Spin therapy?

I've taken the next natural step as a knitter. It's been a long while but it started with figuring out: how to knit and purl then learning how to follow simple scarf and hat patterns making the jump to following a sweater pattern continuing to knit more challenging patterns starting to design small projects starting to design larger projects learn to use a hand spindle learn to use a spinning wheel I took a spindle class on Oct 25th and the beginner's wheel class on Nov 1st. What have I been doing in the past month?

Here's the first set of 'learner' yarn. The top picture shows Ashford merino in Green Tea (fingering weight, 2ply), Fleece Artist BFL (sport weight, Navajo 3ply, 12 wpi) and Ashford merino in Grape Jelly (fingering weight, 2ply). The bottom picture shows my first handspun ever done on a spindle, Coopworth spun on a Louet Julia (a pleasure to spin on), undyed BFL, Ashford Corriedale in Kiwi (worsted weight, 2ply) and Ashford Merino in Raspberry.

I've got a few projects planned for these, mostly hats because they aren't any more than 100gr each. I've spun all of these on my new Lendrum DT (thx hubs!). I love this wheel. On another note, a good friend of mind happened to give me a used Ashford Traditional (I believe from the 60s) that I intend to use. I'd like to update this with the new standard flyer with the sliding hooks, and maybe the double treadle conversion kit.. but all in due time. I'm just enjoying the learning process at the moment.

My next project? I've got another hank of Ashford merino in Spearmint spun that's drying at the moment, so I'm hoping to make Transition gloves from ShibuiKnits. I'm also planning to spin this:

I'm looking to make myself some mittens. It'll be my first go at spinning from the fold. I'd like to start blending colour projects, but I wanted more practice on technique. I was lucky enough to score a fast flyer for my Lendrum, so I'd like to try using those drive ratios soon as well. At the moment, I'm glad I've been able to spin thin singles. So far so good!

Back to spinning!

New gear

Christmas came a bit early for me. I've been looking for an adjustable dress form for a long while now but never wanted to spend the large amount to buy one new. Sure enough I found one for the right price and my DH bought it as my Christmas gift. I put it together and used it for my recent design. Ironically, I don't have any designs at the moment to use this but I'm happy to have one.


Another design aide I've acquired is my yarn counter. It's essentially a fishing line counter. I picked it up after reading on some forums that other yarn counters out there were fishing line counters. It's in feet, which isn't an issue since I just have to divide by three. I haven't measured it out exactly, but based on the weight, it's about right. It'll help me figure how much yarn I'll need for a project. It was a lot cheaper then the commercial yarn counters out there too.

I'm also the type of person that has one or two (or three) projects with me all the time. Neurotic maybe, but I've had times wear I'd go places without a purse with me and I'm just waiting for something to start, itching to knit. I used to carry a cute tote with me that was large enough, but as totes go, never had any compartments. I'd be fishing around, looking for keys, lip balm, umbrella, and feel completely frustrated that I've emptied out my bag. The answer? My very own Namaste Laguna in Olive green. All of my everyday items have a place in it. It's really all I need in a purse and I love the fact that if the bag is more empty, that the top folds over.


I'm still working away at Christmas gifts (which explains not having any designs on the go). Seven more weeks until Christmas!!! I've started working on the Icarus shawl (that isn't pretty enough to post a picture of yet). I have completed another new beret but I'm just in the process of putting the pattern together as well as needing to take nice action shots of it.

Happy knitting!

Oh L'illo

Ain't he a cutie?

Kudos to anyone who tries to take pictures babies/mini-tots. He was a bit drooly which required some wardrobe changes and a hairdryer. After a while, I had my sister with tissues in hand to catch anything before it fell. It was tough but I managed to come out with some charmers.

Pattern: L'illo by Susan Power
Source: Knitty Fall 08
Materials: Rowan Cotton Glace (4 skeins)

I've definitely been bit by the designing bug. I've got a few designs/concepts that I want to create, just need the time to do it all. It does have it's downside that I don't have much to show on my blog. Designs have to be kept on the down low until it gets published, whether it be by wonderful knitting magazines to self publishing. I do try to keep other WIPs with me, the Noro striped scarf goes with me whereever I go (that allows me to take knitting with me).

I want to get into spinning my own yarn (non-knitters tend to laugh at me when I mention this, thinking I'm too knitting obsessed) and into sewing, although it requires a big purchase of a sewing machine that I'm not quite ready to make. I need a better camera for taking better indoor pictures and possibly a dress form first.

time for scarves yet?

It hadn't really felt like Toronto had a summer this year. I don't even recall putting on the air conditioning once this summer. With all the rainfall we received, it's like we never left Ireland in June. I finally got around to blocking my star stitched scarf, perfect timing since it feels like fall and the dreaded winter comes around. Don't get me wrong, winter can be great. Knitting sweaters, scarves, mittens, all things to help us brave the big bad winter... but once February rolls around, I've about had it. Especially with the amount of snow we got last winter. Here's the first piece of my artillery:


As for my Noro Striped scarf, it's coming along quite well:


On a non-knitting front, a good friend of my husband, who also wonderfully did our photography for our wedding, revamped her website. For anyone in the London area, I highly recommend hiring her talent! If only she wasn't on the other side of the pond, I'd ask her to take pictures of new designs for patterns. Take a look-see: http://www.angelamariekeen.com/ and yes, that's me on that page :) Some of our wedding photos are on her weddings page.

Back to more designing. Will post soon =)

Anyone else thinking Christmas?

I know, it's only July (and nearly August, oh my!) but I'd rather get a start on present planning than waiting until the last moment and feeling the pinch. The first WIP for this is the Noro striped scarf made popular by Jared Flood. I love how the two skeins colours transition the way they do. It keeps me wanting to knit more, just to see how the colours will transition together.. just like the entrelac (Danica) scarf I made a few months ago. *whisper* I might just keep this for myself...

This next object is my first go at doing socks. It was only a matter of time for me to try knitting socks. It was a bit tricky beginning the darn thing, but after scratching my head for a good hour, I was on my way to creating a new sock. This pattern is called Tiger eyes from the book Socks, Socks, Socks. Had this book for a couple years, glad I've been able to use it finally.

I'm glad that I've been able to post something on this blog, but I don't quite like posting about WIPs, just because I don't like how they photograph. If you just take a look at the post before this, the WIP pic of my Patti sweater is in a word... horrendous. I have been designing more, which also makes it hard to post. I'm planning to self publish a project in about two weeks, I need to get the photos just right, so far.. no such luck. On the blocking board is my star stitched scarf *finally*. I still don't like the finishing aspect of a project, even thought I'm *that* close. But I was blocking something else, so I figured... I might as well. So sounds like I'll be posting within the next month. *yay*

Where the *blank* did May go?

I'm sure a lot of you out there are thinking, where the heck is the time going?? Bad blogger am I but I'm here to fix that. I've got three projects on the go, concentrating more on this first one.

It's my own pattern, the second pattern to go on the Knit Therapy patterns page. I've got 90% of it to go but I'm pleased so far. Feels so nice and soft.. got to resist picking up the needles until I finish this post!

I'm still working on the Patti Cardigan. The WIP unfortunately doesn't picture well.. I took a few photos and figured it can't look any more exciting than it does... it's just a flat back piece.


I really wanted to cast this on after seeing Girl Kae's version of it. Absolutely stunning, ain't it? I picked up a copy of Rowan Studio 1 in Auckland, not realizing it was available for download, but was happy too. I bought it from this lovely shop called Alterknitives. I'll be sure to stop by there again if I'm ever in that part of the world again.

The last project is this star stitch scarf which is screaming to be blocked. (yep.. just procrastinating) but there's no real urgency since it's way to hot consider wearing this beautiful colourway outside in this hot and humid weather. It'll be winter in Toronto in no time.

Kept this pretty short.. it's knit therapy time =)

Baroness Beret

I'm excited that I posted my first free pattern on Knittherapy.ca. =) I'm planning on posting some more so stay tuned.. but for now:

Pattern: Baroness Beret by Susan Power
Source: Knittherapy.ca free pattern section
Materials: Nashua Creative Focus Worsted in Rust
Needles: 7 US/ 4.5 mm and 5 US / 3.75 mm

Good in the city and out in the country. I love wearing this hat! My hair can get a bit much sometimes... so the hat works when I just let my hair do it's thing. Despite how it looks like in pictures.. it isn't naturally straight. I'm completely addicted/dependent on my flat iron.. in fact I've got a few in case any of them break down. I also love the fact that this beret doesn't give me hat hair like most hats I own.

Picking up the needles now =)