Good things do come in small packages!

A few weeks back I had been browsing around Amazon looking for deals on tunisian hooks. For some reason I've been at a loss at finding them in the city here. Granted I haven't searched high and low, but at the usual haunts I was at a loss. Which is really strange because I would've thought they'd be everywhere! :twisted: Since it's not something I was dying to get I only peruse around in hopes I'll come across one. What I didn't expect to find was this little wonder. A teeny tiny 9" bamboo circular needle. I thought that was the most brilliant thing ever! :D I suspect it's aimed more for people who make socks, but in my recent adventure into colourwork I'd thought multiple times how much easier it'd be if I could knit in a continuous round. I had no idea tiny circulars like that even existed! The smallest circumference I own is 12" and it's too big for what I want to do. I tried it and I had to really stretch it and it made for some very difficult knitting. :x

Colour work madness

I've been messing around with colour work lately. Over the holidays I was given 2 awesome books. The Essential Guide To Color Knitting Techniques by Margaret Radcliffe and Mastering Color Knitting by Melissa Leapman. :D They're both very informative and if you're going to dive into colourwork I highly suggest picking them up.



Truth be told I'm not the best at stranding. I've made attempts in the past, but it's ended up in disaster. :roll: I thought armed with my new books I'd make another attempt. I guess my problem is that I would rather create my own patterns than follow them, so in the process I make things more difficult for myself. It's also been some time since I've knitted. Usually I'm crocheting as I find it much more portable and easier to backtrack if I do make mistakes. :P

It's the most wonderful time of the yeeeeeear!

More like busiest. It always surprises me how whenever December comes around it can make me feel like I have so much to do, yet not have anything to do at the same time. I've been busy making some gifts and gear to keep me toasty in the cold. I'll put up some pictures after Christmas since some are surprises. :P



I've been really interested in Latvian mittens lately. I haven't done much fair isle knitting (in fact very little) and I'm liking the challenge. A few weeks ago I picked up some DPNs and tried to find Latvian Mittens: Traditional Designs & Techniques by Lizbeth Upitis at a few local yarn stores. No luck there, but then I really wasn't expecting to find it. Chapters didn't seem to have any in stock either. I tried the library, but it's only available as reference (ie. you can't take it out :/). I was afraid it might be out of print. I tried to search for similar books, but it seems everyone recommends this book as THE book to get if you want to get into Latvian mittens. I found it on Amazon.com at a reasonable price and ordered it. I'd never ordered from there and especially the American one, so I was a bit concerned about duty fees and taxes. But, it got here within a week and everything was cool! :D I also splurged and picked up some yarn from Knit Picks which arrived a couple days ago. I'm so excited! Now just to choose which pretty pattern to try...

Warm afghan dreams & poppy red scarves

Brrrrrr! It's getting cold here! I woke up today freezing my toes off and just had to jump back into my toasty warm bed. Which was nice until my tummy started grumbling for some food... So, while I was sitting on the couch munching on my toast (still very much cold) I realized I don't have a warm comfy afghan. That's just not right. I must make one! Actually, I had started one a few years ago... I got distracted by other projects and it landed in the UFO pile. But I think I may drag it out and make another attempt at it. ^^

Things around here are still a WIP too. I know I really should get my layout done before actually posting, but I can't help getting ahead of myself! :P At least I got it working here. I formatted my computer a few days ago, so I've still gotta search through my backups for Photoshop or something that I can edit images in.

Oh, and since it's November and Remembrance Day is coming up I received an email from Bernat with some nice red poppy friendly scarf patterns done in their Satin yarn.


Maple Leaf Forever knit scarf


Red Friday crochet scarf

Day One

Hello! ^^

I don't really have a whole lot to say. I just thought I should fill this empty space with something that sort of resembles an introduction (I'm terrible at making introduction posts...) and I'll try to give an idea of what this is about.

The focus (I'm hoping) will be on my projects. Mostly dealing with crochet and a dabble of knitting. I've recently dragged out the sewing machine giving that another shot. My first attempt was not pretty... ^^;; Come to think of it, neither was my second or third. I guess that's what practice is for! As I think constantly updating on progress is hardly exciting (admit it, it's not) I plan to toss in some of my other interests and hobbies. Things like video games (I'm so behind on my list, but what gamer isn't?), finding cool things online (in other words shopping), and cooking (we all gotta eat!).

I guess I should put something here about myself. Well, I'm Canadian. I was born and raised here. I try to not be stereotypically Canadian, but my American boyfriend is quick to point it out. :P I can't help it. If I want a coffee, I go to Tim's. I complain in the summer time that it's too hot wishing for colder weather, but when winter is just around the corner I complain with everyone else that it's too cold. I groan and cheer for the Leafs at the same time. Coffee crisps are awesome. Swiss Chalet is the place to order chicken. And my French is terrible, mais je sais un peu. I should also point out that when I say I don't have a whole lot to say, I end up somehow saying a lot...

I'll try to spiffy this place up and get the ball rolling. I'm having a few hosting, server and just plain old internet issues, so it may take a few days. Hopefully not longer. I mean, I don't expect anyone to even be reading this... except maybe my boyfriend. XD

I leave you with McDonald's bag kitty. :3