Gudrun Johnston’s Moch Cardi pattern is a great one. This was my first bottom-up sweater (seamless, yay) and it made for some good travel knitting over the holidays. I used Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label in Stormy; yarn that was originally intended for a February Lady Sweater knitalong. The Lady and I weren’t to be, so I frogged it and used the yarn for this instead. I love this cardi but think I would love it even more in a solid colour. Maybe I’ll just have to make another one!

[Photos courtesy of Chris]

[Ravelled]

Ori Ami Knits by Olga Buraya-Kefelian & Vanessa Yap-Einbund is a collection of knit patterns using Habu Textiles exclusively. Habu is a weaving studio and textile shop in New York City that sells imported Japanese and Asian yarns. The materials are amazing and range from stainless steel to paper. I’ve only seen a small selection of their textiles, at Rose Haven Farm Store, and was blown away by the possibilities.

Rhombus Wrap by Kirsten Johnstone (Ori Ami Knits, 2010)

Chapter One of the digital book came out last week and let’s just say I can hardly wait to see the other three! Each of the chapters represents a particular theme, with the first being Practical Geometry. The first four patterns are: Cubed Necklace, Axonometric Top and Trapezium Pullover by Olga Buraya-Kefelian; and Rhombus Wrap by Kirsten Johnstone. The Rhombus Wrap pictured above is one of my favourites; I love the handpainted cotton and versatility of the garment.

Cubed Necklace by Olga Buraya-Kefelian (Ori Ami Knits, 2010)

Olga and Vanessa have put together a truly beautiful collection – the textures and drape of the finished pieces highlight what makes Habu so special.

Ori Ami Knits on Ravelry (login required)

I was lucky enough to receive three wonderful knit-related books for my birthday. My birthday was on January 14th but I’m a big believer in celebrating my birthday for not just a day but a week or two! So please indulge me while I share some of the presents I received.

Potter Craft (October 13, 2009)

The Knitter’s Book of Wool was written by Clara Parkes, the author of the immensely popular The Knitter’s Book of Yarn and editor of Knitter’s Review. This book is big and beautiful and I can hardly wait to dig in.

The book is a guide to the anatomy of wool fibre, turning wool into yarn, sheep breeds, and different effects achieved by blending wool with different fibres. There is also a pattern section that goes into more detail than most about why a particular yarn was chosen for each project. Thanks to my Aunt Shelley for this one!

Interweave Press (June 1, 2009)

I’ve wanted to read this book for a long time (thanks Aunt Tracy!). Amy King, the author of Spin Control, is the owner of Maine-based fibre studio Spunky Eclectic. The book covers basic spinning techniques but with an emphasis on producing the type of yarn that you want, and want to knit with. I haven’t demonstrated much control in my spinning up to this point, so here’s to hoping I’ll learn some helpful tips from Amy!

Front Street (April 2007)

My knitting partner for life gave me this sweet book. The Surprise is a wordless picture book by Sylvia van Ommen about Sheep’s quest to make a special gift for her best friend. It’s such a nice story of generosity and gift giving!

My cousin (aka The Ginger Ninja) requested a camouflage Woodman’s Cap just like the one I made for her dad. I modified the pattern a bit to accommodate her cute little redhead: I casted on 72 sts and worked K1, P1 rib for three inches (rather than K2, P2).  I worked the decreases as established for the larger version.

We went shopping this afternoon for a flower girl dress for her to wear to my brother’s wedding in the spring.  She asked if she could wear her hockey pants under the dress. She’s definitely more of a hockey gear than dress girl! Regardless, she looked pretty darn cute.

[Ravelled]

These little moccasins are technically not my first project of 2010. I think I finished them on Christmas Day after my sister learned that one of her friends had given birth to a baby girl named Olivia. We both got knitting straight away: my sister on one of my favourite baby hats, Cisco; and I on these Baby Mocs by Whitney Van Nes and a pair of Yumiko Sakurai’s Kanoko Pants (Ravelry link). I didn’t get a shot of the pants before my sister packed them so I’ll have to share a photo once Olivia is big enough to model them!

[Ravelled]

I wish you a very happy New Year! I’m back in Toronto after a relaxing two weeks on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia visiting family and friends. In fact, it was so relaxing that when I attempted to log in this morning at work it took me more than a few fear-filled moments to remember my password.

I haven’t given too much thought to New Year’s resolutions but one thing always pops into my head this time of year. I have organizational aspirations. I’ve never quite managed to get my surroundings into the state of order I imagine they should be. Our apartment, my ever-expanding yarn stash, and piles of books and papers could all do with some professional help. But there it is. This year, as many others before it, I will attempt to be a more organized person. Everything will have its place, or at least close to it.

Best of luck with your resolutions, goals and dreams for 2010.

To you and yours.

I’m almost at the end of my holiday knitting, which is good since I leave for Vancouver tomorrow morning! Hints were dropped for a muff, so I decided on a slightly modified version of Cirilia Rose’s Hanne. I’m not sure if it was the stitch pattern or me but I ended up with the wrong stitch count two times. Not a believer in third time lucky, I switched to a similarly shaped stitch from Barbara G. Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns (Powder Puff on pg. 136). It was a fun project to make. There was some assembly required – it’s knit in two separate layers, then padded with batting and secured with running stitches to anchor all three layers.

These are Those Mitts by Leslie Friend. This pattern, along with other great ones (hello, toast and toasty!), is available as a free download in her blog sidebar. I can see why this is her “go-to” pattern for mitts. I love them!

I used Mission Falls 1824 wool in Raven for both the muff and mitts. Can’t get enough!

[Muff photos courtesy of Chris]

[Ravelled Hanne Muff; Ravelled Those Mitts]

As promised, here is the pattern for the Sag(ittarius)  Snood/ Cowl! I made the snood version for Chris’ birthday, which just so happens to be tomorrow! It’s super bulky and super warm, just in time for winter. I love the texture of double seed stitch, especially in a bulky yarn like Brown Sheep Burly Spun. Whether you make the snood or cowl version, you’ll be able to tuck right in once the snow starts falling.

Finished Measurements

Cowl: 32 inch (81 cm) circumference and 8 inches (20 cm) high (fully extended)

Snood: 32 inch (81 cm) circumference and 23 inches (58 cm) high (fully extended)

Yarn

Brown Sheep Burly Spun (100% wool; 132 yards/ 121 metres)

Cowl: 1 skein of  Sable (BS07)

Snood: 3 skeins of Deep Charcoal (BS06)

Needles

US 15 (10.0 mm)/ 20 inch (50 cm)  circular needle, or size to achieve gauge

Notions

stitch marker

tapestry needle

measuring tape

Gauge

10 sts in 4 inches (10 cm) of stockinette stitch

Pattern Stitch

Double Seed Stitch in the round

Round 1: * P2, k2; rep from*.

Round 2: same as round 1

Round 3: * K2, p2; rep from*.

Round 4: same as round 3

Repeat these 4 rounds for pattern stitch.

Directions

Cast on 80 sts (I used the cable cast on method)

Work pattern stitch until piece measures 8 inches (20 cm) from the cast on edge for cowl, 23 inches (58 cm) for snood (or desired length)

Bind off (I used the chain bind off method)

Brave the weather!

The kind folks at Streetknit are collecting knit scarves for donation to Toronto’s homeless outreach programs this winter. I finished this scarf quite awhile ago – so long ago that I’ve forgotten the lace stitch I used! I do know that I used Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica in Bramble (114) though.

Knits can be dropped off on December 12 and 13 at the Enchanted Forest of Knit Goods at the Theatre Centre, where City of Craft will be going on.  You can also drop them off beforehand at some knit shops (listed here in the sidebar). I dropped mine off this afternoon at The Knit Cafe – check out their cute pear tree ornaments and amigurumi owls if you’re in the area!

[Photos courtesy of Chris]

UPDATE January 17, 2010: I finally remembered! This is Pam Allen’s Lopi Lace Scarf from Weekend Knitting.