Love this

:: Really really want to make these lavender bags.

:: Baby kimonos how-to.

:: Little felt woodland cottage (oh the toadstools!)

:: Sometimes, one zipper is just not enough. Et alors, the triple zips!

:: This greyellow heart hat.

:: Hello March. When I was in highschool, we'd have morning announcements and a different class would take a turn offering up a thought for the day. One class came up with "Be excellent to each other" - a hat tip to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. But when it was time for the kid to actually deliver this thought on the PA system, he got nervous and instead spat out, "Be nice to people". Kids were mad that he had messed it up but frankly, either way it worked. In any case, March, please be excellent. 

Cascade beret

A bright little beret as winter winds down (wind down winter, would you already?!).

I had some leftover fuschia from Lynn's hexagon blanket that was hollering to be used (fuschia can be like that sometimes. Nobody puts fuschia in the corner).

Details - 

The pattern: Cascade beret (free)

The yarn: Cascade 220 - which is a heavier yarn that the pattern calls for and hence yielded a chunkier result.

The needles: Good ole dependable 4 mm

Size: Medium

p.s. A friend mentioned she left some comments on the blog that never made it to the other side. Sorry if this has happened to you - it's a technical mystery in which the blog chews up comments and leaves no trace. Will try to figure it out.

Easy grunge gloves

Some quick and satisfying crocheted fingerless gloves for my friend EJ. Love this yarn's pretty halo.

The details - 

The yarn: Classic Elite Moorland (a few leftovers from a long finished project)

The pattern: Grunge gloves

Hook: 4 mm

It's been a year since I started this little blog and I'd just like to say thanks! for coming by and checking in and leaving sweet comments! thank you thank you thank you ;)

Hot shots

I like to think of my mittens as second purses and I stash my train fare card, my car keys and house keys, sometimes a packet of kleenex (if I'm sick), sometimes a small packet of mints (if I need a little freshening), and if I'm taking the subway or streetcar some spare change. It helps that I have smallish hands but I know most of the time, I look a bit ridic.

That said, I had the good idea that I should add one more thing to my mitten-purse - Some little heat pouches! My hands have been very stiff and angry in the mornings and it has been bitterly cold. I am hoping that these little hot pockets will help ease the pain. 

I used this nice tutorial and some scraps to make the envelopes. I used one small spoonful of brown basmati rice per pouch. Heat them up in the microwave for 20 seconds and they are ready to go. I think this would make a sweet idea to gift along with a pair of mittens too at Christmas.

Happy Valentine's Day

xoxoxox

Back to Bella

New year, new pair of Bella mittens. This one is for a friend who lost a pair that I made for her last year during my outta control Bella bender. Luckily I have lots of that same yarn stashed (at one point in time, I thought I would make a green February Lady sweater - A few years later, with six skeins untouched, I opted to make Bella mittens instead. I think it was absolutely the right call).

Love this pattern and the finished product. So quick and satisfying.

The details:

Dream in Color Classy stranded with Fleece Artist Tara mohair

5 mm needles

Bella mittens

A little February magic

Just a little February magic to get us through the winter blues and blahs and blecks.

Oh and some links to stuff I like too... because sometimes that helps.

:: These dear little knitted bunnies would be so perfect for Easter

:: Wooden bead trivet DIY

:: Goodness gracious pot holder beauties

:: Rosemary. Parmesan. Popcorn.

::  Interesting reading on regret, life, happiness, etc.

:: This fabric line - especially the vintage typewriters. (Oh how I loved the clack clack clack of keys in my grade nine learn to type class)

Happy weekend friends.

ms. fingerless gloves and zipped pouches

A few weeks ago, my friend Viv asked if I might have something to add to her fundraiser for  the Toronto Masque Theatre. Because I am largely a one-trick pony, I thought I would go to my old standards - fingerless gloves and zipped pouches. Let's be honest, this blog might as well be called ms. fingerless gloves and zipped pouches (which is perhaps too specific but accurate nonetheless).

The details:

Fingerless gloves - Three leaf mittens

Yarn: Cascade 220

Needles 4 mm

Notes - These were pretty tight before I washed and blocked them (then they bloomed quite nicely). Next time though, I would consider bumping up to 4.5 mm.

The pouches - Boulangerie fabric from Quilt A Bag, Paris map from Greenwood Quiltery.

So happy to have snagged a ticket for this Thursday's show - something fun and French to look forward to :)