Happy Canada Day!

Now that’s Canadian!

After the adventure of the exploding cans (long and messy story); we decided that Hancs pulled pork on a Bun with fries was the way to go on Canada Day.

So we were driving down the road and there waiting at the bus stop this was a tall kid. He had a hockey stick over his shoulder with a big Canadian flag tied to it. Canadian Eh?

Event: Happy Victoria Day Canada!

I have to admit I have been percolating a bunch of ideas.

Let me see, what first?

Remember these Yoga Socks for Sick Kids Yoga rehab program. Well I don’t like them! They are like standing on marbles,

Yoga Socks for Sick Kids Hospital rehab program

so I am making up a more comfy pattern that can be easily sized up or down.

Namaste Yoga socks – for Sick Kids Hospital Yoga Rehab Program. (My design)

Namaste Yoga socks – and my new project bag.
It reminds me of my first reader, guess that is a bit telling ;0)

I’ve also been motoring away on my latest Kal. Must finish by the end of the month!

Pretty Basic scarf – May Kal 

At 201 stitches, starting the border.

Oh, and all you Canadians out there Happy Victoria Day!

Queen Victoria, the longest serving monarch in British history. Elizabeth will reign longer in a few months.

FYI: For you non-Canadian types;

Elizabeth is also the Queen of Canada, as was her Great, Great, Grandmother, Victoria.

Canada is part of the Commonwealth of Nations (one of 16 nations Elizabeth is Queen of)

We are a sovereign state, with a Constitutional Monarchy.

Therefore we celebrate with a long weekend, and a few fireworks! 

We are taking a stay-vacation. Almost as good as a vacation, but you can sleep in your own bed with your books, knitting and kitties. Kitties don’t like it much, lots of hiding going on.

WIP List = 14

1. Namaste Yoga socks
2. Pretty Basic scarf – May Kal
3. Raglan Baby Cardigan – Church fundraiser
4. Untangled #4
5. Without Moonlight #2 
6. Buttermere #2 – ran out of yarn!
7. EZ’s Baby Surprise Jacket – Fb/Kal almost done!
8. Zuzu’s Petals
9. Cabled Hood with Pockets 
10. Sea of Dreams Blanket
11. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  
12. Rose Harbour Shawl 
13. My Fair Cardi 
14. Simplicity Lace Scarf – Kal/feb2015 done

WIPS 2015 = 13 + 1 = 14

FO’s 2015 = 23

Other FO’s (not fibre) = 14

Long-term Projects = 4

 Stash Used 2015 = 21

Yds of Handspun 2015 = 0

Sewing FO’s 2015 = O

Books 2015 = 7

cya next week :0)

I’m off on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

for my Literary blog, see Totally Austentatious.

Charity Knitting: Stitches to make the world a better place

Spring has sprung in these parts, shorts and tshirts have been pulled out of winter storage and sandals are abroad in the land. The sun is shining and the cats are at the front door watching the kids heading off to school. 

Jack and Willow watching the kids go off to school.

The garden is coming up flowers too.

Tulips and Grape Hyacinths

Meanwhile I have been working on a couple of Charity projects that my local LYS is sponsoring.

Yoga Socks – for Sick Kids rehab 

I leave a long tail when casting on. Weaving back and forth at each pattern repeat. Works for me!
Knitting these magic loop.

Raglan Baby Cardigan (Top-Down)by The Students of Subway Academy II

A 6 month sized cardigan for the Church Craft Sale May 30th.

6X6″ afghan squares or Ukrainian Orphanages 

One a week, to be delivered on Knit night.
2 so far.

FO: His Birthday Socks

Finished these beauties just in time for my sweethearts Birthday. Every year he asks for socks for Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Christmas. He doesn’t always get them, but this is a special one so why not?

WIP List = 15

1. 6X6″ afghan squares or Ukrainian Orphanages (2)
2. Raglan Baby Cardigan – Church fundraiser
3. Untangled #4
4. Without Moonlight #2
5. Yoga Socks – for Sick Kids rehab
6. Be Simply Different Scarf
7. Buttermere #2 – ran out of yarn!
8. EZ’s Baby Surprise Jacket – Fb/Kal almost done!
9. Zuzu’s Petals
10. Cabled Hood with Pockets 
11. Sea of Dreams Blanket
12. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  
13. Rose Harbour Shawl 
14. My Fair Cardi 
15. Simplicity Lace Scarf –  Kal/feb2015 almost done
16. His Birthday Socks

WIPS 2015 =  13 + 2 = 15

FO’s 2015 = 16 + 3 = 19

Other FO’s (not fibre) = 13 

Long-term Projects = 4

 Stash Used 2015 = 19 + 2 = 21

Yds of Handspun 2015 = 0

Sewing FO’s 2015 = O

Books 2015 = 5

cya next week :0)

I’m off on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

for my Literary blog, see Totally Austentatious.

Event: DKC Knit Frolic in Toronto Ontario Cda

Whata busy day Saturday! My friend Bonnie and I set out for Toronto, (about 45mins east) it was a lovely bright sunny day. 

First up went to the DKC Toronto Knitters Frolic with Bonnie Bedford-Jones who did a stellar job of getting us there even though the DVP was closed and traffic was heavy. Bumped into bunches of knit night friends and enjoyed all the enthusiastic fibre fiends, and the lovely knitted items they were sporting. Knitters are the friendliest bunch of people.

Fibreholics congregated at this incredible annual event!

This line looks long, and it was however this event is so well organized that we were in in no time!

We arrived nice and early as I was booked for a family occasion in the afternoon. Yes the line up was long but full of happy and enthusiastic knitters, festooned in beautiful hand knitted items. 

First stop The Purple Purl!

Always busy!

Found this lovely ball of Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal fingering in red. (What not blue or purple?)

Lovely Merino/cashmere

The off to Dye-Version

I invested heavily here last year, so restrained myself this year. 😉

The off to see the girls at Raventwist

Look at the delicious colours!

And I bought Charcoal gray :0)

I just love Starry fingering, this is Spider woman. I have a plan!

And in my perambulations I kept finding knitters that I know.

Some of the giirls from my Knit night group having too much fun!

and

Other lost souls, high on fibre fumes, also from my Knit Night Group.

And this rather talented friend

Wearing her latest creation

and another friend showing me her precious

I spotted this beauty at the frolic. 

It’s called “Vine Bolero” by Emily Johnson. Made in dk. Sadly either I am too fluffy or this pattern is designed for woman who are less Rubenesque! I am contemplating how much alteration would be required to make one to fit…

I stopped at the Fleece Artists Yarn tasting and received a lusciously soft skeinette of BFL,

The Volunteers were busy winding skeins into balls, to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Very well organized too. You can go shopping and retrieve your ball, neatly wound for a small donation, very convenient!

These just followed me home! Raventwist- starry fingering “spider woman” Charcoal gray, Debbie bliss “Fine Donegal in Red. a BFL samplette from fleece artist. 2 small project bags. Lucet and tool, stitch markers disguised as a necklace, a needle case, notions case, a knitters abacus, a card weaving shuttle, and 3mm 40” magic loop circs.

The best part is enjoying the knitwear parade, I like how people are willing to tell you where the pattern for the item they are wearing came from and what it’s made of etc. Only knitters would get it.

One lady informed me that a knitters hand shake is petting something hand knitted someone else is wearing! Lol!

I guess a Spinners hand shake is picking chaff off of something hand knitted someone else is wearing!

Bonnie and I had a wonderful time. We headed home and as my fellas had to cross paths with us on the way to my next engagement, we decided to stop for a delicious lunch at a restaurant along the way. The guyz picked me up from there and we headed to Brantford Ontario, another (2 hours west) for Ashleys first Communion. 

Isn’t she pretty, and she was marvelous! Family and friends went out for dinner and a visit afterward.
We were quite a crowd, I love being part of this big happy family!

We had a great time with family and friends. It was almost midnight by the time we finally made it home.

Totally exhausted, but fell asleep with a smile on my puss!

WIP List = 13

1. Untangled #4
2. Without Moonlight #2
3. Yoga Socks – for Sick Kids rehab
4. Be a Little Different Scarf
5. Buttermere #2 – ran out of yarn!
6. EZ’s Baby Surprise Jacket – Fb/Kal almost done!
7. Zuzu’s Petals
8. His/Hers Socks 
9. Cabled Hood with Pockets 
10. Sea of Dreams Blanket
11. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  
12. Rose Harbour Shawl 
13. My Fair Cardi 
14. Simplicity Lace Scarf –  Kal/feb2015 almost done 

FO’s 2015 = 16

Other FO’s (not fibre) = 13 

WIPS 2015 = 14

Long-term Projects = 4

 Stash Used 2015 = 19

Yds of Handspun 2015 = 0

Sewing FO’s 2015 = O

Books 2015 = 5

cya next week :0)

I’m off on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

for my Literary blog, see Totally Austentatious.

The week that was

Last week was super busy! First true signs of spring, I’m still recovering.

Last Wednesday morning I went to Craft Group at Church

Working on Soapdish Ponchos/ Pot holders 

Dishsoap Poncho, dresses up a dishsoap bottle while drying.

and Drip Stoppers for tea pots and wine bottles

Drip Stopper PDF.

Great stashbuster for leftover dishcloth cotton.

and in the evening a Handspinning Demonstration at Farm Connections with the Durham Handspinning Guild.

Beth, Gwen and I getting ready to demonstrate for the public.

More progress on Romney finger roving

Planning on Christmas mitts for the guyz

Saturday, Bonnie and I headed for The Gathering in Port Hope Ontario Cda.

Wall to wall fibreholics, fibre fumes everywhere!

This was a Spin-in for the local Fibreholics. Some things followed me home.

Some hand dyed Romney wool, equal amount undyed Romney wool. A small spindle, heavy for it’s size, 33gms. I have been looking for a plying spindle with a little more heft. Also a selection of cabled dk cotton for Icord projects.

See posts for each event :0)

I’m also working on my carry along kal.

Without Moonlight bulky shawl, on Row 83

I have my purse project. 

I have some finishing modifications planned for this…think large button holes on finished edge!

and something to work on in the car. 

Be a Little Different Scarf, I started this on Sunday afternoon at the Knitting group meeting in The Fire House Bistro in Orono, north of us.

This week promises to be just about as busy, Dr. appointment, Craft Group, Knit Nite,  shopping and lunch with MiL and a possible lunch with guildiez. And I wondered why I was so tired last week?

WIP List = 14

1. Be a Little Different Scarf
2. Drip Stoppers – for church craft sale
3. Without Moonlight shawl – Kal
4. Dish Soap Poncho #2 – for church craft sale
5. Buttermere #2 – ran out of yarn!
6. EZ’s Baby Surprise Jacket – Fb/Kal almost done!
7. Zuzu’s Petals
8. His/Hers Socks 
9. Cabled Hood with Pockets 
10. Sea of Dreams Blanket
11. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  
12. Rose Harbour Shawl 
13. My Fair Cardi 
14. Simplicity Lace Scarf –  Kal/feb2015 almost done! 

FO’s 2015 = 9 + 2 = 11

Other FO’s (not fibre) = 13 

WIPS 2015 = 12 + 2 = 14

Long-term Projects = 4

 Stash Used 2015 = 15 + 1 = 16

Yds of Handspun 2015 = 0

Sewing FO’s 2015 = O

Books 2015 = 5

cya next week :0)

I’m off on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

for my Literary blog, see Totally Austentatious.

 

Event: The Gathering a Spin-in!

Bonnie and I went to “The Gathering” in Port Hope, Ontario Canada. As many of you know I am an avid Handspinner and fibreholic! 

Wall to wall fibreholics, fibre fumes everywhere!

Everyone sitting, is at their spinning wheels spinning and talking. The fibre vendors are around the walls of the gym. Picture taken from the entrance. I was amazed how many people I knew in this room. Lots of hugs and where have you been?

I haven’t gone to a spinning event for sometime, haven’t been up to it. Nice to be missed… Like coming home! Thanks everyone, especially Bonnie for a really delightful day!

Oh and somethings followed me home! 

Some hand dyed Romney wool, equal amount undyed Romney wool. A small spindle, heavy for it’s size, 33gms. I have been looking for a plying spindle with a little more heft. Also a selection of cabled dk cotton for Icord projects.

I’m off on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

for my Literary blog, see Totally Austentatious.

Event: Farm Connections Handspinning Demonstration

Great fun for the Durham Handspinning Guild. Our 2nd event of 2015. Our 1st event of the season was in February

Beth, Gwen and I getting ready to demonstrate for the public.

This was the 10th anniversary of Farm Connections.

We figure that we have demonstrated at almost all of them.

There were Goats 

Cows 

Piglets sleeping under heat lamps 

Chickens laying eggs that rolled down to a sorting machine. 

Not a very good pic, but really interesting.

All sorts of agricultural information on everything from soil to cooking classes.

We had a great crowd of kids and adults.

Great time was had by all!

I’m off on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

for my Literary blog, see Totally Austentatious.

What’s up?

Good morning all, I hope you all had a nice holiday weekend.

I am as busy as a one armed paper hanger today!

Our Wednesday morning Craft Group at Church, has decided that May 30th would be a good day for a Craft sale and tea.

This is number 3 of the 5 I’m making for the sale.

Soapdish Poncho # 1 – finished!

Pattern from Soper Creek Yarns, designed by Tina Barrie

Makes a great potholder too! It can be left on the soap bottle to dry…

In the afternoon, I will be demonstrating Handspinning with the girlz of the Durham Handspinning Guild, at Farm Connections in Brooklin Ontario Canada at the arena. We are delighted to be invited again this year.

Clearing my bobbins.

So I am getting things ready to go. I’ll post more after this event.

Meanwhile I am up to my eyeballs with Kals.

The Carry along Forum chose 3 optional projects this month.

One down, the “Bring me with you Bag” my design.

Here is the Take me with you bag pattern Pdf. if you wish to make one for yourself.

I have moved on to the second choice

“Without Moonlight” shawl

On row 49. Lovin this pattern!

The remaining option, Edison shawl has been in my queue for a while.

Hope to get it done this month too.

designed by Lynn Di Cristina

I continue to work away on my facebook Kal – Fans of Elizabeth Zimmermann Knitting

Just about done!

EZ Baby Surprise Jacket. 

Another almost done.

And almost finished my Be Simple scarf, thinking a row of large button holes along the edge to thread the tail through.

WIP List = 12

1. Without Moonlight shawl – Kal
2. Dish Soap Poncho #2 – for church craft sale
3. Buttermere #2 – ran out of yarn!
4. EZ’s Baby Surprise Jacket – Fb/Kal almost done!
5. Zuzu’s Petals
6. His/Hers Socks
7. Cabled Hood with Pockets 
8. Sea of Dreams Blanket
9. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  
10. Rose Harbour Shawl 
11. My Fair Cardi 
12. Simplicity Lace Scarf –  Kal/feb2015 almost done!

FO’s 2015 = 9 + 2 = 11

WIPS 2015 = 11 + 1 = 12

Long-term Projects = 4

 Stash Used 2015 = 13 + 2 = 15

Yds of Handspun 2015 = 0

Sewing FO’s 2015 = O

Books 2015 = 5

cya next week :0)

I’m off on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

for my Literary blog, see Totally Austentatious.

Event: Durham DIY Show

Durham DIY Show 

It was -31 with the wind chill here at Durham College 
2000 Simcoe St North Oshawa, Ontario Canada. 

A bunch of intrepid Canadians came out to enjoy a day with creative and inventive DIYers and Handcrafters.

The first time we’ve been invited to this event. 

We had a delightful time! 

Shelaghs first Handspinning!

We had a chance to network with other spinners, and cross pollinate with other creative and enthusiastic people. 

It was such fun, hopefully we will be going again next year.

Missed ya Beth!

Celebrating our 4th Blogiversary!

It is our 4th Anniversary here at Kittens with Mittens! 

This is my 587th post, and there has been 61,420 visitors.

I am stunned that 4 years after starting this blog there are still things to explore.

I currently have 46 published patterns,

and 325 projects journaled on Ravelry.com!

Wow!

Choose any pattern in my Ravelry store, message me on Ravelry and I will Gift it to you :0)

For this weeks post: What more socks ?

WIP List = 7

1. His/Hers Socks
2. Cabled Hood with Pockets 
3. Sea of Dreams Blanket
4. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  
5. Rose Harbour Shawl 
6. My Fair Cardi 
7. Simplicity Lace Scarf   

FO’s 2015 = 2

WIPS 2015 = 7

Long-term Projects = 4

 Stash Used 2015 = 4

Yds of Handspun 2015 = 0

Sewing FO’s 2015 = O

Books 2015 = 3

cya next week :0)

I’m off on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

My Literary blog, see Totally Austentatious.