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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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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I wanted to make something special for Phil and Aggie’s wedding – something that they could share and cuddle up in. I settled on Jared Flood’s Girasole – a piece of traditional circular lace that can be worked as a blanket or a shawl. It looks much more complicated than it was to knit. The chart sections flew by and the lace was really fun to work. I used Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton & Silk so the blanket would be soft and cozy but not too warm.

What special projects have you made or received as wedding gifts? I have a few more weddings to attend this year and am on the lookout!

[Photos courtesy of Chris]

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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.

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.

It’s a blustery day today, so I took Jane’s suggestion and decided on a different approach to documenting the completion of this finished object. One that keeps me inside!

I love this feather and fan cardigan – Ysolda Teague’s Liesl. The lace stitch combined with the bulky wool gives it so much texture. It’s knit top-down as well, which makes it particularly fun to knit.

I picked up two skeins of Naturally Hand Knit Alpine 14 ply at Romni’s winter sale. This is my first project using New Zealand wool (at least that I know of, I have a small supply of mystery fibres). Oh, how I would love to take a trip to New Zealand.

The vintage button was an Etsy purchase. It’s milk glass with gold lustre.

While I was contemplating my Liesl, I took a look at the 554 projects currently on Ravelry. They all look so different! I think part of what makes this pattern so great is the room for variation. It’s perfect for knitters who may not be comfortable making their own pattern modifications. Clear details are given on how to vary sleeve and body length, the neckline depth, and the addition of an ornamental bind off.

Strik is finished, and just in time for Christmas! I really love the way this turned out. Such a delicate lace pattern. It’s a fairly short scarf but long enough to wrap once around the neck. Since the lace work is so open I was worried about making it too long. More chance of it getting snagged! Classic Elite’s Silky Alpaca Lace is beautiful to work with – I’m glad I picked up an extra skein!