In which I resist punning

Just a very quick update to show off the fruits of my holiday knitting. I normally don't do winter gift knitting, but these were just too fun (and quick) to resist! All the balls are from "55 Christmas Balls to Knit" by Arne & Carlos, and were knit out of St Denis.

In which things are new

Things that are new... I knit an awesome manta ray? Thing? Baby Jacket! It's knit out of lovely Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 3 Ply in Hemlock, and Berocco Vintage (worsted) in something mustardy. I'm still waiting to get it handed off to the new babe and parents, but it's too cute not to share!

I've also got a really squooshy new knit off the needles. A baby/hap blanket out of one skein of Cascade Eco, for which a pattern will be coming soon. If I can find the time, that is...

Ok, so hey everyone! This just needs to be a quick round up post to prove that I am still out there. First, thanks to everyone who has bought Fulton so far. Also, I just got a small stack of copies printed (finally!) and hard copies will be available at Urban Yarns in Vancouver. On a related note, I am in the midst of re-writing my old Man Cowl pattern (seriously, 226 projects on Ravelry? So cool!). I will be making it into pdf form, and making minor changes (it will still be available for free, just nicer looking). So of course I had to re-knit it. Yarn is Malabrigo Sock (colour is Persia) held doubled on 5.00mm needles, and my scale says it only used 90 out of the 115g in the skein. Okay, a boring update. I am still working on my Brocade Cardigan - I've got one sleeve done, and it only took one skein of the Araucania. I plan to knit the other sleeve, then do the body. I'm debating between a pullover, a standard cardigan, or a pseudo-wrap cardigan though... Thoughts anyone? (it's boring, but have a photo anyway) And finally, two of my friends are expecting... well any time now, so of course I decided to knit them a little "surprise". I'm not going to link to the pattern in case they check here (I like surprises sometimes), but knitters, you should be able to figue out where I'm going with this. If not, well wait and see, but this pattern is GOLD. Yarn is Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 3-ply. In other news, I am just busy busy busy! If you stop into Urban Yarns, say hi! And maybe think about registering for one of my classes! I'm hoping to run a class on Fulton, and also a Cable Sampler Pillow, and am thinking about doing another lined fair isle mitten class is there is interest. Ta for now!

In which Fulton is released!

I am just so thrilled to be able to release this, my first, real pattern!

From the pattern, Fulton was designed to recreate a comfy store-bought hat that had been lounging around for many years, and to incorporate a bit more detail than the stockinette original. Fulton has just the right amount of slouch - enough to be trendy, but not so much as to slide off one’s head. The i-cord cast on gives the brim a clean edge, and flows seamlessly into the cable detail. Included are two different cable charts: a moss stitch diamond for the more traditionally minded, and a ribbed diamond for a subtler look.







Worked in less than one skein of either Pear Tree Supersoft 8-ply merino, or Madelinetosh Tosh DK (approximately 135 meters), this is the perfect hat for the... transitional weather of autumn. Perfect for a guy who wants a slightly different look, while not standing out too much, or for any person who wants a swanky new hat, for that matter!





For now, you can pick this pattern up on Ravelry (no registration needed) , but as soon as I can get printing sorted out, it will be available for purchase in hard copy as well (at Urban Yarns in Vancouver).



I'll let the photos speak for themselves, but drop me a line if you have any questions about the pattern!

In which Fulton is revealed... almost

 So I hear you all asking, "what is this elegant grey cabled blob?"

 Well, it is a new design that I am juuuust about ready to release! I'm waiting for the two samples to finish drying so I can photograph them, and then the pattern will be available for sale!

 Using about 150 meters of a worsted or DK weight yarn to work a comfy, cabled hat, Fulton will be available soon, so check back here!

  Fulton was designed to recreate a comfy store-bought hat that had been lounging around for many years, and to incorporate a bit more design than the stockinette original, of course. Fulton has just the right amount of slouch - enough to be trendy, but not so much as to slide off one’s head. Included are two different cable charts: a moss stitch diamond for the more traditionally minded, and a ribbed diamond for a subtler look.

In which there are some new things

Still can't post the full photos of the shawl. Apparently test knits take time, or something. But I have been working on and off on some argyle armwarmers. And am about halfway through a new design for a cabled pillow. This pillow is a sample of Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran for Urban Yarns, and will be the pattern offered in the beginner cable course I'll be teaching there (exact dates to be determined, but all the info is on the Urban Yarns web site. These two blocks make up half of the front of the pillow - the rest is underway, and I'll be sure to post more photos as progress warrants. And finally, a swatch out of Araucania Ranco Solids, for a nice light cardigan design I have in mind.

In which there is a teaser!

It's been a busy week and a bit, and that will not be changing anytime soon!

I just got back from a few days on the island, and in the spirit of the beautiful summer days, I would like to share a sneak peek of a new project with you all.

I have a lace shawl design that is in the process of being test-knit! It will be available in a little while (because apparently these things take time...) But for now, enjoy!







And there will be some other new designs forthcoming, so keep your eyes peeled!

In which there is most of a mitten

As promised, one of the goodies currently being worked on.

Flocked Mittens by Adrian Bizilla (Hello Yarn). Knit as a store sample for Urban Yarns out of Rowan Creative Focus Worsted and Classic Elite Mountaintop Vail (for the lining). They are also the pattern I will be using in the upcoming Fair Isle class this September.

In which there is an update, and an FO!`

Oh wow. Radio silence around here much?

It's not that I've had more important or better things to do, just... things (it's been a while since my schedule has been busy, slowly getting back into the groove). Settling into Vancouver a bit finally; got the house in order, and got work in hand.

Speaking of work, I am having a grand time getting myself good and embroiled in all sorts of woollen escapades with all the ladies at Urban Yarns. Come September, I will be running and introduction to stranded colourwork knitting - we will be knitting the Flocked Mittens from Hello Yarn, and it is very exciting indeed! Also in September, I'll be hosting the Urban Yarn's Men's Night again, now on Thursdays, and I really think this could be a great event, so I want to see all the knitters with balls out in September! (starting the 8th)

But now for what you all come here for...

I finished this sweater an embarrassingly long time ago, and it is finally on it's way to St John's, Newfoundland. In planning with a friend who was then approaching their 30th birthday, we brainstormed a set of words that described their ideal sweater.



And you've seen progress shots all along, so yeah, just ogle on the rest of these.











There are plenty more photos in the flickr set, including some of the details incorporated...



I would like to extend a big thanks to Ms Fyfe for modelling (no she isn't the recipient, but it was an effort to pry it away from her after the photoshoot).

And now friends, I promise I will be back soon. I will probably even have information pertaining to a new lace shawl pattern with some truly clever details.

Until then,

Men's Night at Urban Yarns

Hey peoples!

I promise photos of the cardigan as soon as they are edited. In the meantime, I'd like to let everyone in Vancouver know that Urban Yarns in Point Grey will start hosting a men's knitting night on Tuesdays, beginning next week (the 12th). I'll be there, and we are hoping for a good turnout, so if you are a male knitter come down between 6:30 and 8:30, or if you know any male knitters, pass it on!

In which I am buried under boxes

Oof folks. Oof. Despite being absent from here this month, I assure you I have been busy. We're in the middle of moving to the mainland (and in fact, took a big truckload over earlier this week), have been back and forth four times this month already, convocated (finally, yippee!), and have mounds of cleaning and packing and visiting and setting up and cancelling services, looking for jobs etc... So it's been busy here.

But I did just finish sewing in the zipper on the cardigan (twice), and as soon as I can give it one final wash and block, I'll arrange for photos. Promise. I make no promises, however, about when this will all happen. So if I don't check in before the end of the month, I'll be writing you from Vancouver in July! (and yes, I will need to find a knitting group or two)

In which we are just about ready to zipper!

Well, this is the state of the cardigan as of this afternoon.



I just need to weave in (lots of) ends, and tidy up one or two seams, and then we can try sewing the zipper in! Once I find a zipper, that is...

As promised, the sweater has one or two little details.





Which will be revealed in full, once the sweater is done.

Also, I have finally been swatching with the Madelinetosh. It seems that my current theme is 'add a dash of colour'. There are plans in the works for the Shelter, too, but that has to wait for a little bit longer yet.

In which the sweater almost takes shape

So I was good and blocked the cardigan pieces before seaming, but after seaming it seemed a little bit small... Rather than being impatient and immediately moving onto cuffs and hems (well, I did knit the collar, i can't be expected to wait for everything, can I?), I was good and gave the whole shebang a long wet soak and have laid it out to dry, blocked fairly strictly to measurement. This way I figure I should get a decent idea of whether the perceived shrinking was due to my lazy blocking job, or an unexpected spring back in the knit fabric. If I feel that it's going to be too small, at this point I could still pull out the underarm and side seams (the raglan seams should be fine) and add in spacer panels if need be. I really don't want to, but it's better to know now rather than knit the whole damn thing and have to rip out the hems and reknit everything.



I think it's starting to look like a real sweater now! and I can't wait to knit the hems, cuffs, and work in all the last secret details...



There's more left to go than I care to admit, and the blocking has set me behind a few days, but it's The Right Thing to do.

In which our wandering hero returns

Well we made it back from New York in one piece.

I blocked the sweater pieces before I left, so now I have a nice stack of parts waiting to be seamed.



And I indulged in a little bit of yarn whilst abroad. I've got a bit of a design idea for this yarn, so we shall see what happens.



Now to get back to knitting, and time to start looking for a house in Vancouver!