SNOW QUEEN INFINITY COWL

Hey Everyone....I have been hard at work knitting....and knitting.....I have a new cowl pattern:
Snow Queen Infinity Cowl:

I just love her......so snuggy.....yet so stylish!!  And if you haven't noticed I loves me some cables.  I have always loved cables.  They add so much dimension to a project.  I wish I could express how much I love them.  I love how they cross and twist-they are just awesome........  And don't be intimidated by cables.  They are not as hard as they look.  Really!!  Once you understand the lingo and aren't afraid of moving stitches then it is easy.  It certainly slows things down a little as compared to straight knitting, but it is so worth it in the end.  And if you can master cabling without a cable needle- well it just makes it feel all the more awesome.  I will have to go into more depth about cabling without a cable needle another time- it is so amazing!!
I wanted to make a simply cabled infinity cowl in a creamy colour.  I think everyone should have at least one of these puppies in their wardrobe.  It goes with everything.  I think it is the kind of cowl that can look great with a more relaxed rugged look or dressed up with a great wool coat.  Plus the added bonus is that this cowl could certainly be unisex.  By choosing the correct yarn it would look great on any guy too!  Just remember to use yarn with great stitch definition.  A varigated or multi coloured yarn would not suit this as well as a yarn that is simple.  The star of the show is the cables afterall.  I think that is half the battle with knitting....choosing the correct yarn for the project.  I cannot tell you how many times I have seen a particular project and thought- if only they had chosen a different yarn.  I know it is personal and all....however, if you are going to spend all that time creating it and spending some money-isn't it better to pick the best yarn for that project?
I used the Martha Stewart Extra Soft Wool again....I love this yarn.  It has the most lovely subtle sheen.  It is so soft and is a great price point(especially if you have a coupon).  I think that this cowl would look great knit in some other yarns as well....perhaps Cascade 220, Valley Yarns Northampton, Classic Elite Yarns Liberty, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran For a more drapier look try Valley Yarns Goshen.   The possibilites are endless........just chose a yarn that is smooth and has one colour for the best definition.
You can purchase the pattern in my Raverly store here.  And as always if you have any questions or comments you can always drop me a line.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

ROWAN FINE LACE LOVE

Hey Everyone.....well life is starting to return to normal with the boys back at school.  I use the word "normal" as is anyone's life ever "normal"?  I came across some yarn I wanted to share with you all.  I saw some colours together that I wanted to show you.  When put together as I have they so want me to create something with them.  Listen to me imparting a lifeforce on the yarn.  Well I suppose they almost have. When I see a yarn that I love it compels me to do something with it.  Yarn can be very bossy when it wants to be!!

Rowan Fine Lace: Cobweb

Rowan Fine Lace;:Retro

Rowan Fine Lace: Quaint

Rowan Fine Lace: Vintage

If you haven't had the privilege of touching this lovely yarn....let me say it is heavenly.  It usually sells for around $12-$13,  depending on where you buy it.  I think I have a ball of the Cobweb upstairs in my stash.....Hmmmm.....I feel an idea brewing.
It is 80% Baby Suri Alpaca and 20% Merino Wool.  It is a Lace Weight yarn.  The yardage on this lovely is 437yds.  So you get a decent amount for what you get and pay for.  I have knit a couple of stitches with it in the past and it is a delight to hold and knit with.  There is nothing like having a supersoft yarn run through your fingers as you knit.
Anyways....just wanted to share some yarn love with you all.  It truly is a lovely yarn.  I saw a bunch of colours and put these 4 together...somehow they spoke to me......See I told you yarn can be bossy!

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

SHIMMER YARN

Hey Everyone!  Is it wrong that as a Mum I can turn going to a Bonspiel into a shopping trip for yarn??  This past weekend we had to attend a Bonspiel- that is a curling tournament for you non-curlers.  My eldest's team was playing in Ayr, On.  It is a lovely little town just outside of another small town- Paris, On.
For years now I kind of poo-pooed Mary Maxim Yarn.  Why you ask... well that's because I only have ever seen their catalogues and their website.  I have never had an interest in plastic canvas crafts or for rug-hooking. They indeed have yarn, but I must say that their website is not the best--- are you listening Mary Maxim??  I have always wanted to make the 40 min. trip just to see what they had.  Well since we were there anyways-I thought-what the heck.  The only reason I actually went was because I was literally at the lights to go back to the Bonspiel and there was the sign.  I took it as a "sign" and decided to make a very quick trip to see what all the fuss was about.
When you first go in there is indeed lots of craft supplies.  Many of which that does NOT interest me.  But they do indeed have many supplies for a many number of crafts including quilting.  However, upon looking at the back of the store I became intrigued.  They have WAY MORE yarn at the store than on the website.  I was expecting a lot of scratchy Acrylic but was very pleasantly surprised to see Regia, Sirdar, Patons , plus many, many others.
Did I buy anything- you betcha!!  I was exceedingly restrained.  Having my husband and youngest son in the car waiting was incentive enough to cause much restraint on my part.  I did however purchase some yarn to make a lacey scarf. That yarn I purchased was Shimmer by Mary Maxim:

Mary Maxim

Forgive the cheesy picture- that was on THEIR website.  It really does NOT do the yarn any justice at all.  Yes the yarn has sequins but they do NOT sparkle like that.  I knew when I saw the yarn that I wanted to do a scarf that was simple yet lacy   I did come up with something and I am about just under 1/2 way done- just started Sat. night.  It will be a quick and easy knit.
It is such a lovely yarn to knit with.  You do not feel the sequins on the yarn at all.  It isn't caked in them or anything but does add a nice little shimmer to the yarn.  It is such a lovely combo of colours as well.  The colourway I chose was Starlight.  It is so pretty.  The yarn itself is a DK weight- however, I am using a 4.5mm needle just to add to the openness I wanted to achieve.  I am so pleased with the outcome so far.  It shouldn't take me too long to knit and to write up.  I love this yarn. It has just the right amount of sequins, colour shifting and fuzziness.  And I got it on sale for $3.97/ball.  What a bargain for this yarn.  I want to go back/or online and scoop up some more.  This would make a great shawl.  It would knit up quick and look fab- in fact I think that my Easy Peazy Shawl 2.0 would look awesome in this yarn.  Hmmmm.........I may have to think on that one!!
I will get pics of the scarf I am working on ASAP.

For those of you out there that are crazy knitters such as myself, you would completely understand my little side trip.  One should NEVER give up an opportunity to shop for yarn!!  To do so would be unforgivable!

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

IDEA BREWING HERE.....

Remember yesterday I was discussing Benjamin Moore Evening Dove??  Well it really did get me thinking a little- OK a lot!!  I just loved how amazing my fabric and the paint chip went together:

And then I saw this gorgeous blanket that I can knit from Purl Bee:

Purl Bee

Purl Bee

This is the kind of blanket that ANYONE can knit.  It is knit in a Garter Stitch which is just plain old Knit stitch.  What makes it so fab is the yarn.  Just look how squishy the yarn is and how amazing the colour is!

I can't get over how great this yarn would go with my fabric and Evening Dove..... Stay tuned.

Have a great day everyone.

Megan

DEBBIE BLISS RIALTO LACE YARN

Recently I was in one of my favourite yarn stores Spun and bought a ball of Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace.  It is $8.95 a ball and is around 380m.  I think that is fair price for a yarn that is so nice to the touch and knits up so great:



Source

It is a ball of loveliness!!  It is such a gorgeous ball of yarn. I Usually steer clear of fine gauge yarn like this, but something made me pick it up and the rest is history!  It is a lace weight yarn at 33sts/4"  on a 2.75mm needle.  Like I said, I usually don't knit with such a fine gauge yarn. 
I can't even begin to describe it.  It is a 2 ply yarn that is fine, yet has some body to it.  It also has a bit of "springiness" to the yarn itself.  It knits up really nicely as well.
I am currently working on a project that I am designing (pattern to follow later).  I am using a 3.25mm needle and it is knitting up beautifully.  It knits up into a really nice texture too.  It isn't ultra smooth like some other yarns yet isn't so textured that it takes away from the simple pattern that I am doing.
And although it is 100% Wool, it is made of Merino Wool so the resulting yarn is soft and not itchy at all- yes Karen and Lisa, I said "Not Itchy"!!  It has such a nice hand to it.  So those of you out there that shy away from Wool, you should check out this yarn.

Diamond Yarn

Diamond Yarn

Diamond Yarn

Diamond Yarn

Diamond Yarn

Diamond Yarn

Diamond Yarn

These are a few of the projects available from Debbie's Spring 2012 book.

if you also look in her Magazine for summer there are a few projects that also use Rialto Lace.

Debbie Bliss Magazine

Debbie Bliss Magazine

Here is what I have so far:

It really is great to work with.  And like I said, I am not usually a fan of fine gauge yarn.  Maybe it's the impatience in me, I don't know.  But usually a project knit with finer gauge yarn takes like forever!  But this is knitting up quite fast.
Anyways, just wanted to share the loveliness with you all.  The boys are at the cottage for their annual Cousins and Grandparents week without the parents so it is going to be VERY quiet around here for sure.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

QIVIUK 2.0

As I stated in a previous post here,  I have been trying to figure out what to make with the Qiviuk Yarn I purchased in Banff last year.  Well it has been a year!  I can hardly believe it myself.  The ball of yarn is a small ball that will make a scarf.  It cost $69.00 CAD.  So, it isn't like I could buy oodles of it.  But I had always wanted to buy a ball and give it a go.

It is the navy colour as shown in the pic.  I also bought the one that is 50% Qiviuk/50% Silk.  It was slightly cheaper than the 100% Qiviuk. It has such a lovely sheen to it.  While in the shop in the Banff Springs Hotel I purchased a pattern to go along with it.  Little did I know that I could get it for FREE on Raverly here. ARGH!!  Here is a pic of the scarf pattern:

Ravelry

When I attempted this pattern I really did not like the results at all.  First of all it seemed that the 4mm needle it called for was way to big for the delicateness of the yarn.  Maybe it was just me.  Plus all of the lacy holes didn't look anything nearly as nice as in the photo.  So alas, I frogged it - meaning I ripped that sucker out and started over. I attempted the pattern numerous times but always hated the result.  I love how the scarf looks in the pic.  And the scarf looked awesome in the shop.  But I could never get it to look that nice.
I also made up several different patterns over the following months, but again, I didn't like the results.  So finally a couple of days ago I came up with a pattern that I think will finally work.  I felt as though it needed less lace holes and a little more structure to look right. Here is a sneak peek:

This pic is a great representation of the colour.

I am going to have to block the heck out of it!!  But most delicate knits like this need to be blocked- just the nature of the beast.


I am much happier with this pattern.  It really is a lovely yarn, so soft, so delicate.  I hope that when all is said and done I will have enough to finish the scarf.  It won't be a hugely long scarf but hopefully it will be enough.
Stay tuned for more and the pattern.
I have also been working on other scarf patterns so stay tuned for those as well.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

ARE YOU CRAZY??

Well that's what I am sure those around me think most of the time!!  How could I possibly be working on 3 different knitting projects at the same time?  Well let me tell you my friends it is very easy!  For those out there that knit a lot you know of what I speak.  For the true avid knitter, 1 project just wouldn't do!  Sometimes I feel like working on one thing and other times something else.  I guess that's what keeps me going.  Here is what is in progress right now (subject to change!).  Two of my cowls I am making is my own pattern.  The other is one I found on Ravelry.

The first one is the Inspira Cowl:

Ravelry Inspira Cowl

Here it is in progress- I just started last night!

This is the yarn that I am using:

The main colour is a fingering weight mohair.  I wish I could remember what it is called but I bought it years ago.  It is by Colinette Yarn.  They make some of the most beautiful variegated yarns out there and have for years.  The other yarn I am using is a sock yarn by Bernat- again have had it in my "stash" for years.  I don't think you can get it anymore either.  I saw this pattern and wanted to try it out.  I didn't want to buy any new yarn for it so I went diving into my handy dandy stash to see what I could find- and Voila!  I thought that the two yarns went well together.  If you go to the Ravelry page on this pattern you will see others that have knitted this pattern and what yarn they chose to use.  I think the cowl is most striking when you use 2 different variegated yarns- will have to try that soon, so I will keep you posted.

The 2nd Cowl is:

I designed it myself.  I will be making the pattern available soon so stay tuned!  Again I went to my stash to see what inspired me.  I have had this Country DK for a very, very long time.  I think that they had discontinued it for awhile but here it is- see link below.  

Country Style DK

Last but not least is a little gem that I will be finishing ASAP!!  I am lucky enough to have some pretty special people in my life.  When one of my Best Friends was going to New York just before Christmas she asked if there was anything I would like her to pick up. You see she was making a "pilgrimage" to Purl Soho.  Lucky Duck!  Well that's all I can call her here :)  Anyways.....  I really couldn't make up my mind as to what I would want her to pick up.  So I told her don't worry,  if I wanted anything I would order it online.  Well....  Just before Christmas she gave me my Birthday Gift and part of it was.....

Isn't she just lovely??  When I pulled her out of the gift bag I gasped!  Really I did!!  I can't even describe how beautiful this yarn is.  And, it is very easy to knit with.  It is called Symphony by Tilli Tomas.  You would think that knitting with the beads would be awkward or uncomfortable.  Well it is not at all.  It is a delight to knit with.  I made up a pattern for her and she will be finished soon.  I can't wait to wear her.  Here is my progress so far:

I will be posting the pattern for this when I am finished knitting it. It is a very basic pattern of 2x2 Rib with Stockinette Stitch.  I just wanted something simple so that the yarn would show through.  She is the star after all.  Again, I am so lucky to have the friends I do, I love them dearly!  And I thank them for enabling my yarn addiction!!  Can't beat friends like that!

Sorry if the Pics aren't the greatest.  I know that you should take pictures in natural light without a flash.  I did do that but the natural light we have been getting here lately has been very dark and dull.  I haven't see the sun for 5 days now.  So taking pics has been a bit of a challenge.  But I think you get the idea of the projects in progress.

Anyways, that is what I am working on, on the yarn front.  I am going to be doing other projects around the house very soon.  I have to prioritize what I am going to be working on,  so stay tuned.

Have a great day!

Megan

WINTER COWL

I just love to knit cowls.  I love to design them as well!  Here for you lovely people is a cowl I designed recently.
I wanted to use up some yarn I had left over from other projects.
I used Patons Classic Wool  and Martha Stewart's Extra Soft Wool.  The Martha Stewart Yarn really is very soft- the content is 65%  Wool/35% Acrylic.  It is a very nice yarn to work with as well.  I only wish that in the future it will come in less "sugary" colours!  I would love to see Greys, taupes, black, navy and of course RED!!  Here's hoping she is listening :)

Here are the colours it currently comes in:

Martha Stewart Extra Soft Blend

It is available here in Canada at Michael's Craft Store.  Although there are 14 Colours available our Michael's Store only carries 6 colours.
So here is the cowl I designed and knit:

Here is the actual Pattern.  I am putting it here and also here:

Well that's it for today!  Have a great day and a great weekend!!  Happy Knitting!!

Megan

DIAPHONOUS HEAVEN!!

Coco Rose Textiles

As I have previously stated, I love yarn.  I am very partial to yarn that is natural.  I know that it isn't for everyone and acrylic yarn certainly has it's place in certain situations.  There are many people that can't or just won't wear or use wool in a project.  Acrylic is great for afghans that will be used and washed over and over again.  That's not to say wool blankets can't be used and washed over and over again- they just need a little more thought about cleaning them.  Acrylic is great for items that will be made for babies and is great for items such as hats, blankets and sweaters.  They do have delicate skin after all!  But I love wool-whether it's Merino, Mohair, Cashmere, Alpaca, Vicuna(type of smaller Alpaca-highly prized for it's wool) and for the very lucky.... Qiviuk (Musk Ox). 

Musk Ox

I bought some Qiviuk while in Banff last June and still have to knit it- just waiting for the right moment to hit me.  It cost $65.00 for 1 ball!!

Qiviuk- Jacques Cartier



It will be worth every penny.  You have never felt something so soft.  But this is getting me off topic.

For my Birthday which was just before Christmas I purchased for that said birthday a little gift for myself.  My lovely Husband even came with me to the yarn store.  Now that is Love my friends!  If you ever get the chance and you are a yarn nut- and I mean that with love- go check out The Needle Emporium it is located in Ancaster, On.  I love that store. It also has on online presence as well.  It is as if I died and went to heaven!!  The ball I purchased is:

Kidsilk Haze Stripe



Isn't she beautiful?  I bought the "Cool" colourway.  She and other colourways can be purchased at The Needle Emporium or Spun (another great yarn store right here in Burlington, On).  She cost $29.99 and was worth it-VERY.  If you have never had the pleasure of knitting with Kidsilk Haze, let me just say it is so worth a little work for the end product.  Mohair isn't too difficult-you just have to know how to handle her is all. And this isn't just any Mohair-it is Kid Mohair and Silk. The combination of the two is like nothing else.  I have made a cowl in the plain Kidsilk Haze and when you wear it-you don't even know you are wearing it- it is so light and non itchy-it is a DREAM. 

What makes the Kidsilk Haze Stripe so special is that the colours were done by none other than the man of colour knitting himself --  Kaffe Fassett!

                                                                     Kaffe Fassett

I won't go into great detail about the man-that will be for another time.  If you are into textiles at all, then you already know of him.  His use of colour is beyond anything.  Just seeing one of his projects whether it is needlepoint, yarn or knitting just brings me JOY!!

When I purchased the ball of Kidsilk Haze Stripe I carried it all the way home in the car on my lap.  Thank goodness Den came with me to buy it so that I could admire it all the way home (only 25 mins. by car) but still it was a great way to spend 25 mins!  When we got home I wanted to start right away but alas, I had to wait a little while. It was a busy time of the year what with Christmas and all.  But that being said I was able to squeeze in some time with that lovely ball of candy, I mean yarn!  

The ball came with a scarf pattern- I followed it mostly.  The only difference being, I didn't do any ribbing at the beginning or end, I just casted on.  And instead of Moss Stitch at the edging I did Garter Stitch.  For those of you that do not knit this may sound "gibberish", but to those of us who knit, it

does make sense.  This is what the pattern looks like- NO that is not me!

Kidsilk Haze Scarf

 The Basic Pattern that I did :
25cm x 190cm  It's just a long rectangle

1 ball of Kidsilk Haze ("cool" colourway was used)

5mm needle, 6mm needle

Cast on with 51 sts with 6mm needle and change to 5mm.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: K5, P41, K5

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until ball is nearly finished

CO.

Weave in ends.

This pattern couldn't be more simple- I basically followed the pattern provided except for a couple of minor changes that I spoke of earlier.  And here it is

Forgive the multitude of pictures,  it's just that this yarn has such a beautiful variegation. You have to show multiple areas of the scarf to really appreciate it.  When I get a chance to have a picture taken with it on, I will post it.
I chose to knit this scarf in a very plain pattern.  I wanted the beauty of the yarn to show through for me.  There are others that did different things with the yarn that is just as equally gorgeous.  You just have to pick a project that that isn't too complicated ie. cables or highly textured.  The yarn is beautiful on it's own it doesn't need all the bells and whistles for it to show beautifully. This is just my opinion.  Here are some examples of other patterns:

Rowan- Beth

Rowan - Megan

I would have to say out of all the patterns available this from Rowan for this yarn, the one above is my favourite- and not just because we share the same name!  This Poncho would be so light to wear.  I can't even tell you how light this yarn really is.  The colourway that was used would be my choice- it is the "cool" colourway- just look at the striping. 

Rowan- Lola

Rowan- Lily

Rowan- Leya

Rowan- Freya

Rowan- Belle

I also wanted to show all of the available colourways that this yarn comes in.  See below:

Kidsilk Haze Yarn Colourways



Well, that's all for now.  Hope you enjoyed seeing this gorgeous yarn.  Talk to you soon. Have a great day

Megan