I’ve been trying to adjust to this ever changing weather this week. It’s been the strangest winter ever. This week one day was 6 C and raining, the next day was -10 C and the following day there was a snow storm. Today it’s very cold still, but it’s supposed to go above freezing tomorrow. I hope this isn’t a bad cosmic sign or something.

I finished the first slipper of the Moc-a-Sock Slipper last week and I’m at the bottom of the first cuff of the second slipper. It’s a cool pattern, but a bit too fussy to make while watching TV which has been frustrating for me since that is my prime time for knitting. Here’s the first slipper – photographed outside in -10 C weather because I wanted to take advantage of the glorious sunlight that was present this morning.

Shortly after my post yesterday I got word back that my contract has been renewed! Hopefully I’ll start getting more hours too. Of course my search for a full time job continues.

Last night I started the ‘sock’ cuff on the first slipper – I can’t wait until it’s done. I’d like to make a pair for myself. I think it would be fun to try out lots of different colour combinations and yarn types. I have some self striping yarn in pinks that would look cool with a pair of black slippers for instance. Ah the possibilities are endless.

Has anyone else been having lots of trouble finding Boutique Sashay yarn? It’s sold out just about everywhere and Waltz and Hip Hop colourways are the most difficult to get. Family and friends have been contacting me asking me to pick up any Sashay yarn I can get, because it’s all sold out in their cities. It’s crazy. I know my local Len Mills store had some shipped in from Europe because there wasn’t any available locally. I may have to resort to ordering some online – even lots of those places are sold out too.

Things continue to be tough financially as I continue to look for a full time job and now I’m waiting to find out if my contract will be renewed. I’m still struggling to get enough hours to make ends meet, but I’m trying to be positive about it all and I just keep keepin’ on.

So in the event of impending financial ruin I’ve been trying to make some extra cash and I’ve found that people really do appreciate hand knit items. I sold several Sashay scarves over the holidays, was commissioned to knit a stocking and a pair of slippers.

Right now I’m working on the slippers commission. I’ve been knitting away on Moc-a-Sock Slippers by Bekah Knits for a friend’s boyfriend. It was a slow start, mainly because I tried to start them during the Christmas holidays and was distracted by all the other fun things going on. I think I will make a pair for myself to take with me when I visit people. My feet are always cold so having a pair of slippers on hand would be cool. I like these slippers because the moc-sock keeps your ankles warm.

Here are some photos of the work in progress:

The slipper looks a bit funny on my foot because it’s supposed to be for larger feet then mine.

Please cross your fingers that I still have a job or one comes my way soon – thanks,
Louise

Happy New Year my fellow knitters. It’s been a crazy year as usual and I’ve been struggling to make enough money to make ends meet. I spent a great deal of the Fall knitting Boutique Sashay scarves and selling them to friends. I was also commissioned to knit a stocking for a friend of a friend’s baby and presently I’ve been commissioned to knit a pair of Adult Mock-a-Socks for a friend’s boyfriend.

I haven’t given myself any resolutions this year, but I have decided I want to allow myself more time for the things I love, like knitting. I hope to keep you better updated on my projects and knitting adventures. I might be throwing in some photography from time to time as well.

Come back and see what I’m up to and share with me what you are doing.

Take care and happy knitting!

I finished my Sashya scarf and loved knitting it so much that I completed two more. Here they are all together looking so pretty. The short two are for my girls and the long one is for me.

Here they are up close.

I told my mother in law and mom about the yarn and showed them the finished scarves. They insisted we make a trip to the nearest Lens Mill Store to purchase more Sashya yarn. When got there we noticed that other yarn companies have come out with there own versions of Sashya yarn. I picked up some of Patons Pirouette, which is so cute with it’s little pom-pom fringe. None of us were very impressed with Bernat’s version called Twist and Twirl. The netting is boring and too small – my mother in law commented that it looks like a bath scrubbie when it’s knit up.

Here is the start of my first Pirouette Scarf:

And a close up the cute little pom-poms.

And last but not least the wool I ordered for my winter project came from the UK today! It’s Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply superwash merino wool. The pattern is in her lastest magazine – it’s the black and white fair isle sweater. I couldn’t find any links to the pattern so you’ll have to be patient. But here’s the beautiful wool that I just want to lay my head on and go to sleep because it’s so soft.

I’m pretty excited about Fall this year. Although it’s the busiest time of year for me with several birthdays and all the Fall and early Winter holidays, it’s also the time of year I’m most inspired to knit.

I finished up a few projects over the summer and ended up frogging a sock I was unhappy with. I made the girls mittens for the Fall time and lovely scarf for myself. The scarf is made from Sashay yarn. A friend of mine introduced me to this yarn a few weeks ago and kindly gave my a ball. I whipped up my scarf over the weekend in about 4-6 hrs. Of course I was immediately addicted and went out and purchase two more balls to make scarves for the girls.

My next project, after the scarves for the girls, is a pattern from the latest Debbie Bliss magazine. I’m waiting for the yarn to be delivered. There will be more on this project as it progresses.

It’s hard to think about knitting with the heat of summer just around the corner. I guess I just haven’t been feeling very inspired to knit the last 6 months or so. I hope with the summer I can find some time to just relax and start some new projects.

I finished a second pair of slippers for little G. I will post the pattern, but I want to make one more pair to check the pattern. I’m having a problem with one decrease at the toe. In the meantime I started a pair of socks in this cool yarn by Barnet.

Success in round two of trying to create this pattern. Little A loves them so much that they already pilling a bit from being worn. I’m working on Little G’s and editing the pattern as I go. Once I’m done I’ll post the slipper patter for you all. I might up size it for myself so adult sizes might be included.

I finished the first ‘slipper’ but felt it looks too much like a sock to be a slipper. I decided to scrap my original idea for the pattern and try something new. I hope to put some images up soon as I begin version 2 of this pattern.