Monday, April 13, 2009

Three Cowls in Three Days

I had a very relaxing Easter weekend. I did some training for the CN Tower climb, hung out with my adorable 5 year old cousin, and did lots of knitting while watching tv. It was bliss. And I successfully knit three cowls!

I am very lucky to have many great coworkers. On Thursday I was suddenly hit by a desire to knit for three of them. These fine ladies have all at one time or another helped me through a rough patch and I wanted to show my appreciation through knitting.

The first cowl took a while to get going. I tried 2 or 3 patterns before hitting on one that was just right.

For Elaine
Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Crocus

With the second cowl, I decided to use two different colours which resulted in a delightful strawberry shortcake effect.

For Heidi (who wants to learn how to knit!)
Pattern: a mix of the Gloria Cowl and Stacked Eyelet Cowl
Yarn: Knitpicks Palette held doubled (thanks for the yarn, Phoe!)

For my third and final cowl, I wanted something that look very impressive since I was giving it to my only knitting co-worker.

For Bev
Pattern: Ellen
Yarn: Cascade 220

The best part about making these cowls (besides the look on my coworkers' faces when they got them) was that I used only stash yarn :)

Last day for the contest! Thanks so much to everyone who has sponsored me.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

March STR Package

I can't believe I forgot to blog about this! A few weeks ago I got the March Rockin' Sock Club shipment. I was wondering who the pattern designer this month would be and, as soon as I saw those 1970s greens and browns, I knew it was the Yarn Harlot. I like the use of pink though, I think it gives it a nice softness and takes away from the 70s influence.


Look at that cute little baby skein!

Check out the pattern. The rosebud motif swirls across the foot as well.

Unlike the first Rockin' Sock Club package, I didn't rush to cast on right away. It might partly be because I have other fun things on the needles right now (I'm trying to knit three cowls in three days), but I suspect that it's mostly because of the colour of the yarn. At first I really didn't like it, but after seeing other people's finished socks, I'm coming around to it. I also like the idea of knitting with my sock club yarn, though I guess that's just an idea and I certainly don't have to stick with it. I love the pattern but I do have some STR LW in Firebird that I think would look lovely with this pattern. I just don't know. So until I figure myself out, I'm not going to do anything because life is too short to knit for the wrong reasons :)

Don't forget about my contest which ends at midnight on Monday. There are fun prizes to be won and I just found some yarn which I'd intended to offer as a prize but forgotten about so there are actually 4 prizes!

I hope everyone is having a great Easter weekend. I'm off to play in the park with my five year old cousin :)

Sunday, April 5, 2009

A Contest


This is the CN Tower. It was the tallest free-standing structure in the world from 1975 until 2007 when it was surpassed by the Burj Dubai. It has 1,776 steps inside and I will be climbing every one of them on April 16th in support of the World Wildlife Fund

In order to raise money for WWF I am doing my first ever blog contest! Everyone who sponsors me for this climb will be entered for a chance to win prizes!

These prizes include:

Wrap Style by Pam Allen and Ann Budd (click here to see the patterns)


Just Enough Ruffles Scarf in Noro Silk Garden Lite (knit by yours truly)

Sock yarn dyed by me in the colours of your choosing (click here to see samples of my work)

Now for the boring stuff: donations of $20 or more will get you a tax receipt. Unfortunately it's only valid in Canada and the US. If you want to take part in this contest and live outside these two countries, you can donate to your local WWF and email confirmation to me. Please email me at missscarletknits@googlegroups.com to let me know know once you've made a donation so you can be entered in the contest. 

This contest will end at 11:59pm EST on Monday April 13th.

Click here to sponsor me in the CN Tower Climb! Thanks so much!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Happiness Comes in the Mail

I was the very lucky recipient of an unexpected package from poor internet-less Phoe recently. She sent me one of those box bags which are perfect for knitting socks, some KP dyeable yarn (this might find its way back to you albeit in a different form, Phoe), yummy looking chocolate (I haven't eaten it yet, can you believe it?), earrings made by Phoe, and Noro Kureyon sock yarn!!



Look at the striped goodness!

Thanks so much, Phoe. I love everything you sent me. And thank you to everyone who commented on my disastrous projects. I've actually started a striped sock in the Kureyon and so far I haven't run into any problems. Of course, the real test will be when I get to the heel. Stay turned!