“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!
I’m forever a FAN!!! *******