March 2016 – Knitting Up North

Ask the Wee Ones

The girls wanted a chance to weigh in on the blog. I decided to let the girls type in their own answers and not give any editorial comments whatsoever (even though it’s very hard). I’ve even included photos of the projects that the girls are talking about because I’m not sure you’ve ever seen these photos. I wanted to put a photo on of the girls that I took last week, because it shows their moods perfectly. However, Lily asked that I take it town because she didn’t look happy. She’s been in a bit of a snarly mood all week, and I think you’ll be able to tell at least a little from her comments.

Over on the Ravelry group, Knittymuggins asked,

“OK wee ones….. I know your mom knits A LOT 🙂

So what is your favorite thing she has knit for you? And what do you think is her favorite thing she has knit for you?”

Addie: I think that MY fave is this beautiful hat that has all this blues and purples (and other colors that I can’t remember…) is definitely true to my heart. Plus, I got to show it off to my teachers and friends which is a definite plus!! 😉 Hmm… the one that my mom likes making me the best…. THAT is a toughie….. Probably the knee-high-socks she made for me to wear on Halloween when I was Strawberry Shortcake. Don’t judge!! 🙂 Those were fun to wear and I bet they were fun to make. ( Even though after Halloween I didn’t wear them very much!) Thanks for the awesome questions Knittymuggins! 🙂

Little Lily in the sweater (approx. age 4)

Lily: I think my favorite thing is probably the sleeveless sweater that I had when I was little. I don’t know it could be a hat or sweater. It is hard to tell because she has made so many things.

Do you have a question for the Wee Ones? Ask it in the comments or in the Ravelry group.

Taking a Leap

I decided to take kind of an odd leap for a blog. It’s because I really want to hear from you. I started the blog to talk about knitting. Because, really, I think about knitting. A. Lot. And I want to talk about knitting with people who like knitting as much as I like knitting. I decided to add a group on Ravelry just for Knitting Up North. Will you please join me? Click this link and it will take you to the group. It’s that easy. Please don’t be shy. I don’t want to be the only one hanging out in Ravelry.

If you’re not already a member of Ravelry, you really should be. If for no other reason than you can get free patterns, purchase patterns, be enabled, and hang out with lots of really cool knitters. Check it out, it’s free!

Most of the conversation about the Jijuka Cowl KAL will be done on Ravelry. It’s just easier to have a conversation there then on the blog. Rest assured, I will talk about it on the blog, it’s just easier to answer questions or show yarn ideas there. So go now and join the group.

By the way, the pretty yarn in the picture is Quince & Co. yarn and handspun from Knitting My Way Home.

Mad for Plaid

I once had a co-worker who saw my plaid socks (very tame grey on black) and said, “Oh Jess, those socks are so Mod Squad.”
Taken aback, I admitted that Mod Squad was before my time and as such I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or a critique. She just smiled. To be honest, I’m still not sure. But I’ll admit, I do like plaid.

After all, I was a teenager in the 90’s.

So when the Spring 2016 Knitscene Magazine came out with a plaid hat, well I needed to make it. I couldn’t make it the way it was written though, because I’ve got a hat knitting contest going on. I needed to make a baby sized version of the hat.

I cast on 63 stitches and otherwise followed the pattern as written for the stripes and the crochet slip stitch vertical strip. Then I promptly cast on a 2nd one with another slight modification or two. (Because why would I knit a pattern as written twice in a row? That’s just not me.)

For those of you who might be counting, I have 6 baby hats done for the contest. Lily has 1.5 done.

But Wait, There’s More….

I absolutely fell in love with a new pattern. It’s the Jijuka Cowl from Brooklyn Tweed. I’m going to start a Knit-a-long for anyone that wants to join me. We’ll start on March 20 and go until people are done. That’s it. No real rules, no end date, no pressure, just knitting. I picked March 20 because it is Palm Sunday, and there’s something very satisfying to me about knitting crosses during Holy Week. It’s also Spring Break for the wee ones and my available knitting time might be slightly more than average that week. At least I can hope, right?

My yarn for the pattern arrived yesterday and now I’m itching to cast on. It’s Brooklyn Tweed Loft, just grippy enough yarn to make color work really enjoyable – and in my favorite color!

Leave me a comment if you’d like to join me on the Knit-a-long.