weaving baskets.

I had the pleasure of testing this sweet little baby coat, which I was able to work up last week. It was a pleasure to work up.

Pattern: Woven Basket Baby Coat by Lisa Chemery (due to be released at the end of the month)

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool in Natural Mix (1.2 balls)

Needles: 6.00mm and 6.5mm

Lisa asked me to make the 0-3mos size which worked out perfectly as Tiny Tuna is 12 weeks tomorrow. He’s at the top end of the sizing but I think this will fit him through October then I will put it away for *hopefully* a future child :)

The woven basket pattern was easy to learn – it really makes the coat. I love how she worked the buttons into the band. Very genius.

The construction of this coat is a classic raglan but because you start with the hood, when you cast off at the bottom, you feel that the bulk of the project is finished. There are some little details – like a slight tapering of the hood – that really make this project special.

Isn`t that the perfect fit!

The sleeves are tapered slightly which is really nice – no bulky, baggy cuffs! I also added an extra row of buttons because I had 6 and I thought why not use them all instead of just 4.

I left off the pockets – I can always add them later or to larger versions (I will definitely be making this again).

Thank you for the opportunity to test for you, Lisa – it was a pleasure!

woodstove season.

After October 1st’s heavy post (which thus far, I am doing well but it’s only been 2 days – M printed off a copy and made me sign it, then he taped it to the bathroom mirror to keep me accountable … I guess he liked the idea?!?!), I wanted to share something that was a pure joy to work on.

Alicia approached me to test knit this gorgeous chevron sweater back in the summer and while I hesitated at first due to James still being so young, I decided to jump in and try test knitting anyhow. In an effort to knit up a wearable, timeless cardigan, I bought some Patons Classic Wool. It kept this project super affordable and 100% wool all at the same time!

Pattern: Woodstove Season by Alicia Plummer (due to be released in late October)

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool in Dark Grey Mix

Needles: 5.00mm for the ribbing, 5.5mm for the rest

The chevron pattern is gorgeous but subtle all at the same time. It’s something interesting to look at without taking away from the neutral quality of this cardigan. The pockets add enough interest to the front of the sweater while keeping it quiet and cosy.

I have written about my issues with choosing buttons for cardigans before – this sweater was no different! I had the perfect buttons in my stash … but I only had 12 and I needed 14 (this is a looong sweater – part of what I love about it!). I headed out on a quest but an hour later, I still hadn’t found anything. After looking at what I had narrowed it down to, I realized I was looking for the buttons that I had at home that weren’t enough (no, I can’t get more) so I started again (from scratch, putting the ones that I had at home out of my mind) and found these immediately.

You can’t see in the photos, but they have tiny flowers on them that make them really special. And again, very subtle. There seems to be a theme to this sweater …

The length is perfect. The sleeves are perfect – I actually knit the 36” size sleeves for once, rather than knitting one size larger in the sleeves. I love how it drapes – it’s not heavy although it is substantial … warm is an understatement!

Buttoned up … it’s too warm for our weather right now but I can see that this will be wonderful in the winter, curled up by the fire. It never really gets that cold here but it does get very damp and that’s where a sweater like this is great!

Thank you to Alicia for asking me to test this for you – I loved working on it! Alicia asked me to post a photo with James but he had his immunizations this morning and has been uncomfortable and fussing ever since – he’s finally fallen asleep so wake him I did not :) but here is a photo from the other day of our happy, healthy boy:

Happy Wednesday!

a pledge.

This is a very odd time of the year to be making New Years’ Resolutions but something has been weighing on my mind for quite some time. It is time for action.

Here it is: I have a lot of clothing. Over the past couple of years I have become more acutely aware of this fact. While it is bothering me that I have so many items, what is particularly annoying me is my tendency to continue to buy more. I have managed to accumulate a walk-in closet and two dressers full of clothing, accessories and shoes.

To keep myself accountable, I thought I would share with you some of the damage. Here are some of my cardigans, shirts, dresses and jackets:

Skirts, jeans and kakis:

Only a few of my many pairs of jeans:

My excessive collection of scarves fills two bins (which are overflowing):

My stack of sweaters (mostly handknit so these don’t really count although there are some I have never and will never wear … something I need to tackle in the course of this coming year ahead):

I think the part of this that is not only the hardest but also the worst is my shoes … my lovely but completely unnecessary collection of shoes (and this is only half):

As you can see, when I open the closet door, I am greeted with a lot of stuff. I didn’t bother looking at my drawers of t-shirts, bras, underwear and socks. It was just too much!

There is a huge difference between need & want. Somehow, I need to come to terms with the fact that there will always be things to buy but I don’t have to be so influenced by it all. I would love to go and buy a Patagonia Jacket for this year or a very cool Lululemon Scarf but I don’t need these things – and what’s more … I can make the scarf … and if I’m being really honest, I can make a jacket that would serve more purposes than just camping and casual wear (enter Sewaholic’s Minoru Jacket).

It’s all fine & well to declare that I am not going to buy any new clothes for the next year, but honestly, within a few weeks I’ll have forgotten all about my new-found attempt to clean out my closet and will buy something that I’ve decided I need. What I really need? I need a plan.

First, I am making a pledge to myself regarding my approach to my growing closet.

For the next 12 months, I pledge:

• to abstain from purchasing articles of clothing, accessories and shoes,
• to avoid shopping malls & clothing stores to avoid temptation,
• to hand make any articles of clothing or accessories that I would like to add to my wardrobe (in exchange for something being donated),
• to systematically (throughout the year) whittle down my wardrobe to the essentials (i.e.. most worn &/or loved pieces, and classics), and lastly,
• to journal here about my experience here – both good & bad.

Secondly, I have spent some time thinking about what articles of clothing I would like to have in my wardrobe and work towards ensuring they are there.

1. T-shirts – I wear these all the time in various colours. I have a number of them but I’m not sure how many I need. I’m thinking about 8-10 would be (2 of which being white) more than adequate.
2. Jeans – My favourite. Three everyday pairs that fit well, are comfortable and I can wear with a variety of shoes. Two dressy pairs to wear out in the evening. The rest need to go as they only collect dust. I have one pair of ‘dirty’ jeans to muck around in. My maternity jeans I will put away for next time.
3. Tank tops – Mostly for layering. I’m thinking the same as t-shirts.
4. LBD – Little Black Dress. I have two. I won’t be buying anymore. I wear dresses quite a bit but that said, I wear my favourites over and over. The others remain unworn. This goes for skirts too. I don’t need anymore as I always go back to my favourites.
5. Collared shirt – I have a white one that is my good old standby. When it is worn out, I will replace it. The others I never wear and can go.
6. Slacks – I have a few pairs of these that I wear throughout the winter to go to work-related events and out in the evening. This is more than enough.
7. Jackets – Due to our weather, I actually do need more than one coat. One for rain, one for dressing up and going out. I have one of each. I also have my snowboarding jacket and a windbreaker. I don’t need any more but I would like a new black jacket like the Minoru Jacket so that will hopefully be added this winter with a fleece lining.
8. Ballerina Shoes – Black, brown and fancy gold flats. I wear ‘em all … a lot. Three to five pairs is more that adequate. The rest should be donated.
9. Heels – I have quite a few heels. I actually really do wear them. A lot. I’m going to put them all in the row on the closet floor. Any that are unworn by September 30, 2013, will be donated. I know there are a few that weren’t worn last year … I suspect they will not be worn again this year since I have my favourites.
10. Walkers – I have my favourites. I’ll do the same with these as with my heels. Those unworn will be donated.
11. Sweaters – Cardigans specifically. What is worn will stay, what is not will go regardless of whether it is a handknit.
12. Bras, underwear & socks – When it is worn out, I will replace it if need be. Going forward, I plan to invest in high quality, good fitting and well-made articles that last. Enough said!

Lastly, my goals for this commitment.

• My clothing will fit comfortably (not overflowing!) into the closet space (all hanging, not piled up) and a few drawers of my dresser.
• I will learn which articles of clothing are important to me to own and discard the rest.
• I will again value quality in clothing and shoes rather than quantity.
• I will look for Canadian-made, handmade or ethical clothing when shopping in the future because I will appreciate the labour to make clothing when it is necessary versus just crafting.

This all seems very lofty to me currently but I hope through a weekly journal post about my experience that I will be able to change my thinking and attitude towards my closet! Wish me luck :)

As a final thought, I want to put it out there that if anyone who would like to join me on this venture, I would love the company! We would all be able to keep each other accountable as there will undoubtedly be some hiccups along the way :) If there is interest, I’ll add a widget in the sidebar with a link to your blog so that we can all keep up with how we’re doing. Just reply at the bottom or send me a quick email.

I’m off to sew on the buttons to my test knit of Woodstove Season .. more on that soon.

owls & cupcakes.

I don’t usually post about more personal things but I wanted to share the wonderful shower that my sister-in-law and Mom held for James. They truly went above and beyond!

K ordered some decorations off of Etsy, which looked beautiful on the cupcakes, glasses and mugs. The food was wonderful – the cupcakes especially, which were K’s homemade recipe.

I think the truly wonderful aspect of the shower was watching C, my SIL’s younger sister, with James – she has a wonderful gift with babies. I think we’ve found the perfect babysitter!

It was a lovely day :)

it’s official.

Remember my self-induced diaper sweatshop?

Well, he’s officially big enough for them now! I’ll keep you posted on how it goes :)

a workshop in yarn versus pattern.

I’m re-posting this because I had a good brainstorm with my sister-in-law about it. We decided that while the cream is nice, a blue might look better underneath just to neutralize, rather than highlight the cream in the yarn. She was right! I love the cardigan with this denim hued blue beneath it – I think it actually does the cardigan more justice:

This was a ton of knitting!

I started this cardigan in the late Spring and it progressed very quickly until tiny tuna was born, and of course, everything came to a grinding halt. I have been thoroughly enjoying him – our mornings and his bath time are definitely the highlights of the day – but getting some time to myself to finish this last weekend and this has been really wonderful.

Pattern: Atelier by Heidi Kirrmaier

Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina in colour Parchment (3.5 skeins)

Needles: 4.00mm for the body, 3.75mm for the i-cord and garter edgings

I have worked many sweaters with a slipped stitch, i-cord edge down the front but for whatever reason, on this cardigan mine ended up being very very tight. It loosened slightly with blocking but I have to admit, it’s a little bit too tight for my liking. I do, however, like the shape it gives the sweater and with the interesting construction for the yoke, I think it really suits the cardigan. I think the yoke is my favourite part of this sweater – it’s definitely what drew me to it in the first place.

The other details about this cardigan like the pockets and garter edging on the sleeves are interesting details that I think make it a great knit.

As you can probably tell, I’m not gushing about this cardigan. It wasn’t the pattern – Heidi’s patterns are fantastic and this was no exception! The fit is absolutely perfect.

I am going to knit this again but in a solid or heather … you knew I was going to say that didn’t you? I loved loved this yarn when I bought it in February on our annual trip to Tofino. Unfortunately, it has ended up being a little bit disappointing as the colours next to the cream within the yarn just scream at you, rather than blending together for a subtle look. It’s very difficult to wear anything but cream under this as anything you put with it (even pale blue or grey) competes with the yarn. I guess that’s okay – I have several cream shirts – but I am not sure that I would buy with colourway again given what I know now about how it knits up.

That said, the garter and this colourway are striking – I do love the pockets, yoke and sleeves … I think with some wear this cardigan will grow on me. I’ll let you know :)

preparation.

Amazingly, there has been some time to knit! Not a lot but some. I’ve been swatching up a storm to prepare for Fall knits – a jacket-like cardigan, an Aran weight pullover, a tweed cardigan and a gorgeous cabled cardigan.

Left to right: Berroco Remix, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool, Patons Classic Wool, Madelinetosh Pashmina

From the summer, I have a few of knits that I am still finishing but … and I know this is a poor excuse … they are too heavy now to knit and nurse tiny tuna at the same time. I can knit & nurse as long as what I am working on is relatively small or lightweight … enter casting on for new projects! Hazzah!

What are you preparing to knit this Fall?