Rip Roarin' Christmas at Home

The last winner for the Christmas Giveaway was littlebirdbigcity. Thanks to everyone for participating!
As it happens, I did get me a snow day. Four day weekends capped off by a Christmas at home can be rather fruitful! Grinchy cookie making (come with rather frightening eyes)
Hoodie present giving to sister (I think she digs)
and flip-top mitt gifting










Those ones were for my mom. I also gave her one of my new obsession, my good friend the rooster man. Here's the one I gifted to her:


Slightly funky looking beak, but I loves him still. Have yourself some good holidays all! My seasonal sugar intake had spiked - hope yours has too :)

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Katarzyna Tarasik
Blog: Fiubzdziu
Rav ID: fiubzdziu
Some Great Designs: fiubzdziu's Rav Designer Page

Generously offering her patterns for free, fiubzdziu is another addition to my list of awesome designers who utilize the power of simple lines, shapes and textures to wonderful results.
Pictured right is the fantastic Longoria's Something cardigan. I particularly enjoy the innovative twist on the open-cardi concept, with the tall neck and large buttons placed thereupon.
A great wrap-sweater is her Purple Haze. The lace is a simple repeat with great effect on the FO.
Her most recent addition is Romance, a subtley puff-sleeved cardigan that looks incredible with a nice leather belt. The neckline detail and sleeve-lace make this garment a perfect wardrobe basic.

________________
This'll be my last profile of 2008 - back in the new year!

Galo Português para minha Vavó

Rooster vs. Rooster

This year I've decided to make my grandmother a rooster... a lucky rooster!
This guy (clearly, my sewn version on the left) is from a folk story and is a good luck symbol. I just think he's rawkin.

I had a lot of fun sewing him up - I just used some quilting scraps, fibre-fill stuffing and a couple left over buttons from my Gaets cardi. I've got plans for a rooster family. This guy has to fly off to my grandma's, but his brothers are hatchin in me brain.
...and what, no knitting content, you say? That is true. As can happen, my yarnny machinations have overloaded and caused a short in the circuitry. I got on a colourwork kick, and have careened downhill from there. Now that my baking is almost done, and my present making is on the verge of completion, I think my mind will turn back to tricot and I'll have some defo progress to show before Ludi-christmas (I've been on a 30 Rock watching kick!)
They're calling for a massive amount of snowfall this weekend - fingers crossed for a SNOW DAY tomorrow! *grinny grinny*

'Twas the Giveaway before Christmas...

Congratulations to last week's winner, The Yarniad!

This is the last week of the Giveaway before Christmas. Thanks to everyone for your participation.
eta: a very good question was asked of me re: how winners are picked. I use the lovely Random Number Generator on the interwebs. People are assigned a number in the order in which they responded to the question, and the Generator does the rest!
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Last week before Christmas and one item remains,
only one question this rhymey contains!

1) Do you want this sweater?


sweater details:
measures
waist - 14"
hips - 17"
bust - 17"

reason I'm giving it away: it's just a touch too big for me liking.

...and here's what else you'll get:

-one ball of Knit Picks Elegance (in same yarn and colour as in sweater)
-two hanks of Knit Picks Shimmer
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Thank you to everyone and good luck!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: weirdrockstar
Blog: WeirdRockStar
Rav ID: weirdrockstar
Some Great Designs: weirdrockstar's Rav Projects Page

I love it when I come across a designer who's Rav project page is filled with original designs. Weirdrockstar is one of these amazing knitters.
Her aesthetic is a splendiferous mix of gothically-classic-pinup. See her wonderfully cabled Green Brunhilde.
I love her Kimono (pictured right). Look at that wide belt! In her pattern notes she states that it's almost 4 metres long - this makes my knitting-cortex whir with appreciation and astonishment. Four metres! And it gets wider in the middle! Mmmm, incredi-design! Also: don't miss the photo she's posted of it from the back: such gorgeous cascades of cables as I've never seen.
Spring Sonata is a bold marriage of ruffle and lace that maintains her aforementioned aesthetic and has a classy and fun feel to it.
Green Cardi - she dyed it herself ladies and gentlemen (not sure if there's any gentlemen readers here, but I'll include you nonetheless). I love the wide neck and all over lace.
Make sure you check out her blog, where she includes some designs that aren't on her Rav page. I especially love the recently-blogged about lacey collar. Once again, how cool is that from the back!
Her gorgeous Project Spectrum jacket is yet another knitting wonder. Her use of colour is thoroughly attractive. The length of the piece gives is an almost regal air. The hood enhances this impression, and is equally splendid worn up over the head or down around the shoulders.
And her most recent post outlines the creation of a cute shorty-capelet creation. I love it with the two top buttons done up - very 50s chic!

Bake that Orange!

When the needles go silent, the oven starts up. Fruit-laden Christmas trees are my bag.


As is this.
They turned out pretty good. It's actually all the dry ingredients for some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Quick survey!
As you can tell, I'm thoroughly into my Christmas baking. I wanted to make me some empire cookies, but I'm not sure if the cookie itself is traditionally a shortbread or a sugar cookie. So, how do you make your empire cookies?

'Twas the Giveaway before Christmas...

Congratulations to last week's winner, Xiuwen.

Ready for another round?
___________________________
This time one answer is all I require,
look at my rhyming, I'm on fire!

1) Do you want this sweater and a bag of yarn?


sweater details:
measurements
Shoulder to bottom edge: 23"
Across bottom: 14.5"
Across hips: 14.5"
Across waist: 10"

(note: the reason I'm giving this sweater away is because it's too itchy for me. If you have sensitive skin, this would not be the sweater - nor the yarn - for you).

And also in this giveaway are six (and a bit) balls of the very same yarn as in this sweater, Rowan Tapestry!
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Thanks and good luck to all :)
Last week is the last in this little giveaway. Stay tuned!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Megan Rogers
Blog: Dulle Griet
Rav ID: dullegriet
Some Great Designs: dullegriet's Rav Design Page

What this designer can do with fair isle!
If you scan her projects page you'll see a sea of colour and cables. Beautiful colours and temptingly textured cables!
To begin: her lovely maize scarf has given me yet another reason to buy two hanks of Malabrigo Silky Merino.
While this scarf is a lovely example of design, I think her insightful use of colour is demonstrated well in the eye-catching Bobby's Garden blanket. It's quite an adaptable pattern as well, containing instructions for various sizes.
Another lovely is her Flyte Fair-Isle Pullover. I love the sleeves... love the deep ribbing... love the dancing hues of fair-isle happiness... and I looooove the neckline! (and I've got some love for the pics in the pattern, you know, those ones with the camelid creatures).
Pictured above is the design that first caught my eye, the gorgeous Truffle Cardigan. Dullegriet has generously posted this pattern tutorial for free. The delicate scallop edging complements the textured body and twining cables so wonderfully! This one has been on my list for a long time. It's rare when I find a cardigan/sweater with long sleeves that I wouldn't alter into shorter ones. This is one that I wouldn't change at all!
If you find yourself in Portsmouth, NH, you can pop by Macroscopic (a shop which provides "Distinctive Gifts for the Home and Body") and see some of her hand-knits in person.

'Twas the Giveaway before Christmas...

Firstly, thanks to everyone for taking the time to participate in this giveaway.
An interesting factoid: four times as many people prefer patterns with the photos, instead of the layout where patterns are collected at the back. Perhaps all the mags/books should have done some market research before changing the popular format!

Congratulations to last week's winner, Charity!

As always, this giveaway will stay open for the entering until Saturday, at which time I'll pull the name of the winner and announce that person's name on Monday.

Here's your gooftastic rhyme for week #3's goodies:
___________________________
The giveaway before Christmas continues today,
answer these two questions and a gift may be on its way!

1) How do you hear about new knitting books? Ravelry? Word of mouth? LYS?
2) Do you prefer patterns that are challenging or easy?
...and here is what you'll get:


-two hand-crafted felt owls
-one handknit bear
-one roll of ribbon
-two hanks of Rowan Summer Tweed
-one handmade purse with vintage wooden handles (approximately 14" long and 9" deep, excluding handles)
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Thanks to all! Still two more week's worth of giveaways to come :)

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Jane Richmond
Rav ID: janeyfromcanadia
Some Great Designs: janeyfromcanadia's Rav Design Page

In the past two weeks janeyfromcanadia has added three of her designs to Ravelry - for free! - and much to the enrichment of the knitting community. She knits for a fashion designer based out of Vancouver, B.C. How cool is that?! Though upon looking at her patterns I'm sure you'll agree that she's a talented fashion designer herself!

I love how her patterns are so textured and adaptable; her adorable hat Elizabeth can be worn slouchy or rolled over with a brim (to keep those ears warm!)
Not to mention the chunky Marian moebius cowl. A free pattern that is fashionable and quite functional at the same time. I can easily imagine a starlet sporting this neck-warmer! Bulky knits always fascinate me. This pattern gives a perfect project with perfect yardage for that perfect ball/hank/skein of bulky yarn you treat yourself to this holiday season!
The pictured Mustard Scarf, as a project with warmth and adorability, has made its way onto my holiday gifting list (and I suggest it for any and all of you who may have a gift to give to an appreciative recipient this year). I like how the scarf is worn in the picture, but can imagine it in several other tres chic arrangements. It also provides a golden opportunity to utilize that one perfect button you might have.

I'm really looking forward to (what I hope will be) loads more designs and inspiration!

Picking up the Bees

After going through a bit of a frogging phase, I've decided it's well-time to start diving into the UFOs and transform them into WIPs. Or alphabet soup.

As it stands, my bee sweater stands in a pile of not-being-worked-on-edness.

The problem I had before was that the actual bee fair-isle rows were too damn tight and definitely not cool. I'm not sure of the best way to fix that. Here's my options as I see them now:

1) increase up a significant degree and continue with the bees in fair isle (thus making the sweater longer than originally intended)
2) start working flat instead of in the round and create the bees via intarsia (thus creating the need for sewing of seams)
3) frog the whole damn thing and start from scratch (thus creating knit-heartbreak)

Clearly I'm not too keen on #3, but if needs must, then knits ribbit.

In other yarnny happenings, I've received a happy package from Knit Picks, containing within a supply of Wool of the Andes Worsted for me to make myself the long-admired cheesy intarsia sweaters, sported by the fashionistas of the 70s. You know the ones I mean, with the BIG caribou/moose splayed across the front and back? I've searched fruitlessly online for a good photo, and was sure I saw a pattern for one but have as-of-yet to rediscover it.

I'm planning on putting in a couple of polar bears with pine trees for good measure. Wish me luck! (though it would be incredibly irresponsible of me to begin this knit while the Bees languish and the to-be-gifted knits lay accusitorily staring at me from their project bags).
But I think I'm entirely capable of that kind of irresponsibility.

'Twas the Giveaway before Christmas...

...part the second!

First of all I'd like to say thank you to everyone for your responses, and congratulations to our first winner, Poethead!

As per last week, you need only to read the goofy rhyme below, post your answers here (or message me on Rav, or even email me at canarysanctuary at yahoo dot com) and I'll enter your name for the draw. I'll be drawing the winning name on Saturday. Just let me know how to contact you, and the package will be on its way!

Now, on to this week's prizes:
___________________________
'Twas the giveaway before Christmas, and if goodies you'd like to score,
all you must do is answer these questions four!

1) Does the colour of the garment in a pattern influence if you make it or not?
2) Do you prefer a pattern book/magazine format where the patterns accompany the photos, or where all the photos are at the front and all the patterns are at the back?
3) Do you knit mostly for yourself?
4) If a pattern is knit in a hard-to-find yarn, but includes pertinent sub information (gauge, fibre, needle size) does it affect if you knit the pattern or not?
...and here's what you'll get:


-one vintage crafting book (and I must add a caveat here: this book is hardcore vintage. As in, it was discovered in a box in storage on my grandfather's farm, and despite my best efforts, still smells a bit neglected. Not rotten! But just smells like an old book. This is not why I'm giving it away. It's up for grabs here because I'll never use it enough, and I'm sure there's someone else out there who will. And it will be kept in a separate bag from the other goodies mailed to you.)
-two balls of Rowan Kidsilk
-one bear handknit by me
-a length of ribbon
-a stamp that says "Love" on it
___________________________

Thank you and good luck! And if you don't win this week, keep in mind there's still 3 weeks worth of giveaways, and each week the prizes will get bigger!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Stephanie Dosen
Blog: *tiny owl knits*
Website: Stephanie Dosen.com
Rav ID: tinyowlknits
Some Great Designs: tinyowlknits' Rav Design Page

I came across Stephanie Dosen's knits before I was introduced to her music. But if there was ever a perfect reflection of knit artistry into music, her work is it.
Her delicate and haunting melodies are mirrored in her always beautifully ethereal designs. Don't ask me to pick a favourite, because I'm convinced that's an impossibility.



Her recently posted Forest and Frill shrug demonstrates her knit-aptitude; she can take a bulky yarn and make it appear airy and love-ily light in a finished garment.

Amy March's Slippers clearly appeal to my enjoyment of circa 19th century female-centred fiction and what I'm sure is everyone's desire to keep their feet warm in the most wonderfully-adorned manner possible (in particular I love the marriage of yarn, ribbon and lace. This is big-time up my proverbial alley).

Check out her amazing sculptural use of yarn in shakespeare in love. I truly didn't know that Lamb's Pride Bulky could be so beautiful.

I never had plans to create any sort of free form/scrumble type knitting until I saw her heather and violet scrumble scarf. Now I know where all my project-ends are going. (And I'm not kidding. I've got them all categorized by colour and awaiting their eventual new life in Mason jars along my shelf!)

How cool are these robin hoods merry uggs? The flip-over top detail gives the shoe/slipper such character in such an elegant fashion.
And the brilliant pullover pictured above? That's Stephanie's snake-a-licious sweater. I have been desirous of this knit for many months now. I never was so anxious to cover myself in reptiles as when I first beheld this beauty. I love the play with cables and incredible creativity. Of course cables could be snakes! I just never realized how well and naturally they lend themselves to each other until this sweater.

The spirit that's infused into all Stephanie's art (and I definitely include her designs in this) reminds me of all the things I love and always puts me in the best of moods. I was a bit of a forest-wanderer and -wonderer myself (and part of me still is). So her work appeals to the fairy-tale child in me.

'Twas the Giveaway before Christmas...

First I'd like to say thanks to everyone for your lovely words about Gaets! I hope to get the pattern done within a few weeks, but unfortunately can't promise it because of previous knitting commitments!

I've done some champion gun-jumping this year and allowed the holiday bug to bite me. I couldn't wait until December to set up the tree, so I did that already. Then the poor thing looked so sad without gifts under it, so I went out and did a purchasing sprint.
Then the selflessness set in and I decided to let go of some of the lovely things that I've been hoarding for myself in favour of spreading this happy bug to others!

You can benefit from my early-holiday-zeitgeist.

Today is the first in a weekly goodies giveaway that'll feature on this bloggy for the next 5 weeks. Each week the prizes will get bigger!
Just read the silly rhyme below, post your answers here (or message me on Rav, or even email me at canarysanctuary at yahoo dot com) and I'll enter your name for the draw. I'll be drawing the winning name on Saturday. Just let me know how to contact you, and the package will be on its way!
___________________________
'Twas the giveaway before Christmas and all you must do,
is answer three questions from me to you!

1) Do you purchase knitting books?
2) What's the average price you'll pay for a knitting book (let's say it has about 20 patterns in it)?
3) If you buy knitting books online, what do you think is a fair price for shipping?
... and here is what you'll get:


-one tiny little polar bear
-two "Canada" badges
-one handmade bag (measures about 9" deep and 9" across)
-5 buttons (each about 1.5" across)
-two rolls of ribbon (one black with red cherries, the other white with red ladybugs)
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Thanks all :)

In knitting news: I haven't much going on. At least not much that's blog-worthy. Gift knitting isn't all too fascinating! I'll be back with original designs in a while.

Hello November; Or, I Guess I'm Refreshulated Now

Pattern: Gaets
Yarn: Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 3 ply (almost 2 full hanks)

I first thought of this pattern months ago - the name actually came from some graffiti that I walk
past everyday on my way to work. Doesn't mean anything, just kinda looked cool. It was very pretty graffiti too. Nice cursive handwriting.

Things that I like about this one: the yarn! Fleece Artist strikes again with another new favourite for me.
I also enjoy the fact that the buttons are a pretty close match, and my fledgling attempts at lace designage seem to have turned out alright.
I'm rather surprised with myself, in that the weird thick/thinness of the collar actually turned out the way I wanted it to. It's a combination of decreasing and short-row shaping.

What I'm not too thrilled about:
I still have a long way to go in my learnins' of the proper shaping for sleeve caps. These ones seem to have turned out a bit square.
I also made the buttonhole a bit large, and so have to sew them up so the buttons don't keep popping open!


I must admit, I like it better from the back.
I'm not sure if I prefer the "buttoned-up-all-the-way" look or the "half-buttoned-up" look. Either way, I can see myself getting some definite usage out of this little knit.

I did keep notes on this one, and it may be patterned-up, if people wish. As stated above, the sleeve-cap shaping is not good, but I think greater minds than mind can prevail over what would be the poorly written and certainly misguided directions.
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In other news:
Monday will bring a new, month-long giveaway, so stay tuned if you like winning free gear!