Honey Baby

Just when I thought it was going to be a boring post day Diana brought in the latest project she finished for the store.

Honey Baby from Knitspot

Diana did an amazing job. The shawl looks beautiful.

Baby’s first shawl—a soft, magical square, worked in the round from the center out in lace patterns suggesting a field a-buzz with bees and grasses. Worked in washable fingering wool, this piece is as sturdy as it is pretty and practical to use at home or when traveling.

The store sample is knit in 8-50 gram skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. We used the new colours Dobson.

Diana commented that it was a very big baby blanket. I said that I would wear it as a shawl. It looks great on my friend.

We have copies of the pattern in the store or you can buy the pattern from Anne Hanson's website.

I was outside taking pictures when Ms. Canada Post came in with a box from Ann.

Pattern: Belle from Rowan's Kidsilk Haze Stripe Collection

Knit this ladies cardigan in stocking stick with moss stitch border. This simple garment allows the inherent beauty of the yarn to shine

Yarn: Kidsilk Haze Stripe colour 203 Frost

Kidsilk Stripe is a self striping version of Kid Silk Haze which is 70% super kid silk Mohair and 30% silk. The colour combinations have been cleverly put together by the master of colour 'Kaffe Fassett'

It is a happy day in the store. We love getting new garments to put on display.

Rowan Magazine #52 Cover

Last night Beth and I went flower shopping at Terra in Waterdown. I love going to Terra-their flowers are so beautiful. I wish I had time and was better at looking after plants. The front step was looking very empty and all our neighbours have great looking flowers.

We are on the left and picked pink to match our neighbours.

I won the argument and got one that sits on the corner of the driveway.

I took this picture from Rowan's Facebook page.

The cover of Rowan Magazine #52. It should be shipped to us sometime the week of July 15 and I will show more pictures as they become available. I can't tell you too much about the magazine but I will say that you are going to want it!!

Coat of Many Colors

Yesterday was a busy day. Bank and post office to start the day. Then a trip to see Trish and have my hair done. I called Beth as I was leaving and we met at home to head to the golf course. Yes, we did golf in that heat. It was a great day. The course was empty-like it was ours. I beat Beth on the front nine. This is a rarity. I was 8 and Beth was 6 when we learned to golf. She has always been better than me. I quit when I was 13 and didn't pick it up again until I was 20. I was studying to be a Chartered Accountant and thought it was something a Chartered Accountant should be good at. Now it's just a fun day out. We got home around 8 and it was time for bed. It was seriously hot on the course and I was wiped out. There was no way I could sit down and write a post.

When you go to bed early you get up early. More parcels were packed and were delivered to the post office on my way to work. I was early and started on chores and ordering yarn.

I had no clue what I was going to show you today and then Jane came in with her knitting. Perfect.

I love the colours and how they are blending together.

Jane set it on the floor for me to see her progress.

It is hard from the picture to understand how it is going to be a cardigan. Jane put it on so that things make more sense. I looked at the pictures that I took at TNNA and I think we put this on Jane upside down.

Jane has some rows to knit and then she will start casting on for the sleeves. When the sleeves are done there is one seam to sew across the back neck.

Hopefully Jane will take pictures when she starts adding on stitches so that you can understand a bit better. This is one of those projects where you just have to have faith that it is going to work.

It is beautiful. If you can't make it to the store to see it when Jane finishes we will have it at The Knitter's Frolic, Knitting Camp and Woodstock Fleece Festival. This is definitely a garment we will be showing off.

There are 7 colours combinations for the coat. Jane is currently knitting Clematis.

It is time to get back to work. I placed some orders this afternoon and there are a few more to do. Then it is time to get to the website. I haven't spent enough time on it lately.

Dahlia Cardigan

Julie Ann came to Kate's class yesterday wearing the most beautiful cardigan. Thank you Julie Ann for letting me show this. Stunning!!

She has knit this twice. The first one was done in Zara-100% merino wool from Italy. It looks great on her daughter.

Uniquely constructed cardigan with wrapped front and an eye-catching back lace panel. Fun to knit and wear.

This is knit in Sirdar's Baby Bamboo (80% bamboo sourced viscose, 20% wool).

The yarn isn't just for babies.

The detailing on the back is amazing and Julie Ann's knitting is beautiful.

See more Dahlias on Ravelry

The pattern is in the 2011 Fall Interweave Knits.

I can also be purchased from the Interweave Online Store

I bought a new pattern on Ravelry for my tosh vintage.
Lilas Cardigan

It is knit from the top down in one piece and requires no seaming at the end. Its big, floppy collar and relaxed style make for a chic and versatile piece that looks fantastic layered with long sleeves or over tanks and dresses. Quick and simple, this is a great sweater for beginning knitters.

Do I want Opaline?

Or do I want Cathedral?

The correct answer is both but I think I will be starting with Opaline. :)

Last night Beth and I made a road trip to Niagara Falls. It isn't Vegas but we had fun. We didn't go right down to the Falls but this is what we could see from the casino. I never get tired of watching the Falls.

The Nascar race is about to start which means it's knitting time.

Kate's Here

I was up really early this morning-7:30. That is sleeping in for many of you but I never see that hour of the day. I wanted to get to the store early and get the classroom tidied up. Kate Atherley is with us again today teaching workshops on finishing and continental knitting. 

Kate always brings projects to show off and today she had Bigger on the inside. I took a few quick pictures before class started.

Kate said that the yarn (Solemate from Lorna's Laces) blocks out beautifully. It is darker in real life than it shows in the pictures on knitty.com. Being hand dyed there is a slight colour variation in the yarn.

Kate will be back in August. I think she is going to teach Finishing and Your First Lace Shawl. I will have more details about this in the next couple of weeks.

Beth and I finished Top Chef Season 4 last night and started into Season 5. It is great watching TV with no commercials. The only problem with the show is that I want to watch them cook so I put down my knitting. I'm not accomplishing as much as I would like to. It's time to finish my post and get the needles out.

My head is empty

It's 6pm and it hit me that I hadn't even thought of a post yet today. There is nothing in my head. I need something to say. Still nothing. It has to be something with pictures and the only thing I can think of right now is to tell you about the Coastal Kids patterns in more detail.

These are super cute. And the sizing is great. It is hard to find patterns for 8-14 year olds.

If you don't have kids to knit for, imagine these patterns in adult size-you will find them in the book Coastal Knits.

Little Oak

This tiny version of the original Gnarled Oak Cardigan from Coastal Knits features a beautiful embossed cabled oak leaf motif. Little Oak is knit in one piece from the bottom up. The sleeves are knit separately and joined at the yoke. Your little one will look adorable in this eye-catching cardigan.

6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2T)[4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14]

6 months to 2T is knit in fingering weight (sock yarn). The bigger sizes are knit in double knitting weight.

Tiny Rocky Coast

This is a tiny version of the popular Rocky Coast Cardigan from Coastal Knits. A smaller gauge than the original design lends itself well to the smaller sizes. This cardigan is worked from the top down in a classic cable pattern that's easy to memorize. The collar is picked up and worked last. Optional instructions for including a ribbon closure are provided.

6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2, 4)[6, 8, 10, 12, 14]

 All sizes knit in fingering weight-sock yarn.

Wee Wildflower

This wee version of the original Wildflower Cardigan from Coastal Knits is a perfect springtime cardigan. This design offers lovely feminine details such as flower motif pockets and a delicate edging. It is knit in pieces from the bottom up and seamed together at the end.

6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2, 4)[6, 8, 10, 12, 14]

Knit in sport weight yarn-something like tosh pashmina or Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Baby

Mini Water's Edge

This mini version of the Water's Edge Cardigan from Coastal Knits will be a sweet addition to any little girls wardrobe. It features a well-placed pleat, flared skirt and elbow length sleeves. Short row shaping at the hem creates a slight curve, mimicking the shape of the shore line. A great piece for all seasons that can be dressed up or down!

To Fit: 6 months (12, months, 18 months, 2, 4)[6, 8, 10, 12, 14]

Knit in worsted weight yarn like tosh vintage or Cascade 220.

I thought I was done and then remembered something else that will be coming. These aren't ready yet-they should be shipping sometime in June. I've known about this project for some time and have been very good about keeping the secret.

Soak, Lorna's Laces and Fiona Ellis worked together on a new Soakbox.

Each Soakbox includes a bottle of Soak and Handmaid luxury creme, in matching scents, stylishly coordinated to premium nail polish and matching Lorna’s Laces custom designed yarn.

You can read more about these kits and the design process on the Soak blog. 

Think of the gift possibilities. You could give the kit as it is or you could knit the fingerless gloves, put them back in the box and wrap it up.

The pattern for the fingerless gloves is included in the kit.

Now that my post is out of the way there are two chores for me. Get the store ready for Kate's visit tomorrow and then figure out what we are going to eat for dinner.

Beth just called and asked if I wanted her to go to the grocery store. YES. Then I had to call her back-don't forget to get goodies for Kate. Then I realized that I had no clue what time Kate was coming tomorrow. My head really is empty!!

Good nights sleep

Last night I stopped to see the new townhouse and Beth stopped for pizza. I couldn't go to bed right away (needed to let the pizza settle) so I watched Top Chef Canada from Monday night and the finale of Celebrity Apprentice. I'm not sure I agree with who won but I think Donald picks the winner by their charity-not who did a better job.

By 9 I was in bed and didn't get out until 8:30 this morning. I'm feeling much better today.

Beth stopped at the post office last night to pick up my two boxes. The first was from Lorna's Laces and was full of Solemate including Bigger on the inside.
Also in the box was
-Lorna's Purple Mustang
-Amy's Vintage Office
-Ysolda Red
-Giddings
-Skyway
-Kerfuffle
-Watercolor
-Black Watch

The other was from madelinetosh and is full of Vintage. This is another new colour for us-opaline. I WANT SOMETHING IN THIS!! It is a mauve colour with a very light green. Please send pattern suggestions for this as well. Sweater. Cardigan. Shawl.

I have spent time playing on Ravelry. I found a couple of cardigans that I like

Lilas cardigan
Pole

Now it's time to get back to work. There is yarn to be put away.

I didn't get very far putting yarn away before Mr. Canada Post came in with four more boxes. Three were from madelinetosh and the last was from Alana Dakos and Hannah Fettig.

The Coastal Kids patterns are here. These are in leaflet form-not as a book.

I thought I was done my post and then Mr. UPS came in with a box of Kidsilk Haze and a new book. Knitting with the Color Guys from Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably.

Attend a personal workshop with two masters of color as Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably share their inspiration and techniques for creating colorful knits.  Kaffe and Brandon lead you through a variety of vibrant palettes, then showcase them in more than thirty designs.

There are some great patterns.

This fine stripes on this romantic, simple to knit stole have been softened by using a hand-dyed effect sock yarn. Designed by Kaffe Fassett & Brandon Mably

The range of colours available in Kidsilk Haze make it easy to create delicate, yet vibrant stripes. It can make a shorter, narrower version working with your own preferred colours. This knitted pattern was design by Kaffe Fassett & Brandon Mably

Pineapple Blanket

The use of Rowan Colourscape creates a brilliant, painterly effect in any large scale design like the knitted pineapple shapes in this big blanket. It is a feast of colour guaranteed to catch the eye in any setting. Designed by Kaffe Fassett & Brandon Mably.

I thought I was done when Mr. FedEx came in with a box from Soak.

Handmaid is here. I will be taking a bottle home with me tonight.

I saw all the misters today-Mr. Canpar was here as well with a box of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Baby and Sirdar Baby Bamboo.

There was no knitting last night but it is on the agenda for tonight. I need to get Breezy done so I can start something new.

This and That

I made it home safely very early this morning. Yesterday we had huge storms in Myrtle Beach and they moved with me to Charlotte. Our flight from Myrtle to Charlotte was rough-one of the worst flights I have ever been on. At one point we dropped and people on the plane screamed. It was a fast flight-we arrived in Charlotte 15 minutes early which is a lot on a 50 minute flight. Got to Charlotte with time to get a bagel and Starbucks. Then the storm hit Charlotte. The flight to Buffalo was delayed by 2.5 hours. By the time I got to Ancaster it was 4 this morning. I'm a bit tired this morning and hungry. Missing my french toast from Cracker Barrel.

More luggage came home with me than what I took. I have been searching for bedding for mom and dad's new house. Nothing here was calling to me so I looked in Myrtle. What a selection. I was emailing pictures to Beth and texting her names and websites to look at. We decided on this.

King size comforters don't pack easily. I bought a duffel bag and did a lot of squishing to get the zipper closed. The shams and bed skirt made it but the throw pillows are still in Myrtle Beach.

I wasn't even in the door this morning when Mr. Canada Post showed up with a box from madelinetosh. There were two colours of merino light and two colours of Vintage. Two pick up notifications were in the mail box so I think there are more boxes to be picked up tonight.

This is cathedral. I want a sweater in this!! I love purple and brown together.

I'm thinking tea leaves but there is another colour that I want for that. If you have any pattern suggestions, let me know.

Yesterday I showed one of the new bags coming from Offhand Designs. Here it is again with the other new bag called Iris.

Here are some of the fabric samples for Marcella

And a few for Iris

I picked up my knitting (way too tired to be straightening shelves or putting away yarn) and ran into a small snag on the Breezy cardigan. I am knitting two balls at once. One ball ran out while I was away and I joined in a new ball. The second ball ran out in the store this morning but I don't have another with me. The colour isn't on the shelf either so I can't roll another ball. Being resourceful I decided to use the ball I had from both ends-the centre and the outside. This will let me knit a few rows until I can get the other ball at home tonight.

It's almost home time. I'm meeting mom and Beth at my parents townhouse to see the progress so far. They are there at least once a day (my dad sometimes two or three times) and I haven't been there since Thursday. Then I'm off to bed. It is hard to keep my eyes open right now. A couple hours of sleep, a couple hours of knitting and then a good night sleep.

Goodbye Myrtle Beach

Yesterday was a beautiful day here. Hot and sunny. I did more running around for my parents and a bit of shopping for me. I spent some time at their house with all the windows and doors open and the chemical smell is getting better. I don't get to read much at home so I spent the time on their back deck getting some sun with a book.

Here is the forest behind their house. Much of it is damaged-the orange leaves were touched by the fire.





I also spent some time with our neighbours. We have great friends here who look after our houses when we are in Canada.

Last night I watched episodes of NCIS and knit. I didn't get as much knitting done as I had hoped but the weather has been so nice that I had to be outside.

This morning an email came through from Offhand Designs with their new fabrics and bags for fall. I will do a better post about these from home but here is a small taste.


This is Marcella in Frisco. I don't know if I can wait until the end of June to see them.

It's later in the day and all my chores are done. I'm sitting in the living room watching TV. Why not outside in the sun? We are having a huge storm. Crazy thunder and lightening.


I finished my book and now it's knitting time.

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