Sole Sisters Swap 20

On Ravelry, I'm apart of the Sole Sisters group.
We're finishing up round 20 - my first swap with the group.  While my partner hasn't received her package yet (it's due tomorrow!) for me to post my sent items, I've received mine!

The extras included a box of Earl Grey Tea which is really rather yummy - I think this was my first German tea! - Some yummy gummies shaped like the suspension rail, along with a magnet and postcard of the rail (I'd love to see it in person, it looks quite interesting!), and some super soft sock yarn.
And now to the point...
How gorgeous are they?  I wish I had a camera to do them justice, they're incredibly soft and such a lovely green I almost don't want to wear them so they'll stay in pristine condition!

It's Alive!

 Danger Crafts on Ravelry is holding it's second annual Frankenmonster MKAL!

Using a variety of Danger Craft patterns, the lovely mods post guidelines for choosing each monster part, and by the end of the 4 weeks you have a completely new monster!

Last year I wrote down the pattern as it was released, however didn't have enough of the patterns to participate.  This year, my pattern collection has grown, and I'm ready to play!

So far the first two monster bits have been released - the arms and legs.  I prefer to wait until the body is released so I can choose the limbs accordingly, so I have yet to start this year's monster (that will start tormorrow!) - I have, however, completed a monster using last year's pattern!

Meet Frank!
I didn't expect he'd turn out so cute, I may end up making a small army of mismatched monsters!
Once the body is revealed tomorrow, I'll start my new monster.  If you're thinking of making one for yourself, stop by the group for details.

Penelope KAL

Another Untangling Knots knit along is upon us!  For the next month and a bit, we're knitting Penelope!

I started the kal a little late, but there's still plenty of time to finish.  Like most of Andi's designs, Penelope knits up pretty quickly, and the pattern is always clear and well written.

Cast on

October 3: Cast on to start of body shaping (above), October 4: beginning of body shaping to start of decreases.

With any luck I'll be done by the end of the week! October is a busy time, however, and this may get set aside, only time will tell.

Dragon Wing Cowl

This lovely cowl popped up on Ravelry yesterday, and I just had to knit it.  I had thought of using it in the hpreadalongkal, but instead of Norbert, this dragon wing reminds me of a different, much more loveable dragon - you guessed it, Toothless!

Owls - #HpReadAlongKal

As a part of the Harry Potter Read Along Knit Along...	September 25th I got my book, and a large cup of tea, and spent the afternoon reading.
September 25th: Chose a pattern (Owls) and cast on, knit the beginning of back decreases	September 26th: Back decrease to separation of front and back.
September 28: Left sleeve, September 29: Right sleeve to second row of owl, September 30: Owls to second rep of decreases	October 1: I scrounged up some more yarn and managed to finish!

Harry Potter Read Along KAL

Over on Ravelry, the Instagram-Alongers are holding a Harry Potter read and knit along!
What exactly does that entail?
Read the books and knit something to represent the series - some are knitting a large project for all seven books, others are crafting smaller items for each books - there aren't any hard set rules.

It's been a while since I've done a full HP read through, so you can count your buttons I'll be joining in!
If you want to join along, don't forget to tag #hpreadalongkal on social media!

Fairy Cakes and Yogi

September brings the Equinox - Being in the northern hemisphere that's the Autumn Equinox, and it's time to shed what doesn't serve you anymore.  Now the Equinox may not be until late this month, but I'm starting to get in the Autumn mindset.  During Autumn I love to try new things, bake, knit and try to get into a better mindset.

This year I decided to start the 30 days of yoga challenge, from Yoga with Adriene.  I've only completed just over a week so far, but I love it, and Adriene is absolutely fun and amazing.  Every day I look forward to the next video, and seeing how far my pose has changed just with a bit of daily practice.  I've never been to a yoga class before, but this is a lot of fun, and something I can see myself doing for a while. Actually, I've been enjoying her home studio yoga videos so much I decided to knit Miss Adriene a little gift, so send once I've finished the 30 days (and I get her PO box!).  A Wee Yogi Mouse!

And of course, you want to know about the fairy cakes!  Who doesn't love Fairies and cupcakes?
This tiny gal is all of six inches tall, from the top of her hat to the tip of her toes!  I see quite a few of these being made in the future, with numerous different themes in mind!

Hats, Hats, Hats!

Last year I designed a basic ribbed hat for my brother. When I saw him a few days ago, I asked him what knit item he would like for Christmas - I'm usually scrambling to find projects to knit my family in December, as they all seem to be bad at telling anyone what they'd like! I try to knit everyone a gift (something rather difficult, as it seems not many people want knit gifts), so they have something made with love, not just something commercial. To my surprise, my brother said he wouldn't mind another hat in a different colour!

This gave me the idea to design a few basic hats for the different people in my life. Once I write up the patterns (I have them written in my messy design book), I'll publish the patterns and ebook, but until then I give you my basic hats! Every one of them can be knit by any beginner knitter who can knit in round, purl and decrease.

Since my brother asked for a hat in a different colour (last year I made him a black one), I made him a grey one in the same pattern (Brotherly), and a second in the TML colours to go with the mittens I made him a few years back.

After I made these, I decided to make one for my dad, who has a rather large head and I often have trouble finding patterns large enough to fit him (it would seem the one I knit last year was too small). After tinkering with a few ribbed varieties, I came up with Fatherly:

Next I made Motherly, and though the pattern may look complex in comparison to the more basic looking ribbed hat, it's just as simple to make:

And finally, I made Sisterly, for my sister-in-law.  I wanted an easy pattern that could be made knit by a first time knitter without being too complex or too boring.  Why? Because the real gift is actually knitting lessons, and the pattern is the end goal! I hope she both likes the hat, and enjoys knitting it when it comes down to it!
Once these are available as pdf patterns I'll post a link!

Reducio!

I joined in on my first Reducio swap!  A mini sock and small item swap, great for branching out into more Harry Potter fun!

This round's (32) theme was Divination, so you must knit one mini sock and one mini divination item.  I made a few tiny items for my partner and added some treats (which I didn't get photos of).  My Hogwarts name for this round was Violet Granger (I took a random hp name generator quiz), and in Gryffindor, my partner was in Ravenclaw.

First a pair of socks - one for my partner and one for myself, in Ravenclaw colours

For the divination aspect, I decided to go with conventional and unconventional.  I designed a crystal ball for the traditional tool, and one of Hermione's Crafty Fires.

 

My partner sent me (spoiled, really) quite a few amazing items, in a form of Ornithomancy - divination based on actions of birds!  

I'll definitely be joining for another round, I found this swap to be quite fun!

TTCKAL 2015

Another year has come and gone for the TTCKAL.  I was on the pink team again, and had a wonderful time!  I didn't manage to get many photos this year, but here is my adventure anyway!

My 2015 bag, 10 years!	My spoils of war
Schedule and coupons	Patterns
Wall of Turtle Purl, over at the Purple Purl	Crazy garden car in Kensington Market

Firkin on Bloor

Closing ceremonies