Monday, February 16, 2015

On My Needles



In my books, anytime is a good time for knitting, but if there was ever a winter weekend made for knitting, it was this one. With temperatures topping out at -32 degrees and dropping to -40 degrees, and exposed skin freezing in five minutes, we have been safely tucked in at home. The fire has been one, hot tea is always close at hand, and there has been lots of playing, crafting, reading, and knitting.

With all the holiday crafting, and then a few knits for friends in January, my February Lady Sweater was tucked away for a few months, but I am happy to say it has made its way back to the top of the list, and I finally finished the first sleeve last week. This week I will get started on the second sleeve, and hopefully have a finished sweater in time for spring.

I always like to have an easy knit on the needles, something I can work away at while the kids play, and pick up and put down as my attention is needed, so I decided to cast on a little scarf/shawl with some beautiful yarn I bought back in October from Mountain Girl Yarns. The colours kinda shout spring to me, and I think it will be perfect for those chilly spring days when a heavy winter scarf is not really needed.

Happy mail days are always fun, but when they include yarn I do a little happy dance. When Justin came in from collecting the mail one day last week with a package for me, I quickly peeked at the return address and knew immediately it was more yarn from Mountain Girl Yarns. Of course, I opened it right away, and was ever so pleased...gorgeous, stunning yarns, full of life and love. I am not sure, yet, what any of them will become, for now I am just enjoying the pleasure of them on my craft table, bringing a little bit of colour to these cold winter days.

What's on your needles?

56 comments:

  1. Nothing on my needles at the moment, although I do have a number of balls in a delicious cotton yarn in a similar colour to yours that I do want to make up into something sweet for my sisters baby arriving in June. I should get out my pattern books and decide on something.I do love yarn!

    As for happy dances when parcels arrive - my parcels have been a number of books lately. I have two more that I'm expecting. Can't wait!

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    1. Always nice to have baby knits on the needles :) I join you on the happy dances for book too, always happy when books arrive in the mail.

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  2. My needles have just finished a new hat for Pip as his old one had stopped covering his ears and I'm currently plotting the next project. I think it might be re knitting the toes of a few pairs of socks!!

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  3. I am wanted to learn how to knit. I can crochet- although more on a basic level, and the kids have been learning finger knitting with their new curriculum and moving to hand knitting. So I would really love to get a head start learning so I can help them. Does Reece knit also? -32!!! I cannot even imagine. Happy knitting friend!

    www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com

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    1. We all start somewhere, and then we keep improving :) Yes Reece knits, right now finger knitting, and when he starts Grade 1 in September we will move into knitting with needles...he is pretty excited about that.

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  4. Such lovely colours! I don't have anything on my needles but on my hook I have another solid granny square that will hopefully make a rug before autumn/winter arrives. I also have a bonnet underway that I am in no rush to finish at the moment as it is the middle of summer! x Dre

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    1. Thank you! Those sound like wonderful projects. Enjoy!

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  5. After finishing my hat I cast on a pair of socks. Now I just need to decide if I want to keep them or gift them. :-) I adore the yarn you bought!! Beautiful, vibrant colors that look so much like spring!

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    1. That is always the hard part, isn't it? Thank you, I am always amazed at how vibrant the colours are when Camilla's yarn arrives.

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  6. Camilla has gorgeous stuff... must get some for myself !!! Your shawl is looking lovely... have a wonderful week Kim

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    1. She does, and you should :) Thank you, you too Erica!

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  7. Such pretty, pretty yarns Kim. I do love Camilla's amazing talent.
    I just cast off a baby blanket and now I think I am going to work on my grey sock, although I
    am feeling that twinge to cast on a new project.
    Happy knitting.

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    1. I do too Tracey, just beautiful.

      Yay for a baby blanket, I bet that new grand baby is going to have some beautiful knits :)

      Thanks Tracey, you too. xo

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  8. That yarn is just gorgeous... I'm saving up for a nice order when I do drop in on her store. I promised my husband I would use up at least 50% of the yarn I have now (which is a lot) before I would buy new one. LOL! On my needle right now, a ribbed hand towel. Found the cutest pattern and thought they would make nice Christmas gifts. So I'm starting early. Stay warm dear friend...

    Here is the pattern if you feel like a little quick "stocking stuffer" project : https://peacefulknitter.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/retro-rib-hand-towel1.pdf

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    1. It is Yanic, Camilla is so very talented. What a lovely gift idea, thanks for the link, will have to check it out.

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  9. Can't wait to see your sweater finished as those colours are beautiful! ...and love Mountain Girl Yarns!

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    1. I will share it as soon as I am wearing it :)

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  10. Wow, those yarns from Camilla are amazing! On my needles.......several things a sock, a shawl, a scarf and a cardigan! All at various stages of growth getting my attention now and then :)

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    1. They are, aren't they? She is very talented. You have quite a lot going on there, you go!

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  11. Mountain Girl Yarns are so stunning! and your shawl is looking very beautiful in that color (don't know why but it made me think of a fizzy sweet?).
    I'm still making my Knubbelchen!

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    1. They are! Thank you, ha, I guess it kinda reminds me of that too now that you mention it. Happy knitting!

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  12. That is one cold weekend! But nothing like be able to be at home comfy and cozy. Those yarns looks gorgeous, no yarn projects around here at the moment, hope to get back on track asap.

    Happy week!

    Lluisa xoxo

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    1. It has been, but we survived, and are hoping warmer temperatures arrive this week. xo

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  13. That yarn is beautiful. Kicking myself for buying the discount crafts store stuff now.. Next time. Its been pretty cold here as well, I started a baby sweater sweater set in brown and cream the other day (don't get excited yet). Stay warm.

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    1. Thank you. Ha, good think you added that extra line about not getting excited...I was doing just that.

      Hope you guys stay warm too. xo

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  14. -now that you mention it does scream spring doesn't it....hehe.
    Beautiful knits Kim, happy you like the yarn. Dang that is cold, we are having an early spring fling here, temps in the 50's and sunny I am walking around barefoot.
    Stay warm.
    xo

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    1. It does Camilla, and I love it! It is cold, bitterly cold, but there is hope for warmer temperatures this week. I won't be walking around barefoot or anything, but I would be happy not to catch my breath when I stepped outside.
      xo

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  15. Those yarns are gorgeous! Bookmarking the company for future buys.

    I picked up my knitting needles this past fall after probably 20 years without knitting, and I had forgotten just how soothing it is. I'm showing my kids how to do it, and they are seeing me make mistakes too as I put together a blanket of squares like the one my grandmother made for me when I was small.

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    1. They are, Camilla is one talented lady. And so much goodness in her shop to choose from.

      Good for you, I was the same a few years ago, picking them up after a long break, and it felt so good. My little man finger knits, and in the fall will give it a go with needles. I love sitting on the sofa knitting with him. Happy knitting!

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  16. I don't knit, can just about manage a wonky crochet dishcloth. I can appreciate others work though :-) I can't imagine those freezing temps, however I quite like the idea of being holed up keeping cosy with my loved ones. Happy knitting Kim. x

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    1. It is hard to imagine, even when we are in the middle of it. I open the door in the morning to let the dog out, and catch my breath every single time. And the dog turns around and walks right back to her bed :)

      Thank you. xo

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  17. Those colors definitely shout spring. Very pretty. I recently cast on for a simple shawl...like you, I like to have something that can easily be picked up whenever. Those yarns are gorgeous. I especially like the one with purple in it.

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    1. Thank you! It is nice to have the easy to pick up and put down knit on the needles, isn't it? Happy knitting!

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  18. woah, theys some cold temperatures you got there! definitely stay in and create, play, drink tea weather.

    delicious colours, i always do a happy dance when yarn/cloth/thread/etc enters my home lol

    i haven't crocheted something in a while.. stitching away plenty....

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    1. They certainly are, and I am hoping they don't last much longer, I want to go outside and play :)

      Happy stitching!

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  19. That's a crazy winter!!! so so cold, I'm sure you're better knit than stay outside!!!! this yarn looks amazing. It's a real beauty, you're right! On my needles these days: I just finished the little rainbow cardigan for lili two days ago, I a sort of worry came to me... what will be on my needles... and then, with some leftover yarns, I began another cardigan (Kyoto) forher.... ouf! I can breathe breathe, something else is on my needles :)

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    1. It has been. Today there is the promise of slightly warmer weather...-10C. It will feel balmy after the weekend :)

      I can't wait to see the cardigan for Lili, and yay for leftover yarn and new knits...enjoy!

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  20. I do so love the colours you choose for your projects. Just beautiful.

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  21. when yarn comes in the mail I think every knitter does a happy dance. lovely skeins you have picked out. So pretty. I love the knit you have on the needles!!

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    1. Haha, yes, I bet they do :) Thank you Karen.

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  22. Oh how I love these yarns! I am still keeping my eye out for the perfect project for my skein. That shawl is certainly a welcome burst of color amidst the February slump. We just had about a foot dumped on us yesterday. I can't complain really, considering the mild sunny weather we've been having. It is a shock though! The sun is shining on us today and we are headed out for a snowshoe\sled\walk soon.

    John's Strond vest is still on the needles. Almost done with the second front panel and then just sewing up to do! I also just finished a pair of slippers for Mattheus but I'm hemming and hawing over sewing on soles. I'm dreaming of Opal's birthday sweater. I do love that time of dreaming of patterns and yarn.

    Hope it warms up before too long up there!

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    1. They are pretty awesome, aren't they? It is, I am loving every minute of knitting it up, it makes me smile.

      Yay for snow!!!! Hope you enjoyed your time outside, little man and I hit the woods this morning, it was a warm -10C. We joked together about how warm it felt compared to the weekend.

      I say go for the soles, it will finish them off perfectly :) Can't wait to see what you decide of Opal.

      Hugs to you. xo

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  23. That really does sound cold! Love those yarn colours though, whatever you make is sure to be beautiful.

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    1. Oh Sally, it was so cold, right down to your bones. Even the dog didn't want to go out.

      They are pretty awesome, Camilla has a way with colour :)

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  24. Oh I love that blue! -32 that just seems to be a typo to me. :) Sending you warm desert air dearest!

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    1. It is lovely, isn't it? No typo, it has been downright cold, although we had a few days this week where it felt downright balmy at -12C :) Today we are back to the deep freeze though, our high today is -27C with the windchill.

      Thanks my friend, it won't be long and I will be walking on the beach with my little man, soaking up the sun and dipping my toes in the ocean.

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  25. that is going to be one gorgeous shawl!

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  26. Well in our home its the 8 year old who is the knitting star! She just started with a new handwork teacher and knitting group because she's far surpassed my skills! She is working on a fun flag garland/banner & learning felting. I'll have to get pics up on my blog.

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    1. I love seeing little hands knitting. That sounds amazing, so wonderful for her. And how lovely to have found someone who can continue teaching her where you left off.

      Yes on the photos, would love to see what she is working on.

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  27. LoVe the colors of your new yarns ! ♥

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  28. oh! they are absolutely beautiful!! and your lovely little stitches look so good on them. i am not knitting a thing at the moment but really feel the need to start up again. it actually been years. i don't know why it just hasn't been calling to me... maybe i just need to get some sping yarn like you did :) happy knitting!

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    1. Thank you Jenny. I agree, grab some spring coloured yarn and get knitting :)

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