Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Fiber Factor

I sort of really love this idea.



Too bad I don't have three designs ready to go.

And too bad I'm not American...

I'd be all over it if I did/was!

I will most certainly be tuning in however.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Keeping Those Hands Warm

In Canada, in February, warm knuckles are CRUCIAL. It seems as though no matter how much lotion you slather on your chilly paws, you just can't keep up with the dry, dry skin that ensues.

Pair some lotion with some fingerless gloves however? And you just might have a solution to your dry/cracked hands problem. (Gross- I know. But there are many gross facts of life out there. Blech!).

Nail Colour- RBG in shade 'Red'

I know that these gloves probably look familiar. And that's because... it wasn't too long ago that you saw another pair right on this here blog.

But after seeing my friend Tara churn through many-a-pair in this beautiful yarn (not only beautiful to look at, but also SO beautiful to knit with!), I couldn't contain myself.

I cast on, and before I knew it, a new pair of fingerless mitts had just fallen off of my needles.


Two by two ribbing and hand painted merino with 20% alpaca.

Win.

Win.


Win.


Pattern- Churchmouse Yarns and Teas Ferryboat Mitts
Yarn- Misti Alpaca Handpainted Worsted in the shade 'Flora'
Needles- 4mm DPN

So if you don't have a pair yet.

What are you waiting for?

Surely you don't want to end up like this guy.

Do you?

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentines Day To YOU

Today is the day- my favorite holiday of the entire year. Everything is red and pink, each bowl is filled with sugar and there is simply no excuse NOT to buy flowers. I just... love it. It's exactly what the world needs in the middle of an otherwise rather dreary month.

So to celebrate my favorite day, I thought that I would crank out (yet another) striped baby sweater.


Pink, red, stripes, and some little heart buttons.

Little heart buttons that found their way into my stocking this Christmas, courtesy of my sister Emma.


Precious- right?

But do not let this sudden onslaught of baby knitting allow you to think that perhaps I might be pregnant.

Because... you would be sorely disappointed.

Much like "Auntie Emma" was yesterday when she discovered that my text to her which included a photo of this sweater using her buttons was NOT in fact a baby announcement.

So, sorry folks.

No babies baking over here.


But that doesn't mean I can't knit for babies- does it?

Lovey-Dovey Sweater Facts
Pattern- Striped Baby Cardigan by Debbie Bliss,  from her book Baby Cashmerino 2
(this is the fourth time I have knit this, so I don't expect too much of an applause over it).
Yarn- Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, 2 balls each of shade 601 (baby pink) and shade 700 (ruby)
Size- 6-9 months
Needles- 2.75mm and 3.5mm (I always bump up my needles when I knit with this stuff)
Recipient- The invisible baby that lives at Mary's Yarns (meaning... it's a store sample)

That imaginary baby is going to be one festively dressed little creature today.


As for what I am wearing... that goes without saying.


Happy Valentines Day dear knitters.

May your day be nothing but 'sweet'.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Honey Coloured Socks and a 'Honey'moon

So... yeah. It's true. I have been a little bit MIA as of late, but with good reason! And that reason?

This place.


We just got back from a week of being blissfully disconnected from all things 'inter-webs' while hanging out on the beautiful island of St. Lucia.

It was a week of no internet, but a week with no shortage of sun, sand and swimming.

 

I guess that trips like this one are often referred to as a 'honeymoon'.

And let me tell you... it certainly was pretty sweet.

  
So while the temperatures ran high, the knitting didn't stop. 

I believe that most non-knitters of the world would think that it might be somewhat disfunctional to go somewhere so beautiful -on a honeymoon no less!!!- only to knit your brains out.

But I know that you folks understand.

And so does my man.

That's why I like you all (my man included!) as much as I do.

So as we were taking off from gross, grey Toronto, I cast on these beautiful honey coloured socks, to commemorate our 'honey'moon.

And the sock knitting certainly didn't stop once we had landed. 

OH no!


I hauled those socks down to the beach with me everyday. Days in which I spent cycling through a pattern of 'knit, read, swim, nap, repeat'.


I have returned home a little bit more tanned, a little bit more rested and with a fresh new pair of socks to add to my sock drawer.

Which as it turns out, is perfect.

Because while you are someplace as beautiful and as warm as the tropics, it is often difficult to imagine that there might be snow waiting for you at home.

Snow-Toes

But it is certainly a good thing that I didn't let my doubts get the best of me.

Because it looks like... I'm going to need these.

A Honey-ed Heel

Knitterly Info for Pour Vous

Pattern- Tesserae Sock by Anne Hanson, kindly gifted to me through Ravelry FOREVER ago by my good buddy Tara
Yarn- Hazelknits Piquant Light in the colourway Bronze Age (purchased at the Sock Summit in 2011)
Needles- 2.75mm double pointed needles


So stay warm dear knitters.


Trips like these remind us all that summer really is just around the corner.

And that it's never too hot to knit.