Update - Upcoming events

I'm terribly sorry that I haven't updated my blog since July, but I have some fantastic news to share with you today! I have a few events that I will be selling some of my hand made items, such as knitted accessories and hand spun yarn.

The first event is a small gathering at a fellow Capilano Textile Alumni's house to showcase a few local artists and have a meet and greet.

The second event is the Capilano University Student Sale. This event also features current and past student works for sale at the school. This event is held on Tuesday November 23, 2010.

The third event is a craft fair to raise funds for a elementary school in my town. It's on November 25, 2010. I'll have more details on this soon, and pictures.

Trying to fall in love with knitting...

...again.
I love yarn. I love how it looks, I love how it feels, I love to spin my own yarn. For some reason the love stops there. I know how to knit, crochet, weave and even how to do naalbinding. I love how all those things look as finished items, but for some reason I fall out of love with them so easily. I think it's because I don't get the instant gratification like I do with spinning my own yarn, well it most cases. With this love for yarn, you can imagine that my stash would not be a few skeins here and there. In fact, it's growing slightly out of control.



The bottom half of this storage unit is FULL of spinning "fluff". Everything from wool to viscose to possum. And that's not including what's in the living room. So in an attempt to de-stash a bit I have tried to fall in love with knitting again.

"February Lace Scarf"
Debbie Bliss "Pure Silk" yarn

This scarf feels absolutely wonderful so far. The robins egg blue is beautiful and I can't wait until it's finished. The pattern is a 4 row lace repeat which makes it easy to knit, as well.

I've never knitted with silk before, and wow, is it slippery. I could never imagine how people knit with silk on metal needles and not drop a stitches on every row. I find the bamboo needles definitely hold on to the yarn a little more than the metal knitting needles. Now that I have a few inches of scarf knitted up, I find the slippery factor has decreased some what so that's kind of a relief.

Here or There?

One of my favorite places in my hometown is Golden Ears Park. When ever I get stressed out, bummed out, or just want to be out in the sunshine (or in this case liquid sunshine) I drive up to the lake. One of the reasons I love this Provincial park is the fact that it is only a 20min drive from my house. You go from city to country in no time.

For my final 3D project for school I decided I would take a pair of socks that I knitted by hand and take photos of them in places that I long to be in.




I met a nice fisherman on the dock in the above photo, who had no luck. It was his first day on this lake, Mike Lake but he said he had a good time anyways.

Even though I spent the afternoon trekking around the park in the on and off rain, I really enjoyed myself and I felt less stressed out about school. I feel that the photographs really reflect my longing to be in nature, but I always feel tied to the city because of convenience.

There is nothing more satisfying than...

...finishing a project you started 2 years ago.
This was originally going to be a baby blanket, but .. as you read in the first line, it's a little too late. So, it has now turned into a bath mat. I found this pattern easy to follow, but just to tedious to continue for a whole blanket, even if it was in miniature size. The bath mat is knit with Bernat Handicrafter Cotton in a natural color. (hard to tell in the pictures, sorry) It measures 28" x 16.5"

Knit Project: "Every Way Wrap"

I have started a new knitting project! I'm very excited about this one. It's probably going to be the biggest knit project to date; in both size and work.

It's from the Fall 2009 issue of Interweave Knits:

Sorry the pictures are bad.

This issue has lots of beautiful designs! There are a few projects in it that I might have to muster up some courage to work on

knitting progress!

On Monday a friend, J and I were out window shopping and we came across knitting needles on sale for $0.99, so we HAD to buy them, of course ;) the only thing was, they were a size US35 (or 20mm)! lol! I have never knit on needles that large, so I picked a basic pattern called Swamp Witch, that I knew would get great results, that.. and the pattern also required size 35's ;) lol

I cast on yesterday morning and knit for a few hours and finished today. I'm really happy with how it turned out, because not only did I loose track of the pattern (not that it was hard, I just got distracted by the tv! hehe.) but I also only used one strand of yarn (Patons Divine in Blue Halo. I bought this yarn when I was first learning how to knit.), instead of the 4 strands of yarn the pattern requires. The scarf/wrap is absolutely lovely. It is very light and squishy, and to tell you the truth, I'm wearing it right now, and I don't want to take it off! hehe. I definetly recommend the pattern if you are looking for a last minute gift, and have giant knitting needles ;) I am definitly going to use this pattern again, and maybe try knitting it on smaller needles to see the difference in the outcome.

Alright, enough chat, more pictures.
The picture is not the greatest because it's hanging from my loom, but it gives you an idea of how it turned out. I'll try and take a picture of it on when I get a model,... or when I'm not in my pj's with no make up!

Knit.1 Magazine - new issue

woo hoo! Knit.1 has their new issue coming out on December 16!















I'm so excited, the preview is at http://www.knit1mag.com , there are a lot of cute patterns.