Pink, Cream and Brown Afghan - Complete!

One of the lovely ladies that come into the store, knits afghans in strips and then I sew them together for her. The afghans are for her granddaughters for Christmas. She does a lovely job creating these heirloom presents - they are sure to be enjoyed for a long time. I just finished the last one and brought it in today. I can't wait to see what colors she does next!

Bumbleberry Beret

I present to you the Bumbleberry Beret. It's a top down, easy to crochet hat. I originally designed this hat for my Beginner Crochet Class as I wanted something that was cute to match the Potentilla - The Crochet Cowl that the students had already made. The hat is using Malabrigo Rios - a superwash merino wool that is quite possibly one of the softest yarns! It could also be crochet from any worsted / aran weight yarn. You can see in the photo that snow just started to fall as I headed outside with the tripod to try and get some photos!

Here are the details:

* Malabrigo Rios -1 Skein, Color Shown is #872 Purpuras

Or:

210 yards of any worsted weight yarn

* Crochet Hooks: 5mm / US8,

                             5.5mm / US9,

                             6mm / US10

The size of the crochet hook will depend on the size of brim you are making.

5mm / US8 - 20 Inch Head

5.5mm / US9 - 21 Inch Head

6mm / US10 - 22 Inch Head

The main body is worked on a 5.5mm / US9.

Enjoy!

Look who was watching the whole photo shoot:

Cozy Slippers

A while back, a lady came in to the store and wanted a pair of slippers knit that were just like the ones her mother used to make her years ago. Fortunately we had a pattern that was very similar to the old slippers and with a few modifications, the slippers looked exactly like her favorites!
The yarn she chose was James C. Brett Marble Chunky in Color # 0013 Misty Brown. This yarn is a pure acrylic that is easily washed and has great colors. I'm so glad she liked her new slippers.

A Scarflette on the way . . .

 
Here are a few pictures to tease a bit - a new pattern that is coming out later this month! It's made from Malabrigo Finito - I love this yarn so much ( it's quite possible one of the softest things on Earth!

The subtleties of this colorway are so neat when the stocking stitch part of the scarf is worked.

David and I decided to take a run up a ginormous hill so that we could get Calgary's skyline in each of the photos.





The scarflette can be worn in a few different ways!

I personally prefer to wear the point to the front and then have the tails to the front as well.

Lots of people have been suggesting a cute little shawl pin or brooch to wear with it when it's draped around the back.

I took a photo when David was fooling around with the scarf! So debonair!  . . .do it like this . . . oh you mean like this!?! *click*

Crystaline Shawlette

The Crystaline Shawlette is the second piece from Felicity Scarf & Cowl Project booklet from Universal Yarn. It's a really fun, quick knit - it's knit on 8mm/ US11 needles and only takes 2 balls of yarn! It's knit out of Universal Yarn Felicity - a part wool novelty yarn. I think this shawl would be amazing in all kinds of chunky weight yarn though! Perhaps baby alpaca? The fringe is created while you knit so that at the end all you have to do is undo and few stitches and tie the loops into knots - easy!

This pattern is available here for $5.99.

 

 

Enjoy!

 

A Different Little Project

I've working really hard lately and have wanted a break from my usual knitting and etc. Cross stitch has always been a kinda neat past time that I have enjoyed. I don't think I could do cross stitch all the time, but as a breather, it's great! Making the tiny cross stitch into cards seems the most pratical as I don't tend to make super huge ones that would need to been framed. Well, I shouldn't say that! I have two big ones on the go!

Top Down Mittens Tutorial

After a few emails, I thought I would write a quick post about the Sottosopra Top Down Mittens. Within the magazine, there are wonderful photos that explain how to do the cast on for the mittens. The cast on is a Middle Eastern cast on which is one of my favorites and is the same cast on for my Toe Up Socks pattern too. Cheryl (a friend who is the most amazing photographer (Ewan, Ava Beret, Mary's Cardi etc.) and Ewan, Mary and Lynn's Mom) and I spent an afternoon taking really up close photos to describe each step for the Middle Eastern cast on. At some point I'm going to make a video to help illustrate this great cast on. Cheers!