Hats

The first set of hats went to Mission Services this morning. They were very excited. It's so cold out today that I didn't want to wait until the end of the month.

There were two full bags-48 hats. Men's, women's and children's. Knit and crocheted. Awesome. Thanks to all who brought in hats. If you haven't, there is still time. We're taking them until the end of January.

Don't know what I'm talking about? Here's a blog post about it...

This afternoon 12 more hats came in. A great start for our next delivery. Thanks again!

My first CustomFit pattern was made this morning and I have cast on. I'm making a cardigan and decided to start on a front. I don't doubt the pattern or Amy's measurements but I want to make sure that I did the tension swatch properly. Half the stitches means less ripping if necessary. The pattern is very well written - 9 pages. And you can download it as a PDF which means you can add it to iBooks on your iPad.

Here it is a few inches in. I think that I might be knitting a bit looser for the cardigan than the swatch. I'm going to work on it tonight and see how it looks with a few more inches done.

We're caught up on The Blacklist. I think it's a show that we should wait until the end of the season and watch it all at once. I don't like having to wait a week to see the next episode. No, I'm not a patient person in any sort of way.

Canada's Handyman Challenge starts tonight. Beth and I grew up on construction sites with our dad so it's a fun show to watch. It means more knitting time too. :)

Sunset

There were lots of hats waiting for me when I got home.

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. There's still time to bring us in a hat. If you live out of town and would like to mail a hat that would be awesome too. We will put you in the draw for the Soakbox - three times for each hat - because shipping isn't cheap and we really appreciate the effort you made.

Kim has been working on another Color Play Mohair Wrap. After the first section she was ready to rip it out because she didn't like how the colours were playing. I wouldn't let her and now she's happy. She brought it in today to show it off. Sunset is the name that she has given it.

I wore my Color Play Mohair Wrap a few times at TNNA. Everyone wanted to pet it and know what yarn I used. I spoke with Kate who runs Rowan and begged her for more colours of Kidsilk Haze Stripe. She was non-committal but I'm hoping.

New colours of Spud & Chloe Sweater arrived while I was away.

Bloomsbury and Pine

• Made of superwash 55% wool/45% organic cotton, it’s a worsted-weight yarn for everybody.
• Weight: 100 grams
• Approx: 160 yards/146 meters
• Needle Size: Size 7-9/4.5-5.5 mm
• Gauge: 4-5 sts per inch

Red Velvet and Rainstorm

The madelinetosh arrived while I was away as well. I'm going after work to start bringing it to the store. The website should be updated by tomorrow evening. There is so much to add. New tosh. New Rowan which should be arriving very soon - like maybe by the end of the week - but probably the beginning of next week. New Spud & Chloe. Restock of Blue Sky Alpacas. It's a good thing I got lots of sleep last night.

Slovenia - a free Kaffe Fassett pattern

Knit this womens striped top from Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 55 online, a design by Kaffe Fassett using the beautiful yarn Kidsilk Haze (super kid mohair and silk). With a drop shoulder, short sleeves and slash neckline, this knitting pattern is for the beginner knitter and is a free pattern to download.

Download the pattern...

I thought I was going to work tonight but that has changed. A few episodes of Homeland are on the schedule. I guess that is kind of like working because I'm going to knit. :) I can justify anything.

Knitting Classes

Monday evenings

7-8:30pm

6 weeks

$100

Start January 27, 2014

You've knit a scarf or cowl and are ready to start a larger project. Throw. Mittens. Hat. Vest. Sweater. Come and take a class with Nadine and she will get you started. You will learn new techniques on your project plus you will see what others are learning. Double pointed needles. Increases and decreases. Reading a pattern. The possibilities are endless.

Please note:

• Class size is limited
• We ask you to pay for the class in advance, either in person or over the phone
• Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Yarn for class to be purchased at The Needle Emporium
• If the weather is bad, we will cancel that evening's class and add an extra week at the end - you will get 6 weeks of classes

Finished

Our first hats came in today. 3 fantastic kids hats. It would be great if we could get 3 hats a day from now until the end of January. If you aren't familiar with the hats we are making for Mission Services, take a look at our latest newsletter...

My first hat is finished. Lynn made the pom pom for me yesterday.

The pattern can be found on Ravelry... I used Bastion. 2 balls for the hat and 1 ball for the pom pom.

It is so cold out that my friend needed a scarf. It is the Two Direction Scarf knit out of Classic Elite Liberty Wool.

My biggest concern about going away. What am I going to take to knit? I think I have the pattern picked out but now the colour.

Pashmina Worsted. Alizarin on top and grenadine on the bottom.

Meet Wayne. We finished him Tuesday evening and he is in Toronto. Tomorrow morning he will be flying to LA to participate in a trade show - not the show that we are going to. I hope he behaves.

Beth was having fun changing his eyebrows to give him different facial expressions.

Beth is very proud of her work. She sent pictures to Rebecca Danger, the author of The Big Book of Knitted Monsters. Beth used the pattern for Cecil the Computer Monster to make Wayne.

It's a bit later in the day and the decision about knitting has been decided. I'm going to knit Clapotis in Alizarin. Why Clapotis? Take a look at this project on Ravelry. When I saw golfgirl417's Clapotis I knew that I had to make it.

Most of my 'before I can go away' chores are done. The last few include picking up the dry cleaning, having my nails done and packing. This afternoon I looked in the mirror and my roots are grey again. There is an emergency appointment with Trish tomorrow morning. I should be using the time for better things but I can't deal with the grey. My dad laughed at me and I told him that he should be paying for my appointment. It's my parents fault that I have grey hair-they were both grey very young.

Hats

I've been thinking about something for the past few weeks. There are many people (men, women and children) in the Hamilton area who don't have hats to wear this winter. I guess I should have started sooner with this cold weather but with the way things are going it looks like we're in for a long winter.

I'm asking you to make a hat or hats (knit or crochet) to donate. The yarn doesn't have to be expensive. Machine washable is probably the best. Please go through your stash and find some yarn to help out.

I just finished my first hat. It needs a pom pom but Beth has taken my pom pom maker to her work. She tried it on for me and it looks good but she took it off before I could get a picture.

We are offering you a 10% off coupon for the store for each hat that you donate. Bring in your finished hats before the end of January. The coupon is good until the end of June, 2014. The coupons can't be combined - one coupon per purchase.

You will also be entered into a draw. One person will win a Soakbox of their choice from the Soakboxes that are in the store.

All hats are going to Mission Services who will distribute them.

Mom and dad returned home from Myrtle Beach last night. I just got back from their house - dad has his truck back and I have the Edge. My car isn't ready to see the snow and cold yet.

Dad did a great job packing to get these all in the Edge. He made mom pack inside the trunks.

This suitcase has stickers and even has someones name.

I think we need a few more suitcases for the booth so dad is already planning for when they get back to Myrtle.

I was writing during the first football and missed most of it. The second game is on and I'm moving to the couch to watch and start another hat. I'm also helping Beth finish her monster. The knitting is done and we are starting to sew him together. Pictures tomorrow. He is sooooo cute!!