I have had a secret crush on le cardigan from Phildar Automne 03/04
for some time now.  I have never been in the same room with the
correct amount of yardage needed to complete the project while having
the correct dosh in le pocket.  I have come across seven
balls while having the dosh - but not the full eight.  So I have
just tossed the project to the side of my mind, telling myself it's not
in the cards - until recently.

I came accross an abundance of steppe in my clematite
colour choice when we went away for 1/2 of the Victoria Day long
weekend.  An abundance being 10 balls of which I snapped up right
away.  I have waited patiently and now have started
swatching.  This yarn is so soft and light, I am having a hard
time putting it down.  I am thrilled!  There's nothing like a
little yarn to put one in a good mood.

I have admired mittens in books, patterns and other knitters blogs...  Yarn Mitten Harlot and Sandy's Knitting Mittens love everything about mittens and their search results can atest to that!

I
have thought of making mittens for myself but not seriously until
today.  While browsing blogs I fell in love with all the mitts
displayed in the Sunday shopping post at Norway Needles. 
I am inexperienced in colourwork but I think making mitts would be a
perfect first project for conquering that fear.  And if I made
them I am wearing them!

Inspired by Adrian's beautiful pinwheel blanket and encouraged by other beautiful blankets in the knitalong I have found a calling for some handspun that I can't resist.

We
had a lovely time away and it is nice to be home again with the
suitcases away.  Friday and Saturday it was a treat to get some
sun, we had highs of 23 but it felt hotter.  On Sunday while
driving on logging roads in the pouring rain we had the luck to chance
upon a couple of momma cows and their babes crossing the road as well
as a few sightings of deer.  By the time Monday afternoon arrived
we were ready to be home.  It is so nice to get away and be in
nature to refresh the soul.  It is going to be hard sticking it
out in the city until we leave.  You can't imagine dealing with
the four blocks of traffic just to get home from the grocery store.

I am quite smitten with the Cabled Shrug (Shirley Paden) made with Trendsetter Kashmir. 
I could easily imagine myself lounging around sipping warm cups of
green tea or spiced apple cider on a cold fall day.   I am
sure that it is simply lovely and nothing else would suffice but I
would have to do a yarn substitute because the Trendsetter – Kashmir, 65% cashmere/35% silk, 50 grams/1.75 oz, 110 yards, 4 sts/inch on US# 10  goes for $25/ball or $230/bag.  With the pattern calling for 12 balls - it is so out my budget range.

Another that caught my eye right away is the Weekend Getaway Satchel (Marta McCall) made with Reynolds Lite-Lopi.  I love the colours, the shape, the everything.  Somehow, someday I will make this bag.

Also falling into the must knit files is the Vintage-Inspired Jacket (Deborah Newton) avec Classic Elite Beatrice.  The cut and colour look very figure flattering.  Oooh-la-la!

For those spirited knitters out there, be on the look out for Knitscape. 
Another knitting publication to become addicted to.  What an
expensive hobby, this knitting.  There is always something new
just around the corner that I *need*, want, or must have.  A
lottery win is in order to finance my hobby!

I wouldn't mind flipping throught the pages of Wrap Style:  Innovative to Traditional, 24 Inspirational Shawls, Ponchos, and Capelets to Knit and Crochet
for fun.  I am just not so hip on the crochet side.  It's not
that I don't like it I just wish it came naturally to me  like
knitting did for me.  I can crochet in small bouts but when it
comes to a big ol' project I can't keep my stitches accounted
for.  So this one is in the look-before-you-buy-list.

We are
the final stages for packing for a little get-away.  I needed a
little break, a step back from all the whirlwind of packing... and what
do you know, a whole post bubbled it's way out.

I am using my umbrella swift and avoiding the ball winder.  I know I won't be able to fit a whole hank on the ball winder and I certainly don't want to  * gasp* C U T the handspun.  Instead I am taking my time and using my hand-dandy nostepinne to make pretty centre pull balls.