When a maker is asked by a family member for a specific handmade item, they put everything down and fulfill that desire, stat! My son requested me to knit him a black beanie. He showed me a picture of a fisherman’s rib beanie that he had found online. He also had some “specific” requests – it couldn’t be slouchy, it needed to be quite short so that it didn’t completely cover his ears, he wanted a wide-ish brim so he… Read more »

The Fluorite socks are my February’s instalment for The Rainbow Sock Chronicles 2021. This sock pattern is by Andrea Mowry and uses a simple fade sequence that is great for using up leftover sock yarn. February’s colour for this challenge is Dark Pink or Red. I choose to incorporate a few dark pinks in my socks in keeping with the theme. The pattern is written for two lengths – calf length or boot socks and I opted for the regular… Read more »

Sometime last fall, I had a YouTube channel recommendation pop up. It was a crafty podcast by Jooles Hill under her brand Sew Sweet Violet. Jooles had an idea for 2021 through community activity and she called it, The Rainbow Sock Chronicles. Rainbows make everyone smile and her suggestion was that this could be a year where we seek out “rainbows”. I don’t think that we can deny the continued devastation on our globe as this pandemic rages on. However,… Read more »

Oh my, I forgot all about this one!  Last summer, I finished a sample that I was working on for Black Sheep Yarns.  The High Pines cowl. I knit this neck warmer using Brooklyn Tweed’s Arbor in a rich, earthy colorway called Klimt.  The pattern is very engaging and every round is just a bit different from the others.  As with any BT pattern, these sort of stylistic nuances are fun and to be expected.  High Pines is completely charted and… Read more »

The hat, it is done! This is the coziest hat I’ve ever made. Also, the sweetest. That mohair halo! That pom!! It was truly a pleasure knitting every stitch of this project. Holding the hand dyed merino from Hedgehog Fibres together with the fluffiest Rowan Kidsilk Haze produces a fabric that is so dreamy. I would love to wear a sweater knit with this stuff! My daughter wanted it extra slouchy and she is super thrilled with how it turned… Read more »

I purchased this faux fur pompom a few months ago and put it away in one of my yarn baskets. Then I promptly forgot all about it. A couple weeks ago, I was digging through my stash for some yarn and my heart just about stopped. I saw this round, furry thing sitting there in the basket. I swear it had beady eyes and sharp teeth. Eeek, had a rodent invaded my yarn stash and made a cozy home?! I… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

It must still be winter because I’m all about the knitting 🙂 Curled up in my knitting spot with soft wool running through my fingers, looping the yarn round and round the needles, creating something squishy and warm.  Most definitely a soothing and comforting pastime. When we had our big snowfall in December, I cast on and finished a hat in a few evenings! This one to be specific.  The Barley hat by the lovely team at Tin Can Knits.  It’s… Read more »