Almost time for tees

This is the Flip Side Tee by Tanis Lavallee. Hopefully we get nice weather again and we can start wearing tees.

The Flip Side Tee combines two of my all time favourite things: a knitted tee and STRIPES! Of course this simple crew neck tee looks just as fabulous in a solid, but if you present me with a panel of stockinette stitch I will be compelled to add stripes! It’s just in my nature. Featuring a lovely a graphic eyelet detail that flows gracefully from the raglans down the sides of the garment this simple tee is my new summer staple. 

The Flip Side Tee is knit top down in the round.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

The sweater is knit in fingering weight yarn so you have lots of options. The required tension is 24 stitches to 4” on 3.75mm needles. If you’d like a bit firmer garment then you can look at Allino and Summerlite DK as options.

I did a bit of knitting on my DRK Everyday Cardi yesterday but then I jumped to my Temperature Blanket. I was 2 weeks behind but I’m almost caught back up.

We hung some more art and moved around some things that were already on the walls. Sometimes you need to see it up to know that it’s in the wrong spot.

I was in the store early shipping orders and then I had a pedicure. My toes are so happy. Dad drove to Peterborough and back today and now he’s sleeping. I’m trying to be quiet so I’m going to sit and knit. Great excuse isn’t it???😜 

Finished Quill

Diana dropped by yesterday afternoon with Quill. The blanket/shawl is beautiful. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

“This ethereal shawl or blanket is an homage to traditional hap shawls of the Shetland islands. These beautiful, utilitarian shawls were made and worn to protect the wearer from the harsh weather conditions of the Scottish Isles. The wavy lace motifs on the broad border were often used as a canvas for color experimentation (like our striped variations), but haps are equally stunning in a solid color, where natural shades of wool allow the delicate textures to shine. The pattern calls for fingering-weight yarn, but it can be upsized easily using sport, DK, or even worsted weight. Quill is the quintessential heirloom baby blanket, one that I’m proud to say has warmed many babies in the Flood family over the years!” — designer, Jared Flood 

Please note: the stitch patterns used for this accessory may be worked from written or charted instructions.

We used 4 skeins of Emma’s Super Silky for the store sample which is the larger size. Any fingering weight yarn will work.

It was raining this morning so I took a few quick pictures outside. We’ll do better pictures the next time Lynn is in.

Things are gearing up for LYS Day. I received this in an email from Knitting Fever this morning. Purchase more than $50 of their yarns or needles on LYS Day and you can enter to win a set of Lykke needles. 

What counts towards the $50?

• Noro 
• Kureyon
• Silk Garden Sock
• Akari
• Ito
• Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran
• Juniper Moon Patagonia
• All Lykke needles and hooks

In store or mail order purchases qualify. 

I will be sharing more about LYS Day as it gets closer to the day.

I put my sleeve stitches on holders and I’m working down the body. I talked to Lynn this morning and she is 4” ahead of me. 😂. We’re watching The Fugitive and I’m knitting away. 

Inducted

Beth and dad went clothes shopping last week to buy dress up clothes. He cleaned up well.

Dad gave a short speech and did a great job. We had lots of family, friends and coworkers at the dinner and everyone had a great time. The evening had a bit of a shaky start. We went in two vehicles so I could leave if Tara needed me at home. Tara works with Beth and was dog sitting. When we met up at the banquet hall I asked Beth if she remembered dad’s dinner pills. No. Neither did I. I ran home and was able to make it back before dinner. It all went well after that.

Brian Smith has a new shawl pattern called Goldrush and you can purchase it on Ravelry.

This shawl design starts with section one worked bottom up in bands of garter stitch and stocking stitch, with increases at each end. Stitches are then picked up around the bottom edge of section one and section two is worked in the same pattern top down.

The shawl is knit with 2 skeins of fingering weight yarn. 

Tara took this picture after we left last night.

It’s dinner then knitting time. I need to try and catch up to Lynn.

Hall of Fame

We have a special dinner tonight.

The Hamilton-Halton Construction Association (HHCA) has announced the induction of Henk and Henry Schilthuis into the 2025 Construction Hall of Fame.

Dad and his cousin are being honoured at a dinner tonight.

There won’t be any knitting tonight (Beth won’t let me bring it). I’m rushing home from work to change and who knows what time we’ll be home. I’m getting a quick post in before I close the store.

I almost forgot to mention that we received a shipment from Emma’s. The April Crazy Beautiful Color has arrived.

We also received a new Theme Pack called Aries. 

Have a good evening. We’re going to have fun!

Spring Cleaning

These are Stephen West’s Spring Cleaning Socks.

This pattern is the April sock in my Westknits Year of Socks e-book. This pattern is available exclusively as part of the Westknits Year of Socks 2025 e-book. You will receive a new sock pattern update at the beginning of each month until all 12 socks are released by December 2025. The sock patterns will be available to purchase individually in 2026. 

Gather a colorful pile of fingering weight sock yarn to knit these scrappy stashbusting socks! The pattern begins with the leg knit sideways in garter stitch short rows. The leg is knit flat and then seamed together, producing several angular short row wedges. Little eyelet stripes provide perfect color popportunities for using small bits of leftover sock yarn. Stitches are then picked up for the cuff and heel flap. The top of the foot is knit flat with more short rows and eyelet stripes. The bottom of the foot is worked in stockinette stitch while being knitted together with the top foot fabric. A final toe is worked in the round to finish these fun sock yarn stashbusters.

You can purchase the e-book on Ravelry. 

Photos © Stephen West

Beth and I fell down the unpacking rabbit hole last night. We’ve unpacked a lot of boxes but there are a few stragglers. The last boxes are things we don’t really need so we’ve been putting off opening them. We are also trying to get more pictures on the walls. Then there was about an hour of golf. I was also able to knit a few rows before bed. 10 repeats are finished and I have 5 to go until I separate. Lynn passed me and has separated hers 😂

Is it April or January? We had crazy snow here this morning that changed to freezing rain and then rain. 

This came up in my memories today. It was the day that dad and Beth picked up Fred.

Someone wouldn’t come in and was soaked.

The knitting corner in my sewing room.

There are still a lot of boxes to be unpacked. Lynn - where are you???

I checked on Beth after winding a skein of yarn. I made it a bit further on my cardigan and I might get another row finished before bed. Tomorrow is a long day. Dad has a doctor’s appointment at 8:30 downtown. Then work and we have a function after work. I’ll tell you more about that tomorrow.

Stay dry! It’s still raining here.