Almost Completed...

Here's a great peak at the almost finished Colinette Art Sweater! I am making a large collar to frame the neckline. I really recommend this yarn. It is SO soft by hand, yet really sturdy (it's hard to break the yarn end by just pulling it!) So I think it will wash and wear really well for a long, long time. It also has a soft drape (not stiff like many worsted weight wools.)

You can find it at your local yarn shop OR order directly from the wool mill in Wales HERE.

While completing this, I am planning my next knitted garment. It will be from that lovely merino-mohair Fleece Artist "Merino Angel". The swatch is open and airy and light as a feather. I am thinking of a whisper light tunic... hmmm.

My knitting hours have been reduced so far this summer, lots of golf and sewing. I am sure most of you agree, it is a little more difficult to embrace knitting, especially with the merinos and silks and other warm woolies, when it is hot and humid outside. The hidden gem of summer knitting, is the surprise of finding on those first cold fall days, the summer-time merino knit that you tucked away in the cold section of your closet in anticipation of the inevitable cold spell that WILL return to our fabulous country! So keep tucking them away!

Aspen and Art

I just wound another skein of Colinette Art. I have finished the first sleeve, and started the second sleeve. So we are nearing completion of the Art Raglan Cardigan. Here is a photo of young Aspen perched on the ball of yarn. The first few times she tried this she wobbled and fell off, but now she knows to hold still!

Plugging away...

Before I can get to my new Nova Scotia yarn yummies, I have to finish my Colinette cardigan. I have been feverishly at it for days, and I have finished the back, both fronts and am on the first sleeve. I like the feel of this yarn. It is really soft, and very sturdy, so makes a fairly dense fabric. I think it will be best for outdoors or really chilly Canadian winter days indoors.
Meanwhile, I am also sewing up a storm and have made a bustier for a friend, and a casual sundress for me this week. I have 3 tops and 3 shorts in the queue, along with the last 2 bridesmaid alterations, all to be done next week.
I will save the photos of the knitting for the finished product. Stay tuned and keep knitting!

Nova Scotia Weekend

I spent last weekend in Nova Scotia, visiting Dad along with my sister (from Winnipeg). We flew in Friday and out again Monday. While there, we stopped at Gaspereau Valley Fibres, a lovely wool shop in Wolfville. I found some great yarns, some Fleece Artist, and Habu and lace weight...

During the trip, I got a lot of knitting done, and finished these striped socks.
Also during the trip we ate some of this....

My favourite!

Colinette ART

I have started the Colinette Art Sweater. I find the yarn wooly but soft and strong (can't break it by pulling on it - that's the bamboo). The yarn is a grey and black and off white, with bits of rose and other small infusions of colours. As always with Colinette, the colours are so pleasing to the eye and the yarn is so pleasing to the hands, it is a joy to knit.

The photo above shows the back so far.

I have to write about a truly extraordinary event. A couple of months ago I met a lovely lady at a local shop. We engaged in crafty talk, after she spotted me in my Nuno-felt coat. She asked me how she should unload a large collection of fine fabrics, collected over many years by her talented seamstress mother, who unfortunately had passed away and left them with her. I suggested eBay or kijiji, one piece at a time, but she felt that was too time consuming and wanted them out by the time she sold her house and moved (imminent). She asked if I could take them off her hands, and make sure they had a purposeful new home.

I was honoured to help, and when she sold her house, she called me to pick up 8 large (and heavy) boxes full of fabrics. Upon sorting them, I find MANY suit weights, including silks, wools and linens. There are lovely cottons and some knits, and a box full of silky lining fabrics. Her mother had amazing taste in colour and fibre content! There were also many upholstery and drapery fabrics.

I thank my new friend for allowing me this treasure. And know that these fabrics will be loved and thoughtfully made into beautiful garments for me, and my friends and family.

Colinette in the Mail!

I decided it has been way too long since I have Colinette yarn in my hands. Every once in a while you want to revisit the essential luxury of the original hand painted yarn. It has a style and colour and unique look like no other yarn. It has been very hard to find this yarn from Wales in the local yarn shops in Canada. And when I did, it was TOO expensive to indulge.

Last weekend, between golf games and sewing projects, I wandered over to the Colinette website, the mill in Wales. How surprised I was to discover they now sell merino top roving dyed to their wonderful colours! An impulse e-shop later and I had 6 -100 grams of ART (wool and bamboo) on the way, along with 150 grams of roving, both in the same colourway (bright charcoal) a lovely mix of grey, black, pink and mauve.

The thought was that I could knit a sweater with the yarn, and make a felted bag, or beret, or nunofelt wrap to match.... The planning is as much fun as the wearing! For those Canadians who have trouble finding Colinette, (or find it too expensive)... you can order directly! It arrived in less than a week! AND it was about $10 for 100 grams! Quite the steal!

Yarn Bombing.... get ready....

Just checking the net for information about yarn bombing... You HAVE to learn about it HERE.

I blogged on the other side HERE, about the concept and I put up some photos. I find it intriguing and love the photos and the silliness and the cheery spirit. I will find more photos to post and hopefully will have some new ones from June 11.... Lets see some photos from you!