A Balancing Act

Balancing between knitting someone else’s pattern vs. designing my own patterns is a bit of a challenge.  I get distracted very easily by all the cool patterns out there putting my own designs on hold.  I justify it by convincing myself that following someone else’s design is learning new techniques, new construction and new pattern writing methods which is probably true but to develop a proper knitwear or accessory line would be quite the accomplishment.

These days I seem to have a Vancouver/BC/Canadian theme running through my designs.  It started with the Canadian Tote featured a few months back.  Recently I re-vamped my Canadian Trapper hat make it truly Canadian; knit with local dyer Sweet Georgia Yarns worsted weight held doubled in colour China Doll and with an Angora by Fleece Artist from Nova Scotia.

Another design I recently finished is the Vancouver Skyline Cowl knit with local dyer, Gourmet Crafter yarn in 100% Cashmere.  What’s so fantastic about Gourmet Crafter colours is the designer, Alexa Ludeman who goes around town photographing to inspire her pallet.  For this cowl I used colours: Vancouver Sky, Backyard Greens, and Whale Watching.

I really wanted this cowl to painterly and somewhat abstract.  If you look close you will see the Two Lions, the Shangri la, Science World, and BC Place.

Of course I couldn’t go too long without knitting a softie!  Here are 2 dogs I knit from my new favorite book Knit Your Own Dog! 

The English Bull dog was knit with 2.75mm needles and Debbie Bliss Rialto 4ply held doubled- he has a lot of character.

The Afghan is totally regal and knit in a subtlety variegated Noro sock yarn and Blue Sky Alpacas Sport weight.

And what is knitting without a little pressure- in the middle of my multiple project agenda I just whipped this vest up in about 10 days!  It is called Ida’s Vest and it is a great Blue Sky Alpacas pattern knit in Worsted Hand Dyes which is one of my beloved yarns to work with!  I adorned it with some stunning shell embossed clay buttons made by local designer Nancy Walker.

call me crazy

I confess last weekend I casted on at least 5 more new knitting projects…ahhhh call me crazy.  Either I am super creative, addicted to knitting or I am filling my life up to the brim with knitting to keep myself sane; I think it is a combo of all 3.  I seem to go through fazes when I cast on a ton of projects in a short period of time so I have about a dozen or more on the go at once- a bit overwhelming at times! How can I possibly finish all these?  But I love the thrill of continually learning new patterns, trying new yarns and designing. I get excited easily over knitting and can’t wait to try new things!

So far I am doing pretty good- I seem to be rotating through projects in a calm and manageable way!

Recently I have been trying to break knitting down and understand why I am so addicted to it- what makes it so therapeutic for me? So, lately when I knit I try to catch myself thinking to be aware of my thought process.  I now know if a pattern is especially complex or has a lot of layers I am usually counting in my head or thinking about the stitches, the way they fall on the needles, how fast or slow my knitting project is growing and wondering how many repetitions it will take for me to memorize a pattern.  If I am designing, I am thinking about how I want the design to look, hoping it will work out, and thinking about how I should write out the pattern, what I should change or if I need to start over.  If it is a simple project I tend to either think of nothing significant at all or I work through tough obstacles in my life.  The fascinating thing I observed whether I am counting, zoning out or thinking of major things going on I still feel a sense of calm and I never feel negative even if my thoughts are based from negative topics. 

I love knitting and I am creatively crazy about it!

Spring Knitting

This spring has been pretty cold and i’s hard to believe summer is a little over a month away when I am still wearing wool toques and scarves.  But each day a new resilient flower seems to peek out of the ground or bloom from a branch which makes me believe the heat is coming and outdoor knitting is right around the corner.

I am proud to say that after 1 year I have actually finished the “Olympic” project I started at the opening ceremony; the Prairie Boots by CoCo Knits.  These are the boots that I almost completed by the closing ceremony but I ended up knitting one boot inside-out and after tinking it I knit 2 left feet.  Clearly I got frustrated and put it down for a year.  Looks like I don’t have an updated photo- I’ll post one next time.

A perfect and adorable quick knit is Bitty Bump by Gina Bobomo.  It is a top down sweater knit in a chunky slubby yarn ranging from sizes newborn – 4T.  I used the colourful Asland Trends Los Andes.  I used 2 skeins and 8mm needles. 

I found Oink, a free pattern on Spud & Chloe’s blog.  This pattern calls for Sweater, a worsted weight yarn but I knit it in a super chunky yarn Outer by S & C and went up to a 6mm needle.  I knit 2.5” instead of the suggested 1.25” in the body section.   This created a bigger flying pig!  These pigs are about a 3 -4 hour project each.

My mother loves birds and often finds live cams of them.  The latest one is of a little hummingbird and her baby. Today the baby looks as it is going to fly for the first time; I have to say it’s amazing to watch!  For Mother’s Day I knew exactly what I was going to knit for my mummy, Sweet Robin Wrist-ees by Tiny Owl Knits.  These gloves are so sweet with a robin on the right and her nest full of eggs on the left!  They are knit with fingering yarn and I used an assortment of Spud & Chloe Fine, Debbie Bliss Rialto 4-ply, Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino (KPPM), Schoppel Wolle Ambiente, And Sublime Yarns extra fine merino wool 4 ply.  Although these are little delicate gloves they do take a lot of colours, hence all the yarns; I will be able to make a few pairs. One last tip- I used intarsia technique to prevent any pulling.

Last but not least, this week I finished Ella by Trudy Van Stralen.   This knitted cape is a Louet pattern and I used the suggested yarn Louet Kidlin which is a stunning mix of Linen and Mohair.  The ruffle is knit separately and I was dreading it when I read that I needed to make 3: 1 casting on 530 stitches, 2 casting on 595 stitches- WOW that is a lot but I have to say, these ruffles ending up being the most enjoyable part!

Spring Cleaning

Gosh, it has been a while since I last updated; end of February to be exact.  Obviously I never completed my new year’s resolution or you would have definitely heard about it!  To be honest 2010 projects are not necessarily on my immediate to-do list anymore- I am allowing myself to squeak in a 2010 project here and there. Today, however, I did some spring cleaning and re organized my entire yarn wall, my yarn trunk, and my yarn projects.   I put all my “2010” projects in one small bag to be completed sooner-than-later (I’ll feel better once they are done), I put my “for sure 2011” projects in single bags.  And I put my “already started 2011 projects in more bags…there are only one or two- seriously.  This year I have actually been really good in finishing 2011 projects right away!

This year I purchased a book called Knit Your Own Dog: Easy-to-Follow Patterns for 25 Pedigree Pooches by Sally Muir & Joanne Osborn which I think is absolutely hilarious and surprisingly accurate in doggy details!  So my first dog was a blue pug.  He is knit with Blue Sky Alpaca Mélange and Sport Weight.  I used 2.5mm needles even though the book recommends 3mm.  I prefer a tighter knit softie.

I was feeling inventive in April and designed a magazine holder for a friend of mine.  I saw one in this nice rounded shape made of wood and thought a knit/felted one would be a good idea.  I basically knit a large square with super bulky Cascade Magnum yarn, held 2 strands together and used 15mm needles.  I then felted it as tight as I could and then to give it support I bought a sheet of tin and my husband drilled holes around the entire piece and I sewed it into place.  I then placed a button on top purely for decoration.  I have to say it turned out just how I imagined and I think would make any room a bit more clutter free while looking stylish!

 OK, so we have all been following Kate and Williams Royal wedding and a few weeks before Urban Yarns got their paws on the book Knit your Own Royal Wedding by Fiona Goble .  This has got to be the most entertaining book ever and I have to say the detail is phenomenal. It took 5 gals, one week and a few all nighters to complete the wedding party! I knit the Queen (of course) , Camilla and added/embroidered the details to most of the party. And, to top it off Urban Yarns is hosting a contest “Knit or Crochet Kate’s Wedding Dress.”  The best designer walks away with a $50.00 gift certificate, High Tea for 2 at the Tea Room and the Knit your Own Royal Wedding book!  Submission deadline is May 16^th 2011.

If knitting the Royal wedding wasn’t enough I just had to knit the infamous engagement ring.  I used Eskimo in white for the diamonds and grey for the white gold and accents.  I used Malabrigo Worsted Weight double stranded for the Sapphire and 6mm needles.  This was a fun knit!  And it is 9″ x 8″ x 10″ it’s big….

Last month I designed a bag for one of my star students!  She had some super bulky 6 strand wool to use up so I thought a bag might be a good idea.  I designed the Canadian Tote which was inspired by the popular Cowichan sweaters we all love.  It is knit with 8mm needles and Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky yarn.  My student is 8 and she is totally knitting this. WOW!

You can purchase this pattern for $4.95 CAD

leave-it-to-the-last-minute

I am definitely a leave-it-to-the-last-minute kind of girl.  And to be frank, I have always been this way.  Maybe it is the pressure that motivates me to finish and creates some sort of excitement.  In any case with this New Year’s Resolution I have taken it too far and left a lot the last minute.  Although it isn’t like I have been lazy with my knitting- just not disciplined; with the amount of stuff I have knit that was not on my list I most likely could have finished.  Isn’t it good I get so excited over projects that I just can’t wait to cast on and everything that was a “distraction” from the list actually got completed!

As promised here is a photo of the loopy vest, Nestle from Rowan’s Winter Drift book (#1 on the list):

I decided to frog Crush (one of the bolero’s that was on my list #3).  Last night I was all set to tackle this project but I realized I had done the increase wrong and was so over the colour- Not into it, wasn’t enjoying it, didn’t feel like tinking out the wrong portion and spending the time to fix it especially with this particular colour.  I do love this pattern and I will knit this up one day soon but in a colour I have been eyeing for some time now and wishing I had originally chosen it!

At the shop we are all going cowl crazy!  Friday Feb 25^th Urban Yarns hosted a wine & cheese trunk show event for the book Cowlgirls by Cathy Carron.  All month we all have been making cowls from the book to display side-by-side with the originals.  I made Mohair is Better using Blue Sky Alpacas Brushed Suri and I also knit up the Snood which I used 1 Mega Skein from Tilli Thomas, 2 skeins of Qina from Marisol held together with one strand of Alchemy Sock.  This was a very fun project, each row was a unique surprise.  I am super happy with the outcome- the Mega Skein’s are mega cool!

For a baby shower gift I made the Little Owl, one of 3 which 2 other friends made to complete the set!  The pattern is only available in the Holiday 2010 issue of Knit Simple magazine.   I used Blue Sky Alpacas organic worsted cotton. 

And Remember that cabled trapper hat on the front page of the most recent Vogue Knitting Magazine I was distracted by…well I just finished that one today! I used 4 skeins of Akapana by Marisol in Winter White.

So, back the “list.”  Let’s be realistic here people.  I won’t get everything done by March 01 since I only have a day left.  If I can just finish the Feather Sweater (#7 on the list) by March 08 I will be elated!

Distractions

 

It isn’t quite spring yet but everywhere I look the signs are there.  This is my favorite time of year.  The buds are starting to show themselves on the bushes and trees, the crocuses are peaking out of the ground to remind us all of the colour forgotten between the grey winter days Vancouver is famous for.

I have been knitting a lot but really “distraction knitting” It is hard to stay on task and focused on my resolution.  I finished the Nestle Bolero from Rowan’s Winter Drift book (#1).  The day after I finished it I brought it to the shop and the next day it was with one of the owners in New York.  Next best thing- if I can’t go to Vogue’s Knitting Live in New York at least my knitted garments can!  I still don’t have a photo of it.  Oh and by the way I basically knit this bolero twice (I realized after knitting the back, 1.5 sides I had knit it wrong…ooops)

After knitting Nestle I got distracted and knit another pattern from the Winter Drift book called Tender.  This sweater is boxy and short so I knit it long and added stripes.  It is great with a belt and a pair of leggings!

I did “frog” or I like to say “Tink” one other bolero’s I was knitting from Rowan Studio 17.  I have a strong vision of what I am looking for and after “tinking” 2 times I figure perhaps I need to design this one instead.  So, conveniently that one got off my resolution list.

And then I knit another CID Hanscom Design Kit: Harry Rabbit again.  I made this wee one for my sister who has also gotten the CiD bug and has been knitting some creatures of her own!  SO COOL.  I used Blue Sky Alpac’s Alpaca Silk.  It doesnt split as much as the Sport or Melange; I was happy with this one.

Oh ya and it is Valentine’s Day soon so what better time to design a heart hat! It made out of Pear Tree Supersoft 10ply and I swear it is the softest Merino I have ever felt!

$4.95

Although I seem to get distracted at every new pattern, every new yarn I still have hope in my goal to finish what I started in 2010 by March 01 2012. 

A Quick Update

When I made my New Year Resolution I was too afraid to actually assess the situation so I sort of made it blindly.  Today I took a deep breath and dove into (literally) my new leather storage bench and fished out all the bags of unfinished projects.  Not bad…not bad.  I was pleasantly surprised to realize it was slightly achievable.  I have 2 complex projects, 3 boleros (weird) and a few softies to complete and a scarf.  The complex projects include the Vogue Knitting Feather Sweater (which I really want to finish before the warm months start kicking in) and the other complex one is the stranded colour work felted bag. #’s 2 & 7

The boleros will be a snap to finish- they are like 1/3 of a sweater…right?  #’s 1 & 3 (the 3^rd bolero not shown is almost done really…it was in a project bag in another room.  I think it is safe to say there is a knitting project in every room – well maybe not the bathrooms.

I am really 1/3 they way to finishing the Kushu Kushu Scarf – it is small knitting though #6.  And then the 2 softies are maybe 1/2 way to completion #’s 4 & 5.

Oh dang I just remembered I also have one more Kitty Mitt to knit (that will take me an evening- seriously) and literally I have 1/8 of the Olympic Prairie boot to finish that I started OVER a year ago. WOW

And on a good note – competed projects on my “resolution” list: Beaded necklace

And my newest design: The Jenny Wrap which is knit with one strand of Viking Alpaca 100% superfine Alpakka and one strand Alchemy Haiku.  Super soft!

Pattern: $4.95

And projects I am distracted by are: the newest pattern from Blue Sky Alpaca: Kaw Valley Wrap (think Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca…..droool) and the new Vogue Knitting Magazine Winter 2010/11 front cover hat! This is a good test of my resistance….

2010 in review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Fresher than ever.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 4,100 times in 2010. That’s about 10 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 31 new posts, not bad for the first year! There were 167 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 105mb. That’s about 3 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was December 27th with 65 views. The most popular post that day was Patterns for Sale.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were ravelry.com, facebook.com, urbanyarnsblog.com, watercolorsbymum.wordpress.com, and en.wordpress.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for baby beanie, amanda kaffka, knitted cake, свитер с оленями, and knitted headband with flower pattern.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Patterns for Sale March 2010
1 comment

2

About Amanda Kaffka + Blog March 2010
2 comments

3

Knit Trends for Spring/Summer 2010 April 2010

4

Audrey is done and currently on set…. September 2010
1 comment

5

Little Bit Baby Bootee March 2010
2 comments

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!  I am excited for 2011.  This year a MAJOR New Year resolution of mine is to finish ALL my projects I started in 2010 by March 01 2011.  This might mean a few late nights, maybe some high pressure knitting but I am determined.  There are SO many things I want to design and knit I need to keep focused and finish (I can’t really justify starting anything new just yet….)

Before the Christmas break I was rushing to finish a few holiday knits such as the cute-as-can-be Holi amis kits from my favorite CiD Hanscom Designs.

I think if anyone wants to tackle these small creatures for the first time it might be easier to tackle them big first!  Although I have already knit the deer once (small) I thought I should try him big as well; what a difference.  I knit this one out of Cascade’s Pastaza in 4mm needles and I couldn’t believe how much easier it was and how much faster I knit it up!

I made these little softies out of Blue Sky Alpaca which by now you must know is my preferred choice of yarn (they are coming out with new colours….exciting!).  I still need to finish the Angel and the Elf Girl.

I am intrigued by knitting food.  I have done very little of it but this holiday I knit some sushi!  I used small balls by knit picks.

This holiday I started and finished pretty quickly Simple Pleasures Hat by Purl Bee.  Last Friday two people came into the shop that were making it and totally inspired us!  I made mine out of the new Debbie Bliss Angel and Malabrigo Lace.  I picked a sea Foam which I quite like.

And I also made my Slouch hat out of Starry by Dream and Colour fingering weight.  I held 3 strands together.  It is less slouchy and not as soft as the hand dyes but the sparkles make up for it!

Back to my New Year resolution, another one I had was not to do any pressure knitting.  But, assuming I have about a dozen projects to complete by March 01 2011 that one might have to wait in order to plow through these projects.  Another resolution is to plan out projects better – mainly designing.  Starting fall/winter designs now and spring/summer designs in the winter.

Anyways let’s just start with New Year resolution #1.  Finish all projects I started in2010 by March 01 2011.  I will keep you updated!

Tis the Season

“Busy” is an understatement these days.  And I suppose you might be wondering what I have been so “busy” with since my last post?  Well, Snugglings has taken off and is now in 20 stores across Canada and counting…. And then I have been knitting; making patterns, knitting samples. 

Ever since September hit life seems to be a whirl wind of ideas and inspiration-new yarns come into the shop daily and we all go crazy over the colours the textures! 

My latest designs include The Top Down Trapper Hat, The Slouchy Hat and a few stockings for the holiday season and a dreidel!

When I design I think of garments/accessories that I would love to own whether or not if they are knitwear or not.  Like the Top Down Trapper Hat- I have always loved the look.  I decided to knit one out of the super soft and fluffy Peter Rabbit yarn from Fleece Artist (a Canadian company) for the “fur” lining and use a more rugged yarn like Rowan’s Purelife British Sheep Breeds (I have seen the hat made in Cascade’s Pastaza and I think it looks fantastic) for the outer.

Secondly I was smitten with all the slouchy style hats this season.  It is sort of a shlubby style but I think I can make a hat that is Shlubby and sophisticated at the same time; so, I design The Slouchy Hat!  I originally designed it using Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted Hand Dyes which is truly perfect for the hat- it has a fantastic drape and makes the perfect “slouchy flop.” 

I did recreate this hat in Dream and Colour’s Starry which is super sparkly.  Because it is a sock weight I had to triple the yarn.  The hat turned out sparkly and I do love it however you can’t beat the drape of the Hand Dyes!

For the first night of Chanukah I designed a rather large felted Dreidel.  I realize that I am a little late in posting since Chanukah is now over however, I have learnt my lesson for the year and that is it is never too early to start early (meaning if you make this now for next year’s Chanukah you will be golden).

And I also designed 2 Christmas Stockings; one mini and one large.  The mini one is perfect for small gift-giving or holding a wine bottle (perfectly I might add) for a hostess gift!  The large one is fun for BIG gift-giving.  The stockings are super quick knits and then felted.  Both are whimsical takes on the traditional stocking!

I also finished Cinder, a pattern from Jared Flood.  I was very happy with the outcome of this scarf.  It big, long and so soft!   I used 6 balls of Classic Elite Ariosa yarn which is a blend of extrafine merino and cashmere!

Before the season is over I am sure I will be releasing a few more designs!  Seems like the ideas are flowing and the knitting needles are clicking (well clicking quietly now since I got the Addi Bamboo Interchangeable set…which I LOVE).

And I know you can’t believe I have gone this long since knitting any CiD Hanscom kits…well it is true- I have finished 2 more and working on 3 others so stay tuned- these are too cute to miss!