DIY - At last

Finally, I can share some of my secrets. It's all in the good yarn. I have kitted up some beautiful hand spun and paired it with some commercial yarn (to keep down the cost) and now for $45.00 you can have your own spuntastic MelonHead creation.

Until the first pattern is released, I will be offering design support for any wool purchased. These kits are a perfect gift for the creative knitter on your list....Beautifully packaged, absolute eye candy for your favourite knitter.

And then they can knit this wonderful design I call "Eat your Peas"

More kit and pattern details to follow. ----Oh yes and on a side note...I have received my first set of double points...I am going to make socks!!!!

Out to purchase the yarn today....

Who Needs the Gym?

It's been more than 3 months since I've had to set up a show and I forgot how heavy the grid walls are. John is 6'4" so the the upper shelving and signage is his responsibility ( as well as continuous lattes throughout the day.

Portobello West is an exceptional venue for Vancouver. As an artisan, it's difficult to find a venue that focuses on fashion. I had an outstanding two days, personally and professionally. Here's a peak at the booth.



I sold my favourite new pieces and it was hard to part with the Pussy Willow Scarf. I got a huge kick out of selling my new handspun----what a rush.

I also have my 2nd order for Barefoot Contessa for the early start of the season and I am thrilled. So head over there to pick up baby and adult pirate hats, sweater sets and my silk and cotton cherry blossom chokers.

Busy hands are happy hands,------but God, my back is killing me. See you back at Portobello last Sunday in April...there will be a lot of new knitting by then.

Sassy Silk

I have designed some retro crochet caps for spring in a silk tweed, I love the feel and weight of it and the designs are simple and funky. I will definitely be buying more of this silk, the weight is substantial, the designs will hold up well and who doesn't want a hipster hat, but made with glamorous fibre.







I am now working on some cabled headbands in a wool,silk and bamboo blend. I am so grateful for the amount of fibre choices that are available, no handicrafter cotton, no acrylic, no icky sticky fibre....I usually ignore spring designing altogether, but this year I am very inspired.

Taking Stock

In an effort to get ready for Portobello this weekend, I have been taking inventory or taking stock, as it were. Apparently I have been busier over the last few months than I thought.

I wanted to ring in spring with fanciful, light scarves and I have added to the nature knits with these three creations.

Pussy Willows
$110.00
Knit in a wool silk blend for the branches and the pussy willows are cashmere and kid mohair. There are 78 separated crafted pussy willows on the branches. What was I thinking? There will only be one of these (ever)

Spring Garden
$80.00
This version is knit in 100% silk tweed, a lengthy vine, 4 separately crafted fantasy florals and some lovely leaves make this the perfect last minute throw on....


I will be making a few more in merino wool with tweed and felting them...Also good for spring wear....And finally

Sea Kelp
$90
This was crocheted free form in an amazing hand painted 100% alpaca. You can wear it in multiple ways and I love the way the kelp curls. This design actually kept surprising me as I was making it. The yarn felt amazing and the whole look so organic, it was literally coming alive as I was crocheting it...

See you at Portobello West this weekend!

I can't knit and snowshoe at the same time!

Okay, this is the first place my knitting hasn't gone. Although it was in my bag, it never came out, not one stitich!

The ride to Grouse Mountain was a quick 20 minute trip (one of the great things about living in Vancouver). This is the tail end of the Lions Gate Bridge heading into West Vancouver.

One of the best things I did after moving here was getting the annual pass for Grouse, you really do get to use it all year round. I love the tram ride up only 4 minutes and you are on the mountain.

I had a definite agenda, something to make me sweat. Here I am ice skating, no pictures of me doing any Dorothy Hammel stuff....I really didn't want to injure any of the children. The rink is huge and you can see the entire city while you're skating...


Snowshoeing was absolutely wonderful and a bit of a trek....John made it to the bottom of the slope in record time and is totally showing off.

The bear habitat was completely covered with snow, we were actually snowshoeing over it....Here is a photo of the stream that they are usually frolicking in when we are there in the summer.

This is a photo of a tree near the end of our trek. I believe the tree is mocking me.

The snow on the branches looked like knit lace.


We ended the day with a "mountain" of nachos, some local micro brewery beer (yeah) and an amazing view of the city.

And we did this on the first day of spring no less...I really love living in Vancouver.

Ahoy.....it's a boy!

Finally, the thing I have been asked for at least 100 times (really). I have designed the pirate sweater to go with the baby hat. It's only taken 6 years, but sweaters are a bit more complicated to design. Take a gander.



I have just finished one in baby pink and black, still working on the hat and definitely planning a trip to Dressew next week for the perfect matching buttons. Now, my crazy bird sweater....

It's been a productive week.

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.

What do you do when you have nothing to do, you knit and felt a sign...




100% merino wool in chocolate brown. The letters are embroidered from Fleece Artist "Scotian" silk and wool blend. The letters have a nice sheen. It's much more practical than either my wooden or metal sign, and better represents what I do.

Still working out the booth design for Portobello.

Had a terrific time at the knitting meetup last night. It's been a long time since I've made the time to go, but I met some really fun knitters and we only left once the fire alarm went off and the fire trucks showed up! Ah, Yaletown (no one would leave a half finished latte on a table,fire or not).