CAWcreations Designs (patterns)
I started 2018 by publishing a new free pattern by CAWcreations: Messy Bun Hat. It is knit with bulky yarn so a quick knit. I did a number of them for many people as I perfected the pattern. It was a request from a friend she wanted a hat like this. She gave me the yarn to make them with. I gave them to the baristas at my coffee spot in the farmers market in Charlottetown, PE. My daughter wore hers today.
The next thing I finished in 2018 was Amanda Jackson‘s Fire in the Blue Cardigan. A one of a kind sweater designed using her album cover as inspiration and Fleece and Harmony’s colour way. I had planned to create a pattern for this but it is still in the design phase. I am working on how to change sizes with lace between the tree trunks.
I designed some Helix Socks using the Stashbusting Helix Hat by Jessica Rose as inspiration. I made some for Ashlyn and put her name in 3D fabric paint on the soles to give her grip on slippery floors. I love how they turned out. It is a great way to use up small bits of yarn.
Next was Heather Publicover’s Slouch Hat and Headband pattern by CAWcreations. I knit 
it up in a beautiful purple yarn (lavender blur) from Bayview Fiber Arts (also on Facebook). I love how it turned out! We are putting out a fingerless mitts pattern using the same rib pattern called Cable Me This. I have to finish writing it up soon. I love the mitts and made numerous versions to get the pattern right. I only posted a few of them on Ravelry. The rainbow coloured ones are from Green Gables Alpacas and are for sale in the PEICC Centre for Craft, most of the rest are Fleece and Harmony’s Meadow Collection. The only exception is the light blue pair I made for my daughter, because she picked the yarn from my stash as her birthday present in August.
I did a Chunky Connections Hat Pattern for Fleece and Harmony in their Belfast Blend (Jennifer takes MUCH better pictures than I do of my work. Check out the link). I love how thick, soft, and warm these hats are. As with all my patterns, I knit multiple hats, some messy bun, some pony tail (smaller hole than the hole for the bun), some skull caps, and many pom pom ones with faux fur pom pom from Fleece and harmony.
Selfish Knitting (patterns by others)
Emily’s mitts were made from some stash alpaca yarn that I had. I used the Knitters Mitts pattern (free Ravelry download) by H.Wulfraat designs because I love the rib she uses for the mitts. Her patterns are so easy to follow and I trust her as a designer (I follow the entire pattern without changing anything). The mitt fits so well around any wrist. I wanted to make a modification to Heather Publicover’s fingerless mitts that was similar all rib pattern.
CAWcreations Designs
The next pattern I designed in 2018 was the Beach Day Scarf for Fleece and Harmony. I
knit the one skein scarf that had triangles on each end and tassels, but Michelle of the The Knitting Bag PEI and Simone of Sand and Sky Creations knit the longer versions that are in finer yarn. I love this pattern. It was even shown on a Fruity Knitting Episode. I love how versatile the Beach Day pattern is. I even did a Beach Day Cowl (in press). I am hoping to teach introduction to chart reading and knitting in the round using this pattern.
Selfish Knitting (patterns by others)
I finally finished my Find Your Fade by Andrea Mowery. I knit so loose that mine is really big. I did not even block it and it is huge. Most of my colours were from Bayview Fiber Arts (find her on Facebook too), I added Lisa Souza‘s 2016 RhineBeck colour to complete my fade. I thought I would never finish it. It now hangs as art in my living room. Some ends need to be woven in and it needs to be blocked but the colours are so beautiful. I love yarn as art!
Mom and I both have August birthdays. We try to have an adventure together instead of just buying something. This year we went to Knit Pickers by Margaret McEachern. for “a Unique PEI Experience”. If you travel to PEI and have time to learn something new then take in one of the workshops she offers in partnership with other PEI businesses. We chose Buttery Brioche Double the Fun. In addition to teaching us how to make a Brioche Cowl, she made us fresh Brioche bread. We had so much fun and went home with bread and Fleece and Harmony Signature yarn to make our own cowls.
Last time I was at Knit East, I took Fiona Ellis’ class. I love how she teaches. She makes knitting feel simple and fun. The Woodland Leaves Mitts are a beautiful example of her designs. I love the extra detail of the hanging leaf off the cabled cuff. It adds the final touch to these beautiful mitts. They show of how Fleece and Harmony’s Signature yarn gives such definition to cables. My mitts are in oyster (grey) and gale. I love these colours together. Jennifer has the mitts to take pictures of them for me but here are a few of my pictures.
I was working on stash busting and finishing long term WIPs last year. These next projects were the latter. The barista I made the first pair of socks for had already moved by the time I finished them so I got a pair for me. They were knit on 2.25 mm (US 1) needles using Diamond Select Footsie yarn. The second pair were always planned for me. I used 2.75 mm (US 2) needles and Regia 4-fädig Color yarn. I love them.
CAWcreations Designs
The sparkle hat was supposed to be for my goddaughter for Christmas 2017, but I did not finish it until well into 2018. I used Fleece and Harmony’s Selkirk Worsted yarn held with silver sparkle thread, and 2.25 mm (US 1), and 3.25 mm (US 3) needles. I love the how the fabric turned out and the handmade snap on pom pom adds the perfect finishing touch.
My cousin Karen and I published the Baby Boo Blankie in 2018 as well. It is made out of
Fleece and Harmony’s Baby Boo the 100% lambswool aran weight yarn. It makes a wonderful snuggly warm blanket covered in kisses for any baby. I love it but it keeps selling when I make it so I still need one for myself. Maybe I will make a full size for me.
Selfish Knitting (patterns by others)
While at the last Knit East, Mom and I both bought the Binsey pattern by Fiona Alice. I finished mine to wear at the the 2018 New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. It is so cosy warm in Fleece and Harmony’s Signature yarn. It does pay to design for them. Jennifer dyed me a batch of Quartz so the colour would be perfect for my sweater. I love everything about this sweater. I was toasty warm on Sunday when the weather got cold. This picture is of me enjoying an apple cider and an apple cider donut.
Small projects
Mom and I must be supplied with dishcloths so I did a few of them this year. My aunt got some acrylic yarn from a coworker who wanted his deceased mother’s yarn to go somewhere it would get used. It has been great for making the Basic Chunky Slippers pattern. I have made at least 20 pairs. The yarn came in mill end bags so I am not sure exactly what it is. I stopped adding to Ravelry after the first few pairs were completed. There were a few completed knit squares in the bag so I started knitting a throw that incorporates them into the pattern. I hope he appreciates it. I know I loved getting the free yarn.
I am a juried member of the PEI Crafts Council so I have had some of my knitting for sale in the Craft Centre on Water Street in Charlottetown. I did scrappy soaps using soap seconds from the Great Canadian Soap Company and seconds of Fleece and Harmony’s yarn (or leftovers from my other projects). I also published the patterns in the eBook of Patterns from the 2018 CAWcreations Knitting Calendar.
CAWcreations 