Etsy Shop restocked!

It has been such a busy summer, I have only just got around to restocking the shelves of the etsy shop!  There are a few of the silk nuno felt scarves, and a few sock monkeys and monsters.  More to add in the next few days, so if there is a colour of scarf / shawl you love and do not see, please email me.  I may have it in stock already!

You can see them all through the window on the right side of the blog (photo of me in the silk nuno felt coat)   Over there-----------------)

 The sock monkeys were a big hit last Christmas, so here is a start on the inventory for this year.

Cables and Acrylics

What have I been doing today?  It is a rainy Saturday, and unlike others who hate rainy days, I need them!  It allows me to reset my pace and catch up on a few indoor things that have been on the back-burner for far too long.  I finally moved my painting upstairs, and working in the sun room (even with the rain out the open windows) is a lovely way to spend the afternoon.  I am doing a painting of an old Italian Villa, with two villages in the distance.  You can see that I painted a whole village (just needs a few more trees) in the second photo.

 Still lots to do, but I am pleased with the work so far.

 On my needles is a chunky coat, made with a gorgeous merino superwash by SMC.  You can find it at Elann HERE.   I got 15 balls in burgundy for the coat.  The pattern is from Simply Knitting 103, March 2013.

 The yarn is more burgundy than the flash allows, but the textured cable weave is wonderful.

I usually only knit my own designs, but when I see something as cool as this, I just have to knit it!  I am on the last sleeve, and will post photos of the finished coat.

Quick Knit Baby Bib

My sister is going to be a grandmother, and I just had to make this simple bib for her new grandbaby.
If you can knit a dishcloth, you can make a bunch of these for your little messy eater!
Easy to knit, easy to wash and easy to wear.

 A simple yarn over button hole and large button, hold it in place. You could make lots for a busy new mom.  I chose a natural colour, but you know this yarn comes in rainbow colours.  Have fun with whatever is already in your stash.

Quick Knit Baby Bib

Yarn:    Crafters Cotton 50grams  (or other worsted weight cotton)

Gauge 16 sts = 4 inches in garter stitch

Needles: 4.5mm

One large button

Cast on 34 stitches.  Knit EVERY ROW (garter stitch) until piece measures 7 inches.

Next Row: knit 10, cast off next 14 stitches, knit 10.

Work one side at a time, garter stitch the 10 stitches until the neck band measures 5 inches.  Next row, knit 2 together, knit 6, knit 2 together.

Last row, cast off 8 stitches.

Attach yarn and start garter stitch on second side (button hole side).  Work 5 inches.

Next row, knit 3, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit 3.

Next row, knit 9.

Last row, cast off 9 stitches.  Darn in loose ends.

Sew button opposite buttonhole.

 

Felt, Jays, Lips and Face(book)

In the last couple of weeks, I have had a visit from my sister (from Winnipeg) and a trip to the Blue Jays game, and a felting workshop, on top of my usual work, sewing, golfing and knitting... I love doing all of these things, but some days I just feel a bit TOO busy!
Here are two photos of the felting workshop.  We made summer shawls, that are mostly 100% silk, with bits of wool and other fibres that make the silk crinkle up and add texture.

 Here is the CN tower, as seen from the Blue Jays ball park.  It was a lovely day and you could see the tourists taking an Edge Walk.  It looked frightening from down here, I cannot imagine going up there and dangling on the edge!

 The Blue Jays lost the day we were there, but starting the next day, they entered into a winning streak that just won't quit!  I promise not to go to another game (clearly they lose if I am there) until the streak is broken (by someone OTHER than ME).

 My sister came to visit, and one of the reasons (besides that she LOVES me) was for me to design and sew a dress for an upcoming wedding.  The bodice of the dress is this amazing copper colour woven fabric.  I decided to add a cool little clutch purse, and here it is.  The zipper separates the lips, and it eats up whatever you need to bring along!

 I also have taken on the task of "Facebooking" the Office.  We will post news and photos and updates for our patients in what I hope will be a light and amusing way....  This is me at work.

What you may notice is that I have NO knitting to show you.  Part of it is because I hardly have time for knitting (or taking photos of knitting).  I will have some to show you soon. Part is that what I have been knitting (slowly) is a surprise for someone, and I do not want to reveal too early.  When I can reveal, there should be some fun postings.

Stay near.

all free knitting website ERROR

I have been bombarded with emails from knitters,  looking for the pattern to match this photo:


It seems that they linked the pattern to this pattern:

Such confusion.  And to top it off, they re-named the above handspun laceweight scarf, the LILAC MIST SCARF, so the poor readers could not even search my blog for the pattern.  Silly linking.


So to aid those who are hopelessly LOST in my blog, may I please re-direct you to:

Lilac Mist Scarf, aka, handspun laceweight scarf!

Happy knitting!

monkey feet and silk scarves

As well as an awful lot of sewing this week, I have made FOUR sets of monkey slippers.  If you have never made knit, then felt, slippers, this pattern is fun and easy.  
It is a free pattern, once you register with the site.  I made the smallest a couple of stitches smaller and the length an inch shorter.  Then just wash them in hot soapy water until shrunk to size you want.  I hand sewed the non slip sole to the bottoms.  This is good because they are slippery slippers otherwise, and the bottom of the slipper will wear out too quickly without that protection...

 Then I made some new dryer balls. These ones are so pretty with silk fabric embedded into the surface!  In case you have never used dryer balls, they are thrown into the dryer (I use four at a time) with your load, and WITHOUT dryer sheets.  You get no static, as the wool balls bump the clothes apart and reduce static naturally.  You also get about 25% less drying time with most loads, because the wool absorbs some of the moisture.  Just towels seem to need the full drying time for me.  It is easy to find uTube video on how to make these.  I use extra felting wool, rolled into a tennis ball size ball, then cover with merino roving, and silk fabric, and mohair yarns.  Place in panty hose, tie off, and wash in full speed hot soapy washing machine.  One or two cycles works!

 And here are the newest nuno-felt scarves.  I rescued several vintage silk saris from India, and used pieces from at least three different fabrics to build a new silk and wool fabric that is crinkly and shiny and amazing.

 bits of wool, yarn, and silk fibres, and laid out on the patchwork of sari silk.

 Navy, red and orange pops.

 Close up of wool, yarn, and silk fibres.

 Tan, burgundy, black.

 shimmering silk and wools

 Brights.

These scarves are so light weight and one of a kind.  Way better in person.  About five feet long, and 18 inches wide, they can be a shoulder wrap, or circled around the neck as a cowl.  This item can be used year round!

Look at this...

I received this letter yesterday and was overwhelmed by the inspiring words.  I have so many requests from googlers who find the golf club covers, and do not knit, and just ask ME to knit for them..... "how much would your charge? " or, "please send me a set in purple and black..."  !!!!  I respond with a form letter that declines knitting for them (you could not afford me) and suggests they find someone who knits, and who LOVES them, buy them the yarn, print out the pattern, and THANK them for the hours of work!
Not only has Mary Ellen learned to knit, just for this pattern, she now knits them for everyone she knows.  You are amazing Mary Ellen.  Truly the soul of a knitter, selfless, creative, and inspiring.

I share with you her letter.....

Dear Chris,

In November 2012 I got a new golf bag and wanted headcovers so I searched the web. I saw yours and thought they were darling, and wanted to make them right away. Oh! A small pesky problem....I don't know how to knit!

My mother tried to teach me 50 years ago (I am 59) but she was left-handed and I simply could not follow her. Over the years I became an advanced quilter and needle worker, but never attempted knitting until I saw your headcovers because they are so darn cute. Mom is gone, so I jumped onto YouTube and searched knitting. I hit pause/rewind about a hundred times, but I "got it" enough to try.

Well, the rest is history. I have made myself and now seven friends full sets of your headcovers and have requests for more rolling in. I live in Florida and played all winter with snowbirdie friends from all over the north, including your Canada. Now the requests are coming in from Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Ontario!

I even knit while I play golf! When it is slow, I do a row to keep relaxed rather than getting annoyed at the slow pace. I can't thank you enough for your wonderful pattern and many hours of enjoyment.

Mary Ellen