Lilli Pilli

I cast on but didn't get very far. 16 stripes. I need 50 stripes before starting the lace.

Earlier this week I bought a new MacBook. Mine was old. And had been dropped many times. And was so slow that I wanted to rip my hair out. I spent way too many hours today trying to add my last email account to it. It was one that I forgot about until this afternoon. I'm home now and finally got it. Finally. They kept asking for my name which I put in but they meant my email. Now I can get back to my knitting.

Make sure to check your inbox - a newsletter went out this afternoon.

Ambah O'Brien has a new pattern out. Meet Lovella (purchased on Ravelry)

Be still my heart. Lovella has all the suggestions of a lacy valentine. With contrasting colours in garter row stripes and a delightfully simple section of eyelet, it forms a substantial shawl that curves like an embrace around the shoulders. This charming design in DK weight yarn is quick to knit and begs to be cast on more than once. Knit one for yourself in your favorite colours, then make another for a loved one, tie it up with a ribbon, and send it as a hug.

I think I should have picked this for my Olympic knitting. It is knit in DK weight on 4.5mm needles. That goes a lot faster than 3.75mm.

It's bed time soon. Short track speed skating is on at 5am.

Olympics

It's that time. The Olympics are starting this week.

With so much going on I totally forgot that I need to pick a project.

The Yarn Harlot started this awesome idea in 2006. Here is a link to her post. You cast on during the opening ceremonies and need to be cast off by the end of the closing ceremonies. I have participated in every Olympics since and have finished every time except once.

If you want to get serious about this, heading on over to Ravelry and join the Ravellenic Games.

I'm going to make Lilli Pilli (pattern purchased on Ravelry). Or at least that is my plan today.

Tosh sock in harvest, by far and penumbra. I will use penumbra for the lace section with the other two for the stripes. A very interesting colour combination for me but it called out to me as I walked by the tosh sock.

This is Cathy's Lilli Pilli that she knit in Mrs. Crosby Train Case. I love the shawl and have always wanted to make it.

When I was leaving for work the chalkboard wall was being painted. Like I said, too much HGTV.

Sarah has been busy finishing projects. This cardigan is so cute!

Pattern: Lady Sunnyside (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: tosh vintage

 From Tanis Lavallee

My Sunnyside Baby Sweater has become my go-to baby gift pattern. It’s simple but has striking details and features a no fuss, top-down construction with minimal finishing. It’s got everything I look for in a nice knit. The only thing it didn’t offer… was an option to knit it in my size! So I’ve gone ahead and fixed that. Voila the Lady Sunnyside pattern! This is the adult version of my baby sweater. Lady Sunnyside pays close attention to all the details, resulting in a pretty and polished look. Keep it classic with the simple rope cable, or opt for the graphic zigzag lace option. I’ve knit four baby Sunnysides for my son and am well on my way to amassing a similar collection of Lady Sunnysides for myself! I dare say this just might be your new favourite cardigan!

You can read more about the cardigan on Sarah's blog. Please note that Sarah knit this herself. It is important information for tomorrow's blog post 😋.

Windswept

I made the podium. Thanks to the great folks of Ravelry for all their work on the Ravellenics.

Marie's first exclusive collection, Windswept is a celebration of traditional fairisle and cable patterning with a hint of crochet.  Containing 12 modern and classic fitting garments that are perfect to wear at home or on bracing country or seaside walks that look great styled with tartans and plaids.

The patterns in this book are awesome.

I just read about this book on Facebook (thanks Anne) but it's Saturday and I'm at home. I can't look on my price list to see when it will be available. I can't call my supplier to get answers. I'll try to have more information on Monday.

See all the patterns...

I totally forgot to mention Survivor. Beauty vs Brawn vs Brains. Brains?? I don't think so. They sure weren't very smart on Wednesday night. And the Beauty tribe looks very strong. They got fire right away. They're good in challenges. It is going to be an interesting season.

Lorna's Laces

You know that bigger store that I talked about yesterday. Now we really need it.

Don't leave the page too soon or you might miss one of the new colours coming from Lorna's Laces. UPS has the parcel and I'm hoping it will be here on Thursday. I'm very excited. The colours are awesome!!

All colours are coming in Shepherd Sock and Solemate.

Haymarket
-DuPage
-Galena
-Northbrook
-Shorewood
-St. Charles

Shepherd Sport
-DuPage
-Galena
-Naperville
-Glen Ellyn

Sportmate
-Northbrook
-Shorewood
-St. Charles

Helen's Lace
-Galena
-DuPage
-Glen Ellyn
-Naperville
-St. Charles

Pearl
-St. Charles

Masham
-Shorewood
-Northbrook
-St. Charles

There are some 'old' colours coming in Masham as well
-Rockwell
-Shenanigans
-Zombie BBQ
-Arlington

See a colour you like but not in the yarn you want to knit or crochet with? Let me know and we can get it for you.

I showed Wainwright a while ago. If you missed the post about it, here is the link...

It is shown in Pewter Masham and that colour is in the order as well.

I totally forgot to mention The Amazing Race in my TV listing yesterday. The first episode was great. Glad to see the twinnies go. I don't think I could have taken another season of them yelling. And I totally forgot about Brendon and Rachel. Or maybe I blocked it from my mind. What was she wearing?

When I got home from work Beth took a few pictures of me in my new sweater.

The front is riding up a touch-I should have looked before we did the picture. It doesn't normally sit like that.

Why the back of my sweater? Look at the shaping. The back tapers in so you don't have all that extra fabric in your back waist that you don't need.

Beth made pizza for dinner so I need to go and eat. I know it is going to cost me something :)

It really is done...

...and just in time. The closing ceremonies have started.

Why the ends? I wanted to prove that it is totally done. All ends are sewn in.

I will get pictures this week of me wearing the sweater. I'm still in my pjs (no time to get dressed this morning) and I don't have on any makeup.

Pattern: CustomFit by Amy Herzog. There will be more about this later in the post.
Yarn: tosh vintage double stranded in the colour whiskers
Needles: 8mm

The pattern was awesome. The best thing was the sleeves. I have never had sleeves sew into a garment as easy as this one. No false starts. No fudging under the arms. Perfect. Both of them.

CustomFit by Amy Herzog Designs. You put in your measurements, knit a tension swatch and then customize a pattern. If you live close to the store, we are going to start measurements in a week. You come in, we do your measurements and save them in the store account for you. Purchase yarn, make a swatch and then I will help you with the pattern. If you don't live near the store or are comfortable doing your own measurements, you can start your own account.

I pulled out my other CustomFit garment - a cardigan in Classic Elite Bella Lino. The back is at the armhole shaping and both fronts are done. I'm giving myself a week to finish it.

The Daytona 500 was on but now it's under rain delay so Beth and I are heading out to get some food. I have changed out of my pjs and put makeup on. :)  Hopefully the race will be on by the time we get home because The Amazing Race starts tonight and it will be hard to watch both at the same time.

Let the sewing begin

It was just after midnight when I cast off my second sleeve. I threw it in a bucket of cold water and Yuzu Soak for 15 minutes...

...and got it laid out.

My bathtub is useless right now.

I'm worried that the sleeves won't be dry by the time I need them for sewing tomorrow. I did a little trick that Jared Flood shared at camp. I rolled the sleeve in a towel and then walked on the towel. It helps to get the excess water out.

We have a new sock yarn in the store.

Supersocke 4ply Jupiter Colour

75% superwash wool
25% nylon
with aloe vera and jojoba

420 m on a 100gram ball.

A colour for everyone.

We have added the pattern for Twisted Donuts on Ravelry. You can purchase it here...

Now it's time to sign off and start sewing. I've been putting it off for long enough. :)

Snowy Tuesday

We received another new yarn from Classic Elite today. It's nice to look at happy colours when the snow is coming down outside.

Cerro is a blend of soft pima cotton and alpaca that creates a yarn with drape and excellent stitch definition. These summery hues are complimented by Cerro’s undyed cousin, MountainTop Canyon. 

Description	:	85% pima cotton, 15% alpaca
Handling	:	machine or hand wash cool, dry flat
Colorways	:	12
Gauge	:	6 sts/inch on US 4 (3.5 mm) needles
Skeins/Garment	:	7/LS
Put up	:	hank
Skein Weight	:	50 grams
Skein Yardage	:	approx 150 yards

The Kudzu Shawl is one of the Web-Letter’s greatest hits. The clever way the braided cables at the top grow into rows of leaves, flowing from one tier to the next makes it an irresistible knit for lace lovers. A quick click through of projects on Ravelry brings up beautiful modifications too – more leaves, and beads!The key to this design is the perfect pairing of the pattern with a yarn that has both beautiful drape and excellent stitch definition. That is why we couldn’t resist featuring the Kudzu Shawl again in brand new Cerro.... 

Download the Web-Letter with the pattern... 

There are also patterns for Cerro in the newest Classic Elite book - Sunny Day. One of my favourite is Marisol.

A lacy wrap with large tassels added to each of the corners for a whimsical flair.

Wannietta is knitting a different shawl in Cerro right now and says 'the yarn feels awesome!'

The front of my sweater is drying and I'm onto the sleeve. The plan is to get that knit by tonight and start sewing tomorrow. That's the plan :)

Now we're getting serious on American Idol. It could be a good season. Some interesting competitors and I like the judges.

It's time to rest. I was up most of the night watching the Olympics. There was a 3 hour nap yesterday afternoon so I wasn't tired when the skiing started at 12:30am. Then there was snowboarding. I went to bed and thankfully didn't wake up until the women's short track relay (I missed the fall). Then the men's long track speed skating - 10,000m. That is far!! I haven't finished my sleeve so that is my excuse to sit and knit.

It's Done

Happy Family Day. The store is closed today so I'm using my time to write a newsletter while writing my blog post. The bad part - I'm adding blog pictures to my newsletter and newsletter pictures to the blog. I think I have it figured out now. It's almost time to retreat to the couch to knit and watch the hockey game.

No, my knitting isn't finished. Season 2 of House of Cards is. Wow. I won't say anything about it because I don't want to spoil it but what a great show.

Beth made another Inspira Cowl during the Olympics. This one is super bright. We won't lose her in the snow. It's blocking right now - she did it all herself.

One shoulder to go on the front. I should be finished and blocking in a bit. Then onto the second sleeve.

Don't forget that there is just a few days to bring in food (or donated cash) for the Food Drive. The gift basket is worth close to $1000. Here are more details...

You will have enough yarn, books and accessories to keep you busy for a while.

Have a Happy Family Day!!

Help name a new bag

There is a new bag coming from Namaste. I don't know the details yet but I do know that you can win one. Head over to Namaste's Facebook page and name the new bag.

There is a new yarn from Sirdar in the store.

We have created this fabulous cotton double knitting yarn for hand knit and crochet projects – it can be used to create designs for all the family from babies to adults and looks equally gorgeous in projects for the home. The yarn is made using mercerised cotton to create a subtle sheen and incredible stitch definition so it’s the perfect yarn for lace knitting, cables and crochet work. This Cotton DK is a classic double knitting yarn that will knit to all Sirdar’s DK designs and is machine washable.

We have 11 colours in stock.

There are many great patterns including

Canada Post should be delivering a box from Zen Yarn Garden tomorrow. There is a brand new yarn coming

Beautifully hand dyed with a touch of glimmer, Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Glitter Sock is a gorgeous blend of merino wool, luxurious cashmere and nylon for strength. Not just for socks, Serenity Glitter sock would make unforgettable shawls, scarves and accessories. 

I can't wait - the colours are awesome!

A parcel is going out to Lynda tomorrow. She is going to knit Song of the Sea (pattern purchased on Ravelry) in Metalico from Blue Sky Alpacas.

Two standard sizes are given in the pattern. The snug cowl would fit neatly inside your coat collar. You can wear the long cowl singly to look decorative and drapy, or twist it up double to be cosy.

Knitted in the round, it is an easy piece for an intermediate lace knitter since there are no fancy stitches. It is more about the fun of watching the developing pattern unfold.

A novice lace knitter with experience of knitting in the round on other projects would also find this a straightforward first lace project.

Take a look at Louise's finished cowl on Ravelry...

My first sleeve is done and I've cast on for the front. The ribbing is done and now it's time to power knit.