photo Jane Richmond_zpsux4wawxl.png

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Hawai'i

I'd like this post to be mostly images of our time in Hawai'i rather than writing too much about my experience because I'm afraid I might go on forever...

{Our View of Paradise}


{Lahaina}


{Peanut the Parrot on Front Street}


{Old Lahaina Luau}


{Black Rock}
...and yes, that is Chris' silhouette.


{Heart Hopscotch}


{Elsie}


{Maui Ocean Center}


{Haleakala National Park, aka The Crater}


{...10,023 feet above sea level}


{Hike to The Needle, Iao Valley}


{Plumeria}


{Rainbow Shower Tree}


One of the most amazing things about Maui are the flowers. All of the plants that grow on the island are flowering including trees and shrubs. It doesn't sound that amazing but when you are there in person and the colours are all around you and the smell of the Plumeria Tree fills the air you know you are somewhere special.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

And the winner is...

Firstly I want to thank everyone that entered in the drawing, it was so nice to read all of the lovely comments and well wishes while away on vacation. I had a wonderful time and was by no means ready to return.

Let's cut to the chase shall we! The winner of my entire collection of published patterns is...

Kitten With a Whiplash

Congratulations Kitten with a Whiplash, your patterns have been gifted to you on Ravelry.

Thank you again to all that entered!


*Sorry for the delay in posting the winner, our flight was cancelled due to an aweful wild fire on Maui and we arrived home a day later than planned.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Pattern Giveaway!


I will be taking a few weeks off from blogging while I enjoy a long awaited Richmond family gathering in Hawaii (I know, we are insanely lucky!).

I thought this might be a good time to do something fun. In an attempt to show my deep appreciation to all those who visit my blog and enjoy my designs I offer a giveaway, a rather large giveaway...

The Prize:
One lucky reader will receive, via email, my entire collection of published designs! That's 24 designs in total.

How to enter:

Simply stop by my blog between now and my return and leave your email address (or Ravelry ID) in the comment box. The winner will be selected at random and only those who leave their contact information will be entered to win.

Deadline:
The winner will be announced Thursday, June 10th.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Vancouver Yarn

VancouverYarn.com provides a wealth of information for the local yarn addict including a list of knitting groups and classified adds that are fibre related. Janna, the founder of Vancouver Yarn, is a Textile Arts student at Cap College. She has an eye for wonderful things and displays local fibres and designs on the front page of her site... you may even recognize the little person in yellow that is now gracing the home page!


{photograph by Nicholas Kupiak}


Thanks Janna for providing such a useful resource to those living in the Vancouver area.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Motley

If you've read my last post you will know that I have been knitting with Rowan Kidsilk Haze in two delicious colourways and absolutely loving it. Although the yarn is lace weight it can be knit on larger needles which speeds up the knitting considerably and results in a super light and airy, but deceivingly warm garment.

I like using unusual combination like Glacier and Cocoa, I'm really happy with the outcome. My needles were on fire knitting this because I've been dying to wear it. I'm so glad it's done so that I have an alternative to all of my bulky winter scarves.


Materials
  • 1 x 25g ball of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in shade 628 (MC), 210m/229 yds
  • 1 x 25g ball of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in shade 640 (CC), 210m/229yds
  • 4 mm needles
  • Yarn Needle

Gauge
24 sts and 30 rows = 4 in over st st

Finished Measurements
54 inches long and 8 ½ inches wide



Saturday, April 24, 2010

On My Needles...

I really like these "On My Needles" posts, it's a great way for me to step back and take inventory of what I'm working on...


Project #1:


First we have the Minimalist Cardigan which I chose as my vacation knitting during our time on the mainland in March. I chose to use some Patons Classic Wool from my stash but as Holly so gently pointed out, the drape won't be the same as the yarn that is recommended. I think my desire to have a mustard coloured cardigan has muddled my logic.

There are two reasons I haven't enjoyed my vacation knitting as much as I should...

1. I have to say that since my little obsession with Top-Down construction I have been less than excited to work with pieces.

2. I haven't really enjoyed the stitch pattern. For some reason when I knit Moss Stitch I find myself wishing I was working in Double Moss Stitch. I feel like you can achieve nearly the same effect with both stitches but with the latter you have the relief of knitting every right side row.


Project #2:


I am one of those people that is always cold, ideal for a knitter really. I hate to be chilled at the neck so I never leave the house without my scarf, in fact, I wear my scarf in the house as well... I even wear it when I'm baking or doing dishes, tucked underneath my apron. All of my scarves are really long and bulky (besides the Mustard Scarf) and with the weather warming up I really wanted to design a light scarf for spring. I took myself to the Beehive armed with my gift certificate I'd been hoarding since Christmas and picked out two delicious balls of Rowan's Kidsilk Haze. One is powdery blue in colour and the other a chocolate brown. I've never knit with this yarn before which is suprising because it's all my mother ever knits with, I am really enjoying myself and the scarf is going to be so light and airy yet warm and cozy!


Project #3:

...and last but not least, I've resurrected Trillium, again. This time it's different though because instead of trying to make my original idea work for the Nth time, I decided to swallow my pride, forget the countless hours spent knitting entirely in Trinity Stitch, and go back to the drawing board. I've rewritten the pattern using a totally different construction, all that is left to do is knit, knit, knit and see if the outcome is as good as my vision for this garment... we will see. One thing is certain, I am still madly in love with this yarn!

...what's on your needles?

Friday, April 9, 2010

Tough Love Sock

The Sweet Georgia Yarn that I ordered at Fibres West arrived in the mail today.

In my tiny little expedited package were three skeins of the most beautiful Tough Love Sock, the colourway Cayenne was ten times more beautiful than I remembered it.

So beautiful in fact that I couldn't bring myself to put it on the shelf with all the other yarn.

Doesn't it look truly inspirational perched above my work station?