Time to Start Planning for Winter!

I know, it sounds ridiculous and numerous individuals are probably going to want to smack me for saying it, but when you are talking about something like knitting, you really do need to start early!

Whether you are creating additions for your own wardrobe, making gifts for family and friends, or preparing for holiday craft shows, time is not on your side when you produce goods that are quite time consuming to complete. That’s why I am in the process of finalizing a number of patterns for winter accessories!

I just added the pattern for my Two-Tone Textured Wrist Warmers yesterday.  I loved designing this pattern and was so impressed with the Lion Brand Landscapes yarn used for the warmers pictured above. I used a Red Heart Super Saver yarn for the ones below, making it a very inexpensive but equally attractive option!

Now that I have discovered a liking for working on double pointed needles, after 40 years of avoiding them, I have a multitude of new pattern ideas milling about in my head!

I posted my newest cowl pattern earlier this month, pictured above, and have just started another new pattern today for a hat and wrist warmer set which I plan to publish next week, so if you are looking for winter projects to add to your knitting wish list, please stop by for a visit!

Ravelry

Etsy

Another Project Finished!

I don’t know about you, but I find that there is nothing more satisfying than crossing another item off your “to do” list! I just finished a commission for this baby set, I don’t often knit baby clothes and always forgot how quickly they knit up and how tiny they are!!

I usually have a minimum of 10 to 12 projects planned at one time and they all tend to buzz around in my head sending me a little wacky trying to keep them all organized! The whole waking up at 3am trying to decide what to work on next had to stop, so I recently decided to keep a list of the 4 to 5 items I would focus on each week and weekend. For example, Monday to Friday, I will work on Project 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5; Saturday & Sunday, I will work on 3, 5, 7, & 9, & so on. My current list takes me up to the end of June and so far, this system is working really well, is keeping me on track, AND I get to tick things off the list!! If I finish the list for the specific time period, I allow myself to start something new, so it’s great motivation to keep at it!

How about, how do you stay organized and motivated?

 

 

“I” is for Inchworm!

Looking back over my “A” to “Z” Knitting Challenge list, I was horrified to see that I had decided that “I” was for Inchworm.  Seriously, who in their right mind chooses to knit an inchworm?! I was very tempted to cheat and come up with another item for this letter, but I knew I would hate myself for that decision.  So after much soul searching and luckily, a spark of imagination, I am very happy to present “I” is for Inchworm! This little guy is happily measuring his way through a garden abloom with Marigolds searching for the largest one!

I knit a cover for a small canvas using two shades of Lion Brand’s Shawl in a Ball, (one of my favourite new yarns, see this month’s newsletter!) and used some of the colours from my Dollar Store mini yarn find for the Marigolds and the worm.  I am so happy with this project and am very thankful that I stuck with my original plan!  Next up is “J” is for Jewelry Box!

Flower Earrings Free Pattern!

I originally designed this pattern as part of my “A” to “Z” Knitting Challenge, “E” is for Earring and I have had so many comments from co-workers, friends, and strangers whenever I wear them, that I decided it would be fun to share the pattern!

This is a very easy pattern for knitters of all levels, but with beautiful results!

If you would like to create some of these lovely earrings for yourself or as a gift, please visit my Ravelry store to download the free pattern!

Please free to use and share this pattern in any way you choose! I would appreciate a link back to this pattern if you do choose to share it, thank you & enjoy:)

Twisted Vines Cowl Pattern

The Twisted Vines Cowl pattern is now available for sale in my Ravelry and Etsy stores!

Bulldog Buddies Pattern

I have been working on perfecting this pattern since before Christmas and finally have it complete and ready for sale in my Ravelry and Etsy stores!

Originally the pattern included only the antler headband version, but with spring upon us, I decided to add a flower version also!

Oh Happy Day! Yarn Order Arrival!!

Living in a fairly small city means that there are very few options for yarn shopping so for a long time now I have been looking for good online shopping options.  Many people have recommended various sites but, as a Canadian, the issue always came down to the horrendous exchange rate when converting from US dollars to Canadian! Even something as simple as Patons Astra becomes ridiculously expensive when buying from a US site. With the exchange, Astra would cost me $5.35 Cdn from Yarnspirations and other US sites. When I buy it in Canada or from a Canadian site, it is only $3.49!!! There is something very wrong about this! I design and knit a lot of small holiday ornaments using Astra, so this yarn is a definite favourite.

I have found the perfect solution in YarnCanada.ca. Not only is the selection absolutely superb, incorporating almost 40 brands with outstanding colour, weight, and type options, but the ability to sort by any of these selections makes for a very satisfying shopping experience. YarnCanada also offers the best pricing I have found anywhere!

The yarn listings include clear images with plenty of details regarding gauge and content, and the ability to create multiple wish lists is an added bonus.  I often have different projects planned for the future and creating a wish list of possible yarn options for each is a very useful feature.

My order was processed extremely quickly, and shipped the next business day, as promised. A tracking number was provided and I was able to track my order right up to the delivery at my door which was a full two days earlier than expected and free shipping for orders over $35.00 dollars!!!

YarnCanada is most certainly my yarn store of choice and I am already planning my next order! I highly recommend this online store, thank you for the excellent shopping experience!

To close, one more photo of the ever present cat!