Sweet Georgia Yarns Advent Calendar 2018

I was lucky enough to buy one of the Sweet Georgia Yarns Advent Calendar this year.  It contained 24 boxes, most of which contained mini skeins of yarn such as Sweet Georgia's CashLuxe Spark, Tough Love Sock and Silk Mist.  It also came with a shawl pattern, but instead I decided to knit some Jolly Wee Elves with this gorgeous yarn.  

Advent Box

Pattern: Jolly Wee Elf

Designer:  Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

Yarn:  Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock (80% Merino, 20% Nylon)
Sweet Georgia Silk Mist (60% Mohair, 40% Silk)
Sweet Georgia CashLuxe Spark (80% Merino, 10% Stellina, 10% Cashmere)
Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (100% Merino) in Antler for face
Rowan Kidsilk Haze (70% mohair 30% silk) #665 Hibiscus (for one of the scarves)

Clearwater in CashLuxe Spark

Whitewater in Silk Mist

Needles: 2.5mm

Ravelry: see notes here

Added Notes:  
1.  I started a new tradition last year and decided that every Christmas season I would knit a few elves to add to my collection.  I don't know what it is about these tiny elves, but I just love knitting them.  It takes me about two hours for each elf, and to me it is worth the time.  I thought the Advent skeins would be perfect for the Jolly Wee Elf pattern.

I used these elves to decorate my table at Christmas time:

2.  This was the first year I have ordered a yarn Advent Calendar, and I found it a great way to explore different yarn bases and colourways.  It was also fun to open a surprise each day during such a busy month. After working with each skein I know I would love to order a sweater's quantity of the colourway Hudson, and to knit a shawl with the colourway Sapphire in CashLuxe Spark.  

3.  Next year I would like to try and knit some bigger elves using different weight yarn.  This pattern is perfect for using up leftover yarns and the possible colour combinations are endless.  What's next up on my needles?  I have two other patterns that I would like to try.  One is the newly published Gnome pattern by Susan B. Anderson.  It is offered at half price until December 31st if you are interested.  The other is Scintillation by Hunter Hammerson, a beautiful star pattern that looks like a lot of fun.  What are your knitting plans to close up the year?
























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Christmas Wrap Up

How did you do with your Christmas/gift knitting?  I ended up knitting right up to the last minute.  I wish I had time to knit a few more gifts, but I was
very happy with how the items I completed turned out.  Have a look:

Jolly Wee Elf

Pattern: Jolly Wee Elf
Designer:  Churchmouse Yarns and Tees
Yarn: Scraps of fingering weight yarn

Needles:   2.5mm

Ravelry:  my notes are here

Added Notes:  I actually knit these elves on Boxing Day for myself and I think it will be my new holiday tradition.  I absolutely loved making these elves, and I will definitely make a lot more in various sizes next year.  As expected the Churchmouse pattern is very well written.  These couldn't be easier to knit, and by investing a small amount of time, it is well worth the effort I think.

My Boyfriend Set

Pattern:  My Boyfriend Set  (free hat and scarf pattern)
Designer: Stephanie Boomsma

Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Orange Label Cashmere/Silk Worsted (75%merino 15% cashmere 10% silk)
Colourway:  Aurora

Needles:   4.0mm

Ravelry:  my notes are here

Added Notes:  I had to make my husband something for Christmas, as he is so supportive of my yarn obsession.  This is an easy, quick pattern that is foolproof to knit. Tanis Fiber Arts Orange Label yarn is a lovely combination of fibers, perfect for a hat.  And how about this colourway?  Gorgeous!  I would have loved to make the scarf as well, but I ran out of time. 

On the C Train

My two sisters modelling their new hat

Pattern:  On the C Train
Designer: Espace Tricot
Yarn: Woolfolk Fär (100% merino)

Colourway: 00
Yarn:  Shibui Knits Silk Cloud
Colourway:  Ivory

My daughter modelling the back view

Needles:  5.0mm 

Ravelry: my notes are here

Added Notes:  I have now knit this pattern three times and I am sure I will knit another in the future.  It is simple to follow and creates a hat that looks great on everyone.  The combination of Woolfolk Fär and Shibui Silk Cloud is so luxurious. Woolfolk Fär is incredibly soft just like cashmere, and Shibui Silk Cloud creates a beautiful halo.  One of my sisters is very sensitive to wool and this yarn combination does not bother her in the slightest.

Entwine Scarf

Pattern:  Entwine Scarf
Designer: Jane Richmond

Yarn:  Cascade Yarns Magnum (100% wool) Super Bulky weight:  2 skeins
Colourway:  8505 (white)

Needles:   12.75mm

Ravelry:  my notes are here 

Added Notes:   This is the kind of scarf that I want to bundle into on those very cold winter days.  Jane Richmond paired the perfect yarn with her pattern.  Knitting with such big needles in a super chunky yarn resulted in a quickly knitted scarf, perfect for holiday knitting.  I loved this pattern so much this is the second time I knit it.  I made this scarf last year withPurl Soho Super Soft Merino which created a completely different feeling scarf. 

Saku

Pattern:  Saku
Designer: Olga Buraya-Kefelian
Yarn: Woolfolk Fär

Colourway:  5

Needles:   4.5mm

Ravelry:  my notes are here
Added Notes:  This is my third time knitting this hat too.  Be warned that it does take more than one skein if you want the brim to fold up.  But you know that when you knit with Woolfolk, your recipient will wear it all the time, so it's well worth the investment.

So that's it for my holiday knitting.  I don't often knit the same pattern more than once but I really wanted to knit items that would be well received and worn frequently. I know that these items will be worn time and time again.

Don't forget to check out my blog in a few days as I will do my annual favourites of the year.  Happy knitting everyone!

Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

Tolt Yarn and Wool was not the only knitting store I visited on my trip to the west coast.  My husband and I took the 35 minute ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and I had the pleasure of visiting Churchmouse Yarn and Teas, another knitting store on my bucket list.

This store has a wonderful variety of yarn such as Brooklyn Tweed, Shibui, Koigu and Rowan.

Brooklyn Tweed

Koigu

Brooklyn Tweed Plains

Embroidery thread 

What really impressed me was the number of knitted samples they had in the store.  It's one thing to see and touch a skein of yarn, another to see that skein knit up, to see if it is what you imagined.  Here are some of the samples I saw:

Beret (Brooklyn Tweed Loft + Rowan Kidsilk Haze)

So many sweaters!

Box Stitch Baby Blanket

Bias Before and After Scarf (Shibui Rain)

Rowan Kidsilk Haze:
 Bright orange scarf is Birch and the purple one is the Colorplay Mohair Scarf

Spectrum:  Shibui Rain plus Silk Cloud

The  trip was definitely worth it.  Churchmouse Yarn and Teas had a great variety of beautiful yarn, tea, patterns and notions. There were many other interesting shops and restaurants to explore on the island. We also enjoyed a great view of Seattle from the ferry too.

While in Seattle we also had the opportunity to visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition.  Pieces by this artist were displayed both inside and outside in a garden.  I must have taken a hundred pictures.  Here are a few of my favourites.

This exhibit was my favourite thing to do in Seattle.  If you ever have the opportunity to visit Seattle I would encourage you to check the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit out.  My pictures do not do the pieces justice.

Pike Place Market:  another fun place to check out

I hope you are having some great summer adventures too!

Off the Needles: Brickless & Easy Folded Poncho

I have a couple finished objects to share with you.  First up is my version of Brickless by Martina Behm.  I used Tanis Fiber Arts Red Label in OOAK called Fjord.  I have alway been a big fan of Red Label.  It is extremely soft and blocks well.  Plus Tanis is an expert at colourways and, as you can see, Fjord is a lovely combination of blues.  I was able to complete the whole project with one skein which is always a bonus.  This pattern was very enjoyable to knit as the pattern kept changing every few rows.  I also love the length of this shawl....you can wrap it around your neck several times.

Brickless

Brickless:  preblocking

The magic of blocking

Second up is my Easy Folded Poncho which is basically one large rectangle knit in stockinette. When I first started this project I planned on knitting a few rows every day so I thought I would be done by the time the spring weather arrived.  Well my husband took these photos of me during yet another snowy day in March.  We had a good laugh as the snow kept blowing in my face and I kept squinting in most of the photos he took.  However, I have hope that the spring weather will arrive and I will actually be able to wear this lovely poncho without freezing.  I cannot say enough about Juniper Moon Herriott yarn.  I kept squishing the yarn as I knitted this poncho and so it took longer to complete than it should! I think this was one of those pattern/yarn combinations that goes well together.  When I put the poncho on it is warm, and yet light, perfect for the spring weather.  Churchmouse Yarns and Teas have recently come out with a Version Two of this pattern.  It really interests me too as I find this poncho very wearable.  If you have a copy of the original pattern you can download it for free from the Churchmouse Yarns and Teas website.

Easy Folded Poncho

The snow was blowing around me

I have been off on holidays this week and have had the luxury of a week with no big commitments.  I had time to organize my yarn stash (how did it get so big?), my favourites on Ravelry and plan a few future projects.  I really want to knit a few cardigans but I am nervous about picking a pattern and matching it with the appropriate yarn and gauge.  I have knit a few cardigans in the last few years that have not fit me as well as they should.  Have a great week and hopefully spring will spring upon us soon.