Giant Granny Square Blanket

Happy Monday!!

I hope you all had a great weekend!!  Mine was a bit low-key with some relaxing since my asthma has been acting up.  I'm feeling better today though and so I thought I'd come on here and write a little post.  I know I mentioned working on a crocheted blanket for my Aunt a little bit ago, but I never got to show you any pictures.  It's all done now and has been dropped off at her house to keep her snuggly now that the weather is getting cold.  I got my Mom to snap a few pictures early in the morning before we went to my Aunt's house, so the lighting is not the best!!  But here they are:

I didn't have a specific blanket pattern for this, I just used the basic granny square instructions from The Happy Hooker book by Debbie Stoller.  I had started it last fall with the intentions of making a baby blanket, but I didn't like how the colours were turning out so I put it away and forgot about it.  That is until I was looking for some yarn in the stash a few weeks ago and happened to stumble upon it.  I thought that I might as well finish it up, because I had no idea what else I would use the yarn for, and once it started to get bigger I began to actually like the colours.  I think it was just too hard to tell what they would look like when it was so small.  The yarn was Jo-Ann Sensations Rainbow Classic, which is a bulky weight brushed yarn, so it's nice and soft - perfect for a cozy blanket.  Pink is the colour that stands out the most in it, so it matches my Aunt's living room furniture really nicely.  I hope that she enjoys it and that it brings her lots of warmth this winter.  If you would like any more information on it, you can check out my Ravelry page. 

Well, I'm off to finish off some embroidery on some of the things I made for my Itty-Bitty Advent swap partner!!  Take care!!

Much Love, xoxo

Some Baby Knits

Hello!!

Today I'm doing a little catch-up on some baby knits that I finished a while ago but never got around to photographing or blogging about.  (I don't know why I seem to put these things off for so long....)  Anywho, they are all finished up now and awaiting their departure to their new homes. 

First up is the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann.  This was a really fun and pretty easy project.  I did mine using the written directions from The Opinionated Knitter as well as the row counting charts and collar directions from the wiki page.  I knit it to be a newborn size using sock weight yarn.  I had originally made it for baby Grace, but I didn't get it to her soon enough and she outgrew it.  Which leads me to my next finish knit:

The Marshmallow Bonnet by Susan B. Anderson.  I knit this to replace the Baby Surprise Jacket.  Yes, I know it's not as big of a gift as the cardigan, but I was running low on time, so I had to knock out whatever I could easily manage.  I don't know why I waited so long to knit this pattern!  It is adorable and super functionable for a baby!!  It's got a chin strap to help prevent the baby from wiggling out of her hat, which is genius if you ask me.  I used Berroco Vintage and Palace yarns, both leftovers from the Cupcake Hat I knit for the C is for Cupcake Swap. 

And lastly is another cute little baby cardigan.  This one is the Puerperium Cardgian by Kelly Brooker.  It's a free Ravelry download and is meant for the puerperium period, which is the first six weeks after baby is born.  The buttons all down one side make it easier to dress the baby when they are so new and little.  I knit the short-sleeved version because I thought it looked really cute worn over a long-sleeved onsie, but the pattern has instructions for a long-sleeve version as well.   

All in all, I would knit each one of these patterns again because they are easy, quick and so cute!!  I hope that they are useful and come in handy for each precious little one. 

Much Love, xoxo

A Fall Walk

Hello!!

I thought you all might like to get a glimpse of what fall is like in my little corner of the world.  These pictures were taken about three weeks ago when our leaves were almost at their peak.  God's handiwork is so amazing!  Enjoy!!  

Happy Weekend!!

Much Love, xoxo

Busy Few Days

"The Love Frog" picture is from last year when he was the ring bearer at my sister's wedding.

Hello!!

I'm just popping in to let you know that the I'm doing cupcakes for a wedding on Saturday so things might be a little quiet around here for the next few days.  It's funny how this time last year I was doing almost the exact same thing, except I was making my sister's wedding cake.  It must just be a wedding-time of year.  Sometimes it seems like it has been so long since they got married and other times it doesn't seem possible that it will be a year on Sunday!! 

I've been getting a lot of knitting done both yesterday and today since I seem to re-direct my nervous energy into making things.  This is actually coming in very handy because I have a lot of projects that need to get done.  I remember last year that during the time I was baking the cake, I started knitting Susan's pattern for the Happily Ever After Mitts.  I even remember knitting them in the car on the way to the rehearsal.  I was so nervous that I just had to make something and these were just the thing!  They distracted me enough that I didn't worry too much, yet weren't so involved that I couldn't focus on other things at the same time.  I'm so glad that I did knit them because now they have such happy memories tied right in.  Every time I wear them I recall so many good things from what was such a special moment in our lives.  

Since I don't know when I will get a chance to post again, have a great weekend everyone!!

Much Love, xoxo

P.S. Daniel is doing great and has had all tubes except his feeding tube removed.  He is able to talk and has even been up walking with a walker!!  We are all so amazed at the miracles of God and so grateful for all his healing and progress!!  Thank you everyone so much for your prayers, they are much appreciated!!

Annie's Shawlette

Hello!!

I hope you are all having a great Wednesday!  It took me by surprise this morning to realize that we are already half-way through this week.  I've been busy knitting away on Christmas gifts and projects for the Itty-Bitty Advent Swap I joined, so the time has been well spent.  Above is a picture of my first finished Christmas present!!  It feels great to already have one gift checked off my list. 

I knit the North Cape Shawlette using Bernat Mosaic for my friend Annie.  I've had this yarn in my stash for about a year just waiting for the right project to come along.  This turned out to be perfect for it!  The colours will look stunning on her since she has gorgeous dark hair, and hopefully it will come in handy and keep her warm this winter.  The project just flew off my needles!!  I think I was so mesmerized by watching the colour changes come up that I didn't even notice how much I had knit.  I made this one a little bigger than the original so that it could be worn more like a shawl and not just a neckerchief.  I'm very happy with how it turned out and I can't wait to gift it to her. 

Now I off to work on the next gift on my list....  Have a great day!!

Much Love, xoxo

Oak Grove

My lovely Mother was my model :)

Hello!!

I seem to be playing a little catch-up again with my projects!!  I haven't been very faithful in keeping the blog updated on what I'm working on again.  I'm hoping to change that though, and so to start off I want to show you my Oak Grove Fingerless Gloves.  At the beginning of the month I was starting to get myself back up-to-date on the happenings over on the Itty-Bitty Knits Group and stumbled across a KAL they had been doing of Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting's pattern called Oak Grove.  KAL's always peak my interest, so I just had to check out the pattern.....and it was GORGEOUS!!  Alana is one extremely talented designer, and I'm a huge fan of hers so I knew I would not be disappointed if I bought this pattern.  I had been feeling particularly down that day and this was just the little "treat" that I needed!! 



I also just happened to have the perfect yarn in my stash!!  Again, something I forgot to mention; I joined the Knitting with Jane Group on Ravelry's Elizabeth Bennett Shawlette KAL and when I purchased the kit, I bought the two other colourways they were offering as well.  This one is the Pemberly colourway and it a gorgeous kettle-dyed chocolate brown that is a scrumptious blend of merino and silk.  It was a dream to knit with and makes the gloves extra special because I'm a big Pride and Prejudice fan. 

I decided to do the fingerless gloves instead of just the fingerless mitts so that I could learn a new technique, and I really like how they turned out!!  It's nice to have that extra little bit of warmth on my fingers.  Now I want to knit a pair of fingerless flip-top mitts, but I think that will have to wait a little bit as I finish up a few other gift knits first.  I'd highly recommend this pattern if you like fingerless mitts/gloves as they're a fun and satisfying knit, and they're perfect for your fall wardrobe.   

I also think I forgot to mentioned that I've started my Christmas knitting!!  I actually started back in August, but I've only been working on them off and on.  Some I can show on here and others I can't since some of the recipients read the blog.  This is a first for me; usually I don't start until the end of October/beginning of November.  I've also adopted the theme of small, useful, handmade and lovely this Christmas.  I hope that it will make both the gift making and gift receiving much more enjoyable to all!!  Instead of just "mass making things" so that everyone will get lots of presents, I'm trying to choose the gift completely based on the person and their likes, tastes, and what would be practical for them.  I think it's a much better way to make things and it makes the gift more special.  In this generation, we tend to be consumed with more, more, more, and I think we need to take a step back to a more simpler way of life.  One where we notice the little things, slow down, and learn to really appreciate each other and enjoy life.  At least that's what I am going to try to do.  I'm tired of being so worn out from trying to do too much because of the pressure that either I've put on myself, or from what I think other's expect out of me.  I'm going to do my best to let go of unrealistic expectations and consumerism, and embrace life and all it offers.  I think it will make for a much happier me and those around me, since our attitudes affect those we are close with.  I'm not going to go "full-out" with all this and do such things as not purchase things anymore or take on radical attitudes.  I'm not doing a complete turn-around and overhaul of my life, but more like a gentle shift of priorities. I just want to take the time to  learn to find and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.  I guess I see it like this: God gave us such a beautiful world and I am going to do my best to enjoy it. 

Much Love to you all, xoxo

Man Socks

Happy Saturday Afternoon!!

I hope that wherever you are, that you are having better weather than we are having here at the moment!  It's blustery, and rainy, and a downright mess outside today.  Definitely not a day that I want to go out in that's for sure.  Yesterday we had the rain, but the wind didn't pick up until the middle of the night.  My Mom and I had to go into the city for an appointment, and the rain was enough for me.  At one point, it was raining so hard that water was pouring down our faces!  It was like walking through a shower.  It gushed down the streets and when you walked, it was like walking through one giant puddle.  Today would be very similar from the looks of it, only the rain would be carried around on gale force winds.....  Nope, that's not for me.  This however, is perfect weather for cuddling up with a blanket and some knitting, which is exactly what I plan to do with the rest of my day. 

I do have a little ta-da to share.  I finally knit my Dad a pair of socks!! 

The picture is not the best, but I wanted it to be in the fall leaves while we still had some.  I made them for his birthday, which was October 2, but since he has been working way, way, WAY up north for the last few weeks, he wasn't home at the time.  This worked out to my advantage though, since I didn't have them done by his actual birthday.  I think that since they were "man-sized" I thought they would take me a long time to knit, and therefore, I kept struggling with them.  I'd knit and knit and knit some more and they would not grow....it got to the point where I didn't even want to look at them anymore, let alone knit on them.  And this was all before I had even gotten the first one done!!  Anyways, after much procrastinating, I finally sat down and finished them up.  I have to say that in all reality, there really wasn't that much more to knit then a pair of socks for myself.  I think I just thought that they would be a big job and so that made them seem like a big job.  Now that I have this pair under my belt, I feel much more ready to tackle his Christmas socks as well as my brother-in-law's Christmas socks.  I used Cascade Heritage, which was a first for me, and I did like it, although I found it a bit more slippery than the Knit Picks Stroll I was using on the socks I was working on before this pair.  The colour is nice though, and I think he will like it.  I just hope that they fit and he enjoys wearing them!!  That's the part about gift-making that I don't like so much - the not knowing if the recipiant will like their gift or if it will fit, or come in handy and be well used.  However, I find that the joy most gifts bring to others far outweighs the uncertainty, don't you?

Well, I hope you all have a lovely weekend and get to do lots of knitting and crocheting.  I know I'm going to try to sneak it in any chance I can get.  See you next week!!

Much Love, xoxo

Nordland Morning Mist Cowl Pattern

Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.  It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

John 4:13-14

This cowl's inspiration came from the colour of the glacier water I seen while in Norway.  We were in an area called Nordland, where the river was the most gorgeous colour of light blue/green, which we were told was due to the high amount of minerals from the glaciers that melted into the river.  When we were there the mornings were a bit misty and cool, so this cowl would have been just the thing to wrap around my neck.  It's easy and quick to stitch, making it a perfect thing for a last-minute gift too!! 

Yarn
2 balls Bernat Roving (80% Acrylic/20% Wool; 100g/3.5 oz.; 120yds/109m) - Low Tide

Hook
M (9mm)

Supplies
Yarn needle
Measuring tape

Abbreviations
ch - Chain
dc - Double crochet
sc - Single crochet
st - Stitch

Pattern:

Ch 129 (or until the chain length is 45" long with the total number being a multiple of three).


Working into the back loop.

Row 1: Working into back loops of chain, 1 sc in each stitch to end.


Join the two ends together with a slip stitch.

Row 2: Slip stitch into first stitch at other end of chain to join into a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.  Ch 3, 2 dc into same stitch as ch 3, *sk 2 sts, 3 dc into next st, repeat from* to end.  Slip stitch into top of ch 3 from beginning of round.

Slip stitch to the first space.



ch 3 and 2 dc to make the first cluster.

Row 3: Slip stitch across to first space, ch 3, 2 dc into space, 3 dc into each space to end.  Join round with a slip stitch into top of ch 3, as in round 2.
Repeat row 3 until your cowl is as wide as you'd like or until you run out of yarn.  Mine measures 6 1/2" wide.  Fasten off and weave in ends.  Wrap around your neck and enjoy!! 

Designed By

Armida Joy

http://www.fairytaleknits.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer:  This pattern is for personal and gift use only and may not be sold in paper or crocheted form.  Selling the item for charity or fundraising purposes with all proceeds going to the charity is always welcome.  Thank you!!

I Love Yarn Day

Hello!!

Happy I Love Yarn Day!!  If you haven't heard about this yet, check out the website here.  All I have to say is what a great idea and bring on the yarn!!  I have a little something special for you to celebrate this special day that will be posted in the next little bit.  I hope you enjoy it!! 

Much Love, xoxo

North Cape Shawlette Pattern

"Trust the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

This shawlette was part of a KAL I did here on the blog over the summer while I was on a trip of Scandinavia.  The "main event" was getting to see the midnight sun from the most northern part of Europe, hence the name.  The pattern is more like a recipe of sorts so you can use the yarn you'd like and make it as big or small as you wish.  I thought I'd put it all together on one page for easy access and printability.  It will also be listed on My Designs page.   

Supplies

Yarn: Wisdom Yarns Poems (100% Wool; 50g/1.75oz; 100m/109yds per ball), 2 balls in your selected colourway (I'm using #589)  - This yarn is worsted weight and has long colour repeats similar to Noro, but you can substitute any type of yarn you would like.  I think this would look great in a solid colour as well.

Needles: US 11 (8mm) 40" circulars - or any size/length that works for you.  *Note: I'm a tight knitter, so I went up to the US 11 to make sure that I would get a nice drape to the fabric.  (The yarn I'm using calls for a US 8 (5mm) needle to get a guage of 18 sts x 23 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch.)  Choose any size of needle that will give you the fabric you want for your shawlette.  I suggest doing a little test swatch with a few different sizes of needles to see which you like best.  I also chose to use a 40" length because I didn't want my stitches all bunched up on the cable and I wanted to be able to see how the shape is progressing as I knit.  Feel free to use whatever length of cable you are comfortable working with.

Guage: There is none!!  This shawlette is completely for you to customize!!  You can knit it to be as tight and cozy, or as loose and drapey as you like.

Tools: stitch markers, yarn needle, scissors, tape measure, and crochet hook size K (6.5mm).     
Abbreviations:k - knit
kfb - knit into the front and the back of the stitch
pm - place marker
sm - slip marker
st(s) - stitch(es)
Pattern

Cast on 3 sts

Row 1: kfb, k1, kfb = 5 sts.

Row 2: K across.

Row 3: (kfb) twice, k1, (kfb) twice = 9 sts.

Row 4: K across.

Row 5: (kfb) twice, k1, kfb, pm, k1, pm, kfb, k1, (kfb) twice = 15 sts.

Row 6: K across.

Row 7: (kfb) twice, knit to 1 st before marker, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k to last 2 sts, (kfb) twice.

Repeat Rows 6 and 7 until the shawl is your desired size.  Keep in mind that you will need a fair amount of yarn for the edging since it is crochet and crochet uses more yarn than knitting does, so make sure to leave enough yarn for it.  (I say this because I ran out of yarn and it just doesn't look good that way....)

Once your shawlette is the size you want, bind off loosely leaving the last loop on the needle.

Edging:

Crochet hook: K (6.5 mm)

Abbreviations:Ch - chain
Sc - single crochet
Skp - skip
St(s) - stitch(es)
Dc - double crochet
Transfer the last loop on the needle to your crochet hook and turn the work so you will be crocheting through the stitches you just bound off.

Row 1: ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, *ch 5, sk 1, 3 sc* repeat to last 3 sts; ch 5, sk 1, 2sc. (If you don't have the exact amount of stitches at the end, that's ok.  I had to do a little fudging by skipping 2 instead of 1 at the end before the last two sc.  It really doesn't show or make much difference.)

Row 2: ch 1, sc 1, *(4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in ch-5 space, sc in central sc of 3 sc*, repeat till last sc, sc in last stitch.

Bind off and weave in ends.  Enjoy!!

If you'd like to read about how this design came about, you can read here, here,  here, and here.

Disclaimer: This pattern is for personal and gift use only and may not be sold in paper or knitted form.  Selling the item for charity or fundraising purposes with all proceeds going to the charity is always welcome.  Thank you!!

Designed By:

Armida Joy

www.fairytaleknits.blogspot.com

My Fall Blankie

Hello!!

I hope you all are enjoying this lovely week we are having!!  The weather in my neck of the woods has been gorgeous; lots of sun and warm, warm temperatures.  My Mom and I have been out walking every day just taking it all in.  Our fall leaf colours were at their peak last week, so it made our walks even more special.  I took a ton of pictures one day, maybe I'll share them with you sometime this week.  I had forgotten how much I used to enjoy this season.....I need to get back to that.  Anywho, today I have something to show you!!  Who woulda thought eh? 

Waaaayyyyy back in the early part of September, the 10th to be exact, I started working on a Fall-ish crocheted blanket for my bed.  I had seen it in The Ultimate Blankets Handbook magazine by Crochet Today! Magazine.  The pattern is called Mosaic Granny 'Ghan by Katherine Eng.  Here's a snapshot I took this afternoon of it outside in the lovely fall day:

Very 70s-ish right??  I think that's what drew me in to tell the truth.....I have a bit of an admiration of the fashion from that era.  I used a combination of Red Heart Super Saver and Bernat Super Value yarn and I think it turned out pretty good.  It's taken up residence on my bed and it keeps me warm and toasty each night.  This is the first blanket that I've finished that's just for me, and I worked on this during the time that I lost my cousin and Joe, so there are a lot of memories and emotions all crocheted up into it.  All that makes it very, very special to me.  If you'd like more specifics on the pattern and the colours/yarns I used you can check out my project page here.

Much Love, xoxo

P.S. Thank you for your prayers for Daniel!!  Right now he is stable and we are just waiting to see what comes next.  He needs lots of prayers still for a full and healthy recovery.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians!!  I hope you all have a lovely day and remember all the things that you have to be thankful for :)

Much Love, xoxo

Prayers Again

Hello!

Sorry for another absent week.  I have so many things to share, but I just haven't seemed to be able to get around to photographing and writing about them.  Hopefully soon. 

I just wanted to pop in quickly to ask you all for prayer again.  A very good friend, who was like a big brother to me when I was growing up, was injured last Saturday night at work.  He actually works for my family's company.  We don't know the specifics, but he was hit by an excavator's bucket and suffered a broken leg, broken big toe and injuries to both his liver and pancreas.  He's at a very good hospital up north right now where they are taking good care of him, and we are trusting the Lord for his total healing.  He was doing very good and his liver was regenerating itself, his pancreas seemed to be doing well, and they set both his leg and toe, but today he had a not so good day and they found a cyst on his pancreas that was causing a lot of problems as well as a blood clot in his leg.  He went into surgery this evening and came out good.  They hooked up a tube to drain the cyst and took care of the blood clot.  Now it's the recovery process.  So I (and his family and friends) would really appreciate your prayers for a speedy and full recovery!!  Thank you so much!!

I just have to tell you all again how much of a blessing you all are in my life, thank you SO MUCH!!

Much Love, xoxo