Reasons To Be Cheerful

In order to maintain an equilibrium of sanity, I make lists.

Sometimes, I think having a list of reasons to be cheerful is a useful tool in the fight against woe-to-me-ism. This list, of course, takes for granted all those most basic needs of humanity¹. And having those in and of themselves are reasons enough to be cheerful, no?
But, on to my expanded list.

Reasons To Be Cheerful

-the knitting waiting for me at home
-my copy of Joy of Cooking, and the fact that there'll always be a recipe I've never made
-my bed
-a good cup of Horton's Cafe Mocha (happily pictured right.) Incidentally, to all you fellow countrypeople, I still haven't won a thing on Roll Up.
-the sometimes odd behaviour of little yellow birds
-my family and friends
-my favourite shoes (which will change on any given day!)
-the prospect that I have so much more to learn about so many very cool and interesting things
-the country I live in
-diversity
-men with a Scottish accent... it just makes me go dreamy
-polite, well-behaved children who give me hope for humanity's future
-knit night
-Jane Austen
-wine, cheese and delicious oatcakes
-family photo albums
-an empty notebook and all the potential it embodies
-colour
-the seemingly unending intricacies of the English language
-the random compliment (both offered and received)
-autumn
-my life-long pursuit of the perfect golden yarn
-thunderstorms
-fantastic British comedies
-art supply stores (not to mention office supply stores, wherein my proclivity towards über organization can be satiated)
-the fact that this list is as long as it is!

I'd like to encourage everyone to make a list. It's very good for the end-of-March blahs!!

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¹summed up nicely by Maslow in his hierarchy

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Caitlin Stopper
Blog: Honeycomb Originals
Rav ID: gooey
Some Great Designs: gooey's Rav Designer Page

If gooey's Anti Casualty (pictured right) is any indication, I think we've got a unique and exciting new designer on our hands!

Here's a bit from the designer herself re: this design:
"I love Lady Gaga. I love her spirit, her wardrobe and most of all, her fearlessness.
She inspired me to be a little more daring when it came time to dress myself in the morning, but not all of us can wear spiked vinyl jump suits with stripper heels to work or out to run errands. Big version or small version, here is a little something to Gagafy your life."

This piece looks like a great way to use up those perplexing and lovely bits of bulky ends you may have lying around (and if you're like me, you've got a number of them!)

Another gooey pattern currently posted is the Align Mitts - a pattern designed to match Natalie Larson’s Star Crossed Slouchy Beret (which, incidentally, I've had on my faves list forever!) and a great way to use any end you may have leftover from said pattern.

Zen Linen

Pattern: (hmmm, I think I'll call it) Zen Linen
Yarn: Zen Yarn Garden Pelusa in 14Kt
225 yrds

Want a real easy peasy and incredibly functional one skein knit?
I think I cast on something like 121 sts (had to be an odd number for the stitch pattern) to circs, and worked in linen stitch until I had no more yarn.

Linen Stitch:
Any odd number of stitches
Row 1: k1, *sl1 wyif, k1; rep from *
Row 2: k1, p1, *sl1 wyib, p1; rep from *, end k1

This beautiful hank was just hanging around, sitting tauntingly on my desk for months. I'm very glad it's become this simple cowl - it's seen a lot of use in the past few weeks, and was perfect for the overcast and slightly breezy weather we've had today.

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Wendy Poush
Blog: running jack knits
Rav ID: maerchen
Some Great Designs: maerchen's Rav Designer Page

Here's a designer with ambition and discipline!
Admirably, mearchen has decided that she'll be writing one design a week for 2010!!
Here's a link to the Pattern-a-Week index.
The idea fascinates me.

But that incredible journey isn't what first drew me to her work.
The pictured Firstfall Convertible Mitts were it. I thought this was a totally ingenious idea. The designer states it best:

"The need for flip-tops secured with a button or Velcro is done away with by using flaps which are joined to the hand and thumb on three sides. The cable panel is reversible, so the cable looks lovely whether worn as a mitt or a mitten."

So very cool.

Another example of this species of mitt can be seen in her Cradle Convertible Mitts.

And, an adorably miniature version here, in the Basic Baby Mitts.

As you probably all know by now, I love a knit with a story, and maerchen's Dumber than Snake Mittens have a great one.

Lest you think all this designer creates are mitts, witness the sweet Bouncy Dress here. It was designed to show off self-patterning yarn, and creates a very beautiful, interesting and unique looking baby dress.

Knit Picks Independent Designer; Or, I Get Yarn Happy!

As you may have noticed, I've been rather silent as of late.

Herein I proffer one of the reasons; that is, I've been busy as a bee working on some patterns. Way back in the penultimate months of 2009, I was invited to be part of Knit Picks Independent Designer Partnership Program. Flattered, I certainly was.

And of course my mind started a-whirring, dancing out ideas and buzzing on the excitement of new yarns and possibilities.

My YarnCrush^TM as of late has been Knit Picks' Palette.
The first garment I've been working on for my Knit Picks trifecta¹ is one I've lovingly titled Chauntecler (pictured in a rather dreamily-edited teaser photo at right).
It's a dress, short-sleeved, with lace detailing on the back. And I'm sure you can imagine, knitting a dress in fingering weight takes one a bit of time.

I do hope to have the pattern written up and ready for test-knitting in the near future (and I hesitate to give ya'll a solid date because, honestly, wedding stuff is greedily hogging a large portion of my time).

For now, I must apologize for my blog-neglect, and hop on over to my favourite knit spot and get to working on that dress!

__________________
¹It's a trifecta, cause I've been cooking up not only the Chauntecler dress, but a couple of other, as yet unnamed, patterns, including another dress and a cabled sweater.

Tee Hee Hee

Not much to say today - just wanted to share a funny comic my bf cut out of the paper for me on the weekend.
Tee hee hee!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Emma Fassio
Blog: emmafassioknitting
Rav ID: emmafassio
Some Great Designs: emmafassio's Rav Designer Page

I'm always on a quest to find new and interesting knits; designs that intrigue, colours that capture, lines that flatter.

And this week's featured knitter and knit, emmafassio's Rosa's Sleeveless Cardi - Jumper, has a shape that delights. It's a soft detail that adds an element of whimsy to the knit, creating yet another reason to love the basic and wonderful raglan!

Her Mormor's Shawl is a nice basic with a sweet story - she created it for her Swedish grandmother, "mormor" being grandmother in Swedish.

Knits that use and show yarn in its best always make me smile, and the designer's Sansi Shawl is a great example of one such knit. The repeated little lace Os create visual interest that acts as a catalyst for the vibration of the hues in the yarn. This is a knit used best for variegated - that yarn which (for me at least) constantly eludes flattering knits.
Eureka! I've found one :)

As per usual, check out her Rav Designer Page - there's so much more there that I haven't touched on!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Johanna More
Blog: And Sew It Is
Rav ID: morepjs
Some Great Designs: morepjs' Rav Designer Page

Round these parts we're seeing the last hurrahs of winter. Spring is thinking about springing, and one of those perfect transitional accessories is the wrist warmer.

This week's designer, morepjs, has a lovely, lyrical pattern for just this garment in the pictured Rosalind Wrist Warmers: woolly wrist warmer pattern. I'm a sucker for a good cable, and these function wonderfully with the shape of the warmer itself.

There's also the sweet and eye-catching Baby Blue: A spiral baby blanket. And, as the designer says herself, "It’s very effective without being complicated, it works up quickly and makes a lovely gift for a new baby." I always love the "simple" knit that appears complicated to all those who see it!

Finally, there's her Astrum Beret, another great transitional garment. I like the unexpected colour combination in the original.
Keep an eye open for her work!

Rill-er-riffic

Pattern: Rill (download now)
Yarn: 50 grams of Handmaiden 12 ply cashmere

Mmm... cashmere...

This quick little pattern is my triumphant, almost last minute Ravelympics Designer Biathalon.
It's a cowl with a built-in closure method, in the form of a couple of loops placed just so on one end of the piece.
I'm glad I forced myself to enter the games this year; it's ended in me finally using this lovely yarn (of which I only had 50 metres), as well as a purty Citron. Mine is basically a copy of Julie's over at Knitted Bliss; I saw hers posted a while back, realized I had the very same yarn, and knew I hads to have it!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: E.A. Kelley
Blog: E.A. Kelley
Rav ID: oddlief
Some Great Designs: oddlief's Rav Designer Page

Here's some beauty to round out your week!
Pictured is the Helms Hood by the talented knitter, E.A. Kelley. I always appreciate an attractive knit with functionality built into it, and this pattern certainly has both!

Carrying this very set of qualities over into some feet-covering are the PE Kelley Kilt Hose. I particularly like this pair because not only are they classic, tasteful, subtle and attractive, they're free! How generous :)

And completing the triumvirate of cabley knits are her Auntie Slippers. As you might already know, I like me a good staghorn cable, and these slippers show that pattern off in a very skillful way.

Please check out her designer page on Rav - there's even more great work there.

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Karen Clement
Blog: knit 1 chicago
Rav ID: kclem
Some Great Designs: kclem's Rav Designer Page

...what was that I was just saying last week about having a thing for bulky yarnned knits?

This week's designer is quite the artisan with her thick yarn, needles and hooks.

Witness kclem's Magnum Reversible Vest/Wrap (pictured right). This is how you do a bulky sweater/top! The cinching of the belt give the solid structure this casual-cool bulky knit needs - and wowzers, is it striking!

And I'm not sure I've ever seen a bulky crochet reaching such fashionable heights; take a boo at Magnum Capelet #4 (crochet) and tell me I'm wrong! All kclem's pieces make me want to go out and buy bulky yarn now now now.

Finally, I'd like to highlight the stylish Magnum Capelet #1. A top down, one skein, creation of wearable loveliness like this is hard to resist.

Knot Tying 101; Or, How Wedding Planning Comes Along

... wherein I continue to chat about my wedding plans, and it's fun crafty stuffs this time...

I've been whirring into high gear; these past few weeks have seen me book the dj (hooray!), choose a hairstyle with all your help, have a successful make-it-yourself-bouquet trial run and locate a seamstress who's doing a fantabulous job on my gown for a quarter of the price quoted by a local bridal shop.

But, as per usual, I have some questions for all you folks.

First, here's some images of my hoped-for hairstyle:



















Yeah, I know they're practically the same thing, but what to do with the bangs?!
The part that appeals to me the most is the "thrown up-edness" of these two styles. That and the fact that it requires no imagination to foresee how my pretty little silk rose will look incorporated into the style.

Which brings me to my first advice-ask.

I've decided to add a wee bit of lace to the silk flower (how could I resist the idea of knitting for my wedding!)
The lovely task of choosing said lace has led me to a couple of patterns on Rav, including these three:

Hilton Lace
by A.M.

Belmina Lace
by A.M.

Edging with Flowers and Fans
by Verlag Otto Beyer Design Team

Lace edging is one of those things I thought I'd never get a chance to use, despite the fact that I find it very aesthetically pleasing and technically interesting. I thought I had oh so many lace designs in my mountainous knitting bibliothèque, but alas, there was nothing suitable within.

I didn't want anything with points that jut out too far (so the Belmina lace above is sort of pushing it) and I didn't think anything with a large repeat would look so great (but I am knitting it in a very fine laceweight, so I can get away with up to about 15-20 st repeat, methinks).

What to choose?

(The designer for the top two lace panels has many more if you follow the link. I'm always very happy to get some new ideas and fresh perspective).

And now for the second advice-ask.

I have the bonbonniere all lined up and ready for the adults (to be revealed on a future post), but it's occurred to me that it would be nice to have a little something for all the young children.
So, to parents out there: what do you think would be appropriate to include in a child's wedding favour?
My brainstorm so far has led me to:
-small pad of paper
-pencil (or maybe washable crayons)
-some sort of candy, like Smarties (or M&Ms, for my American friends out there)
-maybe a small toy?

I'm afraid I might be overeager and/or ignorant with my choices, so I deign to your wisdom!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Rose
Blog: Rose Unraveled
Etsy Shop: NosieRosie Knits
and Roses Bloom
Rav ID: nosierosie
Some Great Designs: nosierosie's Rav Projects Page

As many of you surely know, I'm currently enjoying the fun process of planning my wedding; and obviously, there's going to be some knitting research involved in there somewhere!

Which brought me to the pretty knitterly floral wedding projects of nosierosie.
Not only did she have wonderful wedding knit-accessories, she's designed some lovelies herself.

Pictured here you see the Boob Tube. Check out her project page for a number of different, and very cool ways to wear it. Chunky knits always fascinate me, and this one is made even cooler by its versatility and that purty wee flower.

Lacy Beret is a cute little wardrobe addition, which just might have a pattern posted (perhaps?) It looks like a great, stylish and functional piece, something you'd get great use out of in the autumn, spring and (if you're brave) even winter!

This just in: the brand new, sweet wee wristlet design named Rhodochrosite. I love the design, and that fantastic lacy colour!

MidWinter Wanderer; Or, This Pattern Makes Me Smile!

Pattern: MidWinter Wanderer [download now]
Yarn: 4.5 hanks of Noro Silk Garden

This pattern has been sitting in my brainfiles for over a year now (as the yarn has also been sitting in my stashpile for that length of time too!)

As is my nature, I was distracted by many and sundry other things (including shiny yarn! ooo, shiny yarn...) and so have only just gotten around to knitting and writing up this pattern in the last month or so.

And I have to admit... I really like it!

It's been integrated quite successfully into my everyday wardrobe, and the design surprised me with its unexpected versatility.

At first I was only envisioning a hood with a heel, playing with short rows and cables to create something warm; some kind of hat-and-scarf hybrid.
Something that you could throw on without wrecking your already-pretty-damn-mussed-up hair.
Something that would flatter the very pretty yarn with its beautiful colour gradations and warm-white fuzzy glow.

What I wasn't expecting was how very wearable I've found it, especially as a (if I may say so) almost-chic indoor accessory.
Witness the (rather yucky) photo beneath.
It pairs quite nicely with a long-sleeved top, adding an extra layer and acting almost like a poncho or capelet.

(Let me tell you, I had a bit of a time trying to figure out how to classify this baby into Ravelry's pattern database. Scarf? Cowl? Hat? Hood? Hrmmmm)

This is possibly the happiest I've been with a design in a very long time.
It makes me feel so warm and cozy.
I'm particularly chuffed about the scrunchiness of the hood when I wear it down (which of course obliterates all the cables, but to me, makes the cowl/hood look kinda stylin and cool).

You can see this scrunchy goodness in the photo below.
(incidentally, I do have the ability to inundate you all to even further levels of oversaturation with MidWinter Wanderer photos, and have posted a couple different ones on Ravelry.)


It's taken me a while to get this FO posted simply because I knew I wanted to have a pattern all ready to go.

It's up as a free download in the link above as well as on Ravelry. As always, I'm trying to learn and improve my pattern-writing skills, and so am encouraging any and all who choose to knit this knit to kindly send me some feedback as to their experience.

With other cabley patterns in the works, I need to polish off those chart writing skills tout de suite!

Today is Wednesday; Or, It's Getting Cold out Dude

I thought I might revisit the "A Day in the Life of Me"-type post that I wrote six months ago.
And as fascinating as that was, just wait til you see it covered in snow!



7:56 am: What better time to wake up and...





bake cookies. It never hurts to have freshly baked sweets for work!
(ok, ok, I admit it: I actually made the dough last night and stored it in the fridge til this morning. I'm not quite that much of a süberwoman.)








10:00 am: Bus waiting, and this time that pretty Anglican church is snow-frosted.







5:30 pm:
Me with the man. Yes! Introducing the man.
We had a yummy dinner, and headed off for a very cool show...














6:30 pm: Got my entertainment for the evening and saw cool show at the Planetarium with aforementioned man.







11:30 pm: Way past my bedtime, I'm having some lovely Lady Grey Tea and putting the finishing touches on my latest design.