New Design Project! The Inara Cowl

As if i didn't have enough in my yarn bowl... ^.^
I started something new! I found this yarn at Michaels. It's Patons Lace in Arctic Plum. It is THE prettiest colour I have ever seen. I needed to get it. So I pulled up the Michaels 50% off coupon on my phone and bought it. Then I started knitting it up into the "You Are My Sunshine" cowl but then I decided that I didn't want the stripes in it. So it will be just straight open work lace from bottom to top... hence the Inara Cowl was born. A new pattern design for me. Woot!

We'll see how it turns out...

Class Project: The One-Button Wonder

So as you know, I started taking a knitting class on February 15th and our project is a cardigan called The One Button Wonder. After a couple of mis-interpretations and confusions I think I understand what I'm supposed to do... (I think?)

So I have to finish making all the pieces (back, 2-front pieces, and 2-sleeves) before Friday so our teacher can show us how to put everything together...

SO far I've got the back and one side... Time to start power knitting!

^.^

Cute Read: "Extra Yarn"

I love to read to my little boy. Especially when there is a book out there that relates to something that we are focused on right now. Right now, it just happens to be knitting.  So when I saw this book in the library called Extra Yarn written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, I knew we could bond over it.

It's a cute little story of a little girl who finds what "looks like an ordinary box of yarn. But it turns out it isn't." The story is whimsical and mysterious.  My son loves the fact that the little girl knits sweaters for everyone... and everything.

It's such cute and loveable story.

We love it!

Family: Whirlwind Of A Week...

This week was a crazy whirlwind. One of my dearest & closest friends came to the island to spend 4 days visiting with her darling nine month old baby boy. Although it was something new to adjust to, I think the visit went wonderfully. The most adjustment had to come from my darling little boy.

Adjusting to a baby's schedule brought back some memories. Sleep times, wake times, nap times (*sigh* I wish sometimes...), feedings and diaper changes (diapers... eep!) But we made through the visit. And I find myself missing what she has with her baby... But I also appreciate and cherish all the the things that my boy can do now... And what SHE has to look forward to.

It was a very new experience for him to have to share toys at home because we rarely have play-dates at our house. Our place is little so, when we are invited, we usually go out to a park or go to another friend's house. But another new experience for him was that he was dealing with a baby. A baby that got everyone's attention in the house. Mine included...

After they left I tried to reconnect with my son by doing all the things we enjoy doing as mother and son. Like having a relaxing lunch at Tim Hortons and sitting quietly together and knitting.

But most of all I love that my wonderful friend came to visit me. We got to sit and get to know each other again but this time as mommies. We knitted and I got her to knit in the round. Something she has never done and I showed her how to do an openwork lacy stitch. Then she bound it off and has a cute little cowl so she will always remember our little visit. We rekindled old memories and discovered some new things about each other. All in all it was one of the most fantastic visits I've had in a very long time.

Thank you M for coming to see me,
Love & hugs always...

Knitting: Hello Kitty Knitting... Squee!

Two of my favourite things in one picture. I tried looking for an image on google but couldn't find anything I was happy with.  So I looked in a colouring book for a picture with the perfect pose, traced it and drew in the knitting... I think it turned out ok. ^.^

Family: A Proud Moment!

So here are the first knits my husband and son have done... They are on to new balls of yarn now but I just wanted to keep these little treasures for myself.

My little boy's knitted rectangle is the one on the left and my hubby's is on the right.

I'm so proud of them ^.^

Knit Project: Next In Queue...

Went to Beehive Wool Shop today and scored these -->
VIP by Lana Gatto in Ecru. They are 80% Wool and 20% cashmere,  they are incredibly soft AND they were on clearance. Woot!

Plus I know exactly what to make with these...

The Devonshire Cream Cowl designed by Laura Aylor... and I can't wait to get started. Squee!

New Design Project! The "Love Is..." Cowl

I had a skein of Punta Yarns Mericash yarn in baby pink and I wanted to make something cute and cozy. Just a few days before Valentine's Day and I had wanted to try making my own pattern of hearts using knits and purls. So I came up with this.

It's still in the design phase. The name is inspired by my mom's favourite little single-panel comic called "Love Is..." I thought it was a good fit.  So it's a combination of row of hearts then a few rows of openwork lace (the lace was mainly my husband's idea being the hopeless romantic that he is. ~.^)

So far it's looking pretty cute! We'll see how it turns out...

Just Me: It Finally Arrived!

Now if this doesn't say "Crafty Unicorn" I dont' know what does... :D

I ordered this shirt called "The Unicorn - Nature's Mystical Knitter" by Harebrained on Redbubble.com and it finally arrived today! The bonus is... It arrived just in time for the knitting class I'm attending this evening. Woot!

Knit Project:You Are My Sunshine Cowl! Complete!

It's finally finished! My First Cowl Design! Woot!

There are a few kinks to work out in the pattern but I think it turned out pretty well :) Light and airy but warm and cozy. It's great for this winter-into-spring weather.

it's worn relaxed and open for the milder days and... because of the all the "eyelets" I decided to run a cord through them to get it to cozy up to the neck on the cooler days.

It took a while... But I'm just happy that it's FINALLY done! ^.^

Family: Happy 1st BC Family Day!

What a way to celebrate our first Family Day in BC... It was grey and wet... but then again, what do you expect from the west coast? ;)

I showed my little boy how to knit with needles this morning and then I had to go get ready for our outing into downtown. When I had returned from getting ready, it turns out he had undone some of the knitting and needed/wanted some help with it. So he asked daddy to help him...

Now there are some dads out there that would have said to him, "Calm down and wait until mommy comes back" OR just plain... "Sorry, I can't help you. I don't know how."

But no... Not my darling husband (and this is why I love him so... ~.^)  He decided to go and find a youtube video on how to knit, watch it several times, learn how to do a "long-tail cast on" and the basic knit stitch so that he could try to figure out how help... all in about 30-45 minutes. I mean... Wow! I came downstairs and stood there and watched him learn to knit so that he could help our son... *bowing*

Then we all sat there in the living-room relaxing... and knitting. It was such a wonderful feeling to all be doing something together. ^.^

Of course now that my husband was understanding how knitting works... he started analyzing all this sweaters. It's so cool and fun to watch! :D

Then we headed downtown, checked out the "Family Day" festivities, then took a drive, came home and relaxed after quite an eventful day... *sigh*

Happy BC Family Day!

*hugs*

New Design Project! The "You Are My Sunshine" Cowl

I'm getting anxious about the knitting class I'm taking next week.
So I just need to knit SOMETHING! :D

I've been trying to find an openwork, lacy looking cowl pattern that was ka-razy simple to do. I've looked everywhere but with no luck. :( So I decide to try and make one up for myself... I'm winging it as we speak. This is the 3rd project I've ever done in the round... but it's my first I've ever tried without a pattern.

A-a-and here it is... so far... The "You Are My Sunshine" Cowl.

I'm using a meri-cash yarn (merino wool and cashmere) by Punta Yarns in "butterscotch." It's feels incredibly soft and luxurious but light as well. I can't wait to finish this for the transition from winter to spring! ^.^
Wish me luck!

*fingers crossed*