Make It, Take It!

I am really proud to say I am a contributor the book Make It, Take It by Krista Hennebury of Poppyprint!

The premise of the book is that all the projects are crafts centred around retreats.  The projects are either things that you can make while there, or prior to the retreat for storing and toting your supplies.  There are some really fabulous and creative projects in there!  I have received an advance pdf copy and all of the projects are truly top notch.

My contribution?  An amalgamation of my two loves, sewing and knitting!  It's called the Knitwit Needle Clutch, the perfect place to store all of your knitting needles and notions while on the go. Here is a sneak peek- more details to follow (along with a giveaway!) in a future post.

The book is available for pre-order at Amazon and Chapters, but is being released today at shopmartingale.com if you can't wait.  Also, Krista will have some advance copies for sale at QuiltCon, and will be there to sign it for you!  I hope you enjoy the book- it was great fun to be a part of this collaboration.

*images from Make It, Take It by Krista Hennebury, Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane.  All Rights Reserved.

holy cowls!

I must have an instinct, much like the geese, to tell me that winter is on its way, because I have been knitting up a storm lately.  Mostly big, chunky, squishy cowls...so cozy!  

This one for me:

This one (and matching hat) will be a Christmas gift- made with the wool from Purl Soho.

This one was made for my fabulous friend Michelle (IG: ilikeorangetoo), which I gifted to her while in Nashville.

Originally the cream cowl was a gift for Angela (Cut to Pieces), but little did I know that she is allergic to wool, and it instantly made her itchy!  So I kept it (big hardship) and knit her up a new one quickly during our Sew South weekend out of a super soft alpaca yarn that she had bought herself.  Doesn't she look adorable in it?

All of the above cowls were made with the same simple pattern, bulky yarns held single and worsted yarns held double, doing a simple k3 p3, in a multiple of 6 stitches plus or minus one stitch to allow the pattern to spiral.  For most of these I cast on about 79 stitches to wrap double around the neck comfortably, and they each took 2 skeins.

I also made another very cool cowl/sling type thing, finished also while at Sew South for my bestie Samantha (IG: samsews).  It was a pattern (Panem cowl on Ravelry) based off this super cool knit worn by "Katniss" in the latest Hunger Games movie.

I love how this turned out, and it is totally the funky style that suits Sam, don't you think??  I have more yarn to make one for me, someday.

More finishes on the way!

finished knit: dragonflies sweater

I was so excited to put the last stitches into this sweater and finally be able to wear it.  Wasn't it considerate of Mother Nature to provide a cool and rainy July weekend for me to do so?  Well, at least this was a plus side!

The pattern is the Dragonflies Jumper by Joji, from Ravelry.  You can see all my notes on my Ravelry page here.  It is the first time knitting one of her patterns and I have already purchased another because I was so happy with the style and fit.  The design is so intricate and I just love it paired with this Plucky Primo wool (in bohemian blue).  The cashmere is this wool makes it so soft to the touch- such a treat to wear!

The pattern required more thinking than average, so this wasn't the best "social"or "tv" knit, but it wasn't difficult.  I did a few mods- the pattern called for a 2 stitch side band in garter, but I decided if it was there, I would make it more district by extending it to 6.  Also, I opted for 3/4 length sleeves so I can pair it with some cute bracelets :)

Love the look of this with a tank and jeans.  I think it is a pretty flattering fit and will be a real go-to piece for me!

Already have cast on the next knit!

on the needles.

Spring has finally come to "Winterpeg,"  and has caught me red handed, knitting myself another sweater in doubt of its arrival!

This is it, the Dragonflies Jumper.  Beautiful intricate design all over the body.  I love it.  But it takes more concentration than most to remain in pattern....will be clicking away with this one for awhile! Loving it combined with the soft Plucky Primo in the Bohemian Blue colorway. My first time using this yarn and I may just have a new favourite!

Happy Wednesday!

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.

growing up and needs a new sweater!

A year has passed in the blink of an eye and my sweet little niece, who you may have read about here or here, is turning one!

Once a 3 pound preemie, she is now all rounded and squishy and perfect :)  The baby sweater I had knit her when she first arrived has long since been outgrown and retired to the baby box, so I thought a new one was in order.

I had a couple skeins of some Plucky Bulky yarn in the gorgeous Vintage Icebox colorway on hand, and decided those would be "the ones."  I brought it along to Jamaica and happily knit away on the beach....ahh, this is the life!

I paired the Plucky with the Tiered Coat and Jacket pattern, but seeing as I was a bit short on yardage, just eliminated the tiering part and made it a plain old sweater with a garter collar and trim.  To add a little more girlish whimsey, I used buttons I covered in some pretty floral Liberty fabric....so cute!

But even cuter is the sweater paired with my niece!  Look at that crazy toothy grin!

I knit the 12-18 month size, and it fit perfectly, with room to grow.  It will be a lovely spring and fall sweater for her.  Happy first birthday, VV!!

working on......

A few projects on the go!  Here are a few WIPS I am working on lately.

Most of my crafty energy has been spent knitting lately.  And I have a few things in progress:

Some Snowfling mitts for a swap with the talented Krista of Spotted Stones.  I had so much fun meeting her at the Loon Lake retreat in November, she is the sweetest.  I drooled over every stitch she made, and jumped at the chance to knit her some mittens in exchange for a sewn surprise when given an "in".  I know these will be well loved and used in Alaska!

A wee Sproutlet dress for a babe on the way:

Just need to put some buttons on this baby cardigan I knit while in Jamaica.  Am thinking some covered in Liberty would be nice.

And this, my new favoritest sweater ever, all done and waiting to be photographed! Here is a sneak peak!

I have some beautiful blue Plucky Primo yarn all wound up ready to start this sweater, for me.  Next up!

I have been pretty quiet on the sewing front lately, but have recently relocated my sewing mojo and am inspired to start some new projects and finish some others that have been lying in wait.  To be honest, my sewing area was such a complete mess that I couldn't even beat a path to my machine!  A recent clean and IG fabric destash helped me uncover some long lost favourite fabrics and inspiration is back!  I have a bag pattern and a clutch tutorial planned (it's been awhile since I did a tutorial!) and a new quilt top in the works with this stack of Liberty of London and low volume fabrics, all sliced and ready to stitch!

My favourite sewing project currently is this one: whenever I have a spare minute, I like to put together a couple quilt-as-you-go blocks for The Soy Amado project over at Little Island Quilting, to provide quilts to street children in Mexico.  It is a great way to use up scraps and give back.  I would encourage you all to make a few, and ship them off to Alison to share a little love!  Go check it out! Here are the ones I have made so far.

Finished blocks are 12.5", with backing and batting of the same size attached.  You can make new blocks, or use "orphan" blocks you have sitting around.  I found a few old blocks from various quilts in the bottom of my scrap bin, added borders and quilted, and also made some log cabin and mini square ones from scraps.  They are quick and fun, and come together to make cheerful quilts for kids who need them.

Hope you have a fantastic week!

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!