We had a wonderful, fun and mostly relaxing Christmas. We don’t have an extended family here, just the four of us and my Mum, but my younger brother surprised us all by arriving the week before! He had been travelling in Borneo and it was our great good fortune that he decided to come spend Christmas with us. The girls have been unbelievably excited to have their uncle here, especially one who is so good at playing crazy games, being silly, eating endless fake food etc.

His arrival was particularly good timing, as I had ‘spinal decompression surgery’ on December 21st. The girls had to stay with Mum and my brother while we travelled to the city where the neurosurgery unit is located. Many of you will know that I have been suffering from the effects of a herniated disc for nearly three years. It has been utterly debilitating at times, a little less at others, but unrelenting in all that time. My sewing chair has been a refuge, as it caused less pain than other seats in the house. We finally found a chair I could sit in and I have spent time sitting with the family – or more often than not, laying on the couch, falling asleep! Anyway, to cut a long story short, I had the microdiscectomy surgery on December 21st to remove the herniated material. The operation was a success in terms of alleviating the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Time will tell whether I will regain reflexes or normal skin sensation after years of damage to the nerves. The post-operative pain was immense, but is improving day by day. I think 2012 will be an awesome year! ETA There is still some pain in my backside and hip, particularly at night, but all in all I am feeling much better.

I have continued to design and sew and have participated in select events throughout the year, most notably The Treasure Chest series, run by Kate and Brooke of Hudson & Saige. These local business fairs feature a range of high-quality, locally owned businesses and I’m proud to be a part of their continuing presence in the Nanaimo area. It has been wonderful to meet new people and share the Pip ‘n’ Milly vision. It is pretty exciting that a number of Pip ‘n’ Milly products will have been unwrapped in the last few days!

My personal goal for 2011 was to learn to knit properly. I’ve been able to do very basic knit/purl rectangles since I was a child, but was stumped by the complexity of patterns and the secret language of knitting abbreviations. No longer! I started in February and am genuinely thrilled with how much I have learned. I see no end to this passion, which is a good thing, as I have accumulated a large stash of needles, yarn, fibre, notions and a never-ending list of things I want to make. Knitting is, for now, mostly a selfish pursuit, as I knit for myself. If sewing is time-consuming and labour-intensive, knitting is doubly so. However, I did knit a beautiful pair of socks for my brother for Christmas, to help him cope with the change in temperature from Borneo to the West Coast of Canada. Included in the photos are just a few of the things I had the pleasure of making in 2011.

2012 has been a great year thus far. While I struggle to think of things to write for blog posts, that struggle does not extend to actually making things. I have continued knitting and sewing and have now added spinning to my fibre passions. It is something I have long wanted to do, but I guess the timing wasn’t quite right before. I am now the proud owner of two spinning wheels, which were purchased from long-time spinners who have bought new wheels. I have an Ashford Traveller from New Zealand and a Canadian made Lendrum. No doubt I will be posting about my yarn-making endeavours in the future. However, I would rather be doing it than writing about it, so I’m off to ply some singles now!

Fiona

The weather has become decidedly autumnal – and by that I mean that it is chilly and raining. The upside is that I can definitely justify wearing the results of my knitting challenge – scarves, shawls, hats and gloves. As it is “Socktober”, I really ought to be working on some socks, but I have so many other projects on my needles at the moment that the socks will have to wait. I’m doing another test knit for a designer at the moment (third designer, fourth project), so my own projects are languishing in their respective WIP pouches – which, incidentally, I need to make more of!

This is one of the knitting projects I have completed:

Dolcetto

This is ‘Dolcetto‘, designed by Dani Berg and featured in the Fall issue of Knitcircus magazine. I was fortunate enough to win the pattern collection and started with this beauty. I knit it in Madeline Tosh ‘Toshlight’ in the Vermillion colourway.

I have also knit a couple of purple hats for the Click for Babies Purple Cap Campaign to raise awareness of shaken baby syndrome.

In order to compensate a distraught child after she realized we had sold the play kitchen, I knit this lacy, ruffled scarf with beaded cast off in a really soft, pretty yarn. Did she know about selling the kitchen (two months ago)? Yes. Has she worn the scarf yet? No.

Ruffle scarf with beaded cast off

I have actually done some sewing, too! Here is a large yoga bag I made for someone who has trouble rolling her mat tightly enough to fit in a regular yoga mat bag.

Yoga mat bag

Black and white messenger bag

Interior of black and white messenger bag

These two shots are of a custom order messenger bag. The exterior is plain black, but in a beautiful, soft, yet heavyweight fabric, whilst the interior is in a combination of black and white prints. The lack of vibrant colour is a bit of a departure for me, but I think it is fabulous and the new owner is delighted! The bag has an adjustable strap with the new deluxe hardware, a side release clip closure and padded pockets and a zippered pocket under the flap. The interior features two key clips, a cellphone pocket and expandable pockets for the particular things this lady carries. It also has a water bottle holder and a magazine pocket on the rear of the bag.

I will be participating in the Treasure Chest Christmas Extravaganza at the Costin Hall in Lantzville on Saturday, 3rd December. It will be a fabulous event and we will be partnering with the Child Development Centre in our “Share the Magic” campaign! We will be collecting donations of unwrapped toys, clothes, and other gift donations to share with families of the Child Development Centre. Admission and refreshments are free and there will be a great selection of quality vendors. Mark it on your calendars and come join in the fun!

Dolcetto shawl on the needles

This is “Dolcetto”, a beautiful shawl designed by Dani Berg. It was one of the patterns in the latest issue of Knitcircus. I fell in love immediately, chose yarn, then joined in a Knit Along on Ravelry (a completely fabulous resource for knitters and crocheters). I’m using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Vermillion, a sumptuous, rich colour and a beautiful yarn.

Saroyan

This is Saroyan by Liz Abinante and is knit in Vintage DK by Berroco.

Asking for Roses

This is “Asking for Roses” by Amy Swenson, knit in Tosh Merino Light in Smokestack.

Just one more bit of knitting for now!

Holden Shawlette

This is the Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes, knit in two strands of Centolavaggi Laceweight yarn in a beautiful teal – my go-to colour this year!

I have also been doing some sewing, surprise! Last Saturday, I participated in the Treasure Chest Local Business Fair.

Booth at Treasure Chest Local Business Fari

Diaper bag

This is a messenger-style diaper bag, designed to fit everything you could possibly need for an outing with baby, but not look like a diaper bag! The adjustable strap means it can be adapted for use across the body, on one shoulder, or strung across the handles of a stroller. There are ample pockets inside and out, of course, a water bottle holder, key clip and parachute clip closure.

WIP pouches

These are a couple of the large WIP pouches I have been making for knitting projects. The front is clear vinyl, which is ideal when you have multiple projects on the go. These WIP pouches have turned out to be pretty popular, as they are so practical, made to order and unique.

Just one last thing before the end of this photo-heavy post! Last night was domestic bliss for us. We live in the city, but are hearts are a little more rural and after a few games of hangman together, Daddy read “Little House in the Big Woods” to the girls while they took turns making butter and I sat in my chair, working on my Dolcetto knit-along! It was relaxing, peaceful and a great end to the day. Now we’re looking forward to lovely, buttery toast for breakfast!

Homemade butter

If you are in the Nanaimo area, please stop by and support local businesses, see some fantastic handmade products and perhaps check some things off your Christmas list!

So, to start things off gently, below are some photos of a beautiful knitting bag I designed earlier this year. Couldn’t believe I hadn’t posted it before!

One of a kind knitting bag

This stunning bag using a Michael Miller fabric and coordinating lining fabrics, features heavily reinforced exterior panels to make the bag stand up well and support the weight of the bamboo handles without sagging. It also suede corner protectors, a clear vinyl pocket on the front for holding your pattern while you knit, a large front pocket, 2 magnetic snaps, a zippered pocket on the rear of the bag, multiple clear pockets inside, a dedicated scissor pocket and plenty of room for several projects.

Rear of bag

Here are another couple of versions which were custom made, so have a slightly different set of features.

Custom order knitting bag

Birdy knitting bag

These measure approximately 16″ x 6.5″ x 11″.

This is a messenger-style bag with a dark/neutral exterior to suit her active lifestyle with her young boys, but the interior is bright, vibrant and fun. Practicality is paramount in my work and this bag is filled with great features, such as a magazine pocket at the rear, a wide, adjustable strap, divided pockets under the flap and inside the bag, a zippered pocket, key clip and a water bottle holder. Roomy, yet not bulky.

Butterfly bag - interior

Messenger bag exterior

Messenger bag - front

So, here are photos of some of my latest work. Hope you like it! Will try to post new items to the shop asap.

Knitting duo

The lady who placed this order was given a bag with those wooden handles many years ago, but the fabric totally didn’t suit her style or personality and she didn’t like to carry it. I suggested a remake in more suitable fabric, to coordinate with the Work In Progress pouch which she had ordered. I added pleats and a magnetic snap closure and her bag is now fresh, modern and much more appealing. The lady loved her WIP pouch so much, she ordered a second one for another knitting project! They are perfect for carrying small projects such as socks, gloves, a scarf etc, but I have found that my recent cardigan project required something larger, so I made this:

Large WIP pouch, with shawl project

It works beautifully, so I will be making more of these and finding excuses for bigger projects! The clear vinyl front allows me to see exactly what I have and makes it easy to grab a project on our way out the door.

Another great customer recently ordered another beach bag for his daughter, so her Mom could have her original one back!

Beach bag/locker bag

Beach bag

This was originally designed as a locker bag for going to our local pool. The end pockets are used for shampoo, conditioner and comb and the bag itself carries towels for the four of us, so I roomy, practical bag all round! We also use ours for trips to the library, picnics, trips to the beach etc.

This is some of the pieces laid out for a special order, after they have been interfaced. Still a long way to go from this stage! Can’t show the finished object, as it is a surprise gift and has not yet been given.

Bag making in progress

More of my recent work:

Pleated panel bag

Custom knitting bag

Pleated panel bag

Red floral knitting bag

I think that’s enough for now! Enjoy your summer!