December knitting



It's December already.  I can't believe it!

 

In November, I received the last shipment of the Tanis Fiber Arts Year in Color 2012 Club!  It is my favorite color of the year.  I love blue and green.  It ends the year beautifully.  No club for me in 2013.  I'm still working on the May yarn ;-)

 

The pattern is Collister by Kirsten Kapur. She is one of my favorite knitwear designer.  I really look forward to knitting it!

 

 

Also, a dear friend at work is expecting her first baby.  Her baby shower will be on January 9th.  I started the Maile Sweater for her little girl.  So far, so good!

I'm using the beautiful stitch marker that Andi sent to me!  They are absolutely lovely.  Thank you again Andi!  It's proof that little things are the best in life!

And you?  How is your December knitting going?

Have a great week all and thanks again to all of you who stop by! xx

Confession...

Yes, I have a confession!  I now have a stash ;-)  I've resisted long enough but lately, I've been spoiled with a few sweet gifts ;-) plus the Tanis Year in Color Club 2012 that I can't quite keep up with ;-) plus a visit at the alpaga farm ;-)

First, there was an early birthday gift from Andi!

Then, on my birthday, Chantal really spoiled me with a skein of Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label Fingering Weight in color Thrills and a beautiful skein of Sephyra Life in color Grand'ma Pie:

 

I know what the first one will become (I have a good friend at work who is pregnant!)  and the second one will certainly become some beautiful socks!

Then the two last Tanis Year in Color Club 2012 haven't been knitted yet but they are beautiful:

The first one comes with a pattern from Jared Flood and the second one with one from Alana Dakos!  I really look forward to knit them!

Finally, I bought these two skeins of alpaga yarn from the Les Alpagas de la Petite Côte:

These will become a winter hat or mittens of course.  The color is natural and it is so so soft!

 

So all of this being said and shown, I'd better go back to my needles because there is a lot of work in the knitting area planned!

 

I hope you all having a wonderful weekend!  Thank you so much for visiting my blog! xx

FO: Andrea's Shawl

I bought a new camera yesterday!  Mine was broken and quite old I must say.  It's kind of difficult to get used to a new camera, but it's supposed to be twice as good so... ;-)

Here is my latest FO!  The yarn and the pattern was given to me by my good "tricopine"  (in French, it's a contraction of the words "knitting" and "friend") Andi from My Sister's Knitter.  Thank you so much Andi, I've really enjoyed working on that project!  You really made my day twice with those awesome gifts!

Really nice pattern, well written and very wearable in that color!

 

Pattern: Andrea's Shawl by Kirsten Kapur
Yarn: Malabrigo yarn sock

Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm (circular)

Color: Impressionist sky

Start to finish: January 2012 - November 2012

For: Me.

Notes: Just made in one color (no stripes).

 

For some unexplained reason, I was very bad at keeping track of the needle size and pattern size.  When I picked up the project in October to finish it, I was so confused ;-)  Write Maryse write ;-)

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Les Alpagas de la Petite Côte

Yesterday, I've visited an alpaca farm (livestock): Les Alpagas de la Petite Côte. It was really nice and truly interesting despite the rain.  It's quite close to where I live so I hope to go again sometime in the spring maybe!  In the meantime, here are a few pictures.

 

The yarns they make are in their natural colorways exclusively for the moment.  It is gorgeous.  My camera is broken :(  This is why I cannot show you the two skeins of gray yarn (sport weight) that I bought.  They will make wonderful winter accessories!

Have a great week everyone!

Early birthday gift!

I'm not coming here too often these days.  My knitting mojo is a little low since I finished my last project, but it should come back soon with the cold days ahead ;-)

Today, I had a nice surprise in the mail!  An incredible gift from Andi (at My sister's knitter).  She is my knitting fairy ;-)  It feels like a birthday gift since I will be turning 40 (yes, I can't believe I'm already there!) this Wednesday.   Unbelievable!

It contained a beautiful card and 6 delicate snowflake stitch markers!  They are so cute and perfect for the coming winter!  This yarn will make lovely socks!  Thank you so much again Andi!  It really makes my day!  I'm so lucky to have you as a friend!

Oh, maybe next week I will have a different post.  I'm supposed to go visit an alpaga farm.  Stay tuned!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!  What are you knitting?

FO: Sunnyside Cardigan

We had a baby shower this afternoon for our friend Stéphanie who is expecting a little baby girl!

At first, she did not know if it was going to be a boy or a girl, so we mostly played it safe with her favorite color, which is green!

It is a good thing that a pregnancy lasts 9 months.  I finished knitting the project Thursday night.  It dried on Friday (yesterday) and I sewed the buttons at night while it was still a little wet.  I'm so glad it was finished on time!

The pattern is Sunnyside Cardigan by Tanis Lavallée of Tanis Fiber Arts.  It is easy to follow but I guess that you have to have some experience because the instructions are somewhat vague sometimes.  It's a free pattern.

Pattern: Sunnyside Cardigan by Tanis Lavallée of Tanis Fiber Arts

Yarn: The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga!

Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm (circular and DPNs)

Color: Insect leaf

Start to finish: August 2012 - September 2012

For: Annabelle

Notes: None.

 

Initially, I wanted to make the picot hem but it turned out that I did not know how to sew the border of it to the cardigan.  Since I really did not have the time to learn a new technique, I tinked a few rows and knitted the garter hem instead.  It turns out I really like it.

 

For the little buttons, I found these little lady bugs.  Aren't they cute!  I think they are really fun on a baby garnment!  It fits very well with the name of the colorway too!

 

Have a great weekend everyone!

FO: Farniente

Here is my finished Ravellenics project: Farniente!  What a beautiful little shawlette!

The lace border is absolutely gorgeous and the stockinette part so addictive.  It is a very quick and satisfying project!

It will probably get a lot of wear with jeans!

For those who wonder, the pattern has yet to be published by Deux Brins de Maille because I was test knitting this size!  It will also come in a larger size and you'll see that it looks very different but just as beautiful!

Mine was knit with Silk Blend of Manos del Uruguay.  The colorway is 3044.  I really loved this yarn and look forward to use it again!

Have a great weekend everyone and for those of you who are still completing their Ravellenics project: go go go!!!

Ravellenics dilemma...

I'm almost done with my project but I have a dilemma.  Here is how it looks now with 9 more rows to knit (stockinette).

I'm thinking about unknitting the plain portion and change the rate of increasing to add a few more rows.   Currently, the border is 4 inches and the plain part is 5 inches.  I'm afraid the blocking will stretch the border even more...

The 9 remaining rows will add 1.5 inches to the plain portion.  If I make the modification I'm thinking about it would add 3 inches (plain portion the double of the lace portion) or even 4.5 inches (plain portion more than the double of the lace portion).

Any ideas?  I don't think the amount of yarn is an issue (although time is)...  It was going so well ;-)  No worries, I'm not going to lose sleep over it and finish after the Ravellenics I guess...

Have a good week everyone!

Ravellenics: week 1

I've been on vacation for one week already.  One more to go...  I think humans are made to be on vacation ;-)

I won't spend too much time talking about my Ravellenics project because I'd better be working on it if I want to finish it on time ;-)  It is a beautiful pattern that I so enjoy knitting.  It is not yet published.  You should take a look at the work of the designer I'm testing it for.  I also love the yarn!

How's your Ravellenics project going?  I hope to finish mine early ;-)  We'll see!

Have a great week everyone!

The Ravellenics

Well, it takes a little bit of time to get used to the new name, doesn't it?  It sure requires a bit more explaining when you try to explain what you are getting ready for.  The Ravelympics kind of used to say half of it already ;-)

But, whatever the name is, aren't we just as excited?  I am!  This afternoon, I bought my yarn!  I love it!  Can't wait to start the project! It will be a test knit.  I should get the pattern in the next few days!

Here's the lovely yarn I bought:

It is the Silk Blend from Manos del Uruguay.  It is a light brown with pink and green hints!  I fell in love with it!

And you, what will you do?

Have a great weekend all!

Long summer weekend!

Mother Nature is really spoiling us this summer!  We had another wonderful day and it's the long weekend for Canada Day (last week was also a long weekend for Quebec Day)!  I worked outside around the house all afternoon.  Now, I feel tired, but tired good!  And I'm having a little glass of wine before dinner ;-)

On June 16th, I went to Tricotine et cie for the Knit in Public event!  It was fun!  We had sangria and cup cakes and a good time!  I got to wear my Damson!  I even spilled a little bit of sangria on it but thankfully, I was quick enough to dry it and it's fine!

Tricotine et cie is a new store in our area so every time I go (hum, well, it's the second time I go!), it's important that I buy a little something because it's really cool that they opened.  They have more and more different yarns now and they have some local products which is what I like to buy the most!

This time, I've bought a skein of Gaïa DK from Sephyra.  It is absolutely gorgeous!  I just don't know yet what I will make with it!  123 yards.  If you have any suggestions, let me know please!

I also started the cute Hedgerow socks with my latest Tanis (Year in Color 2012 - May 2012).  I think that they are the perfect summer knit!  Very light and the color reminds me of flower petals!  I hope they will be as pretty as Andi's!

I've also decided to do a test knit for Monique of Une maille à la fois for the Ravellenics 2012 (isn't it a cool name?)  Monique has some really nice designs to warm up our necks and shoulders ;-)  It's coming fast!  I will be on vacation during that period.  I will have to be super disciplined if I want to reach my goal and enjoy our short summer at the same time!

And you, will you participate to the Ravellenic Games 2012?  Have you decide what will be your challenge yet?

Have a great week!

FO: Damson

I finished my Damson on Monday!  What a nice pattern to knit!  I recommend it... if you don't already have one!  The yarn also was simply exquisite.  What a great colorway for this time of the year!

Pattern: Damson by Ysolda Teague 

Yarn: TFA Year in Color 2012 - March

Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm and US 8 / 5.0 mm

Color: Sprout

Start to finish: March 2012 - June 2012

For: Me

Notes: I used 3.5 mm needles for the entire pattern,

except for the bind off, I used 5.0 mm.

It is smaller than the original pattern.  I only had 100 g of yarn.  So I read notes from other people on Ravelry, reduced the needle size compared to what the pattern calls for, built an Excel file to follow-up the percentage of stitches knitted versus the remaining weight.  This made me confident that it would work out well and it took 90 g of yarn.

Here is a closer look at the yarn and the light variations of purple and red in it!

It looks like we are having a wonderful summer day today!  This week, I only work tomorrow and then, I finally take some days off (for the rest of the week)!  Yé! 

Have a great end of the weekend! 

Summer

Summer is now here!  It's so good!  For that reason, I spend a lot more time outside, working around the house.  It also means a little less knitting, although I'm 10 rows from finishing my Damson!  It will be so pretty!

I better finish it soon because I received some beautiful yarn two weeks ago as part of the TFA Year in Color 2012 Club! It is wanting to become socks!  Probably these...  Maybe not the most practical socks with my wardrobe ;-) but they will be very cute!

Happy summer to all of you!

Lucky!

Looks like we are going to have a wonderful 3-day long weekend!  It will be good to finally spend more time outside!

Recently, I've won two contests in a row.  I know, I could not believe it!  The first prize I won is a very nice Namaste circular needle case from Un brin dans le vent.  It is a very practical (and pretty!) gift because I did not really have anything to order my circular needles.  Thank you very much Chantal!  You know how I like bright colors!

The second one is a great book by Vogue Knitting that I won over at a blog I've been following for a very long time now: A friend to knit with.   It really made my day!  Thank you again!

And of course, I'm still working on my Damson.  I'm at row 89 (out of 109).  Hopefully, I will finish it soon since I received the May shipment of the TFA Year in Color 2012 Club.  The color is really new to me!  I'll show you next time.  I received it on Wednesday.  I know some people haven't received their yarn and pattern yet.  I would not want to spoil their surprise ;-)

So, this is all the news for me. I'm so glad summer is starting.  I will try to spend as much time outside this weekend as possible.  And you?  What will you be doing this weekend!

Happy knitting everyone!

Time flies...

Doesn't it?  Not much advancement for my Damson.  Actually, there is regular unknitting of it!  I keep doing the yos wrong and only see it a few rows later...

Also, things are starting to grow here...  I will transplant in larger pots this afternoon or later this week.

I'm so excited, it's the first time I have tulips this spring and they are so beautiful already!  It's a surprise everyday!

I love this picture.  I think the flower is so delicate and the yellow is just so beautiful!

I also wanted to bring to your attention a great contest that my friend Chantal at Brin dans le vent is having this week!  Such a lovely bag for circular needles!  Good luck to everyone!

I wish you all have a wonderful week!

WIP

My current WIP is going quite well!  Garter stitch is so relaxing...  I've undone a few rows, a few times, because I misplaced the yos or knitted a RS on the WS...  but all in all, it's very pleasant!

I've been reading helpful notes on Ravelry for modifications because I only have 100g of yarn.  I'm monitoring the progression very closely and comparing the number of stitches knitted versus the yardage used.  So far, it looks like decreasing the needle size by 0.50 mm is all that I needed to do!  It will be smaller and I think it will make it just the right size to be worn more like a scarf than like a shawl!

Ha, ha, I've been procrastinating a lot today ;-)  Oh well, sometimes that's what you need to do during your vacations!  Right?  It's just that I always think that I can do so many things ;-)

Have a great week!

Speaking of Tanis wonderful yarn...

... yesterday I completely forgot to mention this faboulous giveway on her page!  If you haven't checked it out yet, you should!  Tanis has the most beautiful yarn!  Hurry up, the contest ends tomorrow!

Sprouts

First, I want to say thank you to all of you who visit and leave some comments!  I really enjoy reading them!

Today, we are having a wonderful day in the Montreal area.  It is so sunny!  I worked a little bit around the house and then, I went jogging!  It really cheers me up!

The seeds I planted last week are starting to grow.  I did not plant too many: a few tomatoes, morning glories and a few herbs (basil, parsley, peppers, etc.)  So fun to look at them every day!

We received our second shipment of the TFA Year in Color 2012 a week ago and guess what is the name of the color?  Sprout!  It is so perfect for this time of the year.  It is a very nice light green with little touches of purple and even little red dots!

I will be doing another KAL with my friend Chantal.  I will let you what we chose to knit in another post.  Can you guess what it is?  Hum, you are very good if you can guess ;-)

By the way, visit Brin dans le vent to see how she styled the Georgia's Sleeves that we knit with the January yarn.  I love it!  Even better than worn as... sleeves ;-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

FO: Easy Peasy Newborn Hat

It has been such a quick little knit that it almost doesn't feel like a FO!

Pattern: Easy Peasy Newborn Hat by Keri McKiernan.
Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label Fingering.
Needles: US 3 / 3.25 mm.
Color: Truffle.
Start to finish: March 11-19, 2012
For:  ?
Modifications: None.

We should receive the March shipment of the TFA Year in Color 2012 Club this week!  I'll post it here when everyone seems to have received it.  I would not want to spoil the surprise for anyone.  So exciting!

Today is St.Joseph Day and this year, I'll be planting a few seeds!  This is what I will be doing this afternoon!  I like that kind of Monday!

Have an excellent week everyone!

FO: Georgia Sleeves

So, I finally casted off my second Georgia Sleeve!  Very nice pattern.  It was very enjoyable and mindless to knit and filled the goal of not stealing the thunder of this beautiful yarn (or vice versa).  On the contrary, the pattern and the yarn are really complementing each other I think ;-)

I don't know if this cast off technique has a name, but if you knit this pattern and want the sleeves to be worn over your hands, it is extending very nicely.

Thank you very much Celeste for this nice free pattern!

Here is a another look at the beautiful sleeves before I write the complete description:

Pattern: Georgia Sleeves by Celestial at Nebula Designs.
Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label Fingering.
Needles: US 1 / 2.25 mm and 2.50 mm
Color: Truffle (0.6 skein) which is the January/Febrary colorway for the TFA Year in Color 2012 Club.
Start to finish: February 4, 2012 to March 10, 2012
For: Me!
Modifications: None. 

There is a little bit of shaping in the pattern so it is not a plain tube.

If you click on the TFA link above for the club, you will notice that I deviated from the proposed pattern.  It also seems like a lot of knitters in the club chose a different pattern.  I so love this designer usually but the pattern she proposed was not very challenging (knits and purls only) and I didn't find the result interesting enough to invest some of my time in it.  I'm a bit disappointed because it feels like I paid for it and I will never knit it...
 
Instead, my friend Chantal and I made a mini-KAL after looking at many patterns!  I was about to knit a pair of socks and received her email just in time to change my mind!  It was fun!  Chantal finished way before me!  KAL are great for knitting faster!  That also means that we are ready for the next shipment for the club which should be in about 2-3 weeks!

Last but not least, there are about 45 g of this beautiful yarn left.  I'm thinking about knitting some Saartje booties with it.  I'll have to find some nice buttons (which will bring me to a certain question Monique!)

Also, while I was knitting all that stockinette, I was thinking (and sometimes stopping to go on Ravelry) about what I could do with all my other projects leftovers.  I'm thinking mostly about baby knits.  I may knit the Little sister's dress with the upper right corner cotton yarn.  For the other yarns, we will see!  For sure, it is always fun to look for ideas on Ravelry!

I have to say I love this picture!  It brings back a lot of memories!

Have a great Sunday everyone!