Well, that didn’t take as long as I feared…
I think I got intimidated by stockinette. Two weeks ago, I started my Blue Jays Tank Top, a project that I wanted finished for the end of March, in time for Knit City Toronto and the Blue Jays's Home Opener weekend. Well, last night, I cast off the body of the tank, with only the straps left to knit. And the logo, well, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out: I found a pixel chart online, which was only 24 rows long. It was the perfect length for what I was going for.
Well, that didn’t take as long as I feared…
I think I got intimidated by stockinette. Two weeks ago, I started my Blue Jays Tank Top, a project that I wanted finished for the end of March, in time for Knit City Toronto and the Blue Jays's Home Opener weekend. Well, last night, I cast off the body…
09.02.2026 21:07 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Make Nine 2026
Happy New Year! With the new year, I'm once again setting a goal for myself to Make Nine in 2026. This challenge encourages mindfulness with creativity. Last year, it was the nudge I needed to think about what I want to make, what I want to finish, and what yarn I was going to purchase to make these happen. To start 2026, the first item on my Make Nine list will be a pair of mittens. A friend de-stashed four skeins of Berroco Peruvia Quick, and before 2025 finished, I made a new cowl and hat.
Make Nine 2026
Happy New Year! With the new year, I'm once again setting a goal for myself to Make Nine in 2026. This challenge encourages mindfulness with creativity. Last year, it was the nudge I needed to think about what I want to make, what I want to finish, and what yarn I was going to…
05.01.2026 22:06 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Knitting Tools: The “Nice to Haves”
A few weeks ago, I knit a test swatch for the shawl I'm testing. I knit the swatch, gave it a wash, and pinned it to a blocking board, using my gauge swatch ruler. A tool like this certainly isn't a necessity. I could have achieved the same result (figuring out my gauge) using any old ruler I have around the house. That said, to me, it felt like a tool that was quite nice to have. And, it got me thinking, what are some other "nice to have" knitting tools I've acquired over the years.
Knitting Tools: The “Nice to Haves”
A few weeks ago, I knit a test swatch for the shawl I'm testing. I knit the swatch, gave it a wash, and pinned it to a blocking board, using my gauge swatch ruler. A tool like this certainly isn't a necessity. I could have achieved the same result (figuring out…
09.12.2025 21:37 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Testing, testing
In the past few weeks, I've been testing two different patterns for two different designers. Very aware of my capacity and wanting to make the deadlines, I knew both would be manageable. The first pattern I'm testing (present tense as I'm still very much still working through the pattern), is a shawl for Holly Kent. I tested a cowl for her last year, and the timing of this test opportunity was well suited for me because I've been wanting a simple, fingering weight shawl to add to my winter wardrobe. The pattern is two sections, a simple stockinette (which I flew through) and a lace section, which is taking a little more time to get through.
Testing, testing
In the past few weeks, I've been testing two different patterns for two different designers. Very aware of my capacity and wanting to make the deadlines, I knew both would be manageable. The first pattern I'm testing (present tense as I'm still very much still working through the…
02.12.2025 15:02 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
I took my knitting to see a show
In one of her books, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka the Yarn Harlot, broke down indicators of addiction and her knitting habits. I can't help but feel a certain kinship with her while thinking back on my dash to get a vanilla sock ready for some passive knitting. On Tuesday, I went into Toronto to see a musical. Musician Alan Doyle, frontman for the former band Great Big Sea, co-wrote a musical called Tell Tale Harbour, and being a big Alan Doyle fan, I bought tickets to see the show months back.
I took my knitting to see a show
In one of her books, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka the Yarn Harlot, broke down indicators of addiction and her knitting habits. I can't help but feel a certain kinship with her while thinking back on my dash to get a vanilla sock ready for some passive knitting. On…
03.11.2025 20:32 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The stash grows, but also shrinks
Last week, I posed about how I've (significantly) added to my yarn stash this year, but I'm pretty pleased with a few efforts to whittle it down. I was in a scrappy mood, and I made a Scrappy Marl (RAV LINK) hat, a free pattern by Beata Jezek. I made a few modifications to the pattern as it was written, and I'm looking forward to cooler weather here in Ontario so I have a reason to wear it! This is the yarn I pulled from the left over bin to make the hat, lots of browns (mostly from my…
The stash grows, but also shrinks
Last week, I posed about how I've (significantly) added to my yarn stash this year, but I'm pretty pleased with a few efforts to whittle it down. I was in a scrappy mood, and I made a Scrappy Marl (RAV LINK) hat, a free pattern by Beata Jezek. I made a few…
29.09.2025 19:05 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
See you on the Flip Side, Knit City Toronto
For the second year, my Knitting BFF, Victoria, and I went to Knit City and left much poorer than we started. Last year, we made a weekend of it and went to Montreal. Je t’aime, Montreal. When it was announced that this year’s Knit City East was going to be in Toronto, both Victoria and I had mixed feelings. It was great that it was closer, but, we weren’t going to make a weekend of it like we did for Montreal. As Victoria lives much farther from Toronto than I do, she did get a weekend visiting with family, with Knit City right in the middle.
See you on the Flip Side, Knit City Toronto
For the second year, my Knitting BFF, Victoria, and I went to Knit City and left much poorer than we started. Last year, we made a weekend of it and went to Montreal. Je t’aime, Montreal. When it was announced that this year’s Knit City East was going to…
23.09.2025 23:15 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
One day, I’ll stop growing my yarn stash…
This year has not been great for the stash. And by that, it’s grown this year. A lot. That was not the goal. Now, hear me out. The first excuse I’m going to trot out is that a new yarn shop opened in my community this spring, and she had a summer of trunk shows. I love this yarn shop, the owner is simply wonderful. How could I NOT buy yarns at the trunk shows. To try and justify my actions, I was rather purposeful with a few of the skeins, and I have enough to make a faded sweater.
One day, I’ll stop growing my yarn stash…
This year has not been great for the stash. And by that, it’s grown this year. A lot. That was not the goal. Now, hear me out. The first excuse I’m going to trot out is that a new yarn shop opened in my community this spring, and she had a summer of trunk…
23.09.2025 23:13 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
How long will it take to knit a cardigan
My niece's second birthday is this week, and I've been gathering things for her gift, including a new outfit: a graphic tee, a pair of jeggings. What would make that outfit complete and autumn ready would be a cute little cardigan. I started looking around the store until I realized (at an embarrassing late point) that I could just knit her one. Now, timing wise, I very highly doubt I'll get it done before her party this weekend, but seeing as Ontario is experiencing our 487th period of extreme heat for this summer (I'm exaggerating, but it's been HOT), she won't need a cardigan for a while yet.
How long will it take to knit a cardigan
My niece's second birthday is this week, and I've been gathering things for her gift, including a new outfit: a graphic tee, a pair of jeggings. What would make that outfit complete and autumn ready would be a cute little cardigan. I started looking around…
12.08.2025 18:24 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Long Weekend Vibes
This past weekend was a long weekend for many in Canada, and I took full advantage. I booked Friday off from work, giving myself a four-day break, and although the wildfire smoke made its way to my corner of Ontario by mid-weekend, I didn't let it deter me from sun, books, and knits. What did I work on? Well, the super secret, duplicate stitch involving project is finished. I got the last rounds of ribbing finished and also finished the duplicate stitches. I just need to wash and block. The recipient will get it as a gift sometime in the not-too-distant future.
Long Weekend Vibes
This past weekend was a long weekend for many in Canada, and I took full advantage. I booked Friday off from work, giving myself a four-day break, and although the wildfire smoke made its way to my corner of Ontario by mid-weekend, I didn't let it deter me from sun, books, and…
05.08.2025 19:10 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Duplicate Stitches
Why did no one tell me that duplicate stitches are so much fun? My latest (still secret because it's a gift) project included duplicate stitches. This was a new-to-me technique, so after watching a video tutorial, I got started, and goodness, it's greatly satisfying. The project involves duplicate stitches which eventually spell out words. The first word is a little wonky because it was the first time I've done this technique, but as I kept going, I felt the ease and my confidence set in. I've been cross-stitching longer than I've been knitting, and because this pattern has the stitches arranged in a grid, the technique was giving off cross-stitch vibes for me, perhaps another reason why I've been enjoying it. Rather than little 'x's all throughout my knitting, I'm making little 'v's. Different shape, same feeling.
Duplicate Stitches
Why did no one tell me that duplicate stitches are so much fun? My latest (still secret because it's a gift) project included duplicate stitches. This was a new-to-me technique, so after watching a video tutorial, I got started, and goodness, it's greatly satisfying. The project…
28.07.2025 18:45 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Make Nine 2025 – mid-year check-in
At the start of the year, I was inspired by the Make Nine challenge, to “slow down, to make less with more intention.” For me, this has meant taking time and focusing on projects, some of which were sitting idle for months, and working on finishing what I started. So, now that the year is half finished, how am I doing? The first thing I finished was the Pabaigh (RAV LINK) sweater by Kate Davies Designs. As much as I love stockinette, this project stalled for a while because of the back and forth of it all.
Make Nine 2025 – mid-year check-in
At the start of the year, I was inspired by the Make Nine challenge, to “slow down, to make less with more intention.” For me, this has meant taking time and focusing on projects, some of which were sitting idle for months, and working on finishing what I…
16.07.2025 19:37 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
A few more ‘scoops?’
I don't know if I'm taking the Make Nine spirit to heart, if I'm enjoying the simple lace pattern, or if I'm enjoying watching the brown tones come together, but my Ice Cream Shawl is taking shape! This is the project that I bought yarn for at Knit City Montreal over a month ago. It has gone from this: To this: And finally this: I've finished the first section, where the contrast colours are the lacy sections, and I'm not on the second part, where the main tweed is lacy, and the contrast will be garter ridges between.
A few more ‘scoops?’
I don't know if I'm taking the Make Nine spirit to heart, if I'm enjoying the simple lace pattern, or if I'm enjoying watching the brown tones come together, but my Ice Cream Shawl is taking shape! This is the project that I bought yarn for at Knit City Montreal over a month…
24.06.2025 17:07 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Crème Glacée à Montréal
Last week, I cast on my Ice Cream Social (RAV LINK) shawl, or, as I've taken to call the project, Crème Glacée à Montréal. (Also, if there are any Parisian French speakers who stumble upon this post, Quebecois French calls ice cream crème glacée! You gotta love regional differences in languages!) I've typically sat and worked one colour block section (or two at the beginning) at a time, and I am just loving the 1970s vibes I feel like it's giving off, with the different shades of brown.
Crème Glacée à Montréal
Last week, I cast on my Ice Cream Social (RAV LINK) shawl, or, as I've taken to call the project, Crème Glacée à Montréal. (Also, if there are any Parisian French speakers who stumble upon this post, Quebecois French calls ice cream crème glacée! You gotta love regional…
04.06.2025 20:29 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Knit City MTL 2025: Just the Yarn
Here's what you've been waiting for. The yarn: Before heading to Montreal, I bought Ice Cream Social (RAV LINK), a shawl pattern by Lisa K. Ross. It needed two skeins of a MC and six CC minis, a perfect Knit City yarn goal. I didn't have a plan in mind, but I had envisioned a more colourful project. Now, that's not to say I'm disappointed with my purchases. I'm not. The furthest thing actually. It's funny that I started with something bright and colourful in my head and ended up with something more subtle, subdued, but will be very versatile.
Knit City MTL 2025: Just the Yarn
Here's what you've been waiting for. The yarn: Before heading to Montreal, I bought Ice Cream Social (RAV LINK), a shawl pattern by Lisa K. Ross. It needed two skeins of a MC and six CC minis, a perfect Knit City yarn goal. I didn't have a plan in mind, but I had…
23.05.2025 14:45 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Another sock bites the dust
I knew this sock was going to be an issue. First, I love this yarn. It's bright, it's fun, it's named Lisa, which happens to be my name too. I wanted Lisa's Lisa socks to be more than just plain stripes. I cast on my usual 60 stitches and worked 20 rounds for the cuff. The design can come later, I thought, and then I found Jaywalker (RAV LINK). This pattern makes striping yarn zig-zag, and I thought it would be perfect. But then I read the pattern. The smallest size said to cast on 76 stitches.
Another sock bites the dust
I knew this sock was going to be an issue. First, I love this yarn. It's bright, it's fun, it's named Lisa, which happens to be my name too. I wanted Lisa's Lisa socks to be more than just plain stripes. I cast on my usual 60 stitches and worked 20 rounds for the cuff.…
14.05.2025 19:37 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The Nomad Cowl
Well, I got my second Make Nine 2025 project finished this week, the Nomad Cowl. I wrote last week that I was nervous about having enough yardage to finish it, and I was absolutely right to have been fearful. I did NOT have enough. As it was knit from the bottom up (a new way for me to knit one of these cowls), I was able to simply stop knitting at any time. I kept weighing my yarn, and once I hit about 12g remaining, I knit five rounds in seed stitch, which is what the top border would have been.
The Nomad Cowl
Well, I got my second Make Nine 2025 project finished this week, the Nomad Cowl. I wrote last week that I was nervous about having enough yardage to finish it, and I was absolutely right to have been fearful. I did NOT have enough. As it was knit from the bottom up (a new way for me…
21.04.2025 21:54 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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I knit tiny nonsense.
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