random tuesday

Seedlings are happening! After last year’s critter carnage in my container garden, I’m trying to plan for ways to protect everything once it’s out on the balcony . Need to buy more chicken wire. Unfortunately it’s not pretty, but I’ll take functional if it prevents everything from being eaten by squirrels!

tomatoes

Various heirloom tomato seedlings – I’m terrible about labelling my seedlings, but I’m ok with that. I mean, it’ll be clear once the fruit comes in, right?

mint

Tiny mint sprouts.

cilantro

Cilantro, though now that I think about it I should start a dedicated pot and plant lots of seeds for maximum edibles.

Knitting:

scrumptious lace

Fyberspates Scrumptious Lace that I bought in the UK in 2011. I’ve been waiting for the perfect idea and I think I have it!

madelinetosh pashmina

Madelinetosh Pashmina in Stovepipe.

cascade heritage silk

Cascade Heritage Silk. I’ve been working on this one for ages and just had to rip out the upper body (sleeve cap issues)…here’s hoping it’ll be done soon so I can wear it!

Leonarda Shawl

Spring showers are in full force here in Toronto today, so I’m bringing in a little brightness with my new shawl pattern, Leonarda!

Leonarda

Leonarda

Leonarda is an elegant and fun accessory featuring Elongated Garter Stitch and an unusual drop-stitch twist pattern. Perfect for wrapping around your neck or over your shoulders – and for knitting up that skein or two of special sock yarn! Three different size and shape options so you can find the perfect fit.

Scarf and Shawl are worked from the top down, in a modified triangular shape with extra-long points for wrapping. Stole is worked sideways by casting on for the length of the piece. Stole can be turned into an infinity scarf by sewing short ends together. Technical Editing by Alexandra Virgiel.

Size
Scarf (Shawl, Stole)
Scarf is 58” wingspan x 19” depth at centre / 147 x 48cm
Shawl is 75” wingspan x 24” depth at centre / 190 x 60cm
Stole is 66” long x 11.5” deep / 168 x 29cm

Yarn
Fingering weight yarn, 400 (800, 770) yds / 365 (730, 704)m
» Scarf shown in Indigodragonfly MCN Sock (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 400 yds / 365m per 4 oz / 115g skein) in “Paging Dr. Smart-Ass”, 1 skein.
» Shawl shown in Old Maiden Aunt 100% superwash merino 4ply (100% superwash merino, 400 yds / 365m per 3.5 oz / 100g skein) in “Cherry”, 2 skeins.
» Stole shown in Anzula Squishy (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 385 yds / 352m per 4 oz / 115g skein) in “Charcoal”, 2 skeins.

Needles and Notions
» US 6 / 4mm circular needles, 32” / 80cm or longer
» 2 stitch markers
» tapestry needle

More Info
3 page PDF pattern includes abbreviations. Payment through Paypal and electronic delivery through Ravelry (no accounts required).

$5.00 CAD

Queue Leonarda on Ravelry!

And, if you’re in Toronto this Saturday, you should definitely check out the Knitter’s Frolic! Saturday’s marketplace is sure to be chock full of ever so lovely yarns, fibers, books, and everything else a knitter needs. The Leonarda sample will be with Kim at Indigodragonfly – check it out, buy the pattern, and get some of her super awesome yarn to go with!

Leonarda

Leonarda

a Winona for me

My Winona!

Winona

Winona

Winona

For my version, I used stash yarn that I’ve had for a few years – Sliver Moon Farm fingering weight merino, which is super squishy and bouncy. I used less than 4 skeins in a lovely grey blue. I knit the size 36.5″, which fits me well in the shoulders with a bit of negative ease (an inch or so), but is nicely flared over my stomach and hips. It’s a more exaggerated silhouette than you might be used to, but it is so easy to wear. I’ll be wearing it over a dress (the one above is from Garnet Hill) all spring and summer.

Not a dress wearer? No worries, jeans are awesome too!

Winona

Winona

Buy it at Twist Collective!