Friday, November 30, 2012

KNIT SKIRTS 2.0

When I posted about the two skirts that I would love to make I completely forgot to include one that I have also loved for awhile.  And it is again a lovely skirt by Cecily Glowik McDonald.   It is available here at Quince and Co. and here at Ravelry. 
I love the combination of colours that she used.  If it were up to me I would make mine out of



The yarn is known as Tern and is 28sts/4" and is 75% Wool/25% Silk.  I am hoping to sometime in the future make this lovely skirt.

Here she is:



How lovely is she?  I really like the contrast detail at the hem as well as the subtle pattern in the skirt itself.
Cannot wait to make this little lovely.
I am not sure why I am hell bent on these skirts as of late??  Maybe it is because winter has set in here, all the leaves are off the trees and everything is colder and more gray.  I really am a summer gal.  maybe knitting these will help me get through until I can wear capri's and flip flop's again!  Although I will say I do love to wear a nice sweater or two, my suede jacket, my brown boots and I LOVE having snow for winter.
Have a great day everyone.
Megan

Thursday, November 29, 2012

CHELSEA SKIRT 2.0

Hey there everyone!!  As you know, I LOVE the Chelsea Skirt by Cecily Glowik McDonald.  I was just talking about it the other day...  remember this lovely.....




Well..... I have purchased the yarn for this little lovely!!  I really wanted the colour that it was knit in, but, I didn't for a couple of reasons.  The first is that where I bought the yarn online, they did not have that colour.  So I picked another colour... this is what I chose:


The yarn is the actual yarn specified, just a different colour:  Classic Elite Portland Tweed.  I bought the Amaranth colourway.  I cannot wait to get it!!  Then I will match up a yarn for the lace hem.  Really... I am so excited.  Amazing what some yarn will do for the endorphins!!  I have wanted to make this skirt for sometime but to be quite honest it was out of my budget.  That is the second reason I bought the yarn online at Webs- America's Yarn Store.  Usually this yarn sells for 15.99/ball.  I need 8! So that puts it around 128.00US.  Plus the ball for the lace.  So I searched around and came across Webs.  They were selling it for $5.99/ball!!  I nearly leapt out of my chair.  I thought, "this is my chance".  So I bought it.  Granted I know that this yarn in the colourway I bought was my second choice, however, it will be AWESOME!!  I actually kinda feel guilty!  Can you imagine??  I feel like I am cheating on my favourite yarn stores: Spun and
Needle Emporium.  But I really couldn't pass up this offer.  This yarn is so yummy....  50% Virgin Wool/25% Alpaca/25% Viscose.  I can hardly wait to hold that little ball of heaven in my hand!!  Seriously... I think I may need therapy!!  My husband made me laugh... when I was looking at he colourways and was trying to decide on the colour, he chimed in.  I was going to make it in a mid gray colour, however, he said I "HAVE" to make it in a colour... brighten things up a bit!  So nice to know he gives a darn- or at least pretends really well too;)  I am a lucky girl for sure!!  So I will let you know when I start this little project.

That's it for now..
Have a great day
Megan

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

CABLE ME WRISTWARMERS

Hey Everyone... well here they are.... my little wristwarmers!  Just in time for Christmas.  And the pattern is a gift from me to you.....












These little guys are just enough when sitting around or when you are at the computer.  They sit just below the knuckles.  I am in fact wearing them now as I write this post.  I think I will have to make a bunch to keep and give away.  They are knit in a worsted weight yarn.  The cable rib pattern really hugs the wrist nicely and the garter ridge allows the top to flair out to accommodate the width of the hand.
The pattern can be found here:  If you are not a member of Ravelry or have difficulty in getting it from there then please give me your email and I will be glad to email it too you.
They can be knit up in an evening if you are a fairly quick knitter.  But they certainly can be knit up over a weekend if you tend to be a little slower.  Either way they would make a great gift.  And if you want to make a really special gift then they would look fabulous with my Cable Eazy Cowl.


I hope you enjoy knitting them as much as I did. And as always if you have any questions please drop me a line.

Have a great day
Megan

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

CHELSEA SKIRT PATTERN LOVE

As I have mentioned in the past I have been knitting for like eva'.  My Mum taught me when I was 6....  so now that would be for oh.... almost 38 years now!  Whoa!  It is my first love and will always be- all except my dear hubby and the boys of course :)   I have knit most things.... scarves, cowls, sweaters, cardi's, wristwarmers, shawls.... pretty much everything.  But the one thing that I have always wanted to knit is a skirt.  Knitted skirts can be so lovely and so forgiving of bodily sins!  One pattern I have been anamoured with is.. the Chelsea Skirt.  It is knit by one of my all time fav's Cecily Glowik McDonald.  I love her patterns and knits.  Can't say enough!  Here is the skirt in question.......




The skirt is made with Classic Elite Portland Tweed  and Silky Alpace Lace.  Again, can't say enough about this one.  I love the textural pattern on the skirt, the faux side opeing with buttons and the little peek-a-boo lace at the bottom.  It think it was so smart to knit this in tweed.  It is like a modern take on the vintage tweed skirt.  I LOVE Tweed yarn, LOVE IT!!  And that lace at the bottom!!  I love how the lace picks up on the light blue flecks of the yarn.  I cannot wait to start this one.


Another skirt that I have been dying to make is this one:  Intolerable Cruelty:



How gorgeous and sexy is this skirt?  Gotta love that ribbon detail down the back.... GORGEOUS!!

I will keep you all posted as to my progress with skirts.

Have a great day everyone.

Megan

Monday, November 26, 2012

I'M BACK........ + W.I.P

Hey Everyone....... what a few days makes.  Now that the Antibiotics have well and surely kicked in I am feeling much better.  Can I tell you how glad I am to be back!  It has been a long time since I have had something drag on and on---- nearly 3 1/2 weeks!!
Anyways...  One little thing that I have been working on is a set of little wrist warmers.  And I will be loading the pattern here and on Ravelry  in the next day or two..  And the best part of all is that it is FREE!!!  Just a little gift to you all just in time for Christmas.  Plus I hope that you will use this little pattern to make some last minute gifts for those that you care about.  It really is an easy pattern with some visual interest.  It is knit in Martha Stewart's Merino in the Pewter and Peacock colourway.... Without further ado... here is a sneak peak:



I just have to finish writing it up and finish the second one.
The yarn is a worsted weight yarn.  So dig into your stash!    This really is a quick last minute gift that can be whipped up in a few hrs.  It is soft, textural and allows your fingers to be free.  I am providing instructions for both straight and circular knitting.  Plus it will be sized in XS, S/M, L.



Stay tuned...
Have a great day everyone.
Megan

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

SO THAT'S WHAT'S UP!! AND RESTORATION HARDWARE GIFTS

Hey Everyone...  Again, sorry about not posting I have been kinda under the weather.  Finally went to the doctor yesterday and I have a bad Sinus Infection.  So between bed rest and antibiotics and a wee bit of tea I should be on the mend soon.  I have a date today with a pillow, a bed, some knitting needles, a lovely floral cup and Downton Abbey.  I have always wanted to watch it, but never had the chance.  Well..... my lovely sister-in-law lent them to me and I intend to watch it today-thanks Jacquie!!
I hope to be posting real soon.  Thanks so much for your continued viewing and patience it is appreciated more than I can say.
Here is some images from Restoration Hardware.  I just love it when they bring out their Cashmere line for Christmas.  I can't even put into words how much I love all of these colours together.  Makes me want to put a room together with all of these yummy colours... enjoy;




I think I may have to tweak the house for Christmas with this colour palette.

Have a great day everyone...
Megan

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

STILL SICK !!

Hey Everyone....  I am still dogged by this virus.  Either I have the same thing 2 weeks in or I started with another one on Fri.  Either way I am sick of being sick!!  Day 14 and counting.  But here is a couple of images that I just adore....

The first is from Quince and Co.

You all know what a sucker I am for all things red white and blue........

The second was this image:


I know that these skirt guards for a bicycle are not very practical.  However, they are way beyond cute.  I love the colours that were used.  Almost makes me want to take up crochet.  There is such freedom with crochet that one does not have with knitting.  When I saw this it made me smile.  I just love the combination of patterns and colours that were used.

I hope to be better soon.
Until then stay tuned........

Have a great day everyone... and stay healthy!
Megan

Friday, November 9, 2012

CABLE-EAZY COWL

Well!  She is finally done.  My crazy easy cable cowl is done. It looks way more complicated than it is.  I promise!!   Here she is in all her squishable glory:







I really enjoyed coming up with this one.  The cowl is knit in Martha Stewart Merino.  The yarn is a worsted weight yarn and is 100% Merino Wool.  As wools go, it isn't itchy.  Insert snort of derision from my friends here !!! The colourway is Pewter and is a lovely soft gray.  It is very scrunchable and snuggable.  I truly love it.  I am such a sucker for cabled anything.  And doing cables isn't that hard, insert another snort from said friends!!  I made this in such a way so that on any given row you are only cabling one kind of cable.  Although the yarn was originally a bit pricey in my opinion, I got it on a great sale.  It is really lovely wool but I think $9.99/ball is a bit high for it.  A better price point would have been $5.99-$7.99/ball.  Just my humble opinion.  The pattern is up on Ravelry for $3.99.  I hope you give it a go if you are a cable nut like me or are new to cables.
And as always if you need any help I am just a click away.
Have a great day everyone.
Megan

Thursday, November 8, 2012

CATCHING UP.

I am up and running for now.....  don't you just hate it when your computer won't cooperate??  And to think when I was a teen I had to use a typewriter!!  My kids have NO idea how there life could have been so different without computers.  I swear there was a glitch in my "matrix" yesterday.  Ever have one of those days??  Anyways.......
Even though I have been  battling this virus I have been knitting.  I am currently writing up the pattern for my cowl.  But I will give a sneak peek of it....






I have also been working on a shawl pattern.  I am partially into that one......





I know that my blogs have not been everyday like I normally do but the way that I have been feeling, well it has left me with little extra energy to share with you all here.  My man has been away for the last week and he will be home in a day or two.  My hat goes off to all those single parents out there.  No matter the virus or how you are feeling you still have to be a parent.  Kids do not wait even when you are sick.  They still have to be fed and watered.  They still have to be cuddled and loved, Homework has to be done.  And if your child is into a sport well you have to get your butt out to the rink or a gym.  The rink in my case is a curling rink.  My youngest has started this year and my eldest is now on a competitive team.  Now that he is on a team that means more commitment and time spent at the rink- 4 days actually.  However, I really can't complain since they do not have to get up for early practise as it is in the evening and on Sat morning at 8:30.  I also get to sit comfortably in a warm seating area that overlooks the rink.  So as sports go it really is a good one.  Not only that but it really does not cost a lot compared to other sports.  It really is a great sport for kids as it can be physical, it makes you think and it is a great hybrid sport.  What do I mean by Hybrid??  Well.......  Most people are either a team kinda player or an individual sportsman.  Curling takes both of those and puts it into one game.  You are part of a team yet when it comes down to it, it is you and that rock.  So I highly recommend it.  I may be slightly biased since we have a great club and great commitment of our volunteers/coaches.

Anyways....
Have a great day everyone.
Megan

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

HAVING TECH ISSUES

Hey Everyone, on top of having this bad virus my computer is not cooperating and my tech support is in Maryland.  Check back soon.........

Have a good one everyone.
Megan

Monday, November 5, 2012

MY LAURELS

One of my best friends on this entire planet made me laugh today.... She went to my blog as she always does and saw that I indeed had not blogged since last Thurs..... Well I have come down with a very bad cold that has knocked me on my butt.  However, in not wanting to completely forget my blogging obligations I thought I would drop a few gorgeous pics just to have something here so that I am and I quote..."not resting on my Thurs. Laurels"..  Luv you Lisa......

These following pics are by the talented designer Christine Roughan:










What I love about these designs is how chic yet livable they are.
I know that this was not a long posting but until I feel better I may just be providing a little easy design eye candy for you all to enjoy.
Have a great day everyone...
Megan

Thursday, November 1, 2012

GAMBREL ROOFS



I have always loved the look of a Gambrel Roof.  It has such great lines to it.  I happened upon this lovely house on Houzz.  I was immediately taken by the roofline and the colours/materials used.  Just plunk this puppy down on my property and I would be one happy camper.  It has so much going on in terms of interest without being frenetic.






These lovely pics are from Hendel Homes




It is so great to see interior shots of Gambrels where they have actually used the roofline to a design advantage inside.  The pic below is the exterior.






















I have admired this lovely home for some time now.  I just love everything about it!!













The following 3 pics are modrn interpretations of Gambrel roofs.












I hope that this has given you all a little Architectural Inspiration for the day.
Have a great day everyone.
Megan