perfect fall sweater

I made this.  In just 10 days!!  Fastest sweater I ever knit.  I felt propelled by the oncoming chill of autumn.

And, it's awesome. Wear it every day.

Best fall ever.

All the details on my Ravelry page, here.
(And one day I will start taking decent pictures with something other than my iPhone again, I promise!)

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.

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!).

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 :)

le bun hat

My sister tends to get attached to a hairstyle.  In the 90s, it was the perm and big bangs, of course. In the new millennium it evolved to big loose curls with the sides and bangs clipped up.  She got a good 10 years out of that one.  But for the past few years, it is "Le Bun."  I get it, it is quick and fuss free.  And she looks great in it!  But when Last But Not Least started drawing aunty with a circle on her head, some sisterly ribbing was in order.

Enter: Le Bun Hat.  A Winterpeg-suitable toque with a hole in the top, just perfect for the bun! I adapted it from this free pattern on Ravelry.

I gave this to my sis as a snarky little Christmas gift.  She was properly amused :)

And she has even put it to good use the past few weeks with the crazy cold snap we had here ("had"….hoping that is indeed the end of it!).

I gotta say….I think I may need one for myself!  Babes of the Buns unite!

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.