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Happy Halloween. We forgot about jack o' lanterns so Beth bought pumpkins this morning. There wasn't a lot of selection and there definitely wasn't time to carve. She bought eyes at Party Packagers and got out her Sharpie. The eyes light up but the picture didn't turn out.

Last year we didn't have many kids. This year has been different. It's like they came by bus. There has been so many that Beth is standing on the front porch to hand out candy. There was no sense coming in because she'd close the door and more kids were here.



Mr Canada Post was at the store bright and early with two boxes. The first was from Cocoknits.

The Small Stitch Markers are so cute.
These are the mini version of our popular ring stitch markers. They are brightly colored and easily seen when marking rounds, increases, decreases, and stitch patterns. Made of nylon coated steel. Stitch markers accommodate up to US 7 / 4.5mm needle.

Stitch Stoppers
Colorful EVA foam plugs that slide all the way onto needles (not just on the tip) to secure your stitches. They also slip onto interchangeable needle cords to keep your stitches from sliding off while you try on your top-down garment or use your needles elsewhere.

Small Stitch Stoppers work for cords and needles up to size US 8 / 5mm.
Yarn Snips
This rustic, one-piece snip is made of forged black steel and comes packaged in a kraft tube for easy portability and storage. 4" in length.

See all the notions...


The second box was from Blue Sky Fibers. Lots and lots of Woolstok.
Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok is strong and sturdy and gently plied. Shows off pattern and texture in crisp relief, making it an ideal yarn for these warm cabled accessories. Surprisingly soft, lofty and light - you can almost feel the lanolin in this select 100% Peruvian Fine Highland Wool. A wonderfully expansive palette of twenty-one colors inspired by the craggy, unspoiled terrain of Peru.
Last week when it was really cold out I wore the Endless Wrap. I love it.

I think I really need it in 1309 Earth Ivy. I'm not a green person but this colour is calling me.

Beth has come in three times now for more chocolate. We're on the last box - I hope the kids start to slow down. I have a small pile set aside for myself and I'm afraid that Beth is going to take them.




Guard Dog

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Last night at about midnight it hit me that I am supposed to be going to Oakville tonight to speak at the Oakville Knitters and Crocheters Association. I emailed Lynn and Beth so that they could remind me this morning. I'm blogging now because I'll want to watch the end of the baseball game when I get home.
Classic Elite has a new pattern for their Camelot yarn.
The body of this easy-to-knit vest is worked sideways to show off the yarn’s stripes and then the yoke is picked up from the body and worked in Garter stitch.
Brights and darker shades combine beautifully in this pure wool self stripping aran weight yarn.
Purchase the pattern on Ravelry...


I made the mistake of telling my mom that Lucy isn't too bright. She shot back 'She's perfect'.

We turned the lights out at 7:45 last night. No more candy. We went through 400 chocolate bars. I even gave up my little pile of 5 chocolates. Our neighbours ran out at about 7:15. Wow. We're going to have to buy a lot more next year.

Coming next week

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Meet Scout. This is one of the new colours from madelinetosh for fall. Our shipment has left Texas and it should be here next week.

Neon Pink
Horoscope
Murakami
Havana
Outlander

I saw this posted on Stephen West's Instagram account
To celebrate this year’s mystery shawl, I’m offering 20% off all Westknits patterns and e-books in my Ravelry store.

Enter coupon code “mysteryrevealed” in your Ravelry shopping cart to get your discount until November 9.
See all Stephen's patterns...

Don't miss this great opportunity to stock up.

I had fun in Oakville last night. The guild meets at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. What an amazing place.
Welcome to the Town of Oakville’s newest hot spot for recreation, arts and cultural activities! Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) is a unique and dynamic public space created to fulfill the recreation, arts and cultural needs of our vibrant community.

This one-of-a-kind, multi-use facility features more than 144,000 square feet of activity space, making QEPCCC one of the largest venues in Canada to house such a diverse collectio of artistic, cultural and active living program opportunities, and cultural organizations.

QEPCCC offers inspiring programs for all ages and abilities including classes, workshops, camps and drop-in activities. The facility boasts an aquatics centre, two gymnasia, a youth centre, an older adult centre, dance studios, a recording studio, fine arts studios, a rehearsal hall, black box theatre, gallery, museum space, and much more!
If you live in the Oakville area, please check out the website...

Austin is working on our front garden. There are still a few blooms but they won't be around for long. I can't wait to see how everything grows in the spring.



Car Ride

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What a game last night. When the Cubs were winning I thought about going to bed but Beth talked me out of it. Thank you Beth. When you stay up late watching baseball you can get a lot of knitting done. Outline has been my project for the past few nights because I have the pattern memorized.

Mr. Canada Post brought in a huge box of yarn from Classic Elite this morning. We have lots of Chalet.
Chainette yarns are well-deserving of their popularity...the construction simultaneously provides strength and lightness. Add a luxury fiber blend of baby alpaca and bamboo to that inherent lightness and you have Chalet, a decadently soft yarn with a lovely drape in a chunky weight from our MountainTop Collection of yarns spun from natural, undyed fibers. Chateau is Chalet's colorful cousin, available in saturated, vibrant colors.
Chalet is super light and knit up great in the Remy Poncho (pattern purchased on Ravelry)
Poncho or sweater? Swoncho? Whatever you like to call it, it’s a great transition piece for fall when a coat is too much and a sweatshirt just doesn’t measure up! Great for indoors as well. This piece is a snap to knit and easy to throw on and look pulled together.

Another great project for Chalet (and it's cousin Chateau) is the Coors Cowl.
You need 5 skeins of Chalet and/or Chateau. The pattern is a free download..

Mom and dad decided to introduce Lucy to the convertible this morning.

Usually it’s mom that does damage to dad’s credit card. Lucy took it to another level!

Socks

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Sock Blockers are here. The perfect tool for blocking wet socks; they dry to the sock shape and size
Flexible and easy to use: Sizes (US shoe size)
Small: (3.5-5 men, 5-7 women)
Medium: (6-7.5 men, 7.5-9 women)
Large: (8+ men, 9.5+ women)
We have small, medium and large in purple and blue.

Aileen (pattern purchased on Ravelry) is one of our favourite vests.
A slightly fitted vest knit in one piece from the bottom up with armbands and collar picked up.
 The vest is knit in Zara from Filatura di Crosa.
A classic DK-weight superwash Merino wool yarn, available in a wide variety of solid colors.
The Canadian distributor for Zara has changed and we couldn't get stock over the summer. Happy news - it's back in stock. We have great colours with more coming over the next few weeks.

Mom couldn't find Lucy this morning. They looked and looked. This is where she was hiding. She hasn't shrunk. The shower is huge. It was a big jetted tub that neither mom or dad used. Their shower was so small you could barely wash your hair in it. Now they have a huge shower with a linen closet.

Easily Justified

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We have some cool bags coming from JUL Designs. They are currently at a postal facility in Maryland and I'm guessing that we will see them by the end of the week.
Work Bag Three was originally created as a harvest bag for gathering produce while working in the garden.  I wanted something shallow so that vegetables were not piled so deep that things at the bottom were crushed by things at the top.   I didn't want to buy anything.  I didn't want anything bulky like a basket. My solution was this shallow leather bag with fairly short handles in a thick, sturdy leather that would hold its shape, staying open during harvesting and not crushing in on the contents when it was full.  After I finished the bag and used it in the garden I fell in love with its characteristics for other purposes -- as a project bag for knitting, art supplies, picnics, carrying tools, so many uses!  
Large measures 19 inches wide at bag opening X 6 inches high X 8 inches deep with 20 inch handles
100% Leather
This versatile and fabulous project bag is made in a lush soft espresso Water Buffalo nubuck. It has the body, strength and utility you want with a luxurious hand-feel in a beautiful rich dark brown. You need this bag! It's not just beautiful. It's useful, all about real work, and therefore easily justified. 
Laura Bellows, the owner of JUL Designs, cuts the leather and sews each bag. I can't wait to see them.

There will be shawl pins in the box as well.
Coil Shawl Pin
Lotus Garden Shawl Pin
Sweet Pea Shawl Pin
String of Silver Beads Shawl Pin

The clocks turn back tonight. Yay!! An extra hour of knitting.

Building blocks

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Today has been about football and Building Blocks. I'm just about half way through the second clue. When I see the finished projects on Ravelry I know that I need to get this finished.

Here is a link to Stephen West's Ravelry group and pictures of finished shawls...

I have a new friend at home for taking pictures of my knitting. Before I had to remember to bring one home from the store and then I had to remember to take it back. This way I'm always ready to take pictures.

Gemini Twins (above) and Marfa (below) are two new colours coming from madelinetosh. The shipment is supposed to be in Milton tomorrow and I hope to go after work to pick it up.

They're here

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Four large boxes from madelinetosh. I didn't get them until 7pm so only one box was opened. I can't wait to get back to work in the morning so that I can see all the new colours.

The navy at the bottom of the picture is called Dubrovnik. It looks amazing in tosh sock. I can't wait to see it in merino light.

Do you need a quick baby project?

Hayfield Baby Blossom Chunky is a pretty self-patterning yarn for babies and girls, dainty little flowers appear in stripes as you knit. Hayfield Baby Blossom Chunky comes in a range of pretty baby shades, including baby blue, pink and a lovely lilac and yellow mix. This is a yarn that is just as fun to wear as it is to knit with. Hayfield Baby Blossom Chunky is machine washable and will to knit to all of our chunky patterns.
 The patterns go from newborn to 7 year old and take 1-4 balls.

The website has been updated for the tosh shipment. Now it's a cup of tea and Building Blocks. I'm onto the next colour and I can't wait to see the section finished.

Evolution

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Wendy has a new product and it's on the way to us.
Scarf kit in a box. Super soft, hand knotted colour changing yarn, packaged to work straight from the box. Crochet and Knit patterns included! Makes a great gift!

4mm needles

50% cotton
50% acrylic

150grams
600m

There are two patterns for knit scarves and one for a crocheted scarf. The patterns are included in the kit.




You can also download them here...

I received two kits a few weeks ago so I sent one to Lynda. She is making Hitchhiker. Hopefully she's been busy knitting :)

The best part is the price. The kits are $25.95. What a great gift. For the knitter/crocheter you can give them the kit. Or you can make the scarf to give away.

Unpacking the madelinetosh has been fun. Many of the new colours are speckled. The base for these is tosh vintage.
 Yoko
 Horoscope

Miss Lucy is sitting on the couch, looking into the kitchen. Our baby girl is growing. Mom and dad took her in to meet the Myrtle Beach vet. They wanted her to be acquainted with the office just in case. The vet put her on the scale. Almost 90 lbs.

Cheshire Cat

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A huge box just arrived from Frabjous Fibers. We are very well stocked in Cheshire Cat mini skein kits. I've knit two shawls in the Cheshire Cat and really like the yarn.

For the Fleece Festival we used the kits to make Hitchhiker.

Lynn is wearing Shillings and Pence.
Wannietta is wearing Too Much Pepper.
Sarah made hers with a SweetGeorgia Party of Five kit in the colour Swell. (I didn't want to cut her out of the picture - she looks good wearing her Hitchhiker)
Cathy knit her Hitchhiker in Lime to Turquoise.

I think I need to make Hitchhiker in Jub-Jub Bird.
Lynda knit Chevrione (pattern purchased on Ravelry) before the Fleece Festival in Freia's Shawl Ball.
She is making it again (it is so beautiful) in a Cheshire Cat kit in the colour Mimsy. I LOVE purple but I don't have many purple scarves. I can't wait for this one.


We decided to rearrange this afternoon. Some summer yarns needed to put away and it's time for the bulky/get it knit quick yarns. I love Rasta from Malabrigo. One skein will make a cowl and you can make that cowl in one evening.
A lightly-fulled single-ply yarn of magnum proportions! Whip out a super-cozy accessory in just hours with this super-sized delight of a yarn. Our premium Uruguayan merino is just as soft as ever, and Rasta comes in a range of our unique “watercolor multi” colorways as well as a rainbow of semi-solid basics. Unbelievably squishy, this is the yarn to turn to when you want the ultimate in warmth (or the ultimate in speed!)
There are 16 pages of patterns on Ravelry for Rasta.

It's just about time for Survivor. I'm not really sure who I want to win. It's been an interesting season so far.

Pattern Holder

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Whenever I have a spare minute in the store I pick up my Inspira Cowl and work a few rows.
I'm almost ready to cast off and block. I really like working with the new Knitter's Pride needles - Melodies of Life.
Something has been bothering Lynn lately. Could she knit a pair of socks with 2 balls of Liberty from Classic Elite?

We had a sample ball in the store so she took it to the cottage last weekend. She used the Easy Peasy Socks for First-Timers pattern (free on Ravelry). There was about 15grams of yarn left over after knitting the sock.
These socks are designed with the first-time sock knitter in mind. Sock knitting can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. All you need to be able to do is work in the round, decrease and pick up stitches, and you can make these socks!
Now she knows. She can get a short pair of socks out of 2 balls and a taller pair will take 3 balls.

We have a really big problem now. That colour is discontinued. Either we find one in the odd ball bag or she is going to have a pair of mismatched socks. 

Pattern holders are back in stock.
This indispensable pattern holder is a handy way to keep and display patterns and charts while working on a project. Useful for all knitters, but a “must-have” for lace knitters, especially
Convenient tool for keeping patterns close and easy to read
Easy to fold and unfold for storage; Lays flat when folded
Can stand upright when folded open, vertically or horizontally
Snap closure insures that materials inside stay neat and put
Extremely strong magnets keep patterns and/or charts in place
One extra long magnet strip also works as an indicator guide
Handy pocket holds patterns and charts
Pen pocket keeps marker close at hand
Black poly-jacquard fabric is sturdy and easy to keep clean
Dimensions (in open position): 50cm x 30cm (20" x 12")
Dimensions (in folded position): 25cm x 30cm (10" x 12")
We have a new episode of The Big Bang Theory tonight. Beth has watched every episode. I came to the party later. The show is really funny. Even episodes you've seen before. You can watch them over and over. I must admit that Sheldon is my favourite. There is a bit of paperwork to do before it starts so I need to run.

Lest We Forget

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In remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace.

Free Pattern Friday

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Stephanie (the owner of Frabjous Fibers) just put out a hat pattern for their worsted mini skein kits.
The pattern, Latitude Lines, is a free download.
Make striped, slouchy hats for everyone in the family! Sized from toddler on up to adult large, not a head in your household will go cold when the temperature drops.
We like to use Wonderland Yarns Color Morph or Down the Rabbit Hole Mini Skein Packs for a gradient from the simple ribbed brim to the top.
Each mini skein pack can make two toddler or child hats, or an adult and child hat, and you’ll work them up in no time in March Hare worsted!
We have great colours in stock...


We have a new yarn in the store. Eco + from Cascade. There are 8 colours on the shelf with more coming late next week.
Eco+ is 100% Natural Peruvian Wool. Eco+ is the colorful version of our popular Ecological Wool® with a fabulous range of stunning solid colors. Soft and wearable, this wool lends itself to either garments or felting. With amazing, big, generous skeins, it's perfect for all sorts of garments like cardigans, pullovers and blankets.

DETAILS

100% Peruvian Highland Wool
Weight: 250 g / 8.82 oz
Approx. Yardage: 478 yds / 437 m
Knitting Needle Size: US 9 - 10 / 5.5 - 6.0 mm
Knitting Gauge: 14 - 16 sts = 4" (10 cm)
The Eco + Quilt and Cable Blanket is a free pattern from Cascade.

The Bayside Cardigan is another free pattern from Cascade.

I found a few more patterns (these are paid, not free) that look great in Eco +
The famous Owls sweater
Joji's Lemongrass
Jared Flood's Wool Leaves
Wolf River

It's almost time to head home. A quick dinner (Beth is ordering pizza) and then a few more rows on Building Blocks. I just passed the halfway point of the 6th section.

Smoke

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Laura Bryant of Prism Yarns has an awesome sweater in the new Vogue Knitting Holiday Edition. We don't carry the magazine in the store but you can find it at Chapters or in the grocery store.

The model is wearing the Blue Lagoon colourway.
For this boat-neck pullover, Bryant chose an asymmetrical chevron pattern stitch, with one leg longer than the other, causing the fabric to bias. It’s worked in a luscious combination of Prism’s Merino Mia and Radiant Petite Madison, a merino, cashmere and silk blend shot through with a bit of gold and silver sparkle.
The response has been so great that Laura has put together three more colourways.
Embers
A rich compilation of warm rusts accented with strong deep plum and magenta.
Smoke
Soft neutral gray and taupe is accented with rich deep plum and steel blue/gray.
Tumbleweed
Our ever-popular Tumbleweed with its sage green, khaki and soft plum is accented with more of the same tones.
Kits are available for sizes S-XL.

Laura's colour sense is amazing. Smoke is calling my name. If you don't want to make the sweater, the yarn would make an amazing shawl. The smallest size kit has 1800 yards.  Outline?

There hasn't been much knitting time this week but Building Blocks is growing. I think there is going to be another Good Wife marathon tonight and I should make it to the third clue.

One Day Shawl

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I've been knitting with 3.5mm needles for one project and 4mm needles on another. I decided to switch it up today.

Pattern: Winter Cove (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 2 skeins of madelinetosh ASAP - I used Spectrum
Needles: 15mm, 80cm circular
Winter Cove knits up in an evening and is a great starter project for a beginner.

This is knit from the bottom up and can be easily adjusted depending on how much yarn you have.

The pattern is written and charted.

Suitable for super bulky, bulky doubled or 4 strands of worsted.
I started the shawl as the 1pm football games were starting and I cast off at 8pm. It was fun finishing a project that fast. There could be another ASAP project in my near future.

Beth has been knitting on her favourite pattern. She's using Zauberball Starke 6 - the DK version of Crazy.
Beth was complaining as I was casting off. Her project wasn't going as fast as she wanted it to. She's knitting on 3.75mm so it can only go so fast. My job tomorrow is to find her a hat pattern - she wants some instant gratification.

Cookies

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Sharon's husband Ray makes the best cookies. Sharon was in on Saturday and I casually mentioned that Ray hadn't brought cookies in a long time. This morning he brought me some. Thanks Ray!!! They are awesome.

The Evolution kits have arrived. They are a blend of cotton and acrylic and one kit will make a scarf. Patterns are in the box.


The best part - the kits are $25.95.

We are restocked on Erika Knight's Studio Linen. It's available in the store and on the website.
Linen is an ancient, sustainable, natural fibre spun from the flax plant. Flax itself is naturally resistant to pests and therefore practically no pesticides nor herbicides are necessary to grow these eco-friendly stem fibre plants. Flax plants produce large amounts of usable fibre per acre and do not require irrigation.

Linen is durable, soft, lustrous and flexible and will naturally soften with wear and washing.

Studio linen is made from 100% linen.

85% is recycled rayon-linen fibre, sorted from selected wastage and regenerated using the eco-friendly hydrolysis method. Blended with 15% premium natural linen, these fibres are twisted and dyed by a specialist Italian spinner in Biella to produce a unique yarn with a dry hand feel and subtle sheen.

Cool to the touch, and with a delicate drape Studio Linen is the perfect yarn for summer. With a refined palette of eight essential colours that will work with everything you wear and a clear stitch definition, Studio Linen crafts beautiful garments both in knit and crochet.

Made in Italy

50g hank

85% recycled rayon linen / 15% premium linen

approx. 120m / 131yds

21-22 sts & 28-30 rows = 10cm/4in

UK 3.75-4mm / US 5-6 needles


Erika has designed nine patterns for the Linen.

Now it's time for tea and knitting. I'm back to little needles tonight.

Work Bag Three

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They finally arrived. Somehow the wrong postal code ended up on our shipping label. The box was in limbo for a bit but now it's found.
100% Genuine Leather

Hand made in the JUL Studio
Large measures 19 inches wide at bag opening X 6 inches high X 8 inches deep with 20 inch handles

Work Bag Three was originally created as a harvest bag for gathering produce while working in the garden.  I wanted something shallow so that vegetables were not piled so deep that things at the bottom were crushed by things at the top.   I didn't want to buy anything.  I didn't want anything bulky like a basket. My solution was this shallow leather bag with fairly short handles in a thick, sturdy leather that would hold its shape, staying open during harvesting and not crushing in on the contents when it was full.  After I finished the bag and used it in the garden I fell in love with its characteristics for other purposes -- as a project bag for knitting, art supplies, picnics, carrying tools, so many uses! 
The bags are $175.50. We have one black (someone took him home) and two brown. The bags are awesome.
There are 5-100 gram skeins of Hedgehog Twist Sock in the bag with lots of room to spare.

My Inspira Cowl is finished. I'll block it tomorrow. This is my 6th one - I really like the pattern :)

Pattern: Inspira Cowl (free on Ravelry)
Yarn: Classic Elite Liberty Wool - 2 balls of one colour and one ball of a contrast
Needles: 5mm, 60cm
Version: Steampunk

The pattern isn't difficult. If you haven't knit fair isle, this is a great way to learn.

One project finished. That means I'm allowed to start something new tomorrow. Good thing I brought some yarn home with me.

Twice Reversible

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We have just received another shipment of Cascade Eco +. The colours look great.

I added some brighter colours in this shipment.





Eco + is perfect for the Twice Reversible Poncho from Churchmouse Yarns. We have patterns in the store or you can purchase on Ravelry.

Two skeins will make the S/M or L/XL sizes of the poncho.
We’ve finessed the details of this longtime favorite style to make it ‘twice reversible’: both the fabric and the shape can be flipped. We chose a stitch pattern that has two ‘right sides’ and added a nifty hybrid graft/seam for true reversibility. You can wear your poncho point-in-front for relaxed ‘boho’ style or point-in-back for a little more polish. Options upon options!

This poncho shape doesn’t follow the usual conventions of sizing (bust/waist/hips)—it’s more about scale. We designed this poncho in two sizes so your result will be comfortable and flattering. The two keys to the fit are the neckline and the back/arm length. The width of the rectangle determines where it hits—we like just at the bent elbow, which is also just above the waist.

They're here

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The newest patterns from Churchmouse Yarns have arrived. The patterns that Churchmouse Yarns produce are very well written and I highly recommend using them.
Fair Winds Beanie and Scarf
Library Vest
Saddle Shoulder Pullover
Spin Stitch Scarf and Poncho
Quadrangle Wrap


Pattern: Zig-Zaggerate (currently free on Ravelry but it could become a pay pattern so hurry over)

The yarn is Cheshire Cat from Frabjous Fibers. Think how awesome this cowl will look in a mini skein kit.

So Bright and Sticky
Fuchsia to Yellow Shadow

I've been working on Building Blocks. Section 7 is almost finished. The more I knit on it the more I like it. I'll bring it to work tomorrow for pictures.

What's for breakfast?

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Lynda finished Hitchhiker using one of the new Evolution kits. The scarf is huge - just the way I like it. If you think this is too big, you can knit it on a smaller needle. We did 4mm but I think you could go down to a 3.5mm or 3.75mm.
The Inspira Cowl is finished. Blocked. Ends sewn in. This pattern is still one of my favourites. The pattern is easy to memorize and it's fun to see how the colours are going to play out. Four people could use the same colour combination and all the cowls would look different. It just depends on what colour your ball starts with.
Three more rows and section 7 is finished. I was helping a customer pick out colours today and we went really bright. Now I'm inspired to get this finished. I think I'll need to make another one.
Someone is growing. I think she wants breakfast.
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