Butterfly Stitch - Royal Blue Cowl

This is a really nice, textured knit stitch, and was a lot easier to do than I thought it would be! I learned using a video from the masters at Knitting Stitch Patterns.

While knitting, I was listening to Neil Gaiman's American Gods. I really liked the narrators for this story because they made it come alive! If you ever get a chance to listen to this book, do it!

Materials:
-knitting needles, size 6.5 mm or US 10.5
-steel yarn needles, size 7cm (for sewing finished ends together)
-about 3 balls of Red Heart Soft Touch royal blue yarn (266m/ball)

Pigs Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Pigs Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure by Derek Anderson
Finger Play: Two Mother Pigs
Song: Down on Grandpa's Farm
Activity: Count the Mud Spots on the Pig/Directions Game
Puppet Show: The 3 Little Pigs
Board Book: This Little Piggy by Heather Collins
Craft: Pig Mask
Parachute and Colouring Sheet

Apples and Autumn Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Apples and Autumn Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge Is Falling Down
Book: Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson
Finger Play: Way Up High in the Apple Tree
Song: This is the Way the Leaves Fall
Activity: Leaf Sorting by Colour
Activity: Make an Apple or Flat Leaf Shape with Playdoh
Craft: Hand Tracing and Leaf Patterns
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Halloween Spiders Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Halloween Spiders Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Happy Halloween, Witch's Cat by Harriet Muncaster
Finger Play: Great Big Hairy Spider
Song: There's a Spider on the Floor (with bean bags)
Finger Play: Pumpkin Pumpkin
Activity: Boiling Pot
Activity: Spider Location Game
Boardbook: Eensy Weensy Spider
Craft: Spider Hat
Colouring Sheet

Pirate Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Pirate Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Treasure Hunt Game
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Bubble Bath Pirates
Finger Play: Ten Little Pirate
Song: If You're a Pirate and You Know It
Felt Story Activity: Pirate Patch
Board Book: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Craft: Telescope
Activity: Searching for Colourful Pirate Swords
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Trains Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Trains Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: A Train Goes Clickety-Clack by Jonathan London
Finger Play: Engine on the Track
Song: The Wheels on the Train
Action Rhyme: Here's a Little Choo Choo Train
Book: I Love Trains! by Philemon Sturges
Activity: Train Track Making with Popsicle Sticks
Activity: Stacking Lids into Patterns
Board Book: Freight Train by Donald Crews
Song: Chug Chug Chug
Craft: Name Train
Parachute and Colouring Sheet

Bears Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Bears Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Welcome Home Bear
Finger Play: Two Little Black Bears
Felt Story: Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Song: Teddy Bear Teddy Bear
Activity: We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Song: Hug Your Bear
Board Book: One Two Buckle My Shoe and Rock-a-Bye Baby
Craft: Bear Rattle/Puppet
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Space and Aliens Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes
Space and Aliens Theme Songs and Rhymes

The Plan
Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping
Song: Zoom Zoom Astronaut
Book: Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton
Rhyme and Puppet Play: 5 Little Aliens
Song: Zoom Zoom Zoom
Book: Hush Little Alien by Daniel Kirk
Song: I'm A Little Rocket
Craft: Alien Space Craft Puppet
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Boats Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes
Boats Theme Songs and Rhymes

The Plan
Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping
Book: Boats by Anne Rockwell
Song: Row Row Row Your Boat (with partner)
Song: Jolly Ship (with partner)
Book: Little Tug by Stephen Savage
Song: Slippery Fish
Craft: fish puppet and floating boat
Activity: What Floats?
Stickers + colouring sheet

Checkerboard Mesh Stitch - Royal Blue Infinity Scarf

Yahoo! I've been wanting to do the checkerboard mesh stitch for a while, and since the days are getting colder, it gives me an excellent excuse to stay warm and cozy knitting at home and listening to audiobooks. Life is never boring when you love books and knitting, it seems :D

Still on a nostalgia trip, I listened to the audiobooks for Tamora Pierce's Alanna: The First Adventure, In the Hand of the Goddess, The Woman Who Rides Like A Man, and The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman, while knitting this project.

The first three are nice, easy reads for the junior and teen crowd, with an awesome, kick-ass protagonist named Alanna. Alanna carries the books from the mundane to something special. Even though these were written in the 80s, young readers can still find something to admire and aspire to in a strong, female character.

Ridged Scales Stitch - Turquoise Dragon Scale Infinity Scarf

For the long weekend, I thought I'd finally finish a project that's been in the works for about four months. I would start, then stop as soon as I got distracted by other things (being outdoors, cleaning the garden, playing the piano, day tripping...just about anything not to have to touch this project, really!).

However, since I was having a nostalgia trip and listening to a book I read when I was a wee lass, I thought it would be a great time do some knitting. What was the book, you ask? Well, it's Philip Pullman's classic fantasy novel, and the first of a trilogy, The Golden Compass! The audiobook is narrated really well by the author, and then there's a full cast of narrators for each of the characters. If you ever get a chance to listen to it (or read it), please do!

Also, it was super hot over the weekend and what better way to cool down? Without further ado, the meat of this post:

Earth Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Earth Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Flame Chevron Stitch - Galaxy Green Infinity Scarf

Haven't knit anything in quite a while! Boo! One of my projects this year is to slowly, but surely, use up my stash of old yarn (so I can make way for new yarn!), because I have a problem when it comes to yarn. Once I see a colour I adore at a yarn store like Michaels, I will grab it and hold on to it the same way that some book lovers pile up books they never read (which, on a side not, is a phenomenon called tsundoku in Japanese). 

So, onward march, young knitter. Here is a new project I completed for a friend while simultaneously listening to an audiobook by Emily St. John Mandel called Station Eleven (it's awesome -- read it!): an infinity scarf in a nice galaxy green colour (with glitter!). It is also a belated Christmas present...REALLY belated @~@

Robots Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Robots Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Bugs Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Bugs Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Family Storytime Quick Playlist

from Julia Donaldson's The Flying Bath

Here's a quick playlist of Family Storytime sessions I've done in the past: 

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping
Book: The Flying Bath by Julia Donaldson

Construction Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Construction Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Valentine's Day Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Valentine's Day Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*

Fairytale Theme - Toddler Storytime

 

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Fairytale Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*

Dinosaurs Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 8 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Dinosaur Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*