Shopping at Gramie's house

I went over to Gramie's house this morning to look for a button for an Artsy Clutch I made from Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules Sewing book, and came home with a whole lotta loot.

First, the button for the clutch:


Then, she showed me a quilt she's working on. It had some pink peacock fabric in it that she bought in Thailand. I told her how much I liked it and she told me she had some in blue. Not only did she have several yards of blue peacock fabric in her closet, but she had matching blue fabric to go with it!


She told me to take it and make some more bags. Awesome. Then she pulled out this flowery fabric with more coordinating green fabric. She threw it in a bag to take home with me. Wow!


And then, when I thought she had showed me all of her cute stuff, she hauled out this Inuit fabric. Holy shit. This is the cutest fabric I have ever seen. It's friggin' Inuits, people! With more coordinating blue fabric!


As if all this loot wasn't enough, she showed me a bed spread Nana (Gramp's Mum) knit in 1966 with gorgeous cotton yarn and Gramie pieced together in 1967. This is one beautiful bed spread. As soon as I got home, I pulled off my cheap bargain bin comforter and slipped Nana's bed spread on my bed.


Check out the detail. It's incredible. This is one of 120 squares.


I'm pretty sure it was knit with US1/2.25 mm needles. No wonder it took her a whole year to make it, and another year to piece it together.


Shopping at Gramie's is so much fun! And all I went there for was a button! Now you know why I frogged two mittens and a hat for the Summer Shawlette I knit for her!!

FO: Summer Shawlette

The illustrious Kenneth dropped by this evening to take some photos of the secret FO that I've been waiting to blog about. Believe it or not, (no, believe it) I have finished knitting my first Christmas present of the season. I've always been a gal who likes to be organized and ahead-of-the-game, but never before have I had Christmas presents ready this far in advance. It's safe to write about this FO because it's for my Gramie, who doesn't know what the "Internet" is and, even if she did, she wouldn't be interested in it. However, if you happen to see my Gramie, please do me a favour and don't let the cat out of the bag.


Pattern: Summer Shawlette by Sandi Wiseheart
Source: Interweave
Materials: nearly two skeins of Misti Alpaca worsted (colour #972)
Needles: US 10.5/6.5 mm bamboo circular needle
Started: August 31, 2007
Finished: September 9, 2007

After I saw this finished Summer Shawlette, I went ahead and started knitting it right away. I used bigger needles and different yarn because I wanted to make it a bit bigger than the pattern calls for. After a few bumps and hitches (could the beginning of the pattern be any more confusing?) I completed what I think is a lovely shawl for my pink-loving Gramie.


I only had one full skein of yarn to work with and I secretly knew it wouldn't be enough, but I told myself one skein would do. When I got a little bit more than halfway through and ran out of yarn, I regretfully frogged these mittens. I liked those mittens, but I had to sacrifice them for Gramie (she's very special). When I used up all the mitten yarn, I went back to my bag of winter knits and frogged this hat. Again, it was a good hat, but Gramie's just that special.



So, now I'm in need of some new mittens and a hat. Don't tell anyone, but the thought of needing to knit myself a hat and mitts is sort of thrilling.

Trellis, the model shot

Sherrie just posted a photo* of her baby son wearing the Trellis sweater I knit for him a while back. I am amazed at how great it looks on him.

I have a new FO to blog about, but I don't have any photos of it yet. Oh yeah, and I bought some yarn yesterday for a new project. I know I just posted about how buying a house means I can't buy yarn, but I caved yesterday while perusing the shelves at Have a Yarn in Mahone Bay.

*Warning: The photo is unbearably cute. Clicking on the link may result in saccharine sweetness convulsions.

Merci mille fois!

A little package of amazing-ness arrived in my mailbox this week! Here's what I found tucked inside . . .


A Resistance Is Futile t-shirt from Christy. Sorry for the crappy photo, but this t-shirt is so perfect! I want to wear it every day. You can get your own at her etsy shop.


The cutest clutch from Ashley. One of my weaknesses is handbags and I love this one. I should also note that it has passed my tough handbag test, which is simply making sure my EpiPen fits in it, so I'll definitely be carrying it around very often.



And what's that peeking out of the clutch? Delicious Claudia Hand Painted Yarn in "chocolate cherry" from Julia. My yarn stash is virtually nonexistent (I guess that's what happens when you spend all your pennies on buying a house), so I needed this yarn. Julia also sent me some embroidery patterns and floss. I've never embroidered before, so I can't wait to try my hand at a new craft.

As soon as I opened the package, I laid the contents out on my bed and admired them. I left the room for a few minutes to make lunch and came back to find Moustache curled up on top of everything. He started licking the t-shirt, then he licked the clutch and then dove into the yarn. But I swiped the yarn out of his paws before he could inflict any damage. He's definitely my kitty -- he loves all things crafty.

Un gros merci mille fois pour les cadeaux! Thank you so much for the package! I am over the moon.

FO: Fetching

I had one ball of Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran left over from when I knit Tempting and finally decided to hop on yet another bandwagon and knit Fetching.

This is me, trying to imitate the pattern photograph.

Pattern: Fetching by Cheryl Niamath
Source: Knitty
Materials: one ball of Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran in Kingfisher
Needles: US 6/4 mm bamboo dpns
Started: August 27, 2007
Finished: August 28, 2007

I had almost finished knitting the gloves when I ran out of yarn. All I had left to knit was one thumb. So, I did what any resourceful knitter would do and unraveled a tiny bit of Tempting and used the yarn to finish the gloves. Don't worry, Tempting is fine. I didn't even have to unravel an entire round.


I wasn't sure if I should keep these mitts for me or give them away at Christmas, but when I realized they're an almost perfect match with my winter coat, I decided they'll stay with me.

I should also mention that the illustrious Kenneth took these photos. And, for those of you who read this on Bloglines, I've changed the appearance of the blog, so pop on over and take a look!

FO: The Clap

I finished this a couple of days ago, but didn't get to take photos of it until now because the weather was kind of miserable. Kenneth came to the rescue again and set up a li'l photo shoot.

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
Source: Knitty
Materials: unknown Fleece Artist fingering yarn from a bargain bin
Needles: US 8/5 mm bamboo circs
Started: August 15, 2007
Finished: August 23, 2007

Modifications: I made it skinnier and longer than the original Clapotis because I wanted more of a scarf than a shawl to wear with my red autumn jacket.


Verdict: This is the best thing I've knit yet. I looooove it. It's so soft and airy -- I could pet it all day. It's absolutely gorgeous.


So, now that I'm over my bout with the clap, it seems I've caught a new infection: the ballband bug.


I am SO addicted.

And the winner is . . .

Thanks to everyone for entering my contest (and for your kind words about hubby's health -- it means so much to both of us!). Hubby picked one of your names out of a bowl this morning and . . .


Congratulations Annie! You've just won a skein of delicious Fleece Artist Sea Wool! I had the pleasure of phoning Annie (who doesn't have a blog . . . yet!) this morning to give her the good news. We were just talking last night about how she's been getting so many calls that start out with, "Congratulations! You've just won a free trip to Tahiti!" and end with asking you for your credit card number. I tried to trick her by playing a telemarketer, but she knew it was me and was so excited I didn't ask for her Visa number.

Annie just lives across the harbour from me, so I don't even have to pay for shipping. She's actually going to pick the yarn up at my house!

Congratulations again, Annie! I know you're going to love knitting these socks.

quatre ans

Four years ago I married my high school sweetheart. Signing that marriage certificate felt like winning the lottery.


Happy Anniversary, hubby-bear!

I've got the clap!

That's right, folks, I've got all the symptoms: I can't stop knitting and I'm dropping stitches like a madwoman. That can only mean one thing . . . I've got the clap. Clapotis, that is.


I know I'm late to the party, but I figured every good knitter needs her own Clapotis. Mine will be more scarf than shawl, but it's still a Clapotis. I rooted through my stash (you can hardly call it a stash as it's mostly composed of bits of yarn leftover from past projects just waiting to be recycled somehow) and found this autumn coloured Fleece Artist yarn that I picked up for nearly nothing in a bin of "factory defects" at Gaspereau Valley Fibres. I have no idea what kind of fibre this is, but it's soft and has a nice sheen to it, so I'm guessing it's a merino and silk blend, maybe? I wasn't sure why it was in the defect bin when I bought it, but when my hands turned bright orange after knitting a few rows, I figured it was a less-than-perfect dye job. Oh well, I can afford to have orange hands as I'm a proud NDipper.

I was overjoyed this morning when I was reading blogs and realized I won a spectacular load of loot on Julia's blog. This couldn't have come at a better time since my hubby was recently diagnosed with a kinda-scary-health-problem. We're hoping it's not too serious and that it can be treated and cured very quickly, but it's still quite stressful. I might not be blogging as often as I'd like in the coming weeks as we'll be making some trips to Halifax for more tests soon. So, a huge "Thank you!" goes out to Julia, Christy and Ashley for cheering me up with lots of crafty goodness!

And speaking about goodness, this is my 100th post! That obviously calls for a contest of my own. I have this scrumptious Fleece Artist yarn that I'm willing to give away. All you have to do is leave me a comment, I'll draw one of your names and you'll get some Sea Wool sock yarn, complete with a pattern for Bordello Socks.


I'll close the contest on Wednesday, August 22 at 5 p.m. Atlantic Time. Good luck!

Behind the curtains, the sun is shining

Those curtains that caused me to lose several layers of skin are finished and hanging up in our living room. Turns out, it was worth the injury to have such cute "window fashions" (don't you hate that term? I do).


It wasn't easy getting a decent shot of the curtains. I tried in the evening -- not enough light. I tried in the day -- too much light. That's why I opted for a close up of the tabs, so you can see how cute the fabric (purchased through Purl) is.


I used many of the tips I learned through Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules Sewing book on these curtains. I can't wait to try to sew one of her patterns. They're oh-so simple, elegant and cute. Check out Sherrie's beautiful quilt to see what I mean.

FO: Argosy Scarf

I took some photos of the finished Argosy scarf at Mum and Dad's house. There was no way I was going to wear a wool scarf around my neck in August, so I got some kind trees to stand in as models.


Pattern: Argosy by Vyvyan Neel
Source: Knitty
Materials: almost 3 balls of Jaeger Wool Silk in colour #373
Needles: US 4/3.5 mm straights
Started: August 2, 2007
Finished: August 11, 2007


I got the yarn from Annie's humongous stash. I knew it was special yarn the moment I saw it. She kindly gave it to me and I started googling the yarn to find out how other knitters have used it. I quickly discovered that this yarn has long been discontinued and it has very little Web presence, so I set out to figure out how I could use it on my own. The silk and wool blend screamed lace scarf and after a quick search on knitty, I settled on trying out Argosy. I am very pleased with the finished product.


I am constantly fascinated by lace. I don't understand how someone can come up with a lace pattern -- it's just completely unfathomable to me. I know which stitches I'm knitting and I understand why I'm knitting them and how they work up into a lace scarf or shawl, but I can wrap my mind around sitting down and writing up an original lace pattern. It's fascinating and, who knows, maybe someday lace will all make sense to me.


I'm thinking about putting this scarf aside and keeping it for a Christmas gift because I definitely don't need a scarf in August.

Up next, photos of those injurious tab top curtains.

Safety first!

I learned last night that crafting is dangerous and all projects should come with a safety warning.

Hot, hot iron +


Tabs for tab top curtains =


Ouchie!


Aren't you glad this post isn't about taking out an eye with a knitting needle?

Rock My Socks

I finished the toe-ups today and I'm kind of sad to see them off the needles because this yarn was blissful.


Pattern: A combination of this pattern and this one.
Materials: Silkie Socks That Rock in Walking on the Wild Tide
Needles: set of 5 US 1/2.25 bamboo dpns
Started: July 22, 2007
Finished: August 2, 2007


This yarn was gifted to me by Becky and it's a Rockin' Sock Club colourway. I was so thrilled to get it in the mail and even happier to knit with it. It's the yummiest sock yarn and I even love the crazy colours. But as much as I am smitten by these socks, I might just give them to someone very special. We'll see . . .


So, what am I casting on for next? Hmmm, well, I got some yarn out of a friend's stash and I might just be doing some lace knitting soon. We'll see about that too . . .

I've been a-craftin'

Now that we're all moved into the new house and the musical has had its closing night, I've found myself with lots of time to craft up a storm.


My first toe-up sock is done and the second one is well on its way. I got the Socks That Rock yarn in my Knitters Tea Swap package from Becky and it is beautiful yarn. I love the crazy colours and it's a wool and silk blend that knits up really squishy and shiny. I also knit my first short-row heels and I am smitten -- no need to pick up stitches!


Binding off the top was a little difficult. I ended up doing it three times because my bind off was too tight the first two times. On the third time, I tried something called the Russian Bind Off, which worked like a charm. I do miss the kitchener stitch though. There's a special place in my heart for the kitchener stitch.

In the midst of my crafty streak, I sewed up this little curtain for the kitchen. It matches my place mats and will soon match my walls . . . I will get around to painting those walls.


And I picked up these Eleanor Grosch Keds the other day. I had been coveting them, but they were nearly $50. I saw these on sale at the mall last week -- $19.99. They were the last pair and they were in my size. Awesome.

FO: Preppy Polo Shirt

I braved the 27ºC weather with a wool sweater to show you all my newly finished polo shirt!



Pattern: Preppy Polo Shirt by Jenna Adorno
Source: Not Another Teen Knitting Book by Vickie Howell
Materials: 2.5 skeins Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Provincial Rose, bits of Cotton Fleece in Wild Sage and Victorians Pink and three pearly buttons from Gramie's stash
Needles: US 6/4 mm bamboo straights and US 4/3.5 mm circs.
Started: June 5, 2007
Finished: July 19, 2007


I'm very happy with this sweater! I love the colours and the fit is great. I knit my first hem and it turned out quite nice. I also knit my first placket and collar, which also turned out looking great. The collar curls a bit, which can probably be remedied with some steaming/ironing/vigorous blocking.

(The back of the sweater is meant to be longer than the front to mimic most of the polo shirts you can buy nearly everywhere.)


Photo creds go to Kenneth who was kind enough to take these shots in the blistering heat!

The perfect Sunday afternoon

Lazing on the patio, soaking up the sun, alternating between reading a good book and a magazine and drinking sun tea . . . it doesn't get better than this.

Are we there yet?

We're almost there, kids. Just be patient.


Just checking in to say the preppy polo shirt is almost done. I tried it on this morning and it fits beautifully with one sleeve. Here's hoping the collar doesn't screw up the fit. Expect a proper FO post very soon.

Settling in

Guess what arrived in my mailbox this morning?

A package from Purl!


Filled with some lovely textiles!


That became place mats for my new kitchen table!


We're settling into the new house. There are still a few boxes that need to be unpacked and as soon as that's done, I hope to start painting. All of the walls are white in this house, except for a few atrocious wallpaper borders. I'm planning to paint the kitchen mint green and purple (like the place mats) and the living room will be a boring beige colour since we have a red couch and a freakishly bright yellow chair (that you can see in the background in the above photo). I haven't decided on colours for the other rooms -- that will be done later. I just want to get the kitchen and living room done as soon as possible.

Oh! and the toe. The toe is better but it's still a huge annoyance. I think I'll be able to dance on Thursday, which is opening night for the musical. We had a dress rehearsal last night and I fell . . . I'm going to try to avoid any spills Thursday night!