Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year

I have always believed that how you ring in the new year sets the tone for your journey through the months ahead. And even for those years when the Christmas season may have been spent at the hospital or visiting a funeral home, you know that those most important to you were always surrounding and supporting you.

So may you ring in the New Year with . . .

Faith;
Your family and friends close by;
Money in your pocket (even if everyone only has a penny);
Food on your plate;
And a full stash of yarn! (to keep you warm)
And What is on my Menu you ask:

Appetizers

Chorizo in red wine, carmelized onion and brie pizza, cheese platter, olives, sea scallops in white wine

1st Course

Tomato Soup with Basil Mousse

2nd Course

Salad of lentils, blue cheese and cranberries on field greens with a Sherry-Shallot Dressing

3rd Course

Roasted baby root vegetables, Parisienne Potatoes, Beef Tenderloin

Dessert

Raspberry Tiramisu


MAY YOU ENJOY ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE NEW YEAR WILL BRING YOU!!!!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Happy Holiday's

I hope that you and your families are having a fantastic Holiday Season.

Please check back next week for a photo update on all those wonderful projects I am working on.

Nonpariel - back, sleeves x 2 and left front are complete

Swatches - so many swatches I don't even know where to start

New designs - beret and fingerless gloves for spring - pattern will be released shortly (okay - once the beret and gloves are complete - hopefully before April)

Sunday, November 28, 2010

NaKnitMo - Day 28 Ends






82,829

How did I get this far you ask
Fallen Leaves Socks - Completed

4 Pom Pom Scarves - Completed

The Ashley Beret - Below


2 sleeves - Nonpariel

Socks from Iron Knitter - only 18 more rounds to go


1 Military Style hat



Library Capelet

Chicago Bears Cowl and Fingerless Gloves

One ever growing Pinwheel blanket in worsted weight yarn, outside edge currently has 340 stitches - growing 10 stitches every other round.

And probably a few other projects that are long forgotten

2 days to go - can hardly wait to see how far I can take this!


Thursday, November 25, 2010

NaKnitmo Day 24 Ends

I have been too busy stitching to blog, but let me just say this


66,970 stitches completed
Photo's and details will be posted shortly

Saturday, November 20, 2010

NaKnitMo - Day 20 Begins



Day 19 ended with a total of 44,604 stitches completed, including the Library Capelet done in Lion Brand Homespun. The biggest issue that I had in finishing this was decided which one of the amazing antique buttons I would put on it. The buttons shown were purchased at a lovely antique store in Huntsville, Ontario. The Library Capelet added a total of 8,320 stitches to the count for the NaKnitMo and I can hardly wait to wear it. And the button winner was. . .
Another project off my TODO list is The Ashely Beret - once completed the hat will add a total of 11,800 stitches to the count. As of this moment I am 3,300 stitches into the project with 4 repeats of the lace pattern to complete.
Which means at this exact moment in time my total stitch count is 47,904, and I still have 10 days to go in the competition.











Sunday, November 14, 2010

NaKnitMo - Day 14 ends


So here we are, 14 days into NaKnit Mo and things just keep showing up in my house that were not on my TODO list.

Oh well - at least the stitches count. Pictured above are the layered wristlets in the Chicago Bears Colours. I did the mix and match just because its me! What you can't see clearly in the photo are also my Bears fingernails, navy with orange and white stripes.



So how am I doing at my challenge you ask - well here is the update. (noting that I am not finished knitting for today.


30,164 stitches completed

19,836 left to go, which means approximately 1,240 stitches per day will get me to goal.




Now I think I do need to get back on track with the TODO List - so here are the items left to complete

Jake's Sock - Done - shown to left
Falling Leaves Socks - 1 done
Nonpariel Sweater - 1 arm done
Leg Warmers - Done
Pattern Stitch Hat - Done
The Ashley Beret - For Audra
Cambria Sweater
Pink Lace Wrap
Chocolate twist Sweater - Done
Mosaica de mi corizan
Scrap Sock Yarn Blanket
Zauberball toe up sock
Master Knitter resubmissions
Pink Bustier
Flaminco Shawl - Done

As you can see I have not crossed a lot of stuff off that list - but I have also finished 3 pompadoodle scarves and 4 wristlets. I will try to stay on track for the next 16 days.

Happy Knitting!!!

















Wednesday, November 10, 2010

NaKnitMo - Day 10 ends

What a great week for finishing up projects, mind you, most of those projects were not on my already on needles to do list. But they came and went so fast they really don't count, do they?

You see - my goal for National Knitting Month and the NaKnitMo challenge was that I would finish up most of the 17 projects I have on needles already and my promise to Tammie and Linda was that I would not, under any circumstances, no matter how much the yarn was calling for me, cast on anything new. Well - I have finished off 4 from the list, but also have cast on and finished three other projects not on the original list.

2 pom pom scarves - finished last night 1,354 stitches
1 chicago bears neck cowl - GO BEARS - 3,600 stitches


Oops and how did those navy wristlets get on those needles, I don't remember starting them!Hee hee. I am actually doing a collection of the 3 different sizes so that I can layer them for different looks, they will be in the Bears colours of Navy and Orange. I am using the Vanna's Choice yarn and they are coming together very nicely. Total so far of 1,000 stitches.

So to recap the end of day 10

Goal 50,000

Stitches completed to date - 22,444

Stitches left to goal - 27,556

So with 20 days to go - I need to knit 1,253 stitches per day minimum to reach my goal.

Check back tomorrow to see how I am doing.

Monday, November 8, 2010

NaKnitMo - Day 8 Ends

November 8 - 1,792 Stitches

Total Stitches Completed to date - 16,490

Stitches Left to Complete to reach goal - 33,510

Too tired to write anything else!!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

NaKnitMo - Day 4 Ends

At the end of day 4 I have surpassed my goal of 1,666 stitches per day!

To recap

Nov 1 - 3228 (sweater)
Nov 2 - 570 (ruffled shawl edge) 1028 (sweater)
Nov 3 - 2834 (sweater)
Nov 4 - 3690 (sweater)
For a brand new total of 11,450 Stitches


Leaving only 38,550 stitches to go!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

NaKnitMo - Day 4

Lost some knitting time due to meeting regarding the

FRONTENAC FESTIVE FAIR
NOVEMBER 13th 10 am - 2 pm
5140 Pinedale Avenue

Photo's with Santa
Craft Show and Sale
Bake Sale
Gently Used Book and Movie Sale
Kidz Kraft Zone
Silent Auction
Raffle Prizes
Bistro for lunch

Come on out and enjoy a fun family day!

Now on to the Knitting

42,240 stitches left to go

got in 2,834 stitches tonight, for a total to date of 7,760 stitches. Hopefully tomorrow night I can get a bit more completed, I would like to hit at least 3,000 by the end of Day 4.

NaKnitMo - Day 3



Yesterday I finished 18 rows on my Nonpareil sweater, photo by Berroco. Can hardly wait to see the finished product.

Also finished the trim on the flaminco shawl (will post photo's later, total of 570 stitiches.

Grand total now 4826/50,000

45,174 stitches to go - 28 days left

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

NaKnitMo - Day 2

In order to reach my goal of 50,000 stitches I must maintain a stitch count of 1,666 stitches per day.

Yesterday I ended up at 3,228. So far for today I am at 1,053. For a grand total of 4,281 which means I have only 45,719 stitches to go.

Having never counted my stitches before I was quite surprised with the total amount done, and can hardly wait to count it out on a weekend day when I can put in some real time.

I will post photo's of what has been completed later today.

Happy Knitting!!!

Monday, November 1, 2010

NaKnitMo - Day 1

Well it has begun, as of Midnight the NaKnitMo challenge is underway. In the last hour I have knit 870 stitches. I will post my daily totals here as well as photo's of the projects.

I have set my goal at a lofty 50,000 stitches for the month of November (which means I have 49,130 to go) , and here is how I will do it.

Non-Pariel Sweater
1 sleeve = 10,425 stitches
Other Sleeve = 10,425 stitches
Back waist band = 2,160 stitches
left front waistband = 990 stitches
right front waistband = 990 stitches
lower back = 7,588 stitches

Jakes Sock = 6272 stitches
Harvest Sock - 7128 Stitches
The Ashley Beret for Audra = 9844 stitches

For an estimated total of 55,862 stitches

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

National Knitting Month

Well - it is almost here - National Knitting Month and to celebrate I have been lured into the game of NaKnitMo. What is NaKnitMo you ask? It is a challenge like none I have ever faced before. Each registered knitter keeps count of every stitch knit from Midnight on October 31st to Midnight on November 30th - the stats will be posted daily. Base goal that all knitters must surpass is 30,000 stitches for the month to qualify for a chance at any of the prizing.

All competitors are tuning up their math skills, calculators beside each chair, awaiting the midnight hour!

I decided that in a math warm up I would do a 6 day stitch count beginning October 26.

STITCH TOTAL: 12,731

October 29


October 28
pattern stitch hat - class sample - 3,195
pom pom scarf - 1,200
Jake's white sock - 1,008

October 27
Leg warmer - Class sample - 3,200
11 rows of cowl @ 100 stitches per row 1100

October 26 -

9 rows of the brown sweater @ 92 stitches per row = 828

22 rows of the class sample cowl @ 100 stitches per row - 2200 stitches


So check back often as I will be posting my progress here regularly as well as the stats for the other competitors.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Sweater Curse


Seriously - look it up on Wikipedia.


I did not suffer the full sweater curse, but I did learn that a sweater should never be a surprise gift (unless it is a second sweater and you have all the full measurements).


Made DH a sweater for his B-day, knit it in secret - not showing it until the final day.


Now before I go on - I must state that I was not knitting all willy-nilly, I did measure another top that he wears quite often. But still, it was not a proper fit. Not badly constructed - just not the right fit.


So I have spent today dismantling said sweater and adding the additional 5 inches of length.


And what I have learned - before this ever comes off needles I will be sizing to make sure we are correct.

Friday, October 1, 2010

The Lucky Fry


So we are out for an awards dinner at a undisclosed resort of some fame (think letter-number).

The appetizer was a blue cheese tartlet resting on a bed of mixed greens with candied pecan's and raspberry dressing. So my question in, how many plates out of the 600+ plated came with the Lucky French Fry, and exactly how, when the whole meal - all 600+ of them did not contain fries, did it arrive on the plate?




Monday, September 6, 2010

Where did the summer go?

Can't believe I left my blog alone for so long. It has been an exhausting, busy summer, but it has all been worth it.
I completed the Craft Yarn Council of America's Certified Knitting Instructor Program. I am now available to teach in your home or mine, if you have every wanted to learn how to knit, or advance your knitting technique, now is the time. Why not host a knitting night with you and few freinds and learn a new craft together.
And the most exciting news, I have been hired as one of the knitting instructor for the DISCOVER Knit and Crochet classes which will start this fall at Michael's across North America. I will be based out of the Burlington store! I will post shortly when store demo's and classes will begin!


Completed 3 new designs, one -Shaeleigh, my 3rd pattern release is available for purchase through Ravelry. I will keep you updated on the upcoming design releases.
Shaeleigh is a 3 piece set, featuring a cozy cowl and fingerless ribbed cuff gloves, cuff rolls up to fully cover fingers on those cold days.


Thursday, July 29, 2010

I must be out of my socks!

So, Master Knitter Level 1 is at the Review committee, Craft Yarn Council Instructors Program Level 1 is out for Review, I am working on the Second Level.




So the question is this - should I continue to work deligently on all that is due, or should I stagger of the path and actually start a new project.




(insert Jeopardy music here)




And the answer is - why start a new project of course.









Sock Yarn Blanket by Shelly Kang
Photo by Shelly Kang
Pattern Available at http://shellykang.com
This is just an amazing project - that will use up all the sock yarn odds and ends I have in my stash, and can be worked on in small cramped areas like the car!!!! Can hardly wait to get started - what a great take along project it will be (well at least the first row of individual squares that is.)
Update on Tree of Life - it should be completed by August 15th (that is the date I have aimed for). I will keep you posted.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's Off to Swatch We Go. . .

We swatch all day and swatch all night, hi-ho, hi-ho. . .

only 3 swatches to go to complete the requirements for the Certified Knitting Instructors program with the Craft Yarn Council of America.

And the swatches and projects for The Knitting Guild's Master Knitter program left earlier this week. Have 6-8 weeks to wait to receive the Review Committee's report. Keeping my needles crossed that I have only corrective comments and nothing to re-do.

I can hardly wait to get back to a big project like the Tree of Life afghan!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Question: What should you knit when its 40 degrees with humidity

Answer: The biggest wool blend baby afghan in the world. Nothing keeps you as cool as having a pool of wool insulating your lap when you are having a heat wave, and when it gets big enough - it will also drape down your legs to keep them insulated from the heat as well.



Only 1 month to go until baby arrives! and I am almost 1/2 of the way complete! Stay tuned for more updates. It should move faster now that I am actually in air conditioning as I was only able to work on this daily from about 7 am until 9 am at the latest - after that it was actually too hot to knit anything. But at least the view was fantastic!




















Sunday, June 27, 2010

WIP it real good!

It has been a wild race of WIP action this weekend. Projects have been queing up in the hopes of crossing the finish line this weekend. We even had a few contestants come to the forefront that we thought were long forgotten and never had a chance of getting back into the race.

And they are off - it is neck and neck to the finish line, I can't believe after all these months of work it has come down to this split second photo finish!
Number 1 position: Grey Striped socks - can't show you the actually knitted pattern - that is a secret.












And coming in second - Master Knitter Level 1 project - hat knitted in the round with jogless rounds.
And limping in, in the number 3 position - the body of the Dessert Sky Shawl (lace trim will be added once appropriate coloured lace weight yarn is located!) The Dessert Sky Shawl was created using the most amazing Boucle Lace Weight Merino, hand painted in New Mexico by Fibre Artist Robin Pascal









Now you never know - the race is still on and we could have more entries racing over the finish line this weekend!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Lets take another look at those WIPS . .

1. Grey Stripe Sock
2. DONE - Scarf
3. Green Fingerless Gloves
4. Tree of Life Afghan
5. Secret Sock Design #1
6. Secret Sock Design #2
7. Secret Sock Design #3
8. Secret Wrap Design #1
9. Capri Cardigan
10. Hat for Master Knitter's Program
11. And still on needles - sock from Iron Knitter Round 4 - got knocked out with 1/3 of a sock to go and put it to the side.
12. NEW - Desert Sunset Shawl


________________________________________________

Come and visit me at



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YARN REVIEW

I am working with the new Zitron Unisono Yarn, a yummy Merino wool, fine, with aloe and jojoba. It is a true joy to knit with, my hands will be sad when my project is completed. Amazing stitch definition and the colour ways are inspirational!

Available now at http://www.spunfibrearts.com/

Saturday, May 22, 2010

When you can't knit - Garden


And when the Gardening is done - take your knitting outside




























Wednesday, May 12, 2010

From Riches to Rags, and back to Riches


UPDATE - had to post this most amazing photo. One of the ladies at work, in celebration of my publication made me SOCK shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies!!! How much fun is that!!! It was a fantastic surpise, and a very yummy treat!


I must confess that the Tree of Life Afghan has not grown even a single row, but have no fear, next week I will impress you with its growth.


What did happen this week (RICHES) - is that UPS pulled up last night and delivered back home my lovely socks and Think Ouside the Sox book. How exciting! Still looking forward to walking into a book store with my entourage and seeing it on the shelf!!!




I gave these socks a stern talking to when they jumped on that plane in November of 2008, I bid them a fond farewell, but did warn them not to come home without bringing the goods! Hopefully I can be that convincing with my kids when the time comes.



On the non-knitting front (RAGS) - did my first Rag Quilting and I think I am hooked, made two pillow covers for the basement, and the turned out fantastic. (also a bonus was Fabricland's sale)

















And back to (RICHES) - wanting to
be able to show off my love of knitting during the summer months, I am designing jewelry made from Linen and Silk, with Swarovski components that can be worn year round. The first piece - Floral Garden will be available as a free Ravelry download very soon, and completed pieces for sale will be posted at http://kdmcreative.etsy.com/ . Here is your sneak peek. The piece can be completed in one day, or over a weekend. Throw it on with a scoop neck T and you are ready for cocktails at the patio bar!



Photo by Jacob R. Marlatt



Sunday, May 2, 2010

Purple Haze

So, as I was getting everything ready for this week's posting I could not help but notice a slight colour theme. Perhaps it is the flowers growing in the garden, or perhaps the school colours, not sure, but definately Purple, Lavendar, Mauve, seems to be the recurring theme. In the fashion world purple has been called the new black, so I guess I am spot-on with the current trends.

Purple Number 1
You can visit this shawlette at http://kdmcreative.etsy.com/



Purple Number 2




A new line of knitted jewelry I am working on - can't give it away though, but here is a little peek!






Purple Number 3



This beautiful pair of ladies 7-9 handknit socks will also be available shortly on Etsy, just finishing up the last toe. Just in time for MOTHER'S DAY!



And now the photo you have all been waiting for; The Tree of Life Afghan. The forest has grown slightly since the last photo's although not as far as I had hoped.

It is my goal to have the first stand of trees completed by next posting (who's takin' bets on that one?)

Now out to enjoy the warm, sunny day and let my backyard inspire my jewelry creation!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Crack open the Bubbly!!!


Stitches South - Altanta
the book is officially launched today at 3 pm.
Crack open the Bubbly
and pour me a glass!!!


The journey started at Spun Fibre Arts in Burlington Ontario in June 2008 with choosing the appropriate yarn (thanks Danielle for your help). Months of design work, planning, frogging, ripping, planning and more frogging. And finally in November 2008 "Apple of my Eyelet" headed of to the "Think Outside the Sox" contest headquarters.


Although not one of the finalists, it did merit being included in their book of the same title, which is a great honor.


The book will not be available north of the border until May 1 (according to Chapter's website). But you know I will be there to see it on the shelves that day!!!


Must go - don't want the Champagne getting warm!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Oh what in yonder garden grows?






Trees, Lots and Lots of Trees







It has been a very busy week here. The photo's show our newly planted 6 in 1 apple tree posing with the Tree of Life Afghan (each coloured tag is a different variety).





Behind the Tree of Life Afghan, posing on the bench, is our new Cherry tree (already in bloom). I am assuming that I will be lucky to make one Cherry Tart out of this years harvest, but it will go well with the Apple Tart.


Perhaps next year we will be able to move up to the whole pie thing (hey - isn't making pies the same way Martha Stewart started her empire, ummm, that tree may have been the best $49 investment I have every made)
And the a close up of the Tree of Life Afghan, not a bad start for week #1. I am hoping to get to the end of the first stand of trees by the end of the week! I will keep you posted.



Monday, April 12, 2010

Think Outside the Sox Book Launch, and here come the Tree of Life

April 22nd, Stitches South
Book is due to be released
Check out page 38/39 "Apple of My Eyelet"
The little green lace socks left their Burlington home in November of 2008, and finally after a long journey they will be on display at the Stitches South, along with the book launch!
These lucky socks have been in the hands of Sandi Rosner, Cat Bordhi and Lucy Neatby!!
(I am hoping the socks bring some of their Knitting Karma home with them)
Once they are done visiting at Stitches South, the socks will come home to rest for a short time at Spun Fibre Arts before being retired to a lovely shadow box in my studio.
Watch for more details as they come in.
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The seeds for the Tree of Life Afghan have been purchased, here they are prior to planting, it will be amazing to watch what will grow out of this seemingly huge pile of string (1,800 metres to be exact). I was actually going to calculate the number of stitches, but wow, that might make me run away screaming.

Baby is due in August, so wish me luck. I will post a photo once a week on my progress, hopefully I am not posting the same picture any of those weeks.



Also have a few other deadlines/items I am working on. Can't show you or tell you, but how about a little bit of tease.


Have a little something headed to Knitty.com for their winter edition. Berroco Peruvia Quick in a lovely teal/blue. That is all you will get out of me.






And for those that could not guess - this is a lovely pair of socks, you never know where they may show up.





And this is for the http://www.tkga.com/ contest, sponsored by http://www.yarnmarket.com/, due May 3rd, and all I can say about this lovely skein of Berroco Ultra Fine Alpaca, is lace, lace, lace and more lace, maybe for your feet, your head or your feet. I will let you take a guess on that one.


All for today, as you can see I have my needles a bit busy, but it will be all worth it. Remember to check back for the Tree of Life photo's

















Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Cotton, Milk and Corn, oh my




Spring officially arrives on Saturday, April 3rd when my local LYS http://www.spunfibrearts.com/ has their annual Spring Sale. So I will be stocking up on my cotton, milk, silk, bamboo and corn to create some amazing pieces to spruce up my wardrobe. Even just a few top down tee's in some bright colours will add what is needed to my spring wardrobe, and they can still be worn under a jacket if they mornings are still a bit brisk.


I will also be making a big purchase for the "Tree of Life" afghan for my (can't tell you niece or nephew) who will arrive in August, all I will say is I am thinking oatmeal, not pink. I will keep you updated on my progress here. I would not have chosen to attempt this piece, had it not been for the socks in Iron Knitter Round 4 (pattern: Maeve, available as a Ravelry download) which taught me to appreciate, but not love yet, wandering cable stitches and how to do cables without a cable needle.

and speaking of Iron Knitter - one of my team mates Ember (rav id) took the crown, unfortunately I was knocked out in round 4 with a chest infection (also the reason I have been quiet on the blog front. ). So a big congratulations to Ember!!! We started with 98 knitters back in January, and 6 rounds total.
All for now - am working on my entry for the Knitting Guild Association contest - details can be found at www.yarnmarket.com (contest sponsor), deadline is May 5th.