Pointeshoes Punk Rock and Purl

Wow! Where Did May Go?!

2009-05-30T19:25:00.003-04:00

I've managed to finish a couple things:

I'm plugging away at my Opulent Raglan, Punctuated Rib socks (for the Zen String KAL on Ravelry) and Flutter Scarf from MimKnits. I couldn't help myself, I also cast on for Amelia. When the Lorna's Shepherd Worsted showed up, it was too hard to resist :).

FO's And WIP's This Week

2009-05-10T19:07:00.003-04:00

Finished Thistle Mist Scarf :

Opulent Raglan

Glad to have finished the scarf - the yarn spun up so soft, a real joy to knit with. I heard back from KFI about the "Talula" so it'll be back in the rotation next week. In the meantime, I cast on for the "Opulent Raglan" by Wendy Bernard. I'm using ToshWorsted in the "Fjord" colourway and it's gorgeous, very soft and great stitch definition.

Two more sock patterns are in the works. My new series is Dance! The first one is being test knit (yay! and thanks M.), second one is just being translated to proper pattern format.

I received the first installment of Yarntini's Semi Solid club and it is the most beautiful, complex, glowing blue I've ever seen. I may just keep this in the basket to pet and admire :).

Yarntini Cabana Boy

And that's it for today. Ciao!

Happy Beltane, Calan Mai !

2009-05-01T19:56:00.004-04:00

No name yet scarf

Working away on several projects. This one is resurrected. The original stitch I chose just didn't show off this gorgeous handspun at all, so it sat in the basket. I think I've found something that works a little better and it's getting lots of love as my "Commute" project. The second photo is the best representation of the colour.

I have a new sock design in the works. I'm really enjoying working on it and looking forward to getting it written up. The yarn is DkKnits "Special Occasion" and it is fabulous to knit with, a little silk and silver never hurt anyone :).

The April Sock clubs have mostly arrived, the Wool Girl April is gorgeous as always and my Yarn Pirate - yummy! (you'll have to take my word until I have a photo). Zen Mama outdid herself this month :) - will have to really think about what will do these beauties justice...

First Sweater 2009

2009-04-19T15:13:00.003-04:00

All done! My "Raglan Sweater With Cable Detail", from Debbie Bliss for Noro 1. I really like this pattern - super easy, quick (if you work steady at it) and the yarn, Carys from Three Irish Girls, is fabulous!

Nothing else for now... Will update the Yarn Pr0n later in the week :).

I Need Help... :}

2009-04-10T18:08:00.004-04:00

(Picture Gone - This bit of Stash is gone :) !)

I have spent the last couple of weeks transferring the entire contents of my "sewing room" from the basement to an upstairs bedroom. I cannot believe how much yarn I have. Or counted cross stitch supplies. Or fabric and notions. I am utterly overwhelmed by my crafting addictions :(.
At one point (a LOW point) I had stuff in the old sewing room, our recroom, the new sewing room and my daughter's bedroom (a large part of it - thank goodness she's in Brooklyn for a few more weeks). So... the new room is more or less functional, DD's room emptying slowly and the old room, despite still housing two (!) sewing desks and some orphan collectibles looks much larger :).
It has lead to the realization that, I need to pare down some of this stuff. I am donating the sewing items to friends and have no idea what to do with the cross stitch stuff. Like the knitting, I went whole hog with it - linen, silk, swarovski beads. I couldn't get through a day without putting a few stitches in fabric. Now, not so much. Ebay, I guess. It's where I got a lot of this stuff.
I'm skimming yarn as I put it away and anything that I'm not really happy to see unburied is in a box awaiting "Destash" or gifting.

Oh and the knitting (another handy way to get rid of yarn - heavy irony). Talula is coming along beautifully, although I admit to a love / hate relationship with Noro. And the Kiri shawl is about five repeats from finished - no picture, all shawls just look like the same blob until they're off the needles and blocked. I've just finished the deep rib on my Twisted-V, it's a quick knit and loving the Fiesta yarn :).

Hm-m-m... Perhaps A Title?

2009-04-07T17:40:00.010-04:00

Voila! Finished "Rockets Ripples". It has already been gifted and the recipient is happy (the whole story behind the scarf - handyed, handspun, handknit) really appeals to some people :) !

The "Kiri Shawl" is coming along. What a joy to knit with the Sundara Silky Merino Aran - it is some kinda gorgeous! I need to transfer it to a keeper thread and get a feel for how big it will be, likely I'll use three skeins.

My March clubs are arriving... The first in the Embrace The Lace club is absolutely spectacular (of course - thank you Jen). And my March Stash Menagerie is soft, squishy, soft, subtle and soft... :). No idea exactly what sweater it will be but a cardi for sure.

I'm off to knit on this snowy (!) Ottawa evening but before I go... here's the Yarn Pr0n:

The Joys Of Handspun

2009-03-28T12:35:00.004-04:00

I love how handspun feels and knits up :). This started off as a selection from DkKnits Fibre Club (the first round) and it was spun for my by a fellow club member. The colour is custom for me, it's called "Rockets" after the candy and it's spun at a sportweight of 100% Blue Faced Leicester.
The pattern is "Sweetheart Ripples" scarf.
Will attempt to sew up the raglans on my "Stash Menagerie" sweater today - why (why!) did I not think to work the sleeves in the round, throw everything on one needle and work up from there?! Seaming raglan sleeves into a body that is already joined (because I only work in the round) is going to be a colossal pain in the butt :( !

I've added a small errata for the "Sweetheart Ripples" pattern here. The Pattern Notes were incorrect - not the pattern thank goodness! Hopefully, it didn't throw anyone off :).

Spring Thaw...

2009-03-25T21:14:00.015-04:00

I'll have to find something other than scarves to knit now that you can go outside and not chip off a body part :) !

Really happy with my "New York Groove" scarf though.... The Keegan Lane worsted was so nice to work with, especially for this drop stitch pattern. Lots of body and great stitch definition.

The sweater WIP parade is ongoing, most just need a collar or sewing up - the boring bits. I am determined to get a couple completed this week though.

Have been working on a new sock pattern to be released very soon - just one more picture to take and it's off for final review.

It was just like Christmas this week, packages from three of my favourite "Yarn Pushers" arrived and I'm in a total tizzy - don't know what to cast on first (like I don't already suffer from Startitis).

Here are my pretties:

L to R: From the Loopy Ewe (that's an eggplant Namaste Zuma hiding under the yarn), from Wool Girl (the I Heart Worsted sale), From Zen String (two new colours in Lotus Toes & a sweater's worth of Verde Sport :).

Sweetheart Ripples Scarf - ETA 14 March 2009

2009-03-01T12:29:00.005-05:00

So, I've finally got the live download links up and running over at "Pointe Shoes Pursuits". Clicking the pattern titles will take you to a printable, PDF version of the pattern, clicking the thumbnail will take you to a more detailed view.

No real knitting progress - everything is still in "WIP" status but here are a couple Yarn Pr0n photos to pretty up this post...

~~If you've been trying to print this pattern from a Ravelry download... hasn't worked.~~ The print function is fixed now . If someone tries and it still doesn't work - please let me know.
~~For anyone who has been checking at "Pointe Shoes Pursuits", I still don't have a download button~~ I do now :)!

Late Happy Hearts Day!

2009-02-18T20:24:00.003-05:00

I received some wonderful Valentine wishes but being a bit dorky with some software (for a software geek -that's hard) I did not respond in kind. So here are belated "right back atcha's", it was really nice to receive, along with a pretty purple crocus from my big Valentine :).

Here is a quick sneak peek at my design in progress. I'm hoping this one will be suitable for public consumption. My dkKnits Gleem was shouting to be knit, so being happy to oblige, here I am :).

I've received a couple of my February club skeins - some very pretty ones but will wait until they're all here to do a "Yarn Pr0n" update.

Ciao for now!

It's Still Winter In Canada, So...

2009-02-10T19:57:00.004-05:00

Another scarf for my collection. This is "Elissa" from the Winter 2008 Twist Collective. Worked up in Yarntini Varigated Sock.

Had to finish something. My "Started" collection is over five again :)!

ETA: I forgot to mention, the second in my "Pirate Sock" series has been released. You can find it here, at Zen String.

New KB Design Pattern

2009-01-31T14:09:00.002-05:00

"Sweetheart Ripples Scarf" has (finally) been published. It is currently available on Ravelry as a free download. I'll be making it available from Pointeshoes Pursuits just as soon as I can redesign my download buttons (help gladly accepted ha ha!)

The original yarn used for the design is A Swell Yarn's Duets DeKAY a gorgeous, body-ful yarn that knits like a dream and gives wonderful stitch definition. Feel free to experiment with your own yarn choices that have similar qualities.

Other KB Designs can be viewed from the My Patterns link in the right-hand navigation pane.

Thanks for looking and have an awesome weekend!

Wicked

2009-01-25T12:23:00.005-05:00

Ta Dah! Still blue but no longer stalled out.... "Wicked" by the gals at Zephyrstyle and worked in Zen String's worsted Bambewe.

Mods included the pocket construction, using the 2x2 crossover rib at the hem and on the pocket edges and tapering the sleeves slightly.

Very happy with the result, just need to see if I like the finished result on me... if not, my Mum was admiring the handpainted colours and it would definitely look cute on her.

It feels so good to have actually finished something and I am somewhat more inspired to dust off some of those WIP's :).

How it looks on...

I Am In A "Blue Funk"

2009-01-10T13:29:00.003-05:00

I could care less if I ever see knitting needles again (!). I crocheted a scarf though....

Overwhelmed by stash, underwhelmed by ambition, bored with knit blogging, just sittin' here bitchin'....

Perhaps a new career as Poet Laureate for the inertia set?

New Page

2008-12-20T22:01:00.003-05:00

A new page has been added at Pointe Shoes Pursuits for pattern errata. There is a correction to the "Maple Sugar Socks" (thank you to Holly for getting in touch).

Yummy... And 0 Calories!

2008-11-10T18:35:00.007-05:00

Took forever, but well worth it. My "Strawberry Cheesecake" scarf is finally finished.

I love "duets" yarn and this was designed in the original DK weight (it's my "Warrick" scarf reworked at a different gauge). I like the complimentary colours but contrasting would be gorgeous too.

This worked up to six feet total length, with enough left over for gloves or mitts :). Good thing it's finished 'cause it's getting to that kind of temperatures here in Ottawa!

Sock clubs that arrived this month are: Scout's Swag, Skitches, Wool Girl and Yarn Pirate...

I will be cutting down on sock clubs in the New Year - I can't believe how quickly it piles up!

Have you checked out the new PSPRP tee shirt? Here is a link to the artwork if you can't see it well in the Cafe Press pictures: PSPRP Shop

My Next Project

2008-10-25T14:14:00.009-04:00

I thought maybe it was time to dive into this gorgeous worsted from dkKnits... I've got 732 yards, so am thinking about a vest-y type thing.

I wanted to make some quickie mitts and found that Dream In Colour "Fatty" is not as easy to come by as the rest of the line... not sure why. The colours and veil dying are the same and the yarn base is soft and soft-twist. Knitting with 8.00mm dpns, though? Not sure about that - they look like telephone poles compared to my usual weapons :)!

I've been plugging away at my Chick Knits "Cassidy", done in DIC "Classy" and am a little distracted - but it seems to be how I work best... I keep setting it down to try out new design ideas. One of those is a variation on the "Nefertiti Scarf" that I designed for Elann. Much to my chagrin, I discovered a couple errors with the original pattern :(.... The corrected version is available now under "Free Patterns" on the Elann site.

I wanted to do a little plug for my CafePress shop. I have just put up a new design there - the first in a series based on knitting myths and legend - with a twist :). I'm hoping to have the entire series available soon and of course, the signature Pointe Shoes Punk Rock Purl design will be a shop staple. Feel free to pop over and have a look - these were done in collaboration with the amazing Cynthia of Green Couch Designs - you'll recognize her style as soon as you see it.

And last, certainly not least... my Sundara Seasons for this month arrived and some Handmaiden Sea Silk from The Loopy Ewe, destined to be "Peacock Feathers Shawl".

A Few More Off The Needles :)

2008-10-20T19:45:00.003-04:00

The cozy v-neck pullover by Stephanie Japel - her book "Fitted Knits".

Technically, a really quick knit but I kept putting it down for other projects! The possibility of snow later this week but a burr under my saddle to wrap it up.

Done in Elann's Peruvian Uros Aran, 50% Highland Wool/ 50% Llama. It is soft and fluffy - should be cute over a shirt :).

And the last of my Christmas knitting is done. I had four scarves to knit and used my "Porthole Rib" pattern, worked flat.

At Last!

2008-10-11T18:58:00.002-04:00

I can't believe how long this has taken.... I love the finished result though :).

Sirdar cardigan in Posh Yarns "Helena". I finished the knitting a while ago and was waiting on the perfect buttons and ribbon to finish. There are seven sea green dyed-shell buttons to close the front - the lace border is left open. And Hannah silk ribbon in two colours (brown & moss, varigated plum) to match the colours of the "Heath" colourway.

Me Likey!

Quick Update...

2008-10-05T19:46:00.007-04:00

These are the FO's for the last few weeks

And these are the sock clubs for September and October...

Before Another Month Slips By...

2008-09-13T18:57:00.010-04:00

I HATE THE NEW FACEBOOK

Have an FO I can show finally (still waiting for news about the "Secrect Knitting" finished earlier this summer). So, here is my "Curvy". I've already decided to do a slight mod to the collar, so won't show a modeled photo yet, although I can say it fits really well and I love it even without the mod.

I HATE THE NEW FACEBOOK!!

My Christmas knitting is progressing well, that commute really is good for some things. The first scarf is a row or two from done after a week.

Above are some of the goodies that came to visit this week. My next project "Chrysalis" by Jean Moss in Artesano "Hummingbird", my August installment of the Wool Girl Sock Club and my goodies from an irresistible sale at Wool Girl...

Did I mention that I HATE!! the new version of Facebook? If you do too and want a choice, here's a link to an online petition to keep the clean, easy-to-use "old" Facebook: http://www.petitiononline.com/ada4305/petition.html

Um-m-m-m... Hello :)

2008-09-01T19:43:00.005-04:00

So, this is what I've been up to. As always, practising the fine art of "Circuit Knitting" - too bad it doesn't burn as many calories as circuit workouts!

I'm hoping to have the sweaters "off the needles" in the next week and to plow through the gift knitting - something I usually (and studiously) avoid.

Designing has slowed down as work speeds up - the Autumn months are very busy and there have been numerous staff changes to become accustomed to.

Will be starting up the yoga classes again in a few weeks and signing up for the regular Belly Dance classes as the Summer "taste of" were really fun. (For you local girls who may be interested, I started a Facebook group for exchanging any / all information about Belly Dance in the Ottawa area, please feel welcome).

Back to school tomorrow - hope it goes smoothly for y'all :). DD's last semester of College, where did the time go? Sonshine off for (hopefully) last year of highschool, will it never end? Kidding :)!! Keeps it fresh when your kids are different. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Hasta Luego!

It's Out!

2008-07-20T14:14:00.006-04:00

The new Knitters hit the stands and here it is: Yup, my stole in the Elann ad. I'm a little excited :).

The Secret Knitting is done - it'll be winging it's way to the recipient tomorrow - so will be able to show you some pictures soon. I am really happy with the project overall and found some fabulous buttons at a new (to me) shop here in Ottawa. Sewers be warned: this place has some amazing fabric and designer buttons.

I am going to finish off my Yarn Pirate Mad-tini's this week, I was really enjoying the other project and spent every free minute working on it, but now everything else is shouting to be done.

My Loopy Ewe Sock Club arrived this week, with a skein of Wollmeise - don't hate me 'cause it's beautiful - I'll add the picture later :).

Need... Sleep...

2008-07-12T21:56:00.010-04:00

I know, it's been forever. My graphic designer has been on strike (don't worry, she won't be grounded long). So without fancy graphics but still kinda cute - Japanese Lanterns Socks is now available for sale on Ravelry (here too, just not tonight).

I'll ETA this post tomorah....

... And - we're back :)! This pattern will also be available on my pattern page here, for any Non-Ravelers.

Again, the weekend felt so short - maybe 'cause we have so much to cram in during the summer days. I love gardening almost as much as knitting and it can be a tough call what wins!

I've been working exclusively on my Secret Knitting - love what I'm working on, love the yarn - have had one or two (!) moments - had to relearn a special cast-on - so glad I did, it will be making an appearance in my next sweater design. Unfortunately, this meant my sockies are waiting until the end of the week for attention. Heck! I even took my SK to the spa on Saturday - it is a rather "Zen" thing to do :).

I did get a couple of my sock clubs in just lately: Scout's Swag, dkKnits, Yarn Pirate, think that's it. Wait! There was also Wool Girl and Sundara.

Vacation is coming up soon - can't wait :)! Trips with Hubby, kids too - if we can pin them down and lot's of knitting - I have so-o-o many WIP's that have to be gone... In the meantime, back to the SK, at the home stretch now!

Was That The Shortest Weekend On Record...?

2008-06-22T18:44:00.004-04:00

I took a short break from my secret knitting to get a start on my dkKnits KAL sock and so far, so good. I love my colours (club colour Kassius Karin & mystery coordinate). The KK looks like Raiku fired clay, many and varied subtle blues and greens.

Made a smidge of progress on Mad-tini With A Twist - I wish I had more arms :)! I love YP merino / tencel and this is one of the best Booty Club colours ever IMO.

Secret knitting? Really coming along, just a little over half-way there.

Went to yoga this AM - I am really starting to feel the benefit - never would have thought. It feels so gentle (most of the time) but really does the job. And then I wrote up Jewel Box Scarf and did my PDF conversions. Heading over to Ravelry in a moment to upload it to my pattern shop, and then back to the knitting :)!

Have a good week everyone...