Sunday, September 25, 2011

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.




Friday, September 23, 2011

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.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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...)

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

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!