To you...

X is for...

... Oaxaca, Mexico!
Yes, I am still jonesing over this fantastic and inspiring paradise!

I'm plotting and formulating.... hmmmm...
my wabi sabi oaxacan life?

Homecoming...

...for the Modern Quilt Wrap!
After a grand tour Trunk Show of North America for the book Folk Style, my wrap is back.... for good!!!
I forgot how lovely the colours are...

it is oh so soft and light...
... me happy!

Knitty is up...

... and one of my designs is in it!!!
Grab your sticks and click here to get to it!

Warning...

... Canadian content ahead!
Sorry, but chances are if you are not Canadian and keeping up with our political shenanigans you won't be rolling on the floor and howling at this one.....

W is for...

... Winter Weather Warning!
Those who make up the weather have us looking skyward for the first big snowfall of the season.
We were to have a "big storm" last weekend, but nothing happened.... maybe today.
We have hauled and stacked wood on the porch so it is dry; the snow shovels were found in the shed out back and are now at the ready just outside the kitchen door; the battery backup is charging in case the power goes; the house is heady with the aroma of pot roast and root veggies; and I am sipping from a big mug filled with Earl Grey tea with honey and lemon.
I have only one thing to say...

OK winter... bring it on!!!!snow storm 2007

*** update December 1st***
no snowstorm... just lots of yucky sideways blowing rainy sleet

It's fun... try it...

.... Buy Nothing Day!



If you live in the United States your day of shopping freedom is Friday, November 28th.
One second after midnight on that day you begin. Yippppeeeeee!

For some reason the rest of the world has to wait until one second after midnight Saturday, November 29th.... pooh!

Now... here is the only "rule":

Buy absolutely nothing for 24 hours!

How easy is that?

And, being the crafty sort I know you are, I suggest that you take this day to make some heartfelt gifts for holiday giving. Bake. Sew. Knit. Felt. Play with paper. Whatever your poison... make it!

Heck, if Saturday goes well I just might stretch it out to Buy Nothing Weekend!
Have fun and enjoy this catchy little ditty as you play...

Cold hands...

... need a warm gift.

I made these warm, snugly mittens for a young lady named, Marelis. She was born and raised in hot, humid, sultry Cuba. So, exactly why did I make her mittens? Well, she is about to endure her first winter in cold, damp, very un-sultry England.

They were quick to make!! I knit both hands--- while figuring out the pattern--- in one casual evening and then knit the thumbs, stitched the snowflakes and sewed up the seams the next. They are knit flat so the stitching can be done easily.

They are now winging their way across the Atlantic and will hopefully arrive before the first snow flies...

I have written up the pattern so you can warm some hands this winter, also.

Click here to download a free copy.

Now you have one less excuse to not gift handmade this Christmas...

U and V are for...

... an unbelievable vacation!

Oaxaca, Mexico...

for Dias de los Muertos.

With candlelit altars...

colourful carvings...
happy chocolate cake with hot chocolate chasers...

at a favourite cafe...

a wonderful face from the past...

a wonderful face for the future...natural dyed wools...

perfect Margaritas....

tasty Chapulines.... fried grasshoppers with chili, salt and lime. Really... tasty!!

and everything scented with Marigolds.

I will never enjoy this citrusy scent again without thinking of Oaxaca..... ahhhhhhhhhhh.....

It all starts with...

... the arrival of an envelope.

Inside one finds this...

And after a whole bunch of reading and re-reading one does this...

And with that, a new book begins!!

This, fellow knitters, is the start of my latest book with Interweave Press. As usual, I can share precious little about the project at this time. What I can divulge is all the projects will be of my design... there will be additions of very special non-knit thingies... publication date is--- fingers-crossed-- late Spring 2010.

Now, I am back to my drawing board and yarn basket to have great fun.... with spurts of mild dread. Don't worry, I'll share as much as I can... when I can!!

Thank you...

... America!

image from fffound

To learn...

.... to laugh and to create.

I figure learning, laughing and creating is what it's all about!

My Web Wandering Wednesday offers one link for each.

To learn, click here.

The Story of Stuff will make you think twice about your next unnecessary purchase...

To laugh, click here.
Best Story Ever is a segment from the best show on Canadian-- maybe all-- television, The Hour...

To create, click here.

Popknits is a sweetly retro new knit 'zine...

Enjoy Dias de Los Muertos!

A plain brown envelope...

... arrived at the post office last week and it was for me!

Inside I found a copy of this....

Color Style is the latest collaboration from the dynamic design/editing duo of Pam Allen and Ann Budd. As expected, the selection of designs created by a tasty collection of A-List designers is causing me to dig about my stash. A few that really caught my eye are...

Peace and Love Gloves by Veronik Avery

Honeycomb Turtleneck by Deborah Newton

Faux-Embroidery Yoke Sweater by Robin Melanson

My contribution to the book was the Fun Flower Mittens...

Lately, small projects have been making me the happiest and I know I am not alone. With small knittings more focus can be paid to new techniques and/or special finishing without being overwhelmed and giving up. I would suggest this as a good first Intarsia project for an otherwise semi-experienced knitter. There is just enough colour changing going on that it will be a challenge. However, the small scale makes it very manageable.

The beads are easily applied after all the knittin' and stichin' have been completed. I like the way they create interest and "shine" to the otherwise flat, lusterless wool. A little bit of bead yin to yarn yang...

I'll repeat here what I shared on Ravelry about this project...

I have always loved Intarsia knitting! I know many will look at this as a daunting project, but I say pshaw! A main key to enjoying Intarsia is to do away with those stupid plastic thingies that are sold for the process— I personally think that they were developed in vengeance by a man who felt he was second to his wife’s knitting! For larger areas of colour, simply make yarn butterflies— doesn't that sound lovely?

Here is a web site that does a great job explaining…

R is for...

... Rhinebeck and the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival!

Some of you may have noticed a noticeable gap between the letters "Q" and "S". I was mulling the feasibility of a virgin Rhinebeck Pilgrimage and thought it would be the perfect "R" if it was realized. Well, mulling became map routing, then room booking, and some day/timer shifting and before we knew it Skeeter was in the truck itching to go!

I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Sheep? Yes. Wool? Yes. Everything else? NO! I was so creatively overloaded by the sights, sounds and smells I am still processing as I type. And, I have a shocking confession.... I bought absolutely nothing.... nada... niente... zilch! There was so much choice my synapses misfired and I simply shut down!!!

What I did take away from Rhinebeck were perfect colours...

perfect faces...

and perfect moments...

I have already started plotting my next Rhinebeck visit. Yes, there will be a next time... this trip was to wet my toes in the Rhinebeck Experience.

My next adventure will start with a vehicle full of fiberlicious females, a "chick music" play list on my Ipod, and a fantastic selection of Merlot and Pinot Noir for the end of each day...

Oh, FYI....Top 2 knit sightings were:

Eunny Jang's Tangled Yoke Cardigan

Pamela Wynn's February Lady Sweater

Both have been on my To-Do List since they appeared from the creative ether where inspiring designs lay in wait. Ahhhhh, so many knits......

From lemons...

... to lemonade!

Last fall-- just about this time-- I started poking about my closet shelf of store-bought sweaters with preparation for the winter months in mind. I stress "store-bought" because my closet is small and shared. I have a whole, large unshared cupboard containing hand knits... thank you very much ;-)

For a person known to celebrate colour in her design work, I must admit that my shelf is filled mostly of sweaters in variations of grey, oatmeal and stone. Every so often a spark of colour in a shade of a "dead fruit or vegetable" can be caught.... off pumpkin, off rhubarb, off zucchini.

Last year, with a gasp, I grieved the loss of one of the brighter sweaters in my life. A pullover as close to chartreuse that I would dare to wear--- maybe it was closer to dead lime. It was pure wool, loosely knit into a simple v-neck with casual, lightly curling cuffs and hem. It was as light as three feathers. I had worn it for years and it was beginning to show it's age. I envisioned it eventually becoming a "gardening" or "camping" sweater.... but no, this was not to be. One word changed it's fate....

MOTHS!!!

Country living contributes to all sorts of "loss due to critters". One does one's best to thwart the destruction, but every so often the critters win. But, me thinks, the critters may not have won....

"Pure wool, eh?", I mused. Hmmmmmmm........ FELT IT!!!

I did not think to photographically document the perfection of felted fabric my chartreuse lovely created. Most of the body was used-- in bits and bobs-- in various felt applique projects I puttered at. But, like the "oysters" of a chicken or the "cheeks" of a pickerel, I saved the sleeves for a special purpose.... I was not sure at the time for what, but I knew it was to be special.

Fast forward to last week...... and a bit of retail therapy. I picked up a stone coloured, angora blend, garter stitch cardi that Laura Petrie would have been proud to pair with her capris. But... boy sleeves are sure short these days! Are sleeves the new hemline indicator of our economic health?!? Anyway, something was needed to fill the seven inches of bare forearm before winter's arrival...... pickerel cheeks!!!

Just add a little bit of embroidery.....

I do love lemonade!!!

I can't stop...

... watching and listening.

Lhasa....

T is for...

... Twist Collective.
If you have not been to this incredible publication headed by Kate Gilbert, grab a cuppa and plop yourself down.... now!
I have reason to believe that the second issue is about to drop!

POOF.....

... there went September... and a good chunk of October, to boot!!

This time of year always seems to get away from me..... putting away summer's diversions and readying a welcome for the coming cold.

I have also been busy preparing "background stuff" for an exciting announcement that will keep me happily focused for the foreseeable future. Nothing has been "finalized" so I wish not to jinx myself with a premature happy dance.

Speaking of happy dances.... today, in Canada, is Thanksgiving Day!!!!

I can’t think of a better way to share my bounty than to offer a pattern for a bag that I keep making and making and making and making for myself and friends…. enjoy!

Yes, the yarn has been discontinued…. those who have loved this yarn still feel the pain. I have suggested a few subs in the pattern, but I would love to hear– and see– what you come up with!
Click here for a copy!

Happy Knitting and Bird/Pig Day!