F.O. A Sparkly Ranunculus by Midori Hirose

Pattern:  Ranunculus

Designer:  Midori Hirose

Colourway:  Sapphire

Yarn:  Sweet Georgia Yarns CashLuxe Spark:  80% Merino, 10% Cashmere Goat 10% Stellina (2 skeins)

Colourway:  Sapphire

Yarn:  Sweet Georgia Yarns Silk Fog:  76% Silk 24% Mohair (3 skeins)

Colourway:  Sapphire

Needles: 6.0 mm

Ravelry:  see notes here

Added Notes:

1.  Last year I ordered the Sweet Georgia Advent Calendar.  In the calendar were a variety of mini skeins, including CashLuxe Spark and Silk Fog.  I enjoyed knitting with these yarns (read more about it here) and fell in love with the Sapphire colourway. I knew that I had to knit a sweater with these yarns.

I made a bunch of elves with the Advent calendar skeins (sapphire on the left).

I knit Ranunculus by combining one strand of CashLuxe Spark and one strand of Silk Fog. The resulting sweater far surpassed my expectations.  I have knit with many yarns over the years, and I have to say that this combination is one of my absolute favourites.  The combination of silk, mohair, merino, cashmere and stellina in the yarns creates an incredibly soft sweater with a slight halo.  The silk gives it a sheen and the stellina gives it a sparkle.  Although the sparkle is a bit toned down by the Silk Fog, there is still a pleasing amount of sparkle in this sweater.  I just love it...once I put the sweater on, I didn't want to take it off.  I wish you could try it on to see how great it feels. 
2.  This is the second time I knit Ranunculus.  A top down sweater knit on 6mm needles knits very quickly, and there is just enough lace at the top to add interest.  Another reason I like this pattern so much is that it can be knit in a variety of yarns and weights.  For example, my first version of this sweater was a short sleeve version knit in a DK weight yarn (see blog post here).  The designer has also provided options with the neckline and sleeve length. It is an easy pattern to modify.

Ranunculus knit in Camilla Fiber Co. CFC Flax DK

3.  I really liked Melissa's version (from Espace Tricot) and I followed her modifications.  I knit the body to 10" then worked 3" of twisted rib.  For the sleeves I knit straight for 11" then worked 2" of twisted rib.  The only difference was I knit the smaller neck.  When I blocked the sweater I just lay the sweater out and pinned only the ribbing.  This sweater grew just the right amount and the sleeves are the perfect length for me.  

4.  I found that I preferred the sweater worn with a camisole.  I did not have a store bought cami in sapphire. However, I did have 100% rayon fabric in the exact colour and the Ogden Cami pattern by True Bias.  Have I mentioned that I am working on developing my sewing skills?  This was the perfect opportunity to sew this popular pattern.  As I am new to sewing I found working with the slippery rayon was a bit challenging.  I am really pleased with the result and I love how it feels next to the skin.  I will definitely be making more versions of this pattern.  I have a long way to go with my sewing skills but as long as you don't look too closely it will do.  : )

Ogden Cami by True Bias

Is this my last Ranunculus?  I don't think so.  I have big plans...stay tuned.

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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Happy Birthday Canada: A Tribute to Creative Canadians

I am a proud Canadian, and in honor of Canada's 150th birthday today, I am sharing with you with a photo collection of some yarn and designs of my favorite Canadian creators.  I encourage you to visit their sites to learn more about them. Links have been provided.  

Tanis Fiber Arts:  yarn dyer and designer

Framed Slouch:  Orange Label Cashmere/Silk Worsted (colourway Mosaic)

Vitsippa:  Tanis Fiber Arts Red Label Cash Silk Single (colourway Papaya)

Snowfling Mittens:  Yellow Label DK (colourway:  black and natural)

Sweet Georgia Yarns

Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock (colourway Petal)

Sweet Georgia Yarns Merino Silk Fine (colourway Mist)

Sweet Fiber Yarns

Sweet Fiber Yarns Cashmere DK (colourway Spiced Pumpkin)

Sweet Fiber Yarn Cashmerino 20 (colourway:  Verve)

Sweet Fiber Yarns Super Sweet Sock (colourway:  Indigo Dreams)

Julie Asselin

Julie Asselin Leizu Fingering Gradient (colourway Mirabell)

Julie Asselin Fino (colourway Meet Me By the River)

The Blue Brick

The Blue Brick Niagara MCN Sport (colourway Iceberg)

The Blue Brick Killarney Sock (colourway Labradorite)

Scrumptious Purl

Scrumptiouspurl Stripe Me Up (colourway Birds of A Feather)

My First Toe Up Socks by Susan B. Anderson

Flock Fibre Studio

Flock Fibre Studio  Take A Hike Sock Mini Set (colourway Wild Orchid)

Gauge Dye Works

Gauge Dye Works MCN Fingering (Colourway Concrete and Tulips)

Playground Shawl 

Jane Richmond:  designer

Clarke Pullover by Jane Richmond

Grace Cardigan  by Jane Richmond

Jésabelle B




































Jenna Rose Handmade

Small Traveller Pouch:   Green Homestead

Medium Bucket:  Tree Houses

Knitted Bliss:  Julie Crawford:  blogger and designer

Espace Tricot:  Store and Youtube vlog

There is so much Canadian talent as you can see!  Thank you for visiting my blog today and I wish my fellow Canadians a Happy Canada Day! We live in a truly spectacular country.

Squamish, B.C.

Squamish, B.C.

Niagara Falls

CN Tower Toronto