Larch

The beginning of the Larch Scarflet

Almost two weeks ago I began knitting a scarflet called Larch.  The link to my project page with this pattern can be found here.

The pattern starts off with just knitting and a few yarn overs and then moves onto the lacy part.  I don't have much left to do of this section and soon I'll start the lace.

The yarn I'm using is Amitola by Louisa Harding.  It's the first time I've knit with this yarn, and so far I like it.  I am surprised with the colour change, though. I bought two balls of this because it was pink and purple and I thought that was what the whole thing would be.  However, there is also a reddish shade, brown and orange/rust.  They aren't normally colours I would gravitate toward, but are nice to knit with for autumn/fall.

Most recent photo of Larch. It's actually bigger now

As I mentioned below the picture to the right, the scarflet is bigger now than in the photo (I need to take another picture of it soon).  I am back to knitting the pink and purple section of the yarn again.  I'm curious to see what the final product looks like with all the colours knit together.  I don't think I would think to put all of these colours together, but it must be fine since this yarn was dyed with them.

So far, I am enjoying the Larch pattern. It's a mindless knit (at this point) that I can work on in front of the TV.  I've glanced at the lace chart a bit and right now I don't know if it's something I'd be able to do in front of the TV.  We'll see, though.

Other than Larch, I don't have any other knitting on the go - yet.  I've been thinking about starting some socks (whether they are toddler/kid sized or something for me I don't know just yet) as I've come across some of my sock yarn and I've been seeing lots of gorgeous socks and sock yarns on Instagram, and it's got me in the sock knitting mood!

I'll keep you updated on Larch, and whether or not I start some socks.  Until then, happy knitting!

You Spin Me Right Round, Baby

Hand spun yarn on a PVC pipe niddy noddy

Waiting to be plied 

Recently I ordered a niddy noddy from a shop on Etsy called La Tea Da Designs.  It's made from PVC pipe and is fully submersible in water.

You can see some of my latest hand spun yarn prior to soaking it.  I found out after I tied the skein that I did that wrong.  You're supposed to do a figure 8 tie on it, but I only found that out after I'd already tied my skein.  At least I know for next time!  I have since removed the yarn and I'm looking for a pattern to knit up my first real skein of hand spun yarn.  I only have about 90 yards so I can't make anything too big.  I was thinking of maybe a small cowl or a small scarf, but I don't know yet.

The yarn to the right is just a single of merino. It's so soft!  I spun this before the yarn above and I am going to ply it with more yarn that I spin later.  I don't have any more of the yellow, but I was thinking of plying it with a bright green or cream colour.

My spinning is getting much better as I practice (I think that's the key).  I still get a few thicker pieces here and there, but they aren't nearly as thick as they used to be.  The yarn I'm spinning currently (not shown) has an even more consistent spin to it.  I'll post a picture when I get it plied, which will probably be in a few days after I let it rest.

I also ordered some fibre from another shop on Etsy called Fashion Touch Supplies.  It came yesterday and I haven't had a chance to upload the photo (it is on my Instagram though.  The colour isn't something I'd normally choose, but I decided to branch out and expand my colour horizons!  I'm looking forward to spinning that and can't wait to see how it turns out.

Well, that's my latest update. I hope you have a great day, and happy knitting/spinning!

More Spinning!

Latest spinning completed July 11, 2015

I was up visiting my mom in the hospital again this past weekend, and of course I brought some spinning and knitting with me.

To the right is a photo of the completed spinning (light blue, navy, and purple).  It's the same type of fibre as the pink/purple in a previous post.  There was no mention of how much was in the wool top, nor was there mention of the type of fibre.
I managed to get this spun better than the pink/purple spinning, but there are still a few fat spots.  Overall I am pleased with the results.  I don't think I will ply this since I'm not sure how much I have, though I'm thinking I may use it for a scarf...if there is enough.  I alter it with the pink/purple spinning and then I may have enough for something.

Up next will be the pink roving I mentioned in the last post.

I should also get a photo taken of what I'm knitting (a neck warmer) to post here as well.

Happy knitting/spinning!

And, The Spinning Continues...

I finished plying part of the yarn I had been spinning.  It's just a small ball (I didn't have my ball winder with me and that's why it's not a centre pull ball).  I still have some left to do, but I need to wind it into two centre pull balls so I can ply it together.

Close up of some of the plied yarn

Once I plied, I soaked it and wound it around my arm and hand, tied it in a couple of places and tied a mug to one end to help it set.  While it's not the best spinning, I'm still pretty proud of my accomplishment.

Since I didn't have my ball winder with me last week when I went to stay with Mom, I couldn't finish plying the rest of the yarn.  I had taken some wool top with me to spin just in case I had time for it (which I did).
I don't know what kind of wool it is, nor do I know how much many ounces there were (or even a colourway).  The tag around the wool top didn't say much of anything.  I don't mind though.

I was able to get more consistency this time, though there are still a few fat areas that didn't get spun as small as the rest.  All in all, I like the job I did with this much better.

Close up of the most recent spinning

I think I'm starting to get the hang of spinning...

I don't know how much yarn I ended up with, but it doesn't seem like a whole lot. I don't think I'm going to ply this as I would end up with less than what is showing, and maybe not have enough to knit anything with.  I don't know if I have enough to knit anything with this either, but I'll see what happens in the future when I knit it up.

I've got some of the same wool top in blues that I will spin next.  Hopefully, I will get this blue spun up quickly.  I found some pink roving that I won a few years back through a contest on a knitting/spinning blog (I don't know which one now, but I'm sure I have it listed in a post from whenever it was), and I will spin that after the blues.  Whenever that is completed, I will have to get more roving as I won't have any more.

Off to wind the pink/purple yarn into a centre pull ball!

Happy knitting/spinning!

While Visiting My Mom

 Over the weekend I managed to finish up the spinning I had been working on - well, at least the first spin.

I did get more consistent as I went, which I know will come with practice.  It's still not as nice as I would like it to be, but overall I think it's OK.  I can't wait to see what it's like after I ply it.

I was working on the spinning a lot while I was visiting my mom in the hospital.  I had some of the nurses and a couple of my mom's room mates ask what I was doing, and even had some comments on how much it looked like cotton candy.  I agreed. It's probably a good thing it isn't cotton candy, though. I'd probably have it all eaten up before it got anywhere close to spinning...

What you see behind the spindle is Northern Lights Wool Top, dyed.  It doesn't have a colour listed on it, but I thought it looked pretty.  That's what I plan on trying to spin next.

To the right, and below, is the newest knitting project I've begun, also while visiting my mom in the hospital.  I only  have about three repeats of the pattern completed so far.

The pattern is the Twisted Rib Neckwarmer, (super easy, btw) which I got free when I purchased the yarn (Clara by Manos Del Uruguay in the 5 Sandia colourway).  This yarn is a single ply, a merino superwash, and is so soft!  I am enjoying working with it so far.  I can't wait to see this pattern completely finished as I think it will be lovely in this colourway.

So, that's what I've been working on lately.  What projects have you been working on? Have you used the Clara yarn by Manos Del Uruguay before, and if so, what did you think of it?  Would love to see links to pictures of your completed projects using this yarn (or this pattern).

Happy knitting!

Old Shale Scarf

Debbie Bliss Angel Prints yarn used

As promised a few months ago, before life got in the way of my knitting, here is a photo of the Old Shale pattern using Debbie Bliss Angel Prints yarn.

The pattern is quite easy to knit, and it's also easy to memorize.  The photo to the right is about what I have currently done on the scarf to date.  Though now that I think about it, I took the photo and then did some knitting on it a few weeks ago, so there would be a few more rows added to what is showing.

I've never worked with this yarn before.  It's quite soft and fine and I do need good lighting to work on this project.  So far I am enjoying the yarn.  I have another skein of this in a different colourway and I'm a little anxious to see how it knits up.  I'll have to look up what this colourway is at a later point (I don't have the ball band handy).  I would never thought of using all these colours together.  Yes, I know blue and orange go together, but the yellowish and the pink I would never have put with them.  I only have one skein of each of the two colourways, so I imagine this scarf will be a little on the short side.  We'll see how it looks after it's blocked, though.

I've also got a few more scarves knit up but don't have any of them (or the previous ones I mentioned) blocked yet.  My blocking wires and foam pads are in storage at my BFF's place since I moved back home this summer and I don't know when I'll get them. So, until then, my scarves will have to wait awhile to get blocked.

Maybe my next project will be something I don't need the blocking wires for when blocking - something like a hat or mittens or socks.  Anyway, I will worry about that when the time comes.  Until then, I have this scarf and another one on the needles to finish up before starting something else.

And, now that the colder weather is upon us (we currently don't have any snow yet where I am), I hope to get more knitting done and added to my stockpile of donated items.

So, that's what I'm currently knitting.  How about you? What are you knitting? Let me know in the comment section, and feel free to provide links to the pattern.  I'm always looking for new pattern ideas.

I've Been MIA

I've been MIA again, as you have seen.  The reason for this is that I relocated from one side of the country back to the other.

I am finally settled in my new domain. Sort of.  I'm in the process of looking for work here, but I do have a place to live.

I've been doing some knitting this summer and have made a few scarves (that seems to be my theme this year - one year it was socks, another mittens, an another was hats), and I am in the process of working on two in my new place.  I promise to post some pictures of these once I locate my needle to sew in the ends and then block them.

One of the new scarves I'm working on is the Old Shale pattern.  I got this pattern free (I've also seen it on Ravelry for free) with the purchase of the yarn I'm using on the pattern.  This yarn is Debbie Bliss Angel Prints (don't have the colour number with me at the moment) and is 70% mohair and 24% silk.  I've never worked with this yarn before, but so far I am enjoying it - even though its very fine.  I can really only work with this yarn in the daylight or if I have very good lighting at night.  As with the others, once I'm able to I will post a picture of this scarf.

For now, I'll keep this post short. Hopefully I'll be able to get these scarves totally completed and photographed soon so that I can share.

Happy knitting!

Color Play Update

I've been knitting away at the Color Play Mohair Scarf this week.  The previous post (and this one) was a scheduled post, so I had actually typed it up on the weekend.  The photo in the previous post was what I had knit up to that point.  The photo in this post is what I have done as of yesterday (Tuesday) morning.

As I said, this is a fairly quick knit.  The only thing I have to pay attention to is the seed stitch boarder.  The rest of the scarf is just knit and purl.  And, since I'm knitting with two yarns at the same time, I have to make sure when I knit that I get both strands and not just one (which has happened a few times, but I was able to catch it and fix it).

So far I like the colour choices I have made.  The purple and the white both  have sequins in the yarn, but the teal and the lighter purple (which will be added when the teal runs out) don't.  The next colour pattern will be white and the lighter purple, and end with the lighter and darker purple together.

I'm not used to having a scarf be this wide (and will likely be wider once I block it).  I don't know if I had used just a mohair yarn if it would be so wide or not, but I've decided it doesn't matter. Scares are all different lengths and widths.  To me, though, this seems more like a small/short wrap than a scarf.  If I had cast on for the wrap, I would have to add another 30 stitches to what I have, so it definitely would be a lot wider than the scarf (obviously).

I am anticipating adding this scarf to the items I'll be donating to charity, unless someone I know falls in love with the it. Then I might be tempted to give it as a gift.  I may even just keep it for myself (I have few to no items I've knitted, other than a few pairs of socks), but I haven't really decided where this lovely scarf will end up.

Well, I'm off in search of some new knitting blogs to read, and work more on my scarf.  Happy knitting!

Current WIP - Color Play Mohair Scarf & Wrap

The beginning of my Color Play Mohair Scarf

As I've mentioned previously, last week I spent four days in Edmonton and visited a lovely yarn shop (River City Yarns).  One of the items I purchased (besides yarn) was a pattern by Churchmouse Classics for the Color Play Mohair Scarf & Wrap (pattern can be found on the link on my Ravelry page).

I started working on this Saturday evening, and what is shown in the photo is what I had completed by Sunday morning.  I've been working along since then, so it's bigger than what is in the photo (obviously) now.  I am enjoying the pattern.  It's an easy, mindless knit (seed stitch and stocking stitch), and should knit up fairly quickly.  I'm doing the scarf (I'll do the wrap at another time), though it's looking wider than scarves I've made in the past, and with blocking, it might become wider.

I wanted to buy the Kidsilk Haze mohair yarn used in the pattern photos (and the example I saw at the yarn store), but it was more than I was willing and able to pay at the time.  I went with a cheaper yarn for now.  I'm using Patons Lace (two with sequins and two without), and it's an acrylic/mohair/wool blend (two strands at a time) and is probably a little thicker than just a mohair yarn.  I think this will be a warm scarf when it's finished.  The colour choices I went with are: Mystic Teal, Amethyst (the two shown in the photo), Crystal, and Arctic Plum.  I can't wait to see how it looks as I change colours along the way!

I'll take photos along the way and, of course, once it's completed.  I've got another week of Spring Break this week, so I should be able to get this completed before going back to work next Monday.  As I said, it's an easy pattern and is knitting up quickly.

Well, I'm off to do more knitting on this scarf.  Enjoy your day, and happy knitting!

I Enabled My Knitting Habit This Week

This past week I spent four days in Edmonton, Alberta.  I went with K, Little K, and J and we drove the 6 - 8 hours (depending on how many stops you make and how long those stops are) both ways.

Before we left, I did a little research to see if there would be any yarn shops in the area we would be visiting.  So, on Wednesday afternoon (after spending about five hours at the West Edmonton Mall), we took a little trip to River City Yarns, where I enabled my knitting habit.  This was a great shop, the ladies working there were very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.  If I lived closer, I'd definitely go back (though if I ever get to Edmonton again, I will most likely take a side trip and visit the store again)!

There was so much yummy, yarny, goodness in that shop that I felt a little overwhelmed.  There was so much to choose from it made my visit difficult.  This store has higher end, quality yarns that are a little more pricey than what I normally go for (though if I had the money, I would have bought some of it), but there are brands that weren't as pricey. There was very little (if any) acrylic in that store.

I bought two skeins of  Mirasol Nuna (shade 1038) which will likely be a scarf or cowl, two balls of Rowan felted tweed in the Duck Egg colourway (no. 173).  That will likely be a scarf or cowl as well.

I also got 4.5mm circular needles (Addi Turbo Rockets) and a pattern.  The pattern is from Churchmouse Classics (I don't think I've heard of them before), and is for the Color Play Mohair Scarf & Wrap.  One of the ladies at River City Yarns had made a sample of this pattern using the Rowan Kidsilk Haze yarn which the pattern calls for.  It was GORGEOUS!  I had debated getting some Kidsilk Haze, but when she told me the price the yarn alone would cost, I felt saddened to have to turn it down.  The price was more than I was willing to pay, unfortunately.  However, I did get an acrylic/polyester/mohair/wool blend of Patons when we stopped at Michael's on our way back to the hotel so that I can try the pattern.

Patons Lace yarn I'll use in the Colour
Play Mohair Scarf pattern

Also during our trip, I brought some knitting along to help pass the time in the car.  I knit the Irish Mesh Cowl pattern (a free Ravelry download), and managed to complete it on this trip. I knit in the car both ways, and at the hotel in the evenings when we were unwinding from our long, busy afternoons.  I don't have a picture of it just yet as it is soaking in preparation for blocking.  Once that is done, I'll take a picture of it and post.  I really liked the Irish Mesh Cowl and will definitely be knitting it again.  I had used smaller needles as I didn't have the size required (4.5mm) in a circular. I hope the blocking will help, because although it turned out great, it's a little narrow to what I'd like it to be.  I plan on doing this pattern again soon on the larger needles (maybe even the same yarn) for comparison - and also because I want to.

I Finished My Scarf

As you might remember, I was taking part in a scarf exchange on Ravelry.   I completed the scarf and mailed out the package yesterday.  I do hope my exchange partner likes everything!  I'm not going to post a picture of the scarf until after she receives it, just in case she happens to visit my blog and sees it.  I don't want to ruin the surprise for her.

I'm not totally satisfied with the blocking as I've not really done any blocking in the past.  I probably shouldn't have chosen a pattern that needed to be blocked until after I had more experience with blocking; however, I did offer to knit her something else if she isn't satisfied with it.

Last month, I got my orders from Knit Picks and The Loopy Ewe (links to their shops on my left sidebar).  The photo to the right shows the yarn from Knit Picks, and includes: 2 Wondermint Chroma Worsted (back right corner), 2 Peapod Stroll (the green), 2 Dandelion Stroll (yellow), 2 Eggplant Palette (dark purple), 2 Cream Palette (in back of the dark purple), 1 Lignonberry Heather Palette and 1 Oyster Heather Palette (both in front and being used to knit my current project).
The photo to the left is part of my order from The Loopy Ewe.  I bought two Cascade 220 in purple hyacinth, and one Alchemy Yarns of Transformation - Juniper Colorways in sugar mountain.  I also ordered  two Cascade Superwash Sport in Christmas green and gifted them to my BFF.

I also ordered a few other things with the yarn, but didn't put them in the pictures.  I got some tapestry needles, since I couldn't find my other ones, some Harmony DPNs (unfortunately I ordered the 5 inch needles and they are a little small for my current project, but I'm making due.  I think I'll have to order them in a bigger size next time as I am enjoying using this needle.), a magnetic chart keeper, and something for my scarf exchange pal (which I'll refrain from writing).

As I mentioned above, I've started on my next project.  It is the Argyle Cap by Amy Munson (from Knit Picks).  I also ordered the Argyle Mitten Collection (also by Amy Munson) pattern as well.  Both the hat and mitten patterns have a few different variations of the pattern to choose from.  I have only just started the hat pattern today, so I don't have much of it to show in a photo just yet.  When I get it done, I'll be sure to take a picture.

The Ravelry group (International Scarf Exchange) is hosting another scarf exchange, and I've signed up for it again.  They are taking a month off from the alphabet exchange and just doing a stash busting exchange.  You can either sign up to send  just a scarf, or a scarf, a skein of yarn from your stash, and a little treat to nibble or sip.  I joined the one to send only the scarf, and I'm already thinking of possible patterns.  We will get matched up with a partner next Friday and then have a month to get the scarf made and mailed.

Time to get back to working on my hat.  We have a long weekend (Family Day) so I hope to get this project completed before heading back to work on Tuesday.

Happy knitting!

Yarn Along

I just discovered this "along", and thought I would take part. Ginny, over at Small Things is hosting the yarn along, and you still have time to take part as well. Click the title of her blog to check it out. She's offering a skein of yarn as a prize!

So, for the yarn along, we have to post a photo of our current knitting project and book that we are reading. Here is mine:

The knitting project is a hat I am currently working on (designing it myself...or attempting to). I'm using Patons Classic Wool Merino in the Royal Purple colourway. I hope, if it turns out (might have to do another one just to make sure the pattern works) I just may share the pattern.

The book I'm currently reading, as you can see, is Someone to Blame by C. S. Lakin. Click the name of the book to read a review.

Scroll down for the first post I made today, showcasing my latest knitted FOs I've made since the beginning of 2011.

Happy New Year!

Ok, so I've been AWOL since before New Year's. The reason is because of problems with an outlet that wasn't working (which the computer and router were plugged into), and my laptop hard drive decided to die on me.

So, since I didn't have computer access for awhile (about a month), I was busy catching up on my knitting! All photos on this post are of items completed since January 1st.

The first photo of 5 hats are a variety of patterns. The blue hat with pompom and the pink hat beside it were pretty much the same pattern (adapted from a child's hat pattern using the measurements from one pattern), the third hat on the top row is another Fixie Hat, and the two on the bottom are the same hat ("54") in two different sizes. After I finished the green one, I wondered why it was so small. I realized after looking over the pattern, I had used 4mm needles instead of the required 5mm. The blue hat is using 5mm needles and is adult sized.

The second photo is the pattern (the Two Colour Infant Hat) I used the measurements from for the hats mentioned above (the blue pompom and the pink). I made a hat using this pattern the Christmas before last (for the church mitten tree). I love this pattern - easy and quick to make! I decided to add a pompom on the blue/black hat, and used both colours of yarn for it. I must admit that I'm not the best at making pompoms, but then I'm just learning. They turned out OK, but I'm sure they'll get better with practice.

These two hats, to the left, are creations of my own, based on the hat above. I admit the patterns aren't all that great or interesting, but I was mostly just playing around.

I used a bright blue and navy Paton's Astra yarn for these two hats, and sized 4mm circs.

I think I'd like to try to come up with some interesting patterns to make hats like these - better designs than the ones in the photo, but that probably won't happen for awhile. I think I need to be in the mood for that. For now, I'll probably stick to patterns/designs I find online.

Though I've mostly been knitting hats (I have another one I created that I have to test again before posting the photo and possibly pattern, and a second pattern I'm working on, and will probably do another testing for that as well), I also managed to get a couple pair of kids socks knit.

These will probably fit a 2 year old, maybe a 3 or 4 year old...not totally sure. The green pair of socks was made with some sock yarn in my stash. I lost the band for it, and all I remember was that I had won it in a contest a few years ago. It was nice to work with, and I have enough left that I might be able to get another pair the same size made with it - either that or a pair or two of baby socks.

The other pair of socks (same size as the green ones) was made with some Patons Kroy Socks Stripes yarn that I got on sale not too long ago. The colourway is mexicala stripes, and I must say I like the colours used! I would never have though of putting orange and pink and purple together, but I think they look great. I'm not sure if I have enough left for a pair of baby socks, but I might be able to get one baby sock made that could be used as an ornament on the Christmas tree next year. For now, that left over yarn will probably just stay in my stash. I've been thinking of making one of those mitred sock yarn blankets, but that would take a long time to make so I don't know if it's something that will get done just yet. Hard to say.

Well, that's all the knitting I've done for now. As I mentioned above, I've got a couple of other "in progress" hats that I'm working on and hope to post about soon. I also may or may not have patterns to go with them! Maybe if someone is interested in the pattern, I may post it. We'll see.

What have you been up to with your knitting?

Strawberry Smoothie

I know I said in my previous post that I was going to work on some thrummed mittens. Well, I did cast on and began to work on the cuff, but I felt guilty.

I've had this scarf on the needles for some time (probably since the beginning of this year, or spring at the latest), and thought that I should really finish it up before this winter came and went.

The pattern is the One Row Handspun Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka "The Yarn Harlot". The yarn I used was Lamb's Pride from the Brown Sheep Company, in the Strawberry Smoothie colourway (at least I think that is the colourway according to their website...I lost the band some time ago so I can't say for sure, but it does look like what they show for that colourway). I just used one skein, so it's not an overly long scarf, but should be fine. Also, I haven't blocked it yet, so it will probably gain some length then.

I've made this particular scarf two or three times before, and enjoy knitting it. It is VERY easy to make, and is basically mindless knitting. It's also a quick knit - well, quick if you don't put it down and wait for long periods of time before picking it up again! I know I'll make this pattern again at some point because of the easiness and the quickness for knitting it (hmm, does that last sentence even make sense? I "quickness" even a word?).

I am putting this scarf with the other items I'm putting on the church's Mitten Tree this Christmas. It should be going up soon, though I'm not sure when. I was looking at the items I've made this year, and there isn't much to donate - 2 scarves, 1 baby hat, and 3 pairs of baby/toddler socks. I suppose every little bit helps, though. Maybe I'll try to quickly make a pair of kids mittens, or couple pairs of baby mittens to add to the pile - or maybe another baby hat.

At any rate, I haven't really been doing any knitting lately (let alone this year) because I haven't been in the mood I guess. Hopefully that will change and it will pick up - especially with the colder weather and snow we'll get this winter. That might be what I need to get me going. We did have a little snow a couple weekends ago, and it did stick around for awhile. Today, however, it's gone - melted from some warm temperatures and a little rain. According to the weather forcast the day before yesterday, they are calling for more snow this coming week (though that could change of course).

Ok, I think I'll end this post here and go choose the yarn and pattern for the next child or baby item to make so I can add to the donation pile!

What's on your needles?

Get Thrummed!



When I grow up, I want to be thrummed!



Ok, so I've been bad and haven't done much knitting. I did start a shawl (a simple garter stitch) that I'm thinking of giving to one of the elderly ladies at church - that is if I get it finished before winter is over! I forgot to take a photo of it when I had the camera out a bit ago. I don't have much done on it though, so it would be pretty boring.

Remember in one of my earlier posts I had mentioned that I wanted to knit a pair of thrummed mittens? Well, the other day I made my way to an LYS and bought some yarn & fibre to start said pair of mittens (see photo to the right).

I bought 2 bags of the fibre - the emerald green (or is it kelly green?), and some saphire coloured blue. The yarn you see in the photo (with a pretty piece of green fibre to look like a bow) is Lett-Lopi. I've never used this kind of yarn before, so I hope it's a good one.

As you can see, I've just started the mittens - one row knitted so far. I'm not sure if these will be for me or if I'll gift them or donate them. I picked the green fibre just in case I decided to keep my first ever pair of thrummed mittens that I made. That way, they'd go with the new red winter coat I bought about a month ago.

Well, I'm in the knitting mood - I'm anxious to get thrumming! I'll try to post some photos along the way, unless I get them finished before pulling the camera out. Until then, happy knitting!



Baby Hat #3 & New Yarn

This is my latest baby hat.  It's a simple rolled brim hat and I followed the pattern I mentioned in the previous post.  It's made with the same yarn as the previous two hats, and there is very little of it left now.  I think the hat is cute, and I hope some little head will be warm this winter.  It will be added to what I've made for the mitten tree at church this year.

My next hat will be for a small child I think.  When I was in Australia, I went to a market and bought a couple of different hanks of yarn.  However, I never thought to buy two of this particular yarn because I was thinking of using it for socks.  I had asked if it was enough for a pair of socks, and the lady told me yes.  Upon further inspection when I got back "home", I saw that it is 8 ply, DK weight and I would probably need two to make a pair of socks.  So, I decided I would use it to make a hat for a child.  I searched on Ravelry and found a pattern (I'll post the link after I get the hat made and post the picture here on my blog).  I should have enough for an 18 month old child.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

The pattern is another rolled brim hat, but I think I might alter it an use a ribbed cuff...I haven't decided yet.  Since the yarn is varigated, I don't think a pattern would show up too well so it will just be a plain knitted hat.  I've included two pics of the yarn - in hank form, and in center-pull ball.

The photo on the left is with the flash on, and the one on the right is without the flash.  The yarn is Hawthorne Cottage Yarns (100% Australian wool); it is English Leicester longwool & corridale.  It's a "lustrous worsted yarn", 8 ply, DK weight, uses 4mm (US 6) size needles, and the tension is 22.5 sts = 10 cm/3.9 in.  The hank is 3.5 oz/100g and is approximately 189 yds/174 m.

Baby Hat #2

I finished this little baby hat Monday night and only got to take a picture of it this morning.  I think it's a cute little hat.

I used the same yarn from the hat in the previous post, and I'm making a third hat (another baby one) with the remaining yarn.  I don't have much left to do on the third hat, so hopefully I'll get a photo of it and post within the next day or two.

The yarn I used in this, again, is Lamb's Pride worsted (85% wool, 15% mohair) in the Royal Purple Flutter colourway.  I used a 4.0 mm circular needle, and 4.0 mm DPNs for the decrease.  The pattern I used can be found here.  The pattern is for premies, but because of the size of yarn I used, I think it would fit a full-term sized baby.

This hat will be added to the rest of my items to be put on/under my church's mitten tree - everything is donated to various organizations in my city.

New Goodies!

On Thursday I received my package from my Ravelry Scarf Exchange pal, and the scarf is gorgeous! I did take a closeup of the scarf, unfortunately the picture came out really blurry. I wanted to show the little beads she had in it. To the right you can see the contents of the package she sent: the lovely scarf, which I'm looking forward to wearing, a postcard, 2 balls of silk yarn she also used in the scarf, a cute pin cushion, some lavender soap, and some chocolate! Startare, who is from France, had my name in the exchange. Thanks so much for the scarf and other items - I love it all! You did a wonderful job on the scarf!


In stamping news, a few weeks ago I entered a contest and won a set of stamps (minus the blocks)! I visited several different stamping blogs and left comments to be entered into draws for a set of stamps. The company donating them (I forget offhand, but will have to find the link to post) had several different ladies demonstrate various sets by making cards with them. Anyway, the set I won was my favourite out of all of them! How cool is that! Diana was the one who chose my name since she was the one using this particular set. She did the whole random generator thing and my name was drawn. Thanks Diana!


My mom's birthday is coming up this week - St. Patrick's Day to be exact. I'm hoping I'll have enough time between now and then to make her a card using this set I won. She loves flowers and is into gardening so I thought this would be a great set to use for her. She's seen the set as well and commented on how pretty it was.


Well, better head off and try and get some homework done. Happy knitting, stamping and crafting!

Knitting Content - Sort Of...

I received my final package from my SP13 pal yesterday. I have been spoiled by Kelly of The Vagabond Weaver. She's in the process, from what I see on her blog, of transferring her old posts into the new server she's with. It's been a real pleasure getting spoiled by her and I hope to get to know her better now that the Secret Pal 13 has run its course.

Here are the goodies she sent me this time - I love them all!! I got some yarny goodness - some Opal sock yarn (I think it's from the Rainforest collection because it has a picture of a toucan on it), some really soft 100% baby alpaca from Blue Sky Alpacas (Tinker Belle loved this. She tried to get at it numerous times). The colour number is 800. There are some really cute sandstone buttons in the picture too. I took a close-up of them so you could see the detail. She had everything wrapped up in super cute Easter bags. She wanted to celebrate Easter a little early since there's been so much snow lately...it was certainly a bright spot in the day!

Not only did Kelly send these items, but she had a cute tote bag included as well! It's nice and environmentally friendly - I can tote my yarn around in it, or I can take it to the grocery store and use it there.

I'm on March Break now, as of yesterday, and will have the next week off. Unfortunately, I have homework to keep me busy. I did a little of it last night but got stuck, so I'll wait to do the rest of it. I do plan on doing some relaxing this week though; things have been a little hectic at school the last couple of weeks. I plan on getting the scarf done for my Ravelry Scarf Exchange pal. I'm also supposed to make something for a couple of friends. We're having a little gift exchange of something handmade (it can't be food) and I haven't started yet - been so busy. We were going to have the exchange on St. Patrick's Day, but we moved it to April Fools Day. I have a month, but depending on what I make, and how much free time I have...I don't know if I'll get their gifts done on time...might have to extend the time on it. Hopefully I'll get something done for them on time though.

I made a couple of cards again today and I'll post those in a separate post...hopefully tomorrow. One of them is plain, but bright. The other I am quite fond of, though it's "plain" to a degree. I used some pattered paper and a little "border" and a cutout - a limited amount of supplies, but I'm happy with how it turned out. Anyway, I'll discuss those in the post tomorrow.

Happy knitting/crafting!

SP Package 2

On Thursday I came home between my last two classes because I was tired and thought some fresh air and change of scenery might help wake me up. Boy am I glad I did! I came home to find a package from my Secret Pal! Look what she sent me:

She had a really cute birthday card with a kitten and yarn on the front, a package of two DP Wip Tubes (which I really needed), a beautiful suncatcher, and some gorgeous, soft, yummy Fleece Artist Trail Socks yarn in the Seafoam colourway!

Thanks so much Secret Pal - I love it all!


Look how gorgeous the suncatcher is held up to the back window...sooooo pretty!

I've used Fleece Artist once before and find the socks to be nice and soft, especially after washing them. I have another hank of Fleece Artist wound into a ball (I had it with me when I went to South Korea), but haven't knit it up yet. I have the pattern for it (one from Monica), but I was waiting on the size 0 needles. I now have size 0, so all I need to do is get knitting.

I've got a presentation coming up this week, on Thursday, for the Social Studies Education class I'm in. It's a group project, and we are actually going to do a few activities in our lesson which we learned last semester when some of our class went to the Wetlands Center not too far from here. That was actually for our science class, but we chose to do this presentation for a grade 4 class, and in that curriculum there is a section on how humans affect rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. We talked it over with our prof (she also taught us the science class last semester) and she gave us the go-ahead to do it. She didn't get to go to the workshop with us, so she said she's anxious to see what we learned there. I'm sure it's going to go well. We've got another meeting or two this week to put things all together to make sure it falls into place.

A few months ago I got a new camera (Pentax K200D). A few weeks ago my friend, Michelle, invited me over to her place to help me learn some hints and tips for taking pics. I've used a 35mm SLR camera (Pentax as well), but I don't remember all that I had learned for using it. Besides, things are a little different with digitals...but the basics like aperture, f-stops, etc. are still the same. Anyway, we got some flowers at one of the grocery shops and did some macro shots. I've got about half a dozen up on my other blog, Confirm The Work of Our Hands, if anyone is interested in seeing them. I can't seem to get the posts to link, but they are the first two posts listed (would be the second and third if I manage to get a post made there before someone has a chance to visit).


I'll leave you all with a nice close-up of Tinker Belle. I had to snap quickly because she wouldn't stay still too long!

Happy knitting!