Orchid Thief

Cathy has been knitting like crazy. She needs to stop knitting for Sarah and start knitting for me!! Her talents can be put to a much better use :)

Here is Sarah's Orchid Thief that I just finished. I used one skein of tosh merino light in cove. It was fun to knit. The pattern kept me interested. Obviously! I finished this in about 6 days.

The pattern can be purchased on Ravelry...

My phone just honked with a surprise. Sarah is home from work and here are pictures of her wearing the shawl.

Three petals bloom from the centre top edge, their points organically growing into the three spines of yarn over increases. This unusual increase pattern creates the perfect shape for staying in place around your shoulders. The petals along the edge are grouped into threes, echoing the centre and forming deep scallops.

It suits her so well that I guess I'll have to let her keep it.

Here is my little project. I started an Inspira Cowl in Freia Fingering.

I cast on 156 stitches with 4mm needles - the Steampunk version again. There isn't any shaping in my cowl. Small problem. The colour repeats in Freia are long. I cut out some purple (can you believe that I just wrote that?) If I hadn't I still would be on purple rows and would barely be into the blue when it's time to cast off. After the blue comes lime so I might be cutting out some blue as well to get the lime in at the end. The yarn is really nice to knit with and the cowl has a totally different look than the Liberty cowls.

Our friend Phil is in town from England so we're heading out to the Keg for dinner. It could be a late evening (Phil always has amazing stories of his travels to share) so I need to finish my post before heading home.

The Feature of the Day for tomorrow (Wednesday, October 15) is madelinetosh home. This is a new yarn for fall. 10% off. In stock yarn only. You can come in the store to purchase or call us. I'm in the store tomorrow from 10-5:30

home is a 100% superwash merino wool, bulky weight with a generous 110 yards per skein. each incredibly soft squishy skein is hand dyed in small dye lots.

There are some great patterns on Ravelry for accessories...

Comforts of Home Cowl
Purl Ridge Hat
Luxe Cowl
Simple Ribbed Cowl
Pembroke Wrap
Sentiment

Here are the colours that we have in stock...

We're home from dinner. I didn't get the post done before we went. A small problem with some parcels that I was shipping out. I had to stay after closing so that they could be picked up. I didn't want to wait until tomorrow. There are knitters out there who need their yarn.

Churchmouse Patterns

Don't be shy. Let the world know. You love yarn!!

Tomorrow is a big day. There will be new patterns from Churchmouse Yarns. I have the box but haven't opened it yet. I'm waiting for the big reveal tomorrow.

In honour of the new patterns, tomorrow's Feature of the Day will be 15% off all in stock Churchmouse patterns.

My Inspira Cowl is growing. If I close my eyes to the kits that I need to make this afternoon then I might be able to sit down and knit a few rows :)

What kits? Another box of Freia Fingering just arrived. Auburn Wave kits need to be made for the Woodstock Fleece Festival. There is a colour in the box that we haven't had before. I think it will look awesome made up. Ice Queen. I'm putting blinders on. At least for today.

I thought there might be time to knit today but there hasn't been. I'm not complaining. I like it when the store is busy. Plus lots of kits were made and orders unpacked. Now it's time to sign off and head to dinner. Maybe some knitting tonight during The Amazing Race (I keep forgetting that it's on Friday nights now) and the baseball game.

Dragonfire

Cathy knit a great looking hat for Sarah while they were away at the cottage. She sent me this late yesterday afternoon but I saved it for today in case there weren't any more pictures to show.

Pattern: Norby (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: tosh sock

Very cute and it looks great on Sarah.

Kelley came in today wearing her awesome scarf/shawl. I really didn't give her a choice to say no to pictures. She said it was an honour but I think it was more that she was afraid of me :)

Pattern: Dragonfire Shawl (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 2 balls of Freia Fingering

I know that I went a bit crazy with the pictures but I wanted to share how great it is. This way you can see all the points and how the colours worked up.

An email came from Larisa at Offhand Designs today. There are new fabrics coming.

My order has been placed and the bags should be here by the end of the month. There will be 4 fabrics coming in Arya.

Capacious carry-all with 3 compartments and endless pockets, pouches and tool slots. Room for all of your electronics, books and the central compartment pops open and stays open with a practical hexe frame closure for knitting or just seeing deep into the corners. Versatile handles offer short handles and a luxurious adjustable shoulder strap which extends to wear cross body for heavy lifting.

There will be 3 fabrics coming in Kazul.

Introducing the Kazul. It entered the market in March 2014 in a splendid array of treasured textiles inspired by the times and trends of Constantinople. The bag features a front pocket with a secret cellphone pocket behind the flap and a larger pocket for I-pad, magazine or pattern below! The bag opens up wide with a stay-put 16” x 11” doctor’s bag frame and another, deep pattern or I-pad pocket on the inside of the bag, as well as our traditional zipper pocket, pouches and pockets!  

To make room for the new bags, I'm going to discount the bags we currently have in stock. This is for one day only. Friday, October 10. You can order online (starting at midnight and ending at 11:59) or in the store. The code is OFFHAND14

20% off

See what's in stock.
Arya...
Kazul...
Scottie...
Zhivago...

Remember. One day only and only the bags that are in the store. We are open from noon - 7pm tomorrow.

It's time to put my feet up and knit. What am I working on tonight? I started another Inspira Cowl. There isn't enough knit to show the colours yet but there should be tomorrow.

Bag full of goodies

It's always a great day when Cathy comes to visit. Today she had a big bag of awesome garments that she recently finished. Thanks! Makes an easy blog post for me.

Pattern: Stonecrop by Jared Flood (purchased on Ravelry)

Yarn: 2 skeins of tosh merino light

Pattern: Elder Tree Shawl (free pattern on Ravelry)

Yarn: tosh vintage - I believe that Cathy used 3 skeins.

Pattern: Scalene (purchased on Ravelry)

Yarn: 2 balls Freia Lace (the Freia shown here is a bit different than the Ombre Lace that I showed a couple of days ago. These are smaller balls with more colour changes. You can use one ball of the Ombre Lace for the scarf)

Scalene is an asymmetrically shaped, triangular scarf that features both horizontal and vertical keyholes for several styles of wear. This gender neutral design looks great on women and men of any age.

Pattern: Coors Cowl (a free pattern from Classic Elite)

Yarn: 5 skeins of Chalet and/or Chateau from Classic Elite Yarns.

Can you see a bit of a theme with Cathy's knitting? Lots of blue and green. Not too much purple. :(

Sarah wanted a small shawl (more like a scarf) so Cathy made her the Lonely Tree Shawl (pattern free on Ravelry). This is the baby sister to the Elder Tree Shawl.

And then the day got even better when she came to the bottom of her bag. Sugar cookies. Fall shaped sugar cookies. Cathy loves to bake. Maybe she'll come visit tomorrow too. 

Sarah sent me some pictures of her latest project. 

Pattern: Mala by Purl Diving purchased on Ravelry

Yarn: tosh sock

A garland of leaves gently circle the neck in this pretty cowl pattern, named Mala after the character played by Indian actress Rani Mukherjee in her first film.

The cowl is really cute and Cathy decided to make one for herself. She's going to use Mrs. Crosby Train Case in the colour Peacock. I know, the colour choice is so out of character for her. 

In honour of Cathy's yarn choice, Train Case will be the featured product for Thursday, October 9. You can purchase online (with the code PUMPKIN) or in the store - in person or over the phone. One day only for 15% off.

One skein will make the cowl or a pair of socks. Two skeins will make an Auburn Wave. 

What is the big deal with Train Case? The yarn is merino wool, nylon and Outlast. Outlast is a really neat fibre.

Not too hot, not too cold, but "just right" – Outlast^® temperature regulating textiles offer more comfort through proactive heat management.

Read more about Outlast...

I finished my cowl.
Pattern: Inspira Cowl (free on Ravelry)
Version: Steampunk on 5mm needles. I cast on 144 stitches and did not do any shaping.
Yarn: 2 balls of solid Classic Elite Liberty and 1 ball of self-striping Liberty.

The pattern is very addictive. It's easy to memorize and while knitting you're dreaming up other combinations.

Beth has been busy too. She took 3 strands of Classic Elite Liberty and 10mm needles and made these cowls. They are long enough to double over and be nice and warm for winter. They are super quick to make and look great with the self-striping yarn.

The pattern is free in the store with the purchase of Liberty Wool. 6 balls are needed for this awesome cowl.

Not to be left out, Lynn brought in a scarf that she knit. The scarf is completely reversible. No worrying if you have the right side out.

Pattern Adoette (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 4 balls of Filatura di Crosa Charly Print

Cathy got home from the store and remembered another project that she knit while away this summer. I'm saving it for tomorrow. Just to guarantee that I have something to write about. :)