Knit Project: Gemini

Well here's my Gemini... So far. I just finished the round of lace... and so now I wait.

I don't have the needle tip that I need to do the rest of the body so I need to order it and pick it up on the mainland this coming weekend. So until I have that in my hot little hands... This is where I stop. But what do I do now?

Hmmm....

I think it's time to pay Azeroth a visit... ^.^

Knit Project: Gemini

It has officially begun! This afternoon I cast-on my Gemini for the Tees, Tanks & Tops knit-along. And I have to say... This pattern is an absolute dream to work with. It is so straight forward and clear. then again,  I don't know why I'm surprised... All of Jane Richmond's patterns that I've worked from (so far) have been awesome and easy to read.

I was a little unsure about this colour but even after purchasing other yarns, I still keep coming back to it. So I say what the heck... GO WITH IT! Plus it's a cute summery colour. So why not?

I'm so excited about this project! I can't wait to finish it!

^.^

Knit Projects & Gaming: Purse Knitting, Warcraft & The TTT Knit-Along: And the Project I Choose Is...?

None of the ones I had previously listed! Wait... WHAT?!?!

Lol! So I went to the knit along's forums to say hello, got some more information and let everyone know which projects I was thinking about doing. I got a whack load of support from people to try a project that I had originally wanted to try but it required the use of DPNs (double pointed needles). I had stated that I had never used DPNs before and they were very encouraging and giving me pointers... To the point where I finally made my decision about what project to make...

So I decided to TRY...

The Gemini by Jane Richmond

Photo: Gemini by Jane Richmond

I love this shirt. you can wear it two different ways for two different looks. Wear the lace in back as a more casual top... Or you can wear the lace in the front for a dressier look.

I'm so excited. I can't wait to get started on it!

PLUS! Since I can't get enough knitting going at once... I need a big project for knitting at home AND something to take with me when I go out. Some good ol' purse knitting.

Photo: The Lovely Cowl by Miso Crafty Knits

Ta-daa! So I also started The Lovely Cowl designed by the talented Melissa of Miso Crafty Knits. I missed making this for Valentine's Day but better late than never. ^.^

AND... Last but certainly not least, I've really been missing me some World of Warcraft... So my Pandaren and I are  back on Azeroth! Woot!

WoW: Pandaren Shaman

Now I just have to try to organize my time to accomodate everything. Bu-u-ut I feel pretty good about it...  *biting nails* Wish me luck... Lol!

SO... Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to take full advantage of the BEAUTIFUL sunshine and get out and enjoy the day with my little boy! 

~.^

Knit Project: Tees, Tanks & Tops Knit Along (Decisions... Decisions...)

So I'm having a hard time choosing a project for luvinthemommyhood's Tees, Tanks & Tops knit along... I've narrowed down my choices... What do you all think? ^.^

Mock Cable Cami

Cap Sleeve Lattice Top

Reversible Tank Top

I just can't decide and we start on April 24th... eep!

Knit Project: Strathcona... FINISHED... No really! Plus... My FIRST Knit-Along!

Yay! My Strathcona scarf (designed by Jane Richmond) is now completely DONE! Woohoo! And I'm loving everything about it. Well... at least now I am. :D (Please forgive the picture I uploaded earlier. I was just so excited that it was done that I had to take the picture immediately :D) But I think I'm going to call it my "Sunset" Strathcona. That's what the colours remind me of. The pinks, oranges, taupes & bluey greys. After I've blocked it I will be wearing this EVERYWHERE! Plus I know that I will definitely be making more of these!  ~.^

But now... Onto something NEW!

Knit-Alongs.

I've never done a knit-along before! I have to say... I'm a little scared. But as usual, I think I'm making this out to be more complicated than it needs to be. And here is all the information... Tees Tanks and Tops Knit-Along. Hosted be the incredibly talented Shannon of luvinthemommyhood.

I have a few patterns that I'd like to try for this knit-along. It's just a question of what I think I can handle in the time that is given. I'm kinda new to the whole garment making scene but I'll never know if I don't try! :)

Wish me luck! *hugs*

Knit Project: Strathcona... DONE!

Forgive the loose ends... I was just too excited to not take a picture immediately...

ok... that's all...

 g'night!

^.^

Me: Rainy Days and Mondays...

Oh the rain... One of the many wonderful (and depressing) things about the west coast of Canada. SO much rain. The dreary grey clouds and dark days... Definitely a day to stay inside and get cozy (cue "Rainy days and Mondays" by The Carpenters.)

But it also makes it a great day to put on a pot of coffee and knit, knit, knit! Yay!

I'm just passed the halfway mark on my Strathcona scarf by Jane Richmond. I was a bit nervous because I thought the ssk (slip-slip-knit) stitch would be really complicated but it turns out it's quite simple. I really shouldn't be afraid of learning new knit stitches.  :)

SO here we are coffee, knitting and (for the 4 year old crowd...) Dinosaur Train! :D

Me: Wrong Side Of the Bed...

Sometimes I just need to stop for just a moment... Today was definitely no exception.

I woke up exhausted and grumpy. Oddly enough it was from too much sleep. Who would have thought? So as the morning goes on I can feel myself getting more and more annoyed. My foul mood is just getting worse by the second. So as I'm angrily doing dishes I look on the window sill and what do I see? My calm jar. It's sitting there on the sill and the sun is shining through it. It's so beautiful. I pick it up, give it a shake and just watch... I watch the iridescent hearts and glitter swirl around and slowly fall to the bottom of the jar and it makes me stop and think for a moment. One moment. I take that moment to just take a breath... I take that moment to close my eyes and just let go...

And then suddenly I'm in my happy place...

And once I'm there... Everything is alright.

Knit Project: Strathcona... Again.

So here is my SECOND attempt at the Strathcona...
I realized I read the pattern wrong and messed up the stitches in the first one :( But it still looked ok so I'm gonna finish it as is... But I at least wanted to knit one up properly. So, after consulting my knitting teacher/friend Rebecca & talking it out with my hubby, I figured out what I did wrong. And so here is the start of my new properly knitted Strathcona scarf.

The yarn is Cotton Cascata by Regia in the "Tugela" colourway. I totally fell in love with the colours and it's knitting up so nice. And now that I'm knitting it up properly... I can't wait to finish it!

Woot!

Knitting: Funny... Because It's True

YES! This just says it all for me... ^.^

Knit Project: The Strathcona

So here it is... The Strathcona by Jane Richmond. I must say... I am loving this pattern. It is so light and airy and the v- shape of it is so unique. It will be perfect for summer.

I'm not sure if I have enough yarn to make the full sized scarf but I just wanted to try it. So I chose to use a Mericash fingering weight yarn by Punta Yarns (80% merino/ 20%cashmere) in "baby pink." It will be a bit shorter but I think it will look great. And since it's such an open mesh it will probably give a little warmth without being too stifling. So it'll be perfect for our cool Vancouver Island breezes :)

So far it's knitting up pretty smoothly and SO soft!

So once again... Great pattern, Jane! ~.^

Knitting: My Rae Collection... So far... ~.^

I just absolutely LOVE this pattern! The Rae scarf is still one of my absolute favourite scarf patterns. However... A close second is one that I just started knitting up yesterday... The Strathcona... Stay tuned to find out how it's going... :D 

Jane Richmond is just fantastic!

Knitting: Knit Wear Magazine! Woot! I got it!

Here it is! The latest issue of  knit wear (spring 2013) and I am so excited.
The family and I spent most of the day downtown. Our last stop was to the Beehive Wool Shop and there on the magazine rack I spotted the magazine. I looked through it and immediately thought that I needed to have it... But it is a bit pricey... So I wandered around the store and browsed around at all the pretty yarns. And all I could see was all the wonderful knitted projects from that magazine... all knitted in every colour imaginable. So I decided that I would just get the magazine. :)

Then we stopped at Michaels because some of the Lion Brand Sock Ease yarn was clearance-priced and I was searching for --> THIS colour green (called "Green Apple".) They had three balls left so I scooped them up! Woot!

On a completely different note... We stopped at the Curious Comics downtown and I couldn't believe my eyes. There in front of me were two My Little Pony comic books... Sooo we scooped them up too ~.^

Knit Project: Lace! Feather and Fan Short Scarf

So here is a lace pattern that I wanted to try. It's called the Feather and Fan Short Scarf by Kelly Faller. It's a simple pattern but so pretty and elegant.

I'm using Sweet Georgia Yarn's Spun Silk Lace in the gorgeous "Goldmine" colourway.

I've never really worked with lace-weight yarn before. It's a bit finicky but it's knitting up beautifully so far... And sooo very silky soft...

Wish me luck! ^.^

*fingers crossed*

Knit Design Project: Inara Cowl... DONE!

So it's finally done! *phew*

I think my Inara Cowl that I designed turned out pretty good. :) It's warm and cozy but light and airy so its great for the transitioning weather between winter and spring. Plus it gets breezy here on the island so it keeps the chill off quite nicely.

The only complaint I have about making this cowl was the yarn. The Patons Lace that I used was crazy to work with. No matter how carefully and slowly I pulled from the ball it would get snagged and cause a bunch of problems. I guess that's due to the mohair cling to itself. Plus I counted at least four yarn barfs that slowed things down a lot. If I absolutely HAVE to use this yarn again I will definitely draw the yarn from the outside.

But all in all it was a wonderful little project. It makes a nice snood too, doesn't it? :)

Knitting: Sadly...

I know that this may seem a bit sudden... 
But sadly, I may have to take a break from knitting. It's supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable but lately I'm finding it to be neither. It's a bit of a time suck and a money suck. Neither of which my family can spare. So it's just bringing on a bunch of stress that I just don't need. So I will probably finish the projects I've started and then move on to other things...

Thank you knitting... Maybe we'll see you again.