Hi friends,

I've decided to make the permanent move from Blogger to Wordpress!

click here to go to my new website:

Snapshot of my new website!

Thank you so much for reading my blog all this time & for all the support!  Be sure to follow on my new page!  

It is more of a website that will connect to a new store I've opened on Etsy as well.

Super duper excited.



All the best,

Sylvie  xx.


Facebook:    http://www.facebook.com/handmadebysylvie
Wordpress: http://handmadebysylvie.wordpress.com
Twitter:        http://www.twitter.com/handmadesylvie
Etsy Shop:   ShopHandmadeBySylvie       [opening soon!]

Multi Cotton Goodness

My apologies for the delay on this post!!  I hope you all have been keeping well. xx.

So, let's get right to it!

There have been such an increase in projects this month, I am so excited!  As promised, I will show you the housewarming presents I knitted up for my friends Myles & Jamie who are just moving into their new place in Kitsilano.

When I started, I had no idea what type of pattern I wanted to do the cloth in.  I looked up a bunch of patterns & here are some that you might want to try!  They're pretty easy & seem pretty durable.  

I prefer to make these cloths out of cotton material though..  I would recommend a medium colour (either mixed or solid) - white is just too easy to dirty & too dark.. well you can't exactly tell how dirty it is..

The best part about these patterns is that they're all free!

Ravelry - Pigeon Pair Wash Cloth                (still want to try this one)

Ravelry - Corrugated Cloth                         (love the simplicity)

Ravelry - Spa Day Face Cloth                     (pretty traditional)

Ravelry - Double Bump Dish Cloth              (seems the bumps would help!)

Ravelry - 3 Easy Dish Cloths                       (very basic, perfect for beginners)

If you crochet, this one looks great too - Ravelry - Crochet Dish Cloth

Lastly, I found this pretty funny - Ravelry - "Knit Now.. Dishes Later" Dish Cloth    ($2 pattern)

Blue Sky Alpacas - Multi Cotton in Gherkin

I ended knitting up a dishcloth with a custom heart pattern with 4 matching coaster set in the Blue Sky Alpacas Multi Cotton in Gherkin (100% organic cotton).  I'm also a big fan of this yarn in the Marmalade, Gunflint and Punch colours for dish cloths.  

I'm so happy I scrapped the first cloth I made... I'll show you.

It was just so plain..... time to unravel!!

Hence, I just decided to CO an unknown amount - I think it was about 30 or so.. and I started knitting my own pattern!

In the midst of Heart Dish Clothing..

The edges are more structured so that it won't be too floppy - there is a sort of rib effect it in.  At first, I had decided to just do some plain flat knitting in the centre square.  But as you can see, I spontaneously patterned out a heart in garter stitch.  It's kind of hard to see with the blend of colours, but it's there!

Customized Heart Patterned Dish Cloth

The coasters follow the same pattern and I believe I CO 23 stitches.  It is just the basic RS: knit all, WS: purl all, in addition to the border pattern.  I knitted for about 20 rows before I BO.  I should really write down these patterns as I'm going.....

Set of 4 Customized Matching Coasters

I wish that photo wasn't so yellow...

Completed Customized Heart Pattern Dish Cloth

I hope you enjoyed this post & best of luck with the dish clothing - I must say, they're rather fun!  Definitely going to buy more cotton later for more!

Happy Humpday! xx.

& We Need Music Too...

Hi friends!

I've been in crazy knitting mode as of late - soooo muchh knitting.  The auntie/baby fever is riding at an all-time high, I must admit!

I finally went to the store yesterday & picked up a bunch of new yarns!  More Cascade Magnum for an infinity scarf order, some organic cotton, as well as some more of the Debbie Bliss Rialto.  Today has been quite the productive "cotton-filled" day:  housewarming presents (1 customized dishcloth, 4 matching coasters), organic coffee sleeve...

Blue Sky Alpacas - Multi Cotton in Gherkin

I'll be posting up photos later this week to share with you.  =D

-----------------------------------------------

In the meantime...

I was over at  Kyla's last week.. & we jammed!  It was honestly my first time singing with someone else.  (I started taking lessons in January - following 8 months of it during acting school!)  

We got to play on her toy piano - she strummed her guitar, I played a couple melodies.. then we recorded us singing together.  Yup, we covered "Wonderwall by Oasis" - a classic!

- Click here to hear our cover on Kyla's SongBlog -

Kyla & I with all our instruments!

A little background info - we were paired up as scene partners while we were in the Canada's National Voice Intensive earlier this year!  We were cast as Hero (me) & Ursula (her) in Shakespeare's play, "Much Ado About Nothing".  Our friendship has blossomed & we totally re-did our dinner and wine night like what you would find in the film, "Julie & Julia".  It was super cute!

Hopefully one day we will sing together again (she's moving away =(.. so, I guess I will have to go visit!).  I think our voices compliment each other's quite well - so happy she helped me break out of my singing shell!  Loveeeee, oh love.

Thanks for reading!  xx.

BabyKnits Fever - Newborn Hatting

Hello friends!!

I apologize for the long delay since my last blog post.  Life has been full & I am only starting to get back into the knitting side of things!!  So excited for current and upcoming projects.

For those of you who don't know - I'm going to become an Aunt next month!  

Baby Peanut is going to be a surprise at arrival, so I've been knitting with pretty gender neutral tones.  =)

A few days ago, I started a Basic Newborn Hattie! 

For this project, I used 3.5mm dpns and the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn in Tan.  It only used about 1/3 or less of the entire skein.  I think I'll try to make some booties with the remainder.

I took a couple progress shots I took while making the hattie - I casted on 64 & just knitted right on through.  It was basically a trial & error process... without so much of the error part.  =D  

I LOVE knitting with DPNs (double-pointed needles) since all you need to do is knit the entire way though!!  I definitely recommend it, especially if you have never tried it.  

As I reached around 30 or so rows, I began to start decreasing..

Once I looped up the end & pulled it tight, I left a fairly long tail on.  I took a small crochet hook and chained up about 6 or 7, single crocheting though it 3 rows.  

Knotting up the crocheted chain will create that little knit that sits right up top!  

Off to figure out them booties now....  Happy Tuesday!! xx.

Matchies!

Hello again everybody!

I hope you've all been doing splendidly.  The weather has been pretty amazing (but strange nonetheless) here in Vancouver!  We've had a couple days of summer sun & it's not even summer yet.  =)

It was so hot the other day, I was on a park bench with a friend trying to read some Shakespeare... and then the sun attacked me.  I turned a mighty fire engine red on my arms and thighs - it was terrible.  Been smothering myself in aloe as of late.  Lesson learned.  Don't forget the sunblock, my friends!  Spare yourself the terrible burns.

Asides from the sunshine,  I've finished up some knits.  Here is a matching piece to the NF Claw-Cabled Scarf in Amethyst Heather:

For this project, I used the Cascade Magnum which is 100% Peruvian Highland Wool & my Addi 10mm circulars.  It is just a simple pattern or kkp.

It knitted up super quick!  I just had to re-do the beginning a few times to get the right measurements for the bottom of the hat.  At first I tried casting on (CO) 42... but that was WAY too loose!  Then came 39 & 36.  36 was the magic number for me.

Click here to go to a full chart for all sizes from babies to adults.

I think it'll look very good on my client's mum with the matching scarf.  Happy Monday!

xx.

& We're Back.. =)

I've picked up my knitting needles again after a short month break!  It's been a crazy month full of ups & downs, in more ways than one.  But my Addis have never left my side.

A quote for any other artist out there lost in the cyclic void or oblivion - you will find your way out.

"Art only prevails; it can never ever fail you."

Stay tuned... lots of knits are coming..  ; )

Thanks for all the LOVE.  xx.

Just Another Day..

Good morning or  Guten Morgen (I'm trying to start learning some German) everybody! 

The weather is just getting absolutely spectacular in Vancouver!  I hope you have all been well & doing things that you love.

It's been a pretty slow knitting month for me, apart from taking lots of knitting books out from the library and such.. Honestly, I was SO surprised that they even had such a big section on fibre arts in such a small little branch - West Point Grey!

West Point Grey Branch - VPL

The most convenient thing about this is that my yarn store, Urban Yarns, is right across the street.

My favourite yarn store!!

Other than my current KnitReads... I'm so excited to share this order update with you - I've finished off the Natural Fibre "Cozy Claw-Cabled Scarf".  = )

NF Cozy Claw-Cabled Scarf in Amethyst Heather

Photo from "SOLD" album on HbyS Facebook Page 

It didn't take too long to knit up - of course, some of the cabling took a tad bit longer...  considering sometimes it's just so damn hard to get the point of your needle into the stitch on the cable needle!

For this project, I used 12mm straight needles & a 6mm dpn for my cable needle that I had lying around.

I hope my client is going to love it - I will be making the delivery today.

Wish me luck! xx.

Clawing to the Finish Line

Well, it sure has been a while since I've made a scarf since Spring is here!

To my delight, I received an order earlier this week for a cozy chunky winter scarf in purple. I was so excited since that means I get to work with super bulky yarns again!

Off I went to the yarn store again... & only after tons and tons of browsing through merinos, alpacas, virgin wools...

So many purple yarns!!

We finally settled on our familiar friend, the Cascade Magnum in Amethyst Heather.  All of the "Heather" shades have different wonderful blends of colours, in this case blue & purple.

Super Bulky - 100% Peruvian Highland Wool

I started custom designing the scarf with a cabling effect.  I love cables so much, sometimes it's just hard to choose which one to do.. = )

Claw Cable -- Plaited Cable -- Basic Cable

My client chose the Claw Cable!  It's the first time I've worked this cable but I think it's turning out pretty well.  You have to use an even number of stitches for each side of the cable, otherwise.. it'd just be too confusing & it also wouldn't look symmetrical.

Claw Cable beginnings..

It actually looks pretty cool.  Really love the way it cinches in & it creates this in/out effect as you work the scarf longer & longer.  It's basically this giant claw cable of a scarf!!  A little while later, I ended up with this.

Cozy Natural Fibre Claw-Cabled Scarf in Amethyst Heather

The Cascade Magnum knits up very quickly and is easy to work with.  The strands hardly ever unravel to take up more time for careful knitting.  I can't wait to see the completed scarf!

What do you think?  Well, I'm going to just keep clawing away now..

Good evening! xx.

Spring is in the Air

I hope everybody remembered to spring their clocks ahead one hour last night!  If not.. you better get on that.. = )  

When I was away for university, I would always forget and be an hour early/late for things.

More daylight!!  That is a great pro.  However, with Spring, come allergies.  

I'm not going to lie, I'm definitely feeling like I'm about to keel over and die from all these allergy symptoms.  It wasn't until I moved to Waterloo, where I developed my allergies to... well pretty much everything.  For the first time in Vancouver,  these allergies are really starting to show up in a crazy fashion.  I can barely  breathe (stupid congestion) when I'm sleeping or awake.  Apparently I have moderate allergies.. which makes complete sense.. since it feels like I have a cold/flu & all that lethargic nonsense.   = (

I wish Reactine would work, but it doesn't.

So here's hoping that some knitting will help me forget about all this!

Today, I am going to make this cute little stuffie I found from a pattern on Ravelry.  If you've seen Miyazaki's My Neighbour Totoro, you will know exactly who this delectable little creature is!

Introducing the knitted CHIBI TOTORO TOY by brella..  [click for pattern]

"Chibi Totoro Toy"

I'm going to make this for my friend, Danaca, who absolutely adores Totoro!  She even has a square Totoro cushion, it's so cute.

I remember growing up and watching this movie dubbed in Cantonese.  Danaca tells me that they also did a re-dub in English that's pretty recent, starring Dakota Fanning too.  If you have never seen My Neighbour Totoro, you should try and get your hands on it.  The director, Hayao Miyazaki, is truly a genius.  My personal favourite is, Kiki's Delivery Service.

Knitter's Pride Dreamz - US 4 (3.5mm) dpns

I think I'm going to try making them on my new 3.5mm dpns (double pointed needles).  I will post progress photos of this little Chibi as it knits up.

Ps.  I am currently on 5/7 skeins for my BabyKnits Basic Ribbed Baby Blanky in Seafoam!

Wishing everybody a stupendous Sunday full of relaxation!  

Time for some tea & knits for me.  xx. 

Needles, Needles, Needles...

We meet again!  I hope you've all been very well since my last post a couple days ago.  I hear a lot of you have been knitting up a storm & I'm oh so excited to see what you've been making!!

For the first time, a photo popped up on my Facebook news feed from a guy with his current knits!  My eyes just widened & my heart melted - cheesy, I know.  Anyway, here's just some props to Sam for that.  =)

So!  I've been getting a lot of questions about needles..  & I have so much to tell you about my experiences with the different types.

Credit: Knitsburgh Wordpress Blog

Basically, when I started knitting, I just used straight needles to do all of my projects.  The very thought of circular needles intimidated me & double pointed needles (dpns) just straight up horrified me.  I would run away from any pattern that asked for anything other than straights.

What a silly thought that was, looking back.

While I studied out at uWaterloo, I borrowed a huge set from my Auntie Monica while I was back in Vancouver for Christmas break.  That's where I got started.  Out of the blue, my Mum pulled out this Aero set which completely blew my mind!  They looked like this except my kit is dark blue..  

I'm missing one single needle though because when it took the trans-atlantic flight over back in the 80's, it snapped.  = (

Aero Needle Set (UK)

I was a happy camper with this huge set until I started knitting a crazy amount of projects in a very short time - Handmade by Sylvie Rush Season.  ;)  

The thing is, I used to do a lot of heavy weight lifting and be a huge gym rat/fitness enthusiast.  The first time I strained my right elbow was from pushing myself to a point of doing too 25+ body weight dips until failure.

With that said... my elbow and shoulders started bugging me again since those were the places where I hold a lot of my tension while knitting.  It's the basic, repetitive movement of knitting where the elbow has to come out to get into the next stitch.  

On Boxing Day, I went shopping at Urban Yarns (big surprise).  I was introduced to these new needles, addi Click Turbos!!  Its a set of circular needles that are adjustable in size and length.  

Aren't they just GORGEOUS?!  I'd worked with the Aero circulars before, but the twist in the connector was just too tedious for me to want to knit with them.  (Remedy:  soak the cord in warm water to make it more pliable - thanks Auntie Phyllis!)

With the use of these addi circulars, they helped relieve the pains I was getting from the straights.  My elbows stay closer to my body when I'm knitting & it's a little more wrist work.  I don't think I could go back to straights, to be honest.

Hopefully this helps you to find you next pair/or set of needles!  It was quite pricey for this set ($200-ish), but well worth it.  

Hand Massage

Don't compromise your body for your hobby!  I used to go to a massage therapist... initially for my work outs, but it turns out the knitting was putting even more major tension in my neck/shoulders/arms/hands.  What a scream fest - you'd be laughing if you were in the room next to my appointments.  = )

PS. While I was searching for images of needles, I came across this!  It's a blog post about "Uses for Straight Needles" - it's pretty funny, I think.


With screaming delight, I wish you happy knitting!! xx.

BabyKnits Frenzy

I have a confession.  

I think I actually may be addicted to yarn.

Yesterday, I went back to the store and came out with 8 skeins for new projects!  This time I bought some Debbie Bliss Fez in a Seafoam colour (7) & one of the Debbie Bliss Rialto DK's again.

If you haven't been following my projects that are completed and in progress on my HbyS FB Page, here's the first of my new BabyKnits line!

Basic Colour Block Bib

These bibs are bright & colourful.  It features 3 adjustable sizes around the neck & is totally machine-wash friendly!  Now that I've bought another colour in the same yarn, expect something more fancy in pattern/colours to be posted up soon!  =)

Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - superwash

I am working a personal project right now, knitting up a baby blanket.  I've never dared to make anything large.. like a sweater.  But I suppose if I got through the double knitted 38-hour scarf from X'mas time, I can commit to a blanket!

The Debbie Bliss Fez is pretty awesome too.  It's composed of Extrafine Merino & CAMEL!  Imagine that.  It's super soft.  The next fibre I'm dying to try is Possum from New Zealand - apparently it's extremely warm.

Debbie Bliss Fez - Project Baby Blanket

Right now, I'm half way through my first skein!  It's pretty crazy how many stitches I had to cast on.. seeing as I am used to 60 stitches maximum, usually.  SO... 6.5 more skeins to go!  I'll definitely keep posting progress photos of this - it's so exciting to watch it get bigger & bigger.

I'm just following a basic pattern that I found on Ravelry.  If you haven't been to the website yet.. you must!  The possibilities are endless - you can look up specific yarns and patterns for knitting and crocheting to make anything you want, basically! 

What are you making??  xx.

New BabyKnits Line!

Hello everybody!

I have some tremendously exciting news.  As a new season is about to start, Handmade By Sylvie is also expanding into a different line in addition my wintery knits!  

I will be starting a line of knitted/crocheted items called HbyS BabyKnits!  

From bibs & hats to blankets galore.. neutrals, multis & brights!

Most items will be made with superwash material that will be machine-washable for your ease of caring.

Actually, I just did some shopping at my favourite yarn store in Point Grey - Urban Yarns.

Debbie Bliss Yarns

Photos of projects to come.. stay tuned!!   =)


I also want to thank everyone for all of the support you have given me, it was been truly been a blessing!  xx.


[for further inquiry regarding HbyS BabyKnits, please send me an email - I'd love to hear from you!]

Spring Awakening

It is official - I think Spring is making it's way here in Vancouver!  The daylight lengthening, the weather milder.  

You step outside, your mind still & you take in that cool breath of air.  You feel that path of air travel into your body, to your heart.  & suddenly everything feels at ease.

Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC

Well, sometimes I get this feeling out of knitting.  Sometimes, I want to poke my eyeballs out with my precious Addi needles. 

"BAHHHH.. ripping out at least 36 rows & I'm not sure how many I've ripped out & oh my.. can even get all the stitches back on the needle the right way!? !*(@$&$@*" 

Extra Long Men's Double Knitted Cashmere Fisherman Ribbed Scarf 

Sound familiar?  You know what I'm talking about.  Went back to Bikram Yoga for the first time in a long time today with the intention of making it regular practise ;).  It reminded me how much stillness is needed in our lives.

Same goes for everything else, even knitting.  The times I'm trying to plow through orders with brain jacked up on "Must finish.  Need to Finish.  Must Knit Faster." chants, are the times.  My brain suffocates, you must allow breath to reach your mind.  

Believe that the work (knitting) will just happen on auto-pilot then.  It will feel easy and your projects will be completed before you know it.   = ) 

Completed in 38 hours!!

For me, Fibre Art is another channel of meditation for me & I hope you can find the same type of benefits through discovering your own art! 

Low & behold, then there are also the times that I'm just continuously watching "Beverly Hills  90210" ('90s seasons) on Netflix while working on my orders...  

Beverly Hills 90210 (Original Cast)

Do what works for you & remember to breathe.  Trust that you will get it done.  xx.

Fibre Favourites

With so many different fibres that are offered on the market.. I've only been able to try a handful of them (so far) in the 3 months that Handmade By Sylvie has been up & running.

From lower-end yarns from Michael's to expensive yarn that made my eyes widen in shock.  The most expensive yarn I've seen to date cost $100/skein!  I KNOW, right?!

Anyway... the material I've loved working with on a few orders is from Blue Sky Alpacas.

They have all these wonderful kinds of yarn like the Worsted Cottons and Bulky lines.  I go yarn petting often, it's such a guilty pleasure - but it helps you learn about all the texture and fibres that are out there!

In my last post, I mentioned the smooth & silky Worsted Hand-Dyes.  Composition: 50% royal alpaca, 50% merino.

Rib-Checked Scarf  [midnight blue]

Herringbone Scarf w/ Borders  [ecru]

DIY Custom: Boo Boyfriend Scarf  [denim, ecru, midnight blue]

This material knits up quicker than you think!  If you're the type of person who loves to make your own knits, but hates how long it can take to complete a project.. you should definitely try the Worsted Hand-Dyes.  They've got a lot of colours & any stitch work looks gorgeous. 

Blue Sky Alpacas - Worsted Hand-Dyes

Check them out here.

Let me know what you're going to make!  What's your favourite yarn?  xx.