Deck Those Halls

Well if I didn't open my email this morning to the most perfect Christmas/knitting image I've seen in a while... from none other than guess who!?!?!?

Yup- the mastermind (or maybe I should say part of the mastermind) behind this wreath.

And this one.

Oh yeah, and this one too.



Those knitting needles are surely moving faster than the speed of light.

I hope your decorating isn't getting in the way of your knitting dear knitters!

'Super Cupcake' Indeed

I am going to start by saying that the name of the pattern I am about to share with you is called 'Super Cupcake'. I would be lying if I didn't admit that the name was the inital draw to the pattern.

Why? Well (if you must know), I like cupcakes -A LOT.

Then, a yarn arrived at the shop that I wanted to knit with (shocking, right?).

And then came an opportunity to sit in a car for four hours as a passenger (Oh Motor City, how we love thee).

By the end of the drive there and back (well, plus maybe a bit more time on the couch to be perfectly honest with you...) my very own 'Super Cupcake' of the fat free variety was born.

Cowl and hat.

Easy as pie, simple as punch, cute as a cupcake on a birthday.

All I need is a cape to take this to the next 'Super Cupcake' level.

('Super Duper Cupcake' perhaps?)

Gift giving season? HAH! Hilarious.

I'm keeping this puppy all to my greedy little self.

(Judge all you want. You'd do it too if you gave these accessories a squeeze).

Pattern- Super Cupcake by Bonne Marie Burns over at Chic Knits

Yarn- Cascade Eco Cloud in shade 1802- two skeins for the cowl, one for the hat (if your math is anything like mine, you'll be curious to know that equals three skeins total)

Needles- 4.5 mm and 5 mm, both 60 cm circular

Three cheers for Shaker Rib!

And three more for bolts of Liberty fabric.

Jingle All The Way With Some Wool

As I was working my way through my Google Reader list this morning I came across this video, on this blog.

I present you with the same dare that she presents to her readers- just try not to smile.

It's December 1st my pretties.

You'd better get your knit on.

Because He Is (Still) A Patient Man

I have happened to notice that the weather outside is getting... a little more frightful, and the fire a little more delightful. Since this is the case, I thought that I would finally once and for all give back the hat and scarf that I so lovingly knit my boyfriend last Christmas (who so lovingly 'lent' it to me for the shop... a year ago!)

Since no yarn shop should be without a mans hat however, I whipped off another one, in other colours, really just for my own personal knitting interest. (It's incredibly difficult to knit the same thing, in the same colour, twice!!! Which makes me wonder how I ever finish a pair of socks!?!?!)

The model? Same guy as last time- my cousin (yeeeah... we're related).

But this time, he's no longer looking for love. (Sorry ladies).

While this brown version of the hat suits my red head-ish cousin quite nicely, I long ago decided that this particular boy will never get another hat from my needles ever again.

Especially since I knit him one when we were about 14 years old (in navy Patons Classic Wool I recall) and not only does he not know where the hat went... he has absolutely no recollection of me ever knitting him a hat.

While he might be all smiles and charm, he has been forever blacklisted from my 'To Knit For' list.

And let me tell you, I take that list very seriously.

Pattern? Churchmouse Yarns and Tea Pressed Rib Hat and Muffler (I added an extra inch to the depth of the hat again to cover up those cold ear lobes).
Yarn? Two balls of beautiful, beautiful Zara.

Needles? 4mm circular and double points.



And now that I have returned the hat and scarf, I can forever say 'good bye' to that blasted acrylic Pittsburg Steelers toque that the dear boyfriend has insisted on wearing... in protest?

HA! Wishful thinking Lynn.

London- See You in Ten

So today is my birthday and I'm a mere 28 years old (having a Grandma who is 90 makes me realize that 28 is just that- a 'mere' 28 years old) .


While in London last week, I made sure that I got myself on the London Eye (best city view ever invented). After taking the obligatory touristy shot I realized... that I had the exact same photo of me already.

Only 10 years ago.

Yes, 18 year old me did love to accessorize.

Guess I know where I'll be spending my 38th birthday.

Time certainly does fly when you're having fun.

Here's to another 10 years of knitting (and accessorizing).

Keeping It Real (Warm) in London Town

Lucky me has just arrived home from spending a week in London with my bitsy sister Emma. (She moved there the weekend of the Royal Wedding and has no immediate plans to come home- after my week with her, I can see why).

In an attempt to be the least offensive house guest I can be, I thought I'd kick off our week together 'in style' by presenting her with one of the mega-chunky-cowls that I just can't seem to get enough of. (Don't believe me??? Click here and here for some pretty solid evidence).

And so I have for you, a photo essay of us in London, with our cowls.

(Yeah... we're totally huge losers for wearing the same cowl in the same city on the same day... but since she's a waaaay faster walker than me -note the height difference-, I don't think that anyone noticed as we were rarely seen side by side).

We have 'turtle necks' alright!

 How about a round of 'Name that Bridge'?

Emma at Borough Market (our keens eyes sadly didn't spot our favorite chef shopping for ingredients on Saturday morning- BOO!)

Emma giving me a lesson in how to lock her fancy blue door. (She's the safest she'll ever be inside of that flat, let me tell you!)

Glamour shot on the Millenium Bridge.

Dumb tourist shot in front of St. Paul's Cathedral (just moments before we saw Mayor Boris trot by in a fancy red and gold carriage).

Emma enjoying her chorizo sandwich after strolling the Columbia Road flower market.

And myself doing... much the same.

Conclusion.
Need a hostess gift?

Look no further my friends.

This chunky cowl has got you covered.

Goliath? I Have Your Sock

Driving back from Collingwood two weekends ago, I was sitting in the passenger seat knitting away and enjoying the lovely scenery. (I had a gift certificate to this place, and finally got to use it. Even if you aren't lucky enough to have a gift certificate, you must go now. Or at least add it to your Christmas list!) Seemingly, I was enjoying my knitting so much, that I neglected to look down the entire time we were cruising and I found myself with a massive sock.

Not just a 'Whoa! That's a big sock! Maybe I can get my brother to shimmy it up his foot and make it work!' sock.

More like a 'Holy smokes. Where's Goliath when you need him?' kind of sock.

I looked online to see what this sock measurement equals in terms of men's shoe sizes.

Apparently, it's a size men's US 14.5.

Is it just me...

 Yarn- Mountain Colors Crazy Foot

Or am I the only one blushing here?

That sock looks a little obscene if you ask me.

Happy Hallowe'en!

Since I am pretty positive that one can never be too old for Hallowe'en costumes, I thought I'd share with you this years version.

(If you missed the past few years, just click here and here).

Time seemed to slip away on me this year and on Friday morning, I ran into Value Village to drop a bunch of stuff off. I then gave myself 10 minutes, and $20.00 to find a costume.

After immediately spotting an a-line skirt from Peach Berserk with 'kissy-lips' all over it  (that would have made 14 year old me ECSTATIC!), I left with $14.00 and 8 minutes to spare.

What you can't see is the little pink, red and white bunting hanging over my head

Oh, the things you can do with the boxes that your yarn is shipped in...

Wishing you all a Happy Hallowe'en!



Mohair/Silk (Burlap) Cowl

Last night I was sitting at my kitchen table, knitting away when my cousin/roomie asked me 'Lynn? What's the difference between burlap and knitting?' Since this wasn't an entirely odd question (as far as questions from him go), I took my time giving him an answer. He thanked me, shared his Kraft Dinner with me and carried on with his evening.

When he came home a little later in the night, I proudly modelled my brand new, hot-off-the-needles project (inspired by a customer who was at Show and Tell two weeks back).

The project? A mohair bias looped cowl.

His reaction? 'Lynn- That looks pretty itchy. Doesn't it feel sort of like you're wearing a strip of burlap around your neck?'

Boys...

Thanks heavens I don't allow other people's comments to affect my level enthusiasm for my latest project (remember this???) Especially since- I absolutely love this project.

So just to clear the air, I gotta tell you- this light and airy mohair/silk cowl does not in fact feel like burlap against my most sensitive skin- it feels more like little angels are kissing my neck.

HA! And the yarn used is called 'Angel'!

What the HECK are the odds?!?!?!?

What's more? You can wear this little number in a multitude of ways! (Does three ways count as a 'multitude?')

Heavenly.

As I mentioned above, this project was inspired by a customer who brought her mohair cowl to the shop's annual Show and Tell two weeks ago. I cast on a few days after I saw her version, and after running into her at an Indian Restaurant over the weekend (and gushing over how I loved it so much that I'm making my own...), I thought I'd be a big fat phoney if I didn't follow through and get 'er done.

(So is that the secret to finishing projects!?!?!?!)

Pattern? Churchmouse Yarns and Teas Mohair Bias Cowl (we've got copies at the shop!)
Yarn? Two balls of Debbie Bliss Angel in 'Chestnut'
Needles? 6.5 mm circular by Chiagoo

Stay warm folks.

And remember- leave the burlap to the roses this time of year.

Baby's Got A Brand New Blog

So, this is a picture of my dear sister and I in Florida last February. (It's nice to have a face to the name sometimes... you know?)

Oh, to be wearing a bathing suit again...

And I just thought I'd tell you guys that she has been bloggity-blog-blogging out in Kitchener over the past few weeks.

So, add it to your Google Reader, Faves list... whatever floats your boat.

Just thought I'd pass that news along.

Happy reading!

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma!

Since one doesn't turn 90 everyday, I felt as though it was appropriate to wish my dear Grandma a very Happy 90th Birthday today in blog-land.

If it weren't for her... my mother wouldn't have likely knit (click here to read a summary of how Mother Mary learned to knit)...

And while it wasn't my mother who taught me, being surrounded by knitterly things growing up certainly planted the seed that grew that knitterly beast within.

Need photo evidence that our family's knitting history runs deep?

You got it.

Photo taken from a scrapbook that my Mom made me for my 21st birthday. Photo circa 1940-ish I would guess.

Happy Birthday to you Grandma.

This photo was taken last week as the birthday celebrations were just kicking off. Two generations of knitters (the third generation was snapping this pic).

Thanks for passing down those mad knitting skills.

We love you lots.

xo

ps- how fitting that today also happens to be 'I Love Yarn Day'... what a day to celebrate!

Fraternal Triplets

So, I've had this plan that I will knit a pair of socks each month from now until Christmas. This will ensure that there will be none of that panicked Christmas Eve grafting which has become a part of my Yuletide tradition. (This is one tradition that I will be happy to leave behind one of these years).

Everything was moving along fine and dandy until I cast on the second sock of a pair mid-September.

I finished the cuff and thought to myself 'Really!?!?? This matches???'

After consulting with many a knitter, it was established that no. This isn't a pair (in the traditional sense of the term).

My man friend (who already doesn't understand how I have the patience to knit socks seeing as I barely have the patience to wait for water to boil) said that he would happily wear them, even though they don't match.

But, I didn't cast these socks on with him in mind, and I have some Christmas gifts to knit already!

So, I finished the second... and then cast on a third.

There is a first for everything, and this is the first time that I have ever knit three socks to make a pair.

All I can imagine is that the sock-yarn-spinning-machine hiccuped, causing one ball to be vastly different from it's cousins.

I'm ok with it. While it's thrown me off schedule, it's not like I don't like knitting socks.

Besides, everyone is permitted to make mistakes every once in a while- even yarn spinning machines.

I have forgiven this yarn. So much so that I might have even cast on a turquoise pair for me...

Yarn? Sandnesgarn Strompegarn (I'm pretty sure that means 'sock yarn' in Norwegian) Fantasy
Needles? 2.5 mm double points
Pattern? It's still in my head... I should really get it out there and into the world someday.
Size? Mens 10

So, I suppose that it's time I think of a recipient with a need for three socks.

Or two people with the need for three socks?



As for that 'Sock Plunge' I commited to a while back... does this count as 1.5 pairs??? That would put me at 2.5/26.

Let me know.

In Which We Must Thank the Sheep

This past weekend was the much loved Markham Fair. I make a point of going each and every year with my buddy Amy. We always end up stuffing our faces with Tiny Tom's donuts while we moan and groan about how adorable barn yard animals are and oogle the lovely quilts and knitting. (A big 'congrats' to all of the knitting winners out there!)

It just so happens that every year we go, it's absolutely freezing outside. It always feels like the first official 'cold' of Fall arrives the moment we step onto the fairgrounds. Since I am getting wiser with age (ha!), I planned ahead this year and made sure to knit myself an ultra warm accessory.

Sorry dude... I've got your wool.    

I even made a point of posing with the producers of the fibre. (Thanks guys!) I would have given my left foot for one of their fleeces that night had I not taken matters into my own hands.

But either way, I owe them a big thank you.

                                        
Info on cowl? Well... I've knit this cowl before, and I promise you I'll knit it again! This baby whips up in about as much time as it takes to go grocery shopping. (Now what would you rather do???)

Pattern- My Kind of Town Cowl by Trish Woodsen
Yarn- Cascade Magnum- 1 skein
Needles- 12.75 mm (SEE! I wasn't kidding when I said it knit up at warp speed)

I suggest you make one for yourself for the next time Markham Fair rolls around- you've got plenty of time to make a few of them actually... Oh heck- enter one in the fair if you really want. Just be sure you have one to wear when you go collect your prize winnings.

Speaking of entering things into the fair... here is a sampling of my Uncle's winnings- first prize tomoatoes! (There was also first prize peppers, watermelons...the list goes on!)

Oh Markham Fair...

I love you.

Even though you're colder than winter camping in February.

Wreath In Action

I believe that I promised you guys a shot of the wreath after I mounted it and hung it.

And since I know you have all been waiting with baited breath...

Here it is!

I still can't actually believe it's mine.

I Guess It's Time To Grow Out My Hair

We've been stocking Chic Knits patterns at the shop for quite a while now, and I am a major fan. While I have only ever knit the Mondo Cable Hood, I have wound yarn for about oooooh... maybe 7 of her sweaters? I just always seem to get distracted (that can't be shocking news for you now... really!)

Her pattern Cassidy's Cap has been calling my name for a while however and I finally picked up on it.

I banged this cabley beret out in about two days.

Unfortunately for me, I just don't have enough hair to fill this hat up. I had added a touch of extra length since hats are usually way too small for my giant melon, but I should have considered that since I don't have the mess of hair I once did (it's been a while since I've knit myself a hat).

I should have also considered that trying on a hat while it's still on the needles isn't really an accurate way to fit a hat. (I swear it looked good while on the needles!)

In any case, I suspect that if I knit it on slightly smaller needles on a slightly thinner yarn, I shall get exactly what I had in mind. I will keep you posted on my success of  'beret version 2.0'.

Info you might want to know.

Pattern? Cassidy's Cap by Bonne Marie Burns over at Chic Knits

Needles? 3.75 mm and 5 mm (next time will be 3.5 and 4.5)

Yarn? Diamond Luxury Collection Superwash Merino Aran in shade 8824 (next time will be worsted)

So, if you know anyone with giant hair (dread locks perhaps?), introduce me to them.

They might just leave with a new hat.

Heather To The Power Of Two

I was in the shop last weekend, just going about my business (which is of the yarn variety), when my sister and her adorable man-friend stopped by to pay me a visit. This is always a nice treat, especially since they live waaaay out yonder in Kitchener (but thank goodness a move to Toronto is in the near future for them!!!)

I noticed that my sister had a plant in her hand, which prompted me to feel badly rather quickly... she had gifted me a chili plant not more than two weeks before! I just can't keep up with the girl`s generosity...

But that feeling of guilt quickly transformed into happy screams and yelps when I took a closer look at the heather plant that my sister (whose name also happens to be Heather), plopped into my hands.

The neighbours truly must have thought I was being murdered (although I do find it interesting that no one came to my rescue...)

Look right down in there now...

Heather was the only one of us four 'kids' to be named after a plant, and the only one to pursue a career in the 'plant' world- so just keep this in mind when naming your kids

For those of you that are having a hard time picking up what I'm laying down... let's just say that the heather plant they presented my parents had a tag that said 'We're getting married'.
They're gettin' hitched.
And this is awesome.

Absolutely awesome.

And for those who might be wondering, the answer is 'yes'. My Mom did have a wedding shawl on the needles within minutes (no joke).

Besides, this is a 'knitting blog' afterall. I would have kept this news to myself if there wasn't some sort of a tie in. (HA! Right...)

His & Hers

Recently my man friend asked me to 'pick up a baby gift' for his cousin in Switzerland who just became a father. I tend to seriously over think tasks as such and obsessed over this gift for days, picking the brains of anyone who had ever had a baby for ideas.

Clothes? They are likely giving away outfits to the Swiss Salvation Army since this is a first grandchild on both sides (and who doesn't love to play dress up with little family members???)

Toys? Ditto.

Books? They speak German.

But baby booties!?!?!? AHA! It's getting chillier over there, so let's keep those little toes warm! (I realize that these might fall under the category 'clothes', but please don't rain on my parade.)

Knitters want to knit for those they love, but knitters also don't always have the time to knit for each and every loved one in their life.

People like that, should consider themselves blessed (and I do!).

But baby booties? There is ALWAYS time for baby booties.



I whipped up a pair of grey ones for the wee Swiss babe out of some yarn that I picked up at the Sock Summit back in July. Realizing that these were soon to be sent off with the UPS man, I felt sad that there wouldn't be any booties to leave at the shop.

So, I knit pink ones.

If this little baby boy ever finds himself with a baby sister, I'll be sure to pay the UPS man another visit with the pink ones in 'toe'. (Did you catch that!?!?!?! I just cracked a 'sock joke'!)

Yarn
Grey- Sophie's Toes Merino Sock
Pink- Shibui Knits Sock in 'blush'
Needles- 2.75mm
Pattern- Churchmouse Wee Ones 'Stay-On Booties in Three Gauges' (we've got copies at the shop if you're wondering)

So there you are little Swiss baby.

Sorry I had no luck finding you a 'Baby's First Fondue Set'.

Booties it is!