Is it wrong that I’ve started knitting for December? I feel a twinge of embarrassment so I guess I know the answer! I picked up two skeins of sweetgeorgia superwash worsted and thought they would be perfect for Knitting Pure & Simple’s Children’s Neck Down Bolero #275. This will go to a little girl whose nickname is “Leaping Lill”. The vibrant colour should suit her nicely!

The button was an Etsy purchase from Buttonalia. I may just have to order these cherry red buttons as well!

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We had much better luck with our container garden this year. No aphids, no powdery mildew… and actual produce! I have no idea why but I’m definitely happy about it. Is it possible that the hundreds of ladybugs we unleashed last year came back to watch over our containers?!

What about you? Did you have better luck this year? Maybe it was something in the air…

The Prinz Eisenherz Hat is a test knit for katushika. I love the texture of the stitch pattern and crocheted seams. The hat is knit in one piece, with the border stitches picked up and crocheted after the body is complete. The pattern release will include matching fingerless mitts as well.

This was my first time working with Manos Silk Blend and I loved it. So soft!

[Photo 1 courtesy of Chris]

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I picked up the autumn/winter 2010 Rowan magazine while at Romni Wools last weekend. I drooled over the pattern preview and couldn’t resist the chunky cables of the Nomad collection and vibrant colours of Russian Doll. I think I might have to tackle the Tamara mitts (in a different colour scheme) – just the thing to try out some colourwork!

[All photos from Rowan Magazine 48. Patterns clockwise from top left: Meander, Rover, Rambler, Tamara, Maya, Wayfarer]

I loved working with this colour. There’s just something about greens! I’m definitely looking forward to autumn, and this shawl will be perfect for chillier days. The pattern is Gudrun Johnston’s Wast Side Shawl and the yarn is Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine in Peat Mix. I’m a big fan of Gudrun’s patterns. In fact, this is my second in a row. The shawl is worked from the edging inwards, so once you move to the body you feel like you’re almost done!

Wishing my knitting partner for life a very happy birthday today!

[Photos courtesy of Chris]

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This is Gudrun Johnston’s Bousta Beret – a birthday present for Jane. I love the Horseshoe lace pattern, and the fact that the name – Bousta – means farm in Old Norse. It seemed like the right beret for Jane!

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Martha sings “UN CHANT D’AMOUR” from Martha Wainwright on Vimeo.

In addition to Edith Piaf covers from her latest album – Sans fusils, ni souliers, à Paris – she sang two of her mother Kate McGarrigle’s songs. One of my favourite moments of the whole show was her version of Kate’s Tell My Sister. I found this version performed by Lisa Hannigan from this year’s Meltdown. A really lovely song.

Lisa Hannigan – Tell my sister (plus intro from Rufus) from Studio54 on Vimeo.

Wishing Jane a very happy birthday today!

It would have taken more than 1,000 knitters to set the record. I actually thought it was possible so I couldn’t help but feel some disappointment when the final count was somewhere between 150 and 200 knitters. In a crafty city like Toronto!? Maybe next year.

[Photos 1 & 3 courtesy of Chris]

My dear friend Erin has a brand new niece! I picked up some sweetgeorgia Superwash Merino in Savory (a nice, vibrant colour for a baby, I think) and knit up a cardi and hat set for little Madeline. The cardi is Debbie Bliss‘ Ribbed Baby Jacket and the hat is my go-to pattern for baby hats – the Umbilical Cord Hat from Stitch ‘N Bitch.

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It’s been so warm and summery here in Toronto that it really doesn’t feel right to be modelling knits! I can imagine though, that once the summer is over this will make quite a cozy cowl. It’s a simple, infinity-style knit with dropped stitches forming ladders at either edge.

Destroyed Cowl is a free download by Martha Merzig (Ravelry link) and takes just one skein of worsted-weight yarn. I used Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Pearl. Love it, but I’m giving it up!

[Photos courtesy of Chris]

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