With Thanks

Some of you read this blog because you're a long time friend. Some of you just happened to stumble upon it while browsing the net one day (and miraculously, keep coming back, despite my sporadic posting!) and some of you came across it all thanks to Mary's Yarns, the shop that my mom and I have run for the past twelve years together.

For those of you who found me on the net, then you are probably the least likely to know the latest news of my knitting/ professional life. As for the rest of you... I suspect that you already know what I am about to say. So feel free to just look at the pictures if you please.

The most recent news in my yarn filled world is that after much thought and countless hours of consideration, we have decided to wrap things up at Mary's Yarns.

We are going to close up shop. Pack it in. Move on to new and exciting adventures (the jury is out on what those are just yet... but we'll keep you posted).

Obviously, this wasn't an easy decision... Not in the least. It was one that required much thought and many tears. You can even ask my poor husband who I am quite sure stopped noticing my dramatic sobs into my salad at the dinner table- the crying was just THAT frequent.

But once the news was made public, it felt like the right thing to do.

The biggest surprise through all of this? The absolutely amazing outpouring of support from friends, family and customers. Everyone has been simply wonderful, and while it would seem as though this good thing has come to an end, I would argue that it was all very well worth it.

To those of you who have shopped at the store, worked at the store, sold yarn to us to fill our shelves at the store, inspired us with your projects, laughed with us and cried with us- we thank you. To the moon and back, with huge thanks. There really are no words. Even for someone like me, who usually can't shut up.

As for what comes next, we are both going to go ahead and just enjoy the summer and catch up on some of the amazing emails and notes that have been sent our way. My husband and I have a big garden that is calling my name, and I also happen to have a LOT of yarn that has been patiently waiting for me.

So while the shop will be no more, this blog will be. And hopefully even more so! I enjoy writing about my knitting, and hope that for the next little while, I just might find myself with a little more time to do so. You can also expect some snapshots of food, the garden and a wee bit travel. But mostly- knitting. As we all know that knitting is my main squeeze (and always will be).

Behind the counter with Mother Mary on my wedding day

 So stay tuned my friends, or not. It's up to you.

But while I have always made a point of not making the blog about the specifics of the shop so as not to exclude any readers, I think you will be happy with what lies ahead.

Thank you to ALL of you once again who have been wonderful to us and supported us over the years. There really are no words...which might be why it has taken me to so long to write to you.

You're the best.

With much love.

♥

Ladies and Gentlemen... We Have, A Winner!

It's not all that often that I win something based strictly on luck. I know that we all say that... but it's true. I have never won the lottery. I have never won at the Bingo hall. I have never won a door prize at an event, and I have yet to win a cruise via telephone where they blast that horn in your ear.

I have had the odd bit of beginners luck here and there (there was that one time at the Black Jack table at The Flamingo in Vegas), but other than that... nada.

That is... until March 2013 rolled around.

My mom and I were in Baltimore for the Yarn Market News conference, and we were sitting around a large, circular table with six other yarn shop owners, about to eat lunch.

At each place setting, was a cute little ball of yarn that looked a little something like this. 

So, being the obedient lunch guest that I am, I did as I was told and unravelled.

While all of my lunch dates had a beautiful stitch marker in the centre of their little ball of yarn, I found myself with a note that said "You have won your choice of a bag of yarn, courtesy of Classic Elite Yarns". 

Well I'll be darned... if I didn't just win something right there!

So shocked was I, that I didn't even think to take a picture post-unravel. (Apologies for that. I know that pictures make a post way more fun).

After returning home and adjusting back to regular life, post-big-win, I went about choosing which bag of yarn I would like, all whilst giving it way more thought than it probably deserved... but I just couldn't help but "revel in my unravel"!

After much consideration, the yarn I ended up with was the beautiful Fresco. A yarn comprised of the perfect blend of merino, alpaca and angora. Oh swoon... 

So, how did I chose that particular yarn? You ask. I simply said to them "What is your best selling yarn?" And there were two answers to that question.

1- Liberty Wool A fabulous yarn that we have stocked in the shop for ages and I have knit with here and there. But I didn't need more... I have a whole shelf full of it at my place of work!

2- Fresco Well, well...

We stocked Fresco years ago at the shop, but it didn't ever do much for us. Of course... having a sample would have helped (something we just never got around to), and we blamed the sort-of/kind-of steep price point. We cleared it... and that was that.

Fast forward a few years however and I must say... now that I have knit with it. It is truly no surprise why this is one of their best selling yarns! So soft between the fingers, with a beautiful halo both on the skein AND the finished product. It's pure heaven on my needles.

I am kicking myself for not having had a sample for all of you fine customers to ogle all those years ago. 

And not just any sample, THIS sample. Because really, I can say as many good things about this pattern as I can about the yarn. 

Yarn- 9 skeins of Fresco, in shade 5350
Needles- 4mm Addi Turbo (what else!?!?!?)

The pattern is the "Lightweight Pullover" by Hannah Fetig, and it's not much more than some beautiful, clean stocking stitch, knit in the round with some deeply ribbed cuffs and waistband to keep everything where it should be.

Isn't it amazing when such simple elements can come together like this in one garment to create the most perfect, cozy sweater EVER?!?!

I made the cowl neck a tad longer than the pattern called for, as we all know how much I love to have my neck all cozy and warm. And as it turns out, this modification did exactly what I wanted it to do.

Which is a very good thing... because it apparently snows in this part of the world in mid-April.

This was just last week... I kid you not. 

To which I say "Thank the high heavens for my hand knits".

Stay warm dear friends!

♥

A Baby Boom

Whoa. I disappeared again there for a bit. Between just general busy-ness and an ill behaved laptop, things got a little hairy there for a while. Looks like I'm back in business however. So let's get caught up. Shall we?

Another (really good) reason for my online absence as of late, are all of the beautiful babes being born these days! Between my mom and I, we know fourteen little ones due over the next two months. Four of those babies arrived over the span of three days a few weeks back. So naturally, I got knitting...

Knitting striped hats for everyone!

And while I know that these are far too large for most newborn babes to wear right now (because sadly... they still need hats in mid-April in Canada it would seem...), I have been calling them their "Back to School" hats. Possibly in September, they will be able to yank this down over their little bald heads and stay warm throughout the chillier months that follow. 

And besides... even if they are too young to go to school, I still believe that everyone is entitled to a new outfit to kick off the fresh school year. 

Wouldn't you agree?

So, striped hats for one and all, using up all of my bits and pieces of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.

Knitting with this beautiful yarn, in very addictive little stripes has been simply heavenly.

And so are all of the beautiful little people that have just landed here on earth.

Yarn? Odds and ends of some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.
Needles? 3.25mm double pointed.
Pattern? From the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino Book 2. I love that book... dearly. But I did modify both the socks and the hat so that they are seamless. No one wants a seam in their sock! Come on Debbie!

So on this snowy April day... I leave you with this.

The Flower Shop at Liberty in London

Happy Spring everyone.

♥

My Big Fat Irish Cranium

So, whoa. A month has slipped by on me. Where DID it go!?!?!? It has been a good month on this end. A really good month.One that included a trip to London with my family (more on that later), hosting a baby shower for a dear, dear friend, weekend house guests who convinced us a trip to the fabulous new aquarium in Toronto (AMAZING!) during March Break was a good idea... all topped with a pretty decent amount of knitting. All in all, two very enthusiastic thumbs up.

I figured that before I bore you with details of our latest travel adventure, I would share with you one of my latest finished projects. Besides... knitting is what brought you here in the first place. Isn't it?

It's nothing major. Nothing huge. But it's a hat.

A green hat that just so happens to be one day post St. Patrick's Day. Which admittedly... is pure coincidence. I really couldn't care less for that "holiday", despite my dark hair, pasty white skin and rather Irish sounding last name.

This lovely green hat came to be as a result of seeing a customer named Emily wearing this hat perched beautifully on her head. I asked her what pattern she had used, immediately proceeded to download it and then 100% copied her. Like... totally ripped off her style. Even her colour selection.

 

I cast on while in London, but knit the majority of it (read- all of it, minus the ribbing) on the plane coming home as I was glued to that tiny tv screen they sit you in front of for the entirety of the flight. (Anyone out there seen Captain Phillips?!?!? I was DYING the entire movie. OH MY GOSH! So intense... Be glad you weren't sitting next to me during that haul home. The noises that I was making were truly outrageous for an airplane.)

Sadly, the one thing that I forgot to consider while knitting this beautiful green hat however... is that I have one giant Irish head. My newly knit hat just didn't look quite the same on my head as it did Emily's.

Either I have an huge head... or that movie was just too much for me to handle, thus affecting my gauge.

I suspect it's my skull that's the problem however... as this isn't the first time I have encountered this situation in my knitting career.

But instead of ripping it out and starting again, I just cast on another one.

And knit it until it did fit my giant melon.

Should you be so inclined to copy Emily, I wouldn't blame you. Here is what you will need to know.

Pattern- Upper East Side by Joji Locatelli.
Size- The first one I knit was a medium, then went on to knit a large for the second version. Despite the pattern's description... I did not end up with a 'very' slouchy beret. Simply, a hat that fits.
Yarn- Three balls of Zara Chine in shade 815 (three balls made two hats).
Needles- 3.5mm and 4mm, 40 cm circular and 4mm double points (for the crown of the hat).

The original itsy-bitsy version that I didn't dare try to model for you...

So my dear knitting friends, it would appear as though we are still in need of our hats in this part of the world.

Rest assured however, that Spring has sprung in London-town.

Which means that we cannot be too far behind.

♥

This, Is Love

Last week, a really good friend of mine sent me a text that said "I just discovered 2x giant holes in my only pair of hand knit socks circa 5 years ago. Can I mend them?" 

Following the message, was this image.

Valentine's Stripes for Valentine's Day

Wait a minute now... I knit those socks! And I completely forgot about them! And to see that they have been loved for the past five years to the point of big-toe-sized holes... makes me more than willing to cast on a new pair for the girl.

The holes in these socks my friends... is love. 

And replacing them is the least that I can do.

So on this Valentine's Day, I wish you nothing but the kind of love that all the hand knit socks like these ones have received.

Big love to you.

And to your knitting.

Not just today, but everyday.

♥

Some Valentine's Day "Crafting"

It's no secret that my favorite holiday of ALL time, is Valentine's Day. I can't help it! I just... love it. The red, the pink, the sweets, the hearts... it's perfect. It's especially perfect at this time of year. Come on... what else is REALLY going on these days anyway? Not a whole lot other than... snow. And ice. And aren't we bored of talking about all of that already? It's about time that we focus on the bright and happy.

While in the past I have opted to do some Valentine's knitting (see here and here for documentation), this year I thought I would do some 'crafting' instead.

And while I have no issue with 'crafting' generally speaking... I have a hard time bundling knitting and crocheting up into this category. While non-knitters and big box craft stores might argue otherwise, I would like to go on the record as stating that our "craft", is in a league of it's own. But I digress...

Last year, a neighbour of Mary's Yarns posted a video on Youtube of a "DIY Woven Heart". I loved it, and mentally bookmarked it in my brain. And shockingly... I actually remembered and followed through with it this year.

On a recent trip to the Home Depot to pick up light switch plates and a new bathroom faucet, I also swung by the flooring department and snagged myself this big ol' square of wood. But not because I plan on laying flooring anytime soon...

But because I had an odd ball of Cascade 220 kicking around my house.

So, there you have it.

My very own version of a woven Valentine's heart.

What better way to use up that pesky ball of yarn that's just begging to be used?

Action shot at the shop

Should you be so inclined to give this a try out for yourself (or maybe even just mentally bookmark it for next year)... here is the video that inspired me to get all crafty in the first place.

Big thanks to the Blossom Girls for the inspiration.

And Happy Valentine's Eve to all of you.

Icicles at the shop this week

Surely when it looks like this outside, it can't hurt you to find a little love in your heart.

It's most definitely the cheapest way to stay warm this time of year.

Truth.

♥

A Public Service Announcement

This past Christmas, I unwrapped a yarn bowl. And I'm not going to lie... I was sort of like "Uhm... OK. That's weird. But a pretty obvious gift for a knitter like me, I guess."

I must confess... up until Christmas day, I had never used a yarn bowl before. Of course I had seen them, heard of them, and pretended to enthuse over them when people told me about them... but I really had no interest in acquiring one for myself.

But as I was coming down from my Christmas Day high while cozied up in my chair with a new project all ready to go, I reached for that yarn bowl and popped in my freshly wound ball of yarn.

And low and behold... it was like magic.

My dear friends and knitters... I eat my words. This beautiful bowl has quite quickly become my most beloved knitting tool. No knitter should be without!

No more am I allowing my yarn to roll around the floor all willy-nilly-like! It now stays in one place and smoothly provides me with just the right amount of yarn as my needles require it. No tangles, no knots, no crawling under the couch to retrieve a rogue ball. It's all there, right in one place- in my pretty purple bowl.

So go and buy yourself one. And then buy one for every knitter that you know! (That's the public service announcement I promised you in the title of this post). You will surely fall in love with yours, just as I have mine.

 Yarn Bowl by Rosemary Jenkins- potter extraordinaire

 As if working with yarn wasn't beautiful enough... a beautiful yarn bowl is just the cherry on the already VERY delicious cake.

It's so cold, it's PURPLE out there! Just like my yarn bowl...

Be warm dear knitters!

♥

It's My Party And I'll Knit If I Want To

Back in mid-November, I turned thirty. I didn't really make a big deal about it. There was no massive party, I didn't wake up in tears that my twenties are now officially a thing of the past, I didn't go to Vegas (well, at least not in November I didn't)... I just turned thirty.

I woke up on the morning of my birthday, just like any other day, and came across an email from my mom which said "Why don't you take the day off work and just knit?"

Best. Birthday gift. EVER.

So, that's exactly what I did.

I conveniently had a project that had been sitting next to my knitting chair for a while that was just begging to be cast on. The needles, the yarn, the pattern, even the fur pompom. It was a project that required some focus and attention and since most of my knitting these days seems to be in the evening, I have a hard time branching out much beyond just plain old stocking stitch (more on that project later). In my old age, I have apparently become a morning person and I'll be darned...

So I got out my crochet hook, did my provisional cast on and tackled this brilliantly constructed toque, designed by the ever so talented Jared Flood. (SWOON!)

This hat looks like the perfect excuse to take up skiing

As it happens, this turned out to be the perfect project to ring in my new decade. I learned some new techniques (tubular cast on anyone?), I was able to exercise a technique that I already know and love (more cables please!) and it all resulted in a beautiful accessory to boot.

I will be the first to admit that I have been lazy with my knitting lately. I have been craving the simple things, and while I have no problems with continuing to do just that, this project was a nice reminder that it's ok to push myself. While I do love myself some stocking stitch... I am capable of so much more. All knitters are! And it's important to challenge ourselves from time to time, if even just a little.

 As for the pompom... it was a souvenir from our whirlwind trip to Switzerland last September. My sisters had been on the hunt for decent fur pompoms FOREVER... And if you can believe it... a tiny town in the Swiss Alps called Leukerbad is exactly where these pompoms were finally discovered. I bought four, and gifted half of them at Christmas to my sisters, which leaves me with one more- a green one! But this seemed like the perfect hat a pop one on.

Perhaps I should resolve to get a half-decent camera at some point this decade???

Dirty Thirty Details

Pattern- Forge by Jared Flood
Yarn- Two balls of Airolo by Lang in shade 60
Needles- Lots of them...

 

May this thirtieth birthday hat of mine remind me to stay open to new challenges, to continue to re-visit and exercise the things that I already know and love, and to never stop accessorizing- especially with pompoms.

So keep knitting my friends.

This season isn't finished with us just yet.

♥

A Christmas Knit for Mary

Each and every day that my mom and I are at the yarn shop, we fall in love at least seventeen times over with various knitting projects. Either projects that customers bring in, projects that we come across in new pattern books, projects that we eagerly show one another on Ravelry... there is simply never a shortage of inspiration when you spend your days at a yarn shop.

It's funny how often we fawn over a particular pattern for an entire day, pick out the yarn, the needles and maybe even bring it home, only to completely forget about it the following day. "What was that yarn for again?" is not an uncommon question that happens in my head. I just can't keep up!

One project that Mother Mary just couldn't shake however was a certain scarf called Lark from the Rowan Fine Art Collection. She just kept going back to it, day after day. But each time she would carefully pick the colour of yarn that she would want to knit it in, she would say "But that's $90.00 to knit it you know? I just can't justify that. It's a scarf!".

Now... if ever there was a woman who deserved to not only knit whatever she wanted, but also proudly wear a scarf knit out of $90.00 worth of yarn, it's her. She's been at the helm of a yarn shop for eleven years now, and quite frankly... she can do whatever the heck she wants.

The practical side of her however was having a hard time coming to grips with it all. So each day she would go through the same rhetoric, and each day she would go home sans scarf materials.

This of course, made for a easy easy decision when it came time to figure out what I was going to do for my dear mom for Christmas. It has been a while since I have knit anything for her, and of anyone I know, she is certainly the most deserving.

So, I wound the yarn, and got knitting.

And Ta-Daaaah! I actually finished it. I even finished it in time to wrap it and have it under the tree on Christmas Eve.

I must admit that while this was not a difficult knit by any stretch... it was a rather time consuming one. And I was determined that it be perfect. So that meant that if I discovered I had gotten mixed up with my wrapped stitches somewhere along the way, I would rip back and make it right. Something I wouldn't do for just anyone...

Baby, it's cold outisde

The yarn, is gorgeous. And so it should be! At $30.00/skein, it's pure and utter bliss to knit with, which is quite likely a large part of the reason why I had this completed with time to spare.

Big Thanks to Sister Emma for the photos

Not only that, it is also a delight to have cozied up around your neck as well. As pictured below, you will see that I may have tried this on. What isn't pictured is the multiple times that I may have tried this on.

I simply cannot resist a good knit wrapped around my neck!

Especially when it's cold enough outside that frost quakes become a 'thing'.

Handknit scarf, handknit sweater

For those of you who are already planning what to knit your Mother for Christmas 2014, here is everything that you need to know.

Pattern- Lark by the Rowan Design Team as featured in the "Rowan Fine Art Collection".
Yarn- Rowan Fine Art in shade 304 "Raven".
Needles- 2.75mm, 60cm Addi Turbo (Christmas gifts require that they be knit FAST, so only Addi's will do).

Sweater info can be found right here

Did I make any mods? Well yes, I did. The pattern calls for a 2.25mm needle... but I don't even knit socks that tight! I am a tight knitter, and felt that a bullet proof scarf was unnecessary, so I opted to bump up my needle size just a bit.

Also? I managed to get the length suggested in the pattern out of two skeins, rather than three. Which I think made my mother love it even more...

Stay warm dear knitters.

Mother Nature wants you to wear your wool.

And I strongly suggest that you listen to her.

Happy New Year!

Knitting 2013, a set on Flickr.

A very Happy (albeit belated!) New Year to all of you knitters and crocheters out there!

And apologies for my tardy well wishes... but there has been something in the icy air out there that has left me with little desire to fire up the ol' laptop and write. Instead I find myself curled up under some blankets and just KNITTING. Those of you in this part of the world right now can surely understand this...

I am sure that once the ice melts a little I will be back to my regularly scheduled programming. Heaven only knows that I am producing quite the stack of material for this here little blog.

I hope that you all had a safe, warm and happy holiday season.

Wishing you all nothing but the best for the year ahead.

Be well- and warm!

xo