Thursday 27 October 2016

Cowl and Scarf back to the Yukon

It's snowing. Yeah!! I love the first snow. The air is so crisp and clear. I don't think it's going to last so whoo, hoo another cheer.

I mentioned that in the summer I knit a chimney cowl for my friend Jo in lace weight wool.

 Did I tell you the story? At the Sticks, String and Stewardship Retreat I won a special draw prize of hand painted wool which Jo brought from the Yukon where she lives. All the wool was from Yukon dyers. I thought some of this wool should go back to the Yukon so I knit Jo a cowl and a scarf.
There it is. She's worn the Chimney Cowl several times already. YAY.
And the Graduated Triangle Scarf has been worn too. She is obviously a knitworthy friend.
-Deb

Friday 21 October 2016

Retreating Soon

One more week before the Cabin Fever Retreat. I'm working on the project every day. Our focus this year is join-as-you-go. We think we have a wonderful cowl for our attendees to knit. Here are some highlights:
Steps with Stripes
Or Steps horizontally

Mitred Corners
Triangles
All joined together all the time. The knitters will be choosing which they use where so all the cowls should come out slightly different. Should be lots of fun.

Deb

Friday 14 October 2016

Yes, they're plastic

Do you find yourself apologizing for your knitting? "It's only a dishcloth." "It's only a plain sweater." "I'm only a beginner."

I do this with my sock needles. I'm working on my latest (3rd) pair of StashBuster Socks and my double pointed needles are plastic. I like them. A lot! They are the cheapest needles I can buy but I really, really like them. They're bendy and I'm hard on my double pointed needles that way. They're warm in my hands while I'm using them. They are slightly tacky so the stitches stay put.

OK, this is the kicker, they're coloured! My current set of dpn's are blue. I have a set of larger needles that are yellow and red. How cheerful is that.
They are not the slickest, fastest, most super duper pointed needles. But they're blue! I rest my case.
Deb

Thursday 6 October 2016

Playing with Mosaics

I did a Mosaic Workshop in Port Hope today. Great day. I love doing workshops with knitting guilds. There is always a great feel in the room. People know each other and are willing to help and encourage their neighbour. Just lovely.

The class project was a hat with this pattern on it. It's a garter stitch mosaic pattern.
I know that Yvonne had already taken the Mosaic class from me before so I was thinking about what I could give her to advance her mosaic skills. It occured to me that you could mix garter stitch and stockinette stitch mosaic to get a different affect.
She very willingly took the challenge. It is tricky to work. You have to keep your wits about you. I got the high sign so I think this pattern has legs. It may become a "real hat".
Deb