I have been doing A LOT of secret knitting for Christmas. In the past I was safe…but my family has now found the blog and it is no longer safe here…ha ha ha!

However, with the last shipment of Lovesticks I could no longer resist and had to cast on some mitts…but I had a vision for exactly what I wanted and so I just kinda made up the mitts as I went along.

May introduce my  B.A mitts**

Sorry for the bad pics..it was late…and I used photo booth…so lazy..I know!

If anyone is interested in the pattern let me know and I will write it up.

** for those of you who do not listen to Dane Cook’s comedy BA= Bad Ass**

This fall was so inspiring! Driving through Rhinebeck New York was amazingly beautiful and I knew that I had to have a garment to remind me of the stunning falling leaves.
The long sleeved shrug is perfect for Autumn and Spring weather if you live in a colder climate. The front of the shrug is simple ribbing…all of the excitement of this pattern happens in the cuffs which are knit seperately!

This pattern is a redone version on the Bellflower shrug which was discontinued.
I hope you enjoy it!

Pattern Available for $3.00 USD

Either on Ravelry

Or through Pay Pal

I often wander through my stash admiring the beautiful handpainted sock yarns.

It struck me that these yarns are often hidden in patterns and not given the glory they truly deserve, so, I decided to create a very basic stockinette shawl to showcase beautiful hand dyed yarns of any weight!!

Introducing the:

Look how pretty my yarn is!! Shawl

This particular shawl used 745 yards of heavy fingering weight yarn. I used my double skeins. However, I have a lot of single skeins in the stash that would make a wonderful smaller version.

Gauge is not terribly important.

Needle size depends on how airy you would like your shawl. I used 6.5mm US 10.5

Stitches:

Knit, Purl, Yarn Over, Place Marker (PM), Slip Marker (SM)

Cast on 5 using any provisional method (if this does not appeal to you simply cast on 5 with your shawl yarn)

Start working your shawl yarn

Row 1: K2, PM, YO, PM, K1, PM, YO, PM, K2

Row 2: K2, Purl to last marker, K2

Row 3: K2, SM, YO, Knit to next marker YO, SM, K1, SM, YO, Knit to last marker YO, SM, K2

Row 4: K2, Purl to last marker, K2

Repeat rows 3 & 4 to desired size making sure to leave enough yarn for the last few rows

Working on the Right side row (knit side)

K2, SM, *YO, K2TOG* repeat ** to next marker, YO, SM, K1, repeat ** to next marker, YO, SM, K2

Next row

K2, Purl to last 2 sts, K2

Bind off all stitches with an elastic or stretchy bind off. I prefer to use the Yarn Over Bind off method

At this point you can graft your cast on stitches together, I use the kitchener stitch and darn in the odd count stitch.

Weave in your ends! Block, and Enjoy!

Sorry for the blog absence…I have no idea where I have been!

There has been packing of orders, dyeing, planning, re organizing….and knitting!

Most of you probably don’t know but I teach classes at my LYS so I have been putting together a pattern (very very basic pattern) to show off your hand dyed yarns. I have so many beautiful hand dyed yarns that just absolutely would lose a lace pattern in a shawl…but I want a shawl from them…so I am working on a basic stockinette shawl.

Check out the shawl blob photo

I am also multi tasking by test knitting a new yarn that I am dyeing. It is a high twist superwash merino that I have dyed in 8oz for shawls, tank tops, knee highs…ect. Although I love socks I have been finding that my single skeins want to be projects other than socks and scarves so I will be dyeing these base yarns in 8oz skeins.

The pattern will be in the shop when I am done for a very small fee because it is just such a basic pattern. I am also hoping to have a selection of the tight twist and soft spun shawl yarns next week. The soft spun yarns are in semi solid colourways for more of the lacy shawls!

I have also been uploading a LOT of yarns to the shop including some HANDSPUN yarns which are just stunning one of a kind skeins!

Hopefully I will have an FO shawl for you later this week…I can’t wait to block it and wrap myself in it. Mother Nature has yet to agree with me that it is time for spring and slammed us with another storm, but I am ignoring her and moving on with my shawls!!

Inspiration can come from so many places. I count my blessings to be surrounded by such beautiful yarns that inspire me daily. When I designed Evangeline I was inspired by the cable, the yarn and the idea of what it could be. It did not ever occur to me that someone could take my pattern, turn it into many beautiful gloves and then inspire me!

Tiennie did just that!

She knit 8 pair of Evangeline and then gave them to friends and family…how inspiring!

Thank you Tiennie so much for inspiring me back!

Inspiration comes from so many places, nature, colour, people, and I find mine is so solidly rooted in knitting and am often so inspired by the yarns I see. I think a big THANK YOU is in order to all of the hard working hand dyers out there. These ladies (and sometimes men) work so hard to provide beautiful yarns for use to ogle and knit, so let’s take a moment of our time and thank a dyer!

This week I am particularily inspired by the yarns because we have a huge update this week.

Dream in Colour Smooshy in the new colour series when up today as well as a stunning new hand dyer (to us) Dyed in the Wool Handmade! Check out her fingering and Seasocks.

I had no idea that so many people celebrated Valentines day! I also had no idea how many of you are born on or have loved ones born around Valentines day. Thank you all so much for your comments, I read and appreciated every single one of them.

Myself personally, I don’t really celebrate Valentines day. I like the lead up to it much better than the day. The chocolates, reds and pinks and all the buzz! C was kind enough to buy me roses one year, but when I learned the price of flowers on that day I asked him not to do it again…any other day is fine though! Most of the time I get a little treat for my mom and call her to wish her a happy Valentines day. She always made the day so fun that I seem to focus more on her than my guy. We really do a good job of expressing ourselves on a daily basis and often have special time alone as it is just the two of us (and simon and yarn) in the house.

So, by this time you are probably starting to scan for the contest winner, I will no longer bore you with my love life mush!

Congratulations Elizabeth! Please check your email and enjoy your shopping!

Now, on to knitting

I am happily test knitting the Gale stole for Anne.

The yarn is Funky Carolina Lace in a soon to be listed colourway. If you are desperate for it please email me…it’s stunning!

I am also working on another design for mag knits to be released in the spring. When I know exact dates I will let you know!

The yarn is Hip Knits Aran Silk…it is quite lovely!

We also have a huge week of updates next week!

Dream in Color Baby and the new colours in Smooshy, Avery Allison Yarns, Dyed in the wool handmade, Cashbah (seriously), a few new colours of Camelspin, Seacoast Handpainted and Zen Strings Merino Tencel!

I also replenished stock on Shelridge farms and Dream in Color Classy!

Today something became very clear to me while I was taking some photos of Penelope’s progress. I set her down on the floor for a quick snap to show you all the progress.

Then this happened:

Which was immediatly followed by this:

(does it look to anyone else like he is doing laps?)

Simon often gets in my way. I am used to it. He is always under my feet and follows me around all day,  but this was getting to be a bit much. So, I started to think about it and realized that Simon is a Knittin’ Kitty. He is always around while I am knitting/spinning and NEVER batts or chases my yarn. This Cat has great respect for the yarn, he even uses it as a pillow some times.

I did finally manage a Simonless Penelope shot:

She is coming along wonderfully and I am planning on blocking her to get an accurate size for decreases. So I sat down to knit on her a bit more, but someone was making the chart difficult to read.

I think he is in love!

Oceanwind Knits is up!!

And what a beautiful order we go this time

We also did receive some beautiful and an EXCLUSIVE colourway, check it out…

CEYEBERFIBER Lace and Sock also went up over the weekend. We will have amazing new yarns from Mama E soon!

Weekend Knitting!

As you can see Penelope got most of the love this weekend

I had to rip the lace back twice but thanks to a great friend I am now working on the back portion of the shrug. I absolutely love how she is coming out so far, and the Great Big Sea Silk is incredible to work with.

I also finished the first of my Sunshine Socks

I will be working on the second on Wednesday night’s Stitch and Pitch at the Blue Jays Game. Anyone else going?

I am so excited for the weekend. And here is why:

Bee Fields Shawl

Penelope Shrug

I am really looking forward to spending some time with these lovely ladies. I have totally fallen for both of these projects and just cannot seem to pick one to work on, so I am working on both at the same time and not making a lot of progress on either.

My knitting mojo is full throtle right now, and I just can’t seem to get enough time in. Can you believe I actually look forward to making dinner so that while it is cooking I can sit down and work on a few rows in peace…me cooking?? First of all, that is strange enough…but enjoying it…hmmm.

The Penelope shrug is getting into the lace portion, the design will take the shape of diamonds as you can kind of see them forming, I am not through a full pattern repeat yet. This is the upper arm portion of the shrug and will continue across the back.

I guess you all might be wondering who the contest winner is….congratulations Michele! She will be taking home these beauties

In Store News:

Sunshine Yarns has been Updated

Oceanwind knits sock and silk lace will go up on Monday

Ceyeberfiber lace and sock yarns will also go up on Monday

Happy Knitty Weekend!

ETA: I started a Flickr group for the Bee Shawl/Stole  

A little bit of a progress report!

The Flicker Socks are done! I hope my pal likes them.

The Bee Shawl

I have Cast on the Bee Fields Shawl again, this time with the right cast on method…whoo! Thank you to everyone that left their comments for the contest. I certainly realized that my ripping the shawl wasn’t that bad compared to what some people have had to do. Thank you so much for sharing your stories.

We have the Bee Stole!

The pattern for the Stole version of Bee Fields is here.

Ann Hanson’s Photo. I have this amazing pattern in stock. The stole is next on my list!

The Penelope Shrug

I have been designing this shrug in my head for a long time and have finally started working on it.

The shrug has a wide bell sleeve with a tapered upper arm…a little seed stitch band that will lead into the lace. The yarn is Great Big Sea Silk and is really wonderful to work with. The drape will be perfect for this shrug.

The Sea Silk is up!

And My SP 11 questionaire!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Hmm…I like them all except for acrylic.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Needle holders

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I have been knitting 6 years, self taught

Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? intermediate to advanced

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Nope

5. What’s your favorite scent? Hmmm…good question. Probably vanilla

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? RED VINES!!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I love to spin as often as possible

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I love punk, rock, alternative…not a big country fan.

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand? I just love colour…favorite is probably a big surprise…PINK

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have a good/bad Cat Simon.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? All but ponchos

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? SOCKS SOCKS SOCKS!

13. What are you knitting right now? A shawl…bzzzz

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? why yes i do!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like bamboo and have no preference between straight and circ

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes i have both

17. How old is your oldest UFO? no comment

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas!

19. Is there anything that you collect? Lots of yarn!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I have subscriptions to interweave and vogue

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn? Hmmm…I try to challenge myself all of the time, so there is nothing right now.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? yes I am a size 9 shoe

23. When is your birthday? May 14th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID? I love Ravelry!! my username is sweetsheep i would love to see you all there!

So here I am sitting in the Minneapolis airport. My flight has been cancelled…someone has broken the plane…so I sit and wait to see if the next plane is any better.

Let’s cross our fingers.

I finish and bound off my first of my cabled fingerless mitts. I like how the first mitt turned out, but have a few ideas about changes I would like to make on the second. So I will have a mis matched pair…but that is ok with me.

Tonight I will be running home to sift through my packages and see if the Brooklyn Handspun came in yet or my blank yarn for the Semi Solid club. I will certainly be spending quite a lot of time with my skeiner this weekend. I am so looking forward to it. I love to create the semi solid yarns and blending the colours is so much fun..you never know what comes out. I look forward to going into my basement for the day and seeing how it all comes out. Last weekend was Alpaca and Sport weight which I hope to have up in the store shortly…I just have to be able to get home and reskein and photograph it. I am starting to get into a springish mood with my dyeing and hope my socks will come out that way too.

I don’t really mind the winter, but just love the spring…it’s the flowers…I love to see them peaking through the dirt, buds on the trees…it is the beginning and I find it very inspiring.

Tell me what you are looking forward to most this spring!