crafty progress

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i've been running my bum trying to get store samples finished, my shop stocked for the grand opening, and preparing for the next sweater class i'll be teaching. i'm pooped :) but happy to report progress!!!
meet the easter baby cardi :)

so cute! the flowers just say easter, don't you think so? this is knit with sirdar snuggly baby bamboo, and it's lovely to knit with. so soft.

also, a peek at the sweater i'll be teaching soon...

just look at all of that cable goodness! knit with james c brett marble chunky. for an acrylic yarn, this stuff sure is spongy and soft!

and last, but not least, i finally finished a sweater for a friend of mine :)

 i actually had finished it quite some time ago, but you could say i just decided to do a better job ;)

this sweater pattern is actually one of jane richmond's. it's called the oatmeal pullover.  i love her. she is one talented designer! rosanne requested shorter sleeves, and though it looks rather long in the torso, this fits her just beautifully! i was happy to finally give this to her today.

apart from knitting like a mad woman the past few days, i've been trying to get out there to enjoy some of this sunshine :) did you see those skies? so so nice that spring is here!

the knitting is definitely up to a great start this spring :)


what kinds of crafting have you been up to? i'd love to hear about it!

sometimes it's just the little things....

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.... that make the big difference to make me smile :) i heart this little candle cozy, and i am pretty sure i'll be needing to make lots of them. we've been hit by a nasty cold in this family... boo... no fun, so some comfort is needed, and this little guy is making me feel better already :) i mean, how cute!

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last saturday i went to a knit night. ohmygoodness, it was sooo fun! just a bunch of us girlies all hanging out in a local cafe, with live music, shooting the breeze :) of course, a few of us managed to get a little knitting in :) i loved it! i definitely don't do enough of that, and can't wait to do more of it.
we actually shut the place down! we're die hard's.. party animals, that's what we are! haha.

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all in all it was a wonderful night. here's to many more!

do you get a chance to get out for knit nights? i'd love to hear about it!

smitten...

for the past week at least i haven't been able to get this pattern out of my mind... look! isn't it purty???

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it's not all that fancy or anything.. but i love love the simplicity of it. almost everyone who has knitted up this beauty has loved the outcome. that's a great sign! this dress has been designed by Veera Välimäki.
i love veera's patterns. i've only knit one of her patterns before, the fisherman's pullover, found here . if you have never heard of ravelry, you must join! it's such a great community of knitters and crocheters. there is a wealth of knowledge to be found there and more patterns than you can possibly dream of!!
but this dress. sigh...

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i mean really!!!

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the detail is minimal, but effective for me. the needle required is fairly small, and the yarn is pretty fine too... indeed, this is a lot of stitches... but oh so pretty! it would be perfect, just perfect for spring... don't you think so?
i know i can certainly imagine myself in this pretty frock, in a field full of flowers. :)

i've done a lot of knitting... a lot.. and then some.. haha, and i'm surprised to say i've never knit a dress before! well for me sized anyways... i've knit with alpaca before, but not often.. such a lovely yarn! of course i have a rather *ahem* voluptuous yarn stash, but i don't have the perfect yarn for this dress... and so shopping must be done. hee hee...
here is the desired yarn:

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isn't it lovely??

although it's considered to be a sport weight yarn, many who have knit with this would consider this more of a lace weight yarn... yes, this dress would be a little time consuming, but oh so worth it.. i think. but what colour should i knit it in? ooohhh that's a tough one.
now to find the time... hrmmm.... my fingers are crossed!

what is your dream knit for spring?

bread, the park, and a tiny bit of knitting....

oh goodness.... sometimes trying to get lots of crafting done is hard. today was one of those days... but even though it started out a little on the dull side, it got better. lots better. always when i feel stressed a good bread baking helps to work out some frustrations...

and the result is usually satisfying in more ways than one... i absolutely love how a few simple ingredients can create such lovely smelling and nourishing bread. especially when i'm feeling a lack of creativity, and this does the trick.

this is just before the bread went in the oven . I use the tassajara bread book by edward espe brown. i love love it. these loaves are from the tassajara yeasted bread recipe, and i make this weekly. (at least)
once this was done, i felt a little more ready to tackle the ever difficult task of crafting while spending time with my little man. i often feel guilty that i don't spend enough time with him, especially when i have deadlines to meet in creating samples or patterns written for upcoming classes. so today's "technique" of multi-tasking was one i've used many times, and will continue to use as long as my projects remain portable... and as long as the skies are this blue!

i like this park because from the bench where i sit, i can see everywhere owen would be playing... and it's often quiet and peaceful. i've just cast on here for a sweater that i'll be teaching next month. bulky yarn in spring, i know.. but hey.. what can i say, i love sweaters. besides this one will have short sleeves, so it works. right? :) i think i'll enjoy knitting this one up. details on the project when more of the sweater is knit up.
while we were at the park, i had another sweater blocking at home. this one is another sample, that needed to be done in time for easter.

almost done... cute, hey? it still needs adorable flowers, and just the right buttons. but back to the park...
because that was the whole point of the outing, right? to play yes... not to knit... goodness, i seem to have done enough of that as far as owen was concerned.
besides, how can i say no to this face?

haha! so yes. i went and i played. such fun! and the knitting?? well, it's always there waiting for me, and it's never far... so this was productivity for me today!

....every row counts. :)

how do you mamas juggle crafting and play time or kiddie time? let me know, i'd love to swap ideas!

i'm blogging!

weeeee! and i have to say i'm pretty excited to be sharing this space with you :)

from what i've been gathering it's been a long winter for a lot of us.... yes, even those of us spoiled on beautiful vancouver island :) so it's time for new beginnings and fresh starts... and trying new things :)

the drop spindle is very new to me. (ahem... excuse the wrinkly background..) I need to take a class still, but i'm looking forward to learning this new side of knitting! :) i have already decided on what i'll knit with that gorgeous skein of marks & kattens fame trend. the hubs actually spotted that skein and pointed it out to me. he has such a good eye...

lots of exciting things coming up in the spring, and i'm so glad i now have a space to share it all with you! everything on the blog will be updated shortly, including the shop and class info, so please check back again soon!

how are you celebrating the beginning of spring?