Snoop dog

Meet Ryker .... our certified snoop dog

A regular nosey guy, 

in the middle of things, 

usually only a sniff and a lick away.

kind of camera shy, yet always close by.

Just like when I was taking pictures of this lovely Malabrigo yarn.

Been trying to decide what to knit with it as I only have two balls.  

It's not like I need another project right now,

as I have other things on the go.

Yet it simmers on the back burner.  

A beautiful colour that makes me think about the blue skies of spring.

On the road off the needles

I took a road trip last weekend.  Before I left I was scurrying around the house to grab the last essentials.  You know, a good book and knitting of course!  My husband assured me that I could travel quite well without either.  He usually sleeps on a plane, so I don't think he quite caught the sense of my emergency!

Even though I was in a conference all weekend I managed to whip up "Jane" for my middle daughter.  An easy, one skein knit that satisfied the bill.  Easy and portable.

She has decided it is an indispensable part of her wardrobe!  Love it!

My project raveled here

A ribbed beret

 In our neck of the woods it is snowing...again.

At the beginning of the week there was only a little snow on the yard.

Then it snowed, almost melted, and this evening the mountain is encircled with clouds

and we are being sent more white stuff....sigh!

 The only good thing about this cold weather is

that it keeps the girls and I crafting.

Today they created "Fortresses" with popsicle sticks and hot glue,

while I knitted.

What a lovely day!

 My oldest daughter is modeling the beret I finished over spring break.

It fits her a little better than her younger sister.

But her little sister has made it clear, she isn't getting it.

Ravelry: Design B - Berets for Women and Girls

Yarn: Sirdar Escape DK

I am really happy how the beret turned out.

Some comments said that it turned out larger than they wanted.

So, I really watched my tension and decreases,

and think the end result is lovely.

Autumn shawl, wannabe

 This was really suppose to be done for the start of autumn.  Ahem!

Not sure what happened there.

However, since winter is still hanging around in these parts,

I have had many opportunities to enjoy this knit

Found the pattern and yarn on a trip to Victoria, BC last year.

The pattern is Silk Alpaca Babushka.  It is suppose to have a ruffle added all the way around the bottom edge.  After much thought, and the consent of my daughters.  I opted for the simple clean lines of no ruffle.  It is so the right choice for me!

The yarn is Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Sock Yarn.  A great yarn that wears really well.  Comfy and cozy!

The result is a shawl that I love to wear.  And thanks to my daughter, the new resident photog.

My ravelry project

Itsy Bitsy Pincushion

Say hello to the Itsy Bitsy Pin Cushion!

Ain't she cute?

I found the pattern on ravelry

It is a fun little evening project.

Easy enough to watch a movie with the kids

and finish the knitting in one evening.

I did my felting the next day,

but there is nothing stopping you from doing it the same night.

I threw mine in the washer on the hottest setting I have,

then checked on it several times until it had shrank enough to fit the batting.

After it dried for a couple of days,

I found a couple of cute buttons and embroidery floss

and finished her off.

Isn't she sweet?

You really should take a second look,

your scrap bag will thank you!

It is so much fun to do a quick project!

You can find her on ravelry here

Happy felting if you do!

Odd Socks

 When knitting for a 10 year-olds upcoming birthday,

you don't necessarily have to follow the rules or have things match!

 So I put aside my A-type personality,
which likes things "just so" sometimes

And embraced the fun side of these socks,
that I am sure my oldest daughter will just love!

Her sister "approves" of mom's choice of blue and lime green too.

I am thinking it should be a good birthday present!

Ravelled here

morning mittens...trois

Oooh baby I love your way, everyday!
This is my third time knitting this pattern, and I still love it.
It is fast, accurate and yields a great result.

I am using a hand-dyed wool alpaca blend that I bought on Salt Spring Island.  I managed to snag the ball directly from the artist on his own farm!  I love it because it is a one of a kind.

You really should try it if your looking for a quick and satisfying knit.  The other two pairs were knit in Berroco Jasper, which worked really well too!

Pattern:  Maine Morning Mittens
Raveled:  Here

is it me?

 Trying to decide if the new hat makes me young, approachable or......

Just a little too elementary...hmmm!  The jury is out on this one!

Too bad you can't see the cute pom-pom perched on top

because it is what really had me questioning the new purchase.

Gone, but not!

I have been busy over the last few months.

Training for an epic event, at least to me and my 40 something body.

I leave Sunday for Portugal.

Competing in point-fighting

Training lots.

Spare time has been reserved for family and friends.

However, I have managed to craft a bit.

Here is what I finished just the other day.

Pattern:  Thermis

Yarn from Plucky Knitter gifted from Peaknit (thanks so much I love it)

Ravelry project is here

serious summer sock love

I am having some serious sock love

These babies have been sitting on my needles waiting for me to close the toe,

for longer than I would like to admit

However, the task of finishing was sweetened by the blissful feeling of trying on

Admittedly it is only one....but still so nice

Pattern: Basic Ribbed Socks

Wool: Colinette Jitterbug
My ravelry sock

Feelings: Love it!

The Ashling Tote

I finished this back in early May.  When I started I wasn't sure who I was going to make it for.  However, as the tote came together it became apparent that it would be perfect for my good friend, Patricia.

I gave it to her at the end of May and she is loving it!  So nice!

At first this yarn was for the February Lady Sweater.  However, it didn't work out so I took my four balls of Cascade 220 and turned it into the Ashling Tote.

It is an easy peasy pattern, with great results!

Maine morning mitts

Here is a great project to keep you busy for just a little bit.

It's easy!

It's fast!

And you can talk and complete it at the same time.

Important things when travelling with husband and kids!

So when we left on holidays at the end of March,

that was just the kind of project I wanted.

I knit one mitt on the last leg of the first day.

Didn't I say it was fast?

If you are looking for the pattern it is on Ravelry.
I used Jasper Berroco. 

It knit up perfectly!

Really you won't be disappointed.

The Ashling Tote

I cast on for "The Ashling Tote" last night. I had four skeins of Cascade 220 that were sitting unused in my basket and felt I really needed to find a use for them.

Originally I was going to make the February Lady Sweater, but we were not getting along.

So we frogged the FLS and it has been pretty much bliss every since!

sneaking back in...

The last two weeks have crept by rather silently and slowly. While it was all sunshine a week ago, I was feeling quite grey.

I injured my ankle during "training" at our dojo. Consequently I had to stay off my feet as much as possible for a week and do nothing "active" this week. I spent an afternoon in our local hospital for blood tests and x-rays and found out, thankfully, that they came back with no problems. Seems my injuries just needed time to heal.

Everyone from my physiotherapist, to my coach, to my husband told me that I needed to rest. I was finding that hard to do.

Very hard to do, especially when you have to.

Especially when you want to be active or at least go for a walk in the sunshine. It's not so bad when you want to put your feet up, but hard when most of the day they are up. So after a few days of sulking, I decided I needed a quick project to cast on. After a little browsing I found the Heart on a String hat pattern. A lovely free pattern from Spud and Chloe.

I loved the result. It was knit up over two days (partly watching a swim meet) using Sandnes Garn Smart yarn. Lovely and fast.

celebrate your love affair with knitting

Below, I have included a section from Interweave's Knitting Daily message for today. I thought that all of us who love knitting (and other crafts) might understand....

Celebrate Your Love Affair with Knitting

When most people talk about their Valentine, they're usually talking about a person. Well, one of my Valentines this year is going to be to my knitting! I love it so much, let me count the ways:

1. It fills my life with color

2. It encourages my creativity

3. It keeps my hands busy

4. It introduces me to new people who share my love for the craft

5. It loves to travel

6. It likes the same TV shows that I like

7. It keeps the same schedule as I do; if I want to knit in the middle of the night, it's there for me!

8. It likes to change bags as much as I do!

9. It challenges me

10. It keeps me company, even when I'm cranky

little gifts

I never realized how satisfying baby knits would be.

For one, they are fast and secondly, they turn out so cute.I have been eyeing up the Saartje's Booties for quite sometime.

I just needed to wait for the right time.

I had to learn how to crochet a chain (oh no!) for the button straps,

but it wasn't too hard.

I was trying to use up scraps on these booties

but next time I would either do the whole bootie in variegated yarn

or use it only on the bottom.

My husband didn't think it mattered that they didn't "match".

I am thinking it is just part of the handmade charm.

Since I still had yarn leftover, I whipped up the hat last night.

So fun! So easy!
Hopefully the perfect set!

i've been naughty!

Well, not really. Maybe silly would be more like it.

On Thursday, I got a call from a friend's mother that they were having a shower for her daughter's new baby on Monday.

I already have two knitting projects on the go and won't tell you what my sewing room looks like. But decided to cast on for the Saartje's booties on Friday and The Welcome to the World Hat on Sunday.

Remarkably they are both done, just no pictures until tomorrow.

It is rewarding to throw a few quick projects into the middle of some bigger ones. They are both great little projects. I definately want to make more booties as I am always looking for a way to use scraps in my knitting and sewing.

scrappy scarf

I think I am finally happy with the progress that I am making on my Scrappy Lengthwise Scarf. I have started it 3 times. Each time I wasn't happy with it for a different reason. I didn't like the yarns together or I was messing up the pattern. The pattern isn't really difficult, I just can't talk as much as I might like (thank you Mom for pointing that out)! Apparently as a child I couldn't watch TV and cook dinner either, because things would get burnt. Sigh!Anyways, I also have found that you really need to use similar weight sock yarn, as all are not created equal, or it just doesn't lay very nicely.

Originally I had hoped that this would be for me. I am thinking now that I might be making it for one of the girls. Especially since my oldest has shown quite a keen interest in it.

You can find this pattern free on ravelry.

Beautiful blonde in a beret

Here is the beret that I finished back in October.
Papaya usually wears it to church on Sunday.
I just never managed to take a picture of the finished project.

The alarm went off early this morning,
Not sure that anyone here was ready for it.

P.S. We were doing alliterations today

Starting fresh

I have a basket of leftovers yarns

and since I really hate to see things go to waste!

I found a great pattern to use up scraps.

The Scrappy Lengthwise Scarf.

So far I am on my third try at casting on.

Not because it is particularly difficult.

I just can't really talk and keep the pattern going at the same time.

However, I seem to have the pattern down pat now,

so hopefully I will be getting somewhere with this soon.