Mod Knits

So, I've been working on something called modular knitting. I've always found the concept interesting, but what got my attention was the technique taught in

the Modular Knits book by Iris Schreier. The idea being that you used short rows to achieve this geometrical look instead of doing all of the pieces separately & then sewing them together in the end. Seems brilliant, no?

The book has received high praise (5 star average on the 4 reviews done on Amazon.ca). There's even a Yahoo group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/multidirectional/

As far as the book goes, the pics are beautiful as are the patterns. At the beginning of the book they go through how to knit the various geometrical shapes & then refer to these pages during the patterns later in the book. Sometimes you're only doing part of a triangle or such & this can get a bit confusing. Or if you're like me & photocopy the pattern so it travels better & cuts down on the weight of your knitting bag (mine has been called pandoras box), this can be a problem when you forget to copy the basic instructions as well. All in all though, it's a good read.

I jumped right in (as I usually do) & started the zigzag scarf on pg. 45. It turn out beautiful even though the finishing triangle instructions were a bit dodgy.
I also made a matching hat from The Knitter's Bible: knitted accessories book by Claire Crompton. This book is a great one. A bit of everything from modular to lace & mittens to shawls. Made a few modifications (added a band inside the hat, with looser fit & button on top), but instructions were very clear.


Samantha just loves this set & has had many requests from her classmates to make them one as well (not happening unless they're paying though, I do enough charity work, lol).

Peace out, Boop

Shake your booties

So, my high school friend of many years just had her 1st child. My own kids are 11 & 8 so she was a bit of a late starter. In fact, she's 36 (aka Hockey Sioux). Her new son Liam is a sweetie, but I'm honestly happy it's her & not me. I cannot imagine starting a family at this point in my life. I guess you could argue both sides as she chose to do her traveling & such first, but I'm tired just thinking about it.
Mom & I sent a bunch of stuff, but I decided that booties were in order. (I mean, who can resist booties?) I would have made them into skates if not for the danger factor, but these would have to suffice.

The pattern itself was different than other bootie patterns I've done. It was easy to follow & such, but different it was. Started at the back of the heel to the toe, then the top of the foot & then the ribbed cuff. Once it's done however, it really does become a bootie, lol.

The pattern is from a book by Zoe Mellor called "adorable knits for tots". There isn't one pattern in this book that I wouldn't consider knitting. Great pictures, well written instructions, modern children knits. Absolutely my fav. kid's knit book for sure & I know I'll get my use out of it.

Also, since the weather was so crappy here today, I thought I'd send you all a nice big cyber mug of Betty Boop's pink hot chocolate. Enjoy.

Peace out, Boop