Fall Prep!

The time has come again! Officially knitting season!

In preparation for this lovely time of year, I have dutifully stocked up on some fun new yarn for myself and gifted items. I recently competed for a higher-level career within my company, which means a half-office-half-cubical space, and lots of networking. This calls for versatile sweaters and cardigans. 

I got an e-mail from Knit Picks advertising a sale on cashmere yarn. Really, the words 'sale' and 'cashmere' in the same sentence should be enough indication as to my excitement. I bought Capra in navy and cream, and although I didn't get a huge amount, I think it will suffice to accommodate my re-emerged nautical taste. A lovely stripped cowl is just the recipe for this. I'm leaning towards "Honey Cowl" by Madeline Tosh (found on Ravelry). 

As I was browsing Ravelry patterns, I stumbled upon "Caramel" by Isabell Kramer, and saw a variation called "Lemon Drops". Let me tell you, my jaw dropped at the beauty and simplicity of this. I IMMEDIATELY searched for yarn. I have to make this - and I have to have this gorgeousness on my body. I decided on Wool of the Andes Superwash (seriously, I'm not into hand washing a cardigan I'm expecting to wear 24/7) in Semolina, Navy and Heathered Gray. I'm actually going to do a gauge swatch for the first time in my knitting life, so hopefully I get this right!

I then stopped by Spun Fibre Arts in Burlington - and although temptation was drawing me to multiple different yarns, I picked up two delicious varieties - both lace weight! Yes, me - the queen of chunky yarn. 

The first is a lovely coral silk/wool blend - which I'm hoping to create an airy scarf/shawl that can give a sheer effect ("Just a Whisper" on Ravelry). I'm normally quite afraid of bright colours (I blame this on my shy-borderline-introverted nature), but coral is my one exception. I love the happiness of the colour, and that it seems to have a mature quality while still being pretty girly.

The second yarn is the most beautiful burgundy cashmere I have ever seen. The yarn was half off (!!!!!!!!), and although the yardage is quite low (I bought two 294m skeins - for lace weight...seriously), I browsed through Ravelry while I was at the store and found a lovely pattern that I'm hoping to knit up for my mom in time for her birthday.

My stash is once again becoming slightly uncontrollable, and I think I've maxed out my yarn budget for the remainder of the year. Hopefully I can manage to knit up some of this delightful yarn, while still meeting my duties of preparing for the much anticipated "Vaughan of a Kind" craft show. I will have lots of City Cowls, as well as headbands up for grabs.

Lots of knitting love from yours truly,

Little Ms. Cowl Co.

January Knitting Escapades

January is usually a pretty quiet knit-month for me. 

Last year, I actually took a hiatus from knitting after suffering through most of December knitting cowls for everyone and their mother (literally). This year, I had plans to start and finish a sweater, maybe a pair of mittens...and possibly a chunky scarf. Not so, said the knitting gods. Not so.

As you read in my previous posts, I did not manage to finish my boyfriend's Christmas gift. I was also working on my super-secret swap project (almost done!), but the kicker...I got more orders. I love getting orders for knitwear. I do. I do. I love knitting something for someone and thinking "she's going to be so warm in this" or "this is one slick looking headband". I love seeing people wear items I knit, I love seeing people warm and I love that my little hands made them warm and comfy and stylish. However, I am slowly inching away from mass knit orders, and crawling towards knitting for myself, my friends, family and of course, my boyfriend.

I have quite the queue going on on Ravelry. The projects that are really really getting my fingers itching are:

"Lu" Cardigan by Perl Grey - yarn will be Fleece Artist Blue Face Leicester Aran in hand-dyed brown/purple/grey tone

"November Sweater" by Meghan Fernandes - yarn will be Sandnes Garn Alpakka in plum

Thrum Mittens by Fleece Artist - yarn will be Fleece Artist Thrum Kit in hand-dyed mixed-berry tone

Cascade Kid Seta Cardigan by Marelie Hurter - yarn will be Knit Picks Shadow Tonal in blue

Check out more of my queue on Ravelry, and feel free to leave me suggestions of patterns I can hopefully love and admire enough to slave over yarn and needles for hundreds of hours on end.

Until next time,

Little Miss Cowl Co

Christmas Knitting Frenzy

Hi All!

So I said in my previous post that I would check back after Christmas...but I really need to get this off my chest. I am once again in a Christmas knitting frenzy.

Last year, I had just started up my Little Cowl Co, and was so swamped with orders I was pulling all nighters, knitting at red lights, stuck in traffic etc. It was horrible. I even brought my knitting to a bar on a Friday night because I had deadlines. This year has calmed down a bit, but I am still on a December 24th deadline for three projects.

The first is a simple cowl - I'm using Mirasol Miski in dye lot 77315 - a lovely blue with red undertones. It's worsted weight, and I'm used to bulky, so I'm hoping to get this done within an evening of Christmas specials.

The second, a gift for a friend's daughter is the most adorable cowl/hood pattern (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-burton-bear-cowl). I haven't started, and will be seeing them next week. I will be knitting it in a lovely alpaca/wool/acrylic blend with two medium size wood buttons to finish. I was almost done when I had to frog the entire thing (I misread the hood pattern, and got so frusterated that I decided to start fresh and calm). I think I THINK this can get done in three evenings. One for the neck portion, one for the hood portion, one for the ears, seams, button, weaving etc.

The third is the stressful one. It's a surprise Christmas gift for my boyfriend is the New York Scarf (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/new-york-scarf---a-guys-woolie-warmer). I chose Illimani Yarn Baby Llama in the most interesting shade of grey/brown. It looks grey beside grey and brown beside brown. It's super soft, but for a worsted weight, it feel and knits up more like a DK. I'm 6 inches in, and have 59 inches left to go. I timed my rows, and I average about 2 mins 45 secs per row. This leaves me approximately 21 hours of knitting left to do. Doesn't seem like much, you say? Over the 12 days left until Christmas Eve, that leaves me about 2 hours a day of knitting. Did I mention that I do actually have contact with my boyfriend, meaning the scarf has to go on the backburner while he's around. This equates to me being screwed.

So, those are my three knitting dilemmas. Help. Me.

Signing off and saying a little prayer that I get it all done and have some amount of sanity left over,

Little Miss Cowl Co.

Swap...chocolate edition!

Happy two-weeks till Christmas!

Recently I decided to participate in another swap, all through Ravelry.com (hands down my favourite website in the whole world). It was with the "Caffeine Addicts" group again - since  coffee is truly the most beautiful gift one can give and receive. It is the gift that keeps on giving. It is relief on an early morning, comfort in frustrating times...it's basically the drinkable equivalent to a hug.

I didn't have a lot of time to prepare for the swap - as we had about two weeks to make and ship our packages, and I was in the middle of preparing for a HUGE artisan show here in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). I made my tried and tested comfy squishy cowl in a lovely alpaca, wool and acrylic blend yarn from Italy. I had a bit of leftover, and decided to make a matching coffee traveller mug cozy in the same material and pattern (I thought it would be cute...like a mini-me cowl!).

Based on some quick questions to my swap partner, I chose a lovely hand-dyed New Zealand wool in jewel/autumn tones, some Italian chocolate (I'm biased to my own, if I'm gonna be honest here), and some tasty coffee. Here is the link to the picture of what I sent..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55305309@N06/8189090867/

Now, let's get serious. What I got in return was INSANE. Just ridiculously luxurious and thoughtful and downright spectacular. Let's start with the top left and work our way clockwise. Sit down, if you're not already. This is gonna get good.

YARN. Kettle dyed, sustainably produced chunky yarn. I'm not sharing, nor am I knitting something for someone else with this. Next, Amish Pumpkin butter. It's almost gone. I made scones. Beside that is probably the second best coffee that has ever touched my lips. Second of course to some coffee truck on Wall Street a few years ago, but that's besides the point. Next (you're looking at the centre-right now), is lots of chocolate, pretty little tissue pack, and a card describing everything. Bottom right, you're looking at my very own pair of Raccoon fingerless mitts, tails and everything. I am currently obsessed, and wearing them now since it's pretty cold in this office of mine. Bottom centre, Chocolate cook book. My boyfriend will be happy, since I have made it my life's mission to prepare every single thing in that book. Last but definitely not least, a local magazine from St. Louis, Missouri. 

If you, dear reader, are a knitter or crocheter, and not currently on Ravelry.com, I highly recommend it. Not only do you get to interact with fellow crafters', but you get the opportunity to participate in so many different things, help with patterns, yarns, stores, and well, it's just paradise.

I'm off for now, I will check back after Christmas and keep you all updated on my Knitting Group Swap and other knitting adventures I find myself in!

Signing off,

Little Miss Cowl Co.

Busy Bee

Hi and Happy Victoria Day to all my lovely followers!

I have taken a little (ok, substantial) hiatus from the blog to knit my little fingers off! I've decided to participate in not one, but two craft/artisan shows! So the past few months have been crazy in terms of choosing and buying the perfect yarn, knitting and blocking, preparing displays, and all other fun stuff associated with the excitement of an artisan fair!

I found a perfect wonderful cushy yarn...something I have been looking for! It's a lovely mix of wool, alpaca, and acrylic. The vast array of colours available is incredible...something for everyone (among other colours are orange, pink, fuchsia, lime green, purple for the adventurous crowd, brown, cream, black, grey, navy and charcoal for the tame)! The new "City Cowl" will be introduced at the Kleinburg Binder Twine Festival on Saturday September 8th. The Little Cowl Co. will have a booth, so stop by say hi to Little Miss Cowl Co. and pick up a cowl! 

If you would like a little sneak preview, the classic "Genesis Cowl" will be sold at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church annual craft fair on Saturday June 16th. It's the perfect way to try out the cowl before you buy it! Colours available will be: Black, Navy, Denim, Wheat, and Grey Marble.

Hope to see everyone at the fairs!

Loves,

Little Miss Cowl Co.

My Lenten Promise

Hello my lovely followers!

Mardi Gras has come and gone, and since the day of gluttony is over, now starts the hard part: 40 days of giving up something. Today is in fact, Ash Wednesday - the day that symbolises Jesus entering the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.

So I'm thinking about what to give up. This morning as I was brushing my teeth and had a few minutes of reflection time, I thought to myself, "hey, what if I don't give anything up and just do extra good?" but then I realised that was a cop out, and at 5:30am, blamed the ghastly hour as cause for my brain not working at full potential.

A few years ago I gave up coffee. That didn't fare well - I was a miserable person and probably caused more damage in the world without it. The year after that, I gave up my morning cigarette (yes, terrible habit I know) and lasted about 3 hours before getting the shakes and succumbing to the nicotine demon. Last year I gave up spending money (other than gas and other necessities, coffee NOT included, thank you very much). It worked - until my LYS had a sale. Then it went down the drain and I continue to feel guilty about breaking my Lent promise. This year though, I'm caught between a rock and a hard spot. Do I give up yarn shopping or Nutella??

Nutella seems like the obvious choice for me, seeing as it's always in my pantry and in front of my face, so the temptation of it for 40 days should test my character and will. Yarn shopping however, can get out of control very quickly - but it's an out-of-sight-out-of-mind thing. Plus, yarn shopping is for the good of "The Little Cowl Company" clients (seeing as I've barely knit myself a cowl or anything else for that matter). I can't give up something that could so detrimentally affect someone else, now can I?! So I guess Nutella it is...ok fine, all chocolate for that matter. Might as well go hard or go home!

Wishing you all the luck if you decide to give something up! Stay strong, and knit on!