Couldn't Resist!

The temptation, that is.  We went away to Cape Breton for a few days to visit some historical sites and enjoy the lovely natural wonders.  And when I spied a Michael's craft store, I HAD to check it out--of course.

I saw lots of goodies and supplies for painting, scrapbooking and knitting (the crafter's lament: so much to do, but so little time to do it all).  When I spied some lovely yarn--and there was lots to choose from--I wrestled with the difficult decision of choosing one.  I didn't even have a particular project in mind.  I finally settled on something pretty that I knew I would never find in town.  Three skeins could work for a scarf or a shawl--or perhaps some other accessory.

Red Heart Boutique Treasure

Aren't the colours just gorgeous?  It's Red Heart's Boutique Treasure in Watercolours.  I just love the way the greens mix with turquoise and shift to blues and back to green again.  Although mainly an acrylic, there is 30% wool in the fibre content.  This could work as a winter accessory . . .  

I spied a current issue of Knit Simple at the magazine rack and picked that up too.  The issue has lots of winter accessories (Rav link).  Even though its still summer, it won't take long for fall to arrive.  And the nice thing about making accessories is that they usually don't take too long to finish--and I need the quick-project fix right now.

Fall 2014 issue of Knit Simple

It wasn't until a few days later--when we got home--that I matched project to yarn.  There was a simple cowl pattern in Knit Simple that caught my eye (among other patterns). 

No 17  Striped Cowl

I found a never-before-used pair of 6mm bamboo circulars and cast-on.  Even though the pattern calls for bulky yarn, the Boutique Treasure is rather thick for a supposedly worsted yarn.  The bigger needles will  make for a looser and loftier fabric.

WIP

Meet my cowl in-progress.  With variegated yarn making it's own lovely stripes, I decided against using two colours.  Oh this will be lovely to wrap 'round my neck come winter. ;)

Later,

A Little Diversion . . .

Bernat Twist & Twirl

So while I had been making slow progress on my costume Bombshell, I was distracted with a couple of side projects.  It's hard to say no when someone asks for a knitted item--especially a project that's supposed to be quick and easy.

Red Heart Boutique Sashay

Like the nice frilly scarves?  Finally got 'round to using ribbon yarn (even though I swore to never use novelty yarn again).  A co-worker bragged 'bout how a non-knitting family member had made scarves using the stuff.  I don't need no stinking "easy" ribbon yarn!  I already know how to knit!

Metallic Grey

However, the challenge beckoned me . . . To wit, two yarns caught my eye: the Bernat Twist & Twirl and Red Heart Boutique Sashay.  My verdict: first watch a video demonstration--tons available on You-tube.  Then, practise.  You are still knitting, but only into the top of the ribbon loop.  As such, it takes a little while to get into the "grove"--the rhythm if you will.  Since only a section of the ribbon is used, the rest is left free to twist and twirl, thereby creating the frill portion of the scarf.

Black and White

Once you find "your grove", the project grows quickly.  And yes, one ball is sufficient for one scarf.  The recipient was super pleased with her scarves.  Nice to be appreciated. ;)

A Day Off

My youngest was feelin' a wee bit under the weather, so I decided to keep him home today.  It gave him a chance to rest and get better; also it gave me the chance to finish my Kirby amigurumi. 

Waiting for their Faces

Don't they look cute even without any facial features? I cut out pieces from plain old felt to make the eyes and mouth.  Using acrylic paint, I painted the details.

Waiting for Paint to Dry

 Once the paint was dry, I sewed on the features with plain thread and needle.

Kirby with Friend

My boys are both terribly pleased with their new friends.  I'm already contemplating the addition of more friends (my boys are putting in their requests for Waddle Doo and Meta Knight)


Have a great week! :)

An FO of Sorts

Lone Button on Blue Sprout

Sure its only got one button (it needs 5 more to be sewn on--and the buttons are patiently waiting to join their mate on the button band), but for all intents and purposes, my Blue Sprout is finished.  Yay!  I could wear it out if I wanted to (honestly, the muggles won't know that it needs 5 more buttons).

It took a while, but what a relief to finally finish.  Yay me! :)

Only two things make me sad:
1) I was heavier when I first cast on, so its a wee big.  I would have made it one size smaller if I were to cast on today.  But no worries.  Loved the pattern (Ravelry link) so much, that I'll definitely make another one--for sure!
2) Loved working with Red Heart's Cotton Twist.  It's a really nice cotton (not stiff at all) with a bit of drape.  Sadly can't find it locally anymore.  Time to look for a Canadian online source  . . .

Next order of business is to finish my growing list of WIPs. ;) 

More Kids Knitting?

Perhaps?  Maybe?  Out of the blue, both boys decided to knit again.  After my youngest finished his teddy bear's scarf in November, he started a hat but soon lost all steam.  The item sat in a basket until I needed the yarn for mittens.  The older boy frogged his scarf (he'd lost interest too) and decided knitting was not for him afterall (too bad 'cuz his stitches and tension were neat and even).

How things change!  This week both boys picked up their sticks and decided to make blankets.  Right now, they're knitting strips of garter. 

Beginning of One Garter Strip

Another Garter Strip

Once one strip is complete, they'll make another in a different colour.  When all the strips are completed (say 5-6), I'll seam them together to create a blanket (similar in concept to the item pictured below). 

Blanket Made From Stripes

I thought that would be the easiest way for them to make a blanket.  Casting on hundreds of stitches would just be . . . well, too challenging and frustrating.  Besides I have tons of matching mega balls of acrylic (I'm not called acrylic-girl for nothing).

Big Balls of Red Heart

Hard to get a sense of the ball size without any reference, but these are truly "mega" balls.  They're huge!  The larger white one (pictured below) runs just over 1800 yards while the "smaller" ones probably run over 400 yards (small and large being relative of course).  I had to guess-timate yardage, as there is no amount given on label, only weight (each weighs about a pound).

As Big As . . .  A Dinosaur Egg

Cozy and Soft 

Then it hit me: why not teach the boys to crochet?  If I showed them how to work a granny square, they could make a huge blanket, but they'd only have to worry about one stitch at any  given time ('cuz unlike knitting, crochet does not require live stitches).  Both boys seemed keen to try it.  So that's my task for one of these nights (but not this weekend as they're trying out a new video game).

Happy crafting :D