Quick Turtle Hat

I made this cute little turtle hat for my friend Felix this week - he just turns two on Wednesday.  The hat itself is a quick knit, but the turtles took a little practice (I am new to crochet-ing and these involved several YouTube videos).  The yarn was sooo soft and colourful, it was a super fun knit.

The pattern is from this book, which is just full of adorable hats!  My only caveat if you were to do one is that the size 1-2 years is actually quite big - with hindsight I would definitely make a smaller size.

This pattern was my first foray into knitting 4 years ago - I made it in green for Will (pictured 2 winters ago!) and it still fits him!

I am on a creative roll... what to make next?

Hat Shop

This photo gallery from allforeveryone made me smile.  So fun and colourful!

Knitting Madness

I blame the snow.  I am suddenly consumed by a desire to knit, and I am not sure where it comes from!  But after seeing this cowl, I knew it had to be made.  I just finished it last week - it is the biggest thing I have ever knit, taking 3 skeins of wool.  It is the neatest stitch, although it shows all of my glaring mistakes and dropped stitches.  But it is so snuggly I just love it.  It would make an amazing blanket!

It puts my last cowl attempt to shame.  This grey one below was my first attempt at a cowl and I kind of made it up as I went along.  I didn't knit it on circular needles so it has a big seam, and it isn't short enough to be snug, or long enough to wrap around twice.  But it isn't bad to just throw on around the house when I need a little extra something!

And yesterday I had my friend Katie's baby shower (so excited Katie!!) and decided at 8 pm the night before that I needed to make her little guy a hat.  This resulting hat below was a pretty quick knit, especially after the more complicated herringbone.  It was my first attempt at knitting shapes - a star in this case - and doing French knots.  I think it turned out well for a few hours work!  I hope it keeps your special guy snuggly Katie. :)

I am now in the middle of yet another cowl - can one ever have too many?  Don't answer that Chris... I am trying to replicate the chunky cowls they had at the Gap this season, but in black.  We shall see how it goes!  Anyone else out there knitting obsessed?

Lynn Jackson

One of the booths that stood for me was that one Toronto artist Lynn Jackson, who showed her knitted metal sculptures.  They were so whimsical and unique.  I read on BlogTO that she knits them using copper wire and regular knitting needles. She bases them on childhood memories, creating items of clothing and these wonderful stuffed animals.  They would such a great piece in a modern kid's room, the perfect mix of industrial, wistful, and playful.

My next project

 Now that the Biggest-Brochure-In-The-History-Of-The-TSO is ALMOST complete, I am looking forward to all the things I can do with those extra 15 hours a day!  (After a few days of solid sleep mind you.)  One of the first has got to be this beautiful herringbone cowl featured on Purl Bee.  That texture is amazing.

Sooo snuggly...

Wooly accessories

 As the weather cools, and especially on a rainy day like today, my thoughts turn to all the gorgeous knitting projects I am going to tackle this winter.  Perhaps I should start with the beautiful necklace above?  I love the colour and the texture - a nice transition into the heavy knits of fall.  All the pieces are here made by Anna Alicia in London of fair-trade organic cotton. I love the combination if chunky and intricate in each one.

my next projects...

Knitted Prozac

Knitted Dog Poo

For April Fool's! :)  Although I do have some spare brown yarn...

Lotus Hat

It is official - I am obsessed.  I love knitting.  My latest is this hat, which makes me super happy.  I love the colour and the pattern.  Speaking of which, the free pattern is found here.

Silky Cowl

I finished my latest project - this soft lacy cowl.  I got the pattern and the yarn from the Knit Cafe on Queen, and my only issue is that using the whole ball of wool didn't result in a long enough cowl, in my opinion.  The yarn is a wool/silk blend that is sooo soft, but because it isn't very long, the cowl feels kind of wimpy to me.  But whatever.  My first lace pattern turned out OK!

I think that spot of yellow is dried up play-doh in case you were wondering. :)  My life is so glamourous.

I made a hat!

I finally finished this hat!  This  one just about did me in.  I must have started it 10 times, and then I finally got to the band and had no idea how to continue.  I emailed Mum down south, and finally went to the Knit Cafe, where they helped me figure it out - but not without a lot of confusion!  They also pointed out that the yarn I was using might not stretch enough to fit over my head, so I got some new stuff, and unravelled the whole thing to start over yet again.  This hat is my mandala.  But it is quite cozy!

The pattern, for those who have more knitting experience than I, is free and can be found right here.

Done my scarf!

I just finished my latest neck warmer!  It is a little longer than I would have liked, but it makes me very happy none-the-less.  Not bad for a non-knitter. :)  It is a herringbone stitch, and I got the pattern here.

It didn't take that long, especially considering I have spent the last two days with a very miserable little boy.  You should make one too!