Sick, With A Dash Of Sparkle

Last week, I was sick. Like... I was DOWN. The edges of my nostrils were peeling from blowing it too much, my body was rolling through a 'hot, cold, hot' temperature cycle, and I couldn't taste my food for what felt like... an eternity. A real hardship when you love to eat as much as I do.

Admittedly, I'm a big baby when I'm sick. But aren't we all?

The nice thing about being a knitter however, is that even being sick has it perks. While I didn't leave my house for days and I was pretty much the grossest I have been in a loooong time, I got to knit.

I propped myself up on pillows, allowed myself some daytime Downton Abbey marathons, and I knit.

And occasionally I would think to myself, "What do non-knitters do when they get sick???"

Cool pants Lynn!

So while I was cooped up in the house in my ugly grey sweatpants, I cast on some yarn that conveniently arrived at the shop the morning I went down.

Sock yarn, with SPARKLES.

Socks = the perfect thing to knit while sick. Round and round and round...
Sparkles = a sure thing to cheer you up when you're feeling a little bit blue.

Plain socks means minimal thinking required. A real bonus when your brain is ensconced in... the common cold.
 

FACT- One side effect of cold medication is that your stripes will match

 So while being sick usually makes you feel like you are a burden to the world and all those that you love, at least I was able to proudly hold up a pair of sparkly, matching socks at the end of my few days in isolation and say "Hey guys... look at what I made!".

Although... I must admit that these socks were knit with none other than me in mind.

Because let's be real. When I'm sick... I become a rather self-centred whiner who just sing-songs 'Me, Me, Me' at every chance.

So yeah... the socks are for, ME. (Sniffle, sniffle).

The sparkle is there, but the sparkle is subtle

Yarn- Opal Hundertwasser SPARKLE!
Needles- 2.5mm Signature Stilettos DPNs
Pattern- The one in my rather foggy head

And finally- some tulips.

Not only were these a 'Get Well Soon' gift from my lovely sister... (which worked, BTW!)

They are also a wonderful reminder that Spring really isn't all that far away.

♥

Ten Years Ago Today...

Happy Birthday Mary's Yarns!

And many, many more...

xo

The Fiber Factor

I sort of really love this idea.



Too bad I don't have three designs ready to go.

And too bad I'm not American...

I'd be all over it if I did/was!

I will most certainly be tuning in however.

Keeping Those Hands Warm

In Canada, in February, warm knuckles are CRUCIAL. It seems as though no matter how much lotion you slather on your chilly paws, you just can't keep up with the dry, dry skin that ensues.

Pair some lotion with some fingerless gloves however? And you just might have a solution to your dry/cracked hands problem. (Gross- I know. But there are many gross facts of life out there. Blech!).

Nail Colour- RBG in shade 'Red'

I know that these gloves probably look familiar. And that's because... it wasn't too long ago that you saw another pair right on this here blog.

But after seeing my friend Tara churn through many-a-pair in this beautiful yarn (not only beautiful to look at, but also SO beautiful to knit with!), I couldn't contain myself.

I cast on, and before I knew it, a new pair of fingerless mitts had just fallen off of my needles.

Two by two ribbing and hand painted merino with 20% alpaca.

Win.

Win.

Win.

Pattern- Churchmouse Yarns and Teas Ferryboat Mitts
Yarn- Misti Alpaca Handpainted Worsted in the shade 'Flora'
Needles- 4mm DPN

So if you don't have a pair yet.

What are you waiting for?

Surely you don't want to end up like this guy.

Do you?

Happy Valentines Day To YOU

Today is the day- my favorite holiday of the entire year. Everything is red and pink, each bowl is filled with sugar and there is simply no excuse NOT to buy flowers. I just... love it. It's exactly what the world needs in the middle of an otherwise rather dreary month.

So to celebrate my favorite day, I thought that I would crank out (yet another) striped baby sweater.

Pink, red, stripes, and some little heart buttons.

Little heart buttons that found their way into my stocking this Christmas, courtesy of my sister Emma.

Precious- right?

But do not let this sudden onslaught of baby knitting allow you to think that perhaps I might be pregnant.

Because... you would be sorely disappointed.

Much like "Auntie Emma" was yesterday when she discovered that my text to her which included a photo of this sweater using her buttons was NOT in fact a baby announcement.

So, sorry folks.

No babies baking over here.

But that doesn't mean I can't knit for babies- does it?

Lovey-Dovey Sweater Facts
Pattern- Striped Baby Cardigan by Debbie Bliss,  from her book Baby Cashmerino 2
(this is the fourth time I have knit this, so I don't expect too much of an applause over it).
Yarn- Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, 2 balls each of shade 601 (baby pink) and shade 700 (ruby)
Size- 6-9 months
Needles- 2.75mm and 3.5mm (I always bump up my needles when I knit with this stuff)
Recipient- The invisible baby that lives at Mary's Yarns (meaning... it's a store sample)

That imaginary baby is going to be one festively dressed little creature today.

As for what I am wearing... that goes without saying.

Happy Valentines Day dear knitters.

May your day be nothing but 'sweet'.

♥

Honey Coloured Socks and a 'Honey'moon

So... yeah. It's true. I have been a little bit MIA as of late, but with good reason! And that reason?

This place.

We just got back from a week of being blissfully disconnected from all things 'inter-webs' while hanging out on the beautiful island of St. Lucia.

It was a week of no internet, but a week with no shortage of sun, sand and swimming.

 

I guess that trips like this one are often referred to as a 'honeymoon'.

And let me tell you... it certainly was pretty sweet.

  

So while the temperatures ran high, the knitting didn't stop. 

I believe that most non-knitters of the world would think that it might be somewhat disfunctional to go somewhere so beautiful -on a honeymoon no less!!!- only to knit your brains out.

But I know that you folks understand.

And so does my man.

That's why I like you all (my man included!) as much as I do.

So as we were taking off from gross, grey Toronto, I cast on these beautiful honey coloured socks, to commemorate our 'honey'moon.

And the sock knitting certainly didn't stop once we had landed. 

OH no!

I hauled those socks down to the beach with me everyday. Days in which I spent cycling through a pattern of 'knit, read, swim, nap, repeat'.

I have returned home a little bit more tanned, a little bit more rested and with a fresh new pair of socks to add to my sock drawer.

Which as it turns out, is perfect.

Because while you are someplace as beautiful and as warm as the tropics, it is often difficult to imagine that there might be snow waiting for you at home.

Snow-Toes

But it is certainly a good thing that I didn't let my doubts get the best of me.

Because it looks like... I'm going to need these.

A Honey-ed Heel

Knitterly Info for Pour Vous

Pattern- Tesserae Sock by Anne Hanson, kindly gifted to me through Ravelry FOREVER ago by my good buddy Tara
Yarn- Hazelknits Piquant Light in the colourway Bronze Age (purchased at the Sock Summit in 2011)
Needles- 2.75mm double pointed needles

So stay warm dear knitters.

Trips like these remind us all that summer really is just around the corner.

And that it's never too hot to knit.

♥

How About A Little 'Cheer Up'?

I have read that the third Monday of January is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. While it's now two days past that depressing date (thank heavens!), the weather this week has clearly proven to be anything but... cheerful.

Which works out well, because I have been saving something for you. Something cheerful. Something to brighten up even the greyest of days.

It's rainbow and it's crochet, all rolled into one.

 So if this doesn't make you smile, I'm afraid... that I can't help you.

I can't take credit for this. I am simply the VERY lucky recipient of it.

And on days like these, I can't tell you just how lucky I feel.

This was a wedding gift made by my dear buddy Tara. (You might recognize the name from this trip and that trip). And as it turns out, that Tara has got to be one of the most patient, and focused people I know.

The girl started 'granny-squaring' (or should I say 'granny hexgon-ing'?) as soon as we announced our engagement last May. And by mid-December, she had that blanket wrapped and ready to gift.

I have made a granny square blanket before, with bigger squares (which means less seaming), and not nearly as large in width. It took me the span of a few years and when I finally did finish with it, I refused to part with it. How she managed to package this up once the final end had been woven in is way beyond me.

Like... WAY beyond me.

In fact, she had this gifted to me within 24 hours of completion.

Had it been me, I would have kept it and gifted a gift card instead. A last minute decision perhaps, but that is exactly what I would have done- no doubt!

This speaks volumes of Tara's exceptionally giving character.

She's one in a million.

Yarn- A combination of
Sandesgarn Smart, Cascade 220 Superwash and Cascade 220

To read Tara's account of how this blanket (and the blanket hand-off!) all went down, be sure to check out her blog here. 

It's a good read.

I have already ready read the second installment of
The Hunger Games while all wrapped up in this beautiful work of art.

So thanks my friend! It's amazing! And it's days like this that we simply cannot thank you enough.
 

If opened up in it's entirety- this blanket is bigger than Ms. Tara herself!

Now go and do something entirely indulgent.
 

Because you entirely deserve it.


♥xo♥

Cold Feet? Not If I Can Help It!

As I have mentioned here before, the man in my life loves himself some hand knit socks (who doesn't!?!?!?). So much so that he has mentioned to me on several occasions "If you ever need a gift for me, just knit me some socks".

So... I often do. Sometimes for a special occasion and sometimes just because.

When we got engaged, I knew that this was certainly a special enough occasion to knit the guy some socks, and while we had agreed that there would be no 'pre-ceremony gift exchange', I simply couldn't resist.

So I went ahead and knit that groom of mine some socks, wrapped them up and asked my brother just minutes before the ceremony to zip down to wherever my dear man was hiding and pass the packaged up socks along to him.

And so like any good baby brother, he did.  

Yarn- Cascade Heritage in shade 5631

So there I was, thinking that the exchange would make for a much needed solitary second of reflection for my man. But as it turns out, he opened the package in front of all of his groomsmen, as well as our minister.

And much to my surprise, that pair of socks somehow worked their way into our wedding day homily.

Photo Credit Pear Studios

But of course they did- right? I am a knitter through and through (not to mention a sock knitter) and to have those socks incorporated into our service was nothing but the sweetest icing on the cake I could have ever imagined.

Photo Credit Pear Studios

And besides, I think that I have known I wanted to knit my groom socks for our wedding day long before I even knew my groom.

It's really the only day of your life that a knitter needs to REALLY worry about their main squeeze getting cold feet. And wool socks is certainly the best preventative measure that I can think of.

Not that I was really all that worried...

Photo Credit Pear Studios

He tends to run pretty hot... even on the coldest of days.

Enjoy your weekend friends.

xo

Wedding Jitters? Just 'Shrug' It Off

There is something to be said for having shorter hair than your husband on your wedding day. There is no need to be at a salon by 6am for the mandatory primping and curling. Instead, I was able to get up (still at 6am), but I was able to sit and knit in peace and quiet alone at my kitchen table for a full three hours.

Can one think of any better way to kick off their wedding day!?!?!?

Short Hair and Veils

While I was fortunate enough to be able to knit my way through my pre-wedding jitters in solitute, I must confess that it wasn't the most relaxed knit-session I've ever had. If you recall, I had a bolero I wanted to make (ala Kate Middleton) and I wasn't sure I was going to get through it.

On the morning of my wedding however, I gave myself a very stern pep-talk that went a little something like this...

"Lynn- if you don't finish this bolero today, your wedding will still go on. Don't let something idiotic like an unfinished knitting project ruin your big day."

Besides... I'm used to not finishing knitting projects. So it shouldn't have been a big deal- right? I had a back-up plan, but I did have some seriously high hopes that I would get through it on time.

Which, as it happens, is exactly how it all played out.

This was right when I saw my lovely friend Candy Girl Flies and her beautiful girls

I finished that dang bolero and was able to keep my shoulders warm on that slightly chilly (but oh-so-sunny!) November afternoon.

And I must tell you that I have never, EVER had a knitting project come together as easily as this one did. The sleeves were set in on the first go, the armholes were the perfect size for the sleeve cap and the fit was as good as it was going to get for a free online pattern that I was trying to polish off just hours before my wedding. (Read- The fit wasn't perfect... I'll admit).

Photo Credit- Pear Studios

I'd say that this little mohair bolero was simply meant to be.

Come on... the light is crazy amazing! Right!?!?!?

Kind of like my man and me... (HA! Barf... I know. Right?!?!)

Photo Credit- Pear Studios

Bolero Info For Those Of You Getting Married In A Few Hours (or those of you who just need a bolero)

Pattern- A Royal Shrug by Erin Elkins (it's free!) in size small
Yarn- Estelle's Luxury Mohair (sadly discontinued), less than 2 skeins
Needles- 6mm (I think...)

Heeeey... I know that place!

 And since I usually tend to wrap up each post up with some flowers to lift your spirits (especially this time of year!!!), I thought I'd end this post off with some of my favorite flowers I have EVER had the privilege of sharing with you.

My wedding flowers.

Peonies, Ranunculus and Dusty Miller- oh my!

By my wonderful, beautiful and talented friend Becky over at Blush and Bloom.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Thanks for allowing me to indulge in a little wedding photo-mania.

You're the best.

♥

I Had Myself A Selfish Little Christmas

As of December 22nd, I still had it in my head that I was going to knit some Christmas gifts. Specifically, a hat for my brother in law, and a hoodie for my husband's six month old nephew. As I was discussing my plans over dinner with my man that evening (yeah... you heard me. The evening of the 22nd), he quite gently and softly talked me out of such insanity.

Here's a little known fact- my husband's middle name is 'common sense'.

When I had come to terms with the fact that I would only be contributing one knitted gift to Christmas this year, I felt something overcome me that I haven't felt in a while.

An insatiable urge to just CHURN through a project, start to finish- for me!

And so, I did.

On the afternoon of December 23rd I cast on and absolutely powered through a scarf. A scarf that was so addictive, there simply are no words. 

So addictive that even halfway through Mr. Common Sense said to me "You haven't been that 'into' a knitting project in a LONG time."

And he should know. 

Trust me.

Thank heavens no one in my family finds it rude to knit a scarf for oneself at the Christmas dinner table. And if they do, they know better than to speak up about it. Because by December 27th my new scarf was blocking on the basement floor.

 So Merry Christmas to me.

'Tis the season to stay warm after all.

Info for all you like minded scarf-lovers out there

Pattern- Diagonal Lace Scarf by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas
Yarn- Four balls of Filatura Di Crosa Sportwool in shade 2028
Needles- 5mm

A Big Ol' Pile O' Knit

So maybe I jumped the gun on 'selfish knitting' just a little.

January is traditionally the month that us knitters all cast on something a little more indulgent, and a little more selfish than we might any other month of the year.

So what are you folks waiting for?

Not only are you making me feel like a jerk for casting on a selfish project on December 23rd...

You're making me cold just thinking of you without some wool in your hands!

 ♥