Where Have We Been?

Well, that's been a Very Long Break in blogging, hasn't it? There's been some illness, a lot of busyness, and life events intervening. 

Here, as a teaser, are a couple of photos of Roisin's entries taken on April 22 at the 3rd annual Ecouture fashion show held this year at Dwight Hall....that's a lot of people attending! The first show was held at the Rodmay in the central hallway....that's how much interest has grown in this fabulous show. 
The rest of the beautiful photos--taken by Stephen Grover and Jennifer Dodd--are on Facebook at this link (scroll down to see the photo entries--all 350 of them!)

ECouture Fashion Show & Events

Carol modelling...she looks professional, doesn't she?

And Phil with great grandson Robbie looking very handsome.

Cowichan Style Sweater Class In Progress

Claire showing off her work to date. She comes over every Wednesday afternoon on the ferry from the Island. So far, no delays, no problems! And Claire definitely gets an A for Effort.

Claire's sweater taking even more shape.  We think this is the cheekiest Raven and totally in character with his trickster reputation.  We need more cold weather so Claire can wear this soon.

This whale design is being knit with Briggs & Little by Shirley.  She knit the same one for her grandson for Christmas, and now Grandpa gets his own! 

Joan will be finished pretty quick with this one for a special daughter. It's a great looking sweater, using Prairie Sea Fusion 6 strand twisted wool.  Nice work!

This whale will be swimming pretty soon on Texada Island.  Bonny has already ripped this all the way back once, don't think that will happen again. It will be very special sweater when finished.

And this one is Samuel's - a wonderful 18 yr old knitter!  The motifs are all his own. We can't wait to see this finished too. We're hugely impressed with his knitting.

The ZevolutionJ

Olga modelling two versions of Roisin's latest original creation, the "ZevolutionJ."

Inspired by Elizabeth Zimmermann and Jude Skeers, it has evolved into this jacket, knit with Prairie Sea Fusion 100% wool

All natural colours and wool, and all gorgeous! 

And everyone, even Olga, looks hotter in sunglasses.

Messy Bun Hat Class Coming Up Fast

This Saturday the 21st is our workshop for a Messy Bun Hat.  Get registered and pick up your yarn because today is Thursday!

It's $20 for the afternoon--all the knitting fun you can handle, pattern provided, project complete in one afternoon.  What's not to like? 

See you then!

Roisin's Shawl

Roisin sent one of her special shawls via daughter Maura and sister Dara who are visiting Aunt Lorna in the U.S. Lorna is in her 90s and looking great, wrapped in Rosin's woolly love!  

Sidhe Haps

Mary wanted to be beheaded for this photo, but couldn't take her head off without losing some of this soooo beauuuuuutiful Sidhe Hap, knit in class, using Malabrigo Rasta and handspun yarn.

Wendy was in the same Sidhe Hap class and knit her absolutely gorgeous Hap with Alpaca and two different skeins of handspun with stunning results, don't you agree?  We're impressed.

The Sidhe Hap (like the Chantal Shawl) is Roisin's design and pattern.

More Slippers

More of the slipper family from the latest class.  Roisin is ready to go with another class if there are any takers out there. Let us know!

Lundies In Progress

There are some lovely Lundies being knit...what great colours. These are all small ones, but remember Roisin's pattern can be made for any size, should you want one for your grown-up self. 

Here's Wendy's, done in two different shades of Chunky Marble...her granddaughter will no doubt love it.

Patti's Malabrigo Lundie,hood and shoulders done, heading down to armholes.

Sue is right behind using Diamond Luxury Fine Merino Superwash, finishing up the shoulder part and next week we'll be doing the armholes. 

And Mary's granddaughter Lundie Hoodie, using Diamond Luxury Fine

Merino Superwash (the smokey pink colour) and (discontinued) Sirdar Escape (the variegated).  Nice work and we can't wait to see it on.

Knit A Lundie

And our Lundie Hoodie Class is on-going too!

Start/Finish yours - Friday Oct 21st, 10am to noon.

Baby, toddler, older kids, adult - you can make any size, in any yarn, in any colour or many colours!

Drop-in, pick up yarn and register. 

Jacket For The Salmon

Olga is strutting her stuff!  Roisin's latest creation, and her contribution to the live auction at the Pacific Salmon Foundation dinner on October 24 (which is sold out). .  She's calling it Coast Couture Combo Jacket.  Honouring the thousands of years of Coast Salish wool workers (and salmon protectors) in this region,  the jacket is a Jude Skeers design and Roisin's own choices in wool and patterns. Very Special!

Tweedy Bum Warmer

Roisin used Galway Highland Heather 100% wool for this this bum warmer or skirt, It knits up like tweed and could also be reversible.  Modelled by Amy...well, a section of Amy!

A Special Vest

Roisin recently finished this special gift. She's hoping to have another photo soon of the recipient wearing it!  

There's a Coast Salish Eagle on the back and Celtic/Nordic designs on the front. Beautiful.

More of the story will be forthcoming...

Roisin Is Weel Happit

Roisin's latest, a Shetland Hap*.  The pattern is being written at this very moment (by Roisin...and honestly, "this very moment" was a while ago so may be done already).  Sorry, this gorgeous yarn is ALL GONE, but you can knit it with anything.  Perfect for those cold backs of necks and shoulders.  There's a longer story, stay tuned.

*A hap is a wrap or shawl. Indeed, the word common to Scottish (including Shetland) and Northern English dialects, means to wrap, to cover, or conceal. And definitely to keep warm.

Felted Slipper Class

There's a Felted Slipper Class coming up.  Roisin finished this NOT perfect pair (so she says...they look good to me). "You can do better!" she says.

Class starts Wednesday Sept 28th, 10:30 to 12:30pm.  We might be able to squeeze one more person in, but it's a packed class.

Bob's Birthday Vest

Roisin's granddaughter Finella, modelling her dad Bob's birthday gift from his mum.  Knit with Chunky Galway, there's a large orca on the back, two eagles on the front sides, and small orcas swimming across the top.

Looks like it didn't suffer from jet lag and was well received.  Bob says he loves it, but Fin loves it too, so he might get to wear it...sometime? Roisin was impressed to know that daughter-in-law Mylee loves it too--that's a big compliment.

Quick Shawl

This black shawl is Roisin's latest, using big needles and big cotton/acrylic, for a fast knit.  Olga shows it off well!

Laura's Sweater

The Coast Salish Knit class is finishing up.  Laura's button choosing day-- they're not sewn on yet but we like her choice.  Lots of time and serious effort went in to the knitting of this classic sweater.

You'll get to see it around town (on Laura) once this summer thing is over.  Congrats Laura, anticipating the next one!

Petra's Sweater

Petra outshone herself AGAIN with this gorgeous Coast Salish Sweater .  We love the colours and designs she chose, and buttons too!  Wonder who the wearer will be?  She used Custom Woollen Mills twisted yarn, used less than 5 cones and produced a quality product.  Congrats Petra!

Jude And Roisin

A couple of photos of two amazing knitters and designers....the webs in the first photo are actually knit with reflective yarn! 

Knitting Spots

Roisin's knitting corner in Australia is spreading...not just in Bob's house...(spot the beanies and the groovy entrelac vest)

... but now it has spread to Jude's house in the Blue Mountains.