{finished} Seed Stitch Cowl & More Mittens!

We moved again!  To Fort McMurray, Alberta this time.  It's a big move for us.  The hubs got a great job (he's going to be a Firefighter!!) and I am happy to tag along for this new adventure :)

The drive to Fort Mac was about 11 hours.  Which is prime knitting time, of course!

Pattern:  I made a simple seed stitch cowl with a mobius-style twist.  I followed the guidelines from this cowl that I made last year.

Yarn:  Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in Mushroom.

Raveled here!

Hopefully this keeps me warm up north!  Good thing it's spring - the mild winters in Southern Alberta haven't exactly prepared me for the temperatures we might get up here.

I also finished this pair of mittens a few weeks ago.  I followed the same basic pattern that I used for these mittens, with a couple of modifications to help them fit my hands better.

My modifications included one row of increases from the cuff into the body and can be found on my Ravelry project page here!

{I've also been getting great use out of my Array Cowl!}

So...what do I miss most about Lethbridge?  Family and friends for sure.  And being close to real mountains to ski at!!  I am already looking forward to next season.  Hopefully we will be able to book some time off to fly to resorts that we have not experienced yet :)

At Castle Mountain.  This was my second day skiing black diamonds.
Not bad for a first season!!

DIY Ruffle Headband

I took a break from knitting and decided to upcycle a headband!  I was inspired after reading tutorials like this one.  Unfortunately, I didn't think things through and I didn't take a "before" photo.  Try to imagine starting with a plain red headband...Add a glue gun, fabric from a shirt and a little bit of imagination and you get this!!

This project only took about 20 minutes!  I don't think I can knit anything wearable in 20 minutes...!

Must make more of these!!  :)

{finished} Array Cowl & Sister's Mitts

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post!  I have had a few projects on the go so here are some photos of the completed ones =)

Array Cowl

Pattern: Array by Shibui Knits

Yarn: I used two yarns with different weights to keep the texture interesting.  Main colour is Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Linen and the contrast colour is Martha Stewart Crafts Merino in Poppy.  Michaels had a giant yarn sale over the holidays...these yarns were cheap cheap!!

Mods:  I cast on 260 stitches to compensate for the difference in gauge of my yarn and the pattern's yarn.  No, I didn't do any calculations....I just cast on until I felt like I had enough stitches.  I guess I really lucked out with the results!

Raveled here!

One thing I noticed while knitting this cowl is that using slip stitch techniques for colourwork makes the project take forever to complete!  It literally felt like it took twice as long to knit this cowl compared to any other one and I almost gave up after the first 8 rounds. But I'm glad that I didn't!

Sister's Mitts

Pattern:  Grammy's Mitts by Tanis Lavallee

Yarn:  Just some scrap stash yarn that I'm trying to use up!

Mods:  Followed the pattern as written.  The directions were very loosely written but still simple enough that it made me wonder why I haven't tried to make mittens before!

Raveled here!

I have already started working on my second pair...photos will come soon =)

{finished} Glen's Winter Toque

I knit this for Glen during a ski trip over the holidays.  He has been bugging me for a toque with long ear flaps.  It only took me 2 years to get around to it.... :)

Glen's Winter Toque
by Jana Falls

Yarn:  Patons Shetland Chunky Tweeds in Pewter for the main colour.  Loops & Threads Impeccable in Grass for the contrast colour.

Mods:  Used bulky weight yarn and followed the pattern instructions for size medium.  Followed the rest of the pattern for the shaping of the hat.  Decided to use green yarn for some colourwork.  I just winged that.  I think it turned out well :)

Raveled here!

I would like to line the inside of the hat with fleece to make it extra cozy.  I've never done that before.  Hopefully it isn't too difficult!

Always need to have a silly photo ;)  

{preview} Holiday Beret

As you may have read in my last post, I recently finished a Christmas gift.  As lovely as that beret is, it's one of those knits that gives you cramps in your hands from all the k2tog, k3tog, etc. type of stitches.

After all that finger strain, I needed something simple and satisfying.  That's when I started working on this...

But I can't reveal too much, of course.  Because it's going to be a pattern that I will share with all my friends in this knitterly world!

{finished} Cascading Leaves Beret

Another project off the needles!  This one has actually been finished for weeks now....I just never made the time to take photos.

This beret is going to be a Christmas gift!  I am not very good at keeping knitted gifts secret, but I think the special recipient of this one still doesn't know it's for them  ;)

Cascading Leaves Beret
by Mei Lynne Travis

Yarn:  Diamond Yarn Tempo

Mods:  Rows 1-12: For the brim, I did k1, p1 ribbing instead of the folded over stockinette.  Row 13: Increased to 90 stitches. For the increases I did one m1 after ever 3 stitches.  For the 3 stitches in between I followed the k1, p1 ribbing.  i.e. [k1, p1, k1, m1, p1, k1, p1, m1]* repeat from* until end of row. 

I ended up doing 4 lace pattern repeats to give it a little extra slouch  =) 

Raveled here!

{finished} Cabled Beret

This hat was a fun knit!  Lots of cables to keep it interesting with a pattern repeat that was easy to memorize.  I ended up using just over one skein...so maybe a pair of matching hand warmers are in order   =)

Cabled Beret
By SweaterBabe

Yarn:  Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends in Lavender

Mods:  For the brim I followed the k2, p2 ribbing for 12 rows before starting the increases.  I wasn't sure that I wanted it as long as the pattern recommended.

Raveled here!

Now it's ready to be wrapped up as a special gift for a special someone!



Next on my needles.....

A simple cowl in a juicy colour for a good friend!

And as soon as I get this deliciousness wound up, I'll be starting on another accessory!

Looooove Quince & Co. yarn!!