Spring Tickled

I couldn't let another February slip by without knitting myself a February Lady cardigan.

Knit in Dreams in Color Merino yarn in Spring Tickle colourway from my pre-yarn-shop stash. There goes 3 skeins towards my new year resolution. Yay me!

The only modification I made was the KFB increases on the yoke. I did not like the look of the yarn over eyelets. Had a rip back and tweaked it on the spot. I made three button holes and have found buttons after this photo was taken...more about that on Ravelry when the time comes.

If you wonder where I am in these photos...I am in my new sewing room! My body double lurking behind me...

I have been so quiet lately too... I did make a fabulous pair of dark blue Merino Twist socks that I never got the recipient to sit still long enough for pictures. Ack! They were a men's size 10 in 3X1 rib to the toe...gorgeous and soft but you will have to take my word for it. They are likely riding a pair of skiis in a park as I type...au revoir!

Cloudy Day Leggies

So pleased to have these! I love wearing skirts and these are just the pretty thing to keep a gal warm. I found them to be very fun and almost addictive to knit. Fast! Mine are made of alpaca in a natural beige shade. I've had the yarn for ages and the leggies have been on queue for ages too. So fun to finally get a Tiny Owl Knits design done! I ♥ her designs. I used Dpns but I did try the magic loop method at first. Couldn't put up with all the shuffling of stitches so it will be Dpns for me unless I find out I was doing it wrong or something...

He ❤'s Habs Socks

Voilà my first finished knit project for 2012.
A smooshy pair of 80% merino superwash FÉLIX Biscotte socks in the Go Habs Go colourway for Len.
They better make the play-offs!
I don't like toe-up sock knitting. I find it very tedious. Matching the stripes meant measuring out equal parts of wool after the first heel got turned.

Don't ask me how I turned these heels. Honestly, I was roughly following a free pattern off the net for a pair of toe-up socks I found on Ravelry. I had more stitches to work with then the pattern so I just pinned back both ears and went for it.
I am getting very brave on my needles in my old age!

En tout cas, I luuurve FÉLIX sock yarn. Made in Québec Whoo HOO!
Having mowed down a whole skein of this delicious stuff, I ended up with a 12.5 cm leg after making a 72 sts size 10 men's foot. I just had to know how long of a leg you can make out of this yarn in order to sell it to skeptics. Customers see the price and raise eyebrows and shoot me sideways glances like I am ripping them off big time...but no, I don't make up the prices and remind everyone that this is QuÉbeC YARN!!! (maudit). People like to get paid in this neck of the woods. Finally something not made in CHINA. So, suck it up buttercup. We need more Québec Yarn so lets encourage it. EH.
I look forward to knitting more FÉLIX socks my favorite way, now that I know just how far I can go on the leg. It was really worth it.

And how about those resolutions? I for one want to knit more from the home stash this year. I have some fantastic projects ahead. Ali XX

Mon sentier sous flocons

Bonne Année 2012 !

Je peux dire qu'à 39 ans, j'aime l'hiver de plus en plus. J'ai de la chance chez moi d'avoir mon petit coin tranquille à la campagne. Pendant les mois doux ou froids, j'adore me promener dans le bois.

Ici, je me sens bien et heureuse. Je pense à ma vie, mon amour, et mes projets. C'est merveilleux.

De flocons magnifiques ont tombés pendant ma marche le 1 janvier. Quelle célébration !

J'apprécie la nature et le bercement des bois gelés qui craquent dans le vent comme une mélodie pour celle qui prend le temps d'y écouter.

Mon copain déjà 12 mois ! Il a un plaisir fou de courir mais jamais à me perdre de vue. Il est toujours un peu nerveu.

Je n'ai pas essayé mes skis encore...j'ai trop de plaisir à marcher en rêvant.
Pendant les fêtes, j'ai pris du temps pour me reposer tout en tricotant !!

A. xx

Square Bean

I have designed a quick winter hat for a special request Christmas gift from Ivy for her knits loving boyfriend.
She wanted the likeness of 'ears' and the hat needed to be a big one.

I happen to suffer from a disappointing case of loose ribbing on hats syndrome so I tried smaller needles this time. Grafting the tube shut and flat gave it a subtle cat lurking under my hat appearance but nothing more, it's for a Dude.

I mowed down a whole 200 meter ball of wool and ended up with a Pope hat so I pulled it over my forehead and gave it a rip until I found the spot where the top would look better and applied a kitchener stitch close. It is inside out in this photo...wha!

After the corners got a good pat: 'voilà'! it looks like ears if you keep an open mind.

It fit Len and he thought it was great but maybe too scratchy...it passed the ears test.