Rambling Roses Design

I’m currently working on a store sample for Black Sheep Yarns. We want to showcase how Arbor knits up and so we picked out a small(ish) pattern to finish and display in store.

The pattern choice that made the cut was High Pines, a textured cowl designed by Jared Flood.

If you’re familiar with Jared’s work you will know that his patterns have unusual techniques and the design is often quite intricate. The end result though, is always stunning. High Pines is no exception. The pattern is constantly ‘moving’. It is charted so you really have to pay attention to the tiny boxes on the grid.

Knitters, if you love an interesting pattern and don’t mind working off a chart, then add this to your Ravelry queue!

High Pines is not your usual zen project. Every round is different from the previous one. The payoff for razor sharp creative focus, is texture, texture, texture!

Posted by Preeti & filed under Accessories, WIP Wednesday. This post has no comments yet.

Downshifting and practicing mindfulness has been the most liberating change I’ve made this year. Stepping away from tech regularly, embracing the great outdoors, making things from scratch, indulging in self care without guilt… I’ve made a conscious effort to build these things into my every day.

Has it been easy? Nope! Has it been worth it? Absolutely, yes, yes and yes!

The slow living philosophy has been around for ages. The fast pace of advancement in technology that’s often intrusive has stolen just a bit of everyone’s soul and happiness, in my opinion. Slow living forces you to savour each moment and make it count rather than living life like it is a countdown clock. Slowing down and practising gratitude everyday is easier said than done, especially when you throw home and work life into the mix. However, it is essential for a happy, healthy you. Your happiness and your health are important!

Begin with baby steps, changing just one thing at a time.

Practising gratitude while doing something with my hands has helped me slow down immensely. I have been doing this by creating something every single day. Whether it is knitting, sewing, bullet journaling, cooking or pottering around in the garden.

I also take time to read, and sometimes listen to a podcast or an audiobook. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes. It’s amazing how quickly you can power through books if you read just a little each day. I know this for sure

I just finished reading this wonderful book, Lagom: Not Too Little, Not Too Much by Niki Brantmark of My Scandinavian Home. This book really sheds light on stepping away from the expectation of ‘too much’ but just the same, not swinging to the extreme opposite towards total non-indulgence and living off the grid. Rather, finding a balance that’s just right and unique. That balance is different for me than the balance that works for you. If you get a chance to flip through this book, do! The photography, illustration and mood conveyed through these pages is presented beautifully and thoughtfully.

What’s your take on this whole slowing down thing?

Too boring?

It’s the bees knees??

It is a gorgeous spring day here in beautiful British Columbia and I’m going to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. I hope you have an indulgent weekend xo

Posted by Preeti & filed under Books, Rambling. This post has 2 comments.

I have been working at my LYS, Black Sheep Yarns, for the past two years and I have loved every minute. Last month, we became a destination store for Brooklyn Tweed.

Happy dance 😀

As we unpacked boxes and boxes and boxes of gorgeous BT yarn, there was much squealing and whoops of delight! Stocking the shelves was a mammoth task, but so worth it. I love the story behind this all-American yarn and now I am so glad that this wall of color is my work-day view.

With Brooklyn Tweed in the house, I’ve got a second wind to finish my Veronika Cardigan. I’m on the longest stretch right now – the back section. Since this is an oversized garment, it’s like knitting two sweaters at the same time! But the BT Shelter that I’m using produces the lightest weight fabric. This is a unique quality and the best part of this yarn. I’m sure it will be super cozy too!

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The timestamp on this picture says that I began this sweater 8 months ago. Of course, now that the days are warming up, I’m all about sweater knitting, hah 😉 I’m loving every row of this potato chippy knit even though it continues to look like a grey blob. I see this becoming a favorite handknit.

Brooklyn Tweed’s Shelter is woolen spun which give the stitches a gorgeous texture. Such a joy to work with. Knitters will so appreciate the tactile nature of this yarn as a project is knitted.

I’ve already picked out the next pattern I want to knit using Shelter. I can’t stop with just one BT sweater 😉

So many possibilities, so little time. This crate of Vale bathed in its personal halo is just as dreamy as can be. I think something floaty and light would be the perfect project for this laceweight yarn.

Posted by Preeti & filed under Cardigans, Sweaters. This post has 6 comments.

Whoa calendar, slow down already!

Every March Joanne Hawker puts out a #MarchMeetTheMaker challenge. The inspiration, camaraderie and community spirit with so many creatives sharing is mind boggling. Check out all the eye candy and the makers behind the creative offerings.

In the spirt of March Making, I’m working on a few creative challenges myself. A while ago, I bought this wonderful, bright skein of hand dyed yarn.

It was the perfect choice to make these fingerless mitts for my daughter and she loves them to this day. Pattern is Spate by Jane Richmond and I highly recommend it.

I wanted to use up every last bit of this gorgeous yarn and so I began making a ribbed cowl. Nothing fancy just 2×2 rib round and round.

Warm, squishy and most of all, v i b r a n t !!

And then, I ran out of yarn.

I work at a yarn shop once a week, so my first instinct was to buy another skein and finish my project. But I decided to break my yarn habit and “shop” my stash bins instead. Yes, that doesn’t happen too often, hah!

Score… the perfect complementary leftovers from another project. In an effort to stashbust and buy less, I present this stacked cowl.

This is turning out to be a great project and perfectly portable. I love how these colors play so well together and I am learning that I can embrace neutrals just as much as I tend to reach for the bright, bold, vibrant colorways 🙂

Are you participating in #MarchMeetTheMaker

Posted by Preeti & filed under Accessories, Stashbusting, Yarn. This post has 2 comments.

Happy new year, friends!

Being inspired really challenges me to grow and develop. 2017 was definitely a year for me to step back and find balance. To assess what inspires me and weed out all the things that caused me overwhelm or stole away time from what mattered. Did I learn a lot! About myself and about how I react to or process things that influence me.

While there is no magic formula, I’ve benefitted from goal setting and actually following through. Looking back at what has worked over the past year, makes me want to do more of the same going forward. For what hasn’t gone to plan, learning how to make it better rather than looking back with regret is key. I’m not one for making resolutions, but I’m definitely keen on making this year a good one.

Here’s to an inspired 2018! I’m celebrating with rainbow bunting 🙂

Posted by Preeti & filed under Rambling, WIP Wednesday. This post has 2 comments.

Do you feel it? That nip in the air. This can only mean PSL season, right? I’m not a huge fan of that particular brew, but a pumpkin-spiced candle is totally my jam.

With the cooler temps, the draw towards wooly things is pretty strong. I don’t need another cardigan, but a handknit cardi? Sign me up! This year I took the plunge and joined the #jojifallkal2017. For my muggle friends, that’s the annual fall knit-along hosted by knitwear designer extraordinaire, Joji Locatelli. I’ve joined with not one, but two projects. Yes, I surprise myself and also, I may have been over ambitious when I signed up. Let’s not dwell on that 🙂

My first project is Old Romance. This sweater is feminine and sweet with the lace detailing in the sleeves. The drape is comfortable and flattering. This pattern is almost seamless although, you graft the sleeves and my grafting skills are pretty iffy so the verdict is still out on that front.

I’m knitting this one in Tosh Merino Light. So soft and cushy. I thought that once I finish the lace panels, this project would become boring but the construction keeps it interesting, which is splendid.

Waiting in the sidelines is my second project for this KAL. Little Boxy for my (not so little) girl. She picked out the yarn from Sweet Fiber Yarns when we went to Knit City. This was her first time at a yarn festival and she loved it all!

Let me just gush for a moment. My daughter learned to knit last year and turns out she’s really good at it. She’s already diving into my stash bins and I’m only too happy to oblige! For this pullover, she picked a yarn base that I love working with, Super Sweet Sock from Sweet Fiber. It’s the blue yarn in this basket of loveliness!! I’m sure she will want to help a lot with getting this pullover done before the deadline.

Sweater weather is here. Bring on the knitting!

Posted by Preeti & filed under KAL, Lace, Sweaters, Yarn. This post has 6 comments.

Fast forwarding through my camera roll seems to be the only way to play catchup! Because, October is here! As I flipped the calendar to a new month, I realized that so many events and life changes have taken place this year.

Time to pause and reflect and document these memories. After all, the best thing about memories is making them.

Spring… a distant memory

Prom2k17

A new chapter begins

I heart you, summer

Flower power, a summer staple

Magical evening light

Adventures

I’ve got some lovely, cozy things on my needles. I’ll post more about that in a few days!

Isn’t October just perfect?

Posted by Preeti & filed under Family, Rambling, Travel. This post has 6 comments.

One evening last week, I was waiting for my daughter to finish Girl Guides and like so many other waiting moms, I popped into the local coffee shop for a drink. I was happy that I’d remembered to grab my knitting before I left the house because knitting and Starbucks are the perfect duo.

Deep in knit mode, I noticed the person sitting at the table next to me staring at my hands with curiosity. I knew a question about what I was doing would be forthcoming. You know, typical questions the muggles ask when they see you knitting in public. Like, was I crocheting or was this knitting? Did my grandma teach me to knit? Do I make all my kids’ sweaters and socks? Don’t I think wool is itchy? If you’re a knitter, I bet you have heard all these before and maybe even a few more. Nope, she didn’t ask me any of that. All she said was, “Glacier?”

My current project on the needles is this lace shawl. The yarn I’m using is Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles. The colorway… wait for it… Glacier!!

Whoa, that lady knows her yarn! We got gabbing about yarny stuff. Turns out she’s from out of town visiting her daughter and like me, she’s a craft addict 🙂

I love the unexpected connections you make with others when you least expect it!

**Linking up at Frontier Dreams for Crafting On**

Posted by Preeti & filed under Lace, Rambling, Shawl, Yarn. This post has 5 comments.

Uh-huh, I’ve jumped on one. Specifically, the Find Your Fade bandwagon.

I began this project because I had this one skein of yarn that I wanted to use. It was too loud and crazy on its own but paired with others, it sings a beautiful tune!

The search on Ravelry and Instagram began. Who am I kidding, it was mostly the gorgeous renditions on Insta beckoning me. Sold!!

I was casting on before I’d thought this through. Hello, 233 stitches wide and a wingspan of 6 feet! I didn’t dwell on those details.

I’m past the halfway mark and I have every intention of finishing it. But, if I am being totally honest, my interest is waning. As I pack on the rows into this shawl, I’m realizing that the finished piece is going to be nothing short of massive. Will I use it very much? Probably not. But lookit… so purdy!

The color morphing with the delicious Hedgehog Fibres yarn I’m using has me adding a few rows to my Fade each day. I’m at section 8 with 5 more to go. Then I can cast off and clear out some floor space to block this ginormous thing!

Posted by Preeti & filed under Knitting, Lace, Shawl, Yarn. This post has 5 comments.

I have always loved color. Especially the big, bold, bright ones! My daughter is the same. She embraces color and always picks the bright (sometimes neon) shirt over the neutral one. She’s nine and so this is totally understandable… rainbows, unicorns and all that! I found this incredible skein of sportweight yarn that had these multidimensional colors while still being sort of tonal. I was in love!

I wanted to make something with this yarn before Christmas and it had to be for my color-loving girl. I was flipping through my copy of “Journey”, a knitwear collaboration by designers, Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook, and there it was, a pattern that would be perfect for this yarn.

The Spate fingerless mitts.

I had the pattern and the yarn and then I cast on and did a total number on it! The fingerless mitts in the book are knit in a neutral, worsted weight yarn. I had this colorful, sportweight yarn! I threw caution to the wind, didn’t test gauge and just cast on for the extra small size. I even went down a needle size or two. What a rebel!!

And the end result…

These fingerless mitts turned out the perfect size for my daughter’s hands. I love the texture of the stitch pattern. The thumb opening was modified a bit so that it was snug and I stuck with the same needles throughout.

I finished them just before Christmas and she was delighted to find them under the tree!

She loves them and they have been really useful for her busy little hands doing all.the.things that 9 year olds do when it is still freezing outside.

This picture cracks me up… on that incredibly cold day, after I finished taking pictures of her brother’s hat, I got to her shooting her mitts. At this point, she couldn’t quite feel her finger tips and the whining ensued, “Mama, my fingers… where are they?” Ah, the things we make others do for our craft 😀

Spate (Ravelry notes)
Pattern: Spate by Jane Richmond from “Journey“
Yarn: Tosh Sport in “Cactus Flower”
Needles: Size US 6 / 4 mm

** Linking up with Keep Calm Craft On and Finish It Friday **

Posted by Preeti & filed under Accessories, Finished Knits, Kids, Knitting, Mittens. This post has 18 comments.

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