swap package for Krista F!

I had the good fortune of meeting Krista of Spotted Stones Studio when in Loon Lake last November!  She is not only an incredibly talented quilter with an amazing eye for colour, but she is also a sweet and genuine person.  I just love her.

When she uttered the hint of the word "swap" in regards to my Snowfling mittens, I jumped at the chance to offer to make her some as part of a swap.  I knew they would be well used and appreciated by her up in Alaska!  She picked her colours, cobalt blue and grey on the outside with a bright turquoise lining,  and away I went, slowly picking away at them over the past few months.  Finally, they are finished- in time for spring of course!

I packaged them up along with some other goodies and away they went.  In exchange, Krista is working on some form of quilting project for me....it is all top secret, I have given her full control over project, colours and design because I don't want to limit her creativity- everything she makes is epic so I know whatever the result, I will love it!

Thanks for the opportunity to swap, Krista!!

Sproutlette dress

I kind of have a girl-crush on Tanis....she makes the prettiest yarn, designs the sweetest patterns, is a master at photographing them, and she has a very cute little one year old boy who doesn't look half as bratty as my munchkins ;)

When I saw her release the Sproutlette pattern, my heart skipped a beat.  I think it is the cutest baby girl dress EVER.  Because let's face it, knit dresses can go the way of....tacky.  But this one is just precious.  Especially paired with her lovely pink grapefruit yarn. A few friends were expecting babies and I knew one was bound to be a girl, so I cast on.

This one was slow going.  It uses a finer yarn than I normally choose, and there are a lot of details to pay attention to.  But as you see the shapes unfold- pure magic. The leaf hem, the eyelets, the button closure on the keyhole back- all such amazing details.

A little girl was born recently and this sweet little dress will be gifted to her.  I hope she likes it!

my favourite sweater

While it took me six months to plod through my Coolbreeze cardigan, this one, I whipped off in TWO WEEKS, thanks in part to a road trip and a day at a dental conference....as you may recall, I like shaking it up at my conferences with some knitting ;)

Oh, this sweater.  The perfect colour grey yarn with hints of blue (Tanis Fiber Arts shadow).  Simple fit and flattering boat neck.  Sweet cable details in the front and along the raglans and down the sleeves.  My very favourite.

The neck did stretch too wide after a couple wears as warned by several other Ravelers, so I took their advice and crocheted a chain along the edge and now it holds its shape perfectly.

I could have maybe gone down a size as it did give with wear, but I like the loose, easy fit.

A staple with jeans and a tank top!

All the details of mods, etc on my Ravelry page here.

Coolbreeze cardigan

We have been experiencing more than just "cool breezes" this winter.....more like a full blown deep freeze! So it is super handy to have a woolen cardi on hand.

This one took me SIX MONTHS to complete....a labour of love.  As soon as I saw Tanis' pattern I knew I had to make it.  So when Kaelin requested the mini version for her new baby, it was all the excuse I needed to order the kit to make one for myself, too.  All those dreamy blues and in a dreamy chevron pattern?  Yes, please.

I love so many things about this sweater.  The colors, the yarn, the sleeve detail, the weight. The way the shape of it hugs my back.  It is so cozy.

The one thing is that the collar sits a little weird in the front...if I were to knit it again, I would make the collar longer, or would add it after the fact, and maybe change the position of the first buttonhole so it sits better when buttoned. But overall, I still like it it has been in regular rotation in my wardrobes since I finished it (ummm...2 months ago.  Yup, a bit behind on my blogging!).

pretty things.

Oh, how I love pretty things!  Here are some of my favourites.

This lovely package that arrived over Christmas from the amazing Svetlana of S.O.T.A.K. Handmade.  These hexies are to die for!!  I am trying to figure out how to use them best, and am thinking a mini quilt may be in order. Thank you, Svetlana!

This incredible Christmas/birthday bundle from my bestie Samantha in Toronto makes me weep with joy.  LIBERTY fabric, a Liberty book, personalized stationary, the best tea mug ever which I use daily, and a hand knit cowl!  Spoiled.

Pretty yarns, everywhere I look.  I seem to have a bit of knitting ADD and have multiple projects on the go.  Since I have a hard time finding a chunk of time to pull out my sewing machine lately,  I have turned to knitting as my primary happy creative outlet.  I love that I can pick it up easily for a few minutes here and there, and its portability for this mom-on-the-go is THE BEST.

I finished up my Coolbreeze sweater (photos to follow, someday) that I have been working on forever, and have promptly started a new pullover with some gorgeous Tanis Fiber Arts yarn in shadow (above right).  Lord knows we have had more than our fair share of wool sweater weather here lately!

(See?  Portable.  Here I am knitting while at a dental conference.  Made it MUCH more interesting!)

And I did finish up a Northern Loop cowl using TFA iris yarn recently which I absolutely LOVE.  So cozy.  More details on my Ravelry page here.

It has been a popular companion for me these past couple weeks.  Cheers!

snowfling toque

The love affair with my Snowfling mitts continues.  I love them so hard.  So I decided I needed the fun to continue with a matching hat!

I improvised the pattern and design, starting with a basic Norwegian Star pattern chart and adding rows of other designs and motifs inspired by the mittens.  I had soooo much fun watching this take shape over Christmas break when we were out at the lake!  Nothing like putting your feet up and knitting fireside as the cold winds blow :)

The pom pom, for me, is kind of like the cherry on top of a sundae.  Actually not at all….I hate those things….but it is the crowning touch of Canadian winter whimsey.  I can totally pull that look off ;)

(Yes, my hair is actually frozen. Baby, it's cold outside!)

I once again used the matching Tanis Fiber Arts yarns, this time in Green label/aran weight.  I may sew a fleece lining in here yet for extra warmth, but so far it is snowshoeing-on-frozen-lake-at-sunset approved :)

snowfling mittens

When you live in "Winterpeg," you need some good mittens.

And I think mine are THE BEST!!

This is likely the fanciest thing I have ever knit up, my first go at colorwork, and while they appear really advanced, they were quite simple to do.  It is a pattern and kit by Tanis Fiber Arts aptly named "Snowfling Mitts."  I tested them- they fling snow alright!

Not only are they perfectly adorable on the outside, they are LINED with a super soft and happy coloured cashmere wool blend to keep your hands extra toasty!   That little flash of colourful lining makes me so happy, like a best kept secret :)

(I love the picot edging at the wrist- so many cute details like that in this pattern)

These have already gotten plenty of good use and have received many compliments.  I feel like a knitting rock star!  These should definitely help with the winter blues when the snow is still here in, like, April.

done.

Wham!  Take that, to-do list!   A few buttons and some seams, and I finally finished this sweet little Coolbreeze baby cardigan for "the plaid baby."  Kaelin requested this pattern from me before she even conceived!  And it is my duty and privilege to provide cozy, woollen, authentically Canadian winter wear for her Louisiana babe ;) That baby might be sweaty, but she'll be cute!

I love the chevron gradient of blues in here, it knocks me out.  Have already started the adult version for me!

Finished this up dockside on a mini-escape to the cottage yesterday :)  Was such a great drive out, taking in all the fall colours!

 And I may just have another finish to show you soon :)

More sweater details on my Ravelry page here.

undone

So much accomplished, yet so much left undone!

Finished my Briar Rose lattice quilt top that I was working on, plus finished another quilt top last week....which leaves me with three quilt tops that need some backs and finishing.

This wee sweater, Coolbreeze Baby by Tanis Fiber Arts (intended for The Plaid Baby!) needs some seaming and some buttons to be in the "completed" pile.

Meanwhile, I am driven to distraction by the adult version for me!

I had high hopes of getting to some of this on my days off this week, but with a string of nights tending to puking kids and one home with me today, I am thinking that I may just come undone myself!!

working on....

....turning this gorgeous mound of wool....

 

....into a dreamy little sweater.  And loving every minute of it.

Have a fabulous weekend :)

a knitted baby shrug

Can't help but continue to spoil my friend's new baby Esther Mae. Such a cutie!


I decided to knit up this adorable wee shrug to be worn throughout the holiday season with sweet little party dresses. And I think it would look equally cute with jeans and a t-shirt! Nice and versatile. Just a little eyelet detail on the sleeves, and that's it, no fuss!



I used the free "Confection"pattern off of Ravelry, and used one skein of lovely green label Tanis Fiber Arts yarn in natural. This yarn is so wonderfully soft, and has the added bonus of being machine washable, important for baby items!


The shrug was finished in only a couple days while at the lake, and I had enough left over to make a matching hat, a pattern I made up myself using the eyelet detail of the shrug. Simple and cute! I will share the pattern with you in a few sizes in an upcoming post.

I will be sending this along to Esther Mae along with a little fancy dress :)