knitting

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mmmmpumpkin

Well, the mitts are coming along slowly, and a little painfully. This is the first time I’ve used size 1 needles – look at how tiny the stitches are! I worry this may mark my descent into knitting insanity… I’ve put them aside for the evening as I frantically attempt to finish my scarf for the Creativ Festival tomorrow. SO EXCITED!

My lack of mitt progress can likely partially be attributed to my recent baking fixation. This week was pumpkin cake with apple cider glaze. So tasty, yet so easy = delightful. Thanks to canadianchia for the recipe 🙂 Please excuse the horrible picture of the half-eaten slice I took for lunch…

And here’s a library-related random discovery of the day:

This is the picturesque teeny library of the community on the island of Flatey, Iceland (bókasafnið í Flatey). (via @Librarianista)

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A week through pictures

It’s been a busy week! Here’s a montage of the nature-y, home-makin’ goodness I’ve been up to.

The boyfriend’s parents have an orchard of sorts. Perhaps we took a little too much home this weekend…

This was the result:

Met up with the bro on Tuesday. We had a Toronto wilderness adventure, which included this (attempt) at tree climbing.

The mits are off to a slow start, but look! the cuff is almost done. Plus I get to show off my seasonally-hued nails 😉

My prize from Knit Like You Mean It’s book giveaway came yesterday!

and to boot a fabulous coworker thought of me and my yarn obsession and picked up this keychain for me. I was so touched!

(yes, I also have a TARDIS on my keychain. Keychains are cool.)

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Geekery on the needles

I have officially started my Jayne Cobb hat!!!

 

 

 

 

Cunning, ain’t it?

 

I was plunged even deeper into the rabbit hole of nerdom when I stumbled across Pixelatedmushroom‘s delightful Doctor Who plushie patterns. I am ridiculously excited and will be making one as soon as I get the time.

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Knitting in Vegas

It’s been a couple of weeks, I know. I have a good excuse! I was in Las Vegas. The strip was all that it’s chalked-up to be, but the highlight for me was definitely the Grand Canyon.

Didn’t get much knitting in, besides some on the plane (you can bring needles now! though I erred on the side of caution and stayed away from metal) and on the 4 hours bus ride to the canyon. At least I got a start on the scarf though.

I need to have it done by the time the Creativ Festival rolls around at the end of October. I want my free gift! (of course, giving to charity is a great added bonus too 🙂

Aaaannnd I have yet another book I am hankering to buy: Amigurumi Two!: Crocheted Toys for Me and You and Baby Too by Ana Rimoli.

So. much. cute! Just look at this little guy. He fits INTO the pear! And this is by far the cutest mobile I have ever seen.

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Something fishy

When I stumbled across this, I had to share. Such a cute idea! Using local, volunteered handicrafts to raise awareness and funds = awesome. Plus I have a soft spot for museums, our fellow information institutions ❤

Top Tip Tuesday: Knautical Knitting.

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Yarn Porn

Obsessions among those given to needle crafts is taken as a given these days. Knitters and crocheters often talk about obscene amounts of “stash” they have squirreled away in every nook and cranny of their homes. Pattern collecting is another sore affliction, one from which yours truly suffers.

However, of late I have developed a new compulsion: more and more I find myself taking armloads of books home from the library, and then proceeding to purchase my favourites.

Like this             and this 

and this        and this

The list goes on, and my wallet suffers.

These glossy tomes are of the new breed of pattern book. Glossy pages, expert photography, and professional modeling abound. I know just by looking at the complex patterns, perfect fits, and sumptuous non-acrylic (and therefore expensive) yarns that most of these pieces I will never ever make, yet I can’t help but gawk. You are likely aware of the term food porn. I declare that yarn porn is just as serious a phenomenon. Based on my reconnaissance of this blog and this tumblr account, it appears I am not alone.