Eula

 

This past spring I knit up Eula, a pattern by Amy Christoffers. I fell in love with the top as soon as I saw it in Berroco #358, Berroco Modern Cotton™ Women. I used the yarn it called for, Berroco Modern Cotton™. It’s got a beautiful feather and fan lace section along the back neckline. Eula is truly a sophisticated summer t-shirt. I knit up the 38” bust size using US 7 - 4.5 mm needles. I did a single crochet around neck instead of picking up stitches & binding off. I liked the look of it, and to be honest, I hate picking stitches on a neckline. I also added 3” of length to the top as I like my tops longer. I am very happy with the results of this project. It was a quick knit that I finished just in time to wear out for my birthday in June.

 

Habs Hats

Recently Mackenzie asked me to knit him up a Habs hat. The first one I knit up, didn’t fit Mackenzie, so I gave it to Quentin so then I had to knit another one for Mackenize as the hat was his request. I actually managed to get 2 hats out of the 3 balls of yarn that I used. I used a generic hat pattern from my memory to cast on the first hat, and adjusted for Mackenzie’s head for the second hat, adding stitches and rows. I used both US 10½ - 6.5 mm and US 11 - 8.0 mm needles for both hats. That hats were both very quick knits and I used colors 331, 301 and 351 in Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 40. You can view the details of Mack’s hat here, and the details of Quentin’s hat here.

Polar Bears

Today I was in the West Island section (page 23) of the Montreal Gazette. I was called by the Gazette last Thursday and they tried to come out on Thursday evening to my knit-a-long that I hosted at the shop, but they couldn’t get a photographer. They were able to get one for the next day, during my 4th knit-a-long at the shop for this project. The whole idea was that we were going to get the community together to knit these bears, I would have them on display in my shop for a brief period of time, and then we will donate them to charity. The West Island Women’s Shelter will be taking a large portion of them, and then the rest, we will either try to find another charity to donate them to, or I’ve had requests to sell them, and then give the proceeds to charity. I will see how many are leftover after the shelter takes them. My goal is to have 100 bears. I have given out over 120+ kits with the pattern (which we adapted from another free pattern we found, but I made some changes to it to look more bear like) and gave enough yarn (in either white or off white, some of which one of my suppliers donated (to fill the first 70 kits), the rest (about 50 kits now), I donated from either my personal yarn stash and some from the shop too). From the over 120+ kits that I handed out, I have already received just over 50 bears back, completed. They are all so cute, and each have their own personality! Here are some that I have made:

These two above, are little ones I made, to test out the pattern. The first one, on the left, was made using the original pattern that I found for free online. I wasn’t 100% happy with the face, so I made the one on the right, which was test number 2.

Above, is teenage bear. I used some very thick yarn (Bravo Big by SMC) on 10mm needles to knit this guy up.

And this is Mama bear. I used SMC Bravo Big with the yarn held doubled on 15 mm needles to knit her up. She is awesome. I just love her. You can see below, how much bigger she is from the teenage bear. You can also see in the image at the top of this post, that was in the newspaper today, her size compared to the little baby bears.

I really hope this project brings smiles to children’s faces. That was the plan from the beginning, when I decided to launch this project. I cannot wait to see the entire project finished. I have 2 more bears that need to be completed, I have been playing around with different textures of white yarn to create the bears. I will definitely post a picture of the display once all the bears are up.

Easy Fingerless Mitts

 

I needed a project to work on while I was in the Dominican Republic this past September. Something that was easy and that I could work on while on the beach sipping fruity beverages. I had been wanting to make myself a pair of fingerless mitts for work, so I thought this would be the best time to knit them up. The pattern is Easy Fingerless Mitts by Roxanne Richardson. I used some leftover Project B Worsted Superwash that I had in my stash from a previous project. It was a quick knit indeed, on 5mm needles. This project used just under 100 yards of yarn. And now, my hands will be warm this winter in my office, and I’ll think about my trip to Punta Cana while wearing them. (I’ll blog about my trip very soon).   

Top This!

 

This summer we got in a shipment of DMC Top This! hat kits and they flew off the shelves. We have re-ordered a few times and they keep flying out the doors! They’re so cute, it’s no wonder. I made a soccer ball kit as a store sample and when Quentin saw it he wanted one too. The store sample (left hand top image), I made in newborn size. Quentin’s hat was knit up in an adult small. Mackenzie asked me for one too, then changed his mind, after I started knitting it, but now wants me to finish it, so once I am finished a few other projects I have going on, I am going to get back to Mack’s soccer ball hat. I’ll have to add rows on the adult small pattern to fit Mackenzie’s 7 & and a half year old head. I also knit up a cat kit for a gift for a someone’s daughter. The ball band comes with the smallest (newborn) and the largest (adult small) on the ball band, however additional in-between sizes can be found online here. Also, a crochet version of the hat is now currently available here. These hats are a quick knit on 5.5mm needles are a lot of fun to make. You can view all the available hats kits here.

Mack’s 1st Lost Tooth

Mackenzie finally lost his first tooth on Friday! 2 months into grade 2. He was so excited! He’s showing everyone that he lost his first tooth, it’s so cute.

Baseballtastic

 

I started this Gaptastic at the beginning of my son’s baseball season and worked on it here & there throughout the summer at games, between other projects. I finally cast off yesterday. This is my go-to project when I want to socialize and knit. You can view the details on ravelry here. I knit my Gaptastics to 10” wide instead of 15” as I do not like it to be too bulky around my neck. 10” is a perfect width. This colorway is nice but unfortunately it’s been discontinued by James C. Brett. I can’t have too many Gaptastics for my next fall/winter wardrobe. This is actually the 6th one I’ve knit for my fall wardrobe. I have 2 or 3 other colors I want to make it in too…

A is for Alexander

This is the project I’ve been working on most of the summer. I started it on the 3rd of July and finished it on August 18th. It was a secret for most of the summer as it was for a gift for a fellow knitter/crocheter who follows me on Ravelry, Instagram, etc…. so I barely posted any pictures of it, and when I did, it was in black & white and you couldn’t tell what I was working on. The pattern is the ABC Bobble Blanket by Gwen Antesberger. You can see my project on Ravelry here. I used a 6mm crochet hook with the Berroco Vintage yarn as I felt the 5mm hook was making it too tight for the project. The project used a lot of yarn… 2,008 meters, 10.12 skeins! I finally gave the gift to Alexander, so I finally can show you the project! I loved it so much, I almost didn’t want to give it away.

First Day of School 2015

First day of Grade 3, and Sean wants to be a goalie in the NHL or play in the MLB.

First day of Grade 2, and Mackenzie would like to play in the NHL when he grows up.

Reach for the stars boys, anything is possible.

Winner :: Vivacious KIDS

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of the Vivacious KIDS eBook, I had Lasik eye surgery on Friday and needed to give my eyes a couple of extra days of not focusing on the computer screen. Without further delay, the winner of the eBook is: Binthereknitthat (Heather)! Congrats Heather. You will be sent the eBook on Ravelry. Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest.

Vivacious KIDS :: Review & Giveaway!

 

I got the opportunity to review Vivacious KIDS, an eBook with 7 kids patterns in it for children aged 2 & 10 designed by both Ella Austin & Rachel Coopey. The patterns are all shown in Fibrespates Vivacious DK an 4 ply yarns. (Unfortunately I do not own any Fibrespates yarn). The eBook features 2 hats, 2 sweaters (one cardigan & one pullover), a pair of socks, a jumper and a pair of mittens).

 

Right away I was drawn to the Swashbuckle hoody pattern. I also really like the Jack-be-nimble hat as it uses sock yarn, and boy do I have plenty of that in my stash. With 3 young boys who are growing fast, I’m always on the look-out for nice knitting patterns for them. All these patterns would look great using handdyed yarn. They look like classic designs, and I definitely like ageless pieces. Some styles are great for hand-me-downs, especially when you have 3 children of the same sex. What I like is that any of these patterns (except the little dress of course), could be knit for a boy or girl. This is a well rounded book with lots of extra information, such as help with sizing guidance, gauge, techniques and very useful links to tutorials online. I always love great pictures in pattern books, and the photography by Jesse Wild is wonderful.

Jeni at Fyberspates has kindly given me the opportunity to host a giveaway of this eBook.  I am offering one of my lucky readers the chance to win and in order to do so, I am asking you to leave a comment on this post and let me know which one is your favourite pattern from this collection. Let me know which one and why! You can view all the patterns here. Also, please either leave your Ravelry ID or your email address if you are not on Ravelry so that the eBook can be sent to you. I'll pick the winner Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 at 10pm (EST).

If you cannot wait to see if you’ve won and must purchase this awesome eBook now, you can purchase Vivacious Kids on Ravelry using an exclusive discount code I have to offer you. Use the code: KnitPurlMama to receive 25% off the book or any of the single patterns from now until Sunday, August 9th, 2015. If you do win the collection and you did buy the collection, Fyberspates will reimburse you.

Do let me know if you knit any of these lovely patterns, I’d love to see how they turn out!

Note: I was gifted a copy of Viviacious Kids Pattern Book to review however all opinions in this review are my own.

Montreal Comic Con 2015

 

This past weekend we went to Montreal’s Comic Con. This year, all 5 of us went. (Last year, Quentin stayed home with my parents). This year, we re-used our costumes from last year, as Comic Con got moved up from September to July and we ran out of time to do something different. We will be better prepared for next year. Two years ago I was Rainbow Brite & the year before that I was Wonder Woman.

 

My cousin Jenn, came with us this year, and she made her Sprocket (Skylanders) costume herself. She knitted and stitched on canvas her costume. It was pretty darn awesome!

 

I am a fan of the show Arrow. Last year, I got to meet Stephen Amell. This year, I got to meet David Ramsey & John Barrowman (below, left picture). That was pretty darn awesome.

 

This year, Mackenzie was Robin. Last year, Sean was. They swapped costumes this year to be different!

 

I thought these costumes were awesome. Jawas from Star Wars (left) and Weeping Angel from Doctor Who (right). I have not yet watched an episode of Doctor Who, but maybe I’ll check it out on Netflix.

This year Comic Con was fun! Can’t wait for next year.

10 Inches

In 2013 I cut of 13” to donate to make a wig and yesterday, I cut off another 10” to donate. It was getting too long and I was fed up with my hair. It is a fresh new look for Spring. I am very happy with the cut. I am sending it off to the Pantene Program. I actually shocked my hair dresser when I told him what I wanted to do. No one has ever come in to his salon to do that before. I like shocking people sometimes! Especially for a good cause.

On the Gaptastic Wagon

After finishing my black/grey Gaptastic I had to start one in this beige tone! Marble Chunky by James C. Brett is awesome for this project. Ever since I knit up one as a sample for my shop, I’ve wanted a bunch for my wardrobe. I’ll be ready for next fall with an entire collection of them, I hope. I love wearing infinity scarves, so these will be a perfect addition to my wardrobe. I am knitting mine to 10” instead of the 15" that the pattern is written for. 15” is too chunky/wide for me as an infinity scarf. Used the same 9 mm needle as all the others, and didn’t alter anything else in the pattern except for the width it was knitted to. On to the next one…

Quentin’s Vernissage

 

On Friday, Quentin had his vernissage for school. Every spring, for the last 8 years, I’ve had a vernissage at our daycare. Each kid has made a painting that has taken a few weeks to make (in stages – see pictures below). I was blown away with Quentin’s painting this year – it’s even got a picture of Quentin climbing to the moon! His painting is based on an Eric Carle book called Papa Please Get the Moon for Me. I’ve got a little artist on my hands. I can’t wait to find a place to hang this up on the wall!