his n' hers...

just back from a week on the mainland - an attempt to go climbing all week in Squamish, but the inclement weather only allowed two days before sending us to the big city and shopping. needless to say it's starting to feel a lot like fall around here, which actually isn't the worst thing, for a knitter anyway.

in the last bit the hat bug hit again, and in between my other WIPs, I fired off two quick toques for A and I. First up:

A's hat is Turn a Square (Rav link) by Jared Flood, in some delish Silk Garden and Sublime wool/cashmere/silk. At first I wasn't sure about the colours, as the Noro turned out darker than I expected, but I think it works out well and fits the colours A likes. Plus the dark bluey-black of the stripes slides right in with Project Spectrum.

Great pattern - knits up fast as most hats do.

My hat reflects my current pre-occupation with the slouch. This is Natalie Larson's Star Crossed Slouchy Beret. I decided to make it even more fall-appropriate, and knit it up in some Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed, which is nice and slubby. Had to do a bit of playing around as I used smaller needles, so I cast on 81 stitches, and added an additional 9 right after the ribbing. I'm pretty happy with the fit of the hat, although I think I would like it a bit tighter in the ribbing as it sometimes slides forward and down on my head.

However, this is the first of what I hope will be a few slouchy hats for fall, so I'll figure out the perfect shape as I go, I'm sure.

The sun has of course come out to celebrate my return home, which is a bit unfair since dry weather would have been a bit more useful for my holiday and the climbing of rock. But must enjoy it where I can get it - I still have a whole long weekend before I return to work!

west coast weekend...

Okay, so this is the west coast creative blog, but in reality I live on the east coast of Vancouver Island, the east coast of the West Coast, if you will. Anyway...

Last weekend we went to a wedding on the real west coast, as in next stop Japan. The wedding was hosted by West Coast Expeditions on phenomenal Spring Island, and various creative forms of transportation were required to get there by the guests. We chose to drive to Fair Harbour (lots of logging roads) and then set out on a 5-6 hour paddle out into the blue.


Here's me near the end of our kayak out, near the village of Kyuquot.

Spring Island

Bull kelp, my favourite.

Still on Spring Island.

A walk into the middle of the island, land of big, old trees.

The morning before we had to leave paradise, sunrise on the beach.

A rumpled fellow on the way home.

The entire weekend was just beautiful, and the wedding a memorable event. We were sad to only have the three days, but after another 5 hour paddle back to Fair Harbour, and a four hour drive home, we were tired and ready for our own bed.

more photos: project spectrum edition

dude, I need to catch up on all these photos I have been taking lately. This set highlights the last element of Project Spectrum, which began with the start of August - Water. I've got a few things in mind for water, knitting wise, as blues and purples are really working for me right now. I'm less into black, but will see where it goes. I really flaked on the Air element, I think mainly because I didn't do much knitting in June and July. However, I did start my new cardigan in the last days of July, and it is grey - it's going along well, but I don't have progress pics to show yet.


A trying out a few boulders on the beach.


Later the same day...longboard cruising, which just made worse my mysteriously swollen ankle. But it was so fun anyway.


Wandering along the marina on a clear evening.


See above.


And my first project that fits in with PS, on the sewing front instead of knitting. I wanted to make a cozy hoodie, but add a few twists from the standard. It's off-white sweater fleece, with a few fun purple accents and an off-centre button front. I might still add some more finishing touches, but I'm digging it so far.