It's the "Party-Cardi"

Oh yes- what a perfect party outfit!
Wouldn't you just be entirely intrigued by any woman who bust through the party doors in this little number?
She would be the girl that you just HAVE to get to know. The one that gets all the good lookin' men and drinks on the house. The one that every woman in the room wants to be.

So what if she's only 6-12 months old?



In any case- cute! Non?
Le sigh... I do love this little get-up.
I even went to the mall to buy a dress to go with it. This cardigan called for an 'outfit'.
It needed to be a part of an 'ensemble'.


I walked around the store with just the sleeve of the sweater to match it up to something. The lady at the counter asked me what it was and when I told her it was a sweater that I was knitting, she told me I was really 'cute' for knitting. "You must save a lot of money by knitting!" she exclaimed. I smiled politely and told her that wasn't exactly the point. What else was I to say?

Hm.
That was rude of me.
Wasn't it?

The sweater details-
Yarn- Wendy's Peter Pan DK
Needles- 4mm
Pattern- Sirdar pattern # 1708

Oooooh! And speaking of 'party'! It's Mary's (AKA my mother's!) birthday today!
Cupcakes and cappucinos for everyone!

Party, party! In a hot pink cardi!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

"Harmony"-ously Cabled

Oh look! It is possibe to finish a sweater after ignoring it for an entire year.
See???


No, no silly. I didn't do it. My MOM did! I just modeled it! Didn't you read my last post? (I'm still working on my problem, but I think I'm making some progress).
This sweater is actually for my patient sister (with much longer arms than me), who will have to be patient for one more year as it sits in the store for all of you folks to see live-in-the-flesh.
Oh, and trust me, it's worth the drive.
It's soft and squishy as can be. I suppose that's the beauty of merino. That stuff never fails to amaze me when I see it knit up.
It' such a delightful yarn in fact, that Mary herself said she can't wait to cast on in this yarn again. Her mind has been spinning with more ideas for it.

Please let it be known that Mary ignoring this project for a year is not at all a reflection of the yarn- but a result of what happens when you make a big mistake.
Knitter's (well, at least the knitters in this house) seem to think that if they leave a project alone for a year, the mistake just might fix itself.

The mistake was in the pattern so be aware that it's there.
Not a huge deal... just kind of a huge deal when you are way up the back and discover it.
The schematic and the written measurements don't correspond. Mary follows the schematic and of course... ended up with a too short sweater.
The problem was solved and she got back to it.



Mission accomplished.
Wouldn't you say?

Er, that shot was to show off the cabling down the arm.
Did I make my point?

Want some details?
Here you go lovely knitter.

Pattern- From Vogue Fall 2006, page 97.
"Cabled Tunic" by John Brinegar.
The pattern doesn't show a turtleneck but my mom decided to switch it up and kept it simple. My sister loves to be warm and toasty.

Yarn- Naturally's Harmony 10 ply

Couldn't you just bury your face into that?
When you come to visit it at the store, and when I'm not looking, GO FOR IT!

Dear knitter, I leave you with these lovely sunflowers.
Our backyard is full of them.
I couldn't resist.


I'm off, to finish something.
I think I might have just been inspired. I just got so much satisfaction out of someone else's project, maybe I should finish my own!

Creative ADD

Yup. That's what my mother diagnosed me with yesterday. She's right though you know. I cast on a new project more frequently than I feed myself. It's getting to be a bit much.
I have four baby sweaters on the go right now.
FOUR!
That might be alright if I was expecting a baby, or even knew of lots of babies- but I don't.

So, just bear with me.
Work in progress shots can be boring, but then again, so is not posting for a month.

I'm close folks.
So close to finishing something, I can smell the ends being woven in.

On another note- it's my wee brother's 17th birthday today.
I'm not so sure I should still be calling him wee (I'm the 5'7" runt of the family) but I do remember the days when he was.


Happy Birthday.

And to you knitters- Happy Knitting.

Some Sob Stories Have Happy Endings

Here is my sob story, short and sweet-

I am one of those knitters that tends to over pack when it comes to knitting projects while travelling. I always worry I am going to get bored, or change my mind, or that a project just might entirely bomb. My trip to Scandinavia was no exception. Not only did I need projects for the train rides, I also needed projects for the never ending flight. And lay over. And second flight.

I packed as though I wouldn't step into another yarn shop for the next three years.
This included in my carry-on.

I swear I had enough yarn and accessories with me to teach the whole plane how to knit.

And what do you think happened???
They confiscated three of my four pairs of Addi Turbo needles. (I might have lied a little and told them I only had three pairs).

Let me tell you, that I have been fortunate enough to travel lots since security has cracked down on what you can bring on the plane, and I have NEVER had a problem.
Until... this trip.
Let's just say that there were no on-board knitting lessons happening that day.

The good news?

They didn't take my crochet hook.
Or my sock needles.
My 4 pairs of sock needles.

So, I set to work crocheting and this is my happy ending.



This absolutely cheerful scarf.


By the time I got off the plane and had finished this scarf, I almost felt 100% better about having my precious needles taken away from me. ALMOST.

Want to know about the scarf?

Hook size- 4 mm.
Yarn/Pattern- It's a kit! From KnitWhits.
It's called the "Ella" scarf and we have some of the kits in the store. They have been tempting me for quite some time now but I wasn't sure if my crocheting skills were quite there.

Then when I knew I had numerous hours to sit in a chair with nothing to do other than work away at a challenging (well, for ME challenging) crochet project, I jumped at the chance.
Thank goodness I did! Because not much knitting would have happened due to my lack of needles.
Well... unless you want to count the four pairs of socks I had brought on board.

No, I don't travel light.
Ever.

Scandinavia knows their Yarn

For those of you who regularly pop by the store, you know where we've been the past two weeks- in knitter's heaven.
Yup, Scandinavia.
Really- HEAVEN.
Land of Garnstudio.

We made it to about a dozen yarn shops total, through Copenhagen, Goteborg and Stockholm.
I unfortunately didn't write down the names of them all, but I wouldn't have been able to type them out anyway (let alone pronounce them) since I don't have those fancy crossed "O's" or dotted "A's" on my keyboard, although I am sure there is a way around that. Let's just say though, that we hit almost every one. That's a lot of yarn shops... And we thought Toronto had a lot?!?!?!

There were yarn shops at every corner, beautiful fibres and almost too much inspiration. When am I ever going to find the time to knit every single thing I fell in love with?
I guess that's just the life of a knitter.

While I confess I am not the greatest at documenting my travels through photos (I always swear I'll do better next time and never do), I have a few photos to share. Brace yourself.

First off, you have GOT to get a load of this. Seriously.
If my mother had been Swedish, and lived in Stockholm, then this would be her shop.
See the name?
OH YES! It's our sister store. More like our identical twin sister store.
It's the Swedish Mary's Yarns!



I apologize for my photography skills here. Why I decided they should pose in front of the key store and not the yarn shop is beyond me. At least I got the sign... and the soaking wet skein of yarn that was hanging out front. Yes- it would pouring rain.

And here we see... the inside. Our family went for a nice long walk around the wet city while we browsed.
And browsed.
And browsed.



See how serious we get when we discuss our yarn preferences?

The shop owner was a delight and has a blog with lots of great ideas. If you don't speak Swedish (which is probably likely), it's still worth a look through.

We did buy lots of yarn to add to our enormous stash. When you're a knitter, that's the best kind of souvenir you could ask for.
More yarn.

I spent over a week in Stockholm and while strolling through the city a few days later one evening, I happened to stumble upon this.



Some Swedish "knitting graffiti"!
I couldn't resist.
There are clearly some hard core knitters in that city.

I tried to straighten it out on the pole so that you could get the full message, but this was the best I could do.


"World Wide Knit in Public Day" it says.
So, it really is a world-wide event. I thought someone just thought it would be a clever name. ;)

We did manage to get through some knitting as trains became a regular part of our trip.
Here I am knitting with some Danish merino on a little capelet that I saw done in a store that I just couldn't resist. Don't hold your breath to see me finish it through... I seemed to see something every day that I couldn't resist. I have a lot of knitting ahead of me folks...


I'll be back soon with pictures of our haul, and knitting that we managed to get through.
It's good to back.
It's good to knit in my own couch, and no longer a hotel bed.

A Vest in July

What would I do without everyone at the shop to knit for me! Well... I shouldn't say that. I do PLENTY of knitting, I just have a tendency not to ever finish anything. It's a bad habit. I'm trying to break it. It's not going to be easy though.

So, I present to you a beautiful vest made by the wonderful Kersti out of Mountain Colors, "Twizzle". Ugh. So lovely! I wish you could touch it through the screen of your computer! No joke.
Softest.
Stuff.
Ever.

Don't believe me?
Fibre content= 85% merino, 15% silk.
Now do you believe me?
Thought so.

That's me doing my best "knitted vest model" pose.
Not bad eh? The hand on the hip thing?


That's me sort of giving up.

Let's just look at the vest instead.
Shall we?

Pattern- Now and Then Cozy Vest (by Mountain Colors)
Yarn- 3 skeins of Mountain Color Twizzle (with muchos left over)
Size- Medium
Needle Size- uhhhh... I'm not sure. I didn't knit it. I just blogged it.

Where are all the Pictures Lynn?

Alright- here we are. My first ever picture-less post.
I promise not to make a habit of this.
As boring as this may all look on the surface, trust me for a moment.
I have a link for you.
Where will it take you??? You ask.

I did a little spring green baby set for Estelle Designs in the winter out of their heavenly Cloud Cotton (what I am currently crocheting on and on and on with). It entirely slipped my mind to take pictures of it, and now it's out of my hands, and up on their website- pattern and all! Right smack-dab there on their homepage.

Take a peek.

I'm in the midst of doing another one. I promise that I'll take pictures of that one.
Promise, promise, promise.
This 'pictureless' thing shall not be repeated.

Sunny Sundays of Summer

Beautiful weather and looooovely people made my past Sunday one worth documenting. Our yard/driveway at the shop was transformed into a wonderful yarn dying haven.

Dear Christine lead us all in a workshop and beautiful things were created.
So beautiful in fact that a dog walker walking by asked if we were dying wool to sell for the week.
That's how beautiful it was.
(Imagine we actually did it that way?!?!?!)


I, of course, appreciated how people dyed yarn to match their outfits. Did they even realize they were doing that?
This tank top/sock yarn combo made me want to whip out my morraccas and throw on a grass skirt for a little 'number'.


I think that few words are needed here.
You get the idea.
We dyed this beautiful stuff.


All of it.

And in a crockpot?
Did you even know you could do that?


If you ask me... that looks far more delicious than beef stew.

Look out Fleece Artist.
Here we come.

(Thanks to Pam for all of the wonderful photos! Your skills indeed far surpass mine in that department! Merci!)

What a Colourful Week it Was

Last week I couldn't feel too sorry for myself. I was surrounded by the most visually appealing things ever.
To start?
The clematis outside the shop. Don't you just want to throw yourself into this wall of purple?
Ugh.
I fortunately managed to refrain.

NEW YARN!
Mmmmhmmmm.
Some beautiful Shetland Fingering weight yarn by Elemental Affects.
The whole colour range (you know how I feel about colour).
I carried that rack around the store (inside and out) just so that it didn't stray too far from my line of vision.

Shibui Knits Sock yarn- not just for socks of course!
I have my heart set on casting on some of this glorious yarn ASAP.
It's like... butter.
Colourful butter.

We managed to colour some yarn of our own this weekend at the shop as we had our dying workshop on Sunday. Photos... to follow. We had one heckuva good time.
Stay tuned.

Can I Crochet on this Thing?

You won't stop reading if I do? Will you?
I'm telling you, I don't know what has come over me. I have been crocheting like the world is going to end if I stop. Ugh. I'm "hooked".
Entirely.

You know what this is?
Nope. Not a dozen and a half uncooked burger patties...
It's the beginnings of my crochet.


A pile of delicious granny squares.

What's the plan with all of these you ask?

This.


Only multiplied by about eight.

I just can't help myself.
I really want a huge bedspread that puts delightful thoughts of lasagne in my head as I drift off to sleep at night.
Why not?

The yarn? Estelle Cloud Cotton. (and 'cloud-like' it is!)
Hook size? 5mm.
Fun factor? Too much fun. It has dipped into my knitting time entirely, and I don't resent it one bit.
That's major.

And just to warn you- the crocheting doesn't stop there.
Stay tuned.

Striped Socks will Never go out of Style

I really believe that. As long as we knitters keep knitting them, they will be as stylish as can be.

Who doesn't love to catch a glimpse of some knitter's (or knitter's loved one's) striped socks as they cross their legs on the bus?
Oh sigh...

I adore knitting them, and wearing them.


I especially love knitting them when there's aloe and jojoba oil in the yarn! Sheesh. So nice.
A manicure while knitting, a pedicure while wearing.

Delightful.

Yarn? Austermann, Step Sock Yarn. 75% wool/ 25% nylon. Colour # 29.
Needles? 2.5mm
Pattern? The one in my head.

It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This

Why is this the perfect baby sweater?

Top down- check. No seams? Count me in.

Teensy little hood- check. Parents seem to love the practicality and trendiness of those these days.

Easy, EASY care- check. An acrylic/wool blend makes for beautiful washing and cozy softness on the baby's skin. Also- let's be honest. Not all moms are into handwashing. You don't want to knit a beautiful gift for someone only to have it felt to the size of a Barbie doll!

Good price- check. Only three balls of KC Aran. THREE!!! Colour #89, Granary.

Gender neutral- check.

Cuteness factor- check. It doesn't get much cuter than seeing a small person in something that Mom or Dad might request to have made in their size.

UGH! Someone stop me! I could go on and on and on here!

Pattern- Knitting Pure and Simple- Pattern #211, Baby Tunic.

Yarn- KC Aran. 3 balls.

Size- 18 months.

Knitter- not I, but Mary! She giggled the whole way through. (I heard her from upstairs).

Dyeing on a Monday

That's right. We dyed wool this past Monday. What a heavenly way to spend an afternoon. I can't express that enough. We thought we'd do some 'test skeins' in preparations for the dyeing workshop we're having at the store in July. OH! It was far too much fun. The best kind of 'testing' I could ever dream of.

The photos speak for themselves... but I'll give you some wee descriptions just in case.

My merino/angora blend patiently posing for me.


Christine is the the queen of dyeing yarn (and the one teaching the workshop) so I did whatever I was told.


Kersti seemed to be dyeing yarn to match her outfit. I don't blame her. A girl's got to look good in her surroundings.


A successful yarn pie, fresh out of the oven. (Seriously- it goes in the oven).


And finally, the fruits of our labour. We had all the neighbours talking. I even felt some of them might actually consider taking up knitting. I mean, why wouldn't they? They live next door to a yarn shop!


Just after we had tidied up, it hailed. Holy yes, it hailed. Like I've never seen before. After we finished up with our dyeing, we had a hail-ball fight.


Just kidding.

Call the shop if you're interested in dyeing some yarn with us on Sunday, July 13th. It will be another fun filled dyeing day (hail not included).

Time for Teacher Gifts

The school year is drawing to an end and my not-so-little little brother is finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That light might not have been so bright if it weren't for a few very important teachers that helped him make it through the year. He's worked hard and I can tell you my parents are very proud, but the efforts of several teachers must be acknowledged- In the form of a cashmere/merino blend hand knitted sock of course.


Is there really any other way for a knitter to say 'Thanks for helping my son get through his most dreaded grade 11 subject' ? Or how about just grade 11, period?

What is it? Handmaiden Casbah Sock yarn.
80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon (if you're wondering if she loved knitting with it, the answer is 'Ooooh Yes!')
Pattern? A pattern by Mountain Colours called "Fritzy's Socks".

While I have never personally met this teacher, her name has become a very familiar one. It sounds to me like she deserves these. Anyone who can get a 16 year old boy who has been entirely preoccupied with getting his license through grade 11 chemistry, deserves to wear cashmere socks everyday for the rest of their life.

Colour Anyone?

Come on now- I mean REALLY! Don't you just want to dive into this collection of colour?
I do. So that's why I'm posting this. Just to be sure I'm not alone.

What is it? Cadenza. 70% merino, 30% silk.

I started knitting this feather and fan shawl out of the blindingly-bright purple shade and I just keep putting it down, walking a few feet away and admiring it from afar.

Even if feather and fan isn't your thing... wouldn't you need to take a couple deep breaths every few rows?
Holy cow.

Shades of Purple

Lilacs...
and alpaca baby sweaters. We love both.


I didn't knit this... Kersti did! And it's loooovely. A nice little jacket for a wee one. It's got a nice weight to it and is as cozy as can be (or so I would imagine if I had one on myself). I think it's perfect for a nice fall day stroll. Hard to think about when the weather is finally being so agreeable, but we knitters must think of these sorts of things- no matter what the weather. We know that chilly air will roll around again someday. We must be prepared.


Button shot.
Cute.

The yarn? Frog Tree Alpaca Sport weight knit double throughout.
The pattern? Mac and Me pattern #046.

We brought this sweater to the Knitter's Frolic and it was loved lots.
And have you heard the story of Frog Tree Alpaca? I will spare you details now but click on the link if you're interested. All I'll say is it's fair trade, it's alpaca and it's from Bolivia. What's not to love?

Flowers and Felt

Sigh... I just thought you might like to see what's happening in "Mary's Garden" these days. Lovely- no?
I'm a sucker for pretty pink flowers.

Not only are the flowers budding, the projects are popping off customer's needles at a staggering rate. Look at these fantastic purses made by a customer! She made six of them originally but my Grandmother has already snagged two of them. I don't blame her! These things are heavenly. So heavenly in fact they were just too sweet not post here. They must be seen!



Yarn? Cascade 220 knit double strand.
Pattern? From Ella Rae's felted purse book.

Fun to knit, even more fun to accessorize with.
Swoon.
I think I'm in love.
I also think my purse collection is about to get bigger.
Excuse me while I cast on.

Another Scarf- only different

A project inspired by a customer- the Vogue Knitting 25th Anniversary flower scarf by Nicki Epstein. A customer came in wearing it this past winter out of left over merino she had in her stash and I was entirely enamored by it.


While in Long Beach, CA in January for TNNA, my mom and I stopped at the local yarn shop to see how a yarn shop with no winter operates (well, winter as we know it). They had kits made up to knit this lovely scarf and I just had to indulge. You know when you're just craving a wee little airplane project? I knit the majority of the scarf in my hotel room and on the plane. Every knitter needs to purchase a yarn souvenir while traveling so this was mine.


All of the flowers are knit separately and quickly which is completely satisfying- only downside is that you have to sew it all together. That's what took me so long. Not that it took THAT long to sew it up, it just took me a long time to get around to doing it. I procrastinate like that- a lot.


My sister dearest was wearing the perfect outfit yesterday to go with the scarf. Isn't she lovely?
Even more lovely for agreeing to be my model yet again.

Have I worn it yet? Yes. To Canada Blooms. What better place?


Want some details?
Yarn- Alchemy Yarns Silk Purse, 3 skeins
Needles?- 3.75 mm
Pattern? Vogue Knitting 25th Anniversary Scarf by Nicki Epstein
Would I do it again? Heck yes.