A new addiction to BEADS!!!

As a number of you know, I recently received my Harmony knitting needles from KnitPicks. I love them and don't think I'll ever knit with anything again. I only found one issue...the beauty of the Harmonies demanded something more than the tired little plastic rings and waste yarn I used to use as stitch markers.

SO, what is a self-respecting crafter to do? Learn a new trick or two and design something deserving. So I did. I have searched catalouges and the internet far and wide to find something pretty. Many of the offerings were so beautiful, but a bit beyond my meagre crafting budget. I thought to myself and pondered about what to do. I said "Self, you can do this on your own!"


I have been busy creating "sets" of knitterly companions and accessories that have become quite popular in my circle. The black and white set is for my sister (a crocheter not in need of stitch markers but appreciative of matching earrings). These little accessories work up so quickly and are such fun. They are practical and beautiful and even serve to satisfy my sense of "instant gratification. What more could one ask for?






Then I designed one for myself in one of my favourite colours, pink. The matching stitch markers are indicative of the upcoming St. Valentine's day celebrations and of one of my beloved causes, breast cancer. The markers adorn my latest project and are serving my needs well.





Then, I met an online friend who wished to trade her KnitPicks Binder for something. I offered up my version of the row counter and stitch markers in her favourite colours - oceanic blues and greens. I surely hope she enjoys them.


Finally, let me say that, although this new addiction to beading is fun and rewarding and challenging, it only has one issue. It is taking time away from my knitterly pursuits! But all is good in my world as it certainly enhances and beautifies the process of knitting. Who could complain about that?

I encourage all of you to head to your local bead store (or dollar store) grab some wire, some pretty trinkets and let your creativity carry you away :)

This week was a very busy week in my universe. But the one bright spot was meeting up with new friends. We held a mini S'n'B at the regular place and time. Since Melissa was kind enough to host an "Escape the Super Bowl Mania" potluck S'n'B at her home, those of us who couldn't quite make it out decided to meet up for a shortened more compressed Knit and Knatter. I'm hoping that Melissa will also be kind enough to update the world on the Potluck S'n'B through her own Live Journal blog. Keep checking for updates.

Gale, Jan, Jeannie, Mary and I had a great time updating each other on the states of our projects and the goings ons in our worlds since last we met. With deadlines looming some our knitting time has been drastically reduced. However, we were able to progress quite nicely on other projects.

The Pirate Booty Bag remains to be a work in progress. Socks are flying off the needles and baby items are being produced at lightening speed, with hopes of finishing on time for the impending arrival of the bundles of joy. Mary is near completion on the Baby Surprise Jacket and My Presto Chango sweater is just about complete. Jan is hard at work on some beautiful "Snowflake" socks and the shrug keeps making an appearance.


So what have we been up to for the past week. The Harmonies have been hard at work! The lustre has not worn, the novelty remains fresh and the joy they provide cannot be described within the confines of our language. The beauty and quality speaks for itself. My first Harmony sock is entitled JayWalker (which I found on Ravelry). The zig zag patter is created by a series of increases and decreases across the patterning rows. Other than that, this sock is formed by using your favourite sock recipe. Sometimes I marvel at how the simplest things can be so interesting and pleasing to the eye.

Due to the lure of the socks, my other inaugural Harmony project, Double Play Raglan Cardigan from the Top Down Sweater Book, by Doreen Marquart, has not received much attention. However, rest assured, it won't reside in the WIP basket for long and will soon be growing by the stitch as the JayWalker sock and Presto Chango projects are completed. For now it is perfectly happy to be resting upon the Harmonies.


Speaking of the Harmonies and their beauty...I've discovered a new addiction this week. Let me first say that the beauty of the Harmonies do not deserve to be dulled. My collection of stitch markers consists of little plastic rings that rest upon the needles. Although they are practical and serve their station in life well, they do not seem right on the Harmonies. For beauty deserves beauty, right? What does a self respecting crafter do?

Why we search for something better, we journey to the land of inspiration and then we set to work. After hours of reviewing knitting catalouges and the internet and seeing the numerous options out there, I finally found some beaded stitch markers that would certainly compliment the beauty of the Harmonies. However, they were quite pricey (a set of 6 cost anywhere from $20.00 to $40.00!) Well, my pockets are not that deep.

So, I searched some more and found a number of tutorials on how to create this knitterly notions on my own. I found an excellent site, created by a GUY knitter , Michael Cook, (I knew they were out there!) who takes us through the process step by step in a practical manner. This is what I came up with! the pink hearts and shoes are my own hommage to Breast Cancer Research and the hearts are in honour of upcoming St. Valentine's Day. I'm sure the coming weeks will see more postings and pictures showing off my daughter's creativity and my ingenuity in learning a new trick of the trade.

A small trip to Dollarama, Walmart and a quick perusal of Michael's offerings set my daughter and I up with the tools and supplies to make hundreds of little beauties, and it cost much less than $40.00!

While searching for the Stitch Marker tutorials, I found a gem of an adornment that provides both beauty and practicality. I came across a Row Counter Beaded Bracelet and just had to give it a go too. These knitterly notions work like an Abacus (by pushing beads back and forth to keep track of competed rows, stitches or repeats). While beading up my new treasures, it occurred to me that the Bracelet and Markers could match a set of hand beaded earrings too! The possibilities are endless. A set could be made to match the yarn of the project. They could be created and given to knitterly friends as gifts. Their construction would certainly provide hours of entertainment and a creative outlet for the children of the house. Yes, beading has now been added to my repertoire of addictions. Trust me, if I can accomplish this, so can you. And I do hope all of you give the beading a go and create your own treasures...doesn't your knitting deserve to feel pretty too?

So that's the update for this week. We hope to see everyone next week at:

MacKenzie Cole's Coffee
Corner of Gray Avenue and Central Avenue (Sutherland)
Saskatoon, SK
Sunday February 10, 2008
2 pm

New friends, new stitchers, warm coffee...what more could you ask for from a Sunday afternoon?

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks in my world. The one staple in my world has been our weekly S'n'B. The members of the Saskatoon Knitting Circle have been busy stitching up a storm and it is my pleasure to show them off here. We've discovered new friends, ogled new knitterly notions and even encouraged future yarn addicted enablers. As always, we have had a wonderful time Knitting and Nattering away the afternoons.

First up is the introduction and welcoming of our two newest gal pals. Acadia, Melissa's daughter, joined us on Sunday January 20, 2008 for an afternoon of discovery. She took to the needles like a pro. Gale encouraged and mentored her through a few rows and in no time at all, Acadia was masterfully completing rows on her rows. Melissa reported that her love of the craft remains strong. Acadia is becoming quite a dedicated little stitcher - so much so that she awoke at 5am one morning, turned on Treehouse TV and quietly knitted away. Apparently, the completed project (of which we are not sure of its name yet) will be gifted to Gale.

Next is Summer. On this cold and blustery day the addition of Summer to our little gathering was a joy. She is an 11 year aspiring stitcher (walking in her Grandmother Jan's stitching footsteps) who brightened our afternoon and learned a knitterly trick or two to apply to the construction of her very first scarf. We all have faith that Summer will become an expert knitter who will soon be stitching up her own socks and avoid the urge to appropriate her Grandmas hand crafted tootsie warmers.

Progress has been made. After weeks of lamenting over the dullness of knitting with gray, Melissa finally finished her Mother's socks. The colourway is quite pleasing to those of us who didn't have to knit with it day in and day out. Congrats, Melissa, on finishing the project. A round of applause to you.

Next on the needles is the Pirate Booty Bag. Gale is making progress and almost ready to begin the skulls. It is coming along nicely and has been dubbed her S'n'B meeting bag. It has received some attention and contention. Gale is desperately trying to decide whether or not to frog it and begin anew. She's unsure as to its finished size (whether it will be big enough) and whether the stitch markers are in the right place. Good luck, Gale, here's hoping the booty bag avoids the frog pond.

Our good friend, Kristen, has been a busy crocheter. She's been stitching up nine patches and granny squares into blankets. They are turning out to be highly coveted items in her world. She'd quite like to keep the purple one, but her Mom is giving strong hints that it needs to go live with her upon completion. Good luck, Kristen. I have the same issue in my knitterly world with sweaters. I make them and my Mom and Sister tend to steal them - NO they don't borrow, they are not gifted, they just mysteriously disappear out of my closet. A number of my afghans are surprisingly adorning the beds and couches in my sister's home too. Hmmmm.....is this an epidemic?

New friends are always nice to have at the meetings and today we formed a new friendship with a fellow knitter. A big welcome to Mary. An environmental researcher who has taken a liking to stitching, Mary joined us for the first time today. She was trying to decipher EZs Baby Surprise Jacket. So any of you out there who have tried it or completed it or even wish to try it, come and join us and let us discover together!

So what's on my needles these days? Did we mention needles? Oh I think we did. Now to the really exciting news. As most of you know my husband gifted me a set of the highly coveted Harmony needles by KnitPicks. Let me just take a moment to pet the needles....mmmm....smoothly goodness - I'm okay now. They are truly beautiful, a joy to work with, wonderful to look at, satisfying to pet and love and drool over! I am a lucky gal. Let us all take a moment and pay homage to the Knitting Goddess for allowing them to come and live with me :)
The cables are supple and forgiving. They have little to no memory, which make them a joy to work with. The wood of the tips and the sock needles (yes I have both...commence drooling again) are smooth and forgiving with just enough "grab" to keep the stitches from slipping off the end of the needles. I simply don't know how I did it before Harmony, for now that Harmony has come to my world, I shan't (if at all possible) knit with anything again. I shall pledge to love the Harmony, protect the Harmony, enjoy the Harmony and encourage and enable all others to partake in Harmony.
So now that my episode is complete, let me tell you what the Harmonies are hard at work on. First, I have cast on the Double Play Raglan Cardigan from the book entitled Top Down Sweaters: Knit to Fit from Top to Bottom by Doreen L. Marquart. This is my first experiment with this construction type and I must admit I am enjoying it.



Of course, the Harmony sock needles are getting a work out too. I've cast on the Jaywalker sock (found on ravelry.com - if you are not signed up for a membership yet I highly recommend you get in the queue and if you are a member I can be found as theknittinggodde - feel free to add me as your friend).
Last but not least is my Bobble Sock. I came up with this little cutey by flipping through my favourite stitch dictionary and combining it with my favourite sock recipe. Very quick to stitch up, very easy and nice and cozy on these blustery days.

Stitching Diva's...1

Due to the limit of words, I've had to post this weeks update in two blogs. Keep reading when you get to the end...


Happy New Year everyone! As you may have noticed it has been a few weeks since I've been able to post. With the rush of the holidays, the enslaught of real life (post holiday) and the regular workings of the world in general - well, let us all agree things have been a bit busy.

We are back to stitching after the hullabaloo of the holidays. Kristen is busy making up granny squares that will culminate in a beautiful blanket. She'll be at this for a while. Each 9 patch square is made up of 9 little tiny granny squares. The detail involved is quite impressive. Other projects have been quickly finished and round out Kristen's inventory of crocheted wonders. (This crocheted cat is slated to go to its new home...Kristen's nephew who desperately wanted a kitty to call his own -- Just as good as the real thing if you ask me). The kitty will join company with Kristen's other creations...the bunny and the French Hamster!

What is a S'n'B all about? Well good friends come together to st... and bi... We certainly had a great time with Gale's friend, Pam. She joins our little circle intermittently, but always brings a smile, an eagerness to learn the trade and a giggle. We are always pleased when new knitters and long time friends join our fold.

Gale is still hard at work on the Pirate Booty Bag. (Check out this link for the pattern and join the courageous and fearless knitters in our group and cast on for a journey that is sure to provide hours of entertainment, enjoyment and a beautiful carry all when complete.) Originally intended as a "knit-a-long" project, Gale is the only one in the group courageous enough to cast it on. I'm sure others will join her as the WIPs finish up. Interesting techniques involved include double knitting and faire isle / intarsia. We are very excited to watch her progress.


As always, Jan kept her fingers busy. She continued to work away on her shawl, using the same pattern as Mrs. McCready had used. Mrs. McCready's shawl was in dark navy blue and Jan chose a beautiful variated hue of blues. Other than that, Jan's other projects include snowflake headbands and a wool 1x1 ribbed scarf for her grandchildren. Although, Mrs. McCready missed our meeting this past week, she accomplished a speedy completion to her shawl the week prior. We are all hoping to see her model the completed project next week.

A few weeks ago, the Sock Diva's were hard at work. Gale has a pair OTN that have been the "purse sock." Although we don't have a picture to add here, be assured that they are well in progress. Melissa had finished her Confetti socks (blues and pinks) and I had proudly displayed my Meida's sock out of Bamboo (I still can't say enough good things about this fibre!). Alison was busy stitching up a pair of socks for her other half that are surely going to be toasty warm and pleasing to his tootsies.


Continued...On next post...(Stitching Diva's ... 2)

Stitching Diva's ... 2

A few weeks ago, the Sock Diva's were hard at work. Gale has a pair OTN that have been the "purse sock." Although we don't have a picture to add here, be assured that they are well in progress. Melissa had finished her Confetti socks (blues and pinks) and I had proudly displayed my Meida's sock out of Bamboo (I still can't say enough good things about this fibre!). Alison was busy stitching up a pair of socks for her other half that are surely going to be toasty warm and pleasing to his tootsies.

In other news, I finally finished my faire isle sweater. It is warm and cozy and I'm very pleased with the finished project. I plan to cast a version of Hermione's fair isle delight (worn in the latest movie), but this shall wait until my knit picks harmonies arrive. Speaking of which, I am pleased to announce that the package was placed in the post on January 10 and ought to be here any day now. Trust me when I say how much I wish I could make time turn faster. The anticipation of this package is near destroying any contemplative and concentration powers I might possess.

I have been keeping to my resolution about giving those lonely projects in the WIP pile some attention. Recently I completed the front of my sleeveless turtle neck and cast on the back. Done in a cabled rib, with cables up the centre of the front, this version of the turtle will surely please. I usually don't like wearing turtle necks since they become quite warm, but with the lack of sleeves this version is sure to compensate for that little draw back. Hopefully this project will see completion sometime in the near future.

Also on my needles is another sock from the Interweave's Favourite Socks books. I received this book as part of a Christmas gift and plan to attempt a version of each sock highlighted within its pages. With the Meida's Sock completed, I have taken Gale's advice to heart and cast on the Embossed Leaves sock. It is working up quickly as the pattern repeat is easy to memorize and the basics of the construction are nothing new. If you haven't already added this wonderful book to your library, I highly recommend you do so as it is filled with tidbits of sock making advice, wonderful designs and handy little sock insights and wonders. In Favorite Socks, Interweave offers 25 beautiful and timeless sock patterns for every occasion in a range of techniques, traditions, and designs. The most pleasing aspect of this book is its design...I feel that ALL knitting books should be this kind to knitters...the spiral design allows the book to lay flat and makes following charts and reading patterns much easier when needles are in hand.

Well folks, that is all I have for updates, news and views this week. I promise to post a little more regularly now that life is becoming somewhat of an even routine, barring any bumps along the path. As always, we meet every Sunday and are beginning to hear some buzz about our little group. New knitters, experienced knitters, young knitters, aged knitters, out of town knitters, etc. are all enjoying our weekly meet ups and add some excitement to our Sunday afternoons. Here's hoping we see you there!!!!!

MacKenzie Cole's Coffee

Gray Avenue and Central Avenue
Saskatoon, SK

2 pm

EVERY SUNDAY!!!

Happy 2008 Stitching...

Welcoming in the New Year is always an exciting time. Everything starts anew. Friendships continue to blossom. Stitching continues to provide insight, bonding and wonderful woolies to share. My biggest question this year is "What do Koala Bears, Knitters and Nature all have in common?" Let me try to answer this question as I update you on our knitting circle's talented members.

First, our last meeting of 2007 on December 20, 2007 was a big success. Gale, Jan, Kristen and I met in the regular place to compare, show off and learn new insights about each other and our work. Kristen, new to the world of stitching, is becoming quite an accomplished young artist eager to spread her craft and inspire smiles. Currently, she's hard at work on creating her nephew his very own crocheted kitty. For show and tell, Kristen brought along her almost completed projects: a couple of cute little characters done in the Japanese tradition of amigurumi. Although they need a nose and some eyes, these little characters will surely add personality to any corner they may call home in the future. Kristen has also announced her trek into other stitching wonders. She received her first sewing machine as a Christmas gift and is eager to try her hand at creating wonderful fabric items. Here's hoping that next year, she's accomplished enough to have a truly hand made gift giving experience.


Onto Gale. Even though Gale has joined the ranks of the work-a-day set, she still saves time to stitch and come out with us each and every Sunday. A number of projects have been given (like a cute little dinosaur, which her nephew absolutely LOVES!) and a few more started. Gale is currently hard at work on a Pirate Booty Bag (email me for the free pattern if you are interested in giving it a go) and learning the process of double knitting, Faire Isle (Intarsia) as well felting. This will certainly be something to be proud of once completed. On another note, Gale has also picked up a new fibre and is busy creating socks (of course ;) ) from it - keep reading to discover what the new fibre is... The colourway (a varigated green scheme) is gorgeous and I can't wait to post a picture of the finished project when they are done!

Jan, our experienced knitter, has been hard at work and reported that the plethora of socks, hats and other warm woolies were all received with many smiles and love and awe of her work. She's still at work on the sweater for herself, but has taken to creating some cableing wonders. Headbands are the perfect medium to show off her talents and a cabling wonder. Although, we couldn't quite name the fibre here (her pet Pug decided the Information Band of this particular yarn tasted very good), we all agreed the colour is beautiful. This creation will surely keep its owners ears toasty and add a bit of functional fashion to their world.

And now onto me. What have I been up to? Well I have a few things to report. First, I'm awaiting the arrival of my Knit Picks Harmony Interchangeable Needles not so patiently. I ordered them on Dec. 20, 2007 and hope for them to arrive some time this month. They are a beautiful compressed wood that add a touch of beauty to the act of knitting. By all accounts they are some of the best needles on the market to date. Thanks to my husband, for giving me these beauties as my Christmas gift. Now all I have to do is await their arrival and hope the postal service hurries them along.

In anticipation of the blessed day (when the needles arrive) I kept one of my resolutions. I promised myself to try a new technique and a new fibre to start off the new year with. This may also answer the question we began this blog with. So, what does a Koala Bear, A Knitter and Nature have in common??? Why, it is Bamboo of course!

As part of my Christmas present from DH, I also received Interweave's Favourite Socks book. A beautiful compilation of their numerous and popular sock patterns from 1997 to present. My first project was Meida's Socks. This pattern is easy to memorize and accomplish. I picked up Ornaghifilati 100% Bamboo yarn form the Wool Emporium here in Saskatoon to create these beauties with. So far I have one sock done and its pair cast on (which I'll be bringing to the SnB this coming Sunday January 6, 2008). The Bamboo is a joy to work with. It is soft, has a beautiful lustre, comes in a number of gorgeous colours. I don't know if I can return to the plain old fibres that socks are normally created with, but I will.

For the second part of my resolution, this pattern taught me to cable in a new way (new to me that is). It appears that cable needles were not very common in the Eastonian area at one time so the women became adept at cabling without them. Alternating slipped stitches on every right-side row produces a reinforced hell flap with a honeycomb (or partridge eye), rather than the usual reinforced rib that continues into the turning of the heel. The Eastonian cables are easily accomplished, once the initial shock of having live stiches hanging midair wears off. I love the technique and recommend it to anyone interested in trying out a new technique.



Now what of my UFO's. There are a couple on the go at the moment. I have begun, as a promised belated birthday gift to my brother-in-law, a pet friendly and manly afghan to add a bit of spark to his living room. Constructed in a simple double crochet ripple pattern, this piece is working up quickly. I discovered 1000 gram balls of Red Heart at the local WalMart, which makes this project not so portable. It has become my TV watching project as it currently lives beside my couch. These balls are HUGE and wonderful when creating larger pieces. I love the way the multi, the brown and the green work together as the fabric grows with every stitch.

The other WIP currently receiving my attention is my Faire Isle Sweater. This project was cast on well before Christmas and has been worked at intermittently since then. Faire Isle is one of my favourite techniques. However, once my loved ones see how it works up they tend to vie over its ownership. Currently my Mother and Sister are both discussing who's back it will be warming. However, it is being made for me. Wish me luck in keeping it!


Other WIPs lie patiently in wait in the queue. I'm sure once my new needles arrive they will have renewed interest and get some attention. I still have socks on the go, a few mittens, a sleeveless turtleneck and a number of other inspirations rolling about in my head.

Here's hoping that your celebrations went well, your holidays were safe and warm and we see you at the next SnB on

January 06, 2008
McKenzie Cole's Coffee
Corner of Gray Ave and Central Ave
Saskatoon, SK
at 2pm!!!!

Happy Stitching to all!

Happy Christmas Knitting....

Christmas is fast approaching. Our group of dedicated stitchers has long been creating wonderfull and warm woolies for gift giving this holiday season. We are crocheters and knitters who enjoy the process of making hand crafted gifts from the heart. We all agree that the process of creation is a joy in itself, but when we see the smiles that the gifts give, our hearts nearly burst with pride. The creations area always received with many thanks and gratitude.


Traditionally, I usually make up some sort of Christmassy type ornament. This year I found (on the Stitchbook portion of Facebook) a pattern for a beautiful hand crafted angel. She is stitched with a 1.5mm hook with crochet thread/cotton. She can be made to match any decor as this cotton usually comes in a variety of colours. I've been thinking of developing a larger (suitable for a tree topper) angel out of worsted or sport weight yarn. I'm sure she'd be a welcome addition to any Christmas decor.

How many of you have hard to buy for teenagers? I certainly do. My 17 year old usually has everything she needs and when she wants something tends to go out and get it on her own. This cycle doesn't leave many ideas left in the giving basket. However, I hit pay dirt this year. I've noticed that fetchers (fingerless gloves) are all the rage amongst the younger set this year. They are quite a nifty little creation that add a fashionable accent along with a splash of practicality. By keeping the hands warm and letting the fingers be free to do their business, these lovely adornments add a touch of class to any young gals ensemble. I stitched them up in a mere weekend. They work up very quickly and the pattern can be adapted to suit any yarn weight. The matching hat is an aran inspired knit from "Charmed Knits." Hermione wore it in Prisoner of Azkaban on her trip to Hogsmeade. I've made a number of them for holiday gifts this year and even found some time to make one for myself as well. The pattern is now forever burned into my brain.

Our regular members have been busy stitching away as well. Kristin decided to give a camouflage bag a try. She's making wonderful progress and has become an accomplished crocheter. The pattern, according to Kristin, is very easy and the stitching is uncomplicated. However, she soon tired of the monotony and decided to set to work on a very cute and Japanese inspired toy. Kristin has been working on amigurumi (which means knitted or crocheted doll in Japanese) toys. Her current project is a lovely bunny loaded with character and love in each stitch. She has promised to bring the completed bunny to the next SnB. We can't wait to see it, Kristin!

Alison brought a beautiful eyelash sweater for show and tell. She spent hours of stitching and frogging, while working a night shift, designing this sweater for her daughter. Her daughter begged for this piece. As is the case quite often, she decided that she no longer liked the sweater (as it made all 92 lbs of her look fat!) and Alison inherited her own handiwork. She is beautiful in this caterpillar"ish" feat of stitching expertise!!! Way to go Alison!!!! Jeanette will surely covet this beauty as she has taken to enjoying the eyelash yarn and even created a beautiful scarf from the stuff for her own sister (who, by all accounts, loved every stitch of it).

NEWS FLASH! Gale finally completed the purse sock! (please stand for a round of applause). This sock has been in regular attendance at each SnB since the summer of 2007. It has been frogged many times, caused issues with heel turned, suffered a chronic case of dropped stitches and has been Gale's faithful companion for many months. The set is now complete! Gale expertly turned the heel, cured the dropped stitches, and flawlessly grafted toes each week. This past Sunday saw success!!! (Picture to come :) )

Jan, our most regular and faithful attendee, has been busy stitching up socks for her grandchildren. She's bound and determined to adorn each set of busy feet with pairs of love inspired warm woolies this holiday season. We were amazed that in a mere few hours she was able to complete a foot and a heel without any issue. Gale may have to forfeit her Sock Diva title and pass it onto Jan as she's a sock making machine.

The holiday season has kept many of our members from joining in the fun. We would all like to take a moment to wish them happiness for the coming season and into the New Year. I'm sure many thoughts are already turning to stockpiling gifts for next year! In fact, Melissa has noted that she plans on giving hand stitched socks. She's becoming another accomplished sock knitter!

Happy Stitching and here's hoping we will see you at the next SnB!!!!

Sunday December 23, 2007
McKenzie Cole's Coffee
Gray Avenue and Central Avenue
Saskatoon, SK

2 pm

Progess was made...

Sunday December 15 found a group of yarn enthusiasts stitchin', bitchin' and sippin'!
We held a mini sock seminar, cast on cuffs, stitched up mittens and shawls and solved world issues.

Gale and Melissa both fought with thier respective socks. It would appear that Melissa has a tendency to try things backwards. She fought with learning the ins and outs of sock construction and made some progress under the fine tutelage of our very own Diva, Gale. Jeanette, our smiling bit of Sunshine, once again pulled out her mousy mittens. We are almost done these fine examples of knitterly expertise. She completed her eyelash scarf for a Xmas gift and continued on with the completion of the final mitten! All that is left is to embroider the face and stitch up the ears and these beauties will adorn her hands and keep her fingers toasty for the remainder of the winter. I'm very proud of my gal.

It would appear that not all teenagers are as eager to join in the fun. Alison's very own 17 year old would rather stab herself in the eye than be caught with our group. Keep up the recruitment efforts for I'm sure your gal is as eager to discover her inner knitter as mine was :)


Many of you wonder what exactly we do with our free hours during the week. Well we stitch and we dream of interesting, yet somewhat twisted ways, to spend our time. Our resident twisted expert, Alison, is showing off her Shrunken Head purse. What self respecting woman wouldn't love to complete her ensemble with this whimsical yet useful accessory? One can put all their particularly "nasty" thoughts inside :)

Mrs. McCready, Gales Mom, finally completed the bulk of her shawl. She busily learned to pick stitches and continued on - nearly completing one cuff! Even though we were patternless (we all agreed that it surely must have been Gale's fault as the pattern was left behind, we were able to make well-educated "guesstimates" on how many stitches, how many rows and the type of ribbing to complete. In a richly deep blue/navy, Gale's Mom will be warm and toasty all winter long.

Since Mrs. McCready's shawl was stitching up so beautifully, Jan decided to start on her own. The colourway is forming a beautiful pattern in hues of blue. Although she expressed concern over "never being able to complete something for herself," Jan has made great progress and I'm sure will show off her finished project in the weeks to come. It would seem that Jan suffers from a rare form of Startitis: whenever someone sees a bit of her work, she must once again cast on a project for someone else and leave her beloved WIPs to the mercy of the UFO pile. On the up side, though, it would seem they are keeping one another great company. Sweaters and Shawls have become fast friends.

As for myself, I've finally been able to cast on a sweater destined for myself. I plan to deflect and ignore all the cries of "but I need one;" "it is so beautiful, I just must have it!;" and the ever popular "PLEASE oh PLEASE let it live with me." Even when the begging is combined with the puppy dog eyes and the getting down on the knees I shall resist the urge to give up my chocholate brown faire isle pull over for this time it will rest upon my very own shoulders!

The sad part is that I cannot use my knitting machine as it is done in the round and. therefore, I must suffer the madness that miles and miles of stockinette construction induces. So come on and join in my madness. We'll be meeting again at:

Mackenzie Coles Coffee
Gray Avenue and Central Avenue
Saskatoon, SK

2 pm

Sunday December 16, 2007

Happy Stitching!

Travelling SnB

This past weekend marked another successful SnB for the Saskatoon Knitting Circle. Jan and Gale livened up MacKenzie Coles Coffee with their stitching and laughing while other members (like Jeanette and myself) were there in spirit.

My nephew marked another milestone in his life...he turned 18. So Jeanette and I travelled off to Brooks, Alberta to celebrate his coming of age. Yes, we took our stitching with us. I was busy handing out a number of handmade gifts. Michael loved his Saskatchewan Rough Rider inspired afghan. Michael is now a man, but still needs to keep warm and agreed this is the perfect gift.




















Jennifer Kent-Thistle coveted her Hermione inspired winter ensemble and other hand made items came to rest under Shannon's Christmas tree. Jennifer's favourite colour is red, which makes this ensemble perfect for her. She looks just like Hermione in Prisoner of Azkaban!



















On our trip home (a 5 1/2 drive) Jeanette decided to give stitching in the car a try. She chose eyelash yarn and created a simple yet beautiful scarf. By the time we arrived back in Saskatoon, she had completed just beyond the 1/2 way mark. Quite the knitter she is becoming. She has already suffered startitis and Second Mitt Syndrome. She's knitting almost everywhere and every chance she gets. My next mission is to get her hooked on socks. I just may need the Knitting Circle's help with this one as she is not all that keen on starting with the DPNs.





















This past week saw the completion of one more Xmas item. The list is now shortening, much to my relief. This Hermione hat and Fetcher set worked up well with Red Heart Acrylic. Since the recipient is a teen it needs to be washable, so Red Heart in Burgandy is the perfect medium.

I now have another Hermione hat on the needles for myself! Yes, I do knit the occasional item for myself but tend to do it last. With all the chill and snow around these days it is time for me to update my own winter ensemble. I plan to stitch up a pair of mittens to match the hat and am using the Red Heart Aran Fleck yarn (a creamy natural colour blended with flecks of other yarns to mimick the look of real wool - great for an Aran knit sit like the one above).

That's all the updates for this week. On Sunday December 08, 2007 at 2 pm we will all reconvene our group at MacKenzie Coles Coffee here in Saskatoon. I can't wait to catch up with the girls, meet some new members and enjoy the coffee.