also an indication that the pattern is stellar.

So much so... that I'm going to do it again. But looooonger this time. Because this girl can never have too many 'neck warmers'.


Details?
Why of course!

Yarn- Madelinetosh Vintage in Oxblood (1 skein)
Needles- 5mm circular 60 cm
Pattern- Honey Cowl by Madelinetosh

Ahhh... I have mixed feelings about loving 'Oxblood' as much as I do.

And this wee shot is for anyone who loves peonies as much as I do... which is probably most of you.

Holy cow... I'm not sure that even a Madelinetosh cowl can even compete with this.

Can I even say that on a knitting blog?
Pfft. So sue me.