Trying to be good

I'm trying... I really am. I'm trying to resist startitis and work on the projects I've got on the go already. Mainly Corvin. The little guy could come any day now. I've decided I've got to much on my plate to make the quilt, but I'd like to have the cardigan (and maybe a matching hat) finished and wrapped up, ready to gift as soon as he comes into the world.

Like I did for the cowl, I'm reminding myself that each row matters, and brings me that much closer to finishing. Whenever I had a spare moment this weekend, I picked it up.

As a result...

The body is done. Those sleeves will take no time at all if I can just stick to it. The problem isn't the pattern - I loved knitting it... the first time.

I just have a hard time knitting things over again, especially so close in succession. But it really is a cute design, and I want to get it out to you all. So I promise. Those sleeves will be done by week's end... (I hope!)

Fat hats for fat cats

With the weather getting cooler, the thought of hats and mitts have been on my mind.

I've managed to refrain from casting anything on (as you know, I've got a mountain on the go already...), but I did skip up to the studio for an afternoon of dyeing.

A fresh batch of squishy Fat Cat... perfect for hats and mitts and cowls and all other wonderful bits of knits to keep you warm when the wind is up.

Coming to the shop soon....

(but now I REALLY want to cast on a hat...)

Just a little jaywalking

With Going My Way off the needles, I needed a new travel project. So earlier this week I did a little stash diving and came up with this.

A ball of Berroco Sox - the last of my souvenir yarn from my Chicago trip two years ago (hard to believe it's been that long!). When I bought the yarn, I didn't realize it was a self-striper. I just liked colours. It wasn't until I started knitting into a pair of Broken Seed Stitch socks that spring, that I discovered it's true nature. Striping wasn't a problem, but that pattern wasn't going to do it justice, so it got tucked back into the stash and there it's sat ever since.

But with autumn in full swing, and me in need of a simple, mindless knit, I thought it was time to pull it out again.

I considered making a pair of vanillas, but that was just a little too mindless for my mood right now. I was looking for something simple, but fun, that would work well with a striper when I remembered a pattern I have wanted to make FOREVER

The Jaywalker sock!

This is definitely one of those knits that's going to go quickly - even if it is mostly travel knitting. It's one of those "just one more stripe" patterns that's hard to put down.

Of course, I'm going to have to put it down....Corvin and the Lace Tunic have been giving me some dirty looks....

Friday Felines

"Must MURDER toy!!!!!"

FO: Going My Way

I was true to my word and diligently put row after row on my Going My Way cowl each lunch hour. Then suddenly, one day, I looked down and that giant ball of yarn was whittled down to almost nothing. So when I got home that night, I pulled it back out of the bag and finished it up in less than an hour.

The yarn was one of Mom's first attempts at spinning a three-ply. And in my non-professional view - she did an excellent job. It had a bit of kink, but not too bad. Being a super-wash merino, it's soft enough to wear close to the skin.

When she gave it to me, I knew it had to be for something special. There was only 245 yards, but ever since I designed Going My Way two years ago, I've wanted to make one for myself. It was originally designed to show off the unique characteristics of handspun - so what better way to use this beautiful skein.

I used almost every inch of yarn, and it's still not super long  - just 42 inches. But it's long enough to double up or wear flat and tossed over one shoulder. I'm not a fan of super long scarves and cowls, so it's just perfect for me.

The colourway is called "Love Apple", so I thought little heart buttons would be appropriate. In the end, I'm not totally sold on the ones I pulled from the stash. I like the hearts, but I think the white is too much of a contrast. I'll keep my eyes open for a better heart button, and swap them out when the time comes.

Now.. I've got to see if Mom has any more of that fibre... because I really would love a matching hat!

Corvin, take two

I finally got a start on the remake of Corvin

Most of my testers have finished theirs, so as soon as I get this one done, I'll get the pattern released. Then I think it might be time for another contest.

It is November, right?

Hallowe'en is done and dusted, and here were are.... the first day of November

Raspberries.... did you hear me? I said NO-VEM-BER....

Apparently the roses didn't get the memo either....

I'll give the Butterfly Bush a little bit of a break.... it had a late start this year.

The Milkweed however, has done nothing but show off....

I think it's been in competition with the Blanket Flower.

Last year, the Dianthans didn't bloom past June. This year I moved them to the backyard (more sun) and they haven't stopped blooming.

I expect the Susans to bloom well into Fall, but November does seem to be pushing it. Especially considering we have a had a couple nights of  frost.

But even Cupid's Dart could less about that.

And the Baby's Breath has joined the protest....

 

And then there's the Snap Dragons...

 I guess it's just hard...

To keep a good dragon down...

(And if you missed it, scroll down... my little undead bride rocked Hallowe'en)