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!

These Aren't My Colours But...

I'm going grey.

My Mom (who doesn't colour her hair for those that don't know) has said many times over that once you go grey, the colours you wear change dramatically from the ones you wore when you were young and well... not grey.

I remember my Mom wearing more soft yellow and peach than you could shake a stick at when I was a child. Now, if that colour gets near her, she looks like death (sorry Mom). She's a charcoal and deep purple kinda girl now.

Perhaps I'll head in the other direction? I have spent my youth wearing rich jewel tones and dark greys, now I'm headed towards those soft pastel colours.

While I am not grey enough at this point to make the switch entirely, I suppose you could say that I am just 'prepping my wardrobe' for the future.

Saturday afternoons at the shop are the absolute worst time for inspiration. And I mean that in a good way... We are closed Sunday and Monday and panic sets in at about 2:30 each Saturday afternoon when I know that I will be away from that 'house full of yarn' for two whole days. I always (and I mean always) wind up a skein or two to take with me to get me through the weekend (just in case I knit through everything I have at home in those two days- you know?).

This scarf has been super popular around the shop for a while now, and while I had my eye on some yarn that I wanted to try it out in, I refrained. It looked to be a rather time consuming project for something in colours I don't wear...


But one Saturday afternoon about a month and a half ago, I was weak.

And I wound.

                                                   

The end result?


A linen stitch scarf in feminine greens and soft pinks that drapes like a dream.

Will I wear it much? Oh yeah.

But not for maybe another year or two.

Then I'll really be grey.

Pattern? Linen Stitch Scarf by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

Yarn? Staccato by Shibui in shades (left to right) Poodle Skirt, Spring Garden and Twin Set

Needles? 4 mm, 80 cm circular

I've taken pictures of this rose in years gone by.

And here she is again.

                                     

Almost as happy as me to see scarf weather just around the corner.

It's Like I've Become A Member Of Some Exclusive Club Or Something

You know what this is.

Right?

If not, click here.

And here.

Yeah-huh.

I was given one. I'm in. I'm somebody special.

You heard me.

Special.

Or... that's how I feel anyway.

My Mom and Grandma made the trip up to North Bay to visit 'Cousin/Aunt Lynn' and 'Aunt Helen' this week, and brought this back for me.

I guess the next trip to North Bay, I'm going to have to join in. We'll pick up another wreath and whomever the inteded recipient is, they must join us three ladies on the next voyage up north.

You see how this works?

Who would be up for a road trip in the near-ish future? (It seems to not take her as long as it would certainly take me to make one of these).

I feel so lucky it hurts my everything.

Thank you, thank you, thank you dear North Bay Knitter and North Bay Wreath-Assembler (that would be Aunt Helen and Aunt Lynn, respectively).

In other news...

Peaches are ready!

Faster Than The Speed Of Light

That's how fast I've been knitting these days anyway. No joke! I have simply been knitting up a storm.

But, I also happened to take up a new hobby this summer. Which I didn't think I would actually like... (Don't ask me why... I was just sure I would hate it. I just had to do it to find out for sure).

Turns out, I love it.



And it greatly cuts into my 'finishing' time.

I predict... some finished objects in this blog's near future.

Promise.

(And that's really only because there are no rules about knitting on the golf course).

One Down, Twenty Five To Go

While in Austria back in May I came across Hundertwasserhaus- a community designed by the Austrian artist himself. As I was snapping photos and rambling on and on (and on, and on) about how much I would adore to live in a place that looks like that, I was reminded that I had cast on a pair of Opal Hundertwasser socks while watching the Royal Wedding back in April.

Nothing fancy... just plain ol' vanilla socks- but oh such beautiful colours!

I did my best to explain to my travel companion that I had some 'Hundertwasser yarn in my stash', but it was lost on him. Upon arriving back home however, I dug these socks out of the deep dark depths of one of my many UFO bins and knit onwards and upwards.

In case you haven't noticed... I don't tend to 'match my stripes'. Apologies if it hurts your eyes.

Around the same time that I returned home, a customer challenged me to a '26 pair plunge'.

The goal? To knit 26 pairs of socks in one year (we have until June 30th, 2012). Now, you can include pairs of socks that you have already started... you just have to have finished up 26 pairs in one year. Now, since that's the case- I'm game!

I have more 'single socks' tucked in various bags and drawers throughout my house, I can't even begin to tell you.

Since this Christmas looks like it's going to be 'The Year of the Sock' for many of my gift recipients, I figure that this challenge is just right up my alley. Let's git 'er done.

Shall we?

Yarn? Opal Hundertwasser shade 750 'Blinde Venus'
Needles? 2.5mm
Pattern? It's in my brain

So there you have it. 1/26 complete. And I grafted that toe on the plane to Portland. What a super way to kick off the Sock Summit. (And what a great trip to kick off the 26 Pair Plunge with!)

So, thanks Hundertwasser. For beautiful yarn inspiration, and beautiful water treatment towers.

You're the best.