Tag Archives: classes

Design - Creation, Design - Execution, knitting, Moebius Cast-on, pattern, Retreat

Off the Needles

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Wheel house Button from the top C.C. Slight.
Wheel house Button from the top C.C. Slight.
Meet Flo the flirty llama from the top of the Andean Dreams Tea-cozy.
Meet Flo the flirty llama from the top of the Andean Dreams Tea-cozy.

It is the New Year and now halfway into January – what are your plans and or resolutions for 2016!  I have been asked this several times in the last week or so.  Here is my answer.  I would love to hear yours as well.

Like always I am knitting like crazy – it is what I do for fun, entertainment, and even for income!  By most definitions I am retired – everyday I do what I love – the classic definition of retirement!

And what is best is that I am allowed, nay, encouraged to share my love of knitting with any one who will listen – including you!!  LOL!  I am so happy that you keep on listening.

Tulip Fields Fore-ever!
Tulip Fields Fore-ever!

I have plans for 4 shawls;

  • Tulip Fields Fore-ever, I am hoping to have a KAL for it starting in mid-Februray – knitting is done, pattern writing has commenced, test knitting will start soon.
  • Cloisonné Shetland – a Shetland Lace Moebius – sample for a class and then a pattern for sale.  This one is knit in Kettle Tweed, by KnitOne CrochetToo.  The colour is called Cloisonné, a rich turquoise/green and gold kettle dyed colourway.  Like Tulip the knitting is done and the pattern writing will now commence.
  • Hello Dolly – a Crescent shawl edged with a mosaic butterfly pattern and embellished with butterflies – class sample and then a pattern for sale.  This one is now delayed a little.  I, umm, felt the need to create a new Cozy – Andean Dreams – sprang fully formed into my mind.
  • Rhiannon`s Wrap – a smaller version of Rhiannon`s Cloak, incorporating many of the patterns and elements of the first – with the 24K gold delicas and all the attitude of the original!  This one will be ready for a Summer KAL!  Starting this one this evening!

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Andean Dreams Tea-Cozy
Andean Dreams Tea-Cozy

I had no plans for a tea-cozy, but I have one fully knit none the less!  The cozy is called Andean Dreams and is topped by Flo, a very flirty llama!

C.C. Snugs Fingerless Mittens.
C.C. Snugs Fingerless Mittens.

I had been wanting to design a hat to go with the C.C. Snugs fingerless mitten pattern.

The designing is done and the test knit is done and the pattern is almost ready to go!

Samples are knit in Buffalo Wool Co Skies, natural and Extra Fine Merino 120, soft green.

Wheel house button under construction.
Wheel house button under construction.

What I really like about this pattern is the button finishing the crown – it is called a Wheelhouse Button and you can find the instructions on Kate Davies Blog.  I had so much fun making these buttons – but I do recommend a lid from a yogurt container for the form – the cardboard one started to fall apart before I finished the button!  The plastic lid worked great!

First mitten is well underway!
First mitten is well underway!

The MAE Retreat project is well underway and the pattern has even been started – and it is still over a month away!  We will be working on mittens.  Simple mittens for those who want them or lace mittens, lined in contrasting colours!  I am so excited.

I love years that start like this!  Touch wood that nothing will get “mucked” up.

I did knit a few Christmas projects as well – a couple of hats for family and some baby mittens.  I think that being a Grandmother is going to be a lot of fun!

I did knit one new hat for a pattern – Snowy Day Firs!  A quick chunky hat!  Perfect for next Christmas Giving!

Happy New Year and Happy Knitting

Lynette

 

 

Design - Creation, knitting, Teaching, tools

Knitting up a Storm

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We went to get the Christmas Tree this morning.  It was beautiful – and still is!  The sky is blue, the sun is shining and the snow is halfway down Mount Benson and Island ranges, covered in snow are glowing in the sunshine!

Tis the season for mad knitting.
 

And I have been knitting:  a hat for a pattern – a sample for the store in Aquarella, a gorgeous hand-dyed merino from Malabrigo; a scarf, the first of two for the beginners lace and/or beginning beading class, the yarn is Sweet Georgia’s CashLux Fine for the easy lace, the easy lace and bead will be Naturally’s Lace, merino and dehaired Angora; and  the first glove, with a fair-isle cuff in Shetland Spindrift; for the spring classes. 

In a Hurry Toque - Malabrigo Aquarella, two are already requested for Christmas!

I’ll be starting the tea-cosy for the classes soon as well.  Then there are the retreat projects to finish, and if I can squeeze them in, hats have been requested for Christmas Gifts, and if I have a little more time maybe some socks as well!

I love the chaos of this time of year.  We (I) have a tradition.  At least one gift under the tree has to still be on the needles.  This year I think there might be more than one!  I need to bake, and decorate (I got some Poinsettia’s today) and the list of things to goes on and on.  It is the same for most of us at this time of year – we set the list and try to accomplish the impossible.  This is true of non-knitters as well, we all want more time to do more for those we love and to honour the many traditions of this season.

Easy Lace Scarf for Spring Classes - Sweet Georgia, CashLux Fine on my new Rose wood Needles - I don't want to stop knitting!

It was my birthday this last week.  I was throughly spoiled, a trip to Victoria – you have heard all about that, flowers, plants and some yarn – or will be yarn, once I cash it – and some knitting needles.

Beautiful Rosewood Interchangeable needles from Knitters Pride, already in use!

These are special needles.  A set of interchangeables, Rosewood tips, flexible cords and beautiful joins.   I started knitting with them just as soon as I got home and they are fabulous.  I love the feel of wooden needles in my hands and these do not disappoint.   Smooth and quiet with points that are sharp enough to knit lace but not hard on the fingers,  they are as good as the Lantern Moon Destiny needles, the joins might even be a shade better!  The kit included a bonus Rosewood shawl pin, a very classic shape with a small crystal at the top – love it.

Classic Rosewood shawl pin.

These needles are made by Knitters Pride, and are a special edition set, called Symphonie Rose.  This company is new.  They have only just started to be distributed in Canada, through Diamond Yarns.  They came in a beautiful box – I think that I will find a cloth case though, something that I can throw in a suitcase for easy travel.  I am thinking of the Lantern Moon Fan cases, we have a couple in the store, they are intended to be double-pointed needle cases, but would work very well for what I want!

Yarn for the Beginning lace and / or Beading class in the Spring.

I hope that your Christmas plans and Christmas knitting are progressing in the way that you want – maybe you should start a new tradition this year and take some of the pressure off… maybe not, sometimes changing things can change our enjoyment of the Christmas Chaos!

Happy Knitting

Lynette