In a non-surprising turn of events, I have a lot of unfinished objects (UFOs) taking up needle space. Also in a move of characteristic procrastination I’m knitting on with new projects while I think about the unfinished ones.

I’m accepting my lack of knitting attention span and moving on…to new knits.

Right now I am waffling between two new knits. Do I start a birthday raglan for the boy in stripes of Quince and Co Lark? Or do I cast on a quick gnomey hat for a sweet babe in scraps? Maybe both?

In reading, I’ve been enjoying a couple of different titles. Locavore has been keeping me company during nursing sessions with the little miss. I haven’t gotten too far but reading about Canadian farmers growing food for Canadians is good inspiration. It’s wonderful to be reminded about why we make the food choices we do and why we continue to work towards our goal of local food. And the stories of Maritime farmers that sing to my Nova Scotian soul don’t hurt.

I’ve also been reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Amazon recommended this book for me and until the library hold came in (ahem, thank you, Amazon) I did not realize is was the book behind the movie. I haven’t seen the movie but the book has been a charming read. I started reading it with the big girls and then continued on my own when they weren’t as interested as I was. It’s a book unlike another I’ve ever read. Portions of text interspersed with many wonderful pictures which tell the story along with the words. I generally prefer more text and less pictures but in this case the pictures are as much the storytelling medium as the words.

::

Do you have any projects on needles (or in the planning stages)?  Are you reading any captivating novels or inspiring non-fiction titles? 

joining Ginny for yarn along

Last year I thought too late about knitting a couple of Easter surprises for the little people. This year is not really an exception but I’ve given myself a couple of extra days thought on the matter.

I haven’t gotten up to much knitting this week but I have whipped up a couple of sweet bunny nuggets. The design is by Rebecca Danger and it is one of her free patterns on ravelry. And oooooh, are they ever cute! They are also so quick to knit up. Last year Sarah received one and this year I’m working up three more as buddies. They await stuffing and pom-poms but I shouldn’t have a problem getting them together in the next couple of days. I intend to use Jane Richmond‘s pom-pom tutorial.

If I get them done with time to spare (and if I can resist making more because I can’t seem to stop…) I might knit up another chubby chirp. Simon needs a friend for his little chirp.

As for reading, I have stacks and piles all over the house these days. Our current reads: The Garden Primer from the bookshelf to reference some organic seeds we picked up, The Locavore from the library to spur on my gardening/local food goals, Five Run Away Together for bedtime reading with ‘big’ kids, and Big Sarah’s Little Boots for the little S’s.

Are you knitting up any Easter gifts? Mine are very small but I know some of you are knitting up sweaters and dresses. Are you feeling the time crunch or do you have them blocked and wrapped already? 

::

joining Ginny for yarn along

I got busy a couple of weeks ago and knit up a two sweet little vests. I knit the first one in pink, undecided whether it would be gifted or kept. I wasn’t sure how the size would work out but after trying it on the little miss I decided two things: Mira is lovely in pink and I needed to knit a second.

Because as a sister reminded me, “it is better to give than to keep things”.

The second knit up even faster than the first one – I was on a mission. It didn’t hurt that I was looking for an excuse out of the more annoying projects I’ve left unfinished. Neither did it hurt that there were no sleeves to slow me down.

The second was knit in purple for a special little friend of ours. It is so darling on her. As if these girls weren’t sweet enough already – I can hardly resist squeezing them in these chunky knits.

The pattern is plain vest by pickles. It’s a wonderful and simple pattern. I love the garter stitch yoke and border. And as the lovely Pickles sisters always provide – one size of the vest is provided for free on their blog. This is the first Pickles pattern I’ve worked on but I have a whole host of their patterns in my ravelry favourites. How can I resist knits like this, this, and this.

The pink vest is: Fleece Artist, Afrika (sadly discontinued) knit in size 1.

The purple vest is: Punta Yarns, Merisoft Handpainted Aran knit in size 2.

Ravelry notes here.

I love both of these wools so much. I’m very sad I will not be finding anymore Afrika from Fleece Artist, these were just a couple of skeins I grabbed on a whim last year. I’m hoping I might be able to knit another wee gnomey hat with my little leftovers. While not quite as chunky as the Fleece Artist, the Merisoft is also a favourite yarn. I adore the hand-painted quality and the single ply knits up so beautifully. The variations in colour are lovely. I’ve used this wool before in this knit and I will be looking for more projects for it – I have one skein left so I’m not breaking any stash rules…

I had originally bought the Fleece Artist for a larger version of the plain vest. A certain big sister is very pleased with this new vest just like hers. In fact all the siblings were quite excited that the two little sisters have matching vests.

Anything that encourages these little people to don their handknits makes me happy.

::

Have you discovered any new yarns you can’t resist? Do you have a knit designer whose patterns you can’t get enough of? Do share – you know I’m always looking for distraction from unfinished sleeves!

My needles have been busily clicking on a couple of surprisingly speedy projects. They have taken most of my attention this last week but I am waiting on buttons and models before revealing.

In the meantime, though, I’ve starting on a project I’ve been planning for a while. I went all love-at-first-sight over  a skien of Malabrigo Sock in Solis a few months ago. I’d undoubtedly went into the yarn store with the warning, “Remember your stash” over my head, but I heeded not and brought the little gem home. I wound it eagerly but then as it happened Christmas was looming and other projects took precedence.

I originally intended it for a boneyard shawl but after seeing Ginny‘s shawl I decided I needed to try The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief. I am excited to see how it comes together, so far I’m enjoying it. The pattern is a good one to pick up to work on while I have distractions (which is most of the time).

I still have to get back to work on Winston Yellow. I’m looking for a few good moments to start on the shell without a certain little boy peeking. He didn’t care much about the body but his siblings have started getting quite excited about the progress so I think I’d better keep it under wraps.

I have a stack of library books as high as my fourth born right now. Amongst the gardening books, kid lit, and cookbooks, my hold on Rebecca Danger’s sweet book finally came in. I knit three of her free patterns last Easter – bunny nuggets, chubby chirps, and monster chunks but hadn’t yet seen The Big Book of Knitted Monsters. So many cute patterns. I’m excited to let the kids have a look and take orders on monsters!

::

joining Ginny for yarn along

Being out of town last week, away from school and schedules was a great chance for me to eek out some much needed quiet time knitting, reading, writing, resting. Although, as Ellen suggested, the view was awfully distracting; in a good way, that is.

Of course knitting was a top priority.

I finished up my first colorwork hat which was both thrilling and disappointing. The hat looks wonderful and I’m mostly happy with it but in my beginner’s naiveté I didn’t realize how tight the portion of stranded knitting would be. I have yet to block it so I’m hoping for miraculous blocking results. As it is the seven-year-old loves it. But it’s snug…pop off the top of her head snug. Fingers crossed I can block an extra inch or so out of it? Either way, I’ll find a head to model it here! For now I just have a sneak peek.

Modelled in front of our compost bin along with the green girl’s mallory cowl.

Inspired by the lovely Rebecca, who I think could safely be described as a knitting (and crochet) powerhouse, I decided to knit one of these cute turtles for next month’s birthday boy. For the last year his favourite colour has been yellow so I thought I was safe to work from the never-ending ball (possibly better described as a boulder) of yellow cotton yarn. Turns out, though, he’s decided to change his favourite colour to green. That would have been both better suiting for a turtle and better to know a week ago. Another good to know sooner fact – this month’s birthday boy (as in this weekend) would also love a turtle. I missed the boat on that one.

Alas, I’m hoping someone will love this sweet reptile. I’ve finished his body – complete with safety eyes (I got mine here) and wool stuffing but have yet to get started on his limbs. Currently he’s looking rather odd. I’m sure a shell will help the look. And if he’s in the mood for a fresh, new style there is always the option of knitting him a lion or sheep costume (!!!).

I’m excited to see him all finished up. Hoping I don’t get knitter’s distraction before I get him done!

::

Isn’t he cute? Do any of you enjoy making toys? Any hopeful words for my blocking endeavours? Are you working on any needle or hook projects?