Welcome, March

I can't believe I've been in Newfoundland for 10 years today. That chance to move somewhere I'd never even seen has paid off big time in so many ways. Not that there haven't been rough spots. But that's life. I don't believe anyone goes through without a bump or two in the road. Cheers to us on 10 years together, Newfoundland 🥂

I happily finished the Hornpipe Bag on the weekend. 

I'm in the process of going over the pattern and after photos are done and decided on, it will be off to my techeditor. Keep your eyes open for the test knit when those steps are completed.

What am I working on now?

So glad you asked! I'm preparing the next pattern re-release, to be out later this month. Watch this space!

I put a teaser out on Instagram today for my currently in my hands WIP. Here's the photo and my post:

"My Hornpipe Bag is finished and after I get done going through the pattern and working with my favourite photog to get the best pics, it'll go to my brilliant techeditor. And then will come test knitting.

But until then I'm working on a little something I can't show you just yet 😉 I can tell you it's worsted/aran weight (my sample is in this gorgeous "Blue Mix" Briggs & Little Tuffy (80% wool, 20% nylon)), unisex, and suitable for most knitters. It uses knits, purls, yarn overs (yo), knitting through back loops (K tbl) , purling through back loops (P tbl), knit 2 togethers (K2tog), knit 2 together through their back loops (K2tog tbl), and purl 2 together (P2tog). Instructions will be written line by line and charted, with a separate pdf that is low vision accessible and (hopefully I get this part right; thank goodness for a brilliant techeditor) screen reader accessible. 

I'm aiming for the end of August so we have time to make it together 😉 in time for colder weather.

Stay tuned!

[Image: 3 balls of wool of varying sizes and a hank of the same wool. The color of all is dark denim blue with some black heathering.]

#SíleKnits #SíleAtWork #SíleDropsBigHints #KnitDanceRepeatDesigns #NewDesign #UpcomingPattern #UpcomingMKAL 😉 #CanadianWool #WoolLove #BriggsAndLittleTuffy #BriggsAndLittle #GottaLoveWhenThePerfectWoolsInYourStash"

How's that for a teaser? 

In all seriousness, I'm really looking forward to this idea. The knitting is going fast! I love when a design just flows like this. It feels really good.

As I'm sure you're aware, there's additional conflict in our world with Russia invading Ukraine. Correction: Putin invading Ukraine. Many Russians are completely against these actions, and have been arrested for protesting them. With the continued bombing of Yemen by Saudi Arabia, the US bombing Syria, and Haiti still reeling from last year's earthquake, many people are in dire circumstances around our world.

It's unsettling to see these things from the comfort of our homes. I can't begin to imagine what it's like to experience it first hand. People are in dire situations and I'm a believer in helping those needing it no matter where they are. If you're able to please consider donating to organizations that are helping the people in these awful circumstances that are completely out of their control. I know there are various agencies doing very important work world wide. I'm going to give some links that are located in Canada. Most large aid agencies have sites/chapters in many countries, and replacing "ca" or "Canada" with your own country's abbreviation or name in the url should bring you to the right place. 

Canadian Red Cross🔗 there are campaigns for Syria, Yemen, Haiti, Ukraine, and other places. The Red Cross works directly with the Red Crescent to provide much needed funds for medical supplies and essentials for refugees in Muslim predominant countries as well as their direct works.

UNICEF Canada🔗 There's a campaign for Ukraine on the front page, and campaigns for other places like Haiti and Syria can be found by using the search bar on the site. 

Canada Helps🔗 This site brings together many more campaigns and agencies working around the world to help in war torn areas and those devastated by natural disasters. 

And while we're talking about people that need help, the First Nations people of Canada have continued to find the remains of children near the so-called schools that were sent to after being stolen from their families and communities to be "educated". In truth they were beaten, tortured, raped, murdered, and traumatized. It's only recently come to public light the numbers of children murdered. I believe the current number found is 5,296. This link is to a blog post with links to 10 First Nations initiatives🔗 that can use financial support

Yours in yarn and humanity,

Síle