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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I made these fingerless mitts in thanks for a box of mystery wool. I was the lucky recipient of a box of super bulky yarn and a mix of brightly-coloured fleece. A friend of a friend gave it to me and thinks it may have originated with family in Poland. I think these mitts should make it a fair trade! I’m really happy with how they turned out – delicate and feminine with their buttoned lace cuffs.

The pattern is Veyla by Ysolda Teague and I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine in Pitch Black. I love the yarn and I should have enough leftover for another project. Something soft and lightweight!

[Photos courtesy of Chris]

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We came across these guys on our way from Bunjil’s Shelter in Victoria, Australia. Glenda and Stephen run Blue Moon Alpacas and sell undyed yarn, fibre, knits and other alpaca goods out of a small shop on their organic farm. Glenda introduced us to the alpacas – very inquisitive, handsome fellows. Since they had all been shorn for the year, 10 of them were going to work guarding sheep.

I walked away with a big 800g bag of 8ply yarn, which I learned would be DK weight in North America, in a natural charcoal grey. I’m thinking about using it to make Kate Davies’ Manu cardigan.

Blue Moon Alpacas don’t have a website, but if you find yourself in the Grampians, they’re at 340 Pomonal Road, Stawell, Victoria (phone: 03 5358 2581).

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[Photos 1 and 3 courtesy of Chris]

I started this hat in Addison, PA and finished it at the Angola, NY rest stop. It’s Ysolda Teague’s Icing Swirl Hat from the Whimsical Little Knits collection. It was the perfect road trip project – bulky yarn and a pattern that was easy to remember! Chris and I drove down to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Mill Run, PA. It was such a beautiful drive from Toronto – misty and golden since the leaves hadn’t fallen yet. Chris took these photos with his fancy new camera. You can barely tell they were taken at a rest stop!

[Photos courtesy of Chris]

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Another pair of fingerless mitts knit from Lucy Findlay’s wonderfully bobbly pattern. This pair belongs to Jane. The dark grey with flecks of colour seemed perfect for her, and for the season ahead.

I used a felted alpaca tweed, Grignasco Tango, which I was sad to learn is no longer in production. I picked up this batch at River City Yarns while in Edmonton visiting my little sister. If you’re ever in the area, stop in. They have great staff and wonderful yarns.

[Photos courtesy of Chris]

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This long, lacy triangle was knit from Terhi Montonen’s adaptation of Strikkelese’s immensely popular Baktus scarf.  The pattern was named after a character from the Norwegian children’s novel Karius and Baktus. The end result is part scarf, part kerchief and part shawlette. Lots of options here!

This is a perfect project for knitting up leftover sock or sport weight yarn. I knit mine with another all-time favourite, Misti Alpaca handpainted Suri & Silk. It’s so very lovely to knit with and to wear.

I loved making this lace bonnet and I’m definitely smitten with the end result! Two different versions of the pattern are available: the Victorian Baby Bonnet in Larissa and Martin John Brown’s book Knitalong; and the Juniper Bonnet as a free download on Larissa’s blog. I ended up mashing up both patterns and doing nine repeats of the feather and fan stitch pattern instead of 10.

This isn’t the first time I’ve used Misti Alpaca handpainted Suri & Silk. I had just enough left over from Two Tiny Knits and Sweet Baby Cap for this lacy little number. I picked up the ribbon at Mokuba on Queen Street West. Up until this weekend I’d never been inside but had heard tales from Jane as to their many beautiful ribbons.  I settled on this simple but pretty cotton ribbon.

It was almost a year ago now that I knit my first lace. I was intimidated by the complexity, but once I got into it I realized lace knitting is really just knits, purls, increases, decreases and yarnovers. Nothing scary, and there’s nothing more pleasing than finishing a lovely piece of lace.

Ishbel is another knit from Ysolda Teague’s Whimsical Little Knits collection. At the rate I’m going, I should be through the collection by the end of the year! Ishbel can be worn as a shawl or scarf and knit with either laceweight or sport weight yarn. I used Misti Alpaca lace (100% baby alpaca and so very soft) in cobalt blue.

It’s so lightweight and airy, but alpaca is deceptively warm. Even in laceweight yarn, it makes for a very cozy shawl/scarf.

This is Churchill. She’s named after Churchill, Manitoba, which is famous for its polar bears. I knit her from Ysolda Teague’s Otto pattern. I thought she’d turn out smaller, a lot smaller actually. We’ll see if she still makes it to Peterborough in this box!

I intended to finish her two weeks ago, so she’ll make a belated 90th birthday present for Helen. I think it’s a fairly new thing, but Helen finds comfort in teddy bears. I hope Churchill provides good company.

Photos courtesy of Interweave Press

It seems a bit early to start thinking about spring – at least in Toronto where the snow is lingering! But I can imagine a time, in the not so distant future, when I will be able to leave my winter coat and boots behind. To help with some warm weather inspiration, I picked up the Spring 2009 issue of Interweave Knits at The Purple Purl. I love Andrea Pomerantz’s Diminishing Rib Cardigan, pictured above. Clean, simple lines and the ribbing gives it just a bit of flounce. A black merino blend perhaps?

Photos courtesy of Interweave Press

Another great pattern is Hannah Fettig’s Whisper Cardigan. Knit in a laceweight yarn, it has a beautiful drape. Hannah has a helpful schematic on her blog, as well as some tips on the seamless construction. I’m addicted to seamless cardigans. All it took was one! I can hardly wait to make this – I’m thinking about using an alpaca lace. So maybe more of an autumn knit than a spring one!

Photos courtesy of Interweave Press

Vivian Høxbro’s Net Duffel Bag is the perfect market bag. And a good opportunity to learn how to knit mitered squares. The pattern suggests using a strong linen yarn, but I think I might try a hemp yarn instead. Maybe a sprout green? So I may get a spring knit out of this issue after all!