WOOT It's 2014! Wait... WHAT?!?!

where did the time go? it's been 2014 for almost a month?!

oops! ack!

as you can guess i've been knitting up a storm since my last post sooo...

quick 2013 wrap up / catch up to 2014...  annnnnd... GO!

• i tried to design a neckwarmer - i wanted to try something knew so i cast on a bunch of stitches, took my favourite rib pattern and started knitting in-the-round... i thought it was looking pretty good until i realized (after i was done...doh!) that i was following a "knit-flat" pattern and knitting in-the-round without modifying it for circular knitting. i really love how it ended up but it was not what i was expecting. so i call it "My Beautiful Mistake" neckwarmer ;)

• i finished my Elegant Travels Fingerless Mitts - And I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! They're so pretty.

Elegant Travels Mitts

• i finished my first cable project... Rainbow Twist by Thao Nguyen - this is one of my favourite neckwarmers. the yarn i used was not as thick as the pattern wanted but it came out perfect for me. it's basically like wearing a cozy thick turtleneck. i had never tried cables before and i probably should have started with something a little less chunky, but i'm so happy with how it turned out!

Rainbow Twist

• something for the family gift exchange - i was told that the gift had to be under $10 and gender neutral. so i made this. no pattern just 2 chunky yarns held together and knit in a 1x1 rib. i can post it now because Christmas is over and hopefully it found a good home :)

Gift Exchange Neckwarmer

• *sigh* Christmas REALLY took it's toll on our family - the plan was to spend Christmas up-island. and it was a pretty exciting plan... except that our family was not well. you know how when you're sick... you stay home. we were away from home and it was just not as pleasant as it could have been. there was stress all around especially with my little boy. he was not himself at all. it will probably go down in history as the most memorable holiday we've ever had. but it's also totally blurred. i can't remember a whole lot... oh wait! there was a surprise wedding... but for the most part i can only remember what i was feeling... *sigh*

• i FINALLY knit up an Arbutus cowl - Jane Richmond's designs make the most wonderful knits! i have been itching to try and knit up the Arbutus since her book (ISLAND) came out last year but i was nervous about all the complexity of the pattern. what are"short rows?" erm..."wrap & turn?" so i put it aside for a while. then just after Christmas i realized i wasn't knitting anything *GASP* :D i saw on instagram that a couple of people i was following were having a "jane-along" (a knit-along using patterns designed by Jane Richmond) so i decided that it was the perfect time to start the Arbutus. it was an open group so i joined... and guess what! here it is!

Arbutus 

• crochet (or knit) mood blanket 2014 - i saw on instagram an idea that a crocheter had started and it boomed in popularity over instagram and facebook. it's quite simple. you can make one square a day for 365 days or one square a week for 52 weeks. it started out awesome! the first couple of weeks were so exciting... i seamed them together and saw that it was looking not too bad for a strip of knit squares :) then i started thinking about other projects and well... i'm kinda falling behind now... but i know i'll pick it up again... why? because i am tenacious when it comes to my knitting... some might even say i'm TOO tenacious! :D

Colours for my Knit Mood Blanket 2014

• i'm designing something new - bu-u-ut that is for another time! ~.^

there! all caught up! woot!

Knit Project: Travels Fingerless Mitts... PLUS, I WON!!! ~.^

Life is crazy! Tis the season :D

Between knitting, sewing, getting food organized for Christmas and trying to clean around the house... Life has been a non-stop whirlwind.

Since finishing my pair of Rathtrevor by Jane Richmond, my newest obsession has been on fingerless mittens. 

Let's start with a couple of new ideas...

Cozy Travels Fingerless Mitts
I found a ball of bulky yarn in my stash and looked up a bunch of different patterns in The Knitting Book that I got for Christmas last year...(Someone obviously knew me ~.^)and came up with these. They are so warm and cozy... They are a bit big for me but it's a cool first try! They turned out better than I had expected...

But then...

I wanted something a bit more elegant and pretty. So I used the same pattern, chose a finer yarn and adjusted the number of stitches and came up with...

Elegant Travels Fingerless Mitts 

I found a ball of Martha Stewart Crafts 100% merino (colour: Buttermilk) in my stash and thought "I just have the one ball so why not try it out." I have to admit it took me a couple of tries but I think I've got the pattern almost perfected. I finished one piece. I seamed it up and tried it on. The fit is comfortably snug. But I like the look of it. Because of the stretch it looks almost lacy... The width of my palm is about 9cm. I will play with the number of stitches so see the different fits I get.

PLUS!!!! 

I WON an ebook copy of Journey from reading Melissa's MisoCraftyKnits blog and entering the giveaway. Journey is a NEW book of knitting patterns by Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook.  All three of these fantastic ladies are incredibly talented crafters from Vancouver Island, BC. This TOTALLY made my Christmas! I am so excited to start on these patterns. Squeee! ^.^ 

Finished Projects for This Week!

1. Christmas Decorating? DONE!

I love seeing the house done up at Christmas... *sigh*

2. Marian Cowl by Jane Richmond? DONE!

I really enjoyed knitting this up. It is so warm and cozy. 

And because it calls for super thick yarn... it knit up in no time.

 I may have to knit up a couple more in different colours.

Love Love Love!

3. A Cowl for Mark

 When I started, I was  knitting up a hat. 

But when Mark took a look at it he thought it was a cowl. 

Which gave me the idea to turn it into a men's cowl.

I just started knitting it up a few hours ago... 

 Now... DONE! :D 

(Mark wouldn't model it for me... *pout*)

I'd say that's enough for this week. 

Time to rest up tomorrow so I can get ready

 to tackle the projects for NEXT week!

(which may or may not include the baking of some goodies)

^.^

Knitting: Moving on to... The Marian Cowl ^.^

In light of yesterday's weather development I decided that it was high time that I make the Marian cowl by JaneRichmond that I've been itching to make since last spring... I bought some Lion Brand: Wool Ease, Thick and Quick yarn in Charcoal, brought out my 12.75mm 24in circular needles and got ready to go.

I wanted to try out a few rows. So I started it late last night to see how comfortable it would be for my hands to handle knitting. I stopped after a few rows to take a few pics but kept going. I got so into it I forgot to stop. It's knitting up so fast and easy. I could have stayed up and finished it but my body was screaming for sleep so I got about 3/4 through it and put it down. Now I'm ready to finish it up!

But first... To Christmas-ize the house a bit!

Stay tuned!

^.^

Knitting: Rathtrevor Fingerless Mitts... DONE!

Aaaand they're DONE!
I am so in love with these mittens! They are cute and cosy and I loved making them!

I made a couple of modifications to Jane Richmond's Rathtrevor pattern to my liking. For instance, I didn't make the forearm as long as the pattern instructed. I just wanted them just passed the wrist.

Also, the pattern instructed the "hand/palm" in a stockinette stitch then bind off but I decided to do the stockinette stitch until the last four rows and then ended with the same rib as the wrist. I think it ties it all nicely together. :)

Soooo... What next?

~.^

Hey There! Long Time No See!

Hello all! Long time no see! :)

I took the hiatus from knitting for what seemed like an eternity and did other things with my time...
Such as:

• Seeing my little boy fall absolutely in love with Kindergarten!
• Getting the opportunity to work on my voice over work. 
• Watching my darling husband take on the challenge of a new job... as well as biking and swimming three times a week...
• Working at honing my beginner sewing skills because... well... I NEED to craft! :)

I remember looking in the closet in the spare bedroom last week and happened to stumble upon my fabric stash. I remembered that I wanted to try a cowl pattern  I found on line. It didn't quite work out the way I liked so I started playing with the fabric a bit, found what worked and then got totally hooked. I sewed together some cowls out of my a few different types of fabrics: fleece, flannel, some coordinating "fat quarters" and some funky fabric called "missoni." I totally got addicted to making them... so er... now I've got a TON! A few went to my sister in-law's craft booth at the Christmas craft fair last weekend. And the others are just waiting around for Christmas... ~.^

Here's a few styles I tried with different fabrics...

top left: Three coordinating fat quarters
top right: Missoni fabric
bottom left: solid fleece and brushed cotton in plaid print
bottom right: Three coordinating fat quarters and solid flannel

But now...

I'm sooo super happy to be knitting again... However, I have learned my lesson and I'm taking it slowly and carefully this time! I decided to start with a project just for me...

The cooler weather is taking it's toll on my hands so I've started a fingerless mitten pattern by Jane Richmond Designs called Rathtrevor from her Island collection.

Here's the first one so far. Please pardon the double pointed needles. I'm just getting the hang of using them and wanted to see how the wrist fit.  :D


Wish me luck!

Knit Projects: Finishing It Up... Blocking!

So I've finally found the time and space to block my two spring/summer accessories (my Strathcona and my lacy mesh linen cowl that I have yet to give a name to :S). I've never blocked anything before so this is all new to me. I really hope I did it right.

I can't wait until they are dry so I can see them on! But... I WILL wait patiently...

*sigh*

*foot tapping*


*tapping grows louder & more impatient*


GAH!


*runs to grab a hair dryer*


Lol!

Knit Project(s): So many... But surely there's room for just ONE (or TWO) more?

So I've finished my Gemini for the TTTKAL and I know that I said that I should really take a small break from knitting to get my "mild carpal tunnel" under control but... I just need to have something on the needles. Well...  at the very least something besides the two or three that I consider "side projects" and really don't have to get done any time soon.

Okay... so... let's review the projects that I am now working on...

1. I have my FIRST lace project that I started a while ago and is ongoing but goes sooo S...L...O...W...L...Y. Because the "spun silk yarn/lace" by Sweet Georgia Yarns feels so soft, delicate and a super thin, I'm going slowly and being extra careful... Plus with the use of smaller-than-comfortable needles I have to take more breaks or else my carpal tunnel makes knitting a bit painful... But it is knitting up beautifully. Just slowly. ^.^

2. ALSO... I have some time sensitive mystery projects that shall remain a mystery until I have completed them. But there are TWO more projects for that...  ~.^

SO what's one... or two... more projects, right? :D

And so there is this... I'm SO in-love with this... 

The Saoirse Shawl by Norah Gaughan

(Pics are from the Spring 2009 issue of Knits by Interweave.)

Norah Gaughan has got some beautiful designs. I am IN LOVE with this shawl/wrap-skirt. I found the pattern in the Spring 2009 issue of Knits by Interweave. The wavy ruffles are so feminine and the colour is fabulous. This shawl was knitted using Berroco Seduce in the "Gris-Bleu" colourway (47% Rayon / 25% Linen / 17% Silk / & 11% Nylon) It looks so amazing! We'll see if I can find the exact yarn... and of course how many moneys it's going to cost us... But I just can't wait to knit is up!

I am also torn between knitting up another Gemini by Jane Richmond (but this time the longer sleeved "modified Gemini") or trying my hand at knitting up another one of her designs... the Grace.

*sigh* Decisions... Decisions... So now I'm off to prioritize these pretties... Woot!

Knit Project: Gemini... DONE!

Woot Done! 

I actually got it done today and with a mere 3 minutes to spare!

It's isn't blocked yet but it will be this weekend!

Knit Project: Gemini... Yay! Sleeves!

i think i'm making some progress on my Gemini for the knit along :) the stockinette stitch for the body was getting a bit monotonous so i decided to start on the sleeves. it was perfect because the first ball of yarn had come to it's end so why not? double pointed needles were no where as complicated as i thought it was going to be. after watching a couple of youtube videos (particularly this one) it turned out to be easy peasy lemon squeasy :) so now it's full speed ahead on the body and then... DONE! woot!

one thing i found about the sweater... when i tried it on to check the fit i was shocked at how roomy it was. i'm glad i read the pattern super carefully and found the note about choosing the size that is 4 inches SMALLER than my actual bust size. otherwise it would have ended up huge. but it will definitely be a comfy short sleeved sweater. i'm so excited. i can't wait to get it done! yay!

Me: Just Passing The Time...

So guess what I'm doing!??!

Yup! You guessed it.

I'm multi-tasking :D

I love playing World of Warcraft. But ever since knitting came back into my life I haven't played as much. Then I started missing Warcraft and thought there has got to be a way for me to do both. 

So I booted up the game and looked for spots where I could make time to knit. So I discovered that as I fly from flight-point to flight-point it gets

a little boring watching the same scenery go by... 

So THAT'S when I decided where to catch up on some knitting. I would knit during my flights! It's brilliant! Because let's face it. My Gemini top has got to get done for the TTTKAL. And it's perfect because I've just separated the sleeves from the body and so now it's all knit knit knit for a long long while... Now I have the best of BOTH worlds! ^.^

Knit Project: Gotta Get Knittin'

Lots of stuff has been going on. So it's been a few days... A trip to the mainland for a friend's baby's first birthday. A congratulatory meeting with friends to celebrate the news of their first baby coming into their lives. And all this crazy sunny hot weather has made it impossible for us to stay inside...

So I have decided... that today... albeit another day with the beautiful sun out in the sky and the nice breeze blowing... Today WILL in fact... be an inside day for us. ^.^ not just an inside day but a quiet knitting inside day!

The thing is... I really do need to catch up on my TTTKAL knitting. Life has been so busy that I'm totally exhausted by my usual knitting time that I'm too tired to get any knitting done. And when I DO try to knit,  Bad things start to happen. I start nodding off mid-row and lose track of what I've done... or I zone out and I've messed up stitches so bad that I have to undo all the work I've done... or I've nodded off and awoken with a start by the fear that I'm about to impale myself with the needles while I'm knitting... :P But... Not today...

I finally got my needles this past weekend. I ordered the Knitter's Pride Comby Sampler Set.  It's an awesome little set with a pair of Symfonie Dreamz round wood needle tips in 4mm size, a pair of Symfonie Cubix square wood needle tips in 4.5mm size and a pair of Nova metal needle tips in 5mm size. So my plan is to try out the different types of needles and maybe see which type of needle I prefer and then maybe get a full set. Right now, I'm using the 4mm Symfonie Dreamz tips on my Gemini top for the knit along. It's knitting up pretty nicely. But sadly I underestimated how slowly knitting with smaller needles is.  So I'm plugging along as best as I can. And honestly? What better time is there than now? The house is relatively quiet (Kai is having some quiet time in his room) and I've got a great big cup of tea right beside me... So my needles say: *clickety clickety click*

^.^

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: 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

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!

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! ~.^