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?

knit-swe-thingy

Right-o. So it’s blog posting month, and sweater knitting month, and I’m a bit wishy washy about both! I must admit, seeing lots of new posts from old blog friends is inspiring me to blog more myself, which is definitely a plus.

As for the sweater? Well, I’ve got a couple on the go already, what’s one more? This is as far as I’ve gotten:

Got some yarn. Dream in Color Classy in Tea Party. I do have an idea as well, which is really half the battle! I’m going to swatch this up today and see where it goes. Meanwhile, I’m finishing up another pair of socks out of Classy leftovers.

Worsted weight socks sure are quick and fun! This one is 48 sts on 3.5mm needles, toe up with a short row heel.

suddenly it’s november

I love the chill in the air and pulling out my woollens, but the end of the year is coming up so fast! Sometimes I feel like I don’t have enough time to breathe before the next project/to-do/event/etc comes up.

Back at Rhinebeck, I started a new sweater out of Ultra Alpaca -

Should be lovely and cozy. I think I’ve decided to start another sweater for NaKniSweMo, but I’d like to get this one done too! I’m also knitting lots and lots of socks.

I’d love to get back to blogging more regularly, and I’ve got patterns for you too! Several sweaters (including my Rhinebeck ones) and some accessories too. Unfortunately I took a bit of a spill last night and ended up with a pretty big gash on my chin, so photoshoots might be a bit challenging! But a cowl can cover it up, 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