Avocado Toast!

by drawnoutyarn

So it’s down to this — avocados and lattes.

The so-called millennial generation has come of age at an interesting moment in history.

They’ve graduated and job-hunted in the wake of the most devastating financial downturn since the great recession. Ultra-low bond yields have created an environment where borrowing instead of saving up to buy large items might not have been a bad strategy — sorry, Mom and Dad. And as they navigate through that challenging environment, the uber-wealthy can’t help but weigh in that everything would be fine, if only this generation weren’t so damn indulgent.

Just ask Australian millionaire Tim Gurner. Here’s what he had to say about why young people have been slow to buy homes down under:

“When I was trying to buy my first home, I wasn’t buying smashed avocado for $19 and four coffees at $4 each.” You can watch the whole interview here.

That’s right. Blame the avocado toast.

Well, you know what? Take a big bite, Mr. Gurner.

Avocados aren’t really very expensive, but they’re delicious. And they’re not to blame for poor job prospects, the oil crash, the Great Recession, outrageous student loans and fees or the fact that a lot of people want the freedom that comes with renting.

Plus, as a banana-hating millennial, I’ve got to get my potassium somewhere…

Anyway, just a little rant to say this: Let them eat toast! Or, at least crochet it!

xo Jacquie

P.s. What did you make this week?

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22Jul2016

Ready, Set, Pokémon Go!

by drawnoutyarn

A wave of young people washed up on the shore of Lake Ontario this week – and they’re all looking for Pokémon.

Since last weekend, the trails down by the water in my neighbourhood have been peppered by youngsters (and the not-so-young folk who just love the franchise). That is, of course, because of the Pokémon Go game that recently came out. I hear the kids are looking for Squirtles and other water-oriented Pokémon, which are thought to be most prevalent near water.

In Canada–where summers are fleeting–it’s nice to see people enjoying being outside, even if they are glued to the game. I haven’t minded sidestepping them on the sidewalk, and it’s been funny to watch them run through the nearby college campus.

All this brings back memories of my little brother, who had about five Pokémon Gameboy games as a kid, and would always watch the show when it was his turn with the remote. Weirdly, he has not been keen on the resurgence of Pokémon now… But never mind, I have enough nostalgia for the both of us.

The trend has also repolarized Pokémon crochet patterns, which I have seen popping up on Reddit and other forums. A few years ago, there was a big Pokémon amigurumi trend, so there’s plenty of pattern options for people who want to create a baby Charmander – or my recent obsession, a Bulbasaur that you can grow a plant in. How cute is that?! I saw the pattern and now I can’t find it… Ugh.

I was inspired to join in the craze by my friends at the podcast Geek Top Five. Check them out! This week there’s a great list of sought after Pokemon, and some details about the new game.

So, I’m tossing my own creations on the pile. I did an adult size Poké Ball hat, and a toddler size Pikachu. I figure parents are always trying to catch their wee ones in the park anyway, so it’s a pretty adorable fit. 🙂

I had a go at writing down the patterns, too! So, if you want to take a crack at them, or just get inspired to make your own, go nuts!

(I bet Pokémon stuff would be really popular to sell at fairs and markets, but since we don’t own the rights to the characters, that’s probably a bad idea, right?)

So, what did you make this week?

Jax

P.s. Last month I got married! It was a fabulous year of planning and prepping, but I’m looking forward to much more stitching now that I have more free time! I’ve already got two other projects on the go… Can’t wait to share them with you!

Click for more pictures and to see the patterns…

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16Apr2015

Rare sheeps, learning to knit and inspiration from abroad: How some special wool brightened my week

by drawnoutyarn

Rolling hills, glistening sea and even the smell of the air – there’s nowhere quite like New Zealand. And I am so lucky to have just received some very special yarn from that country.

Two skeins of wool in the colour “misty grey” are now mine, sheered from the rare breed of Gotland sheep.

But these strands didn’t come by the post. Some history: My father grew up in New Zealand and I still have family there. That includes my Nana, who first taught me how to knit and purl. When I was a girl — deeply committed to my ballet classes — I was always the envy of other girls with the coziest, snuggliest leg warmers at the barre, made for me by Nana.

While crochet has become my first love since then, my Nana’s house in South Island of New Zealand was ground zero for my introduction to the fibre arts.

So, when my Dad announced he was making a trip home to see the family this March, I was hoping he might bring me back some yarn. And he did – from a farm and craft shop called The Woolshed on Takaka Hill. It’s pretty cute place by the looks of things, with a lunch menu, ice creams and farm animals you can pet!

But this delivery was extra special to me because my dad also brought back my Nana’s knitting needles and the bag she used to put her yarn in. I am so lucky to have received it, and it’s found a home next to my glitzier yarn box. And that about sums me up – a taste for the modern and the vintage.

Naturally I can’t wait to see what I can do with this yarn… but I’m also inclined so save it and just enjoy the possibilities for a little while.

What should I make?!

Jax

12Apr2015

Weekend works in progress: The crochet bits and pieces I’ve got on deck right now

by drawnoutyarn

It’s Work In Progress (WIP) Weekend!

I usually prefer to blog when I finish objects that I’m proud of, but lately I’ve been starting a lot of new pieces and haven’t wrapped up many (…any) in a few weeks. And it’s getting kinda lonely over here without any posts. So, here’s a little update about what I’ve been up to.

1.) Blanket for Baby by the Sea

This is a simple chevron blanket that I’m doing up for a baby that’s due to be born in June. I am so excited for that little muffin’s arrival! He’s going to be a water baby (to be born in Newfoundland, near the ocean), so I decided to go with a water theme. I’m making up the colours, but if you want to know how to make a ripple, DaisyCottage has a good pattern here for your waves. There’s a sandy beach and I’ve started on the water. You could add all kinds of sea creatures, and a crab on the beach! Possibilities are endless! I haven’t decided if I’m going to do fish or sailboat appliques when I’m done… Thoughts?

2.) Textured Throw with Squares

This is a blanket I’m whipping up with a bulkier yarn (Loops and Threads Charisma) for a couple getting married in May. I’m using the Red Heart pattern for the checkerboard textures throw afghan, but planning to make fewer squares. The couple has purple as a wedding colour, so I wanted to get that in. But I was going for a more modern look as they start their new home. Two and a half squares down, only 9 more to go… I think I’m going to do at least one bobble stitch square with their initials…

3.) Spring Sweater

Here’s the start of the Ariane bolero/sweater — a free pattern from Peggy Grand. It’s being made with some gorgeous merino/baby alpaca from Americo, which has a flagship boutique near me in Toronto. But the pattern is a bit ambitious for me, if I’m being honest. Just starting out on the collar here…

4.) Baby Leftover Blanket

And here’s a baby blanket I started with the yarn leftover from the Langley blanket. It’s the crochet beachcomber blanket by knitculture, but I’m using a lighter weight yarn and went down a hook size. Crochet shellz 4 dayz.

And I think that’s the major stuff, for now.

What are the rest of you working on?

Jax

6Jan2015

Hats of All Shapes and Sizes

by drawnoutyarn

This winter has been all about hats.

An ear-flap hat as my first commission ever. Another bear earflap hat and mittens when the first one turned out to be too small for the toddler. (I was gutted!) A hat for my Secret Santa to keep her cozy as she walks her English bulldog. A hat for an old friend. Dozens of hats with massive pompoms falling off my loom like snowflakes from the clouds.

There’s no sweeter project when you’re camped in front of the TV watching White Christmas for the millionth-and-a-half time. And since I kept seeing those massive pom-poms all over town in the last couple of months, I figured this was the year for cranial snuggles.

And you know what? It’s nice to do a few projects that aren’t a labour to create, and yet still manage to be crowd-pleasers.

I’m sure a lot of you think this is cheating, but I love the knifty knitter loom. Here’s the way to create perfect hats every time.

On a 36 peg round loom:

-Six rows of alternating *knit 2 stitches, purl two stitches*

-19-25 rows of e-wrapped knit stitches (depending on how long you want your hat and if you want it to be slouchy.)

-Begin decreasing by taking the loop of every fourth peg and putting it on the peg to the right. Knit off all these moved stitches. Then e-wrap all the remaining pegs (this would be three pegs in a row, then a space).

-Continue decreasing by taking the middle stitch of every remaining block of three stitches and moving it to the right. Knit off these stitches. E-wrap all the remaining pegs (this would be every other peg on the loom).

-I’m probably doing a poor job of explaining this. Here’s a great video on decreasing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui8hc5-uT4k

-Take your working yarn and wrap it around the whole loom. Cut it, leaving a long tail. Then use the working yarn and pull it through each stitch. Using you knitting tool take all the stitches off the pegs and pull the yarn to close the top of the hat.

-Tie it off on the inside of the hat.

So, what have you been working on this week?

Jacquie

4Jan2015

Recovering from Holiday Yarn Hangover — Ready for New Projects!

by drawnoutyarn

Sunday morning and the wine is already open… to add to a Sunday roast in the slow cooker, of course! The Christmas décor might have to go back in its box today, but nothing can stop me from soaking in the last of the holiday before kicking off the New Year with a hiss-boom-pow on Monday.

The lead-up to the festive season was a whirlwind of… mostly just yarn. Fibrous fluffs abound! I didn’t quite meet my goal of crocheting ALL my gifts this year, but I did knock out a bunch of projects I was really proud of, including an embellished tea cozy for my mom (which I sort of made up), Martina Gardner’s Sir Knight Helmet, several of Knotted by Nicole’s Mindless Scarves in different yarn weights.

I didn’t avoid staying up until 3 a.m. on Christmas eve (boyfriend snoozing beside me) madly weaving in ends and desperately knotting ends. Zzzzzzz… That’s probably why I completely missed getting photos of a lot of my work. Lesson learned.

Learning to Knit But for all my efforts, I got pretty lucky this Christmas. I received the Boye crochet master set (get ready, lace, I’m comin’ for you!) and plenty of yarn. My man’s grandmother also gifted me her set of Boye knitting needles now that she’s unable to stich any longer. My first effort to make use of them isn’t exactly worthy of posting, I know. But I’m keeping myself humble here.

Anyway, there’s never going to be a shortage of projects ever again!

In the annual Reddit Secret Santa gift exchange I received some Lion Brand Homespun yarn from a gifter who was concerned I might not be able to turn it into anything, so I worked that up into a scarf too to show her.

Now that the holidays are over, I’ve got high expectations for all the work to come this year. I’m on to baby blankets and clothes for a few newborns expected in 2015. Can’t wait to swaddle these little munchkins in something cozy. But first, I’m making myself a simple granny blanket, because It’s been ages since I made something just for me, and it’s snuggle time. I’m thinking of taking a couple of Craftsy classes to improve my skills, too.

So, what did you guys make/receive this holiday?

20Nov2014

Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: Yarn Edition

by drawnoutyarn

It’s *that* time in the afternoon when my little fingers start itching to dig into my yarn pile!

I hope to get through all of this–and a bit more–before Christmas time… am I crazy??

17Nov2014

An Owl and a Cowl

by drawnoutyarn

My grandfather transformed into an anthropomorphic owl when I was a little girl.

He did this through the fables he wrote to me. The little girl in his stories went on adventures, while the “wise old owl” hooted a lesson or two.

An original “mad man,” Grandpa worked first at a large advertising agency, before starting his own. He was also a clever writer who, I think, kept a daily journal for decades. Until I turned ten, he also kept a log of all my activities, with pictures. After you’ve lived a decade, he reasoned, you could remember important events in your own life. Before that, it’s all a bit of a blur.

Our family’s patriarch turned 87 last week, and I couldn’t resist having a bit of fun with the card I made for him.

The Whooo’s the birthday boy? card:

I used this pattern from Love The Blue Bird’s blog. She made her owl in pastel colours. So cute.

I barely modified it. I used worsted weight yarns (except the beak was sewn on with super bulky, because I had it left over from making my pumpkin) and a 4 mm hook. I sewed the owl to the card stock after poking a couple of holes with a pin.

***

With the holidays coming up–and my dogged determination to make all my gifts this year–I have a bunch of half-finished projects sprawled across my apartment. But I did manage to put the final knot in one other project this week.

It’s Knotted by Nicole’s mindless scarf, using her pattern on Ravelry. I crocheted to 52 inches with the plan to make it an infinity scarf. I turned one side and sewed the edges together with a craft needle. (She’s right when she says this project works up fast. I did most of it on the subway to and from work.)

I used Vanna’s Choice yarn, an acrylic, worsted weight in Grey Marble. The yarn was a gift and I liked the tweed flecks of brown and black. Oh, and I used a 5 mm hook.

And let’s take a minute to reflect on the amazing effort of our global yarn community this week – especially for Remembrance Day (or Armistice Day). So many great people crocheted poppies to sell to raise money for military causes and I’m so inspired!

Here’s just ONE of the many uplifting stories I read this week about a woman who made 1,500 poppies to celebrate her 70^th birthday. I’ll save you the click: She sold them all and donated the proceeds to Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion. A round of applause for that!

So, what did you make this week?

Xo Jacquie

1Nov2014

Holiday Spending Hang-Ups

by drawnoutyarn

Stressed out holiday shoppers are planning to spend less on gifts this year, a new study shows.

And I, for one, couldn’t be more relieved.

After another year of wedding-related events and new baby festivities, I’m strapped for cash. And yet, somehow all my friends are buying up houses all around me. Man, I’ve got to get more money in the bank.

Fortunately, it’s trendy to be cheap this year. A recent study done by the Bank of Montreal indicates that Canadians will spend an average $1,517 on the holiday season in 2014. That’s a more than 16 per cent drop from last year. I can only assume it’ll be the same for our friends south of the border, given the state of the economic recovery.

In that bank’s study, most of the drop came not from travel plans, but from gift costs. No doubt the Pinterest crowd is having some influence here. More upcycling and baking, less mass consumerism.

But the reminder that gift-giving time is around the corner is both exciting and frightening. I’ve gained a lot of new skills with which to make more complicated crocheted and loomed gifts this year, but I’d better start my engine! Time to make a gift list…

Meanwhile, I’m snuggling up in this beauty that I made to go with my new winter coat.

It’s just a single panel made on the knitting loom, using the classic loom stitch over 24 pegs — 12 on each side. (Here’s a tutorial on that twisted knit stitch if you need a reminder).

I measured it around my neck as I went and when I figured I could slip my head through, I bound it off and tied a ribbon through it like a shoelace.

I figured the best way to do this was by putting a needle on the end of each end of ribbon and threading it through one side at a time. I cut about four feet or ribbon to let the tails hang extra long, but you could do less. I also secured the ends by melting them close to a candle flame to stop them from fraying. An alternative would be to tie them in knots.

The yarn I used was Loops and Threads Cozy Wool in a kind of mustard colour.

So, what did you do this week?

xo Jacquie