cosmicpluto knits!

poppies, 2011

I’m reposting this blog entry from last year – I’m a bit late this year, but you still have time to make your own poppy! It only takes about half an hour.

Right after Halloween in Canada, poppy pins blossom on lapels across Canada. We have Remembrance Day on November 11th to commemorate the sacrifices of war.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance, and was popularized after the First World War due to a poem by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. Few poppies grew in Flanders, France, before the war broke out; rubble from bombardments enriched the soil with lime, and then the fields exploded with the blood-red flowers. Once the war was over, the lime became reabsorbed and the poppies disappeared.

In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
- Lt. Col. John McCrae

So to help you remember, here’s a little free pattern for a poppy. It knits up very quickly in scrap yarn – I used aran weight black scrap yarn, and triple-stranded Schaefer Anne for the red. You want to use a small needle so that it’s stiff. Finished size is approximately 2 inches across.

Download Poppy.pdf

Poppies are not bought or sold; people make a contribution for their poppy.
Any donations from this pattern will be given to the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund, which is used to provide immediate assistance to ex-servicemen and women in need. This may include food, shelter or medical attention for them or their families. Also, education bursaries are granted to children and grandchildren of ex-service personnel.

More information about the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign.

Please make a donation to your local Royal Canadian Legion or other legion group.

swatchy swatchy

Yesterday I worked at the the yarn shop, and I took my bow sweater to work on it there. Since I’m back in again today, I left the project there overnight. So when I came home, I just had to cast on for a new sweater!

Okay, yes, that’s a swatch, not a sweater. But it’s where it all starts! This is on 5mm needles, in Dream in Color Classy. I think the idea for this sweater is coming along in my mind, but it still has a ways (and a bunch of math) to go.

(If the swatch looks a bit wet, it’s because I dropped it in the sink before I took this photo. Whoops.)

riiiiipity rip

Well. I was knitting along on my Ultra Alpaca sweater from a few posts ago, and I got up to the underarm – only to realize that while I’d planned the bow spacing correctly, I hadn’t actually knitted it that way. The spacing made it very difficult to work back and forth, which I need to do above the underarm.

While I’m at it, I think I’ll make it into a cardigan – I just don’t wear pullovers very much, and I’ve been feeling overheated really often lately. So, farewell, 15″ of Ultra Alpaca sweater:

At least I can make sure it comes out the way I want, right?

Bottineau Pullover

It’s been a long time since I released a sweater pattern! I made this one at the tail end of last winter – I can’t wait to give it some real wearing time this season.

BOTTINEAU PULLOVER

The easy to wear Bottineau Pullover is perfect for curling up in. The super soft yarn is cozy, but the open cowlneck helps keep you from overheating. A relaxed fit in the body and sleeves is accented by a slip stitch mock rib pattern which draws in to the waist. The oversized cowl is worked in the same pattern with increases to help it lay open. Dress down with jeans and boots, or layer Bottineau over a dress for a cool night out.

Shown in size 36” / 91cm with zero ease. For the best fit, choose the size which is the same or slightly larger than your full bust measurement.

Technical editing by Alexandra Virgiel

SIZES
30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56)”

YARN
Worsted weight yarn.
1050 (1120, 1190, 1260, 1400, 1470, 1545, 1615, 1690, 1765, 1840, 2000, 2080, 2155) yards
Shown in Malabrigo Rios, colour Azul Profundo

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
US 7 / 4.5mm circular needles, 24” or longer
US 7 / 4.5mm double pointed needles or needles of choice for working small circumferences in the round
stitch markers
scrap yarn
extra needle for 3-need bind off
tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts and 26 rnds = 4″ / 10cm square in Stockinette Stitch

MORE INFO
The Ravelry page is here.

6-page PDF pattern includes photos, abbreviations, and schematic. Measurements given in imperial and metric systems. Available through Ravelry, payment through Paypal (no accounts required).

$7.00 CAD

rhinebeck 2011

I’m back! It’s been a pretty sleepy re-entry into my usual apartment and such – I had a great time away on my vacation, but unfortunately I suffered from an acute case of camnesia and have very few photos to show for it.

We (boyfriend and I) flew down to NYC on Friday, and took the train out to Rhinebeck with Ysolda. The house we rented this year with friends was amazing! So huge, with a great kitchen, awesome view and comfy couches. Saturday morning was a bit of a rush as we had to get the Ravelry buttons to the meetup and were a bit stuck in traffic. It all worked out though, and I had a lovely day checking out all the barns and navigating through the crowds. I picked up a bowl from jennie the potter, and a fun sheepy mug.

And I saw kits for my Sweet Bunting Cardi! Super cute.

Sunday morning we decided to go to the farmer’s market – this is the sixth time I’ve been to Rhinebeck and I’d pretty much never been able to explore the town! The farmer’s market is held in a parking lot, and is quite small but really cool.

Managed to actually get a good coffee in town (as opposed to the fairgrounds coffee) and had a nice walk to town. The day was pretty long, and a bit warmer than Saturday – definitely calmer as well, in terms of the crowds. Sunday night was spent relaxing, eating, and doing a swap with my housemates! I actually didn’t buy any yarn at Rhinebeck this year, but I did come home with some from Wild Apple Hill Farms, thanks to Sarah!

Monday we took the train back to NYC, and spent the rest of the week walking, seeing the sights, and eating ever so many delicious foods. It was the type of vacation where you need a rest afterwards!

rhinebeck sweater the first

Off the needles and onto the blocking towel, with nary a leftover in sight!

I really squeaked by on this one – I could’ve sworn I had 7 skeins of yarn, but of course I could only find 6. I shortened the sleeves to 3/4, and had to rip about half of my swatch to finish the second one, but I’m done!

The yarn is Sliver Moon Farm superwash merino worsted, which I bought at my very first Rhinebeck, 6 years ago. I don’t know what the colourway is, but maybe Kay can enlighten us! I don’t think they sell their yarn online, but if you’re going to Rhinebeck this weekend I’m sure they’ll be there!

The design for this is a simple top-down cardigan, with an elongated garter stitch pattern to the waist, then stockinette with front and back shaping darts to the hip. I’m really happy with the fit, and I can’t wait to wear it! (Proper FO photos and probably a pattern to come.)

And my second Rhinebeck sweater?

Maaaaaaybe. It has to be done tonight to have a good wet blocking and be dry by Friday. We’ll see!