It finally feels like summer

This weekend I had the most perfect summer morning experience. The patio door was open and I could hear the birds chirping outside. The sunshine was streaming through the windows and the kitchen smelled of freshly brewed coffee. The kids were playing quietly and happily, no arguing, yelling or throwing tantrums. For once.

My knitting needles were clicking away on a swatch that makes me very happy.

A while back I blogged about a family heirloom that is very dear to me. It is my only knitted family heirloom. A little baby dress in a stitch that was a mystery to me for the longest time. I pulled it out recently for Sienna, she's just the right size for it, and it reignited my curiosity. So I poured over stitch dictionaries and I searched and searched until I finally found it! 

It is appropriately called the "Oyster Stitch". I've got plans for it, great plans, and I cannot wait to show you more. For now, I am happy experimenting around. 

This discovery comes at a great time, because I have felt a little stuck in my knitting. Ever since I finished the "spark of Grey" shawl, I have been ridiculously indecisive and have been unable to pick my next project. I am looking for a summer project, and there are some great ones out there, but I am having a difficult time choosing a summer-appropriate yarn. Any suggestions? Advice? I would love your input. Currently my top choices are Vaara, Ashby Tee, Over the Top top, and Togue pond.

A favorite toy, another try

It's always been important to me that I teach my children a love of reading. Books are such a special way to learn about the world, but also escape. My kids' library is quite extensive, and we keep adding to it. It's fun to research books, and watch them get lost in the stories.

One of my favourite childhood reads  is "The Velveteen Rabbit". It's such a heartwarming, charming story. At the moment, Aidan is in superhero mode, so this particular story does not appeal to him too much, but I am hoping that maybe when Sienna is older she will learn to love it also.

In the meantime, as sort of a preparation, I thought I'd give her something to love, cuddle and play with. When I first started getting serious about my knitting, one of the projects I attempted, was a bear for Aidan. It was certainly ambitious at that time, and the result was a toy resembling a pig more then a bear. (you can read all about it here).

But that was a few years ago. I felt ready to give it another try. A little stuffed animal for Sienna. Are you familiar with the "Bunny girl in a dotty dress" pattern by Julie Williams? It's absolutely adorable.

It is a very clear pattern, with lots of photographs to clarify the instructions. If you are not a fan of seaming however, stay away, because the majority of your time will be spent doing just that. But it will be worth it in the end! 

Now I only hope that she will be loved and squeezed but those chubby adorable fingers, and that she'll be a constant and cherished companion.

Now...for names....any suggestions?

Ravelry page

Vintage Knitting Gadget

You know you’ve made a reputation of being an avid knitter, when your friends, the ones that do not know anything about knitting, keep an eye out for knitting supplies.

A dear friend of mine jumped on the opportunity to bring me, what she called her grandmother’s “knitting machine”.

So, machine is perhaps overstating it, when she unpacked it, I had to admit I had never before seen anything like it. Her grandmother, who is now in her 80’s, purchased it in her youth, and used it for years, but her failing eyesight has made it hard to continue knitting with it. As she lives a continent away, it is impossible to get a proper training from her, so I am a little stumped. 

I of course turned to Ravelry, searched through a few groups, asked a few questions, and the best answer I have gotten is that it looks a lot like a knitting board or frame. 

Next step is to stalk youtube for hopefully some good instructional videos and then I cannot wait to put it to use.

Is there anyone else out there that owns interesting knitting gadgets? Old and new? Anyone use a knitting board and feel like giving me a crash course?

A Piece of the Past

Whether you are a knitter or not, I am sure that your childhood wardrobe contained at least a few hand-knitted items. I remember some of mine... there were a few sweaters, booties, a dress, but most vividly I remember a hat. 

A white hat that tied under the chin and had a little flower embroidered on the front. We all wore it, my sister, my cousin and I. It figures quite prominently in my childhood photos.

So when my sister asked if I would knit some winter hats for my nieces, I immediately thought of this piece. I set to find a pattern that resembles it. There are a few similar ones, but the one I liked the most was the "Norwegian Sweet Baby Cap". 

It is such a quick and simple knit, you can whip it up in no time! What I like most about it, is the fact that you can tie it, which is practical when your toddler's deft little fingers always find a way to pull off hats. 

Do you have knits that are modelled on childhood ones? Any favourite patterns you'd like to tell me about?

Ravelry details here

Mystery pattern

The more I knit, the more I tend to notice patterns around me. There’ll be a woman’s scarf on the metro, or a pair of mitts, a child’s hat. There is so much inspiration out there, and at the same time so much to learn.

I did not have to look too far though, for the subject of this post. My adorable little niece received this stunning hand-knit dress, as a gift. I would love to be able to replicate this pattern, but I have had no luck identifying the type of stitch. For once, the internet has failed me!

So I am asking all of you knitters out there to help me figure out what this stitch is called.  Someone must know….