New beginnings

While it's sunny and warming up outside, I'm working on a new project this morning. It will be good for my knitter's spirit... Yesterday, I've had a little "adventure" with my now almost completed Thermal...

While my first Thermal that was a little too small did not enlarge a bit when I blocked it two years ago, my second Thermal who fitted just as I had planned expanded like I had read about but never seen with my own eyes! I initially thought it was pretty funny to see such long sleeves and body, but then, thinking about all the time invested in it, I thought it might not be "that" funny :-(

Could the "expansion" be due to the fact that I went up from 3.0mm to 4.0mm needles and kept the same yarn? Maybe my tension is looser now as well...

Anyways, it went to the dryer (within a pillow case - what a great trick! - as advised by my smart friend Audrey) and now it continues to dry. It's not so big anymore so I have hope. We'll see when it's completely dry how it fits...

So last night, I finally casted on a cute pair of socks. These colors say "Easter", "spring" and "summer"! The pattern is Muscari. Quite interesting to knit!

Now, I'll head outside! It's so nice and sunny. It will be quite warm, finally, this afternoon!

Help for Japan

Yarn on the House just posted about a lovely little hoodie: Kira's Hooded Vest. How cute!

I love to knit for little babies and I find this little hoodie so cool! It comes in many sizes, is gender neutral and can be knitted in various fun color combos!

The pattern sales will be used to help people in Japan who are still in a precarious situation.

Yumiko Sakurai, the designer, hosts a beautiful blog as well (oh the flowers in her background on her April 10th post!) where you can also find other very cute designs for kids!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Slowly but surely

Finally, the Easter weekend has arrived!

This afternoon, I'm going to go eat some macaroni at a friends place to help them raise money for breast cancer. It is a tradition in their family on Holy Friday (in French, Vendredi Sein)!

Tonight, I'll go knitting at Effiloché. This is always fun!

So far, I've completed my objective of the morning which is to sew the first re-knitted Thermal sleeve to make sure it fits this time before I re-do the other one. And yes, it does.


Now I can proudly show you my underarm ;-)

I have to find some nice buttons to go with it. I think I will go for a similar shade of green and slightly bigger than these temporary white ones. Any suggestions for a different color?

I'm so glad that I resisted the temptation to cast on for a pair of socks this morning. That would have been too easy ;-)

Have a wonderful Easter everyone!

Hat exchange - Part 2

... and here is the beautiful hat that I received in exchange. It's Audria by Dutch Knitting Design:

Audrey (Le Mouton Bleu), who is literally a knitting reference in our group, knitted it for me. She chose a beautiful color for me since I like all types of blue, turquoise and green! It is very light and delicate.

It's the perfect hat for spring!

Thank you Audrey!

Hat exchange - Part 1

We (our knitting group) were finally able to hold our hat exchange that was planned for mid-February in mid-April! Yé! I can finally share it on the blog!

First information I couldn't share: the yarn (and that was not just any yarn). First of all, the objective was to use yarn from our stash. Well, I don't really have a stash (or at least I think that less than 5 skeins does not offer enough option). Hence, I had to sacrifice myself and go to Espace Tricot (first visit there too!). I chose some nice Tough Love Socks from Sweet Georgia in the amazing Blackberry colorway:

Isn't it just beautiful to look at? Although I spent quite a few minutes to choose it (yes, that would be me picking one, seeing another one, changing again, etc.), I am very pleased with my choice! It may be hard to see on the picture, but the yarn color changes very subtly. It was lovely to knit with as well!

Here is the final result: Skinner Hat by Melissa LaBarre:


Lovely pattern as one could expect from Melissa LaBarre:


Pattern: Skinner Hat by Melissa LaBarre (a.k.a Knitting School Dropout).
Yarn: Touch Love Sock by Sweet Georgia.
Needles: US 1 - 2.25 mm and US 2 - 2.75 mm.
Color: Blackberry.
Start to finish: January 9 to February 5 2011.
For: ?
Modifications: No modifications and I really enjoyed knitting it!

Here is a picture of me modeling it! Not a bad picture considering that I took it myself!


I recommend both the yarn and pattern! I truly enjoyed knitting it!

Doesn't it just feel like spring?

Here are my favorites from the new Twist Collective!

Pergola by Sandy Rosner:

Addie by Whitney Gegg-Harrison:

Madrigal by Kristen Rengren:

Avivah by Mary-Heather Coger:

It makes me dream about being a full-time knitter ;-)

Have a great weekend everyone!