It's National Sweater Day

How lucky are we in Canada that we actually get an whole day devoted to the sweater? The World Wildlife Fund invites us today to help to lower carbon dioxide emissions by lowering our thermostats 2 degrees (celsius) and throw on a sweater instead.  I love this initiative.  My father was always a big proponent of bundling up in the winter, instead of trying to heat our home to tropical standards.  Though as a teenager I complained (sometimes bitterly) I've come to love being able to bundle up in a big sweater, sipping a big glass of wine cup of tea, especially if that's accompanied by some knitting.  (Some trashy tv and chocolate are often in the mix as well.)  There's something comforting in putting on layers and keeping cozy while the winds blow outside.  

As an aside, if I could choose to snap my fingers and have a handknit ready for me to put on in honour of NSD today, this is the pattern I'd choose: 

What would yours be?  I'd love to hear which is your go-to sweater, handknit or no, for the serious cold.  And now I encourage you to throw on that favourite cold-weather-busting item, turn down the heat and take up the challenge. The planet will thank you.  

Easy As Pie Cowl

My friend Heather is a great dresser.  It's not so much that every time I see her I think "I wish I was wearing that" but that she has a great sense of style and that she knows what looks good on her.  I like to think that throughout my adult life, I've been taking baby steps toward my own happy place with what I wear.  (I'm a really visual person, so Pinterest has been a god-send for me for this kind of thing.)  This winter, several times I've had knitter's envy when Heather has worn a particular accessory: a rolled-edge charcoal cowl.  It looks so cozy, sits with perfect drape, and looks totally hand knit.  Not so, she told me when I asked, she picked it up somewhere.  Naturally, my first thought was "I could knit that."

Knowing well that I am an obsessive knitter, Heather wasn't terribly surprised when I asked if I could take a look at the item.  I measured, counted stitches and took some photos.  

Later that evening, I'd come up with my own version, which I've just realized can actually qualify as my VERY FIRST KNIT DESIGN---woot!  I've dubbed it the Easy As Pie Cowl, and it absolutely is.  I'm happy to share it here, in case anyone else would like to copy Heather's look:
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Easy As Pie Cowl

one size
Yarn: Super Bulky weight yarn (I used the always affordable and sturdy Lion Brand Thick & Quick, 6 oz and 108 yds per ball, but you can use whatever you like)
Needles: 10mm circulars, 16 inches
Gauge: Okay I haven't quick calculated gauge yet for this project, but it's not too important for this one. 
Notions: Stitch marker if desired, to mark beginning of row.

Cast on 72 stitches and join in the round being careful not to twist your stitches at the join.  Continue in stocking stitch until you have approximately enough yarn remaining for a bind off row.  (You'll have to eyeball this...) 

Bind off loosely.  Sew in ends.  Enjoy.

I wore mine right away but feel free to block it if you like.  

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This is the first pattern I've ever actually written up.  It's a simple one, but please let me know if there is a problem with it, and please, if you do decide to make the EAP cowl, send me a pic of your finished object.  :)

  

Out For a Rip

Hello again and happy new year.  :)

Every January I breathe a sigh of relief.  As much as I enjoy the holidays (and I really do!) it always feels great to get the tree down, the decorations put away, and to get rid of all the lists (groceries, gifts, to-do, etc) that I frenetically wrote and tried to complete throughout December.  Inevitably, one of those lists is "Things I must finish knitting."  Like most of the knitting ilk, I had quite a few hand-knits on my list this year to be given.  Thankfully, they were all for my immediate family, who are extremely forgiving when it comes to belated Christmas knits.  

The title of this post refers to the recurring theme in my knitting over the last month: ripping back.  (Ugh.)  I had been going great guns, completing a turban-style headwrap, 2 chunky cowls, an enormous chunky-knit infinity scarf for my middle daughter, a cute little sweater for my nephew and 3 little christmas ornaments for my girls when things began to get ugly.  

The first incident was pretty minor.  I was a couple of feet into the Meringue Cowl when I noticed an error in the brioche stitch a few inches back.  For whatever reason, rather than just looking up "How to correct an error in brioche stitch" I decided it would be simpler just to knit backwards for a few inches.  Simpler? Maybe.  More tedious? Definitely.  But job done, it was fixed and on I went.

Then, after feeling quite smug about having quickly knitted up a size 4 top-down Caelum sweater for my little nephew, I got started on the size 8 version for his sister.  I was blazing along, making great progress and closing in on the waistband ribbing when I spotted what I quickly realized was a fatal error in the collar.  When I'd joined in the round, I'd over-lapped the shawl collar backwards so that the button holes were on the bottom.  I know, I could have just used smaller buttons, and squeezed them through makeshift holes that I'd stretched out, but it irked me so much I decided to tear the whole darn thing out.  There were still 5 days left before the gift had to be given---I could still finish right? Of course I had to fit in all the other last-minute Christmas stuff and work too, among other things, so alas, my little niece got an "IOU one sweater" note with the rest of her gift.  

On Christmas morning my daughter Bronwyn opened her infinity scarf, and she loved it.  Like the Meringue cowl, it was also done in a lofty, squeezable brioche stitch and was particularly soft and cozy.  I was pleased she was pleased.  But a couple of days later, she came to me with a small concern---when she doubled up the scarf to wear it close to her neck, she felt a little as though she was in a neck brace.  The scarf was just a little too wide to be able to be worn comfortably.  She showed me and I agreed.  

The scarf had knitted up very quickly on super-bulky yarn, so I offered to just make it over again, at about half the width.  I'd planned to tear out the entire thing and make the world's biggest ball of yarn, but rather than ripping the entire thing back, I quickly realized that I can just knit right off the old scarf as I make the new one.  

Fortunately, I've never been one to get too worked up about having to rip things back.  I like knowing that I can fix errors, and that I'll be satisfied with the end product.  Besides, I try to remind myself, I like to knit.  What's a little more of it?  

I'll throw the question out there though: how comfortable are you ripping out a project once it's under way? Do you see it as a complete fail, a do-over, or is the whole notion too frustrating to imagine---once you've started there's no going back?  I'm curious.

Though this has nothing to do with needles and yarn, given the topic and the temperature, I'll close with this link which has been making the rounds on Youtube in Canada (especially down Ontario-way).  For you non-Canadians, here's a little peek into a pocket of beloved Canadian subculture.  Virtually everyone I know who has seen this says "I went to school with a bunch of guys who were EXACTLY like that," or "OMG that's like everyone from Renfrew!" (or insert of pretty much any small rural Canadian town).  Apologies in advance for the language (or if you're from Renfrew).

   P.S. The video doesn't seem to want to show up on phones and tablets, so here's the link instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-glHAzXi_M

A Love of Linen

I've been going through a bit of a knitting slump in the last little while.  This usually happens to me a few times a year; not that I stop thinking about all the knitting that I want to do, but just that the actual knitting time in my day falls short.  Up to a couple of days ago, we were enjoying blissfully warm and sunny weather around here so my afternoons and early evenings were spent in the backyard soaking it all up.  Combine this with the my most recent project's snag (more on that in a later post) and and I've been reluctant to pick up the needles.  That is, until I saw this...

Quince & Co did a wonderful job building anticipation of the Knitbot Linen collection by Hannah Fettig.  This picture above, makes me swoon - the colours are beautiful and you can almost feel the softness of the yarn as you look at this stack of Q & Co's Sparrow, a beautiful fingering weight yarn in organic linen.

A few days later, this arrived on my newsfeed and I was sold:

This most recent collection of Fettig's patterns makes me happy on so many levels.  They are simple and classic yet the pattern and yarn combination gives them interesting drape and an overall gorgeous look.

Now, just to decide on what I will knit from this collection.  My plan is to make this a 'road trip project' as our family is headed out to the east coast at the beginning of our summer vacation this year.  After knitting many projects for others, this special knit will be just for me.  I'm really drawn towards the two cardigan patterns - something to cover up a sleeveless summer dress or keep my arms warm on a breezy summer evening.

The Lineal and Brise cardigans are both beautiful.  The lightness of Lineal would finish off a great layered look and the more substantial Brise would be so casual and comfortable, yet still modern and chic.  As you can see, I'm still on the fence.  What do you think? Suggestions for colour choice are welcome too!

Here's a shot from my backyard, with a little of what's been distracting me from my knitting over the last couple of weeks.  Can you blame me?

                                                                                            -- Christy

One of Those Days (Weeks?)

That's been the kind of week it's seemed like around here for me.  I'm sure each of you have had them too.  No one thing is going completely wrong, but it seems that 50 different smaller issues are about to implode, or at least that's how it seems to me.  

At home we're getting ready to move, so there are boxes to be packed and so many things to be organized, purged, stored, and cleaned.  Plans for the place to which we're moving keep changing here and there too, and it's starting to make my enthusiasm wane.  I know when moving day comes and once we're settled it will all make sense I'm sure, but in the mean time my mind does a little inward gasp each time I start thinking too much about everything that has to get done. 

Then at work things are messy too -- I work for a non-profit and there are crazy things happening here at the administrative level that leave a lot of questions from the staff (me included) unanswered.  Most of us are confused and more than a little nervous about how things will all shake out over the next months and weeks.  

All these goings on make me want to hide my head under the covers a little bit.  Can't I just come out when it's over?  But then I stop and remind myself of the little pockets of joy around me too:

     -my 3 girls and the time I get to spend with them
     -my supportive and loving partner Patrick and his ability to listen to and encourage me tirelessly
     -the beautiful weather that we are finally getting 
     -flowers everywhere now that spring is here
     -the fun of this blog to write and share stuff
     -lots of knitting for me to do
     
There's lots more I'm not even thinking of, I know, but that's enough to help me stay afloat for now.  

Oh and also there are yummy things like this Grilled Peanut Butter, Nutella and Banana Sandwich from ohsweetbasil.com:  

  
If this doesn't coax me out of a sour mood, I don't know what will.  

                                                                                          -- Hilary

Wool People 5 is Here

This pattern collection was released yesterday, but I didn't get a chance to mention it in my previous post.  As I've said before, I always feel a special sort of glee when Brooklyn Tweed releases something new, and the look book for Wool People 5 Spring/Summer 2013 is so worth the wait.  The collection of cowls, shawls and sweaters is just beautiful and features top-notch designers.  On top of the patterns, the photography in the look book is to die for -- absolutely gorgeous.  I really got lost in those pages for a little while yesterday morning.   

A special shout-out to the multi-talented Montreal designer and yarn producer, Tanis Lavallee, whose cardigan, Reverb, is featured in this collection. (No surprise that it is number 1 in Ravelry's 'What's Hot Right Now' section today!)  In addition to making some of the most luxurious and lovely yarn I've ever used, Tanis became a new mum last month to a beautiful baby boy, Rowan.  So congratulations to Tanis on this new pattern, and a very happy 1st mother's day to you as well!    

Spring Fever

For the last 4 or 5 days, our weather forecast here in most of Ontario has shown nothing but sun, sun, sun. After a long, cold and, at least for me, not-so-great, winter, you can feel an almost audible sigh of relief as we all put the chilly months behind us and embrace the warmth that we will enjoy for the next, oh, three-and-a-half months or so.  (Altogether too short a time, imho.)

There are moments in almost every winter here in Eastern Ontario when it is so cold outside and the snow is so deep that it becomes impossible to believe that it can ever be swelteringly hot here.  The idea of being able to feel a warm breeze, lie out in a bathing suit, or smell freshly cut grass and sweet springtime lilacs blooming seems like a fairy tale, or a vivid dream that you just can't forget.  So when spring finally commits itself to us in May (usually after a couple of false starts in March and April) I find myself feeling hopeful, much lighter of spirit, and energized for the many activities and adventures awaiting us in the summer.  Except for the mosquitos -- I could do without them. 

The winter blahs hit me hard after losing my father in February, and have dogged me on and off in the months since.  This has had a most definite impact on my knitting and my writing.  Sad to say, I still have projects on the needles that ought to have been finished over the March break, and the gaps between my posts here have been too long.  The sunshine this past week has definitely helped to lift my mood, and I've made significant progress on sewing Bridget's cardigan.  I just have the button band left to knit, and then to pick said buttons, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel now: it will, mercifully, get finished.  

Then it will be on to the man-scarf on the raw silk, which has also been sitting idle.  It's been going well, and I'm pleased, I think, with the overall look.  I have a feeling however that it will be one of those projects that will look remarkably different once blocked -- in a good way, I'm hopeful.  

With all my thoughts happy meandering off towards the summer months, I wanted to post three lovely summer-inspired things.  Two are knits, one is something other.  

What I'd Like to Wear: this light breezy tank is Kit Camisole by Bristol Ivy.  I've been aching to make myself one for the last 2 summers, and I think this year might be the year.  (...if I ever finish my current projects, lol.)  I love the simple stocking stitch in the body which beautifully sets off the simple texture in the top section.  I even love this colour -- but I think against my extremely pale Irish complexion, I might look a little ghostly.  I welcome suggestions.

Free is always good: this sweet little sweater is a free pattern from the wonderful peeps at Espace Tricot in Montreal.  The pattern is called Léger, which is the French for 'light'. It's knit in linen DK weight yarn in the round from the bottom up, and the pattern includes directions for 11 sizes.  In addition, it's very simple to make changes to both body and sleeve length to make it exactly the way you'd like it.  This pullover says Saturday shopping to me: a pair of capris and some flip flops, sunglasses, a big canvas tote, and a few girlfriends and you're all set.

Soft White Bed Linens: Once the weather starts to warm up, one of the changes I always like to bring into my bedroom is white bed linens.  These ones are from West Elm.  There is something about the combination of the white duvet cover and the longer light each day that just makes the entire room seem airier and more relaxed.  I love the pairing here of the chevron-patterned pillow against the white, but I also love being able to add a pop of colour -- a bright yellow or green, or even a hot pink -- with a pillow or throw blanket to give the room a little extra energy.  What are your go-to home pick-me-ups for spring?

Last Summer's Scarf

Ever since we started spending so much time the last few years in Montreal, my partner Patrick and I have noticed how much everyone, both men and women alike, seems to appreciate the scarf as a go-to 4-season accessory.  I've enjoyed seeing all the big chunky knit versions atop all varieties of Canada Goose jackets -- another Montreal staple -- but call me optimistic, after a small spate of somewhat milder weather, my mind has once again started to turn toward summer knits.


I've been trying to knit my partner Patrick a men's summer 
scarf since last year, when I bought a couple of skeins of Habu Textiles luxurious and very fine Tsumugi silk.  Over the last many months, I can't tell you how many times I've cast on, knit several inches, then frogged this yarn.  (This yarn has a real tendency, once knit, to want to stay knit, so it's been a real exercize in patience.)  I've tried a bunch of difference stitch patterns, all in an effort to find something masculine and yet breezy: herringbone stitch, which didn't even really show up in the knitted piece; the Dudester Scarf pattern, which was just okay in this yarn, and I was about to try a linen stitch, when it occurred to me why not just try to see what it looks like in stocking stitch?  


Turns out that this very fine, slightly slubbed yarn knits up into a very simple and classic scarf in stocking stitch.  It's texture is featured beautiful in a flat knit like this, and it's still sheer enough to allow in a nice warm breeze.  It's taking quite a while to achieve any length, but I'm going to keep at it.  I'll definitely post a photo when it's done.  In the meantime, I think I still have a few weeks before summer's really here...here's a photo of taken in Montreal yesterday:

                                                                                 --- Hilary

Never Saw it Coming

It's been awhile since either Christy or I have posted.  Two weekends ago, on February 9th, 2013, our beloved father, David Wilson, died suddenly at the age of 67.  He collapsed at home, after spending a lovely day with our Mum at their home in the country.  It was a beautiful, bright and crisp winter day.  He'd gone to work that morning, at the farm supply store where he managed the office.  It had been a quiet day---he loved when he had time to chat with all the farmers and the other customers who came in.  Then he came home and had a nice lunch with my mother.  The night before we'd had quite a storm, so he went out after lunch and worked on the tractor---another of his favourite pastimes, no matter the chore---and he moved the snow, creating enough room cars to park and get in and out of their long driveway.  He even plowed a walking path for my mother from the house to the smaller barn further back on the property, so that she could take the dogs for a walk each day.  When he was done, he and my mother had a cup of tea by the fireplace in the living room.  They read for awhile, and then my dad dozed on the sofa with one of the dogs (my little boston terrier, who was visiting them).  

  After his rest, as he did everyday, my father got into some exercise clothes and went on the treadmill.  He was very conscientious about his physical fitness---daily he recorded how far he walked, how many minutes he walked, and how many calories the treadmill said he'd burned.  He even used a heart rate monitor to be extra cautious that he was not over-exerting himself, despite that he had never in his life had a reason to worry about his heart.  His blood pressure and cholesterol levels had been well controlled for years, and he'd never had so much as a twinge of discomfort.  He was on the treadmill for 37 minutes and 5 seconds, walked 1.82 miles, and burned 165 calories that February 9th, all of which he recorded, as he did each day.  These would be the last words he'd ever write.  He came off the treadmill, walked out toward the hallway, carefully put down his pen and pad of paper on the bench next to him and then he died.  For my father, mercifully death was quick, and we imagine painless.  It came swiftly and quietly, and when my mother found him, his arms were outstretched, accepting, and peaceful.  

Since that day my mother and my 4 siblings and I have been reeling with shock and bereft with grief.  We miss him, and the emotion seems to rise and fall in waves, like a tide coming in and out. Because his death was so sudden, at times I have felt overwhelmed with memories and sadness that I will never see my father again, yet at other times I've had a powerful denial, that my dad is actually just out at work, or in his den, or out cutting wood in the forest (which he loved to do).  At other moments, there is just numbness and a persistent blue feeling, and I've had little motivation to do much of anything, including knitting.  

The first night, I found myself trying to remember what I'd ever knit for my father.  Then in his bedroom, I found the sweater I'd made him about 10 years ago.  It was 100% merino wool, worsted weight in a sandy beige -- a classic raglan sleeve pullover with a rollneck collar, and rolled edge sleeves and hem.  It was a J.Crew copycat, of their classic rollneck sweater, which at the time was a staple in their winter catalog.  Dad wore it very well, and it looked like he'd worn it recently, since it was laid out close to the top of a pile of worn clothing on his dresser.  I examined it closely.  Moths had eaten a couple of small holes in it, so I took it home to repair.  My mother told me to keep it, and to wrap myself up in it when I need to.  It was such a comfort to find it.

There was another knit I found in his room that gave me enormous comfort for the few days right afterward.  Though not handmade, it was a sturdy dark teal-green cardigan with a shawl collar, front pockets and leather buttons.  I remember him wearing it countless times while he read in his den -- the kind of thing he would advise us to put on if we complained of feeling cold around the house in the winter.  I wore it constantly for a good 4 days, and it felt good. 

My family and I all gathered together.  We helped each other get through the first difficult days, the wake and the funeral.  We laughed and cried and ate and drank.  We each struggled to begin to accept this new normal, and we each expressed how incredibly lucky we are to have been given the gift of this big loving family -- thank you Dad. 

So since then some things have been difficult.  Making sense of anything has been difficult, though we've been sifting through every aspect of these events, searching for meaning.  Writing has been difficult, though I think I'm getting past that, having had the privilege, along with my brother Michael and my sister Emma, of eulogizing my father when we celebrated his life at his funeral.  And surprisingly to me, the idea of knitting was difficult during the first week or so.  Usually such a familiar and comforting thing, I couldn't seem to focus.  The entire exercise seemed oddly pointless.  Fortunately, it gently came back to me, and in a matter of a day or two, I'd finished Bronwyn's mittens, and made a hat for Emma.  I was seeking out new projects, and on the weekend I visited my lovely friends at Espace Tricot, and indulged in yarn and warm chats. 

My Dad and me, Summer 1975.

   
In the tremendous gap created when we lost my dad, it has been the little things that have begun to fill in the space.  The love we all felt for and from him, the closeness we've gained from going through this together, and the small comforts -- my dad's favourite books, photos, music, and clothing, his humour, his idiosyncracies -- have all helped us start this process of moving forward, as a family, and of honouring his memory by living fully: doing what we love with the people we love, every day.  For my sister Christy and me, this includes knitting, and I'm so very grateful for it.  
   

It's National Sweater Day!

Now, when you're a knitter, it seems like every day is sweater day, or hat day, or sock day, or whatever you happen to be making that particular day, but in Canada today it's been declared National Sweater Day, so how could we not write about it? 

National Sweater Day is a campaign jointly sponsored by WWF and the Loblaws group, and the idea is to remind people that we can all help to reduce energy consumption and fight climate change by lowering our thermostats and putting on a sweater.  They point out that if every Canadian lowered their thermostat by just 2C this winter, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4 megatons.

Their website features yarn and knitting needles all over the place, and even allows you to pick your own personal "granny" to send you a text or call you on February 7th to remind you to put on your sweater.  While I'm not keen on the not-so-subtle suggestion that knitting and grannies go hand in hand (aren't we over that by now?) it's a great concept---a simple way to get people thinking about small changes we can all make to have a big impact on our planet.  

In honour of sweater day, I'm posting a couple of favourites.  First, a sweater I made for my wonderful partner Patrick last year (right).  This pattern is Brownstone by Jared Flood (who I wrote about yesterday).  I used Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label yarn (an all-time favourite for sure), and I loved how it turned out.   

I also find myself fantasizing about what I'd knit if I were able to cast on a sweater for myself today (assuming I'd finished everything currently on my needles...sigh).  I've been a little obsessed lately with a pattern by Ririko called Relax.  It's a boxy pullover-styled sweater with a wide neckline and 3/4 sleeves, knitted up in a sport weight yarn.  I love its clean, modern look and the easy casual style its got.  I think I'd knit it up in something from Northbound Knitting's yarn collection, in a medium heathered charcoal grey.  I'm drooling already. :-)

I'd love to hear back from some of you with your favourites in honour of sweater day? What sweater are you wearing?  What sweater project was your favourite?  And what sweater would you start for yourself if you could?  

A Mid-Winter Treat

Brooklyn Tweed has long been a favourite of Christy's and mine.  There's something about their rustic heathered wool that makes it so satisfying to work with, and the outstanding quality of the yarn guarantees that you'll end up with a project you'll wear well for years.  

It was a particular treat then this morning when I read on twitter that BT had released their Winter 13 collection today.  The collection features some absolutely beautiful sweaters and cardigans, and lovely accessories too.  There are pieces like the Hellebore sweater, and the Guernsey Triangle shawl, which feature some beautiful texture for those like me who love that sort of thing, and then there are some gorgeous options if you are a fan of colour work, like the Grettir Icelandic pullover (designed by BT founder Jared Flood), and the wonderfully patterned Kimmswick scarf.  

Take a few minutes, grab yourself a hot chocolate, and check out the look book on the Brooklyn Tweed website.  Even better, order yourself a pattern and some yarn and make yourself one these great pieces---it's a mid-winter treat you deserve to indulge in!

                                                                                             -Hilary

Weekend knitting

Friday. I remember a distant time when this meant my fellow students or co-workers and I could heave a collective sigh of relief at making it through another week.  The glorious prospect of another weekend lay ahead, wide open with unstructured time and generally speaking, it was commitment-free.  (Unless there was a coffee date to go to with a friend, or a party to attend).  These days, now that I'm a mom of 3 preteen-to-teenage girls, Friday is a less reliable commodity.  Some Fridays, the weekend that lies ahead seems even more daunting than the work-week that just passed.  

Here's an example.  My girls each play on a competitive basketball team in our area.  This weekend, one is playing in a city about 5 hours away, from Friday night to Sunday, another is playing about 2 hours away, tonight and tomorrow, and my youngest is playing on Sunday an hour away in the opposite direction.  Not to mention that today the older two have 3 orthodontist appointments between them.  

I'm not complaining; this is typical fare for parents of older kids.  A lot less diaper-changing and spoon-feeding, a lot more driving around and paying for stuff.  Luckily for me, the logistics of the next couple of days have been taken care of by their father, since this is his weekend with the girls.  It's a pretty typical schedule though, and it doesn't leave a lot of time for getting my own stuff done, especially knitting.  (Though I must admit, I get a TON of knitting done while sitting in gyms, watching the actual games.  I recommend a simple pattern, if you're doing this, since I've been known to get distracted, lose track of what I'm doing, and end up having to rip out everything I knit once I've realized my error.  D'oh!)

So when a weekend comes along where I'll actually have time to immerse myself in some quality time with my needles, it's a true indulgence.  Though I don't have the girls with me over the next few days, my partner Patrick's kids are with us, so I'll be a little busier than usual.  I'll definitely do my best to make sure I fit in some knitting time however, and here's what I'll be working on:

I've been working on this Fisherman's Rib Cardigan for my oldest daughter for, um, awhile now.  Bridget picked out the pattern, and it surprised me.  I keep calling it the grandpa cardigan, but Bridget maintains that's this is the knit she wants.  [I can't emphasize this caveat strongly enough: if knitting for an older kid, have them pick out the pattern.  It's a terrible thing to spend a lot of time and money knitting what you believe is a beautiful sweater for someone, and then never seeing that sweater on them, as it languishes at the back of their closet forever.] The cardigan is a larger project and it's been rudely interrupted far too many times by numerous hats and other odds and ends, but now that I'm halfway done the sleeves, I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I'd like Bridget to be able to wear it this winter, so I need to push to the finish. 

After that, I've promised my middle daughter a pair of mittens.  I'd made a pair of Jared Flood's Woodruff mittens (below left) for myself last year.  Bronwyn wants a similar pair (which will save her from wearing mine all the time!).  She's picked out Kirsten Kapur's Wood Hollow mittens (below right) but so far I've only got the cuff of the first mitten made.  

          

Once those 2 projects are complete, I've got some luscious yarn waiting which I plan to use to make a Colour Affection shawl for me...but I won't let myself get distracted with that project here. Yet. 

What's on your needles this weekend?  Drop us a comment to let us know what you're working on, and how you manage to squeeze in knitting time even when the weekend is non-stop.  

                                                                                       -Hilary

Knitting Nook in the Making

Mike and I have just moved into our new home (pretty much a dream come true) and even after having lived here for 3+ weeks we're still surrounded by cardboard boxes and random items that I know should be in a different room.  I keep telling myself that it all takes time but truthfully I wish I could just whizz around in a couple of hours and have all of our 'stuff' put away.  I would definitely follow up that accomplishment with some good quality knitting time.

One of the spaces in our house that I'm really excited to get all set up is the Knitting Nook.  I don't know if Mike ever imagined that he would live in a home with one of these but I'm confident that he's starting to see the light. Who wouldn't want a cozy little corner full of knitting goodness?  Skeins of beautiful yarn, knitting projects on the go and/or finished, and some tasteful knit decor can only be one thing: wonderful.

As you can see from the picture above (sorry for the iPhone pic; I haven't found/unpacked our camera yet) things are in a bit of a state, still far from my vision of a relaxing, knit-filled space. I've already set aside a few things just for this corner: I've got some lovely boxes from Indigo (waited them out last fall and got a steal) and a pretty ceramic vase I picked up from our last trip to Scotland. We'll also be sure to use a few framed photos that we had hanging up in our old house, just not sure where they will be on the wall yet.  As for storage, the Ikea Expedit was an obvious choice and I love that I can stow some things away in the baskets.  I'm still looking for an easy and efficient way to organize patterns that I've purchased or printed (right now they're stuffed thoughtlessly into a binder...they deserve better than that), so if you have any ideas please let me know.

If I could somehow incorporate these two ideas, I would be over the moon.  I love the whimsical pop of colour, the fun and the simplicity of both features.

Anyways, wish me luck!  I'm hoping to have this little project tackled by the week's end.  I'll be back to show you the 'after' pictures soon!

- Christy

Free this week: Maddy's Tiny Dress

It's a dull, snowy winter morning here in Eastern Ontario---and on top of that it's Monday.  To counter-balance the fifty shades of grey outdoors, I wanted to feature this sweet little sweater pattern by JaneTerrzaDeisgns, Maddy's Tiny Dress.  Its cheerful colours and overall baby cuteness almost override my general feeling of January blah. Almost.  :-) 

This infant/toddler pullover is a unique little project.  It's designed to be knit flat, in one piece, to allow for minimal seaming.  The triangles are constructed using short-rows, and if you've never attempted these before the designer says not to worry---just follow the pattern row by row. 

Short rows are a great technique to add to your knitting toolbox---they allow for shaping and other interesting design features.  I know after I figured them out, I wondered how I'd gotten along for so long without them!

As a bonus, the Maddy's Tiny Dress pattern is free this week only (January 27th to February 3rd, 2013).  You can find it on Ravelry.  It's sure to brighten your week!  

      
-Hilary

Happy Robbie Burns' Day

For additional photos click here.

I couldn't resist posting this photo of shetland ponies in fairisle sweaters.  I saw the pic about 10 days ago as it got passed around through knitting peeps on Pinterest, and since then it's pretty much gone viral.  They are part of Visit Scotland's tourism campaign for this year, which they've deemed Year of Natural Scotland.  Can't think of a better reason to visit...

Now go drink your scotch and eat your haggis!                                     -Hilary

Wool 4

Here in Eastern Ontario, everyone is talking about the weather: it's COLD.  We're in the middle of a particularly frigid cold snap, which makes it a challenge to even venture  your toe out from under the one or two duvets on your bed in the morning.  I felt really bad for my 16 year old daughter, Bridget, who not only had to head out early in the -25C weather, she had to go out to go write an exam.  Talk about adding insult to injury.  

After getting her off to school early, I had a little extra time to browse through some new knits online.  Yesterday, Quince & Co published Wool 4, the latest in their Wool series.  In my knitting world, when Quince & Co release a new set of designs, it's big news.  

If you're not familiar with Quince & Co, they are an American yarn manufacturer, producing beautiful yarns that are sourced and spun in the United States in as earth- and labor-friendly a way as possible.  They admit to having a strong bias toward natural fibres, and their colourways are unique---very much mirroring colours found in nature. 

Wool 4 is a beautiful set of patterns, featuring a beret, a cowl, and three top-down sweaters, designed by Cecily Glowik McDonald and Melissa LaBarre.  On Q&Co's blog, they explain that each pattern meets all of the following criteria: each one is easy, it's wearable, and it's just a little bit unique.  Sounds about perfect to me.  Between the designs and the photography, Wool 4 is a treat to look through.

I think my favourite of the collection is the Sylvia sweater, which takes a simple stocking-stitch cardigan and tweaks it by designing the front closing on a diagonal.  That and a sweet cable detail on the front pocket make it a stand-out.  

So if you're hibernating today, and looking for a lovely project to start, or if you're in the mood for some online shopping, Wool 4 is available to purchase as a set, or by the individual pattern.  Quince and Co yarn is also available for purchase on their website.  You won't be disappointed.          -Hilary



    

ReStart and Welcome

We're almost a month into a brand new year, and I'm determined to breathe some new life into my once fairly-regularly-updated blog.  With a new name, and a new partner (more info to follow) I'm excited to get moving!

I'm ashamed to say that my last post was---yikes---over 3 & a half years ago.  The beautiful little baby featured in the photo is now a very busy 4 year old, who still loves her handknits.  This is my niece Audrey, who's wearing the Kina cardi by Muriela, which I knitted up for her last year in some delicious Quince & Co Chickadee yarn in the clay colourway.  More about Quince & Co another day, but check them out for yourselves---they make absolutely lovely yarn, and their colourways are sublime.

So much time has passed that Audrey even has a little brother now, Matthew, who enjoys a nice sweater himself.  This is him in his Abernathy pullover, again lovingly knitted up by yours truly in SMC Select Extra Soft Merino, in a great blue colourway.  Matthew is now 18 months old, and toddles around the house with his cars and trucks.  He is always ready to show you his belly, or too snuggle in with some cozy hugs---I love that guy!


My goal now is to keep the blog updated at least weekly, with the help from my new co-host here, who I'm excited to introduce: my sister Christy!  Christy & I have been sharing our love of knitting for well over a decade.  Though she took it up later than me, Christy learned quickly and in no time began to share equally in my passion for (obsession with?) finding beautiful and practical patterns, yarns, notions and accessories, and of course knitting up as many beautiful things as possible.  

Christy also has an incredible eye for style, both for the home and in clothing and accessories, and I'm really looking forward to being able to share some of her insight and ideas here too.     

Welcome. It's so good to be back. :-)

Everything old is new again

Wow...an entire summer, fall and winter have passed since I last updated my poor old blog. This is even more delinquent of me than usual. Where to begin?

I'm afraid that Ravelry is partly to blame, since it's so simple to post my projects there, to have them all in one spot, so tidily. It can also be a little frightening as well, seeing how many 'ongoing' projects I have on the needles at one time. Though it's hardly my fault that there are so many adorable items out there just begging to be made.

My penchant for multiple projects is also partly the fault of this cute little sweetheart shown above. I mentioned her very early beginnings in the last post, and now here she is, 6 months old in March 2009 and wearing her little knittles, very adoringly made for her by her Aunt Hilst. She is my little niece, Audrey Elizabeth, and I have fallen head over heels for her! She was born on October 19th, 2008, in Toronto, to my sister and best friend, Christy and her handsome husband Lev. Little Audrey, a.k.a. Mrs Puddlebum, is now a smiley, roly-poly 6 1/2 month old bundle, and she loves her handknits (both by her aunt and by her talented mummy). I am smitten.

I have been loving the baby knits all this time. So small, so quickly finished, if I could only convince myself to hurry up and sew. My brother-in-law and his wife are expecting their 2nd little girl, a sister for Abigail, so I've been working on something from the Sirdar Baby Bamboo Too booklet for her and just finished the sewing up on the weekend. It still needs to be pressed, but I was very pleased with how it turned out so far. Now I'm on to the matching blanket.

I've started on a little summer top for Audrey as well, a cute little tunic from the Sirdar 352 Seaside Babes. Can't wait to see it paired with a pair of white pants or capris.

That's it on my projects though for now. Lots more actually in progress, but I'm too embarrassed to confess to them all here...

I'm looking forward to getting some outdoor knitting done over the weekend, out at our land, where we have now erected the beginnings of what used to be just an imaginary cottage. We spent what could only be described as a 'helluva' summer last year trying to battle torrential rains and rivers of mud trying to get a foundation constructed. It was a struggle, but by the end of August there was a building, and we are looking forward to getting back to work on it, and hopefully to begin to enjoy it ASAP.