When your working all the time!!

Well I have managed to finish this

Its a little hat to go with the sweater I made for Owen before christmas, remember?

I think its a great set now.  I have just cast on for another hat, it seems there are babies brewing everywhere this year.  I have a few baby knits to get working on.  Also, Rachels birthday is approaching in early march, I really need to make her a sweater.  I think I'll cast on for that tomorrow.  I made a sweater for Rena for her birthday and I am going to use the same pattern for Rachels sweater, only I am using different colours, how cute, they are going to have matching sweaters!!!  I missed you all, and have done some blog catching up this evening. 

 

HELLO EVERYBODY!!!

 

 

 

 

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaa baaa, baaaaack  (like a sheep bleating)

*snicker at my own bad joke*

Well, I guess I have done away with as much of the holiday drain as possible.  Tossed the sugary sweets and filled up on energy rich veggies.  Had a few good sleeps here and there and returned as normal as normal gets around here.  I have photos and things to share but first.   First and most importantly...

I've been thinking quite a bit about knitting lately, knitting and knitters in general.  And after a year of bringing my craft online, I am happy to report that Knitters are probably the kindest people I have ever met.  I have been eloquently formulating a short essay on the generosity of knitters in my head for a few days now, wanting to post... but you know what?  Knitters already know that knitters are kind, I dont have to tell you.  I dont have to tell you what you see everyday.  Across a sea one knitter helps another pick up dropped stitches.   From a new knitter in Texas a fresh view on seaming electronically makes its way to a seasoned grandma in Calgary trying to put the finishing touches on a sweater for her new grandbaby.   A dedicated designer in Croatia shares her ideas with the world, openly and freely, for all knitters to benefit from.  And for me - One mother and kindred knitter all the way accross the continent and in another country helps another with a yarn requirement.  And all of these knitters have no expectations from each other, they only offer their support to each other.   It just blows my mind, warms my heart, inspires my soul and keeps my needles clicking.

To all the knitters of the world, I raise my needles in salute, God bless and keep on knitting

And now, on to the photos. Long post I know, are you still with me? Well here we go I'll be quick...  We had some fun trying to roll up a GIANT hank of crazy beautiful yarn I bought for Amanda for Christmas

And when it was done, we got silly...

And took turns wearing the giant ball of yarn like a hat... LOL

We spent some time with Friends, laughing and enjoying some cards, some beer and lots of jokes

I have certainly been enjoying coffee in the mornings with my new Coffee Mug and my new socks... oh yeah baby

Enough for now, More about knitting tomorrow :)  And I wanted to mention that I will be holding a contest soon here at KnitHappens, the prize? One of those cutie coffee mugs I am holding above that is adorned with happy little sheep. Details soon.

I think that now the holidays are over. The last of the cookies have been eaten and the decorations are put away I am expiriencing post holiday drain.  Blah.   I'm SOOOOOOOO tired.  I work, cook, read goodnight moon "just one more time pleaaaaaassssseeeee" and fall into bed.   Wake up and do the whole thing over.  I'm so tired I'm starting to dream I'm the little old lady whispering "hush" knitting in the great green room.  Geez.  

 (all those weird references will only make sense to you if you have a child who ever discovered the book GOODNIGHT MOON, And made you read it to them a gazillion times)

Well I do have some new knitting projects on the go.  A few knew knitting toys from the holidays to show you. and some resolutions regarding finishing up those pesky FO's.  But.  I dont have any pictures to go with those storys. And I have to go work now. 

HAPPY NEW YARN EVERYBODY!!!

(That was for you Mary, still chucking over that)

 

And Happy Blogiversary to me

Happy blogiversary to me

Happy blogiversary, happy blogiversary

Happy Blogiversary to me!!!

 

One year ago I opened this blog, and have since discovered a whole new world of friendship and support though blogging.  Thanks everyone! Heres to a new year here at Knit Happens and a new year in all our lives.

So Samantha started it.  She made me love cables.  I read her blog, loved her cables and tried a small project.   Renas Greem scarf, remember?  Then I was reading about Mary's Cabled hat and I had to have one.  So, I give you (drumroll please)  Possibly the coolest item i have ever made...

Why is this the coolest item i have ever made?? Well because i did cables and I didnt think I could.  Because I did the cables WITHOUT a cable needle (thanks to Marys instructions) And because my 8 year old daughter (who has great fashion sense) refuses to take this hat off, even in the house. I'm flattered.  I really wanted to make this hat for myself, but Rachel snatched it up, thats ok, i can always make another.  Hey, does anybody know where you can buy Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Toronto?? because I cant find it anywhere. 

And so as the rest of the blogisphere has retired to their Eggnog and roaring fires, here I am as usual pulling in at the 11th hour.  LOL

Let me catch you up on my time as of late.  I finished a sweater just in time for christmas.  A friend commissioned this for his newly minted nephew and i was happy to oblige...

This Navy blue number will be waiting under the tree for Owen Tomorrow morning.  Its knit with Bernat Satin and topped up with gorgeous red heart buttons.  Enjoy Owen!!! Merry Christmas to you.

Next up is the hat I started this morning, yes, this morning.  I was up at 6:00 am with the dog, and while the house was quiet I started a hat, that I can hopefully finish today to put under the tree for Rachel.  This brilliant little number was designed by MARY  And she so generoulsy provided me with the pattern AND THE YARN!!! Mary was my Secret Pal 5 pal and sent me some beautiful Lion Brand Cotton Ease, and thats just what this pattern calls for: 

This little bit of ribbing, will evnentually be a cabled hat, check out Marys Blog for her ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS red version.

This is what our tree looks like Pre Santa (taken this morning)

I promise to take a photo later when everything has been added.

And this my good friends is where I intend to spend the rest of my day... knitting of course

The stockings are hung by the sliding glass doors with care, the egg nog is chilling, The presents are bought, And to you my knitting friends..

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL,

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT !

Well Princess,

Three years ago today, at just after 10 am in the morning, you came thundering into this world with an enthusiasm that is yet unmatched by any member of our family.  And your spirit has not faultered once since then.  Your infectious energy and curious nature keep us all on our toes.  We love your Rena.  Happy Birthday my baby Angel

Enjoy the Cakes, songs and laughter

And um, enjoy your new handmade sweater.  

XOXOXOXOX,

Mummy

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow !!!

Wow the weather here in the Big T.O sure is wintery.  We got something like 10cm of snow last night. So I am in exactly the holiday mood I need to be in to show you theses...

Some nifty painted ornaments for our tree, Santas little helpers were very pleased to have this task.

Then we put up our Tree

Then I knit a scarf for Rena, a "GREEM" scarf.  (Rena has troubles saying Green, so she begged for a GREEM scarf, I think this fits the bill nicely)

Do you see that Samantha??? CABLES!!!! Granted, they are big ones, but I thought a scarf would be the perfect way to introduce myself to cables.  I LOVE THEM. more, must have more cables!!!!!
Heres a closeup of the cables....

I hope where ever you are, you are getting ready for the holidays!!!  I know we are.
~Shannon

 

 

Really I could walk out to the living room, take some photos, walk back, upload them, resize them, and post them here... but gosh that sounds like so much work right now!!!

Incredibly tired over here but getting a lot of knitting done, well alot for me anyhow!!! I wish I had Sandra's energy to knit all night !!!  GO SANDRA!!!!! (Sandra is the most fearless knitter i know) Or Karyn aka Noeys Mommy ability to pump out hats for all the little kiddos in my life (Really great looking hats too!!!).  Or Samantha's enthusiasm for delicious looking cables (you know I've never tried cables!!!).    And all the other ambitious knitters out there who make me feel like a sloth when I read their blogs.  

I want all the other knitting bloggers out there to know that I luv ya, on days when my arms are too tired to click my own needles, I thoroughly enjoy reading about your projects.  

Keep on keeping on ladies,

live to knit, knit to live.

Winter invokes a whole new set of knitting emotions...  KNIT, KNIT QUICKLY AND KEEP THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE WARM. 

So I give you, the Coolest Beanie Hat this side of the Ocean (because frankly Sandra's new beanie is pretty cool, but she's on the other side of the ocean so its ok!!) 

This is my DH.  Modeling his new Beanie Hat.  The Black yarn is Rowan CashSoft. And wow, its soft. The Camo type pattern yarn in the centre is a bernat Army Camo type Yarn I bought ages ago and new I would incorporate into something for man sooner or later.  Its pretty cold here right now, in case you are no where near Toronto this is what it looks like ....

Please dont mind the dark photo, it was taken from my bedroom window mere minutes ago, its late, I should be sleeping, instead I'm bragging to you all about how tomorrow my Hubby will be warm, wearing his new beanie. 

If he really loves me, he'll sleep in the hat. :)