I love the whimsy put into some designs. Kids patterns are great for this. Fun for the designer, the knitter and the wearer. Take a look at the tea cozy I adore and will definitely knit my own version. Get your Nicky Epstein books out! Click on photos for links on all but the first.

Not sure where I found this pic, other than I named it CH&I as a reference to remember. Beats me what the heck I was talking about! All I can say is that Patons makes a very similar one here (free pattern):

How adorable are these??? I would have to go for the sheep, myself, for obvious reasons.

And I couldn't leave out the Queen of tea cozies: Loani Prior...

And I thought I had seen it all for designing knitwear!

Wow! Did everyone get thoroughly soaked these past few days? After 4 days of torrential downpours courtesy of Earl in cottage country, I called it quits and headed back to the city. We went from jumping in the lake to cool off from 40 degree C weather and sweaty beds to lighting a fire in the woodstove, wearing winter jackets for wet walks down the lane and checking the window for blue patches in the sky (none to be seen for 4 days). Not to mention I had forgotten my knitting at home!!! All that knitting time wasted! AGH!

So, here I am at home, drowning in laundry and likely to fold while watching a midday movie. I thought I would catch up on blogging first and introduce you to some favourites over the next few days.

Yvonne Eijkenduijn's Yvestown blog is  a regular blog I visit. I love her fresh and colorful aesthetic. Somewhat Cath Kidston but softer. I love the punch of colour against white. The crochet pillow above is what first caught my attention to this Belgian Blog.

I am busy crocheting booties and swatching new designs, so forgive me for lack of posts. I thought I'd share this lovely photo with you.

PS. Eat Pray Love (movie) is every bit as delightful and delicious as the book!

This is bang for your buck knitting! I am so excited about this pattern. I can't wait to wear it this Winter! I sooooo wish I had another made in Brown. THAT would look fabulous with a new Camel coat (which, by the way, is on my wish list). Call me crazy - I do get psyched for Fall. I love it. So maybe the brown one can be a KAL???

Back to Brecon.

So here is my intro on the actual pattern:

The Brecon Beacons is one of 3 National Parks in Wales. While living in the area, we used to walk these beautiful hills and paddle leisurely on Llangorse Lake then hit the pub for a Sunday Ploughman’s lunch. The Brecon scarf evokes the green and splendor of the beacons with added whimsy. There are 5 versions you can make. 


Brecon is a

1. Scarf
2. Shawl
3. Hooded Scarf
4. Cowl/Snood
5. Shrug

I so love this pattern. Alina, thank you and your daughter for saving it's life! Why didn't I see it in the beginning? It almost got put on the back burner. I'm so glad it didn't. It's time is now!

I sometimes sleep until 9 at the cottage and sometimes wake at 6 or 7. It is magical at the latter times. Here's why:

Then everybody wakes up.....

I thought we could all use a little inspiration of how to retire those old sweaters. The folks at Country Living came up with these delights...

Now and then, everyone needs a little bump of inspiration. Here's a peek at the eye candy that's got me going...

Sadly, Ikea was sold out of the lovely cushion below, so back to making a pattern that I can work on slowly at the cottage. Speaking of cushions, Linda and I were downtown yesterday, stopped at IKEA, had an open face shrimp sandwich and pushed onto Pottery Barn at Sherway on the way home. Their coastal look is so fresh and tempting. Love that ropey look! What caught my eye were the knitted and crocheted cushions. Love the look of chunky crochet and the classic cable pillows. The ones below (1st pic) were made from strips of paper!!!

I often get a little sidetracked (like blogging when I should be knitting or crocheting). Yesterday, I saw this pillow from Canadian House & Home via Poppytalk and thought I have to make some for the cottage! As soon as I am finished the sexy yellow crochet top, THIS will be my next project. I recently found some great blue checked fabric at Kimberly Seldon's Distillery Market that I want to make into duvets for the two bunk beds. So my pillow will coordinate with those. But I think I will have to do a funky one too! Stay tuned for a fab freebie!!!!

Addendum: I just picked up the latest copy of CH&H and low and behold, the photo below is from it. The pillow is from IKEA!!!!!! Cheap and cheerful, so I may not make one OR maybe I will write a pattern; we'll see! I think I have to purchase some of these for the Adirondacks at the cottage tho!

Addendum #2: Ikea's sold out!!! Back to the drawing board. Happy weekend all!