Just because it's necessary, doesn't mean it can't be pretty!

We all know that there are lots of us who deal with cancer treatment. And we know that hair loss is sometimes a side effect of the treatment.

We have wonderful volunteers who knit chemo, or Wellness Caps for donation to Sunnybrook Hospital here in Toronto.

Here is a new pattern for those who are a little bit bored with the basic cap pattern that we have in our shop.

It's a perfect chance to try a little lace! This pattern comes to us from the "Look Good, Feel Better" people!

(www.lookgoodfeelbetter.ca.ca)

Lace-edged Women’s Hat

This pattern can be easily adjusted to fit smaller or larger heads-the lace pattern is worked over a multiple of six stitches. Simply add or subtract six stitches for each 1.5” of desired head circumference.

Size:

• Women’s Small (Medium, Large)

MaterialS:

• Yarn that will knit to gauge • Knitting needles-two circulars or

one 16” circular and one set of dpns (size uS6 or size to knit gauge)

GauGe

• 20 stitches = 4” in stockinette stitch

abbreviationS

• yo: yarn over • sk2p: slip one stitch purlwise,

knit next two stitches together, pass slipped stitch over

inStructionS

• Finished size: 18” (20.5”, 22”) diameter

• one stitch marker • Tapestry needle

• K2tog: knit two stitches together

Cast on 84 (90,96) stitches on 16” circular needle. Being careful not to twist the stitches, join and place marker at the beginning of next row.

RoW 1: purl.

RoW 2: *yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo, k1* (repeat around).

RoW 3: knit.

RoW 4: *k1, yo, sk2p, yo, k2* (repeat around).

RoW 5: Knit.

Repeat rows 2-5 two times.

RoW 14: Knit. Continue knitting all rounds until piece measures 5 (5, 5.5) inches from bottom.

Begin decreases:

1ST decrease: *K12 (13, 14), K2Tog* (Repeat around). Knit next Row.

2nd decrease: *K11 (12, 13), k2tog* (repeat around). Knit next row.

3Rd decrease: *K10 (11, 12), k2tog* (repeat around). Knit next row.

4Th decrease: *K9 (10, 11), k2 tog* (repeat around). Knit next row.

5Th decrease: *K8 (9, 10), k2tog* (repeat around). Knit next row.

Divide stitches evenly between two circular needles or three dpns.

6th decrease: *K7 (8, 9), k2tog* (repeat around).

Continue in this pattern, decreasing every row, until 12 stitches remain.

K2tog around so that 6 sts remain; then pull yarn through remaining stitches with a tapestry needle.

Pull end through to inside of hat, weave in, and trim.

HEY! Did the earth move?

Did the earth move for you too?

We just had a mini earthquake - who knew? Here in Uxbridge!

Huh?

Just because ...

your kitchen needs cleaning ...

your laundry needs doing ...

your dinner needs fixin' ...

your dog don't hunt ...

your car is broke ...

DOESN'T mean you can't knit!

In fact, in my world, knitting fixes all those things and, world hunger. Well, not quite world hunger, but i'm working on it!

Projects don't need to be huge and hot and heavy in your lap for summer knitting. How about a summer sweater out of cotton? How about socks - pedicure socks - so cute! How about a chemo cap for someone in need? How about dishcloths? How about children's mitts and hats for those in need? How about an afghan ... done in small squares to be assembled later?

Do you need more ideas? Com'on in and have a look! The walls are bulging with fab wool and yarns and wonderful patterns. And of course, we're always happy to see you!

(PLUS we are a bit sneaky and have various things on sale, all the time!)

and along the same lines ...

from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's calendar:

"You know you knit too much when ... you think that if knitting toned your abs, you would be seriously hot."

I'm just sayin'!

As if you needed one more reason ...

... to knit! You really don't.

But i have one. My biceps are amazing, my triceps a little less so, but these biceps!

AND my pec's - well, there's really nothing to add.

So next time someone nags at you about knitting too much, the size of your stash, your devotion to your local knitting store- tell them you're working out! And flash those biceps!

That otta shut'em up - at least until they figure it out!

Kaboom!

Yeah. I dunno what happened. I just went to turn on my computer and got that horrible, wicked, sinking feeling that accompanies seeing the BIG GRAY QUESTION MARK on my screen. And nothing else.

Yeah. Hard drive. Kaboom.

sigh.

Good news is now i have an external harddrive with back-up every hour and Apple Care Extended Warranty for 3 years.

sigh.

Too late.

i have a rhetorical question for you ...

If one was writing a pattern, and knitting the project at the same time to check for accuracy, how long should it take one to notice that their sun roof was open and it was raining?

Cause i really don't think it should be an hour.

Hmmm ... got any towels (and that's not rhetorical!)

... what is it? A Dress?

Okay - you know how the last sweater i made went? It's still sitting in pieces on my chair ... waiting for the winter ... and Warren's birthday. Here's what i think ... i figure i can KNIT it for one birthday and ASSEMBLE it for the next birthday. Are you with me? A two'fer!

Anyway - i've moved on to a Pretty Easy Peasy Cardi for the summer. Easy pattern, knit from the top down. Lovely wool (that i'm currently not stocking, BUT I CAN!), but can be done in cotton.

So, did you guess that this is not a dress for Puggy (wth?) but a lovely drapey summer cardi with bracelet length sleeves, with a twisted cable ribbing. Very elegant, very easy. You can tell all that from the picture, right?

Easy Pattern.

Easy Class.

Easy Peasy.