Mitts for Papa

Mittens
pattern: #15 mittens. Opinionated Knitter by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Needles: 4.5 mm
Yarn: Gjestal Naturgarn in natural (discontinued)


My Dad was 49 when I was born (!) The fact that I still have him is beyond being blessed. When I asked my Dad what would he like to have for his birthday, he answered 'a good pair of mitts made with white wool like the stuff your mother used to spin'...
I love a man that appreciates wool and knitting. What is more fun than getting to knit a present for your Papa?
I have really enjoyed making these for him. I know they will keep him warm when he is outside this Fall. I will make a second pair to rotate between washings so he won't need to part with his mitts in between our visits.

Now back to knitting my commissioned cardi...

P.s. The shop had a lovely surprise yesterday...Elizabeth from the comments popped in! So happy to meet her. We talked about ...wool! and more wool! Thanks Elizabeth for taking the time to visit the shop.

Wool be with you!
A. xx

seconds...

My latest pinwheel made with sour cherry #5134 Vintage Berroco (yum) with long sleeves.
So happy I managed a second chance at taking a picture of this knit. It left the shop before I had a chance to snap a photo a couple of weeks ago. So sad when that happens. It came back for a visit today and ta-da! I captured it!

I finally bought a copy of EZ's pink book. Merci Lynda!! xx I have them all now (I think). I am totally thrilled with it. Even better than I expected. I am already half way through my first knit from it. A pair of beautiful heavy wool mitts for my Dad's birthday. I am using Naturgarn Gjestal natural wool and it is very beautiful pure yarn like I imagine sheepsdown would be. My goal is to knit a hockey jersey for my husband using EZ's Brook sweater instructions and adding the neck shaping and minus the team crest (just the colours).

I am also clicking away at Sirdar 8957 asymetrical cardi. I am using 100% Merino dk with 4 mm needles...tick tick tick! I have so many projects lined up for the shop...Finding new patterns to add everyday...ahhh!

Rumour has it that Kaffe Fassett sock yarn has been ordered...squwee! I feel a sock yarn sale coming on to make room for the new and beautiful Regia...Having sooo much fun! Yarn shop owner rocks. I am so happy I don't care if the H1N1 gets me. cough.

Noro & Tempo

Look see, some knitting!  Another commissioned piece.  This time a hat and scarf set made of 2 balls of Noro Kureyon 221 with 1 ball Diamond Tempo 146.  I used a free earflap pattern found on Ravelry (the pattern is for the whole family) by Marisa Gibler - The Needle Nook.  The scarf was knit by my friend Julie L. to dimensions specified by the customer.  The little flower pattern I found in Katia No. 35.  I am crossing my fingers that the hat is not way too big for the toddler it was made for....it bloomed after its bath! I will suggest a mild felting session should it be too big.  We knit and learn!

Calling Mum...

I expected this to happen and am amazed it took 16 years but last night I needed to call my Mum and ask her a question. Since my mum passed away, I have carried around a feeling of dread for the moment I would come across a problem that required my moms help and it being too late for that, I would be on my own.

Enter Phentex Slipper Pattern....

My mum (and most Quebecois ladies for that matter) would crank out these slippers by the dozens. I remember being a little girl and asking my mom to teach me how to knit but this pattern (which was in her head and not on a piece of paper I could read) was the only knitting she was doing at the time. The technique of stranding the yarns was a bit much for me to comprehend as a beginner. So I never learned to knit Phentex Slippers.

I found the pattern on Ravelry and decided to make a pair using pure wool for the shop. I cast these on and then it happened. I thought to myself, if only Mum was here to show me how...again...

I think she answered anyway because a certain feeling of calm came over me and then I figured it out from memories of her and two balls of yarn dangling...

Thanks Mum! XX

The ever photogenic (not) Pounie! She always looks like such a tough cookie. Give me the jerky and nobody gets hurt...grrr!

And we decided to rename Toupette...We came up with Ichabird...as in Ichabod Crane from Sleepy Hollow. Ha!

P.S. I am kinda happy because I reconnected with some rather special people via Facebook lately...I love it! I have suddenly realized that I am a grown up...why didn't you tell me?