Woollens

We're well and truly into winter here and with temperatures dropping I've been on the hunt for the perfect woollen sweater. I've got a project on the needles (a big, squishy loop scarf in beautiful marled merino/alpaca) and am indulging in as much soup as I can (soup is my favourite, this is not a difficult task). My mile-a-minute brain is wont to get overwhelmed by ideas and plans at the best of times, but during winter when there's so much yarn about I can potentially spend more time looking at knitting patterns than actually working on them. This winter I've tried to narrow it down to my first pair of socks (which will be made in a lovely pale grey Knitsch yarn I picked up at Holland Road), a Petawawa Cable Toque from Goodnight, Day and a larger garment that I'm still deciding on. I have visions of a slouchy jumper or a loose and slightly cropped number to wear over dresses. Here's a bit of inspiration I've been pulling together over on Pinterest to keep you cozy. 

Lyricism // Wiksten socks // via No.6 store // Art Sock // Pocketto // Weekender Hat 

Knitstch Sock Yarn // Elora Toque Knitting Kit // via Vanessa Jackman // Madeline Tosh Merino

Monday, Monday

Hello! I hope you all had a lovely weekend and that Monday went easy on you. (Very) luckily for me I have Mondays off and so I got to have a lazy start to the day with blackberry jam on toast and Ravelry to browse. I'm looking for a little something to knit with that lovely tweed (procured from the equally lovely Chelsea) and I'm debating between a few different scarves and wraps. I'm so excited for Fall!

Oh, hello beautiful Anthro mug!

I've been finding a bit of a rhythm in my mornings lately, which I'm enjoying. Getting up a little earlier(ish) while Richard is still asleep from his night shift the night before, and spending time with a book (alright, alright and/or blogs) and a cuppa. Its the perfect time to think about what I'd like to get done in the day, make up a to-do list and now that colder weather is approaching, getting the crockpot started for lunch or dinner. To be clear, this rhythm only appears on the mornings I don't go to work strangely enough. The mornings I do have to go into work the only rhythm is that of me resetting my alarm multiple times with a whinge or two thrown in for good measure.

Happy Monday!

xo

Beer and Knitting. Yes please.

My needles and yarn have been rather neglected lately, with the onset of warmer weather and doing lots of crafting of a more non-knitted variety. I have been missing it though, and excitedly tomorrow I will get the chance to meet up with some of my favourite crafty ladies to grab a pint and get making. If you're in Vancouver, you should definitely come along! Here are the details...

What? Vancouver Craft Mafia monthly Stitch 'n Bitch
Where? The Brick House bar, 730 Main Street (between Union and Georgia, east side of the street)
When? 8pm-10ish
How much? Free of course!

The Brick House is a favourite little spot of mine. Totally out of control decor, it kind of looks like somebodies rec room, but lots of comfy couches and some good beer. You don't have to knit, you can bring any kind of art or craft project that you like, or even just bring yourself and have a chat.

Hope to see you there!

Good stuff.

It kinda felt like today was the first day where I really got to relax, reflect and catch up from being away. It was nice and slow moving, with the sun coming out to play in the afternoon. I met up with a lovely friend for lunch on The Drive (at Little Nest, one of my favourite places to eat), where we got to catch up, talk doula and eat amazing cauliflower soup.

I took along my knitting, to work on a new order of hand warmers for Lucky Rooster and generally drank tea, clucked over Lisa's new wee girl and enjoyed the comfort of like minded friendship. It was good.

Winter-ish

Despite being fairly convinced it was Spring, this is what we woke up to yesterday morning. At first I just thought it was really overcast, until I heard a 'What the.....?' from Richard as he peered through the blinds.

Hmmm. It is now all the more unfortunate that this is all I have to show for my mittens. Especially as, although it is rather sunny out today, I hear talk of -5degrees still. I guess I'll just have to (let the cat in!) and put the kettle on to warm up!

My favourite and my best

Rice crispie squares are one of those thing where I can't quite tell if you're still allowed to love them as much as I do, now that I'm an adult. I actually hadn't had them for awhile, until our co-op potluck where I snuck back up to the food table....oh, about 5 or 6 times to grab another piece. Its so freakin' good! Especially since over here its usually made with marshmallow instead of honey.

This was made by my (other) favourite (with vegan marshmallow, no less!) who came over for a night of roast veggie soup, apple pie, knitting and Summer Heights High. What a treat!

Workman's Mitts

Summer Days, Georgia O'Keefe 1936

We had an anniversary of sorts here recently, and of course Richard was a little more on the ball than I was...meaning on got my present on time and he got his a week later. Oops. I was lucky enough to get a vegetarian North African cookbook, some beautiful flowers and a biography of Georgia O'Keefe which I can't wait to start! I have always loved her work, and am looking forward to finding out more about her as a controversial art teacher and desert dwelling painter.

Richard is a big fan of The Clash, and Joe Strummer in general so I picked this book up for him (that I secretly want to read also) from Sophia's. Did anyone else see 'The Future Is Unwritten', the documentary made about Joe Strummer? Excellent, excellent. I would highly recommend if even if you've never been into The Clash. You will most likely cry, so be warned.

I also decided to make some handwarmers, as Richard works with his hands a lot and it has most definitely started getting colder! I've made a few of these, and so improvised on some of the patterns I've seen around. I LOVE wearing mine, so perfect for Vancouver's changeable weather, for chilly mornings, and knitting on the bus. It is a super easy pattern also, so why not give them a go!

Materials

Size 4mm needles

Cascade 220 yarn in 2 contrasting colours (or another yarn of similar weight, wool or alpaca will make them nice and toasty). One skein of each is easily enough to make your mitts, with plenty left over.

Yarn Needle

Abbreviations

MC - Main Colour

CC - Contrasting Colour

St - Stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row)

BO- Bind Off

Pattern

- CO 38 sts in MC.

- Work in 2x2 rib for 12 rows

- Work in St for 10 rows

- Change to CC, continue in St for 8 rows

- Change to MC, continue in St for 6 rows

- Work in 2x2 rib for 8 rows

- BO loosely

Finishing

Starting from the end you bound off, sew side seams together until you reach the end of the ribbing.

Starting from the bottom (where you cast on) sew up side seams, stopping about two rows after you reach the CC. This leaves the hole for the thumb.

Weave in ends.

Even though these might look a little small, remember they will stretch. However, Richard has quite narrow hands so if you want these either bigger or smaller just increase or decrease the CO stitches as you see fit (for a woman's hands I usually cast on 32). Oh, and if you ever need any help, this site is excellent as it translates abbreviations and has videos to show you what to do!