something springy

 

 

Pattern: my own
Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label Aran Weight in 'Seabreeze'

I had this idea for a horizontal cabled yoke so I decided to try it out in girl-size first. Luckily I live with a sweet model who is just the right size and who loves bright teal as much as I do.

It's a fairly straightforward construction - the cable is worked first and then stitches are picked up along one edge for the neck and along the other edge for the body and then it's worked in one piece to the bottom. I made 3/4 length sleeves and a 4-button front to give it some lightness and make it a nice transitional weather piece. I added i-cord lines over the stitch increase/decrease areas in the yoke to add interest and mimic the lines of the cables. It's a detail that takes a bit of time, but I'm really pleased with the result. The rest of the sweater is so easy overall, it's not a big deal.

I love Tanis's yarn so much. This colour is a great teal with hints of green and has a good 'sproing' factor. My girl is very fussy about itchy yarns and this one is extremely soft. I think she'll wear it a lot.

shop talk

 I love to spin fibre but I tend to spin much more than I actually knit up, so I decided to start listing handspun yarn in the shop if I have some at hand I don't need for a project. I also have some new superwash merino/nylon fibre. Check them out here.

I hope spring is finally coming to you!

new stuff

The only upside I can see from having a mercilessly cold and extended winter this year is the excuse to knit lots of warm things. I've never been very interested in knitting summer sweaters in cotton and linen and I have a hard time switching gears from the knits I love to knit to the ones I feel I should knit when the temperature rises. So I have mixed emotions this time of year as I'm so glad to see the end of winter but not sure what I'll do to keep my needles busy/sanity intact.

While it's still -20c I'm trying to finish up a few things I've had going:

I made these simple socks for the girl using Manos del Uruguay Alegria ('Carnival'). I really love this yarn. It's soft, comes in wonderful colourways and I can't seem to stop casting on socks with it.

My niece just had a little baby boy who is utterly adorable. I made these for him before I knew he was a him, but this would have been fine for a her, too. The patterns are Antler Cardigan and Antler Hat by Tincanknits and I needed only two skeins of Cascade Longwood (in '20') to make both. The patterns were fun and since I made size 1-2 they were tiny and fast. I figure babies get lots of newborn-sized clothes given to them but fewer when they're a bit older, so he can use this next fall. The yarn is super soft and great for baby or child knits, though it's a loose ply yarn and it splits like crazy while you're working it, so drink heavily if you do.

I made this a few months ago but forgot to post it here. It's Acorn Trail by Amy Herzog using Briggs and Little Regal. I like some things about this sweater but I'll admit I don't love it. I used her custom fit software out of curiosity and chose a medium ease option, and technically it fits but it's a bit more snug than I like. I'll try it again after I've been running for a few weeks and have lost my extra winter weight, because that might be it. The yarn is gorgeous, and the main reason why I made this was to try it out on a sweater. I'll definitely use it again.

I also just updated my shop with lots of lovely laceweight merino and some sock yarn. I think perhaps a fingering weight sweater is what I need to make spring arrive soon.

thanks

Just a quick post to thank everyone who bought my patterns during the Olympics as I was able, along with my own contribution, to donate $100 to Egale. I really appreciate your help.

I was slow to get into them this year, but then (as it always happens) I got caught up in the emotion of the athletes and their incredible talents. My kids loved the snowboarding, speedskating and skiing and we watched something almost every day. Obviously, curling and hockey are the huge things here in Canada. It was awesome that the women's curling team from my city went undefeated, and of course hockey was unbelievable. I also loved the duffle coats Team Canada wore for the opening ceremonies.

CBC had great coverage and their Olympics app was so helpful to track when things were on. So, that half of things was awesome but meanwhile all the other stuff was and still is going on. I don't talk politics here and I'm not interested in starting. I just felt this particular intersection of events needed a word. Thanks again.

 

bliss jacket

Pattern: Drop Collared Cable Jacket from Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Donegal Chunky Tweed in Navy (discontinued)

This is a project I bought the yarn for and started in 2008. I got one front done and was partway up the second when I just got tired of my hands aching with the heavy yarn and big needles and I put it away. I came across it a few weeks ago and decided a) the yarn was really suited to being this object and I really loved the yarn and b) I still liked the design and would probably wear it.

I then realized I had decided to lengthen the body pieces by 2" but only had enough yarn for the original length and this yarn has since been discontinued. Luckily, two Ravelers had some for sale and one of them was willing to ship to Canada, so I managed to snag enough to finish.

It's really warm despite the 3/4 sleeves. I love the extra big collar. It's crazy cold outside so these few pics taken by the girl will have to do for now. I think I'll get lots of use out of this.

sophie sweater

 January and February are the perfect months to stay warm inside and finish all the projects I've had going. Once. And. For. All. First up, Sophie's sweater. Started in September. Finished this week.

Pattern: 'Classic Aran'  from  Patons booklet A Dog's Life

Yarn: Berroco Vintage in colour #51176 

Really boring knit what with all the seed stitch on the body and the fact she's not a tiny dog. I really forced myself to slog through this one at the end. But it fits her well (thank goodness) and should be cozy for walks.

I'll show you the two sweaters and the socks I finished this week in a bit. Later, skaters. 

winter rainbows

I usually love watching the Olympics, especially the winter ones, partly because I live in a very wintery climate half the year. But this year is different, and my enthusiasm has been tempered in no small part by everything I've been made aware of concerning human rights abuses in Russian prisons and their legislation about homosexuality.

I have felt upset every time I've thought about the games, to be honest. And I've felt helpless to effect change, as 'boycotting' by not watching my tv really didn't have any significance.

Then Bristol Ivy floated the idea of a donation drive and I decided that was something I could get on board with. There are lots of designers offering a percentage of their pattern sales towards helping groups who fight for LGBT rights - see the ever-growing list here.

So, for the duration of the Olympics, I'll be donating 75% of all sales of my self-published patterns to Egale, and in a small way help to nudge the world toward greater compassion.