Off the Needles

April 4, 2015, 5:41 pm

We have all our samples knit for the Frolic so it's time to start on fall garments and Camp. Diana dropped by this morning with this awesome shawl. I love the colours. And it's one of my favourite yarns.

Pattern: Nahant (free on Knitty.com)

Knit on the bias, it resists curling. Use any weight yarn (just choose the appropriate needle), and make it as wide or as narrow as you like. Length is flexible too.

Yarn: Classic Elite Liberty Wool in the colour 78104

Liberty Wool is a super-soft, washable wool available in solid and printed colors. This yarn's balanced twist will make all stitch combinations pop.

With all the great qualities of wool and the ease of machine washability, Liberty Wool knits at a gauge that suits many designs and is ideal for children's pieces as well as those for adults.

Number of Balls: the pattern calls for 6 balls but we used 8 for a longer shawl

Look what came off the needles today.

It's in need of a good blocking and someone to sit and sew in a lot of ends. I'm not worried. I have close to a month to completely finish it and my New Year's Resolution for April is done.

Beth started a new project today. I saw the pattern on Ravelry and it's free for another week. She offered to knit it up for the store to show a new colour of Santorini that we received yesterday.

Pattern: Let it go! (get it on Ravelry)
Yarn: 2 balls of Classic Elite Santorini
Needles: 5mm

It's time to sign off and get to my knitting. My wish is to have Ley Lines (the second) finished in time for the Frolic.

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Happy Easter

April 5, 2015, 12:37 pm

≫ Next: Babies

≪ Previous: Off the Needles

I'm not sure if I should be saying Happy Easter or Merry Christmas. We had a touch of snow last night and then more this morning. Is it really April?? I hope everyone is enjoying a great day with family and/or friends.

I'm knitting until we head to Aunt Rene's for dinner.

I think I have about 70 rows until the cast off. Unfortunately I'm increasing as I go so the rows are taking longer and longer.

Don't forget that Spring/Summer hours have started in the store.

Monday Closed
Tuesday-Thursday 10-5:30
Friday noon-7
Saturday 10-4
Sunday Closed

The next shipment from madelinetosh should be arriving in about a week. Right now (and I could change my mind) the new Twist Light will not be coming to the store before the Frolic. It will make it's debut at the show. If you would like a skein before the show, here is a list of colours coming. Let me know and we will get it from storage for you.

Twist Light will be coming in
pecan twist
plunge
raspberry cordial
deep
heartbeat
great grey owl
leopard
fallen cloud
woodstock
kilim
odyssey
kitten
geode
neon peach
fluoro rose
holi festival
tart
charcoal
whiskey barrel
dr zhivago's sky
worn denim
amber trinket
coquette
spectrum
mandala

Here is a link to the blog post showing pictures of the new colours (the first 13 on the list)

It's time to get ready to go. I'm not going to be late for turkey dinner!

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Babies

April 6, 2015, 7:26 pm

≫ Next: Spring??

≪ Previous: Happy Easter

Today was my first Monday off. There were some errands and getting Beth off to the airport. She has flown to Myrtle Beach to meet my parents and then her and dad are off to the Masters. They have tickets for Wednesday's practice round. Two kids going to Disney aren't as excited as those two. It's me and the dogs this week.

Have you noticed that there is a baby epidemic right now? Every day customers are coming in to purchase yarn for baby projects. Our good friends just had a baby girl so Beth is knitting Miriam a baby blanket. She took it with her so I can't show a picture. I wonder how much she'll knit while she's away - hopefully she doesn't make a mistake.

Andi Clark designed this for Classic Elite and the pattern is free...

From Andi

I firmly believe that every baby deserves something handmade when they are born. And for a special baby, this blanket is perfect. Colorful and soft and cozy and machine washable (very important for moms), Liberty Wool is made for babies and kids.

This blanket is easy to knit once you get past the first few rounds. It uses a different but easy to learn method for casting on. After that it’s the perfect project for those times you need a simple knit. It’s almost magical how the different colors of Liberty Wool print flow into each other as you knit, keeping you entranced by the beauty that is coming off your needles. And before you know it, you have a blanket that will thrill the parents and will endure lots of loving by the recipient.

Another great project is the Cupcake Baby Blanket. I wrote the pattern for this blanket and it is free when you purchase the yarn.

50% Nylon, 50% Acrylic

Lovely and soft, Cupcake from Peter Pan can be quickly knitted on 4.5mm needles and is available in 17 colourful ribbon effect colours

6 balls is all you need.

Baseball season started last night. Go Jays Go. One down and 161 to go.

The final of the NCAA basketball tournament is on. It's time to go and watch. In our family pool it is mom vs. Beth. I'm not sure who I want to win.

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Spring??

April 7, 2015, 6:32 pm

≫ Next: Happy Day

≪ Previous: Babies

Today the new colours of Bella Lino from Classic Elite arrived. It was so cold today (okay, not as cold has it has been but it's supposed to be spring) that it's nice to look at spring colours and garments.

Linen • Viscose • Cotton

Bella Lino is a lightweight yarn that creates an airy fabric with long, harmonious stripes on a linen-hued base. This beautiful yarn comes in a palette of summer-friendly shades.

Cathy knit a beautiful scarf in 4 shades of Bella Lino (it's the same pattern that Beth used for her Santorini scarf).

This simple, reversible scarf shows the incredible colors of Bella Lino. Instructions are written to easily customize the width and length. Work your scarf in one color or many – since all Bella Lino shades have a flax-colored base, contrasting colors will blend beautifully.

The Bella Lino Wrap is a free pattern from a Classic Elite Web-Letter.

A truly simple knit, this wrap showcases the stripes and drape of Bella Lino perfectly. Easily customizable – knit any width and length you desire.

Stitches are increased then dropped in the center of ribbed columns, creating lacy ladders. Exact gauge is not crucial to the success of this project – a looser gauge will make for an airier scarf and a tighter gauge will emphasize the ribbed stitches. Block the finished scarf for more even stitches (like our green sample) or leave unblocked for textural interest (like our purple sample).Here are a few more options to make your Drop Stitch Scarf unique:
Sew the ends together for an infinity scarf that will easily wrap around twice.
Use 3 different shades of Bella Lino, working 24" from each ball, for a more colorful scarf.
Add fringe to ends with remaining yarn.

Another free pattern from Classic Elite.

There are also patterns for garments

Wasp from the magazine Seaside Village or purchased on Ravelry

A half-sleeve cardigan worked from the top down with mitered side panels.

Talulah (from the magazine Oceanside or you can purchase on Ravelry)

A pullover worked from the top down in one piece with mitered side panels.

I have a Bella Lino cardigan and love it. So much that I have Bella Lino set aside to knit another one. I knit the yarn double strand and made myself a CustomFit pattern.

Beth just sent me a text that they have arrived at their hotel. No, they are not staying in Augusta. The hotels there are super, super expensive. They are in Columbia, SC which is about an hour away. It is a newer hotel and when they stayed there last year everyone in the hotel was going to the Masters. I'm getting a bit jealous. They get to see the par 3 competition and could see Player, Nicklaus and Palmer.

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Happy Day

April 8, 2015, 6:57 pm

≫ Next: New from Manos

≪ Previous: Spring??

Today was a happy day. I visited Trish and have new hair. It's been far too many weeks since I last saw her. Now I'm at home with the dogs (It's 3pm as I am writing this part of my post). I left them too long yesterday and they weren't happy. While I'm working Beth called from the car. They have left the golf because it was too hot. Dad was afraid that one of them was going to get sick from sitting in the sun with no breeze. 32 the car says. I told them not to complain - it's really cold and rainy here.

I received a notification from UPS. The new Dream in Color Jilly Lace Mini Skein bundles should be in the store late tomorrow afternoon.

From Dream in Color

Your search for the perfect spring accessory has ended! We are offering kits to make this fabulous scarf in our wonderful Jilly Lace. Check with your shop owner to make sure they will be coming soon. Two color collections are available (this is the warm option).

I have been emailing with Fleece Artist and the Soft Mitt kits will be coming soon. Fleece Artist has been out of the mohair and it just arrived.

The mittens are knit holding a strand of mohair with a strand of wool. They are super warm. It might be the wrong time of year but we have to grab the kits while we can. When they arrive I will blog with pictures of the kits.

It's later in the day and I'm writing before heading to bed. There wasn't any knitting tonight. The big dog (aka Melo) wasn't a happy dog. He was shaking and wanted to sit in my lap. The first problem was Survivor. There is something about the music that gets him upset. I also checked the weather and it says that we might have thunder storms tonight so he is wearing his thunder shirt. I think he is happy now.

It's a good thing that I didn't want to sit on the couch.

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New from Manos

April 9, 2015, 5:07 pm

≫ Next: One Two Three

≪ Previous: Happy Day

Merino Roving from Manos del Uruguay arrived today. The roving is hand painted in beautiful colours.

100% merino wool

100gram skeins

What can you do with this?

-needle felting

-wet felting

-spin it

-knit thrum mitts

Here is a bit about Manos

The Manos Cooperatives were founded in 1968, begun by five women whose goal was to develop economic opportunities for women in a country where there were, and are still, few opportunities for work.

They began modestly, by selling handcrafts at local shops and the annual agricultural show in Montevideo. In time spinning, dyeing, weaving and knitting became the focus of the Coop’s efforts. Initially the “faded”, striated colors of Manos yarn were the result of heating yarn for dyeing in large, iron kettles over wood fires. Over the years, the dying process has been refined to provide consistency of color without losing what has become the trademark stria shading.

With each purchased skein of Manos del Uruguay yarn you will be helping a woman to support her family. Each skein is signed, so you will know who made your yarn, and from which village it came. You will be supporting the hand-crafted rather than mass-produced, and contributing to an economy where the workers control of the means of production. You, as a handknitter, crocheter or weaver, will be contributing to women’s careers in harmony with family life, and contributing to the landscape, and cultural heritage of Uruguay.

I pulled out my Bella Lino cardigan today. I totally forgot to take knitting with me to work - luckily there is usually something hanging around the store for me to work on. I need to get going on the cardigan if I'm going to wear it to TNNA in June. There is also the Resolution that I need to knit two garments this year.

It's a nice break from Ley Lines. I love that pattern but knitting the same shawl twice, right in a row, can be a bit much. Also you need to watch the knits, purls, increases and decreases. This is knit one row, purl one row. Better to work on while watching the Masters.

Here is a picture of the boys today. I sent it to Beth to show that I am treating them well and that they are happy with me.

Now the dogs and I are going to watch the Blue Jays. It's a good start to the game but last night started out well and ended poorly. Hopefully they don't do that again.

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One Two Three

April 10, 2015, 2:03 pm

≫ Next: Happy Saturday

≪ Previous: New from Manos

Wow. The new Dream in Color Jilly Lace Mini Skein kits (that is a long name) look amazing. The pictures I had before were nice but when you see the colours in real life you will really want to knit with them. You have two choice (warm above and cool below)

What will this make?

The Arcoiris Scarf is knit on 4mm needles. The pattern is free with the yarn.

All you need to know is
-cast on
-cast off
-knit
-purl
-yarn over
-ssk

Kate Atherley has a fun new pattern.

One yarn, two skeins, three directions. A shawl designed for two skeins of a busy variegated yarn.

Because some busy variegated yarns look best in garter stitch. And garter stitch is easy and soothing. But garter stitch one way is too easy. This shawl is worked in three different directions for a fun interplay of striping and colours.

The perfect everyday shawl? Fun but not too taxing to knit or wear.

Carefully placed slipped stitches add definition and detail. Although it is just garter stitch, the pattern uses an applied edging technique, a variety of increases, and picking up stitches.

Piece is adjustable, but you do definitely need two skeins of fingering weight.

Pattern: One Two Three (purchased on Ravelry)

There are so many yarn options.

-Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single, Serenity 20, Serenity Glitter Sock
-Lorna's Lace Shepherd Sock or Solemate
-Mrs. Crosby Train Case or Satchel
-tosh sock or merino light

Will I be tempted to start a new project tonight?

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Happy Saturday

April 11, 2015, 4:37 pm

≫ Next: It's here

≪ Previous: One Two Three

What a beautiful day. I almost (but then thought better of it because I'll be able do to it tomorrow) came home from work with the top down on the car. It was a touch chilly but tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful.

There are some new patterns in Rowan's Ravelry store. They are older patterns that have been reworked in Rowan's Silkystones. Silkystones debuted last summer and has been very popular.

From the Knit Rowan website: Knit this ladies vertical stripe top, a design from the Rowan archive of Magazine 55’s Sally that is now available to purchase online. Designed by Lisa Richardson using the stunning yarn Silkystones (silk and linen), this pretty sweater is worked sideways with centralised stripe patterning.

This design is available to purchase for $5 as a single pattern from our Ravelry store.

Previously from Knit Rowan: Knit this women's vertical stripe top from Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 55, a design by Lisa Richardson using the gorgeous yarn Handknit Cotton (combed cotton). Worked sideways with centralised stripe patterning, this knitting pattern is for the beginner knitter.

There are 4 patterns in this collection. Here is the link to all of them on Ravelry...

From the Knit Rowan website:

Knit this ladies round neck cardigan, a design from the Rowan archive Studio 32’s Dusty that is now available to purchase online. Designed by Marie Wallin using the stunning yarn Silkystones (silk and linen), this round neck cardigan has contrasting colourblock detail to the back, cuffs and band.

This design is available to purchase for $5 as a single pattern from our Ravelry store.

Previously stated from Rowan Studio 32: Knit this ladies round neck cardigan with contrasting colourblock detail to the back, cuffs and band from Rowan Studio 32. A design by Marie Wallin, using our wonderful machine washable soft handle cotton yarn, Handknit Cotton (cotton), this knitting pattern is suitable for the average knitter.

From the Knit Rowan website: Knit this oversized cropped tee, a design from the Rowan archive of Magazine 51’s Tamsin that is now available to purchase online. Designed by Erika Knight using the stunning yarn Silkystones (silk and linen), this design is knitted in simple stockinette stitch so ideal for beginner knitters.

This design is available to purchase for $5 as a single pattern from our Ravelry store.

Previously stated in Rowan Magazine 51: Knit this over sized cropped tee for a must have style of season. This design is ideal for knitters that are beginners. One of the techniques used for this design is the stockinette stitch.

From the Knit Rowan website: Knit this ladies v neck sweater, a design from the Rowan archive of Magazine 45’s Marseille that is now available to purchase online. Designed by Sarah Hatton using the stunning yarn Silkystones (silk and linen), this basic-shaped sweater has three quarter length sleeves and ‘v’ pattern stitch detail.

Rowan Silkystones is a melange of toussah silk and linen, and each shade is a soft subtle blend of shades. Soft to the touch and with the light silken sheen of wet stones (hence the name) this yarn sits at the heart of our Spring Summer season.

The suggested tension is 20 stitches = 4". There are many, many patterns that you can use this yarn for, from Rowan and on Ravelry.

What a busy TV night. Nascar. Jays. Hockey and more hockey. There are so many channels to flip to that I need to make a list. This makes it hard to get much knitting done. I also need to watch The Amazing Race from last night online. I totally forgot to tape it. Monaco. I'd love to visit.

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It's here

April 12, 2015, 6:02 pm

≫ Next: Knitting Post - Sort of

≪ Previous: Happy Saturday

I think that spring has finally arrived. I picked Beth up this morning in the car with the top down. She complained that it was too cold and made me put on the heat. She got to drive around Myrtle Beach last week in very warm weather with the top down on mom's car. It was a tad colder here this morning. By noon it was much nicer. And we just happened to be in the vicinity of Dairy Queen. The first ice cream of the year in the car.

The store is now closed on Mondays until the fall but if you are in desperate need of yarn tomorrow, Lynn will be there. If it's really slow I will send her home mid afternoon but if it's busy she'll be there until 5:30. I left her a list of the last few kits we need made up for the Frolic. We need to get these made because the madelinetosh is arriving this week. Lynn will be working in the storage locker inventorying the yarn and setting aside the merino light and new twist light for the show.

Yarn Bowls are on their way to Myrtle Beach and should be in the store in about a week.

Yarn bowls are a favorite accessory for those who love to knit or crochet. These bowls nestle your yarn while you work, both preventing "roll away" and keeping yarn clean as you work.

These bowls have a “Y” hook channel design, making it easy to switch out your working yarn while still attached to your work. The bowls also have a pass-through hole if you don’t need to change colors in your project. Felted pads on the base of these bowls protects your furniture from scratches.

It's almost Frolic time. Here are some of my tips if this is your first time heading to the show.

- trust me, there is lots of yarn. If you don't like lines or crowds, wait until noon to come. There will still be lots for you to see. If booths sell out of something, most are more than willing to ship it to you after the show
- bring lunch with you. Then you don't have to stand in line.
- The Science Centre is very close to the Frolic. You can send your family for an outing and it will let you shop for a while.
- wear something that you have knit. It's always fun to see completed projects.
- if you see something you like, mark down the booth you saw it in. I can't tell you how many times we get frantic people at the end of the day because they forgot where they saw something
- go through your Ravelry library and make notes of yarn that you are interested in. If there is a certain pattern, print that pattern and bring it with you. Also bring information on the yarn. What it's made of. Tension. Yardage. That will make it easier for me and other booths to help you substitute. When you come in the store I can do it on the computer but we have limited Internet access at the show.
- please have patience.
- the Frolic isn't just for knitters. It is put on by a knitting guild - hence the name. Crocheters please come to the show. There is lots of fabulous yarns that you and your hooks will have fun working with.

Now it's knitting time. The first sleeve of my Bella Lino cardigan is at the armhole shaping. I'd like to think it will be finished before bed tonight but that is just a dream.

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Knitting Post - Sort of

April 13, 2015, 5:24 pm

≫ Next: tosh happiness

≪ Previous: It's here

Today was spent running around. One of my stops was at Terra. I love looking at the flowers in their greenhouse.

I need to have the planters done for the store and our front step at home. They suggested that I wait a few weeks because there are some great tropical plants on the way. I really want hydrangeas but they aren't going to last all summer. They look so pretty here but in a few weeks they won't look like this.

This is where it gets knitting related. Throughout the store they have decorated with yarn. When I was walking in a young girl had a cart with many, many balls of yarn and was doing displays. I asked one of the ladies in the store about it and she said that it is a huge decorating trend for 2015. I can't confirm this but it is a cool idea. :)

They wound yarn around everything. Planters. Sales desks. Anything stationary had yarn on or around it.

Lots of pretty colours strung from floor to ceiling.

It's hard to tell but in the basket there are pieces of wood wound in yarn and they look like pencils.

Madelinetosh came late this afternoon. I wasn't in Ancaster so Beth signed for the yarn. I might have to get up early in the morning to see it before opening the store. I hope Beth didn't get into the boxes. Who knows what she might have taken.

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tosh happiness

April 14, 2015, 6:29 pm

≫ Next: Many boxes

≪ Previous: Knitting Post - Sort of

Lynn sorted through the tosh shipment this morning and brought over some big bags of yarn. This is always a bad day for me (or good depending on how you look at it). The colours are so pretty that I have to take some home and start a new project.

In the store we have

-Twist Light - the new sock yarn. We received 25 yummy colours.

-sock in new colours and old favourites

-pashmina - new colours and colours that we were sold out of

-ASAP - lots of great colours on the shelf

Over the next few days we will get vintage, dk, merino dk and merino.

I'm home and look what happened. A skein of pashmina is wound. The colour is dachshund - I can't get enough of this colour.

I considered making another Auburn Wave but then I remembered that I have it started in merino light in this colour. I told you that I liked it. I'm going to make Brickless.

After dinner I cast on and I've made it through the first pattern sequence. Why the funny angle? No shadows.

I'm going to keep going as I wait for Game of Homes. The bathroom tonight. This should be interesting.

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Many boxes

April 15, 2015, 4:06 pm

≫ Next: How many sleeps?

≪ Previous: tosh happiness

Mr. Canada Post brought in a huge box from Zen Yarn Garden this morning. You know that tosh problem I had yesterday, I almost had the same problem today. It was hard not to take some skeins home with me. The colours are amazing!

Serenity Silk Single

Serenity Glitter Sock. Tomorrow we're going to make up more kits for Castalia.

A relaxed fit pullover with buttons closing the garter stitch side panels and cuffs.

Skill level: Intermediate.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Shown in size S.

Liberty Wool by Classic Elite Yarns

9 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) balls 78102 Magic Carpet

Finished Measurements

Bust: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56)"

Designed to be worn with at least 6" of positive ease.

Mr. Canada Post also brought in a box from Lynda. The Magic Carpet Pullover is finished. We just need to add buttons to the sides and sleeves. (OK. Who am I kidding? Lynn will sew the buttons on because that could be my least favourite thing in the world to do.) It's so nice to be able to take sweaters outside again to get pictures.

I need to finish my post early. Survivor tonight. And even more exciting. The Stanley Cup playoffs start tonight. That means lots of knitting. Maybe. I might be busy flipping channels between games.

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How many sleeps?

April 16, 2015, 6:08 pm

≫ Next: Mother's Day is coming

≪ Previous: Many boxes

This week all the Rowan sales reps (like my rep who comes twice a year to show me the new yarns) from across North America were in Toronto for their semi-annual sales conference. A group of them went to Niagara Falls today and stopped here on their way back. I tried and tried but couldn't get anything out of them about the fall Rowan. DARN (this is capitalized because in small letters it can look like a different word and I try to be very careful with my language on the blog). I will get to see it in a few weeks. Rumour has it that this fall is going to be amazing.

There is new tosh on the shelves. DK is above and merino is below. The new colours are awesome.

I saw this banner on Ravelry today.

Now I'm starting to freak out a little. Normally the store is lined with boxes by now with kits and yarn for the Frolic. We have kits made but nothing is packed. Yikes.

Mom and dad just got home from Myrtle Beach. In the back of the car they have 2 boxes of yarn bowls. These should be in the store on Saturday - dad has to get back to work tomorrow. Yes, he's retired but if we made him stop working life wouldn't be very good for my mom. It's better that he has something to do every day.

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Mother's Day is coming

April 17, 2015, 7:08 pm

≫ Next: Fabulous FO

≪ Previous: How many sleeps?

They're here.

Dad just dropped off the yarn bowls.

These bowls are made by Amanda Pawley in Kentucky.

Yarn bowls are a favorite accessory for those who love to knit or crochet. These bowls nestle your yarn while you work, both preventing “roll away” and keeping yarn clean as you work.

These bowls have a “Y” hook channel design, making it easy to switch out your working yarn while still attached to your work. The bowls also have a pass-through hole if you don’t need to change colors in your project. Felted pads on the base of these bowls protects your furniture from scratches.

Here at Pawley Studios we strive to make elegant, yet functional pottery that can be used and loved for generations. Our high fire stoneware is light enough to be used, but sturdy enough to be past down.

We only use the best techniques and products at Pawley Studios. All of our glazes are led free, microwave and dishwasher safe.

Wouldn't these make a great Mother's Day gift? You could always buy one for yourself and then hand it to your family to wrap up. You know you'll get a gift that you like :)

Today's blog post has taken forever to write. I started in the store and then tried to finish it after dinner. I haven't been able to write because I've been glued to the TV. I haven't even knit. I might have worn out the converter flipping between hockey (and hockey) and baseball. And we totally forgot about The Amazing Race. Now overtime. And the Calgary/Vancouver game is starting. I need to get a program where I can talk and my computer types.

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Fabulous FO

April 18, 2015, 7:23 pm

≫ Next: Changed my mind

≪ Previous: Mother's Day is coming

Catherine came in today wearing her amazing Roan jacket. This is from Rowan Magazine #56. We changed the colours a bit. She did a navy background instead of black and her birds are blue not yellow/green. It is absolutely stunning. Now I want to get back to knitting mine.

Roving, pure merino wool. For spinning or felting. Hand dyed Nube means cloud in Spanish, we call it Nube because it's malabrigo's merino.

More Nube came in yesterday. The colours are beautiful. The yarn will also work great for thrum mitts.

Just a reminder if you're coming to the Frolic.

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Changed my mind

April 19, 2015, 5:29 pm

≫ Next: Yummy Colours

≪ Previous: Fabulous FO

I started on Brickless with my tosh pashmina last week. I love the yarn. I love the pattern. But I don't like the yarn and the pattern together. I think it is my knitting so instead of continuing and hating it I changed patterns. I should have started with this from the beginning. I've been dreaming about knitting it for a long time.

Follow Your Arrow by Ysolda. This isn't a new pattern - it came out in January 2014. I bought the pattern when it was released and should have knit it then. It has intrigued me.

In need of some fun, selfish knitting after the holidays? Get ready for the first mystery knitalong from Ysolda, with a choose your own adventure style twist. There are five clues, and every clue will come with two options either of which builds perfectly from whichever you choose previously. The result is 32 possible combinations – a really mysterious adventure. In addition, it has been designed to work equally well in a solid colour or in stripes of two colours and instructions for both options are included.

Ysolda writes a great pattern that is very easy to follow.

For the first clue I chose A. The good thing about waiting to start is that it isn't a mystery any more. I have looked at finished projects and know the sequences that I like.

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Yummy Colours

April 20, 2015, 6:50 pm

≫ Next: Summer Kerchief

≪ Previous: Changed my mind

The Fleece Artist Soft Mitt kits arrived this morning. The dyers at Fleece Artist do an amazing job with their colour combinations.

The first clue is finished and now I'm onto 2A. It's kind of addicting. So much that tonight's post is going to be short because I really want to/need to knit.

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Summer Kerchief

April 21, 2015, 11:11 am

≫ Next: All you need is love

≪ Previous: Yummy Colours

Bella Lino is a lightweight yarn that creates an airy fabric with long, harmonious stripes. The palette of summery shades each have a linen-hued base.

This cowl is a great summer accessory for when you want to wear something knitted, but it is just too hot! It looks like a kerchief, but because of the round construction, you won’t spend extra time adjusting it, or taking it off and on because it adds too many layers.

A summer kerchief from today's Classic Elite Web-Letter. Download the pattern...

I'm early with today's post because Beth and I are rushing to Woodbridge after work.

A silent auction and live auction. That can get dangerous.

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All you need is love

April 22, 2015, 2:09 pm

≫ Next: The Longest Day

≪ Previous: Summer Kerchief

The gala last night was a lot of fun. I didn't really want to go because of this week's craziness but I'm very glad that I did. It was 60s inspired and lots of people came dressed in tie dye and big wigs. The room decorations were fabulous!! The only thing we came home with was a gift card to Best Buy. You can never go wrong with that. We did bid on a Vegas Golf Trip in the live auction but a friend warned us before it started that he was getting it. It got to the point where we stepped back. It was for charity but he wasn't quitting.

We really need some pretty pictures today because of this not very nice weather. I'm not sure what month it is. I came to work with a turtle neck on. Lynn just looked out the window and yelled that it is snowing. UGH!!

Cathy's Log Cabin Afghan. I showed this last year but the sand and sun and cottage made me smile. I hope it brightens your day too.

Here is a link to the free pattern...

Cathy used 25 balls of Noro Kureyon - all different colours. For the border she used 5 skeins of Cascade 220.

Today we are going to finish packing for the Frolic.

What are we taking???

Tosh

-merino light

-new twist light (the sock yarn with nylon)

-pashmina

Mrs. Crosby

-Hat Box

-Train Case

-Carpet Bag

Classic Elite

-Santorini

-Come Together kits

Freia

-fingering

-super bulky

Zen Yarn Garden

-Serenity Glitter Sock

Did you know that the K-W Knitters' Guild is running a bus to the Toronto Knitters' Frolic this Saturday? It is now open to all community members, so we hope you will join us for the fun!

The bus leaves from behind Waterloo Town Square (Caroline and Alexandra) at 7:30am, and makes a stop around 8:15am at the carpool lot at Hwy 6 and the 401. We plan to arrive in time for the first workshops. The bus will return after the last workshop of the day is over, about 5pm.

The cost is $10, payable by cash at the bus. This does not include your Frolic entry fee. To reserve your spot or for more information, email info @ kwknittersguild.ca.

Survivor tonight. Hockey tonight. Baseball tonight. I hope there is some knitting tonight.

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The Longest Day

April 23, 2015, 4:30 pm

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The new Twist Collective is out and there is a great article on the Provisional Cast-On...

Unlike a standard cast-on, which is intended to permanently secure the stitches at their base, a provisional cast-on is temporary.

The patterns in this issue are amazing - shawls, sweaters and even a kids section. You can purchase them from Twist Collective or you can purchase the patterns on Ravelry (and then they will be in your Ravelry library)

I am in love with tosh pashmina. There hasn't been a lot of knitting time so I don't have pictures of my shawl but here are a few suggestions if you want to knit with the yarn.

Pattern: Rosa (free on Ravelry)
2-3 skeins of pashmina

Pattern: Shalimar (purchased on Ravelry)
3 skeins of pashmina

Lace and cables combine to create beautiful curves in this lace stole. A luxury blend of yarn makes this a truly opulent knit.

Today is the longest day. We are ready to pack the van and head to Toronto but it's too early to do that. The store is a mess. I'm set to go. Now I have to wait. And think. Did I pack everything I need? Samples? Kits? Patterns? Bags? Display items? Brochures? And the to do list starts to get long. But I'm working so I can't do running around. Then there is the biggest question. Will everything fit into the van? I can't wait until tomorrow when we get on the road.

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