Cobblestone Pullover FO and Nomad Hat and Scarf FO

Cobblestone Pullover

I like it when it only takes 9 days to knit a sweater. Of course it doesn't hurt that My Fella usually fits one of the smaller sizes. This Cobblestone Pullover pattern by Brooklyntweed is a beaut. It's very easy to read and all of it is knit in the round which I love! The only seams to be sewn are under the arms, another plus for me since I dislike sewing seams. My Fella is so sweet he has been very careful his green zip-up skull sweater for fear that he might wreck it somehow. It was the first sweater I had ever knit for him so I appreciate and understand how he feels. But this time I have given him strict orders to wreck this sweater. Pilling, threadbare, worn. I want him to wear it so often that people start asking him why he doesn't change clothes. *haha* Okay, maybe not that much...

I knit this sweater with Rowan Felted Tweed (50% Merino wool/ 25% Alpaca/25% Viscose/Rayon). 6 1/2 balls @ 50g each (175m/191yds).

Nomad Hat and Scarf

Another quick knit FO I've got is the Nomad Hat and Scarf pattern by Kat Coyle from the same Fall 2007 issue of IK. I knit it with Patagonia Nature Cotton from Araucania.

Now all we have to do is wait for fall.

Best Angela Ever

Eeek! Socks That Rock!

That is the Angela over at Food and Yarn. How come? Because she has brought me a cool pattern and pretty sock yarn. *Swoon* How sweet is that? The pattern is The Mystic Sea by Cass White. So pretty. And the yarn! Blue Moon Fiber Arts - Socks That Rock. (I don't know what the colorway is called though...Nodding Violet I think?)

The Mystic Sea by Cass White

Yarn Cake!

Squamish Getaway

Sloan, David and Ian

Well my Fella got whisked away this weekend with me and a couple of friends to Squamish, BC for his surprise birthday weekend. (Specifically, it was a joint birthday weekend because Ian and Sloan share the same birth date!) We stayed at this cool little hostel called Squamish Inn on the Water and we took in the sites and hiked around at Shannon Falls.

The Birthday boy on his hiking adventure

Me taking a dip in cold river water after a good hike!

We also had time to check out the little shops downtown and of course, I found a yarn shop. Not just any yarn shop mind you, a yarn shop-slash-gelato cafe called Gelato Carina! (604-815-4448)

Noro Cashmere Island in Color #5

Which is where I found nine skeins of this lovely Cashmerino Noro. Mmm, I've already got a sweater in mind for it too.... Possibly the Eyelet Pullover from the Fall 2005 issue of Vogue Knitting.

And speaking of sweater, there has been good progress on my Fella's Cobblestone Pullover. I may have pictures to post soon...

Oh My!

The fall issue of Interweave Knits is amazing. Go and get it right now. Also, the new editor has her blog here. I'm so hyped about this issue!!!! I've already started on one of the patterns for my Fella. Progress update to follow!

Crocheted Polypropylene Grocery Bag

What's a crafter to do with polypropylene string? I can't remember the title of the book that I saw this idea in, but I picked up some string to make up my own pattern.

I started from the bottom up, finishing with the straps. I don't like to get too fancy with my crocheting so it's all chains, single and double crochets.

I really like how this bag turned out, and who knew polypropylene string came in pretty colors! I have this blue shown here as well as red which you can see in the bag, just above the bananas.

(Pattern disclaimer! I just quickly jotted down what I remember of how I made this bag. If you happen to try this pattern and it reads all screwy, let me know and I will try to decode it for you. I will not pretend to be a pro, I really don't do a lot of crocheting... Also, this is just my interpretation of a bag I saw in a book I can't remember the name of. I don't mean to rip off the pattern at all!)

Pattern: Crocheted Polypropylene Grocery Bag

Bag is made from bottom up in the round.

-Chain 25.

-Single crochet all the way down one side of chain and back up the other side and slip stitch to join to work in the round.

-Chain 2 to begin round and work single crochet for 2 rounds.

-Chain 3 to begin round and work double crochet for 2 rounds.

-Chain 5 to begin round, (*skip 1 space, double crochet into next space, chain 3*) repeat (*to*) until end of round, slip stitch into 3rd chain from beginning of round to join.

-Slip stitch into next 2 chains, chain 5 to begin round, (*double crochet into next space (between double crochets), chain 3*) repeat (*to*) until end of round, slip stitch into 3rd chain from beginning of round to join. Do 11 rounds like this.

-Chain 2 to begin round and work single crochet for 2 rounds.

-Work single crochet around both single crochet rounds together to create a bigger, sturdier round for the bags edge.

Strap Directions

-Lay flat (to help determine where the straps will be attached.)

-Slip stitch to about 1 1/2 inches in from side.

-Chain 3, double crochet into next 4 spaces. (5 double crochet-wide strap.) Turn.

-Work until strap reaches desired length. I made mine 19 inches.

-Hold strap end to 1 1/2 inches in from opposite side and single crochet together to join.

-Slip stitch around to other side until about 1 1/2 inches in from side. Repeat strap directions for second strap.

I don't know that hook gauge needs to be too specific. I used a 5mm and my bag ended up measuring 14" top to bottom, 10" across at the bottom and 14" across at the top. Straps measure 19".

Another thing to note, the single and double crochet at the bottom does not stretch as readily as the loosely chained body of the bag. I like it this way but you could always omit the double crochet section and start right in on the body portion of the pattern.

Knitting on the strike line

But first things first...

My very first tomato, ever.

I'm having a tomato! Bear with me here. This is my first attempt at growing anything edible and I am very excited about getting to taste the literal fruits of my labour soon!

Me knitting a toque and my picket sign with toque knitting stuff.

We are still on strike. Boo! =( But to keep busy on the picket line a bunch of knitters have organized a cause for our communal knitting. Knitting hats for the less fortunate in Vancouver's Downtown East Side. I've got 3 made so far. (Props to Angela at Food and Yarn and Divinity at Knitteriety for their superb organizational skills and knitting prowess!)

One toque FO and one toque WIP


A couple of very cute Spaniels in Solidarity!