Nant-y-glo Needles

Where the heck have I been???

2011-07-24T12:12:00.000-04:00

Four months later and my grand son is a blooming 15 pounds plus not bad considering his size at birth.
I am back to work full time and let me tell you THAT took some getting used to. More about that later.
In an effort to rein in my shattered concentration I have joined the Delusional Knitter's call to "War on WIP"
Here follows my dastardly mess: In no particular order...

Limerick shawl

Marc's bear claw sweater

I have knit this front about three times and keep ripping it back the claws looked arthritic to me..dam.

I have a lot of grafting to do before I can move on


Feyrhi's Wings silk beaded shawl

In my defense I have finished up the following in the last four months:

baby kimono jacket with Knitman's hand dyed


crochet star baby blanket

Back to confession time......the following await attention

Adult tomten jacket

Aran coat

double knitted scarf 548 rows... I am on row 16

Oh yes and I just bought some chunky "Dreams" for a winter all in one for the new baby and 3 colours of DK for a fair isle vest for baby Logan and some Snuggly DK for a small reversible baby blanket...
...and... I have a baby sleep sack on the needles, no picture.
So there we go. I think that is everything. Now let's see what I can finish by Labour Day. Stay tuned!

The saga of the blanket...

2011-03-30T11:21:00.000-04:00

It's a tough world out there! Logan Gabriel

It has been a very active two weeks. My grandson made a premature arrival on March 20th. All 3 pounds 12 ounces of him. For a detailed saga of the blanket's construction, deconstruction, redesign and final completion please pop over to Ravelry and check out 'Logans baby blanket" in my projects. Oh, my ravelry name has changed to "Susanlacewing." There was another Susanknits (I was Suzanknits) and it was confusing so I changed my moniker.

Brittany and "The" blanket

I took the blanket to the NICU yesterday and we got this picture.This is as close as he is going to get to it for a while. We took it off after the picture taking and put the dark cover back on.

My baby boy and his Baby Boy

Star baby blanket

This fall we are expecting another grandchild!! and a playmate for Logan. I am going to get the new baby's blanket done in plenty of time!. Meanwhile I haven't got a stitch knit on my In Dreams KAL since Logan's arrival. Now that he is doing so well my concentration should have returned.

Crochet time

2011-03-12T09:33:00.001-05:00

I started this, ohhhh, probably 8 years ago..sheesh Now I am finishing it for my new Grandbaby. It is wonderful yarn. Sirdar Denim Tweed DK. Of course now I am in a panic that I will run out. Some of these colours have been discontinued. I sent out about 10 emails on Ravely begging to buy or trade whenever I found any of these colours in someone''s stash. So far I have heard from 2 people. Keeping the good thought here.

I am one row away from the half way point. This is my TV watching project. This yarn is the best, it is a cotton acrylic wool blend that loves the washer and will tolerate the dryer as long as you don't cook it.

At present I have 4 lace shawls on the go and I am lusting after another. Mario Knits pattern "Spanish Armada." Five is the max (really) and then I have to finish one (believe me) before I can start another. Non knitter's do not understand the concept of having more than one project at a time. If I get tired of one or it becomes difficult I switch to the easy one for a respite. Then when refreshed I go back to the challenging one. Makes sense to me. Same reason why I read more than one book at a time.

This is my "Icarus Shawl." I am almost finished the second wing. Intriguing knit I must say. Look for the pattern on Ravelry by the name "In The Pink" by Izzyknits.

Feyrhi's Wings Shawl

2011-03-05T20:29:00.000-05:00

Clue #1 finished. Susan Pandorf's Lord of the Rings "In Dreams" KAL on Ravelry

Creating a Plush Teddy Bear...Step One

2011-03-05T14:30:00.003-05:00

tracing the pattern

When the children were young and I was a stay at home Mom I had a craft business called "Thimble Enterprises." I used to go to Craft Shows in southern Ontario At one point my hand made teddys, bunnies,squirrels etc were sold in stores in Windsor and Leamington Ontario.


It is important to cut the backing NOT the pile.

My youngest used to sit by my feet while I was sewing. He would drive his hot wheel cars around the shelf at the bottom of the sewing machine stand. He will be a Papa in May and I asked him if he would like a bear for his son.

the seams will be hidden by the long pile at the edge.

He quickly said, "Yes." This pattern is named after my dad. "Grampy Bear" is an original Thimble Enterprises design and came with glasses, a pipe and dressed in a tweed vest with a watch chain. Sorry no pictures of the original.

tedious job cutting out each piece

I sold these bears as gifts for Executive's. They were very popular.

Still have to cut a contrast for the paws, and probably will use a contrast for the inner ear, instead of the pile

All cut out and ready to be sewn. He has a head gusset, which is tricky but makes a lovely shaped head. The body is in four parts. I will have to make him a satin heart to sew inside. He will be fully jointed with a hand crafted leather nose.

Much better picture of the actual colour of the pile. My hand is sore from all that cutting so I will take a break. Next step sewing up all the bits.
Back to lace knitting for a rest.

Finished!

2011-02-26T18:57:00.000-05:00

...the Hurry Up Loopy Sweater. I don't know if I like it more because it is finished or because it looks so cute on the doll.
Peter Pan DK, 4 balls, 3.25MM needle.

- Baby is due Mar 11th. whew got it finished in time. Will mail this out tomorrow.

Recent Projects

2011-01-30T20:30:00.008-05:00

The mobius baskets are fun to knit. I used the Freedom wool with a strand of eyelash to create a shopping bag, now will be felted and shrunk to form small baskets. Five were made using every last bit of the wool that has now been discontinued.
The Diagonal Border Cardigan is being knit for mum. Using the smaller size needle through out the whole sweater, has been a lot easier and a nicer finish for this single plied wool.

I received some Philosophers Wool from mum and started making this Cape Plaid designed cardigan. I am going to make the body of the sweater long, with a long sleeve. This picture doesn't show the heathers or natural colours of the wool. My background colour is a blend emerald and aqua, the other colours navy, purple, bluegrass and burgundy heathers, are much more vibrant.

~Daughter #2

Knitting or rather..not

2011-01-29T09:32:00.005-05:00

Well, we are back from the sunny Dominican and I have to tell you I am a hot house flower. I bloomed while we were there and detect a distinct wilting since we got home.
I experienced every knitters worst nightmare. Two thousand plus miles from home and I have the wrong sized knitting needle! I had to medicate myself with 30 degree (Celsius) sunshine, white sand and a delicious beverage called a "Silver Clark." After all this was my holiday and I had looked forward to trying out a new lace pattern from "Wrapped in Lace.". Not so fellow knitters. The needle was too fine.
I kept trying as if the needle would have swollen in the sunshine..sigh ... I gave up and went to the pool bar, which by the way was behind a little waterfall. It's hard to see but trust me there is water falling in front of the bar.

Before we left I managed to finish and block the aforementioned slouch hat. Finally a gift finished in advance of the occasion.

Susan Pandorf, one of my favourite designers, has a new KAL, IN DREAMS, starting next week. It is in her Lord of the Ring series. I have been haunting the LOTR group on Ravelry. There are so many beautiful knitters out there. Ravelry is a wonderful place to chat with people who understand your passion. Last June I bought some of Blue Moon Fibers Silk Thread II for the Evenstar project. Everyone was so far into the project I fizzled and the silk has languished in the cedar chest. That is until Thursday night when I whipped up this swatch on a 3mm needle.

I fear it is a pinch too small so I am doing another one with a 3.25mm. As the luck of the Irish would have it the ocean green beads are a perfect match to the blue green highlights in this colour way. Which by the by is called "Thraven." The In Dreams KAL has 5000 beads. That alone means I have to knit this. Susan P is making hers with Unique Sheep's Eos in their "unique" gradiance colour treatment. Unique sheep also offer a 100% silk lace yarn called Marici. AND Laura will custom dye a colour way for you. You do see where this is going don't you? It all started with a colour way called "Galadriel's Crown" and ended up with "Feyrhi Wings"

Yup, that's mine and I named it. Too yummy for words. Now I have to find beads.
Then I went to Earthfaire to look for beads. I usually deal with Bead FX online but heard so much about Earthfaire I went to check them out. It turns out that they have exclusive colour ways from Unique Sheep.
Cue the drama music.
In March Unique Sheep has a KAL starting. The Little Mermaid KAL and Earthfaire has this colourway called Dragon Fire....and they have the whole deal, sign up, beads, yarn ... you get the idea.
O.K. right moving on.
Julia and I spent a day Spinning.

I am so rusty I can't believe it, well, yes I can. It is like riding a bike, a little wobbly but smoothing out. I plan on doing more today. Julia took to it like she should have with all those nice fibre genes in her DNA.

She took the Ashford home and tells me she has filled two bobbins and is ready for plying. Her stool was a little too low at picture taking but she got the right height chair when she got home. Now we need a niddy noddy.
It is snowing out there..yukky

W. I. P.

2010-12-29T07:30:00.000-05:00

It is a good thing my granddaughter doesn't haunt here. This is her Birthday Slouch Hat. I had considered this yarn for a lace shawlette but the colour changes were too dramatic. Drama is excellent for this hat with, of course, beads. This hand dyed loveliness, aptly named "Shock Wave," comes from my favourite yarn artist, "The Knitman," I should have this finished today.

This was going to be for Christmas. As that didn't happen I will finish it and set it aside in the "gift" box. I like to have a few things at the ready. The lace design gets lost in the colours but I still like it. Be daring with your knitting. Like this......

My dear Mom would have been the first to say that these colours do not go together. I give you the Linen Stitch Scarf. If you like a light woven texture then I recommend this stitch. There is a slouch hat coming to match. If I get the Shock Wave finished today as planned then I am on to this slouch hat tomorrow. The ribbing is done I want to get back into this stitch. Once you get the rhythm it is quite enjoyable.

All of the above yarns are one from the Knitman's Kitchen .
Back to the needles!!

Why I will NOT be buying yarn in 2011....

2010-12-17T11:49:00.000-05:00

Well, rather, shouldn't be buying yarn in 2011.....

Although I have sold a bunch of yarn on eBay, and thank you ladies and gents for that, I am still feeling the fiscal restraint brought on my unemployment. The dole has not yet started and at this rate I will probably get my first cheque about the time I am recalled to work. Thanks heaps for all the years I paid into this and what do I get? Bupkis!
Just because I love lists and will sign up to just about anything I have joined 11 in 2011 on Ravelry, more fool I. If I get a third done I will be surprised. but what is life if we do not have a challenge?
In all fairness to me I didn't buy all the yarn in the picture. Some of it was gifted. Obvious what my favourite colours are eh? The orange is a bit of a departure but will spice up my knitting.
The first project is going to be the Valentine Scarf with The Knitman's hand dyed pink and black fingering weight with #6 pink AB crystal TOHO beads for my grand daughter's birthday in February.
Today, I will watch movies and knit on my Aran Coat and maybe do some Christmas baking after I download some audio books on my ipod.

Emerging from the stash...

2010-12-06T08:38:00.004-05:00

One expects that the loyal followers will have fled to more productive areas over the last thirty days. I have been driven to sort the stash as it were. Sales, though not exactly brisk, have been satisfying. Feel free to dash over to My eBay and avail yourself of my offerings.
Up side to the destashing was the emergence of the "Aran Sweater." Totally deserving of the quotation marks.

The pattern was given to me in photo copied form back when I had the store. I have no idea what book it came from other than it was a Patons design. A friend of a customer came in one day wearing the original and I was overcome with admiration. She "gifted" me with a copy of the pattern which I have hoarded lo these 7-8 years.
Fast forward to 2007 when I purchased the wool to make same. I cast on for a size small and when the knitting "shrank" on the needles (or I got bigger) knitting came to a screaming halt.
Finally, reaching the bottom of the cedar chest, I unearthed a layer of heather beige wool and the knitting in progress. It is every bit as lovely as I remembered. Unfortunately, no pattern. Let me tell you I photo copy patterns like my mother clipped recipes.
Ever confident that I would locate it easily, I went through this lot ....

and then I went through these...

this is ridiculous saith I, as I went through this pile....

I spent and hour on Ravelry, searching, bobbles, honey comb, popcorn, trellis, aran etc... nada
Then I remembered!! In the last folder of the last file in the bottom of the drawer of the cedar chest. I found it.

One day I am going to regret killing of so many brain cells fussing about this. However demented I will be I will be cozy in my Aran jacket. I am already thinking of modifying the collar and I will have to make it shorter. A finished length of 36" aka 3 feet would only leave me 2 feet and a bit left over for the rest of me to function.
Last night I completed one pattern repeat and as I am temporarily laid off from my employment I foresee a day of knitting and a "Lark Rise to Candleford" marathon.
Finally completed the Linen Stitch scarf. Love it! All the texture of a woven piece but knitted. Wonderful.

San Marco Byzantine Scarf

Knit in three hand dyed colour ways from the Knitman's Kitchen.

Stash Busting

2010-11-07T15:31:00.000-05:00

Estelle 100% silk 10 balls

Time to do some stash clean out. I have posted these yarns on Kijiji/Ontario.
Search for "yarn," ignore the free stuff.
I didn't see very much there so that either means no one sells yarn on Kijiji or yarn sells quickly. Time will tell. If there is no action then I will have to switch to eBay. This is a fraction of what I have...sigh My daughter told me yesterday if I keep buying yarn I am going to need an "intervention."...lol
If this goes well I could make enough to pay for my January holiday in Punta Cana. Now, wouldn't that be nice?

Rowan Tapestry 8 balls

Elspeth Lavold Silky Wool 6 hanks

RY Classic Silk Wool DK 10 balls

Elspeth Lavold Silky Wool 9 hanks

Mulbery and Merino, Diagonal Border Cardigan

2010-11-04T21:21:00.032-04:00

The mossy mobius baskets are quick and fun to make. Using freedom wool with a strand of eyelash brings this progect to life. Four packets of Ice Blue Koolaid in a cup of water give this basket a misty effect with electric green hairs. Before felting this basket measures a foot in diameter. Hot water and agitation will shrink it to half its size. Fun and a unique way of magicaly twisting the handle while winding around to the bowl with no seams.

From Diamond yarn with Mulberry and Merino. I love this sweater, cant wait to get both of them done. The paterns are simple and well writen.

The royal blue is for mum and knit with smaller size needle makes the weight of a jacket. I have the emerald green, adjustments to the length have been made and with the suggested tension.

I have this walnut, hand crafted wood product from canada. I like this sweater being so versatile with many ways to dress it up. I do find the yarn has a slight twist and can tangle with other stitches but love the smooth, silky texture.

Daughter #2

"Colour" should be my middle name!

2010-10-28T21:17:00.000-04:00

This is the Knitman's Hand Dyed Sock Yarn. Colours: Mosel (upper), Lagoon (right) and Firebird (left)
4mm needle, it's the Linen Stitch Scarf. All for me. This remind me of the mosaic ceilings in the church of San Marco, Venice....sigh
Every row comes out a little different than the repeat before.The scarf will be about 5 inches wide..thereabouts.
I finally have all the wool for Marc's sweater and will get that on the needles next week. We are going away for the weekend to visit with family. I will take this scarf to work on. In the meantime I am content to sit in the quiet and watch the pattern unfold. Both sides of this scarf are simply stunning!

Hairy Hats and Humming Alpacas

2010-10-27T09:05:00.001-04:00

Chemo Caps: Mindless knitting of the hat variety has been about all I have accomplished this month. I have so many projects in the air the juggling act is getting ridiculous. I have yarn to knit about 6 more of these and then I am done, at least for the time being. On the charity knitting front I also have a baby all-in-one for St Luke's Mission Hospital. That deserves a post all it's own. More on that one later.

This is my Aphelandra ( Zebra Plant). The spikes were bright yellow they have now turned green and as everything outside the window is turning brown this is an ongoing source of pleasure.

Woodstock Fleece Festival: Look at this orphan baby alpaca, 5 weeks old. What a sweety. Everyone was getting a kick out of the black one behind her. The humming was so loud. When everyone laughed the black one would then hum all the louder.

The llamas were intently listening to Julia. They seemed oblivious to the fact it was raining. I told Todd he was a trooper for putting up with two women with a fiber obsession.

This is Billy (angora goat). He kept smacking his head into the rails in typical male ~~goat~~ fashion.

and then there was Sammy the Angora bunny.

Julia would have taken him home in a second.

There were twice as many vendors this year which was very good. I spoke with the girl's from Spun (Corinne's LYS) and they said it was a very good show. Julia won the last door prize of the day and everyone made a fuss over her name. It was all very exciting. I showed a great deal of restraint. I did purchase 2 pounds of fleece dyed in the most delicious colours and I found someone who services old spinning wheels. My little castle wheel needs some TLC. I think I may get it out tonight and have a go at some spinning. It has been ages but I think it is probably like riding a bike. Once you learn you never forget.

Knitting Karma

2010-10-05T20:03:00.003-04:00

I admit I have a habit of starting a bunch of projects at the same time, and many of them are never finished. But, after a phone call the other day from a friend I have a very good reason to start and finish a few new pretties.

A friend of mine called me the other day and told me that her niece has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is facing a mastectomy. A terrifying situation to face no matter what age you are but to have to make such a difficult decision in your 20's breaks my heart. But, the real reason for her call is that she wanted to know what 'p2tog' meant.
She and her daughters are knitting chemo caps for Mount Sinai Hospital and could I help them and would I be willing to knit some too?

I was on Ravelry as soon as I got home and digging through my stash minutes after that. I started a cap but then ripped it out. I mean, it looked like something my granny would wear and cancer doesn't discriminate according to age. So, I've found some funky patterns and yarns that would appeal to a younger age group. I need to have as many finished as possibly by the end of the month. As soon as their done I'll take a picture of them.

My first project is an Aviator style cap I found on the Head Huggers website. Great site with lots of patterns for all different crafters.

~Daughter #1

Light turquoise cotton sweater.

2010-10-01T18:19:00.020-04:00

This sweater was knit about 10 years ago. That says a lot about the yarn. This is a worsted weight cotton from Greece. When I knit this cardigan the yarn was being sold as Intermezzo Aran by Elann. The pattern was a Leisure Arts leaflet.....which I am looking for.

I have tossed it in the washer and dryer. Once I spilt coffee all over one sleeve and it still washes up like new. It actually fits me again!

The pattern was for a sleeveless top. I used Ann Budd's wonderful sweater book to knit a dropped shoulder sleeve. I stuck 3 repeats of lace down the middle of the sleeve. I am thinking I would like to make another one for spring. The stash has lots and lots of this cotton just crying out to be knit. Now, where did I see that leaflet last...Hmmmm????? The pattern is out of print now. So WHEN I find it if anyone else wants to have a go just send me an email. I would be happy to share.
Later the same evening: I found the photo copy I knit from, somewhere hides the original. It is Leisure Arts leaflet 868. I have all my notations and the sleeve pattern.
It is moments like this when I justify keeping every pattern I have ever knit...basking in the glow.

Just for the heck of it I "googled" the pattern and look what I found? For sale on Etsy!!! I bought it. Just in case I can't find my original. I love it when everything comes together..sqeeeeee

Update

2010-09-30T22:33:00.000-04:00

Knitting and knitting and knitting, mindless knitting. Now at 38 ridges. Good for TV watching.

Tomten Jacket

Gotta have lace on the needles!

Blueberry Pi


Jewels of the Rubaiyat

Playing with colour. See the square needles?

Up to my eyes in wool

2010-09-24T10:10:00.004-04:00

Two strands of Moda Dea with a 6 mm needle

Because I have nothing better to do.... I am starting yet another sweater, This is for another nephew who likes to go camping in Algonquin Park, in the winter. Hardy lad. His requirements are: earth tones, washable wool, not itchy, preferably Merino, drop shoulder, no ribbing and thickish, large enough to wear with layers, and something suitable to wear by the campfire. That translates into a 52" fleece type pullover. Easy Peasy.

This is a more accurate picture of the colour

I have nailed it so to speak. Moda Dea is a perfect wool for this project. ( Used it in it's worsted tension for the skull sweater) Crisis of magnitude proportions...it has been discontinued. WHAT?? I liken this to popular programs on the television. Every one likes it so cancel it. I sent out some feelers on Ravelry to those with Moda Dea in their stash. No one was willing to part with any. I understand perfectly. I finally had to resort to eBay. The shame of it all but they came through. I got 9 balls from upper New York State and I have 6 balls coming from Mississippi. With exchange and shipping at least it will cost me the same as if I had bought it here in Canada.

I swatched with two strands held as one and a 5.5 mm needle but it was too stiff. Switched to two strands and a 6 mm needle and it is perfect. Bulky but soft and pliable. Another plus with this wool is the strands are cabled not just twisted. When you hold it up to the light the "halo" is minimal therefore it does not pill. I am tempted to head out and buy up everything I can find....lol After all I can always sell it on eBay. I do have to pick up a contrast for a Bear Claw pattern on the back. I am graphing it out and once I am satisfied with the results I will add the graph here and on Ravelry for anyone else to use. All I require is that credit be given where it is due and you do not sell the pattern. Thank you in advance. Yes, I am still working on the Sugar Skull graph. Who needs to sleep, work, eat....OK, ok I can live "off the fat of the land" for a while yet.

Jewels of the Rubaiyat

My Dad had a copy of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. It was a small leather bound book with beautiful colour plates inside. Each colour page had a piece of tissue over the plate so it wouldn't stick to the printed page. It was beautiful to hold, and look at. The jewel tone colours leapt off the page. If you have never read these Persian love poems you should they are beautiful.
All that brings me to this. I want to knit a sweater derived from a pattern of AS's. I have been advised of the care that should be taken when referring to this designer. As I am not knitting the pattern with the exact colours in the exact wool then the designer does not appreciate you calling your knitting project by the same name as the pattern. Works for me. Life is to short to get bent out of shape. Ergo I will be calling this sweater "Jewels of the Rubaiyat." I have given the designer credit on my Ravelry page for the inspiration. I hope that's not an infringement of any copyright.

Shetland wool

I ordered the above Harrisville Shetland Wool from the Red Mitten.They have 100 colours in stock. Oh Joy Oh Bliss. The colours are to "dye" for. I am anxious to start swatching. That will be my Saturday project, stay tuned for more pictures of the swatch in progress. I will post my colour choices. The neutral tones don't show up very well in the picture. It will be interesting to see if they work in the knitting. Well, that is why we swatch..right? I am hoping the new circular needle I bought at the Knitter's Fair is the right size. It is circular but the needles themselves are square. I leave you to figure that out.
Later....

W.I.P.

2010-09-18T21:06:00.008-04:00

Low Cal Blueberry Pi: Roughly blocked EZ's half pi shawl in alpaca fine. 6mm clear Ab finish glass beads sprinkled like sugar crystals. Perfect Pi for the calorie conscious.
Tomten Jacket: in WooBu, tension swatch 5.5 sts to inch 5.5 ridges (11 rows) to the inch with a 4mm needle. I originally bought this wool for the Traveling sweater but it didn't work out for me. so now I have new plans for it.
Cast on 221 stitches and just knit back and forth until the pattern arrives..lol then I will worry about what to do next.
Crocus shawlette: whole lot of wet wool. Amazing how it blocks out!
Blocked and drying and only two ends to weave in. Very Happy with the result.
Close up of the edging. Look at those nupps! My father, God rest his soul, used to say, "Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back."....lol
(as usual click on pictures for a close up)

Peering into the dark side...

2010-09-13T00:59:00.002-04:00

I've been feeling very Darth Vaderish lately when it comes to knitting because.... well I know this will come as a shock to some of you... but sometimes I knit with acrylic.

My apologies to those of you who just sprayed your computer screen with your beverage.

I cannot hide the truth any longer and if it means I have to give up my addi-turbos as punishment...pffft not a chance, catch me if you can.

Bernat is starting a Mystery CAL on Sept 22, made with their softee chunky. I've been feeling the crochet bug for a while now but I didn't want to commit to some more jacquard tapestry. A mystery CAL sounds like fun and this should work up quickly given the yarn and hook size. There is a pattern for a square every week and in the end you have a blanket. Perfect, just what I needed.

I don't know about you but in my house all blankets and afghans take a lot of abuse. They are dragged out onto the grass, drooled on during naps and claimed by Chewbacca if someone allows it to slip to the floor. My 90lb puppy feels any article on the floor belongs to him and is a new bed. Also, I need then to be easy peasy washable and not have to worry about them felting or shrinking or stretching. Also I'm not willing to invest a whole lot of $$$ on natural fibers that I know will be abused so soundly.

Chris' Steelers blanket was made from a Bernat product and after over a year of constant abuse it's still holding up well. So, I'm willing to give another of their products a try. It's just for fun anyways. What I did like about their website is I can choose my colours and add it to the cart. When I look at the 'cart' the swatches are all lined up and I can get a good idea of what colours I want to use and how they will look together. Now hopefully Michaels has the colours I want in stock or I'll be starting the decisions making over.

I have the project listed on my Ravelry page if your interested in joining in. I'll post a picture after I have a couple squares done.

The fruits of our "Flavour".....

2010-09-12T17:38:00.010-04:00

Sunday afternoon , Julia and I decided to dye with Kool Aid. I had some beautiful Fleece Artist wool in three textures, pied wool, curly stuff and mohair. A very boring white. I dyed it all Strawberry Kiwi. Julia played with colour and dyed some unplied with Ice Blue. The side garden looked like an eastern bazaar. It was a beautiful day.

KW Knitter's Fair

2010-09-11T18:28:00.009-04:00

Our annual pilgrimage to the Kitchener Waterloo Knitter's Guild Fair. I have not seen Sandy in a year and we show up wearing the same colour. We think alike and dress alike, what can I say? Julia took our picture, thanks kiddo.
I bought a square circular knitting needle!! I am very intrigued and will let you know what I think of it. I also got the Herbert Niebling book of Knitted Lace Designs, it was pricey but I couldn't resist. A vial of #8 beads for the copper lace weight for the test knit shawl and...sigh... a hank of merino silk lace weight in a deep blue. So I will have to reset my counter again.
I am exhausted. We walked miles!! It was a wonderful day and beside all the beautiful patterns, and wool-silk-alpaca-lama-mohair-cotton-flax yarns, notions and beads I had the opportunity to reconnect with a dear friend and share a wonderful day with my daughter.
(Corinne, you have to take a sick day next year we missed you.)

Sugar Skulls Designs

2010-09-03T11:58:00.010-04:00

I am in a whimsical mood. The long weekend beacons AND I have a couple of days off work. The whole topic of Sugar skulls hit me when I found a design for a small bag on Ravelry. It was cute and I offered to knit one for Corinne. Better make two I have a grandaughter who will want one as well.
Then I got to thinking, always dangerous, but timely. I have plenty of time to design, knit and felt in enough time to offer this on Ravelry for "Día de los Muertos." Which is Nov 1st and 2nd. This will be a free design as I will be using another free pattern for inspiration. If all goes well I may do something else down the line. We shall see what we shall see. It is all about colour after all. The picture above is not my design and is only meant to illustrate the subject of Sugar Skulls.
My LYS, Little Red Mitten, is bringing in a new line of pure wool fingering, {be still my beating heart}, in SIXTY-FIVE colours. I swoon.
I predict.........when the lace knitting furor dies down, and it will, everything is cyclical, the knitter's are going to return to colour work. The "fair isle designer from Scotland" and yes, I now know better than to mention her name in print, is being re published. That in it self should be a clue that the knitting powers that be are gearing up for a change in taste.

Ketchup

2010-08-21T20:20:00.008-04:00

I was recently pointed out to me that I have been very remiss in my progress posting here. To tell the truth I haven't made much progress lately. I've started more then my share of projects but that is normal. LOL I have limited time in my evening to devote to my projects and writing has taken precedent lately.

SO, in an attempt to redeem myself, Here is a big ole update on me.

Hubby's Sweater: After riiiiiiping the entire sweater out and starting over I am finally past where I ended the first time. I divided off for the front and then mum suggested a better way to do the henley neck. So, more riiiiiiping and that is where I've paused. (No picture yet)

Finished Waffle Socks: I love the colours and can't wait to wear them. It's still a little warm but fall is coming fast.

Wicked Shawl: I bought some wicked witch yarn from knit picks ages ago and have finally started a shawl. We're going away to Jamaica in a month and I think this will be the project I'll take with me. I'm not naive enough to think I'll have it done before hand.

Lace Scarf: I'm knitting this for a friend of mine. At the rate I'm going, I might have it done by Yule for her. I hope.

Scotty Hat: I love the new Star Trek (have you watched it yet mum?)but, I especially love Simon Pegg as Scotty and the floppy toque he wears in the movie.. I looked on Ravelry and of course someone has already written a pattern to duplicate it. LOL Supa easy knit and I love the colour. I might make a couple more of these.

I will try to do better at updating here ;-)
~Corinne

Totally Obsessed

2010-08-15T10:25:00.006-04:00

I have been looking for a circular blocking wire for months, nay, years. I read, with abounding joy, over at the Faculty Meeting Knitter , of a source for said wire. I fired off an email, on a Friday evening, to Down In The Country Fibers. Totally amazed the next day to receive an email back apologizing because she didn't catch the noon mail on Saturday. Then I got a credit back for an overcharge on the postage. Service like this is rare indeed. Kudos to Down In The Country.
Detail from the sleeve for the Lily Chin sleeve which I am knitting flat.
I must say that I feel it is a cop out for a designer to say "increase or decrease in pattern" when the "pattern" is lace. Can I do this? Of course. However if I wanted to write a pattern I would. Time constraints mean I now have to use my limited knitting time writing the pattern before I can proceed. Ticks me off and means this dress is going to take even longer to knit.
Now this is total enjoyment. The Crocus Shawlette is moving right along. I have finished row 54 of chart 2. The pictures were taken in natural light and are the exact colour of the wool Colin so cleverly dyed.
Half the work gently blocked. Just look at those nupps. Gorgeous if I do say so.

Feast your eyes on this.....

2010-08-09T20:28:00.005-04:00

Those little beggars are NUPPS and I made 'em. Woo Hoo me!
Basking in the glow.

Crocus Shawlette.

2010-08-08T09:15:00.012-04:00

The yarn I ordered from KNITMAN'S KITCHEN..... BEFORE, I started my yarn fast has finally cleared Canada Customs. Colin's service is excellent, his colours bright and colour fast and the yarn is always the best quality. It is when the yarn arrives in Canada that the whole thing comes to a grinding halt. I paid duty, taxes and then a handling charge, probably for storing it for over 2 weeks..ridiculous.
This is the 100% Blue Faced Leicester Lace weight (colour, shades of harlot) I previously bought from Colin. I have been looking for JUST the right pattern to showcase the colour. This is the Crocus Shawl.(Ravelry link) The pattern is available in 3 sizes!! I am knitting with a 3mm Addi lace and believe me with out it this pattern would be a bitch to knit. Lots of challenges. I am using #8 silver lined crystal beads.
Yesterday was the first day I have had to sit and knit for an afternoon, uninterrupted by phones or humidity. It was glorious. remember you can " click" on the pictures to see the detail.
This pattern even has nupps. The jury is out on whether I am going to try them again. I wimped out on the first chart and left them out. I am about to start then next chart. We will see. Stay tuned.

C'est fini!

2010-08-01T17:54:00.018-04:00

...except for weaving in the ends then we shall have a picture of me wearing it. This shawl is huge. It is just what I wanted for the fall. All those tedious stitches were worth it! We had company this Civic Holiday weekend.
Daphne was observing an ant on the grape leaf when she wasn't watching me peg this out to dry.
Can you see the beads on the edge? Click to enlarge.
Callaghan, the greying Anubis, watched the whole procedure with disdain.
As I said it is huge. Originally I had 2 skeins of Hand Maiden Fine Sea Silk and a 3.75mm needle. There is a small ball left over.
It is a good idea to take pictures while you are working. I thought I had everything pinned until I took the picture and then spotted the section on the right. Crawling around on my hands and knees and dazzled by the sun I was glad to have the camera for perspective.
Daphne spots a butterfly. She distracts easily.

I can't believe I am trying this again!

2010-07-30T09:54:00.014-04:00

I am a brute for punishment. Then again I would like to celebrate all the weight I have lost. What better way than knitting a lace dress? Lily Chin's Lace Dress is going to be attempted AGAIN.
Like a fool I ordered the pattern from the Vogue website and, yes people, they took my $6 and gave me the privileged of downloading the same pattern they published in fall of 2007. The graph is the same but the written instructions attempt to clarify. Mea Culpa, at first glance I thought they had screwed up again but after careful perusal I think they have explained it.
I will knit the sleeves flat, seaming has no terrors for me. (edited)
I have one full wedge finished on the Traveling sweater. It is good for TV watching in the evening. Speaking of, I am in the middle of watching the Vicar of Dibley. Dawn French is a scream. Can you imagine being in the same room with her and her husband Lenny Henry ("Chef")? She wears the most fascinating "jumpers" on the show. She was the operatic painting in the Harry Potter movies. I digress as usual.

Lastest report

2010-07-27T17:20:00.015-04:00

I am getting ready to set up Susan Pandorf's Evanstar shawl. My silk arrived and frankly I have been putting off winding it into a ball. Love silk but it can be a bitch when it tangles.

The Evanstar KAL group on Ravelry has all kinds of wonderful threads not just about the actual knitting but techniques and ideas. That's where I found how this ( see above) can be considered as my new favourite knitting notion. Many thanks to "NutmegOwl" (Ravelry name) for her tremendous idea! How you may ask? All shall be revealed right now. I wound the silk on the ball winder and then slipped it off the ball winder onto the spindle of the empty CD box. The lid fastens the ball in place so there is no rolling snarling and tangling as there would be in a zip lock bag.Next fantastic idea from Tech Knitting. A circular belly button cast on using an umbilical cord this is my first try. I plan on taking it out and doing it again. I didn't leave a long enough tail to draw up the center.
The Evanstar Shawl warranted a trip to Little Red Mitten for an Addi Lace needle. Purchase of tools and notions is allowed under the "yarn fast rules." Also gave me an opportunity to take my new car on an outing.

I have started the Traveling Sweater with BlueMoon Fiber Arts, WooBoo. This is a treat to knit with. So far I only have half of one wedge completed and I have to knit it 8 wedges around and then block it out . The sleeves are ribbed as well. Lordy that is going to be a lot of K2P2. I will be glad of this sweater come fall.
This weekend I hope to get the Adamas Shawl blocked, ready for the cool weather.

I actually managed to resist some beautiful pinky orange silk when I was at Red Mitten. Time to go polish my halo.

Knitting my brains out.

2010-07-18T08:18:00.006-04:00

Today will be guilt free knitting day.
The roofers are here and have been hammering since 7 am. Much concern, I am sure, to my miserable neighbour to the west. (insert evil laugh here) Ominous thumpings and banging are shaking the whole house. More on that progress on the other blog.
It is with great regret I must inform all my yarn retailers that a self imposed moratorium has been declared. I must follow Jean's sterling example and declare a yarn fast. The cedar chest is bursting, the 5 clear plastic yarn boxes I purchased are full, there are zip lock bags in the closet of my den and the overflow has invaded the floor of my bedroom closet.
My name is Susan and I am a Yarn-a-holic!...sigh... but we already knew that.
This morning I hand wound a huge ball ( one of four hanks) of WooBoo from Blue Moon Fibers, for the Traveling Sweater. Wool and Bamboo the colourway is "chestnutty" and is a richer colour than shown here. the flash kind of washed it out. My fall/winter work sweater is worn out so this will be the replacement. I need a break from the Adamas Shawl which I am pleased to report is into row 5 of the beaded edging. I know you are all waiting with bated breath.
At present I have the Legolas Kerchief on the needles as well. At one of the knitters fairs I purchased a hank of Blue Heron's yarns, "marshgrass," It is a blend with a gold thread through it. Very yummy.
To keep myself on the straight and narrow I am posting a progress bar. Good luck to me.

The Nantyglo Knitters

2010-07-12T05:50:00.002-04:00

The post swim knitting session. Coin purse, lace scarf, sweater and shawl in progress.

New Knitter in the blogsphere!

2010-07-06T13:44:00.009-04:00

Nant-y-glo Needles welcomes, Ryleigh, a fourth generation knitter, to our sphere. "IttyBitty11" is her Ravelry name and we are all as proud as punch that she has joined us in promoting knitting.

She will be featured in the sidebar and down the line we hope she will post a message to all the junior knitters. When she is not knitting Ryleigh prefers soccer and gymnastics. I expect her to master knitting whilst hanging upside down next. Nothing would surprise me.
~Proud Grami

The mail finally arrived.

2010-06-29T17:37:00.005-04:00

Yarn-a-lish-ous Minstrel Muse from twisted fibers for the Rivendell Cowl.
Cash Silk for the heirloom shawl I am dying to knit.. A-hem looks a little fine. That is a Canadian dime. This stuff is two ply!
Just so you don't think I am swanning around the Internet doing nothing but buying wool. This lump is the Adamas Stole. This project creeps along at a mind numbing pace. I have two more repeats and the edging to go. There are so many other things I would rather be working on right now.
My progress bars seem to be locked in place. My plan was to have the Adamas out of the way by July 1st. That's two days away. This working full time is really getting in the way of my knitting. The push is on to finish. Julia has almost finished her Mulberry and silk sweater and I have only 1 inch knit on mine. I think I shall attack that next alternating with a lace scarf. I have found the perfect pattern for one of the hand dyes I purchased from Colin. Not too impressive. Yet!
Colin strikes again! I snapped this up out of the Knitman's Kitchen before it was dry. Yesss! Perfect Parrot coloured yarn destined to become the Parrot Wing Scarf. Stay tuned. I am hunting for the right beads.
Just to give you some perspective on the Cash Silk from heirloom knitting. That's 9 balls there folks. Each one smaller than my mouse.
When I hefted the parcel I thought they must have made a mistake. There couldn't possibly be 9 balls in here. OMG what have I got myself in for now? This is going to require some serious swatching.
As usual click on the picture for a better look.

World Wide Knit in Public Day 2010

2010-06-20T08:24:00.005-04:00

Springbank Park, London, Canada. 2 knitter's, one observer
We parked our picnic lunch, chairs and accoutrement in the shadow of a huge fir tree and hauled out the knitting.
Julia finished the sleeve of her sweater and I worked on the Adamas Shawl.
It was about 85 F in the shade, the birds were singing and the squirrels were running around the grass. All in all a beautiful afternoon. We missed you Corinne!

Knitting Time

2010-06-14T06:36:00.005-04:00

The subtle and not so subtle ways of accomplishing same. Bribery works every time. (only joking)
I just downloaded a new pattern I found in Ravelry. No wait, I didn't say I was going to start it now only that I had downloaded the pattern, I am a sucker for freebies. In my stash I have an obscene amount of pink Rowan Haze. Gorgeous stuff. I am earmarking it for this pattern.
Dancing Cranes Stole from Elan. You have to log in to the web site to get the pattern. My apologies to Elan for not ordering their wool for this project but as I live and breath I will order something at some point.
The Adamas Stole marches on. With every pattern repeat it gets larger. I am on the 11th and I have to go to 16!! then comes the fun part, the edging and the beads. I want this finished before the Summer Swatch program starts on the 21st. Should be no problem. I may have to make another coffee cake.
I gave up on looking for the "Worlds Most Boring Socks Ever" they are gone. I do have my eye on making a fair isle pair as a Christmas gift. They will have to be refereed to as the "December Socks" cause the recipient lurks here. No hurry to cast them on right now. That is a fall project.
Not that I am wishing away the summer! It has hardly arrived. I think we are expecting about 25 today. That's Celsius. After all these years I still have to do the math to figure out what that means...double it and add 30 = 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Work beckons, TTYL

It is time to take stock.....

2010-06-10T09:13:00.027-04:00

~Amethyst beads for the Adamas shawl~
Inspiration for this spate of organization lands squarely at the door of the "Faculty Meeting Knitter." Her plan of action, so to speak, over the next 12 weeks has given me a boost. We knitter's can be a little impulsive, OK, maybe not so much "little" and I speak from personal experience. I prefer to call it, enthusiastic appreciation of the finer things in life.

Every once in a while I really have to take stock of what I "have on the needles," "plan to put on the needles" and what should be "taken off the needles." It is a hard thing to admit but not everything turns out is as wonderful as we expect.
Guidelines for the next 12 weeks will be as follows for yours truly:
No new sweaters on the needles. I have a royal blue jacket on the go now which was supposed to be for the spring but will be very nice for the fall, thank you very much.
No new socks on the needles until the WMBSE are finished and then no more than 2 pair at a time. You remember the grey socks....never again....so boring it sucks the life right out of me. Now, I just have to find where I put them..lol edit: I have looked in the likely places and then the unlikely places ( my Mother's advice). They are no where to be found. I am beginning to think I may have left them at the hospital when I visited Mom back in the fall. No great loss.
No more new beaded lace projects. I have the Adamas Shawl to finish.
The Snow Queen Pi Shawl wool and beads are at hand...
... and lace weight from the Knitman for a beaded scarf is due to arrive anytime. O.K. that takes care of beaded lace.
No more new lace knitting projects... except what is on order..wool for Susan Pandorf's Rivendell Cowl is due to arrive anytime. Oh, and I almost forgot, I signed up for Bad Cat's Summer Swatch Shawl - paid my money for that too BUT I am using stash lace weight. That should count for something.

O.K. that means one sweater, up to two pairs of socks, two full sized lace shawls, one lace scarf, one lace cowl and the Summer Swatch Shawl.
Some projects have been deliberately left out of the list . After all, this is supposed to be just the summer list.

All this and working full time.....Uproarious laughter, crescendo with a hint of hysteria.

To nupp or not too...

2010-06-07T10:33:00.009-04:00

Nupp/soup or nupp/cup I really don't care how you pronounce these little b#$%*ds. These beggars are the bane of my existence. It is with great humiliation I report I am unable to make them perfectly. Therefore I will desist.
Not being an athletic person my sole claim to fame is my ability to "pick up" fine needle techniques. I hereby throw in the towel on this one.

Franklin put it right when he referred to them as Devil Rabbit Droppings. Delicately put.
I admire them from afar and I bow to the the creators of them I will be moving on to BEADS. I downloaded the Snow Queen Pi Shawl. (ravelry link) A vision of delight and enough to make me reconsider the whole "nupp" fiasco again. I wasted my valuable time yesterday and millions of brain cells, neither of which I could afford, trying to master this stitch. Enough of that.
The Saturday trip to visit 2 of the Grands was made all the more perfect with a prezzie for Grami/Mum/me of a gift certificate to Spun, Burlington's coolest wool shop and recipient of my daughters retirement income. I blew the bundle on Malabrigo lace weight in the yummiest Cactus Flower coral/pink. Wonders of wonders a bead shop has opened in the same mini mall. How fortuitous for me that they stock the very rainbow crystal pink lined bead I needed. Japanese size 8's yet, oh frabjuous day.

Not hard to detect what movie I watched yesterday.

Helen was deliciously evil. Not suitable for children, in my opinion,

dark and scary. I enjoyed it. Says a lot about me...lol

Long Weekend Project

2010-05-24T20:43:00.012-04:00

I have ensured my rating as coolest Grand mother EVER with the latest project.
Gothlet grand daughter should be suitably impressed.
This is a cover for her sketch pad. She loves to draw soooooooooo ...
Above: the front cover. Below: detail of front cover.

Back cover:
Just to make sure she never forgets...lol... a label on the inside of the front cover.

...with my lady bug trademark!

Saturday was play day.

2010-05-16T07:09:00.008-04:00

Corinne had sent me a note, on Ravelry, about a journal swap. Ever game for something new I jumped in. My "swappee" is Pennsylvania. We communicated and I learned of a recent trip to the Maryland Faerie Festival. Armed with this information I designed a cover for his journal.

Pellon interfacing for a base. Then I printed off pictures, bless google images, and laid them down side by side, Then added the leaves, maple of course. The overlay is a variegated green and yellow organdy. When I had everything pinned in place I stitched through all the layers together with beads. The faerie wings are from a butterfly window decal.

The back, represents me, with the "green man." The lace was white I soaked it in a solution of tea and vinegar till I got the colour I wanted. The organdy overlay gives it depth and it just feels good in your hand. The organdy doesn't show up very well in the pictures.

The front. I "photo shopped" the faerie from another web site onto the picture of a faerie glen.

Both sides. I agree it isn't very practical. So I made it as a removable book cover. Shades of my youth. Our school books always had to have covers. We made them out of brown grocery bags. Unheard of today.

Anyway I thought it would be a better idea to do it this way then it can be replaced and left out on the coffee table. I haven't had this much fun since I made the zombie for my grand daughter. I just hope the recipient likes it. I have a feeling I will be doing this again.

My 'Steampunk' Shawl

2010-05-11T09:47:00.003-04:00

Finally, It's finished!

Lady's Circular Shawl in Shell Pattern by Jane Sowerby, from Victorian Lace Today
The yarn is Kauni Lace ~ XEMC and it was ordered from Tausendschon Beautiful to work with and you can spit-splice the ends together so easily which save on weaving in later. (I really detest weaving in later and will do anything possible to avoid it)

This was my first shawl that required a knit on border. The damn border took longer to knit then the entire body! I picked this up and put it down so many times over 9 months because I found it so monotonous. Now that it's finished I think it looks lovely but for a while I didn't think I'd ever reach the end. LOL

I'm showing off here :-) Originally, I planned to get all dressed up in something a tad more Victorian. But, waiting for that I might never have gotten the pictures taken. I rather like the way it looks with jeans.

Progress report: Sophia

2010-04-28T07:21:00.005-04:00

The back is finished and I am starting the intarsia design on the front. It is a blood red bow. Should be striking.
Today I hope to get the Goddess Knits project on the needles. I have decided to go with Chart C for Clue one. I am also going to be shopping for beads for this one too.
I wore my swallowtail shawl(Olympics 2010) to work today over a black sweater. I am very pleased with the results. I can see this one being knit again for sure.

I know, I know

2010-04-26T06:46:00.008-04:00

Folly, folly thy name is Susan...sigh
As if I didn't have enough things on the go I signed up for this. Dearest neglected friend Sandy gave me 2 skeins of the most beautiful lace weight for Christmas. It will be perfect for this mandala. Who needs to sleep?...work?

It's all about colour.

2010-04-22T07:00:00.012-04:00

I love colour. Even orange has it's place in the palette. One of the wonderful aspects of knitting is working with colour.
Colour can brighten our day, our outlook and our ability to deal with the most mundane of tasks.
I have a lavender baby sweater on the needles and a turquoise sweater with a blood red motif for Sophia (which yes, I am back working on) a royal blue jacket for myself and some to die for coral cotton waiting in the wings. Now I ask you isn't this uplifting?
Gorgeous, if I do say so...Plug in there for my LYS..lolol

It's all about the toys...

2010-04-20T09:01:00.008-04:00

One of my co workers has a new baby soooo, I get to knit a baby thingy. Lavender wrap cardi. Very sweet. More about that later.

First here is my new toy. Not only is this going to be wonderful for reading books but the pattern possibilities are endless. No more lugging around huge pattern magazines. Just scan and copy to the SG card and I am good to go.

No contracts to sign. I am not limited to Amazon as in a Kindle or Chapters as in a Kobo or Sony Books as in a Sony. This puppy will read them all. For half the cost of the reader and downloading books for free. I have just downloaded Steig Larssen's "The girl who played with fire." I had bought the book in hardcover but it is very heavy. Added bonus when knitting boring stretches on stocking stitch, I can read and listen to background music. Pages turn with the touch of a button or I can set the pages to turn automatically, I just died and went to high tech heaven.

Memorial for my Mom

2010-04-16T21:05:00.023-04:00

Sixteen little faces all waving good bye as they head out tomorrow on an adventure. One bear for each of Granny Ann's descendants. I will be including a letter and a picture of my mother with the box of bears.
Packed into their bags and ready to go all the way to Africa. Mom always believed that a little charity knitting or sewing was good for the soul. When I was first learning how to knit we made bandages for the leper hospital. We knit miles of garter stitch. That just about finished me in garter stitch for the rest of my life.
She encouraged me to take on at least one project a year. This one has taken me 3 months. With every bear I knit I have thought of her. How I wished she was here so I could show her how they were turning out. I know she would be overwhelmed to see this depiction of her offspring.
A co worker has a new baby daughter so I am more than ready to take on some stocking stitch in lavender. There is some royal blue mulberry & merino and some coral cotton waiting in the wings. Life and knitting goes on.
Mom sewing (on her 40 + year old Singer Sewing Machine) dresses for little girls who had no other chance to have anything "pretty."
My Mother taught by example.

edit: This is the letter that went with the bears

Only Good Juju

2010-04-14T21:10:00.004-04:00

Knitting in progress while I was sitting at the mall. You can see the pattern on the serviette. Which by the way was from Teopia not Subway. Not that it really matters.

Finished: One zombie voodoo doll. Only works for good Juju. I will put this in the mail tomorrow.

The Goth Princess has a request....

2010-04-13T07:02:00.006-04:00

"Grami, can you knit me a voodoo doll?"
Grami can do anything, I did wonder what my mother would think.
Off we went to Spun, in Burlington. She chose green and purple. I mean how threatening can that be??
This is the prototype in the works. It has already been ripped back to the top of the heart.
Nothing I like more than designing on the needles.......snort
I am keeping track of the pattern, with strike outs and corrections, on the back of a Subway serviette. All will be revealed, hopefully, this week.
I have already had one phone call.
"Grami, how is my voodoo doll coming along?"
Reminds me of a story my mother used to tell. My grandmother, the oh so elegant "Nana," was making me a sweater. She had stopped knitting whilst talking with my mother. I reportedly tugged on her arm and said, a little impatiently, "Nana, knit on my sweater." There is nothing worse than waiting.
Bear update: all 16 are stuffed. I am embroidering faces. Too bad I am such a perfectionist or they would be done by now.

Now to stuff

2010-04-10T07:18:00.005-04:00

Bears number 13, 14 and 15 are knit and ready for stuffing.

...and because we ended up with a 16th bag we have bear number 16. It only seems right that Granny Ann gets a bear in her name too.

My plan for today is a marathon stuffing session. I am not sure if I can finish the project today but I am going to give it a try.

In-Depth Review of Knitting Yarn

2010-04-04T08:48:00.005-04:00

In-Depth Review of Knitting Yarn

Posted using ShareThis

as a matter of interest I refer you to the above article. Now, I have heard of knitting yarn made from a lot of unusual things, crab shells and milk to name two, but, this takes the cake.
I knit the Swallowtail Shawl for the Olympics for about $35.00. Need I say more?

Teddy Bags

2010-04-02T18:27:00.008-04:00

There was a sweat shop going on in the dining room today. We worked from 10am to almost 4pm. But they are done. All 16 of them . Sixteen you ask? We thought you only needed 15. Correct, but you see we were cutting fabric pieces in half and well, that made 16.
I was thinking of perhaps making one more bear "for Mom" If the wool holds out!
Yes, they are lined. No half measures here.

Gran daughter Teaghan chose the lining. We just love the little beavers. Her sister, Ryleigh chose the cords.
Top stitching for the cord casing.Julia pressing the last bag. I was trying to take a "candid" shot but she spotted the camera and had to "ham" it up.
There they are in the sunshine. A job well done. Now to finish the bears!

...and THREE more knit

2010-03-31T18:53:00.009-04:00

Three more bears left to reach the goal of 15 and then the stuffing begins. Julia is coming for a visit this weekend and we are going to sew up the "bear bags." Mom and I used to sew together when I was a little girl. I would be at the ironing board and she would be at the sewing machine.
I think I will have separation anxiety when it comes time to give these bears away. ...sigh
...and the hoard gathers

Three More Makes Nine

2010-03-17T19:17:00.002-04:00

Ready to be stuffed and embroidered.
The Teddy Goose Pile

6 more to go!

At it again...

2010-03-16T07:04:00.009-04:00

I feel another tablecloth coming on. My apologies to Marianne Kinzel but this cloth is crying out for a snazzy edging. Ergo I bought 6 balls of "Clea" to play safe. This is a Brazilian crochet cotton that is simply divine to work with. I have knit with this before and if you are into tiny needles, well, you have to give it a try. It comes in some delicious colours. Lots of variegates ( not my choice) if you are into that.

The sooner I finish the bears the better. I keep thinking of what I will do next. Finally I thought I had better list ( I am a list maker) of everything I either have on the go or in "queue." Hence the appalling list to the right.

Speaking of the bears I am closing in on finishing the next lot of three. I almost succumbed and put up a picture of two but that would be cheating. I am knitting the arms on number 9 at present. I said three at a time and three it shall be. I am finally running out of some of the colours from the original "let's use up left overs" idea. Keeping my finger's crossed that there will be no more wool shopping for these bears.
Corinne and the "grands" are coming on Thursday for a girl fest. I finagled the day off. The Welsh cakes should be coming off the griddle about the time they walk through the door. I am going to learn how to crochet some fingerless gloves. I have chosen the "Cloister" pattern, the designer is Danielle Kassner . (Ravelry link) They are gorgeous and I have a stash of sock yarn to pick through tonight.

I like the medieval look of this pattern. They will be perfect for the office. I can type on the computer and keep my hands warm at the same time. The guys will just have to suffer another example of girly in the workplace.

Three More

2010-03-08T06:30:00.003-05:00

Still plugging away on the teddy front. I have another one half finished, that would be number 7. I am going to post the pictures in lots of three. This is instant gratification knitting. I can whip one up of an evening whilst watching the TV. At the moment they look like a pile of "Flat Stanleys." So far no two are the same. When all fifteen are knit I will still have the job of stuffing and embroidering faces AND then there are the little bags to make for each one. Lots to do yet. I am enjoying them. Mom would have loved the idea and that is what keeps me going.

Blow the Horn, Ring the cowbells...Finished!!

2010-02-27T21:29:00.005-05:00

Click on the picture to see the detail.

Love my "lady bug" tape measure!!

The Men just won a GOLD in Curling!

Something Different

2010-02-27T08:12:00.007-05:00

Over on the other blog "Myfanwy" I had determined that I would not go to Little Red Mitten after work. Well, the evening stretched before me and I thought what the heck the weather isn't that bad and getting out will do me a world of good. So I gathered up my Olympic Knitting and grabbed a pattern book and off I went. I stayed for the knitting get together but I had to leave after half an hour. Can't explain how I felt but I had to come home. Nuff said. Maybe another time.
The book in the picture below is the one my mother bought when she was expecting me. It cost a whopping 50 cents. Which was a substantial amount in 1947. Yeah, well now you know old I am, so be it.

The wool is called "Sublime." Ready for this? Merino, cashmere and silk. It is enough to give you a reason to get up in the morning.
I just felt like I wanted to knit something different next. I like to have a baby "something" on hand and in the cedar chest. My mother went through this book and added postie note comments on many of the patterns. This one says, "Dad made you this one." He made this for me again, when I was expecting Corinne. (Thirty-nine years ago) All my babies wore it. It was green.
I have told the story before how my mother bought 2 oz of pink wool, needles and the book. My father had her teach him how to cast on, knit and purl and away he went.
So, with all this nostalgia I am going through I decided to knit the sweater pictured above.

Olympic Update ..going for the GOLD

2010-02-25T06:31:00.004-05:00

Nupps out..Beads in...I am very happy with the result. I am using #6 blue lined topaz. The camera flash doesn't do it justice. The beads lend a lovely sparkle. When finished I will attempt a picture outside in natural light. This 100 % soybean yarn is very nice to knit with. Some of the residual dye has come off on my fingers but I will rinse it in vinegar when I am finished.

I am going to go into another ball to finish the edging...nuts I was hoping to get this out of one skein. 13 rows to go!!!!

Executing an Olympian move....

2010-02-19T08:27:00.006-05:00

O.K. as I previously mentioned I have too many stitches. Going back is not an option. If I maneuver in 3 more stitches on each side of the center stitch I can add two more motifs for the this section and keep going forward. It is do able. It is what the Olympics is all about. Creative license. The clock is ticking.

"later in the day" OK that worked ... except it turned out to be four stitches. This yarn is not suitable for "nupps" they are sloppy and I don't like them I will switch to beads instead. See "creative license."

First Quarter Semi Finals

2010-02-17T07:32:00.004-05:00

On track......

edit... Oh no I overshot

I have 210 sts

instead of 195

yikes

Faster, Higher, Stronger

2010-02-13T07:36:00.013-05:00

I signed up for the Knitting Olympics over at the Yarn Harlot. It felt like a good idea and will give me something to work for. This is as close as I am ever going to get to the Olympics as I am allergic to exercise and have bragged for years that my idea of strenuous exercise was to read War and Peace again.
My venue will be the Swallow Tail Shawl on 3.75 needles with 100% soybean yarn. Hand dyed in Mississauga, Ontario by Dye Version, Hand Dyed Fibres. Must have Canadian Content!

I swatched in training mode. Supplies on hand: chocolate, hand lotion, stitch markers, row counter (with accompanying stunning neck cord, executed by moi) and lip balm for the tense moments when I lick my lips to much....pattern, scissors, yarn wound and I should be good to go. Yes, that is my Crown Royal bag full of Addi turbo's. More precious than rubies. I started during the opening ceremony but failed in the preliminary start. My event is about to start....again
I have 3 teddies ready for stuffing and a fourth on the needles. They are on the side lines until the torch goes out.
Let the games begin.....and as my son would say, "Maple Leaf Forever"

Finishing a couple little projects

2010-01-24T09:50:00.004-05:00

I'm feeling very proud of myself these days. I'm finishing projects rather then simply starting more.

These are my fingerless mitts. A pattern by Danielle Kessner called Veritas, Equatas (rav-link). I love them and happen to be wearing them as I type this. :) Tapestry crochet is very enjoyable and not as daunting as it may look. This won't be my last project that's for certain. Danielle has another pattern called Cloister that I love and think will be my next project.

The Gymnast is on a sock monkey kick and asked if I could make her a hat. Needless to say she LOVES it! Luckily I got this picture of it when I finished it because it hasn't left her head since. Now the Fey-Goth wants to have one as well. So I'm going to pick up a ball of gray today and make another one. The pattern is supa easy and it's done out of bulky so they whip up really quick.

So much for not starting any more projects...

Teddies for Tragedies

2010-01-16T16:13:00.021-05:00

The news is full of heartache and terror in Haiti these days. When the immediate need of medical, food, water and shelter has been answered then the healing can begin.
If you are not aware of Teddies for Tragedies then please follow the link. It only takes an evening to knit one of these little bears.
I have been trying to find a knitting charity for this year. "A little charity knitting is good for the soul,"my mother used to say.
Previously I knit the Pneumonia Prevention Vests. The side bar link, under "Free Patterns," will take you to the pattern on this blog. This post receives the most hits on our blog and I hope many vests have been donated as a result.

Back to the Teddies. The web site link will take you to the pattern page. They are very simple to knit as they are primarily garter stitch. For the following bear I used 2 strands of 4 ply Shetland wool, left over from Michael's Heritage Vest and a 3.75mm Addi needle. The knitting needs to be dense so the stuffing won't show. The following is a pictorial representation of the written instructions.:

Knit two legs separately
Knit across the tops of both legs and continue for the top of the pants.
Change to the colours of your choice and knit the body.
Back to the teddy colour and in Stocking stitch knit the head (I knit 18 rows)
Now reverse the process and knit the "back."
Fold in half and Sew up the side seams of the head and pick up the sleeve stitches. Knit the arms.
Stitch across the "corners" of the head for the ears. these will not be stuffed.
Now, knit the other arm. sew up the seams leaving an opening for stuffing. The directions suggest leaving an opening at the inner leg. I find the outer leg seam easier to sew up after stuffing. Embroider the face and you are done.
I will post a picture of the finished guy as soon as I can get out to get some poly stuffing. Great ways to use up left over sock yarn!!
If you are in the London, St Thomas area of Ontario, the bears can be dropped off at Little Red Mitten.

The world's most awesome mug!

2010-01-11T10:38:00.007-05:00

Mum and I both got one of these mugs from Matt & Sophia. Aren't they the sweetest. It saves a lot of time and energy. Instead of trying to explain that you are in the middle of a difficult pattern or counting rows you can simply lift your mug and the intruder gets the hint. LOL
If you would like you own here's the link.
This picture is a bit of a twofer. One, it shows off my uber-awesome mug. Two, it shows my newest project. I'm on a crochet kick right now after taking the Jacquard (tapestry) crochet class last weekend.

When I finished my thummed cowl (picture below), I had yarn left over so I'm tackling another of Danielle Kassner's Patterns. A pair of fingerless mitts called Veritas, Equatas (rav-link). After working on the cowl where I was balancing 2 strands of yarn and pencil roving, this glove is almost easy. LOL Also I've been able to use up some left over fingering from a couple old projects.

I'm very happy with the way my cowl turned out. It's really warm as well, perfect since the temperature here has taken a nasty downwards turn again.

~Daughter #1

Guaranteed Knitting Time

2010-01-10T11:26:00.008-05:00

Things have been very sad here in Nantyglo. We have not had a good start to year 2010. My wonderful Mother and adored Granny Ann has passed from this world.
She used to say that her "Mam" used to say, "These things are sent to try us." Well, I have been well and truly "tried" over the last 8 days. Enough that the emotional me got beat up now the physical is hurting as well. If I heard once I heard 50 times, from her friends, "Oh your the knitter." She wore every sweater I knit her with pride and she told everyone where it came from. I was the luckiest daughter in the world to have her.
Friday evening I had a nasty fall in the side hall. It is a miracle I didn't fall down the basement stairs. Turns out it is not broken but badly sprained. Too bad really a brake heals in a given time a sprain lingers on and on....crap.
Once you have one of these (above) no one expects you to do anything other than knit.
My mother always said, " There is a silver lining to every cloud." I find knitting soothes my mind and my body.

Doncha love my jammies? My grand daughters picked them out for me because and I quote," I am the funnest Grami."

So this is the "Lovely Sophia Sweater" finally on the needles and progressing nicely. Zara is like knitting with butter. Soft Mmm I love it. I have one complaint. Get with the program people ...50 gm balls??? I mean come on. I would like to petition for a 200 gm ball.
I am just about at the end of the first ball. Do you know how many ends that is going to be?
Above the knitting you will see the new toy I got from my friend Sandy. It is by Clover and is the greatest counter I have ever had. I took a few moments at Christmas and made my self a snazzy cord so it hangs around my neck and the numbers face up toward me. Wonderful I love it. (I know it is lime green, but no, Corinne you can't have it).

In the "Welshwomen Who came Before" I give you the following picture, which my brother came across in my mothers papers.

The little girl is my grandmother's sister Mary Ann, on her right is Granny Jones, (you can't be welsh unless you have a Granny Jones, lol), on her left is her grandmother Sarah Rosser and behind her is her mother Hannah Hale. Four generations before my mother. Just a bit of trivia I thought I would share.

How to spend a snowy Sunday afternoon

2010-01-04T09:19:00.005-05:00

I signed up for a class at my LYS, Spun Fibre Arts . I was really looking forward to learning something new. After loosing my Gran on Saturday, to be honest, I wasn't feeling particularly social. My plans for the day revolved around sitting in the corner of the couch and crying into a cup of tea. BUT Gran was a practical person and she would have been the first to kick my ass for ditching a class I had paid for. After much deliberation, I decided to go after all. I'm glad I did it was a lot of fun. I met people I only knew through name on Ravelry and learn something technical enough that it kept my mind and fingers busy.

I attended a crochet class taught by designer, Danielle Kassner. (Lauracroft on Ravelry)She was teaching us how to do Jacquard (tapestry) crochet and create a thrummed cowl. I'm making mine out of Louet Gems with Briggs & Little pencil roving inside. you can't really see in the picture but the red is actually a purple and red twisted together called Red Current. I love it and plan to make a pair of mitts to match. Okay, I want to make all Danielle's patterns! I'm in love with her Gryphon. (rav.link)

I'm still playing around with it, getting used to balancing 2 strands of yarns as well as the thrumming. So I'm not entirely certain what the designs will be when I'm done. LOL We got snow yesterday and it looks like the temperature will be staying below 0 for the foreseeable future. At least,my neck will be warm.
~Daughter #1

Day One

2010-01-01T12:39:00.008-05:00

My front door ...too pretty not to share.

Finally we have some snow ... for the New Year at least. Carl has gone to work so once I have finished posting here I am off to finish his grey socks.

Thrilling news. Work on the Heritage vest progressed to this ....in the last couple of weeks.

First I decided to crochet up the steeks and then cut them. As you can see I was being cautious and ended up with freaking huge steeks. The crochet line had to be removed and the steeks trimmed down to a more manageable size but I leave it here by way of pictorial explanation.

This picture should be right up there with Friday the 13th. Scissors AND knitting. It was very scary.
Washed and blocked at last I give you the back and the front. In reality it is a little lighter in colour. The wool is wet. I read an interesting article that said the beauty of Shetland wool is that it is "sticky," which is an excellent description. The wool has a fine halo, ergo, the stitches do not "run" like cotton.
The extra steek stitches had to be drawn out one stitch at a time. Well, now I know for next time. I doubt that I will steek again. This was meant to be a Heritage Vest so it is fitting that it was done in the traditional method. I am just to fussy about "ends."

He specifically asked for a deep "V" so he could wear a shirt and tie. Pictures "in situ" on the human to follow later.

My last completed project for 2009!

As soon as the yarn arrives for the Queen Susan Shawl pictures will be be posted here. I will leave the progress bar up for a while on the Heritage vest. I just want to revel in the 100% for a while.

P.S. If I have a fault or a weakness ( It depends on the situation) it is that I trust people. So I got a message on Ravelry from a woman who wanted some Opera cotton. The same cotton I used for my Welsh Daffodil Tea Cloth. Anyway the long and the short of it is I sent her a package with 5 balls of Opera cotton. Now she has deleted all her information from her Ravelry account and I am out about $40. in yarn and postage. I have her name and address and I would really like to think that she is sending me a money order. BUT saner minds prevail. Why did I think knitter's had more integrity than non knitters? More the fool I. So do I waste the money on another stamp and write her a letter? I do so hate being made to feel like an ass....again. I will never hear the end of this if Carl finds out.

Concentration has gone all to .....

2009-12-19T07:52:00.006-05:00

Here I am right where I did not want to be. The Saturday before Christmas and Michael's vest is not finished. My whole knitting plan has gone out of the window....sigh

I am not happy with the steek treatment on his sweater and I am trying to soldier on. My mother has literally been ringing God's doorbell this week and that last minute decided not to move in. The emotional upheaval has been astronomical. I have a stiff neck and a frozen shoulder which makes knitting hard also.

My shopping is not finished. Baking isn't going to happen. The house looks like a tip and I have laundry to do. Tomorrow is back to the hospital to visit with Mummy. Today I have to go to the mall "the minute it opens" in the hopes of avoiding the insanity that is Christmas shopping. My budget is shot all to ---. No credit cards to fall back on so I am trying to figure out how to stretch a dollar even further. This is going to be creative.

I downloaded a pattern from Knit Picks for this bag. Only $1.99...ok $2.11 by the time tax was added. I see a stash reduction happening in the new year.

There are some interesting knit along projects for the the new year one is 10 shawls in 2010. Woo Hoo. Now there is a challenge. I will be working on the vest this afternoon in between laundry loads. Pictures to follow.

I've been a bad, bad, blogger....

2009-12-15T22:57:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't contributed anything here for AGES.... Part of it was because of a book deadline. The other was because I had so many projects on the go, I didn't have anything finished.

Happily, edits are done and I finished some projects. *G*

Remember last year I was all about the hats. This year...Cowls. I'm taking a class at SPUN for a crochet thrummed cowl. Doesn't that sound cool? It's on the 30th. Pictures to follow after.

This is called "Cowl at the Moon" (Rav.link) I love the elegant swoop around the neck. It's all done with short rows that you cannot see. An easy knit ta ht I'll be doing a couple more of.

This is the Crofter's Cowl(Rav.link) and it's for my girlfriend at work. She loves that shade of gray.

This is one of a future pair of mittens. I really, really, detest fairisling but I loved this pattern. It's called Icewine Mitts. (Rav.link) My tension on them sucks bad, but I don't care 'cause there for me.
This is my contribution to HAT SPARRING, a non-lethal form of HAT ATTACK. Personally I'd have changed the pattern so that the cables show on the flipped up bit and on the crown, but the rules are to knit as written.
Finally, my socks I started on the train to Montreal all those months ago. I love the colours on them and they are really cozy, especially since I made them extra tall.

So that's it for now. I'm actively working on the miles and miles of border to accompany my Steampunk shawl, and my Hubby's Skull sweater. Perhaps a couple more cowls and a pair of socks or two. Look for more pictures in the new year. ;-)

~Daughter #1

I put it in a safe place....

2009-12-10T09:41:00.005-05:00

How many times have I said that? My youngest has been known to reply with,"Mom, if you used the same place everytime this wouldn't happen." Bless him, he knows not where of he speaks. You can only get so much wool in the cedar chest.
Let me explain. Back in Connecticut last August I bought 2 balls of all the colours for this vest and four balls for background. Last night I finished ball #3 of the grey. You guessed it. While I was knitting someone must have broken into the house and put the other grey ball somewhere else. Cause it wasn't with the other colours. I looked in the closet, in all the knitting bags ( I have a plethora), top shelf in my den (which requires standing on a chair), behind my knitting chair, bed room closet, sock yarn stash, drawers in the secretary........panic is setting in...I know I bought four...I begin doubting myself....bad sign.
My mother always says,"If you have looked in the likely places and can't find something look in the unlikely places." Found it!!!! in a bag of bunnies I was going to dress for Christmas but will now be dressing for Easter. Don't ask... me I have no idea how it got there.

Half a motif to go and it will be time to crochet the steeks and then get out the Really Big Scissors. I will be sure to post pictures of the proceedure. Those who are faint of heart may look away.

Knitting with a hot needle

2009-12-09T10:22:00.005-05:00

Pictures will be added later, suffice it to say I am knitting furiously on "THE" vest for Michael. I thought I had every thing planned out to the row and now it appears I need another motif to gain the required length. Grrr.

I have decided to crochet the steeks before cutting them. I have used the sewing machine in the past but want to try something new. I haven't even touched the double knitting scarf in over a week. Carls WMBSE is at the heel gusset on the second sock. woop-d-do

Once the vest is done the next big project will be the sweater for MOI out of the teal Galway wool. Me thinks Carl is looking for another sweater. The last one I knit him, an Elspeth Lavold Silky Wool, dk, with cables, was too short in the body and I have no more yarn to lengthen it. (weeping softly) So there it languishes on the shelf.

I found this picture and I am not sure if the needles are being stored this way. Perhaps it should be labled, "What to do with the straight needles you no longer use." I see a hot glue gun taking part in this project. I offer this for the crafty reader. If your into it I could donate an appaling amount of needles to the cause. Ugly little buggar isn't he? Not exactly something you could "kootch up" to.

You Know You Knit To Much When....

2009-11-23T12:06:00.003-05:00

Last year Corinne gave me the Yarn Harlot's desk calendar. It has been a never ending source of enjoyment to me every morning when I come into work. Monday mornings are even more enjoyable because I get to read Saturday, Sunday AND Monday.

The following was Sat Nov 21, 2009

You know you knit to much when..... you realize that you are planning attendance at holiday parties based not on obligation or whether you think they will be fun, but on whether you can knit there. True so true. Cracked me right up!

In the home stretch...

2009-11-20T11:16:00.014-05:00

One disadvantage to knitting in the round with steeks is this. I design on the fly. That means that although I make up a pattern it is subject to change at any time. Knitting the whole vest with steeks means that if something doesn't measure up, a colour combination or a design, I have a helluva lot of stitched to ripppp out. However it is nice not having to purl stranded. In the end a hard call.

I had a chance to measure it up to my son's back last weekend and I think we are going to fine with the fit. I really do not want him to see this until it is finished. It is starting to look like a tapestry. He is very conservative and I am a little concerned it will be too bright for him. The rib around the V-neck and the armholes will tone it down. (I hope)

The WMBSE are moving along as you can see. I started the rib whilst standing in the "flu shot" line the other night at the local school. One young lad was quite fascinated and kept watching me out the corner of his eye. Once upon a time I wouldn't have though of a thing of it and would have chatted him up but our insular society has everyone so afraid to speak to strangers. I let the moment go by. I didn't want some mother after me.

The "tubey" thing came in my last order from Knit Pics. It was very cheap and actually there were 2 in the pack. It is made of heavy paper so I don't have to worry about "cutting" the wool. It is great for keeping the extra needle and a crochet hook ( just in case I drop a stitch) all together with the yarn.

Finally I have the first figure finished on the Peace Scarf. I have about 5 rows of just straight knitting before I start the next design. I really wish I had picked yarn that had a more pronounced colour definition. I can only knit on this by a bright light.

Me thinks my mother is not going to get the tapestry bag for Christmas. I really wanted to enjoy that knit and hate to be "under the gun" or as is said, "Knitting with a hot needle." I think I will go with the Jared Flood Mittens that were on the cover of Vogue last year. I was going to knit them before but was distracted. Who me? I will have to read the pattern over carefully as I have NO confidence in Vogue patterns anymore. The moratorium is still in effect I am not buying their magazine anymore. Knitty and Twist Collective and Ravelry could very well put them out of business .... in my opinion.

Knitting and War..what an oxymoron

2009-11-11T10:41:00.023-05:00

During, what came to be known as the "Great Wars," posters like the above, encouraged everyone to "Knit for the Troops." The following pictures illustrate a time when everyone, not just women, picked up the needles and did their bit.

Baghdad 2009
If this doesn't warm your heart then nothing will.
Take a moment today to think of this knitter and his compatriots.

I think the Taliban needs to learn how to knit!

Up to my eyeballs in projects...

2009-11-09T07:21:00.009-05:00

I regret that I have had to add word verification to "comments" after being "viagra spammed" on both my blogs. I know it is a pain in the pinny but it is the only way.

Sheesh I did it again.
1. Michael's Heritage Vest
2. Sophia's Sweetheart Sweater
3. Tapestry Bag: I would like to make one for Granny for Christmas.
4. Faery Ring Sweater: c'est pour moi

5. Carl's socks...don't really count...these days I always have socks on the needles
6. Molly's socks
7. edit to add the Global art Peace project scarf......yikes I forgot this one

Oh my goodness....

2009-11-06T17:20:00.008-05:00

I got off work an hour early today. I have the best boss..EVER. I digress. Sooooooo.... I went to Little Red Mitten. I haven't been in about two weeks so I was due. Anyway, I promised Carl another pair of socks. This weekend I will cast on the WMDSCE (world's most boring sock colour ever). Grey
I bought the only copy if this in the shop.: I am waiting, to crack a page, until I am guaranteed uninterrupted perusal of this latest book of inspiration.
and
I bought 11 balls of Galway Irish Wool for this:The pattern is a free Ravelry download. Isn't that a lovely gift from the designer? This will be for me.... In this colourway...Heather teal # 701...you may now drool...

I have a new favourite designer:
Mary Scott Huff

Finally finished

2009-11-04T08:16:00.013-05:00

Whew, it seemed to take forever to finish these socks. That is because I kept putting them aside to work on something else. OK next up is to finish the vest for Michael. I frogged about 5 rows or more, I would rather not remember, of the next pattern repeat. The colour combination wasn't working for me and I had a brain fart and began decreasing too drastically which would have meant the vest would have had spaghetti straps. All that aside I am back on track.

The next sock knitting will be to get back to Molly's socks. They are a lovely shade of purple and Koigu too.

Speaking of Koigu....I had bought a lot of it once before with the idea of using it in a vest for Michael. (see.... I had good intentions) This was a couple of years ago, anyway, I think I am going to use it in an ASJ for myself for spring. It is miles of garter stitch but great for TV watching. I started to swatch with a 3.25mm but it is too sloppy. I want firm with out it being a plank. I will try a 3mm next.

Still working on the scarf. I really can't knit this in the evening. it is hard to determine the dark brown parts from the dark blue parts.
Leave it to me to pick the hard stuff.

Geesh! I am pleased with the results so far. It isn't the Bayou Tapestry for crying out loud so I am cutting my self some slack. "beating back the perfectionist gene"

I bought my self the DVD about "Gustav Klimt." There is something about his work that appeals to me. It is the colour, composition and texture. I will probably end up not liking the artist, as often happens, but I do like the work. I am saving it for the next evening Carl has to work. I will let you know what I think of it then.

Global Art Project 2010

2009-10-26T10:39:00.008-04:00

It is coming up to that time again and I have already started my offering for this go round. I know Carl will say I am nuts due to the "screw up" last time. The thought is what counts and I shall go ahead in spite of one disappointment. For those of you not familiar with the Global Art Project for Peace I direct you to their web site via this link. Unfortunately my "partner" last time did not follow up with her commitment. Katherine kindly called me several times from Arizona and one of the "Angels" sent me a lovely piece of art work . This time I am going to sign up as an Angel as well. Which will mean another project to think up.

I have been inspired to adapt a crochet lace shawl called "Children of the Earth" into a knitting pattern for a scarf. I will have to be sure and ask for a "partner" in the northern climes. Work is progressing nicely and I am very happy with the colour choices. This is my first double knitting project and yes I did purchase wool for it at the Little Red Mitten
Cool huh? Reversible knitting.

The same day I got a copy of the pattern for the ASJ. This is going to be a "stash buster" project and will commence once "THE" vest is finished. I have a plethora of Koigu.
Speaking off "THE" vest.....I am steeking...huge steeks...lol I theorize I can always trim them back. Speaking of the back.... Back to unwinding from a stressful day at the office.....knitting nirvana

She designed this too???

2009-10-21T09:22:00.006-04:00

I made an interesting discovery today.

While cruising my favourites list on Ravelry and sighing over all the garments I want to make, I noticed that the same designer's name kept popping up. I checked out her pattern list and I had 5 of them in my favourites already! I had found her patterns in Vogue, Twist Collective and surfing patterns on Ravelry.

Her name is Mari Muinonen (rav-link) This is her blog, Madebymyself Unfortunately it's in Finnish but the pictures are pretty.

Here's a couple of my favourites...

Backbone Vest (Knit 1 Fall/Winter '08)

Vihervaara Huppari (Vogue Fall '08)

Sylvi (Twist Collective Winter 2008)

I want to make them all, but until I get some of my current WIP's finished I can't do it. Good news, I did finish 3 things! (pictures to come) and I'm back at work on Hubby's skull sweater, which will make him happy. There are a few more small projects that I'll play with inbetween, but no socks or big sweaters until I clear up all the little stuff. (we'll see how long I can last with that.)

~Daughter #1

Woodstock Fleece Festival

2009-10-17T20:27:00.009-04:00

Saturday was the best example of our fall days. The sky was blue with wispy clouds, the sun shone brightly and although the temp was 7C it didn't feel like it. I drove to Woodstock on the 401, aka Ontario's longest parking lot. Sure enough I had just passed an exit when 3 lanes of traffic came to a grinding stop. The highway dudes had decided to take advantage of the day and resurface 2 lanes ahead of me. I turned the radio to the golden oldies station and opened the window as the car was warming up from the glorious sunshine. Nothing was going to spoil my day. I got off at the next exit and made my way via country roads. Woodstock should only be only 40 minutes from London. It took a little longer, so what, I wasn't in a hurry.

Look at this cutie. I spotted him the minute I got out of the car. His fluffiness was beautiful in the sunshine.

The alpacas were humming to everyone

The eyelashes are like feathers. The teeth on these beasts are huge
A police car with lights flashing and sirens blaring went down the street which alarmed this one.

Sleeping in the sunshine...Angora bunnies
This little Angora Goat was bleating and stamping his feet at everyone......you know, where mohair comes from.

This is one quarter of the vendors. Love the blue sweater!!

The haul.....a calendar for work for next year, a Spin Off magazine, and a pretty project bag with....

Two skeins of about 840m of hand spun wool and mohair in the most gorgeous "fire maple" rusty red. Perfect fall colour. I think I showed a great deal of restraint and don't feel the least bit guilty. The Spin Off magazine has an article 1 shawl, 11 ways. It is called "falling leaves." Ergo the wool purchase.

This show was a success, in my opinion. I spoke to several vendors (Little Red Mitten was there) and they were very happy with sales. The turn out looked very good everyone seemed to be shopping. Besides the vendors there were classes offered some free some preregistered. There were displays by several guilds. Ontario Hand spinners and Weavers, Rug Hooking and Oxford Weavers. Lots of fleece was available from alpaca to camel. I wandered around for almost 3 hours. I only wish I had taken a lawn chair I would have sat by my car and knit for a while the day was so beautiful.

They also had food! Fresh fruit cocktail, fresh sandwiches, hot beef stew or jambalaya and home made pies. It was a great day. I drove back to London via the country roads and saw that the sunshine had dried out the corn sufficiently that all the farmers were out harvesting the last of it. This was the "first" festival. I will be looking for it again next year!

I had to do it.........

2009-10-15T18:09:00.004-04:00

It was an emergency. I HAD to go to Little Red Mitten after work today. The yellowy green wool that I had just wasn't working. Carl kept saying it looked something a sick baby would produce..ooooo.....yucky. So, I succumbed to the pressing emergency and bought one ball of Rowan felted tweed. I think it will be a perfect colour for the next motif and the saving of the whole vest. Joan was very kind and we had a long discussion on the whole "steek" thing. I have decided, in keeping with the traditional/heritage aspect of this vest to steek. Pictures, of course will be forthcoming.
Saturday is the Fleece Festival in Woodstock, Ont and I will go and support the shepherds.....ahem, I am only going to "look."

Lots a wool.

2009-10-11T09:07:00.017-04:00

The shopping brakes have been officially applied. I have yummies up the ying yang and too many projects ahead of me. Seriously, I simply cannot buy any more wool this year. Really......
September went by in a blur and I never did share my Knitter's Fair purchase with you. That was the same weekend my mother's health took a down turn and knitting almost stopped. Things are looking up now and concentration has returned.
This is Soybean yarn, can you believe it??? I hope it blocks out. I have been assured it will. This is for the Shipwrecked Shawl. I bought 3 vials of beads at the show. Upon inquiry I was informed the vials have about 300 beads. According to the pattern I was going to need about 5000 beads for the waves portion. When I got home I called Bead FX and found out there are more like 800 in a vial. Whew, that was a relief. I ordered 3 more vials. That should do it! actually, that will do it 'cause I am not shopping any more this year remember?

The wool arrived from Knit Picks for the East Meets West Satchel. I took it to show Mom and she thought it was gorgeous. We are not sure about the white and hot pink. They just don't seem to fit into the palette. I can always use the two colours for a pair of mittens. Mom wants to know if there will be enough wool to knit two. She would really like one. So there goes "my" bag ...lol and now I know what her Christmas gift will be.

I succumbed to this book, "on sale," when I ordered the above kit. I taught myself to double/reverse knit and posted about it once before. Unfortunately, I only had one pattern, for a baby blanket. After the latest spate of knitting it will be time to make something for ME. Two gorgeous patterns have my name all over them. I still haven't finished my socks, for crying out loud. It is interesting that the author's last name is found in our family tree.
You may remember "the Skull Sweater?" Now it is Sophia's turn and she has chosen the "Domiknitrix Sweetheart" sweater in the colours below. Zara is gorgeous buttery soft merino wool. This is going to be a treat to knit a petite sweater after knitting for these large men.
Little Red Mitten is in St Thomas ( 19.6 KM from my front drive) and I just found it! They opened in February 2009. Tons and tons of wonderful yarn/wool from all over the world. Susan ( a kindred soul) brought this bag of Zara in for me in ONE day. Now I call that service. We wandered all around the shop/house sniffing wool. Sigh, it was a wonderful visit. They have a knitting get together on Friday evenings. Carl works many Friday evenings and I end up sitting at home watching movies now I know where I am going to be! Knitting NOT shopping..... yeah right. Oh yes, I did buy another ball of sock yarn while I was there. Too nice for socks I think a scarf is in the offing. Poems in the "Oyster" colour way. Susan and I decided "Truffles and Porcini Mushrooms" would be a better name ...lol I like the way that woman's mind works!
I ran out to the picnic table this morning to take this picture by natural light and it looks a little mauve..Hmmm???? It is really taupe/brown and creamy... just lovely.
Knitting proceeds on the vest for Michael. Picture after the next motif is finished. Then I think it may be time to divide for the armholes and "V" neck. The question of the day will be "to steek" or "not to steek." ......Oye vay

Vest Update....

2009-10-06T06:51:00.002-04:00

Not bad if I do say so.
~Susan/MuM

That might not be pink, but this is...

2009-10-01T22:54:00.002-04:00

I finally finished something! These are the final pair of socks for Sock Wars IV. I made it all the way to the final two, only to be assassinated in the end. Still had fun though and I got a pair of socks, so I'm not complaining.

I emailed the winner and told her that I would still finish her socks for her ever though she 'killed' me. LOL They turned out really nice too.

The pattern is Barcelona by Helen Waittes(ravelry link). I love the pattern and plan to make a pair for myself.

I want to cast on right now but I'm resisting. This is harder then when I quit smoking. I have to get soem more WIP's finished before casting on any more. I have a list a mile long of patterns I want to make....so many pretties, so little time.

No, it's not pink!

2009-09-30T16:47:00.004-04:00

I obviously need a crash course of taking pictures of knitting. The chain motif is NOT pink it's a brown tone. Same problem with the green that looks gold. Part of the problem is that the yarn is all heathered and the colours do not show up in the pictures the way I had hoped. I love knitting with this wool.
I would have taken a picture outside but it's gloomy and raining. I am happy with how the charts are turning out so far. Next is a traditional X & O fair isle design.
My ear ring came in handy to mark the center front. Improvise, improvise.

Knitting stuff...just not mine

2009-09-25T09:42:00.005-04:00

I feel terribly guilty that I haven't posted anything here in so long. Bad news is I haven't finished anything in ages. Good news is I haven't started too many projects in the meantime.

Do you remember the miniature sweater I knit a while ago? You can refresh your memory HERE.

My co-worker brought in one of her miniaturist magazines and showed me something that makes my litt-bitty sweat look like it would fit the jolly green giant. Let me introduce you to the work of Althea Crome

This is her Japanese Crane Sweater. (click on name for more pictures). If you look at the bottom of the picture you can see her fingers and thumbnail. It's 2 (TWO!) inches from hem to neckline.

You think that is small? Look at this!!

This is 1/144 scale, or dollhouse for dollhouse scale, or as knitters would understand. 80 stitches PER INCH! You can see more HERE.

Isn't that amazing?

She also knit the sweater and gloves for the movie CORALINE. This is a quick 2min video that I enjoyed and you can see her knitting on her itty bitty needles.

~Daughter #1

Fair Isle knitting

2009-09-25T06:51:00.003-04:00

The first band of the design is finished on Michael's vest. I am into the water and waves motif then comes the anchors and chains. When I am further along I will explain the significance of these designs. I really really like this wool for fair isle work. It is "Whiskey" by Reynolds, 100% wool, 170 some odd meters to 50 gm. To see the colours I am using go back a bunch of posts and you will see a picture of a wooden bowl full of loaves of wool. That's the wool I bought in Connecticut. I just noticed that the colour photoed incorrectly. Joys of using a flash at 6:30 in the morning. It is really brown zigzags on a green. Hmmm.. Oh well, looks good either way. Hopefully I will get a couple of inches done this weekend because the kit I ordered is on it's way and once that arrives...well you know. I am going to have to start it just because because.....

Have you seen this......

2009-09-18T06:36:00.003-04:00

How gorgeous is this????? 21 colours in each bag. I have died and gone to fair isle-intarsia heaven.

This e mail was in my "in" box when I woke up this morning. Oh, I have to make the red one. I do... really I do. I am going to order it today...as a reward for finishing Carl's black "ebony" socks.
Granny Ann is in hospital scaring us to pieces this week. Last night is the first time I picked up the needles all week. I am finishing up my socks, Michael's Christmas present is on the needles, pictures of that later. No worries he doesn't read this blog. I still want to make Molly's socks for a set of Celtic Forge Needles. Then I can cast on the Shipwrecked shawl.

"Shipwrecked" Knitty Spring 2009

2009-09-12T07:38:00.003-04:00

I have been looking at this pattern for months. Go to Knitty.com and check it out. I don't think I want it dye it myself as the pattern suggests. It calls for a fingering weight. I think it's the 5000 beads that call to me as well as the design...lol

Today is the Knitter's Fair in Kitchener. I missed last year I was recovering from my bout with emergency appendicitis.. I was looking at some of the vendors web sites and there is one who makes glass buttons. I love buttons.....hmmmm

Sue, Qknitter on Ravelry, is going to be there and I look forward to meeting her and seeing her Queen Ring Shawl. I have yet to get mine on the needles. I am so intimidated by the yarn. Yes, I am. Really.

Sandy is coming too and we be able to have some fun time sniffing wool and drooling over all the goodies. Corinne has to work today and won't be able to join us. The three of us had such a good time at the "Frolic" in Toronto last spring. She will be missed.

The Dog Free Zone

2009-09-11T06:26:00.005-04:00

Jackie and I could have used one of these when our children were younger. A child free zone or playpen for grown ups..lol
Don't know what kind of vine but it is lovely.
Paul and the red heads, Irish and Flower...hence: the need for dog free zone ...white fence to the right.
That Miracle Grow is good stuff..lol
The "fishless" pond and fountain.
Many cups of tea were consumed on that swing...sigh ...Better picture of the shawl and the recipient....and you thought this post had no knitting content.

Thank you Mrs. von Zuben

2009-09-08T06:39:00.005-04:00

Just look at all the lovely kool aid I bought whilst away. Woo Hoo
Yesterday was a perfect day to end my holiday. The sun was bright and I started swatching for Michael's vest with the wool I bought in Connecticut. I got all my addis out and cast on.

Fancy shmancy graph huh? I did it on Excel. Cheaper than knitting soft wear. Now I know I used a calculator but if I hadn't learned arithmatic from Mrs. von Zuben I wouldn't have a clue how to take 26 sts. over 4 inches times a finished size of 46" with 90% of the total number of stitches for the rib and making it a number divisable by 4 ....... =272

Knitting and Connecticut

2009-09-06T07:51:00.008-04:00

We are home from Connecticut and you will have to watch the other blather to see all the pictures. Suffice it to say,"A good time was had by all."
Now, a pictorial record of the great reveal.
The Ballet Examiner's Shawl
pattern: Vernal Equinox
needles: 3.5 mm Addi lace (of course)
wool: Fiddlesticks Zephyr (doubled) colour: pewter

"Paul, come here and see.... OOOO pretty box"

" Oh, I love the colour"

Yup, she likes it!

She really likes it! I am so happy I could bust.
The measure of a holiday is how much knitting you accomplish. This is the black sock on the way down. I managed to turn the heel while she was teaching a class. Other than that I knit "diddly"..lol Good thing it was hot and he didn't need his socks.
We went on a wool shop crawl ( was there any doubt) and ended up in Glastonbury Conn. at Village Wool. You couldn't move inside for boxes. Three shipments had come in and it was chaos.
They were wonderfully helpful and I found just what I was looking for. Shetland wool, heather tones and jumper weight! It is by Reynolds and is called "Whiskey." I could have had a job teaching in there if I lived closer. She liked my accent.
??what accent??.....lol
The colours are richer than this picture shows. You will be seeing more of it.
The following is not knitting related but I had to share. Forgive the blurry shot I had to zoom in as this is hanging over one of the windows in the sun room. I made this for Jackie in 1976. It is dated in the corner, I was overwhelmed when I saw it after all these years. Time truly has flown.

Dadgum, Rafflesnaklefritz

2009-08-17T17:44:00.005-04:00

"A tapestry of obscenities that as far as we know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan."

That's one of my favourite movie quotes, and quite fitting considering the language I uttered today. The horrible has happened.....

I ran out of yarn!

Just typing those words has me on the verge of another outburst. My pattern called for 1100yds. I had 1400yds. I heard tales that this book was very much off the mark when it came to yardage needed for their patterns, but with a 300yd buffer I thought I'd be safe.

Apparently not.

It's not like I can pop out to my local to get another ball. I ordered this online from Germany, because it is the only place that carried the colourway I wanted. Hopefully the dye lot will be the same, not that it's a bit concern because unless there is a HUGE difference it should be unnoticeable.

I'm just so pissed.

The last time I ordered from them, it only took 6 days for the yarn to arrive. Not bad at all as far as I was concerned. The real burn this time is that I expect the yarn will arrive next Monday. Only I won't be here. grrrrrr I'll be in Montreal on a mini vacation. I had such great plans of knitting on my shawl on the train and with a bit of luck it would be finished by the time I got home.

I'm going to go cast on a pair of socks.

~Daughter #1

Ordering on line......

2009-08-16T09:27:00.005-04:00

My first attempt at ordering wool on line and it was a success. Here is the wool for the Halloween vest. As I mentioned before the cotton just didn't cut it so when all else fails buy the wool the designer suggests. I must add that Knit Picks has excellent service! Son #2 told me about the "Visa My Treat" card that can be bought at Macs. Who knew? A preloaded Visa card that enables me to shop online......vistas await me...lol

This is "Unicorn"....wool alpaca & nylon sock yarn...pour moi... no time soon though...sigh

Yesterday I worked on the shawl for Jacki and turned the toe on the second black sock. The shawl is coming along nicely. I mean I have 2 weeks yet...who's worried?

Sometimes I am so scathingly brilliant it amazes even me. You know how the sun bleaches out computer screens...well... I put the portable dvd player in the Knit Pics box to keep it out of the sun and watched a movie whilst I knit outside. Worked a charm..ta dah!!!

Back to the shawl!

It is the little things that bring joy....

2009-08-12T06:41:00.010-04:00

I am easily pleased. I was approaching the end of the ribbing on Carl's black sock when PKDD set in. I just came across this expression and I think it is perfect. Thank you Helen for passing it along. The suspense is killing you I know. So here you go....Post Knitting Disappointment Disorder. OMG that is so perfect. I have been unhappy in the extreme with the cast off on my toe up socks. Disappointment in this final step,(pun intended) ergo, no joy in sock ville. I tried everything I knew.

Increasing stitches, casting off with a larger needle, EZ's sewn cast off. Hauling 4 yards of yarn through every stitch twice was a drag. All to no avail. When all else failed I googled "cast off toe up socks" and "eh voila."

Wendy of "www.wendyknitsdotnet" came to my rescue with a "variation of a Russian bind off" This is the best cast off ...ever.... hands down!. I am totally chuffed .

I render the directions here. Remember I knit with 5 needles adjust accordingly if you are a circular knitter. I was using a knit 2 purl 1 rib. The directions reflect this, also adjust according to your rib.

Knit the first stitch on needle 1. Slip this stitch onto needle 4. makes a nicer join at the end.

Knit 1 purl 1 slip the left needle through the two stitches (on the right needle) as if to purl and now purl these 2 stitches together.

Knit 1, now knit this stitch with the previous purl 2 tog.

Knit 1, now knit this stitch with the previous knit 2 tog.

Purl 1, now purl this stitch with the previous knit 2 tog.

Keep on going. Knit or purl as the stitches present themselves.

It is the nicest finish an wonderful and stretchy. For anyone with a high instep this is invaluable.

Now, on the " I will knit this next" list: a tale of woe and confession.

Once upon a time (20 years ago) I began to knit son #1 a true "Alice Starmore inspired" fair isle vest. It was a beautiful pattern comprised of traditional motifs by yours truly, see above.

Life intruded and I didn't finish it until about 4 years later. Yup you guessed it. The vest shrunk in the knitting basket, funny how that happens. I finished said vest and entered into a fall fair and took a red ribbon ( in Canada firsts are red!) Then I sold the vest! This apparently added insult to injury.

I thought perhaps he had "grown out" of the idea. But I was informed yesterday this is not so and I am being held accountable. He doesn't want to hear about the wool in my stash or my ideas he wants me to ante up the goods and no more procrastination.

Son #2 had a wonderful time stirring up the pot by reminding #1 of the 2 sweaters I have knit him since then. In my defence I did knit (whilst wearing sun glasses) #1 a fluorescent orange jacket to wear hunting, so no one would shoot him and although it is appreciated it does not assuage his need for the fair isle.
So, let me see, I have to finish Jackie's shawl, the other black sock, Molly's socks and my left foot....
So I think I should be able to cast on the fair isle when I get back from my holiday. The Knitter's Fair is the Saturday after I get back I will shop for wool then.....or I could look online..Hmmmm?????

Moving right along.

2009-08-08T22:42:00.002-04:00

The last two projects I blogged about have been the centre of my attention as of late. The Gymnast LOVE her new hat. This is Vortex in the colours of her choosing.

My SteamPunk Shawl is just flying along. I'm 7 rows away from finishing body of it and then I'll have to do the knit border. I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's done and blocked. The picture was taken when I was about 3/4 the way done the body.

I have a couple new projects in the wings, a pair of socks and mitts. Yes, Mitts. Summer has not been very seasonal this year and I find myself looking at winter projects already. Of course there is always Hubby's skull sweater. Poor guy, his projects always get pushed aside. I'd like to finish up his sweater this Fall.

On the "good news/bad news" front.

2009-08-05T12:38:00.009-04:00

Good news: The "other" wool shop here in the city has been sold. I was holding a personal moratorium on spending any money in there after the owner was so rude to me.

Bad news: They stock Koigu, Premium Merino the most delicious of 100% pure merino wool. Made in Canada yet! Dastardly expensive. Now that the moratorium has been lifted I will be shopping in there. There goes my retirement $$.

Good news: I have cast on the socks for Molly, of Celtic Swan fame, out of the above mentioned Koigu KPM in a luscious purple.

Bad news: This wool is so gorgeous to knit with I may be scared for life. The stitch definition is nothing short of stunning. How will my regular sock yarn ever compete? How come, when I try to photo purple wool it always turns out blue. (??)

Good news: I am going to Connecticut in like three weeks....cheering madly

Bad news: I have three weeks to finish the shawl for Jacki. Procrastination thy name is Susan.

Relaxing at Last.

2009-08-03T12:57:00.010-04:00

Having a long weekend with nothing to do but lay around has been very good for me. I am burnt out and needed this break. Last night I woke up shrieking again. According to Carl it is almost blood curdling, poor beggar. Guess that whole intruder thing (see other blog) has bothered me more than I thought.
So, I have been sock knitting this weekend. My second sock is progressing nicely and YES I know they do not match. The yarn is called "exotic" for a reason. I like them this way.

Susan's Exotics

I am enthroned on the lounge chair, in the garden, knitting on the black socks. It was brighter (sunnier) yesterday, which was perfect for "black" knitting. I have turned the heel and like this pattern better than the Time Team pair. This time I used the Wendy Knits Heel.
Ebony socks

Here are the Time Team Socks...in honour of the archaeological layers, with Maia's Gusset Heel. I am giving you links to both. I just find the Wendy heel more to my taste and I like the fit. It is always good to know different ways of doing things. I am doubtful I will knit socks any other way than toe up from now on.
I had to model his socks he says he loves them. All together..awwwww... and that's why I am knitting him the black ones he asked for.

Time Team Socks

Now I have to tell you about this! Momentous stuff. I was reading an Heirloom Knitting post which took me to another blog, you know how that happens. Well, I came across Celtic Swan Forge. Just beautiful things to be found there. I want a Spinner's Hook and a Celtic Broach and..and.. Once you have been there you will understand. Molly and I have been exchanging emails and I am going to make her a pair of Wyvern socks. We are going to have a good old barter. Check out the "Sock exchange" Deadline to sign up is August 15, 2009. This pattern is a very enjoyable knit and I am sure Molly will like them. Tomorrow I am going to drag myself ( drag?...ya right) into the wool shop to pick up some 100% wool . Oh goody goody.

Wyvern socks

Did you notice? Even my knitting has jewellery. I received those markers from the sock roulette, which reminds me I have not posted a picture yet. Next time. Anyway, I use those markers all the time.

It is becoming windy I have to move my chair and as the sun is "over the yardarm" somewhere in the world I may just have a glass of wine. So there.

Why do we do this?

2009-07-27T12:11:00.004-04:00

There I am furiously knitting on the Hallowe'en vest. Started for the second time I might add.

I am not happy with the way it looks. Maybe there is too much cotton content in the yarn. I can see the colours showing through from the back. Put it down go knit on something else. Maybe it will "plump up" while I am away. Come back hours later pick it up knit more. Hmm, not looking any better. Let's put another couple of thousand stitches on here, shall we? Really, it will be alright. I am just being fussy, right? Leave it overnight. It will be just fine in the morning. Who says I am not the eternal optimist?

Took another look this morning.

It sucks. Plain and simple. The stitches are wiggly, hate that. The tension...well it isn't. I have to buy different yarn. Love the pattern, love the colours hate the yarn I chose. Hated it the first time I started this vest but thought if I went to a smaller needle the problem would be solved. Not happening.

Crap, I hate being right. ~Susan