Chapter 4

Welcome to any new readers and welcome back to return readers. 

There isn't much for finished objects or works in progress, but there is quite a bit of news in the
stash and equipment enhancement departments. 

Finished Objects

I was asked by a fellow Gryffindor (Gryffindor is one of the four houses of the Harry Potter series; the other three houses are Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw) over on Ravelry to make a blanket square to help create a baby blanket for another fellow Gryffindor who is pregnant (she is at the end of her first trimester, I believe).  This is actually the first time that I've ever made a blanket square and its also the first time that I have made something that will be gifted to someone I don't personally known. 

It's a 12x12 inch square and I just used the garter stitch and knit a triangle and started decreasing.  Once that triangle was done, picked up stitches are then picked up on the side three more times.  I used that the Diamonds and Purls from the 60 Quick Baby Blankets as a guideline for my square.  The Diamond and Purls patter was designed by Debbie O'Neill.  I simply increased the number of stitches to make it the required size.  The yarn used was Seidar Snuggly in White Whispers, its about 82 meters and its made or 100% bamboo.  1 1/2 balls of the yarn were used to make my square.  The needle size used was US7 which is 4.5mm. 

 

Works in Progress

I'm still working on Socks on a Plane by Laura Linneman also known as Lala.  The first sock is still at the gusset increases.  The yarn being used is Fortissima Mexiko which is a 75% superwash virgin wool and 25% polyamide blend in the colourway number 227 (various shades of gray).  I expect to have started on the second sock by the next post. 

Stash and Equipment Enhancements

First and foremost I would like to take the time to say that I have now acquired a Lendrum Original double treadle spinning wheel about a week ago.  Some spinning has been done and lets just say that it will take a bit of practice  to get a presentable yarn.  But I'm more than willing to give it my best.  Once my efforts become good enough then I'll be able to post it.  But I will keep you updated on any progress made.  While at my LYS (local yarn shop) to get my wheel, it couldn't be helped, I just had to look at some of the yarn that they carry and I have ended up buying quite a bit. 

There were four balls of White Whispers  (1 1/2 of which was used for the above mentioned finished object).  Also purchased was a ball of Regia Trend Point in the 06612 colourway (it is the yellow yarn).  Its a sock yarn made of a 75% virgin wool and 25% polyamide and has about 420 meters and I have just the right pattern for this yarn. 

I also acquired a ball of Supersocke 100 in the 1321 colourway (a mixture of purple, black, blue, orange and pink) and it remind me of Halloween.  I have every intention of making a pair Halloween socks.  This yarn is also strangely enough a 75% wool and 25% polyamide blend.  The pattern for the socks hasn't been picked out yet.

 

 I also purchased a set of sock blockers and a shawl pin by Knitters Pride.  The Carina pin comes in a mossy/forest green and a cobalt looking blue and is shaped like a leaf, I chose the green one as its my favourite colour and I thought that it fir the shape better. 

To say that my shopping expedition was enjoyable wouldn't even begin to describe it.  But then again its always enjoyable at Romni Wools in Toronto.  Romni Wools is located on Queen Street just west of Bathurst Street should any one like to visit. 

Miscellaneous

The Creativ Festival is taking place once again in Toronto on October 25-27, 2013 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased ahead of the festival on their website creativfestival.com or purchased on the day of on site.  For more details please visit the festival website.  See you there...

Until next time...happy knitting, crocheting, spinning...

Chapter 3

Welcome back to returning readers and welcome to new readers.  Sorry for being away for so long.  The family went away on holidays and there hasn't been a lot of progress on my works in progress.  But I was able to get some souvenir yarn which I can't wait to start knitting on, more details to follow shortly. 

Finished Objects

The Cassis Shawlette was complete a few days before going on holidays.  but I just didn't get a chance to post it. 

 

 

As mentioned in my previous posts, some modifications were made.  I didn't quite like the garter stitch throughout the body of the shawlette, so that was replaced by with stockinet stitch with a few rows of garter stitch rows in the middle and the last rows before binding off to prevent it from rolling.  The size needle used was a US4 (3.5mm), and the yarn used was Ella Rae Classic Superwash Heathers in the 105 colourway which is a navy blue.  I used two balls of yarn, but a third would have been needed in order to finish the short rows right up to the end and so had to stop the short rows before they were due.  I'm not sure if it's because of my gauge or because a part of the pattern was changed but I ran out of yarn towards the end and had to do some quick thinking in order for the finished project to still look pretty.  I had more than enough yarn to do it as per the pattern, but oh well...in the end I have a shawlette that I really like and can't wait to wear it. 

 

Works In Progress

 

I started knitting a pair of sock, my very first pair of handknit socks.  The pattern that was chosen is Socks on a Plane by Laura Linneman also known as Lala who so happens to be one of the Knit Girllls (and yes it's supposed to have three l's).  The said pattern is free on Ravelry.  My socks are being knit on size 1 (2.5mm) and I'm using Fortissima Mexiko in the 227 colourway, which is essentially different shades of gray. 

 

 

 

Here is what I have so far on the first sock, I know that it's not much, but I'm getting there. 

 

Stash Enhancements

 

While in Ottawa, on Sue of the Two Tangled Skeins' recommendation I visited this little shop called Yarn Forward.  I liked how it was nice and quaint.  It didn't have anywhere near as much yarn as Romni Wools in Toronto, which is my LYS (even though I have to drive from Etobicoke).  But one thing this little shop has was a table at the back with chairs where knitters/crochetters are welcome to sit and craft a spell.  That is something that I really liked.  And the ladies at the shop were so friendly and welcoming. 

 

I seem to have gotten sidetracked a bit...anyway, I was able to find this very nice & soft lace weight yarn, which I'm going to say reminds me of sea glass.  I normally gravitate towards darkers colours but not this time.  The yarn I got is from the Manos Lace line by Manos del Uruguay and the artisan is Patricia.  It's made of 70% baby alpaca, 25% silk and 5% cashmere and its on the L9622 colourway.  I purchase two skeins which I believe will be enough to make a reasonable sized shawl. 

 

This is all for this post, but I'm going to try and have more for you the next time around.  Thank you for reading and hope to post again real soon.  Until next time...