Ellen's Adventure #1

Just back from the weekend adventure in Bridgeport, Newfoundland (near Twillingate - will get to that later in the week) and surrounding areas.  Ellen had a grand time and met so many new friends. Some thought it a little weird that she was hanging out with humans, while others were totally supportive.  All in all, a very productive trip.  There's so much to show you and so much to say that we'll have to do it in a few posts.  

The evening we arrived, the weather was superb and Bridgeport Harbour was beautifully calm so we got to work right away.  Ellen is shown below all cosied up in a sweater I knit for myself in late Spring.  By the time I finished it, the weather was too warm to wear it (although some would disagree!).  The sweater is machine knit, hand finished, with Knit Picks City Tweed HW in a pattern I designed myself.  I wanted a big comfy sweater with a sweatshirt fit.  It should be perfect for Fall.

In the background behind Ellen you'll see the beautiful Bridgeport landscape/seascape, as well as our friends' fishing shed and wharf.

There's more to follow during the week so please check back.  I'll include some non-Ellen photos to give you a taste of this beautiful place.  Ellen thought she should be in all the photos! Wasn't that the purpose of bringing her along? I explained to her that I don't have enough items knit for her to model in many different settings and we don't want to bore our audience.  She reluctantly agreed.  :-)

That Ellen! What a Swinger!

Ellen loves swinging!  The other day I wanted to show off some new yarns I bought for the stash and Ellen was more than willing to sit on the backyard swing and model it for me.  Sweet!  Both yarns are from Argosy, an online yarn store (www.argosyyarns.com).  The lighter coloured one is called Jo Jo which is a hand painted yarn made from merino wool, cashmere and angora.  Just lovely.  The darker one is Kimono Silk, which is 100% spun silk.  I can't wait to get started on those!

John and I are going on an adventure tomorrow and John said that Ellen can come too.  Yaay!  I wondered if there'd be room for her.  Come visit on Monday and see what we've been up to.  Have to run and find something to knit along the way.  Don't want to work on the lace purse as that needs my undivided attention.  Will find something interesting but easy so I can sight see.  :-)

Ellen's Soul Mate?! + What's on the Needles Now!

A couple of weeks ago, one of the guys at work went to St. Anthony (on the northernmost part of the Great Northern Peninsula of NL) on business (and to take fabulous pictures of icebergs!). When he came back, he sent me an email saying that he thought he'd found a soul mate for Ellen. He said that if she was interested he could provide contact info. I took one look at photo of potential soul mate and immediately answered for Ellen saying that of course she was interested!  The Soul Mate has assets that Ellen doesn't have (arms and a head!).  Anyhow, as it turns out, Ellen is not interested in long distance relationships.  Can you believe it?!  Below is the photo that my co-worker provided.

After Ellen got over the shock of me answering on her behalf (we took her to Placentia - that helped), today she agreed to hold what's currently on my needles (with John's help).  I'm knitting the Catherine Purse from the book Knitting Little Luxuries by Louisa Harding.  Knitting it for one of my daughters who's getting married in October.  It's made from the same yarn as her wedding dress (that I cannot post until after the wedding).  Anyway, it's my first time hand knitting lace. I have to pay attention!

Ellen on the Boardwalk!

Yesterday we took Ellen to the Placentia Regatta.  She's not comfortable modelling in crowds.  Actually, I'm not comfortable with her modelling in crowds!  :-)  Anyway, after we saw the race that we went to see, we took Ellen to the Boardwalk beside the ocean.  It was a bit windy but Ellen firmly stood her ground (with a little help from John)!  The hand knit eyelet wrap Ellen is modelling here is made from Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton (100% organically grown cotton) that I purchased at A Good Yarn, Downtown St. John's.  I found the pattern in a Vogue Knitting Shawls & Wraps book.
Finished knitting the wrap in the car on the way to Placentia!
Here's the link to A Good Yarn blog:  agoodyarnnl.wordpress.com/

Swatch it Ellen!

Ellen prefers to model finished garments, however sometimes one must do whatever needs to be done.  So, in these photos she is modelling a swatch made from Patons Silk Bamboo.   It's 70% viscose from bamboo and 30% silk.  Love the colour!  This is my first time using this yarn so I have no idea how it will knit up.  I plan on machine knitting a top for my mom.  Will definitely report back with a few pictures when it's done!

Ellen in Crayon!

Ellen is wearing a capelet that was hand knit with Knit Picks Crayon(TM).  Crayon is made from 100% Pima cotton.  Very soft and easy to knit.  Very forgiving too because of the crinkles in the yarn.  Ellen modelled this item at home because it was early Spring and she was quite new and not used to the Newfoundland weather.

Ellen - Casual in Cotton!

Summer has finally arrived in Newfoundland - some days.  :-)  On this particular evening, it was lovely and warm.  The top Ellen is wearing is machine knit with Patons Grace, which is 100% mercerized cotton that's made in Turkey.  This yarn is easy to machine knit and has a nice sheen.  Very little hand finishing on this one.  It's meant to be a casual, "throw on" top that can be worn alone or over your favourite tank.

Be Sweet Ellen!

Ellen loved wearing this just as much as I do.  It's handknit from Be Sweet Yarns - Bambino and Beaded Mohair (purchased at Fabulous Yarns).  Knit on big needles during a road trip to Deer Lake.  The feel of this yarn is indeed fabulous and it drapes wonderfully around the body.  Plus, the yarn actually smells beautiful!  It's perfect for over the shoulders on a cool summer evening.  I have it placed inside my armoire and sometimes when I'm getting something else out of there, I reach in and touch it.  Need to find more places to go so I can wear it more often!

Below are the links for Be Sweet and Fabulous Yarns.  

http://besweetproducts.com/category/yarns/

http://www.fabulousyarn.com/besweet.shtml

Ellen in Silk!

Ellen is posing at CBS, NL in a machine knit, hand finished silk top.  Peau De Soie Hand Dyed Silk Yarn purchased from Fabulous Yarn.  The neck, sleeves and bottom are all hand finished with knitting and crochet.

Meet Ellen!

This is Ellen.  She and I will be travelling to local areas to show off the beautiful scenery of Newfoundland (the Rock) as in "Rockin' Knits" and whatever I've knit recently. Say "hi" to Ellen.  You'll be seeing a lot more of her.