He Is A Patient Man

It's done. My boyfriend's Christmas gift is done. And it's May, and the flowers are popping, and the tree buds are about to burst... and it's done. The most shocking part of all of this? He's still my boyfriend. (I might have bailed if I had to wait that long for my gift). Especially since... now it's warm outside and he has no use for it, I am keeping it hostage at the shop as a sample. (HA! I just KNOW that I am going to jinx something here. He won't be my boyrfiend for much longer if I don't hand over that Christmas gift!)

I woke the model from his beauty sleep. 

In any case, I am thrilled with this project because of it's simplicity. The man is my life is not into frills and ruffles (how DO we get along, you ask?) but is the most practical and classic kinda guy going. Think button up shirts and sweater vests, with the odd pair of hand knit socks. (Again... how DO we get along? I am wearing DAY GLOW nail polish today! Not classic. Not practical. It's going to cause a traffic accident today. I can feel it.)

So with this project, our personalities were able to meet half way. A practical set of winter accessories for this climate (well, our December climate) with some colour blocking to hold my interest all whilst being knit in the most squishy and soft yarn out there.

The yarn? Filatura Di Crosa Zara. 100% merino.

If everyone in the world was taught to knit on this stuff, we would have a planet full of knitters.

Zara knits up the way I imagine a bag of jet puffed marshmallows would.

The pattern?
Pressed Rib Cap and Muffler by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas.
(We've got this pattern at the shop).

The model?

No. Definitely not my boyfriend. It's my cousin/roomie.

And ladies???

He's looking for looooove.

I hope you're enjoying the Spring bulbs eeeeeeverywhere.

It finally smells like Spring out there.

She's At It Again

I know that many of you will remember this amazing little gift that was sent to my mother from her aunt in North Bay over the holiday season. In fact, I am positive that many of you remember it, because it hangs proudly in the shop. Plus, I have seen some projects made by you, inspired by this.

Well, you know... it's amazing what happens when you make a fuss about something as much as my Grandma did about this here wreath.

Becaaaause... surprise, surprise!!! Dear Grandma opened up her mailbox one day a week or so ago to find THIS lovely wreath rolled up in there for her front door. (She figures that if anyone in her building has the guts to steal this off her front door, it won't take her long to track them down...)

Too cute! Non?

There's not much to say that I didn't say the last time about these. But, I can repeat myeslf for those that don't know.

The yarn? Sock scraps! We are still more than happy to accept sock yarn scraps from those that have no use for them.

The pattern? There isn't one! That Aunt Helen up in North Bay is just too clever. She whips these up all while being... patternless. Can I get an 'Oooooooooooh'???

How can I get on the list to receive one of these puppies? Just email me all of your love and praise of this wreath with your address at the bottom, and you just never know... the 'Miniature Sweater Wreath Fairy' just might leave you a little surprise in your mailbox.

But... don't hold your breath.

May is here.

So enjoy this ridiculously pretty multi-layered amaryllis that I found on my parent's kitchen counter.

Are You Ready?

Must I really clarify what I'm taking about? Come on now... I don't know about you, but I have my kitschy William and Kate coffee mug all washed and ready for tomorrow morning- bright and early! Of COURSE I'm getting up early to watch!

Yup. We had a British themed party at my parents on the weekend. And it wasn't because of the Royal Wedding... I'll reveal why soon. 

And OF COURSE I have some plain-jane socks to work on (I suspect that I shouldn't challenge myself too much in the knitting department at that hour).

 But if you're keen to knit something Royalty-related... here's a knitted corgi to satisfy that hankering.

The pattern? It's right here.

I hope you're staying dry in this oh-so-London-ish weather.

Whether or not you are loving the dampness, my parent's pet duck Clark is on Cloud 9.

Colourful Zigs and Zags

It's Good Friday... and how 'good' it is! And that's becaaaaause... I finished a project that has been 'on-the-go' for almost a year now (admittedly, it took a 'time out' on my basement floor for a number of months... but no matter- it's done!

Doesn't it just feel SO darned good to finish something? Especially because now, I can go downstairs and cast on about fourteen new projects (did you not know that's how it works in my house?).

This started out as a store sample last summer when my Mom and I fell in love with it on the back of a Sandnesgarn Mandarin Baby book (so no, I can't take credit for the colour scheme, as much as I would love to).

Since I tend to crochet a touch more than my Mom does, I was elected to make it for the shop.

Now that it's all said and done (and ends woven in), it almost makes me want to go out and get myself pregnant.

BUT, I won't. I'll hold off.

It's just that... I absolutely adore this blanket. And I want to carry it around with me everywhere I go. If I were to just carry around a blanket however, people might whisper. If I had a baby in my arms however, they would gush over the baby and (hopefully) the blanket. (I'm just so selfish... aren't I?)

Stairway to Crochet 

Deeeetaaaails (ugh details?) Just kidding. I love details.

Pattern- Crocheted Zig Zag Blanket from Sandnesgarn Mandarin Baby book 0906
Hook Size- 3 mm
Yarn- 10 balls of Mandarin Petit cotton in the following colours
Pink (4505)- 2 balls

Ecru (1002)- 2 balls
Pale Pink (4301)- 1 ball
Yellow (2003)- 1 ball
Orange (2708)- 1 ball
Light Green (8514)- 1 ball
Green (8143)- 1 ball
Teal (6855)- 1 ball

Buuuuut... to make your life easier, we just might have kits at the shop. (Awwwww yeeeeeah).

Reasons to love?

It's light and airy, but little baby fingers won't get caught in the zigs and zags.

It's also massively huge and will work wonderfully as a crib blanket (or so I'm told by all the baby mamas out there) coming in at a whopping 37" x 40".

It's 100% cotton, making it breathable, washable and au so naturelle...

It also left me with enough little bits and pieces of yarn to leave my neighbourhood birds a little Easter treat for their dwellings.

And as for my dwelling, I have a co-ordinating wreath.



Joyeuses Paques everyone!

Morning Has Broken

So dear readers, I present to you the shawl/scarf/wrap that I had originally intended to present to you last week but I was happily distracted by Kersti's handy-work. (Note- it's the same blasted denim shirt).

Last December, a dear friend of mine sifted through my queue on Ravelry and 'gifted' me this pattern (I didn't even know you could do that! Did you?) I logged on one brisk morning and there was a happy message waiting for me that said, "You have been gifted this pattern!" Oh the sweetness... How fun! I can't thank her enough.

While I was bustling around the shop recently, I stopped dead in my tracks and decided that I had to cast on my gifted pattern, in this yarn. We have been stocking this yarn for about three years now (meaning to say that it isn't exactly 'new'), but for some insane reason, it's taken me this long to cast something on with it.

Now that I have knit with it I wonder where exactly I score on the 'lunatic-scale'. What took me so long!?!?!?

Every stitch was a pleasure and every row, a treat.

The yarn? Shibui Sock.
Four skeins total.
Two skeins of the shade 'Honey' and two skeins of the shade 'Peacock' (which appears to be discontinued judging by the current online shadecard- WAAA!).

This is all that I had left.

The pattern?
Daybreak by Stephen West (available for purchase online).
I made the largest version but ran out of golden-honey yarn so I was unable to complete all of the 'ridges' at the edge of this shawl.
I'd say that the size is more-than-sufficient however.

Needles
3.25mm 80 cm Chiagoo circular needles.
I doooo love those Chiagoos.
The pattern calls for 3.5mm needles, and I found this set hanging out with all of my other 3.5mms... It wasn't until I was well into this project that I discovered I was in fact using smaller needles than called for.

Ah well.

Nobody got hurt.

And even if they did- Spring is here.

So buck up.

Wooly Wedding

I have a very dear friend who is a very amazing florist (check it!) and she cruises wedding/flower blogs the way I cruise knitting blogs.

During one of her blog sessions, she stumbled upon this wedding held in Denver and naturally... thought of me.

I naturally thought of you.

While I don't want to start any rumours here... (there is no wedding in my near future if you're wondering), Isn't this just perfect? Yarn-y flowers, wooly centerpieces and crocheted candles?

HELLO! Nuts to getting married. I think I'll just throw a yarn-themed party! I can't wait a minute longer!

Check out the original post here.

And to those of you who are planning a wedding- may wool find it's way into your special day.

Somehow.

Dressed Up In My Denim

As you have likely noticed if you are a regular reader of this blog, I tend not to write much about other people's knitting. Believe me... I could, and I would have enough material for about 16 posts a day if I did. I am fortunate enough to be one of the lucky few who spends her 'work' days gushing over yarn and other people's creations. However... I feel as though for me to blog about these sorts of things is really not... 'my business'.

But, I must make an exception to my (seemingly loose) rule.

Bear with me here.

I marched into the shop today, all dressed up and ready to take some blog-worthy photos of a scarf/shawl that I just released from those nasty looking blocking wires. (Yes. This is me 'dressed-up'). HILARIOUS!

BUT, I had been mulling about my morning business for no more than 20 seconds when something caught my eye.

I promptly stripped myself of my handy-work only to throw on someone elses.

We have Kersti to thank for this one.

I loooove it. Too much. And while it's hers to keep, it's mine to have fond dreams of. It's mine to lust after when she's not looking (or working at the shop) and on those days that I decide to wear my oversized denim shirt (in some parts, clean denim really IS 'dressed up'- I swear), I just might even 'borrow it'. (Sort of like I did today as evidenced by this photo-documentary).

It even looks beautiful skeined!

Ah... the life cycle of yarn.

The story of this cowl? (Nope. It's not a scarf. It's a loooong scarf sewed together at both ends.)

4 skeins of Berroco Origami
Needles- Erm. I don't know. (I haven't even talked to Kersti about this fabulous finished project yet).
Pattern- Just rib those four skeins of Origami until you run out! Sew the ends together.

So, I'm thinking I'm due to knit one for myself in this colour. Jusy because... cleary, I'm in love.

And these are just because...

I feel like I should share something with you that I actually did make.

Bon appetit!

You Know What's A Good Feeling?

Grafting the toe of a sock that has been sitting next to your knitting chair since late November....

I finished the knitting part of this project. I even finished (in it's entirety) the first sock. The second one just desperately needed a good ol' toe graft.

Yarn- Regia by Erika Knight in shade Mind Julep

Needles- 2.5 mm

So yesterday, I managed to find a moment is my ram-packed schedule (pfft) and I got around to it.

And thank heavens too! Because it looks like I might need them for a liiiiitle while longer. Especially if I continue to hang out in places like this (much like I did last Sunday).



And you know what else gives me a good feeling?

Pink roses on an orange table cloth.

Dreams Can Come True

What I want to know is- where was I when this storm hit?



I'd better go check my rain barrel.

Just Push Through the Pain, Baby

I woke up this morning with my forearms feeling terribly stiff.

I find myself struggling, trying to decide whether it was the multiple sets of burpees I did at my Monday evening 'boot camp', or if these sore arms are because I have been hammering through this lovely striped project on 3.25mm needles faster than the speed of sound. (I might have even decided to knit instead of shower yesterday... that's how much I love this project).

Oh, pfft. Who am I kidding? Nuts to healthy living.

Pass the bonbons! I have some 3.25mms waiting for me!

You can be sure that next Monday evening I will most definitely be passing up the burpees for more stripes.

Bulbs anyone?



Little Gold Riding Hood

One fine day back in February, I spontaneously cast on this lovely little hood. (It was one of those 2:30 pm urges at the shop to start something new that I just couldn't fight).

I finished the knitting of the hood in record time. Liiiike... pretty much by the time I went to bed.

BFFL

But then it lay on my living room floor up until this past Monday (thank heavens I live with the type of person who likely wouldn't even notice if I brought home a flock of sheep). After having little success with sewing up my green sweater, this golden hood caught my eye. So I picked up all those stitches and got 'er done.

I'd say it's the perfect little number for when you don't want to flatten your hair (although I must confess to not having much hair these days-CHOP!), don't want to deal with a giant scarf choking you (although admittedly, that's never been a problem for me) or just want... a hoodie without a body (this isn't the kind of hoodie you can wear without a bra however).

Well, if you didn't think you needed a hood before- you will now!

Project info for my pretties.
Pattern- Mondo Cabled Hood by Bonne Marie Burns over at Chic Knits (we have patterns for sale at the shop if interested)
Yarn- 2 skeins of Cascade 220 Heathers
Needles- 5mm for the hood, 4 mm for the ribbing
Pompoms- I learned my lesson last time. Thank you Clover for making this bitsy 'machine'.

And just because I've had this insanely gorgeous Stargazer Lily next to my bed for the past few days now... I just had to share it with someone I love.

YOU!

(I so wish my blog was scratch and sniff.)

Staying Out of Trouble While Staying Warm

Just like the title of this post says- I'm staying out of trouble while staying warm (it's not short weather just yet people...)

I have been busying myself with lots of knits and purls. I promised to show you some knitting. I just thank the heavens above that I didn't promise finished projects. Because I got NOTHING.

Nothing but some brightly coloured new Noro Silk Garden Lite that is almost the front of a sweater. (I apparently knit the colour pink at warp speed).

Noro Silk Garden Lite, Shade 2038

And there has been some bright green to celebrate the first few hours of Spring. Speaking of this green sweater, remember when my knitting attacked? Well I fought back, and I almost have a sweater to brag about.

Which will be brag-worthy not because of it's quality workmanship (OH no...), but because it's DONE.

And my garden? I may have told some little white lies last we spoke.

This is more like it...

No Knitting Here Because...

I have been really busy in my garden.

I'm pretty happy with how my tulips are looking. They frame my hedge just so beautifully.

This bed of bulbs is almost to my liking- could have been a little more densely populated if you ask me, but the smell is so outstanding that I think I can find it in my heart to forgive. (Better luck next year bulbs).

And this year I also decided to cover my retaining wall out of kalanchoe. I mean... why not? It's been done before, hasn't it?

More knitting to show off in the coming days- I promise. I just wanted to assure you all that I haven't just been lazing around, I have simply been 'keeping my knees dirty'.

For those of you looking for a little inspiration of the gardening type, this is the week to head down HERE.

Spring is almost here my pretties. Almost here... So get out in that garden of yours (and cast on some cotton while you're at it).

There's nothing quite like a stylish gardener... (or knitter!)