Category: knitting

Little Tent Cowl

Now that gift-giving season is over I can share some knits from last month!

This cowl started off as a skein of super pretty Malabrigo Rios in Archangel. So pretty, and so, so soft. Rios is perfect for the wool-picky people in your life.

I picked a pretty stitch pattern (Little Tent from Barbara Walker #1), cast on, and knit like the wind.

It worked up in a day! Okay, one evening and then the next day. It was terribly satisfying to knit. I even had time to take some photos before wrapping it up to give to one of my sisters for Christmas. I think she liked it!

Finished dimensions were about 21″ around and 11″ deep. No pattern for this one, because there’s another on Ravelry that is pretty much exactly the same and I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. All in all, a nice successful knit.

January 3, 2014
another Christmas sweater

I finished Dale’s cardigan in time for Christmas! He loves it and has worn it a bunch of times over the last week – it’s been pretty cold and snowy, and the sweater is definitely cozy and warm.

I used the Cascade Eco Wool that I ripped from a not-quite-right sweater, but I did run out. Of course, I picked up 2 extra skeins and only needed a bit of one, so I have more of the same colour for something else! Maybe a scarf? Total ended up being a little over 4 skeins for a 45″-ish chest.

Pattern is my own, and very plain (despite the sweater surgery I had to perform on it). The body is worked flat from the bottom to the underarm with kangaroo pockets, the sleeves are worked in the round, and then the whole shebang is joined for the raglan yoke. I made the V-neck a little higher than I would on a sweater for myself, and the shawl collar rounds things out nicely. The big wooden buttons are from AnnyMay on Etsy, again. Good stuff.

So what are your plans for the new year? I’m not really one for New Year’s resolutions, but I do need to think about what I want to accomplish this year and how to get there. I suppose my main goal is to work harder than ever before, while maintaining my sanity! I have a bunch of projects still in progress from last year, and I’d like to get those cleared out for new projects, but I’m already working on some new ideas and directions for this year. I’m hoping to get over my fear of rejection and submit more ideas to magazines, in addition to lots more self-published designs.

I’d also like to do more tech editing this year. If you’re looking for an editor, drop me a line!

Stay warm if it’s cold where you are. Happy New Year!

January 2, 2014
ginger tea and fizzy water

Friends, I’ve been just flattened by a horrible sickness! Headache, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, cough, the whole bit. I’ve spent the better part of the week in bed already, and today’s the first day in awhile I’ve even been upright for more than a few minutes. As usual though, I’ve already pushed myself a little too hard today and really need to rest some more. I’m pretty bad at sitting still, especially when forced to.

I ran Dale’s clogs through the washer a couple more times, with a kettleful of boiling water added, and they felted to the right size! I guess the lesson is persistence (and boiling water). He’s worn them every day since they dried.

The pattern is Fiber Trends felt clogs, which always come out beautifully. I love the shape! I used 2 skeins of Cascade 220 in red and 1 skein in dark grey. I haven’t put anything on the bottom since we have somewhat shredded hardwood floors (no risk of slipping) but I might add something in the future to help them last longer.

My pattern sale is still on until Christmas! 20% off all single self-published patterns totalling $5 or more. There’s no coupon code, the discount will be applied automatically in your Ravelry cart.

Hope you are all warm, cozy, and on top of your holiday knitting!

December 18, 2013