FO: Baby Sheep Yoke Cardigan

This is already the last "official" day of my two weeks summer vacations. Snif! It went by way too fast. I don't have anything planned for today, except preparing my bike for tomorrow's bike ride and hopefully transplanting some flowers with my brand new shovel ;-)

Now, to the subject of this post, here is the little Baby Sheep Yoke Cardigan I've been working on for the last couple of weeks:

Pattern: Baby Sheep Yoke Cardigan by Looking Glass Knits
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish DK
Needles: 4.5 mm to make approximately the 12 months size
Colors: Nutmeg (2 skeins), Whirlpool (a lot less than 1 skein), Asparagus (a lot less than 1 skein), White and Black (probably best to use any leftover yarn you have since it takes so little)
Start to finish: June 1st to August 25th, 2010
For: Louka
Modifications: I shortened the length of the cardigan to ensure that it's all knitted with the recommended 2 skeins. The body is 11 inches and the sleeves are 10 inches (both from top of the cardi to the two rows in blue at the buttom). The ribbing is also 6 rows instead of 7. I modified slightly the chart of the duplicate-stitch head of the sheeps so that the little sheeps look towards us!

I'm very happy with it and look forward to gift it! It is really nice and soft! I should mention it's my first color work and although it makes a lot of ends to weave in (which is not my favorite part of knitting), it's definitely worth the efforts!

I used this little video to learn the duplicate-stitch technique. It took me a couple of trials to figure it out, although it is so simple once you get it! Isn't it cute?

Happy Friday everyone!

Visit chez Biscotte & Cie

I'm on vacation. Finally. For two weeks ;-)

It was a rather ordinary weekend. Yesterday, it was awesome outside so I worked around the house! Today is a little rainy so I went to Biscotte & Cie for the first time. Wait... it was not an ordinary weekend because it's not followed by an ordinary Monday ;-)

Back to my little escapade to Biscotte & Cie... This LYS is simply charming! Unfortunately, it's not close to where I live. However, when you are on - did I mention it already - vacation, it's fine to drive a little bit further to get some nice yarn!

The service is also great. It's important for me because I still don't master the art of substitution... I also met a lady who leaves on the North Shore and gave her our coordinates for knit nights!

So, after looking and admiring and touching, I decided to go with what follows...

Super Bambou in a gorgeous blend of gray, blue, yellow and green. I think the colorway is Empereur:

I would like to knit Jaywalker socks with it. Isn't it yummy?

Then, the Precieux in a gorgeous pink:

I would like to knit a simple yet beautiful scarf with it: Golden Peaks and Valleys designed by Janet D. Russel (Twisted knitter). Maybe I will rename it Blooming Peaks and Valleys!

Finally, little buttons for guess what? It's almost all knit. Finishing time...

I hope you all have a great week! I know I will...

ETA: Better pictures... Discovered this morning that my camera was in the wrong mode and explained why the previous pictures looked so sort of fake...

Summer and knitting

Hello everyone!

Looks like I've taken a little break from blogging in July. The truth is I haven't had much time to knit. I knitted when I went to knit nights and that's about it. We've had such a hot July that knitting on my patio was out of the question!

However, I've started knitting again this week. Here is an update on my Baby Sheep Yoke Cardigan. The baby I'm knitting it for is born now. It is a boy (we didn't know yet), so I'm continuing with the blue version! I hope I can finish it by the end of my vacations (starting in one week!) and deliver it! We will see ;-)

I have to say that I undid the whole yoke to knit it again less tight. I was just watching the picture of the previous attempt and really, there is not much difference, but I think it is more loose now. I look forward to weave in ends and add the sheeps eyes and all. I think it will be pretty cute. I'm glad I'm using the original colors. Also, KnitPicks Swish DK is really nice to work with.

I have to pick up the last number of IK. I like the cover pattern. Also, I love two patterns from the new Twist: Hallett's Ledge, Twinflower (in particular) and many more...

Enjoy summer and knitting everyone!

Flowers and yarn

Hello everyone! It's Wednesday, but tomorrow is Canada Day so I really feel like it's the weekend!

I took a few pictures of my favorite flowers in my front yarn. They are so pretty! I love watching them!

Does any of you follow interesting gardening blogs? Any suggestions? There is absolutely nothing in my back yard (just grass) as I'm getting rid of the swimming pool... :-(

And well, something else, that is also really nice to watch ;-) It's Summer Sox from Classic Elite Yarn. I'll finish my Baby Sheep Yoke Cardigan first though. No worries. Thinking about what's next is very motivating ;-) Maybe Jaywalkers, but I'm still looking!

Happy Canada Day everyone!

First color work

I've been wanting to try Fair Isle and intarsia for a while now. Here it is, my first attempt:

So far, so good! I look forward to finish the little sheeps in white and see better if the tension is good. It seems fine, but it's hard to say when it's on the needles.

Time to go outside! It looks like it's going to be lovely day again!

Virevolte

Hello everyone! I'm so glad it is the weekend! And... is there a better way to start your weekend than a surprise in your mailbox?

Let me show you my brand new fabulous Virevolte knitting bag from Brin dans le vent that I ordered this week. I had been waiting for it for a moment now and especially, lately, after we've been shown a prototype!

The designer of these bag is an ergonomist, so I was really curious to see what would be the perfect knitting bag for her! It came with a row counter, a pouch bag for yarn, two surprises and a nice note! The row counter hold by a dotted pink ribbon is so tiny!

To me, it is the perfect size. Not too big, not too small...

The fabric is absolutely gorgeous! Isn't it? I was a little hesitant when I chose the bag because there are 4 different models you can choose from. The lovely pink fabric with sheeps that I ended up choosing (!!!) makes me want to sit down to knit and relax! It's calling my name ;-) It's very soft too! I love those little sheeps! The logo Virevolte is absolutely gorgeous in pink. It really stands out on black.

Look at the inside! It has a spacious pocket and black ribbons to hold things I will bring in my bag.

I'll stop here before you think I have shares in her Etsy shop ;-) It's just that I think it is such a nice bag and I loved it the moment I saw it and touched it!

Knowing me, I will be using it for many many years. Merci Chantal!

Have a great weekend everyone!

FO: Bliss Shawlette

I love it! Here is my beautiful and perfectly sized (!) Bliss Shawlette:

The magic of blocking has occurred ;-)

Perfect to be worn at this time of the year!

Pattern: Bliss Shawlette by Melissa Wehrle (Neoknits)

Yarn: Handmaiden Fine Yarn Double Sea Silk (more than 1.5 skein)

Needles: US 8 / 5 mm

Color: Topaz

Start to finish: March 27, 2010 to May 30, 2010

For: Me

Modifications: Replace the k2tog by ssk on the left side. Many other knitters have also done this. That makes the two sides more alike. Also, I've knitted 40 more rows of the Herringbone pattern. That made the shawlette block 50" by 25".

Once again, I love it! The Double Sea Silk is wonderful to knit with!

Here is my favorite photo:

I highly recommend this pattern. It is fast and pleasant enough to knit twice ;-)

Have a wonderful week everyone!