Up for a challenge!

It's that time of year again!

Yarn Challenge time!  Inside this bag are the two colours of a Canadian made yarn that are this year's challenge..

More details to follow!  We thank the folks at Briggs & Little with their help with this event!

Kits will be available beginning February 1st.  

See you soon!

The more things change the more they stay the same!

It's been almost 30 years since I went to a Gift Show and when I arrived yesterday it was like travelling back in time! It was exactly like I left it!

The entrance into the building  was basically the same.  The big vendors from 1985 were still there, and much of the inventory really hasn't changed!  It has grown in size to two huge locations.

After clearing the registration area it was time to look.  Why would a Yarn shop need to shop at the Gift Show? I am not sure either.  I was really looking for items that would spark some creative juices and make great gifts!  

There were some great new canvas bags for projects, Canadian made pottery yarn bowls, and items made with recycled fabrics!  

It was a good day, I came home exhausted!

I can hardly wait to show you the new things when they arrive, some will come soon but most will arrive later in the summer!

See you soon!

I Do It Myself!

'The Girl's' first complete sentence: 'I do it myself!', she was not quite 2.  Our family: The Farmer, The Boy, The Girl and I, like to do things ourselves!

The Farmer is known for his ability to repair just about anything, The Boy is developing more of the same skills at school.  The Girl from an early age loved to draw and colour and create.  

Lately it seems that everyone is stretching there abilities just a little.  The Girl is creating some new jewelry with yarn.  The Boy has started some new metal working ideas.  

This was her Christmas Gift to me:

You can see some of their creations in the shop!

See you soon!

New Sweater Love!

I am in 'New Sweater' love!  Just after Christmas I looked at a bag containing various bits of a sweater I started at least 2 years ago.  Stuffed into the bag was a front, a back, a sleeve and part of another front.  (Over 2/3's done!)  I think what stopped me was the pieces and that it is all stocking stitch!

I considered a couple of options, frog it all back and give the yarn away, frog it back and make a top down sweater or finish.   Looking at the sweater and the amount of knitting that was already done ripping back just seemed like a waste of all that knitting.  So I was very monogamous in my knitting and stayed true to this project for just over the next week.

I finished the remaining pieces and blocked them flat with a bit of steam, its pure wool and I was careful. I didn't want to wet the whole thing and wait for it to dry, I was on a roll.  After sewing them together I tried the sweater on and it fit, perfectly!  Why did I wait so long? Maybe it was waiting for me to loose the 15 pounds I lost in the past 2 years!

It took a few days to do the front bands and the collar.

I finished it Wednesday night and wore it to the shop the next three days!

The yarn is Schafwolle a worsted weight superwash 100% wool no longer available.  It is squishy and sort of soft, it feels like it will wear beautifully.  The colour is perfect for trips to the grocery store, camping and everyday activities. 

The pattern is from a booklet also from the same company, well written and the sleeve fitting was perfect the first time.  It would be nice to make again, but because it is pieced the chances of the happening are slim!

Happy 2014!

Today is New Year's Day!  Tradionally a day that I get to spend the day in my PJ's and do very little. That's exactly what I did most of the day.  I did take some time to sort through some of the 'nests' I have created around the house and decided that it was time to finish up some of those lingering projects.

First up was a little boy's vest in the new Uptown worsted yarn. All that it needed was one of the armhole edgings and sew on the buttons!  The next is a sweater I started for myself almost 2 years ago, with yarn that is now no longer in the shop.  It just needs a sleeve and part of a front.  I debated ripping the whole thing and start something top down instead, but it really was the best pattern for the yarn.

There are a couple of projects that are a bit more current and I have been working away at them, another Linen Stitch scarf and a pair of socks.  I am liking this new way of producing socks, my way.  Work first sock until you completed the heel and place on circular needles. Then work second sock until you finish to the exact same place and then magic loop the two socks together until you are done.  that way the toes match. I always forget how many decreases I make and how often.  

My goal this year is to finish more projects!  How about you?

Happy 2014!