| Free Patterns |
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Sale Patterns |
- Phlox Socks - the Robyn's Nest June Sock Club
Pattern will be for sale as of October 1 2008
(You can email me or leave a comment and I will notify you when the pattern is available.)
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| I Want to Knit |
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| Tuesday, September 23, 2008 |
| kat-tun |
You people are good!  I can't believe it was guessed! And by two of you, no less! Good job! Yes, I actually knit a Japanese "boy band". During Secret Pal 12, my pal posted the following photo, with the explanation that it was a band she loved and she wished she could go see playing (they were in Japan at the time).
 Seeing those cute little cartoony figures reminded me of the Pocket Pal I'd knit for Jakob a loooong time ago (Ravelry link), and I had a brain-wave. I'd knit her her very own boy band!
I used the basic shape of the Pocket Pal design, and changed the colors/clothing to reflect the cartoon figures.
All the KAT-TUN members were knit with scraps of Anchor and DMC embroidery floss, and on size 2.5mm needles.
If I knit more Pocket Pals with floss I would go down to a 2.25mm or even a 2mm needle, as I found them a little loose when stuffing. However, I think my next batch would be with worsted weight yarn, to have larger toys for my kids to play with.
 AKANISHI JIN He was the first one I completed, and I realized belatedly that he should have long sleeves, and not short sleeves, as I accidentally knit.
 NAKAMARU YUICHIYou can barely tell, but I actually knit his pants in fair isle to get the plaid effect of the original.
 TANAKA KOKIIf I were to change the pattern, I would only work 2 rows of the white shirt, instead of 4. I find it wider than the illustration and it bugs me. You can't see it in this photo, but I actually used silver floss for the chain hanging around his waist.
 KAMENASHI KAZUYAI had fun with this one, although his hair left much to be desired. If you look closely, you can even see the fringe I embroidered below his leather jacket!
 TAGUCHI JUNNOSUKEI should have stuffed this one more, but misjudged how much I would actually need. Luckily he's so busy with his funky jacket and pink waist-scarf, that you can barely tell. UEDA TATSUYA I struggled with how to include the gauzy over-shirt this guy is wearing, but in the end I decided to omit it. My photo doesn't show it, but I did include the white patches on each shoulder.  Here's the back view of the 6. Please ignore the jog on the black & white striped shirt!
Here's the group shot with all 6 lined up in front of their respective cartoon icons. I am very pleased with how they turned out, but they weren't for me, after all...
Want to know what my secret pal thought? To see her reaction, and the cute box I sent them in, click here.
Labels: Akanishi Jin, FO, Kamenashi Kazuya, KAT-TUN, my patterns, Nakamaru Yuichi, Pocket Pals, secret pal 12, Taguchi Junnosuke, Tanaka Koki, Ueda Tatsuya |
posted by Jennifer Lori @ 7:50 am   |
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| Monday, September 22, 2008 |
| thisclose |
 You people are good! Two letters left...unless you want to make a guess...
Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 10:10 pm |
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| so close... |
 Another letter on the board!
And the hanged-man gets an arm. :( So close! Only a few letters left!!! Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 9:33 am |
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| Sunday, September 21, 2008 |
| almost there... |
 The board is filling up nicely!
Unfortunately, we are now have a hangman on the noose too. :( Good luck! Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 2:59 pm |
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| Saturday, September 20, 2008 |
| on a roll people... |
So far, so good! Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 5:34 pm |
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| so far so good... |
Keep those guesses coming! So far, no hangman necessary... Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 3:10 pm |
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| Friday, September 19, 2008 |
| and we're on the board! |
Good job KTE! Any other guesses? Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 10:12 am |
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| Wednesday, September 10, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW |
Question 12 (a little late):
I'm sure most of us have a proudest moment when it comes to knitting. A project or technique that you've tackled and completed beautifully. What is your proudest knitting moment??
I'm still trying to come up with an answer to this one. There are so many moments I'm proud of with my knitting- my first a-ha! moment learning mattress stitch...Yannick's first pair of socks (also my first)...the first time I realized I could alter a pattern and not need to follow the exact directions (like doing short row shoulders and a 3ndl bo instead of binding off and seaming)...my first official pattern. I think everything that got me to *here* is my proudest moment.
And on the flip side? What is the one thing that you can't get right? What is that one project that you've never been able to complete? Or that you did complete but then hid away instantly because it was too embarrassing?
Honestly? None. I'm not thrilled with my Fair Isle but I know it will get better with practice. That doesn't stop me from using it. I have no hidden projects, and my only ufos are unfinished because of lack of time, not lack of skill or embarassment. I don't think there ARE any knitting skills that one cannot learn...so I have no answer to this part.Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 9:26 am |
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| Saturday, September 06, 2008 |
| package # 2 |
I took these photos about 2 weeks ago and feel horrible that I haven't posted them yet. Sorry Secret Pal!
Package #2 from my secret pal had arrived, and I am so happy with it!
 There is a cute knitting card, a sheep magnet, a candle (cucumber-melon scent, yum!) and a set of post-its, 'cus you can never have too many! The best part is a skein of Dream in Color Smooshy!
 I tried taking the photos in natural light but for some reason they kept coming out blue, whereas the yarn is actual dark green. The label says "Giant Peach" which is clearly wrong, so after browsing DiC's website, I think the actual color is not listed there. It might have to be Good Luck Jade by default, but it's not dark enough. (Unless of course, my memory is failing me, and it actual IS blue, in which case it is probably Midnight Derby). Either way, Yannick is trying to claim it as his, so I might need to eke a pair of socks for both of us out of it!
Thanks Secret Pal!
Because there hasn't been enough lately, here's a photo of Jakob on his Rock 'n Roll trike:
 Labels: secret pal 12, stash enhancing |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 9:00 am |
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| Saturday, August 23, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW |
This week's question of the week is:
"What's the best thing you've ever received in the mail?"
Love letters.
Not knitting-related, sorry!Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 8:57 am |
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| Wednesday, August 13, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW |
Question 10: Here's an odd sort of question...What Olympic event would best describe your knitting/knitting style?
Gack- I don't know all the events! Yannick and I have been watching each evening the last few nights, though, so if I would only be able to pick from the beach volleyball, swimming and gymnastics routines...
If I go over the list of Summer Olympic sports listed on the official website, I guess my knitting style would be "Artistic Gymnastics".
Here's an excerpt of the discipline's origins, from the same website:
"When gymnastics began in ancient Greece more than 2000 years ago, the gymnasium was the centre of cultural activity. Men gathered there not only to practise sport, but to understand art, music and philosophy. The Greeks believed symmetry between the mind and body was possible only when physical exercise was coupled with intellectual activity.
Today, gymnastics is often termed the ultimate combination of sport and art, but the idea is nothing new. Plato, Aristotle and Homer heartily advocated the strengthening qualities of gymnastic activity. It is a philosophy that can be found in much of their work."
A combination of sport and art where physical exercise is coupled with intellectual activity...sounds about right to me!Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 10:32 am |
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| Wednesday, August 06, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW |
This week our question is about your knitting... In many communities, "the fair" is a great place to visit and spend time with your family. It's also where many have entered one product or another (jams, cakes, even knitting)... Have you ever entered your knitting (or anything else) in the fair? Would you ever consider it? I've never entered anything in a fair, but I did enter a pair of gloves I designed into my local guild's mitten/glove contest. I won for the category of "mittens/gloves knit from an original design" but I think I was the only one who designed my own pattern, so I can't claim I won due to talent alone. Edited to add:
...for those of you who live in parts of the world w/o fairs...would you ever consider entering your knitting in a competition?
Yes! I wish we had fairs here, I'd love to enter competitions!!Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 2:25 pm |
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| Wednesday, July 30, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW |
Here is question 8! Enjoy!
What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening? (For added "flavor", post a photo or recipe link)
Well, I don't really have a favorite supper these days- the vomiting has gotten somewhat better; instead of everything I eat, I'm now only doing it anywhere from 1-6 times a day. And I had 3 random days last week where I didn't throw up at all.
Because it is so unpredictable, I don't look at meals anymore as "hmm...what looks good to eat?" Instead I think "what is worth it?" For example, last night Yannick decided he wanted to order supper. A big criteria for choosing a place to order from was the price- I didn't want to order something too expensive and not keep it down.
Plus I'm not a good one to talk about favorite suppers these days anyways, what with all the food aversions. Had you asked me this a few months ago I probably would have answered "ordering St-Hubert BBQ chicken" but now I have ZERO interest in eating chicken.
I have had no problems eating pasta though, so to make up for another crappy answer, let me share my easy rosé sauce recipe:
Cheese Tortellini with Rosé Sauce (really easy "recipe")*
-Put a large pot of water on to boil.
-While you wait, melt about a tablespoon of margerine or butter in a medium pot, then add some chopped onion. I love onions, so I use at least 1 huge onion for a portion of pasta for 2-3 people, more if there is more pasta. I usually chop half, and thinly slice half. I don't know if it tastes different after cooking, but I like the variation.
-Boil a package of fresh or frozen cheese tortellini. This usually takes about 9 minutes.
-Once the pasta is boiling, empty a small (125ml I think) can of Ayers tomato soup into the pot with the onions. Fill the empty can 2/3 of the way with cream, and add that to the pot too. If using milk, you can put a full can.
-Stir the sauce and let it simmer/heat until the cream and soup are well mixed. By this point the pasta should be ready.
-Drain the pasta, toss with the sauce, and serve. In the past I used to season the sauce with all kinds of spices and garlic, but as one of my favorite "comfort" foods, all I would add to this is some salt at the table.
It's plain, but homey, and really good on a cold night. Or any night. And it reheats well too.
*Yes, you're basically mixing store-bought pasta with tomato soup, cream and onions. I never said this was a Cordon-Bleu recipe. It's still really tasty!
Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 3:30 pm |
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| Wednesday, July 23, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW |
Time for the next Question of the Week:
We are all creatures of habit and when it comes to sitting down to knit, it's no different…
What is(are) your favorite place(s) to knit?
My favorite place to knit is in front of the TV. Ideally I'll have a stack of VHS tapes of the shows I'd recorded in the last little while, which would give me a few hours of only the shows I want to see. I knit without looking, so I get restless if I have nothing to distract my eyes. Also, this will sound strange because knitting requires varying degrees of concentration depending on the project, but I need the TV (or at least my iPod) to keep my brain occupied while I knit.
What supplies (besides yarn & needles) make the setting perfect for knitting?
Um...light? I have knit in the dark, but it didn't turn out pretty. Seriously, I think the only thing I'd need besides my yarn, needles and pattern, would be my notions caddy. I have a small 2-level makeup bag that holds everything I need in a compact, easily portable little bundle. Everything is in there, from scissors and sewing needles to spare buttons, pens, pencils, a highlighter, measuring tape, needle gauge, stitch markers, a scale, reinforcing thread, elastic thread, waste yarn, stitch holders and more I'm sure I'm forgetting.
Beyond that I just need a comfortable seat, although I have knit while walking many times. I'd love to be able to knit while lying down, but it isn't worth the strain on my arms.Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 11:13 am |
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| Saturday, July 19, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW and first package |
Here is this week's Secret Pal 12 Question of the Week:
Since thinking about holidays/vacations is SO much fun, let's continue with the theme…
Question #6-What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?
Hey Group!
If you'd like to share a story…Tell us about a time that you packed too much knitting or were stranded without knitting for Question of the Week #6.
Well. I think some of you might already know the answer to the second half of that question (I'm looking at YOU, Maaike), but I'll answer both anyways.
My favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation is socks. I put the yarn and needles into a tiny zippered heavy plastic bag, like a makeup bag or the bag baby shoes come in. I transcribe the pattern into my Palm so it is accessible, and am able to tuck both into any purse necessary. I like to have a more complicated pattern (maybe charts I need to look at, or something I need to pay attention to) for quiet times like relaxing on the beach, and a mindless stockinette or rib for times when I'll have to keep picking it up an putting it back down.
Now then, as for the overpacking or underpacking of yarn. I've never underpacked yarn. But I have overpacked. (Once! Only once!).
I severely misjudged the amount of knitting time I would have on the cruise my family took this past holiday season. What can I say, it was my first trip without my breastfeeding 7.5-month-old, and I thought I'd be knitting to try and ignore how much I'd be missing him, AND because of the novelty of having both hands free AT THE SAME TIME for hours on end.
This is the knitting that actually got done on the 13 day trip. I cast-on and finished Fibonacci Sock #2 (Ravelry project link), I completed 90% of my first Sidewinder Sock, and while waiting in the airport to come home, I cast on for Mona's November Mystery Socks (Barcelona Socks Ravelry link). Why didn't I finish the first Sidewinder before coming home? Who knows. Why didn't I knit in the rest of the airport time and on the plane (4 hours!) coming home? No idea. I might have slept.
As if that much yarn with so little knitting wasn't bad enough, here is more of the yarn I'd brought. Yes, apparently I thought I'd knit 15 socks in 13 days, while 11 of those days were spent on a cruise visiting Cartagena, Ochos Rios, Panama, Limon and somewhere else I forget right now. Plus I took about 9 1-hour computer courses. And we went to the shows every night. Etc... I *did* try to start one of the pairs during a long bus ride at one of the stops, but my gauge was completely off with the needles I had with me, so that got put aside.
But I'm not crazy! These are the 2 balls of yarn I took OUT of my suitcase before closing it- because they would have made it way too much yarn.
Stop laughing.
As a distraction, here is my first Secret Pal 12 package!
 Thanks Secret Pal! As you can see, starting from the bottom left, there is some tissues (always handy, especially with a baby), a magnetized notebad (I always have one on my fridge) and a mini notebook with pen, a postcard with sheep on it, a sheep chocolate (which I shared with Yannick) and some LOVELY dyed-in-the-wool mediumweight sock yarn.
 These colors are beautiful! Thank you so much Secret Pal!
Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 9:43 am |
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| Wednesday, July 09, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW |
I'm rushing this post because I'm leaving work in 7 minutes and want to take advantage of a few Jakob-free moments at home (he spent the day at my mom's) to tidy up before my Aquafit class, so there are no photos, just a quick answer to the latest Question of the Week:
Boy, time flies. Summer is when many of us head out on vacation/holiday. So, this week's question/s has us wondering:
1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday?
Hmm...I don't know, I don't get to take summer holidays anymore. I think those days ended when I neared the end of school and worked part- or full-time. Another sucky answer, but I really don't have a favorite holiday spot.
2) Where is one place you'd like to go?
I'd love to travel across Canada, preferably by train.Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 4:53 pm |
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| Thursday, July 03, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW |
The "perfect sized" stash was a tough question for many of you to answer. Maybe these stash related questions will be easier:
1) What yarn (that you don't have/haven't used) would make your stash "complete"?
2) What yarn do you never want to be without?
Hmm...these are harder! Let's see...
1) I don't know! There are a ton of yarns I haven't used/don't have...but I can't think of anything I'm lacking. The only way I can answer this is to say I wish I had more sweater-quantities of yarn in my stash. I know it doesn't answer the question exactly, but I honestly can't think of any particular brand/fiber/color/whatever that would be my Jerry Maguire.
2) Sock yarn. It works for socks, for fine projects, for baby clothes, for accessories, lace items...plus you can double it to get a different gauge. Give me a variety of fiber contents and I think I'll be set for almost anything.Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 7:41 am |
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| Monday, June 30, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW |
Question of the Week #3
So far we've had a lot of fun with "summer related" questions, now it's time to answer a "knitting related" one.What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?
Oy. I guess the perfect amount of stash is having whatever you need on hand for any spur-of-the-moment, birth-announcement, gift-idea, sweater-quantity project you might decide to do. Realistic, right?Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 11:58 am |
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| Tuesday, June 24, 2008 |
| SP12 QOTW |
This is the Question of the Week for week 2:
As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?
I'd have to say that I looked most forwards to not having to be in school and do homework. Freedom, basically.
To those of you who were looking for information on the yaron used for the Phlox socks- I'll be posting that later today (I don't have the link to the handpainter's etsy shop here).
To everyone in Quebec- enjoy the day off!Labels: secret pal 12 |
| posted by Jennifer Lori @ 9:44 am |
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