Last post of 2011!!

My yarn for the Cloud Chaser.

Almost at the end of the year and it seemed like a good time to squeeze in one last post in 2011.  It's been a year full of yarn, knitting and fun.  A big thank you is due to all of our customers for your continued support!  We can't do this without you!!!

With a new year brings a new project and our very first Knit Along!  I've been itching to cast on the Cloud Chaser since my yarn arrived but I've been holding out.  Patiently waiting for the new year before I even do a gauge swatch.  I'm really looking forward to casting on!  The official cast on day is January 11 with our first Stitch Night of the new year.  But I completely understand if you can't wait till then!  Thank you to everyone who has joined.  I'm really looking forward to hearing about your progress and seeing photos!

Juliet and I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year!   All the best for 2012.  May your year be filled with love and yarn!

I'm in love!

We just got in some new leaflet patterns and I'm in love.  When I looked at the Challah pattern I knew I would have to knit it.  I love how the designer has the three pieces braid together but also have sections where they are knit all together as well.

Apparently I will have a very warm neck as I am also in love with the Ruffled & Ruched scarf!  This frilly accessory with a flower is very versatile.  And I love how the pattern has an option to knit it with either DK or Worsted weight.  So you can have a heavier one for winter and a lighter one for spring if you were so inclined!  Both of these patterns are now available in the shop as well as some adorable slipper patterns like the ones pictured below.

And the Beekeeper's Quilt pattern is also available in store now too.  I posted about this one on Facebook a little while ago.  I'm starting to put together my sock yarn leftovers!  This project will take a long time but I love that it's an easy project you can take wherever you go.  So when in doubt...knit a honeycomb!

Mini Juliet and one funny tree!

I received an amazing gift in the mail a few days ago.  Needle felted ornaments of my dogs!  Sandy who is the wonderful knitter and dyer behind the Dandelion Lane products here at Knits by the Sea made these adorable ornaments for me.  Thank you Sandy for these amazing gifts.  They look exactly like my girls!

And it just so happens that I went and got a tree this year!  I have had a tree every year for Christmas except for last year.  So I was very excited to go with my friend Sarah and pick one out!  I think it definitely falls under the "Charlie Brown Tree" category but I love it just the same.  I was short on ornaments so I decided to needle felt some up quickly to help!  Nothing as spectacular as what Sandy made for me, but they do the trick!  Here is a mitten that I made.

Needle felting is perfect when you need something like an ornament made up quickly.  If you have any last minute needle felting needs we have lots more fleece that has arrived in the shop!

Knitting and Hiking in Ucluelet

It was a perfect way to spend a rainy day off on Monday!  When my girlfriend suggested coming to visit her in Ucluelet and knit and go for a walk I was in!  The three (well, four if you count my dog Parka) had a great time exploring the Wild Pacific Trail.  With great look outs and lots of trees we didn't really notice it was raining.  And Parka was very happy with her new doggy pack and enjoyed tearing around the trail and then making sure we kept up.

Black Rock is a great spot for knitting if you are in the Ucluelet area.  The cozy couches, warm fire and delicious desserts make it the perfect spot to spend an afternoon.  I tried the very yummy white chocolate croissant bread pudding with vanilla ice cream.  I forgot to take a picture of the before.  So this is the after shot.  So tasty!!  I've been on a finishing mission so Monday's projects were for others and I'm slowly making progress.  With so many breaks to enjoy my yummy latte and dessert productivity was slowed a little.  But that is what days off are for!

It's Getting frosty!

We have been unusually lucky with the weather here in Tofino for this time of year.  I remember constantly wearing full rain gear for my dog walks at this time of year.  But the sun just keeps on coming out which I'm not complaining about!  The fun part about this sunshine (or just lack of rain) is that it's a little cooler and that means we get a little frost!  Now I don't usually miss snow except when it is getting close to Christmas.  So I will take what I can get here in Tofino.  And that would be frost!  Pictured here is a frosty morning walk with the dogs at Cox Beach.

Juliet and Parka exploring together.

And so naturally this brings me back to more knitting!!  I was shocked to discover I have yet to knit myself a pair of fingerless gloves *gasp*.  With being so behind on my Christmas knitting it didn't seem appropriate to start a project for myself.  If only I was that strong! I have managed to finish the first one.  But I'm forcing myself to wait until I'm finished my gifts before I complete the second one.  I am using the pattern Optimistic Mitts which is free on Ravelry.  Pictured here is the first one without the extra flap done yet or any ends woven in.  I'm knitting it with the leftover of my Malabrigo Worsted that I used to make my yoga socks!  It's a quick knit if you aren't already over committed with holiday gift knitting!

Thanks for a great night!

A big thank you to everyone who came out to our Salebration last night!  It was lots of fun and Juliet and I were so happy to have so many of you come by!  Thank you for making it such a special evening.  Everyone enjoyed the free patterns and it was fun to see all the different designs.  We still have lots left though so be sure to come by the shop!  There is a big box of free patterns just waiting for a home.

Juliet would also like to say thank you to Moku and Oliver for joining her!  It was a little dog party as well last night.

Lucky goes to the beach!

Just for fun Parka and I decided to go for a bike ride and take Lucky along.  Lucky has been to Victoria, Coombs and even Nanaimo but never been to Chesterman beach!  And since it wasn't raining it seemed like as good a day as any!  Parka seemed to enjoy the adventure as well.  She was unsure as to why she couldn't play with Lucky though.

Taking a little break.

It was a great day for photos.  And we found a sun star that seemed to be missing part of it's legs, sea stars and lots of fun little creatures in the tide pools.

It was trying to be a sunny day!  

And of course the best way to end a little beach adventure is with a chocolate elixer from Chocolate Tofino!  

Sacrificing the steek for NYC

So my big plans for steeking have been changed in a big way!  I was really looking forward to knitting the True North sweater for our Amy Swenson knit along starting in January but it looks like this may have to wait until a little later.  I have just registered for the Vogue Knitting Conference in NYC in January!!  I'm extremely excited to be going but this means some travelling and fair isle knitting with bulky colours is not a travel friendly project!  So I will be casting on the Cloud Chaser in January instead. I'm a huge fan of this vest and it is the pattern that first introduced me to Amy's work.  The True North will have to wait until I get back!

The Vogue Knitting Conference will be from January 14-16 in NYC and I am very excited to be taking 4 classes and 2 lectures while I'm there.  Plus I have a 2 day pass to wander around the market place.  Looking forward to learning some new skills to bring back to the shop!  The shop will be open in my absence.  My mother will be flying in from Toronto to hold down the fort!  I will be sure to post photos and do at least one blog entry while I'm there!