sleeve and sock, swimming and sunset

Back from a long weekend - the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, spent at the cottage, getting things ready for winter - docks and boats in, gardens cleaned up, all that stuff.

There was time for some knitting, however - a sleeve of Kauni is done, and a Trekking XXL sock got a fair bit of attention as well.

The weather was spectacular! Seriously, it felt like an August day. So much so, that the boys decided to go swimming. Each day. No joke. Now, they didn't stay in quite as long as they did back in August, but there was swimming - wet heads and all. And the colours! It was the perfect weekend , as the colours really seemed to be at their peak - both during the day: and in the evenings.

We will be back in the winter, just not as often - my Son plays basketball each weekend, so that severely limits our winter weekends spent north. But we will go for New Years, and any other available weekend.

Today, we have our Canadian Federal Election, so after work I have to get to the polls, get to the hospital for my MRI, and get to basketball practice, since it's the parents vs. the kids. Just another day in my life...

quick note...

Tons of work to do, little time to get it done. Funeral this afternoon (a Guild member's husband passed away), and trip to the cottage tonight. We have three days to get the boats and dock out, and clean up the gardens, and the weather is on our side - it's supposed to be glorious!
Stopping by the butcher to pick up the turkey on my way home, and then organizing everything to go north.

I can't wait.

To my fellow Canadians, Happy Thanksgiving. When you're giving thanks, you may want to look at your loved ones and be thankful for them, remembering my friend Joan, facing her first Thanksgiving in over 46 years without her husband Peter. But her kids and grandchildren will do their best, as will her friends. We are knitting her a hug, and I can't think of anything more fitting for her.

these ARE my winter shoes...

I'm known for my flip flops. I admit it, they are my shoe of choice, and I stretch the season as much as possible. I have well over 30 pairs of them, and wear them whenever I can get away with it.

So, when we were leaving the Guild meeting on Tuesday, Susan looked at my shoes, and asked when I was going to break out the winter shoes.

These are my winter shoes! See, they're fleece lined...

Okay, so maybe they won't be so great once there is actual snow on the ground, but for now, they work just fine...

...and a collective GASP! arose from the room...

This is a sweater I knit years ago. It's from the Best of Lopi Book (Sigridur, I believe is the pattern name), and it's made with Lopi yarn. The thick stuff. I do love this sweater, but I don't wear it that often, as it's incredibly warm, and it's a pullover. I tend to wear pullovers indoors, and this is not an indoor sweater. Seriously, if my oven dies this weekend, I'm roasting the turkey in this sweater, that's how warm it is.

But, because of the warmth, and the fact that it is a pullover, it doesn't get a lot of wear. Now, if it were a cardigan, different story. I'm sure I'd wear it more often.

So, I'm going to make it a cardigan. Easy, right? A couple of rows of machine stitches, some sharp scissors, the extra yarn I found for some small front bands, some clasps (I don't think I want buttons), and it's golden.

So last night at our Guild meeting, I had brought the sweater to get the advice of Elizabeth or Tove, both experienced steekers (I've never cut one, myself). So I mention this to the crowd - that I'm going to cut this sweater. The audible GASP! from around the room was the funniest thing I've heard in a while.

But, there will be a delay. I've been convinced by the Guild members to wait until our November meeting and cut this baby open in front of everyone. I said I would try to wait, but now I'm ready to do this. I really want to wear this sweater, and the idea of waiting a month may kill me. (If my overwhelming tiredness doesn't get me first - seriously, I'm wiped.) I don't know what's going on, but I haven't been sleeping well, and added to a ridiculously busy few days, I'm not very coherent these days. I hoping to become invisible at work, so I can just work through a pile of paper on my desk before the long weekend.

all socks, all the time...

The one bonus of knitting multiple socks at once time is the finishing aspect. This weekend saw me spend a little time on socks, and get two full pairs out of the deal. I also cast on three more toes for more mindless knitting for the next little while.

A blurry picture of the Alpaca socks - and no, they do not have elf toes - these are for feet much larger than my own. And the blurriness kind of conveys the softness of these - they are delicious, and if they weren't so big, I'd keep them for myself.

And the Eliza socks - hand dyed by my friend Elizabeth Fallone. True yumminess. And, luckily for my nephew, too big for me, so he will get them for Christmas. Lucky guy.

I've cast on a new sock in Trekking (a gift), and one in Opal (for Me!), and the second sock of a pair of Regia Galaxy for the star gazing family member's Christmas Gift.

I'm in all day meetings for the next two days, and my evenings are packed with business and personal commitments, so you may not hear much from me until Wednesday or Thursday. I've got to talk about my take on the Markham Fair.

you ask, I provide

Someone wanted to see pictures of the results of bead spinning. Happy to oblige. The glass and stone pendants were all purchased (I haven't yet taken up glass blowing as a hobby), but the beaded strands are all my doing. It's amazing the assortment of jewellery findings one can find in stores these days - it really is easy to put things like this together. I'm having a blast doing it, and my son is usually eager to do his part - he strung quite a few of the beads you see here, as well, when I drag him to stores, he's willing to pick out the pendants that he thinks people will like. He chose the glass cross for my Mom, because he knows his Nanny likes going to church. (Yes, she is my biological mother - some traits just don't get passed down...). His Grandma will either get the white and grey one, or we will make a black and red one for her. The blue and green is for his buddy E - she's his "frenemy". Nine years old, and we are already dealing with gender issues. They are best friends, but don't admit it because she's a girl and he's a boy. They're either going to get married or be lifelong friends later in life. The amulet bags are generating interest among family members that have seen them, and they take so little time that's it's easy to give them away. GO ahead - try one. It's a free pattern from the Rainey Sisters blog. I may end up changing out the twisted cords for beaded strands, because, well, I can. Rachel H. has her eye on the green and black one - I was making it at the 1,000 Knitters Shoot at Lettuce Knit and she had a gleam in her eye - now, how to get it to her before next August...

And just to prove that I don't just look for the weird and bizarre when I drive to work:

an October sunrise from Highway 404.

vampire house

It's a little hard to see (rainy morning, moving car), but to the left of the cream coloured insert on this house, you will see that two large windows (1 upstairs, 1 downstairs) have been bricked up.Seriously, who the hell bricks up two large windows in their house? That's got to kill your resale value - have these people not heard of black out curtains? Just another thing on the list of strange things I see on my way to work...

In other words, nothing new on the knitting, beading front. I'll be back when I have better pictures.

great. I'm obsessed again...

Beads. Damn beads. I swear I was a magpie in a former life, because I can't seem to stay away from the sparkly things. And trust me, I don't wear them! I may wear one of my bracelets, but usually the matte stone ones, not the sparkly bead ones. I may wear colour, but again, nothing with sequins on it. I'm probably even giving away the black sequined scarf I wove, because it's a little too sparkly for me.

So why can't I stay away from them? I'm drawn to them like male cottager is drawn to a new boat. (Let's guess what our conversations at home have been revolving around... anyone??)

I've been spinning and stringing beads in all manner of colour combinations, using up the seed beads I've had hanging around. (This is good, right? Using up stuff that has been hanging around? It's not like I've been buying them... much... okay, well, maybe a few, or so... damn - okay, I'm buying them as well).

SO I've been spinning ans stringing, and making the basis of necklaces, and then matching them up with the pendants, and, well, making shiny sparkly things to give away.

a somewhat productive weekend (for some of us...)

I love it when my son's basketball season gets started. His games are Saturday mornings, either 9am or 10am, and while I love the sleeping in thing, getting up and going for a morning event means we are home, dressed and ready well before our usual weekend morning. Which, for me, translates into getting a lot of stuff done. For my husband, it translates into a nap on the couch, but hey, to each his own...

I got stuff done. I got shopping done, picking up odds and ends that always seem to slip through the cracks. I got knitting done, beading done and reading done. We had a friend for dinner of Saturday, and enjoyed an amazing planked salmon, with enough to send her home with some and have some on Sunday in am omelet.

I also got me a new toy: yep, I got a bead spinner - I didn't think I would need this, as I always thought I would tire of the tiny needle bead knitting and such, but no such luck - I'm still continually enthralled by it, so I broke down. Man, does this make life easy! I strung 7 lengths of beads - each about 60cm in length in NO TIME AT ALL! What did I need this for, you may ask? Well, I've been making jewellery (simple stuff) that's not always knitted. This pendant is a series of glass circles - a sterling square link, and the beads, a lobster clasp - and voila! a Christmas gift for someone. I have a lot more pendants (and a large female CHristmas list) that would look great done like this - hence the need for the bead spinner...

I'm still knitting jewellery - the bracelets I make with stone beads continue to be popular. I'm loving this red coral one - so much so, that I may have to get more of these beads and keep one for myself...

All in all, a pretty good weekend - add in a bunch of bike rides (Sunday was stellar - weather wise - Son and I rode all over, in shorts no less, getting a bunch of errands done, and some time spent outside, chatting with friends.

comment comments

For lack of any picture worthy knitting progress, (although the Kauni sleeve is moving along nicely...) I thought I would comment on some of the comments I've received.

Carol said:

If you are still in a cleaning mood, you can come to my house (that gets you away from all the people pissing you off) and clean my house (which will burn off some pent-up energy) and I will give you beer and snacks and stuff.....and then you can show me how to spin (since you will have brought your wheel) and life will be good. For a while anyway....

Two things - the cleaning jag is over - sorry, you're on your own, and I don't spin. I don't have a wheel or a spindle, and I am trying desperately not to get sucked into the spinning black hole. I knit, I sew, I weave. I hope to keep it at that...

Tracy said:

Could you do the simple top down black raglan on your LK150?

That was always the plan - Once I clear off the crap from the top of the machine. I don't use my machine much since I keep if for simple stockinette stuff, and most of the knitting I do is either lace, socks and colourwork. And yes, I know you can knit socks on the machine, but I hate seams in socks (even the Bickford seam is noticeable), and doing socks on the machine defeats the purpose of portable knitting. But a raglan cardi - absolutely. I will make up a swatch, and plug it into my Sweater Wizard software and crank out a pattern. I still plan on hand knitting some sort of edging, however...


Dierdre has commented on the fact that we keep missing one another at shows and such. I know! This is annoying. We both knit (a lot). we both buy wool (a lot). We both are influenced by other blogs and buy looms (the same one!) We live not that far apart! - Deirdre - we HAVE to meet up soon!

state of the knitting

Kauni is motoring along:

The body is done - hem stitches are on a thread, and the sleeves are started. The funny line up the middle is where the steek will be - I made it 13 stitches wide, which is larger than it needs to be, but since it's my first one, I didn't have a problem with a little added insurance. (I know it won't ravel when I cut it. I know that. I just, maybe, well, possibly don't quite believe it...)A close up of the hem - the purl row is the turning row for the faced hem, The blue/green area is the faced hem, which is currently live stitches on a thread, waiting to be sewn down once the steek is cut and the front bands are on. The hem is a simple 2x2 checkerboard of colour. I started with a 3x3 checkerboard, but the proportions didn't look right, and I think the 2x2 works well

Socks are motoring along:
(oops! there should be a picture here of 2 pairs of socks - both in the final lap - each needs about 2 inches of leg to finish on the second sock) Alpaca sock for my father in law, and Eliza hand-dyed for my nephew, or husband.

Beads are being strung and knit up:

(another oops! I forgot to take a picture of some vibrant red coral stones ready to become a bracelet, along with some crystal seed beads and some other seed beads waiting to become amulet bags and chokers.

Yes, that can only mean that we are in the throes of Christmas knitting! (Except for Kauni. She's all mine. No one is wheedling her from me, unless it looks like crap on once finished. And even then, I'd probably hang it on the wall rather than give it away...)

ETA - it fits, and I don't think it looks like crap. I can't wait to wear this with a black top and pants, or jeans and a t-shirt, or well, just about anything. I truly love it.

random stuff

Okay, I hope there won't be a rant here - I can't promise, but I can try. I don't really think I have much to say, but we'll see...

I took my son to the dentist yesterday - lucky kid that he is, has inherited my family dental traits. Soft teeth, thin enamel. So we go to a pediatric dental specialist. Can I say something? I LOVE HER! Her whole team is fantastic! They calm the kids down, and in our case, let my son listen to his MP3 player while in the chair - kept him calm and reasonably happy. The only issue? Kid's programming on the TV in the waiting room. But my knitting took care of that - I was happy.

The boy also had his first basketball practice with the new team last night. It looks like a good one, and I like the coach, so we're looking forward to a fun season.

Kauni - I meant to have a picture here. I've finished the body, and will put the bottom live stitches on a thread tonight before starting the sleeves. I decided on a folded hem, rather than ribbing, and did the hem in a 2x2 colour block. What I can't understand about fair isle knitting is this? Why did it seem to take longer to knit the hem facing (straight stockinette stitch, no colour changes), than the entire sweater? (Okay, slight exaggeration). But really, 2 colour fair isle knitting just seems to grow at an exponential rate compared to regular knitting. Strange.

Socks - very close to finishing the alpaca socks, as well as the dyed by Eliza socks. I will need to get some more on the needles, and Christmas knitting is starting to go into overdrive. But the next sock yarn I want to use, I don't want to give away. Helga gave it to me, and I'm keeping it for ME! Which means, I can't knit with it next if I want to knit gifts.

I need to figure out who is on my Christmas list, and what I want to give them, soon. I know it's only September, but I'd like to have the "potential gift" box at least started.

I need to find my camera - I thought I knew where it was, but I was wrong. Now I think I REALLY know where it is, ans will look tonight.

For someone who says she doesn't watch a lot of reality shows, I'm ridiculously addicted to Dancing with the Stars, Survivor and the Amazing Race. All of which are starting this week.

At least I don't watch reality dating shows, or celebrity family shows. (Although, I will admit to watching Gene Simmons Family Jewels at times.)

Criminal Minds starts tonight - I love that show, although a touch less now that Mandy Patinkin is gone.

I'm secretly hoping that I need knee surgery that will lay me up for a while, so I can watch some shows on DVD that I have never seen (I'm thinking Lost and Heroes)

We've had a shuffle at work - my boss (great guy) has left - family issues, and he's relocating to Vancouver to rebuild his marriage. While I applaud his reasons, I wish he hadn't left - I liked working for him. My new boss is good too, but there will be a learning curve as we adjust to the other changes here. My job is safe for the foreseeable future, so on a selfish note, I'm happy.

For someone who didn't have a lot to say, I've actually said a fair bit. Maybe next I will get some pictures up.

I should get frustrated more often...

There are things going on in my life right now. Mostly small stuff, from both sides of the family and from work, but enough of them that put together adds up to a serious level of frustration. I worked through it this weekend by scrubbing my bathrooms, cleaning my oven, raking leaves, going for bike rides, and baking cupcakes for work. I have also just about finished the body of Kauni (just finishing up the bottom band), and made serious progress on some socks and some jewellery.

If things continue to annoy me, I may actually get my house organized.

And, you may not hear from me for a bit. I may either have nothing to say, or I am awaiting bail after killing some family members. Yeah, life's like that.

arrr..... the power of a popular guest...

Every now and then I check my blog stats. Any guesses what happened back in August? I guess I need to be more interesting or knit more to keep those that pop over for a look-see.


Then again, I'd hate to have to read hundreds of comments each day, so I guess it's a good thing I'm kind of boring.

And yes, it is Talk like a Pirate Day - spread the worrrddddd....

planning

Sel et Poivre made a good point recently - cleaning out the summer knitting detritus and organizing for fall - the real New Year in Knitters' minds. Wool feels right at this time of year.

I have plans - oh so many plans!

I want to finish my Kauni, NOW! I've got about 2 more inches of body, then sleeves, then the banding. I'm hoping for a Christmas debut.

I want a simple black top down raglan cardigan.

I want another cardi - in my blue and brown Silky Wool. I've got a book - Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard which is all about top down sweaters - and there are some stunners in there.

I want my ordered copy of Stephanie's new Book, which should have come with the new Mason Dixon book, and I want it NOW! (The Mason Dixon book is pretty awesome, as well).

I want to get my Christmas knitting organized - who should be getting what - to see what I still have left to make. (I'm hoping for lots of beaded projects - they make me happy to knit, and they're small and quick.)

And, I want to thank those of you who commented on "priorities". Having kids is a choice, and one we thought long and hard about (I was in my late 30's when we took the plunge). It's not for everyone, and I applaud those that make the conscious decision not to. Peer and/or family pressure are the absolute worst reasons for having a child, and in this day and age, with all the options available, "accidental" children should be few and far between. We still get heat for only having one, as if it was the choice we made. We would have loved another, but it didn't happen, and at this stage, it won't happen. We're happy with how things are, and if my lifestyle doesn't suit you, no problem. It's MY lifestyle. I try not to push my opinions on others, and I expect the same in return. I need not, nor do I want, judgements on what I do, and how I raise my child, or how I live my life.

I told my friend that in so many words over lunch. Once she stopped trying to fit my life into her definition of what she thought it should be, lunch became much more pleasant.

She's still trying to get me to use her (massively expensive!!) hairdresser. Not going to happen - I hate it when my stylist has clothes that cost more than my car...

priorities

So what does everyone think I started doing? Knitting? Weaving? Something new from the Knitter's Fair haul? Stash Yarn? Existing projects?

Can I even bear to look at wool, considering how much is in my house, and how much I added?

Anyone? Bueller?

I'll take pictures tonight, promise...

In the meantime, life continues on. My son starts basketball practice this week, the next level of swimming starts up, his additional school programme that we decided on with him also starts this week, so he'll be riding a school bus to school for the first time, and we had to get that all organized.

I had lunch with a friend of mine the other day. She's married, and they don't have kids (her husband is WAYYYYY too selfish to ever have kids.) I was explaining all this when she asked what was going on. She sat back and said "Why do you do all this? You're overdue for a haircut, you never get your nails done. When was the last time you were at the spa? You spend too much time on your kid, and not enough on yourself". Now I'm starting to think that both of them are too selfish to ever have kids, and thankfully they came to that decision before they had one. It's all about priorities. Personally, I can't do the spa more than once a year - bores me. I know I need a haircut. It has to be on a Saturday, because there is not enough time during the week. Hubby is lucky if he arrives home before 7:30pm or so. But lately, Saturdays have been busy - either the cottage, the Knitter's Fair, or other events have conspired to keep me from the salon. So should I have bagged the Knitter's Fair for a hair cut? No, that's not my priority. And when we chose to have a child, we chose to put his interests in the forefront, for the most part. I think most parents do this. I can't be the only one whose non-parent friends get all out of sorts when things get cancelled or moved around to allow for kid activities.

It's all about the lifestyle choice. It's not like my family situation was thrust upon me without notice. I knew when I married this guy, that he worked late, pretty much all the time. He owns the business, so it's an investment in the future. I have adapted to that, and before our son was born, ate dinner late with him. Now? Not so much. I make dinner, eat, and get on with the evening's activities - whether inside or outside the home. Hubby gets a plate left for him, and he eats when he gets home. Ideal? Not by a long shot. But it's what works for us, right now. Even his parents seem a little shocked. His dad called the other night around 7:30pm.When I mentioned that he wasn't home, his Dad was all, "But it's 7:30! What are you doing about dinner?" I just laughed and said "Your life. My life. Two different things."

And, an aside - I never call my husband "Hubby" and I'm pretty sure I don't even like the term. I need to give him a psuedonym here, as I don't use his real name. I should come up with one for my son as well, I guess. Today is probably not a good day to come up with one, as they both pissed me off this morning, and dumping "shithead" on the husband and "lazyass child" on the kid isn't good. Maybe I'll wait until I think better of them...

4.19 am

I don't care who you are, when your phone rings at 4.19am, it's never a good thing. That was our Sunday morning wake up. It was the alarm company, notifying Husband of an alarm at his office. Now, we have the office alarm because 6 months ago, someone broke in and ripped off all his computers and other equipment. Not looking for a repeat performance, Husband took off to the office to see what was going on. Of course, going back to sleep was not an option for me - my adrenaline was pumping a bit. So I got up, made some coffee and waited. Husband returned by just before 6am, and luckily, it was a false alarm. But still. So, back to bed to try and grab a couple more hours before my son woke up. I'm loving the fact that he is growing up - it was close to 9am before he woke up!

This was all the day after the Kitchener Knitters Fair, so my weekend was definitely a roller coaster ride! The high of Kitchener, the low of the knee pain I endured after all that walking around, the high of looking at the great yarn I bought, the low of the 4.19am phone call, the high of the false alarm, the low of the rest day, functioning on a broken sleep.

Speaking of Kitchener, what a great way to spend a rainy Saturday. Our bus left around 8am, and we arrived at the Fair just after 10am. I met Lucky, who had arrived earlier. We shopped, talked, ate our picnic lunch, shopped some more, talked some more. Lucky left, and I shopped some more and well, more. We left around 4pm, well shopped out, and the bus ride back was a whirlwind of Show and Tell. Seeing who bought what, and where they bought it, and why didn't I buy some when I saw it...

But I did buy.

Headwater Wools - great value. 2 sweater's worth - the green possibly for Manon, the black - a simple top down raglan cardigan. Beige Australian Merino - I missed this until the very end - 10 ball bag - $4.69 a ball. Okay, but then there was a 50% discount! So, even better! I have to thank Linda for finding this - she got a bag of red!

Dye-Version's Silver yarn. Slated for a scarf for my Mom. This had a little sparkle in in from the STERLING SILVER plied into it! Too cool! Bamboo sock yarn from Mary Maxim. Mary Maxim! The home of acrylic yarn and picture sweaters! They've changed a bit... Elsbeth Lavold Silky wool - 6 hanks in a heathery blue - a little short for a sweater, but I have 4 hanks of a beautiful brown in Silky wool that will coordinate perfectly for another cardigan. 5 balls of Fibernatura Oak - a merino, linen, and silk blend - 40% off at the Purple Purl. Not sure what this will become, but I'm looking forward to using it. And my favourite - a skein of Tilli Tomas green silk with beads, and a skein of Tilli Tomas green silk/seacell blend. This will become a woven scarf - similar to the black one I wove with the sequined Tilli Tomas I bought at the Knitters Frolic in April.

I also bought some DPN tubes, but then I cut the groove into them to make them into sock in progress holders. This bag of 4 holders cost $6, the bag of 2 sock in progress holders was $9.50! 5 minutes with an exacto knife and I ended up with double the quantity for almost 2/3 the price.

I almost bought another needle felting kit, but wisely decided against it. I have not even touched the two kits I presently own!

I did spend a little of other people's money - I pretty much forced Linda to buy some fabulouse stuff at Yarns Plus - that grey/purple blend will be stunning! SPending other people's money is almost as fun as spending my own...

I did miss meeting some people I wanted to meet - Dierdre, where were you? And there were some others. I think having it in two rooms made it more diffiuclt to run into people, but it did make getting around a lot easier - the aisles were not nearly as crowded. All in all - a success. I can't wait until next year!

argh!

I have to make a phone call this morning. I need an MRI on my knee, and the hospital called yesterday to tell me it's been booked. My doctor wants this done quickly, so they booked it for Sunday, October 12 at 8:15am. Great. Thanksgiving weekend. I don't think so. We get the cottage ready for winter on that weekend - there's a fair bit of work that I need to do. So now I have to call and see if I can rearrange this, and not have to wait until February for the next appointment.

What do you think my chances are?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Crap.

***E.T.A.***
well, what do you know? Calling early in the morning has it's benefits - they had a cancellation last night, so I got my appointment moved to Tuesday the 14th at 5:00pm! Soooo much better! Guess I'd better order the turkey from the butcher...

ow, ow, OW!

If you're at all squeamish look away now. Actually, to make it more palatable, I've done the diagram thing rather than a real life picture. My son came running up to greet me the other day - he had running shoes on - me, my ever-present flip flops. His shoe caught the top of my big toe nail. And snapped it back. The black part shown below is the part that has detached itself around the edges. It's like a floating piece of nail. (the orangey colour is the chrome copper nail polish I will live with for a while - no nail polish remover is getting near this toe!)Yeah, there was some pain at the time. Still is at times. My son felt horrible at the time, now he thinks it's funny when I walk funny.

The problem I'm running into is the weather - I have the toe bandaged to protect it somewhat, but closed toe shoes are not an option at the moment. Now, I would live in flip flops, given the choice, but the cooler mornings are starting, and my work clothes are getting a little less casual as the weather changes, so I'm going to have to get creative. I'm hoping for a serious bout of Indian Summer so I can stretch the sandal wearing a little longer...

COuntdown to Kitchener

Ah, September - kids back at school, chill in the morning air, and the Kitchener Knitters Fair! Right up there with the Knitter's Frolic in April.

Plans are being made - Lucky and I meet up and shop and lunch until she either leaves, or my bus leaves. We of the York Region Knitting Guild band together with the Barrie Guild and get a bus to take us there. No driving means more knitting time. There are also draw prizes - I know I have about 10 prizes to donate! Lucky is even donating a couple of prizes to the cause.

Wish lists are being formulated. I'm after a couple of sweaters' worth of yarn - enough worsted weight for Manon - colour to be determined, and some black wool for a go-everywhere cardigan. I know there will be Kauni there, but I think I'm well stocked on that, unless of course I fall hard for the black/cream/grey colourway...

There may also be some bead kits purchased. One can never have too many sparkly things to knit, can one?

knitting and sewing, and a pretty good Canadian!

A strange weekend - It doesn't feel like I did anything, but sitting down on Sunday night and looking back, it seems like I did:

This is the blanket strip - the "knitted hug" so to speak. It's a lovely brown, Cara Mia by Needful yarns - a 100% merino, soft and squooshy, and perfect for this. I'm almost done - probably another 40cm or so. It's a "Joan" colour - autumny and rich. I hope she likes it.

I also did some sewing, in anticipation of Christmas. My husband likes short pajamas - not t-shirts, not knitted. Shorts, short sleeve buttoned top - no collar, no lapel, woven cotton blend. Yeah, try finding those. Not easy I tell ya! Every year when I'm in Florida, I look, and most years I'm lucky to find 1 pair. This year, I decided to take the bull by the horns and make him some. This way, I choose the fabric (100% cotton - no blends), and I have a few presents ready to go. I just need to get some buttons and we're done with these.

You may notice that piece of newspaper lying there. Last night, the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.) ran a show called Test the Nation - it was a quiz about Canada. They had teams in studio, and had the country playing along on line or by themselves. We decided against the online version, since the computer and TV aren't in the same vicinity, but I have to say, I'm a proud Canadian! 40 out of 50 - well above the national average! (I can't believe I thought a young Mike Myers was a young Rick Moranis, but whatever...) The show itself was a bit lame - they were trying too hard to be funny, but still - a good primer on Canada and Canadiana. The in studio team that won? A team of Americans living in Canada! Who Knew?

And, we're in Kitchener Knitter's Fair countdown - this Saturday a busload of knitters from the Barrie and York Guilds will descend upon Bingemans in Kitchener, and buy up hordes of yarn none of us need. I'm meeting Lucky there, and we'll have our traditional picnic lunch. I'll be carrying my yellow "I KNIT" messenger bag, so if you see me, say hi. Or not. I won't be offended. Who wants to bet I find Stephanie and Rachel H in the bead booth again...

knitting to help...

My latest project is one I am so pleased to be able to knit, yet one I wish I didn't have to. A friend, and fellow Guild member Joan, has recently told us that her husband is terminally ill. Not something you ever want to hear. They are in the process of moving from Barrie to Richmond Hill - he wants to be closer to the hospital where he is receiving treatment, and most importantly to him, he wants Joan to be closer to their kids - son in Richmond Hill, daughter in Aurora. There's so much we all want to do to help, but we don't want to overwhelm. Once they're moved, I'll make some dinners that can be frozen and reheated easily and bring them by. But in the meantime, we're knitting a hug. Each of the Guild members is knitting a strip and Jo-Anne has offered to sew them together to make a blanket. Each strip is to be the knitter's wingspan - a hugs length, so to speak. It's kind of silent way to show them we are thinking of them. I wish I could do more, but to be honest, I wish there wasn't even a need for this. Joan doesn't have a computer, so I know I'm not spoiling the surprise for her.

the post about why I don't need to post...

There really isn't anything to talk about. I'm knitting - Kauni sweater, some beads, some socks - nothing that looks any different from how it looked before. The Kauni is halfway back on the needles, but a new project, one knit with love and caring is taking precedence. But other than that - this is a knitting blog with no knitting to really show. And the rest of my life is not all that interesting. So I really shouldn't even be posting. Hence the post to explain why I shouldn't be posting.

back to school, and decisions, decisions...

My son went back to school - grade 4. This is the first year that the teacher did not meet the class in the courtyard - once in grade 4, they are considered "junior" grades, not "primary", and are expected to find their own way to the classroom. So we all hung out in the courtyard, then the kids all congregated, while we parents chatted - the bell rang, and they were off. I barely got a backwards wave, let alone anything else.

Of course, this was after we spent a glorious long (but really too short) weekend at the cottage. It was the weather we had been waiting for all summer. Hot, sunny - everything you want when you are sitting by a lake, watching kids swim and play. The horseshoe tournament was played, the new deck at a friend's cottage was admired, drinks were drunk, food was eaten, everything we wanted to do was done. We just couldn't warp the time-space continuum to stretch the weekend out any further.

The drive home was humourous - my SIL and older nephew left on Sunday - he's starting high school, and wanted a day with friends to "map out" how they were going to do this. What hat to wear, how the shoes were tied, is the shirt tucked in or out? The minor details that define the cool from the nerd. Unfortunately, he's going into grade nine - he has no chance at being cool for a while. But still, that extra day was needed. To make a long story less tedious, that left my BIL and other nephew to come home with us, and get his car (conveniently left at our house) to go home. So that's five people in a Pathfinder. No problem, there's an extra row of seats - it says it sits up to 8 people. Well, yeah, if you have no luggage, no cottage laundry, and want to share the back seat with two nine year olds! So it was left to me to be squished (literally) into the third row - sitting sideways, since I could not fold my legs into the space provided. One would think this a horrible fate for a 2.5 hour drive. But then it dawns - I have the width of the car to myself, with all the pillows, my Ipod, my knitting and an excuse to ignore the 4 males I'm sharing the car with. Can we say prime knitting time?? I'm almost ready to end to Kauni body, and start in on sleeves! I guess I should determine what kind of edging I want to do...

(thanks to Helga for taking the pictures). We had discussions about the edging, and I think between Tove, Helga and myself, we have possibly decided on a 3x3 checkerboard folded over hem. I think. I still want to do another couple of pattern repeats - I want this cardigan to just hit the hips, and it's just past the waist right now. Once I get the length I want, I will probably put it back on a thread, do the sleeves, and decide the edging then.

the end...

...of summer. Or, if you look at the weather forecast, possibly the beginning. It's the nicest 3-day stretch of weather (sunny, warm) that we've had all weekend. As usual, we are headed north to the cottage tonight, to try and squeeze what we can out of the summer. Tuesday, I'm back to packing school lunches, checking homework, organizing after school activities and everything else that comes with it. Luckily, my son loves school and is looking forward to it. They've posted the class lists, and he's in a grade 4/5 split class which will be something new for us - he's never been in a split before. I'm happy that if he is in a split, at least it's a 4/5 and not a 3/4 - this way, he's exposed to some grade 5 work.

There have been some other signs of fall showing up:

22 litres of garlic dill pickles - Son and I made these last weekend, and he's a little peeved we have to wait a couple of months for them to be really ready - he wants to eat them NOW!

There are also plans to do something with the masses of basil and rosemary that have taken over my herb garden - I'm thinking herb jellies, and if I get really ambitious, I'll wait until the apples are ready and make it with fresh apples. Personally, I don't eat this jelly myself, but my Mom and my In-Laws love the stuff, as do some friends. I will use it in a marinade or something, but other than that - I'd rather make it than eat it.

I don't know what it is about this time of year - I feel the need to stock up on home made stuff. I like to bake bread on the weekends, and all that stuff that I don't really have time for, but I make the time. It's like the knitting - I start with the woollier stuff (although I have been working on the Kauni through most of August already). I start planning out any Christmas knitting that needs to be done. Other than the fact that I love my creature comforts too much (nothing like knitting in front of a big plasma TV, and indoor plumbing is a necessity), I would have made a good pioneer.

done!

One authentic Icelandic shawl. Authentic pattern (thankfully translated from the original Icelandic to English). Authentic yarn, direct from Iceland.

Like any unblocked lace, it looks like crap. But man! add a little water, some Eucalan, some time (about 30 minutes soak time), and a whole lotta pins, a couple of sore knees*, and magic.I love what blocking lace does.

Pattern - Hyrna Herborgar from Three Cornered and Long Shawls - original book in Icelandic, English translation provided.

3 balls of Istex Icelandic laceweight in the natural colour. The shawl calls for two balls and it can be done with two, if you stick to the required needle size, but no, I had to be difficult and go up 1mm in size, which caused me to run out of the second ball with three rows and the crochet cast off left to do. You've already heard the story of how Tove got me the extra ball, and voila! a shawl, with all the softness of a dish scrubbie. Seriously, there is not enough soaking time in the world that will soften this stuff. There's no way this can be worn against bare skin - this is for over a turtleneck in the winter! But I love it. While it was blocking, I would sit there and look at it, amazed as always that the combination of knits of purls and some yarn overs can make something so beautiful. I think I'd do this pattern again, in a softer yarn.

*sore knees indeed! I had knee surgery abut 14 years ago, and at that time was told that I would need more work done in about 5 years time. I stretched that out and gained an extra 9 years, but it's catching up to me. I'm schedule for an MRI, and will probably get that in about 2 months, them off to the ortho cutter. A new one, because my old one retired, and I don't want to go down to Mississauga again, when I can get it done close to home. Fingers are crossed that they can do it arthroscopically again, but it sounds more like there's some cutting involved. Let's hope not.

I love August in Aurora

Last night, the York Region Knitting Guild hosted another successful night with Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee. Stephanie and Rachel H arrived around 5:30, and we enjoyed a massively delicious dinner - Susan, the butter tarts were to die for, Helga, I need to get that wild rice salad recipe, and everything else was just outstanding. But the food paled in comparison to the company. Knitters sitting around a table, telling stories, knitting, comparing patterns and yarns, asking about colourways. It just doesn't get any better. Unless of course you ask my son - he arrived home, saw "The Knitters" in the kitchen, and beelined for the living room, counting down the minutes until husband arrived to whisk him away for a guys night out. I called and gave them the all clear once we were on our way to Needles and Knits, and I'm sure they happily reclaimed our house!
Once at the shop, Stephanie talked. It's a different dynamic talking to 40 people than it is talking to 400. Steph would read an excerpt from her book, and then the discussion started - comments came from all parts of the room, and it was great. I love that kind of back and forth action, and I hope all that attended felt the same way. After talking, we headed down to the store for a little stash enhancement, and more chatting.
Back to my place for coffee and surprisingly enough, more talking, then Rachel and Stephanie headed back to Toronto, and I headed to bed.
I could go into details about what was talked about, and people's input and feelings, but really, this is something you need to experience. Join a Guild. Go to a Knit Night. Find our people, and knit with them. There's nothing like hearing people express what you have always felt, or perhaps given you something new to think about, or as was for most of last night, having a ton of laughs.
Stephanie, Rachel - thanks for coming. The welcome mat will be out again next year.

Oh, and Steph's Manon sweater? Even more freakingly beautiful in real life. Seriously, I have to knit this sweater...

happy dance time!

It came! It came! The long awaited extra skein of Laceweight Icelandic wool! Woo Hoo! (even the bag it arrived in is cool (and has contact information - excellent!)
So many thanks go to Tove and her daughter. Her daughter, who lives in Norway, got married here in Canada a few weeks ago. In the midst of Tove sewing the stunning wedding dress, and Elizabeth knitting the most gorgeous veil, and Tove organizing everything involved in hosting a wedding with multitudes of guests from overseas, she thought to ask one of the guests who was coming from Iceland to bring me a skein of the yarn I needed. Not only this, but her daughter actually called the guest to remind him of this favour! Words cannot express the thanks I have for people I have never met, nor will I probably ever meet. Tove of course, blew it off like it was nothing, but it was so totally SOMETHING! I am blessed to have not only a LYS owner who would do this, but a friend. I am verklempt.


Now, to find the pattern, figure out where I left off, and FINISH IT!

if it's August, and Aurora...

...that means Stephanie is coming! The York Region Knitting Guild once again welcomes The Yarn Harlot to Needles and Knits in Aurora this week.
While we are keeping this somewhat small (Guild members and their guests), you still have time to join the Guild and come hear Stephanie speak. If anyone is interested, email me at curlerchik (at) yahoo (dot) ca and I'll give you the details.
Do we have any guesses on the weather? We've had extreme heat and the coldest day in August. Personally, I'm hoping for that perfect "sit outside and enjoy" kind of weather. It's dinner at my place first, so I'd like to use the deck - we haven't yet sat outside in two years. LuckyCanuck is bringing her butter tarts (I'll have to save a couple for my husband - he's disappearing for the evening with our son), I'll make the veggie quesadillas again, and there will be other gastronomic delights.
I always enjoy this night - good food and friends, being amongst our "own" and general merriment.I look forward to seeing Stephanie and Rachel H again, and hearing Stephanie talk - she always generates a lot of laughs, and there's nothing better to knit to that good conversations with friends.

Helga, if you're reading this - read your email - you're invited to dinner, and I haven't heard from you!

the demise of a blog...

Yes, it's true. Lucky Canuck has given up blogging. She would have given it up months ago, but I wouldn't let her. She caught me on a weak day, and when she asked again if she could axe it, I acquiesced.

RIP Lucky.

She can be reached through my comments, which I believe she read more often than her own...

I'm such an idiot v2.1

I took the Kauni sweater off the needles to try it on, and take a picture. When you take a sweater off the needles, you should toss the needle in the bag, right? Close by so that it's easy to put the sweater BACK on the needles, right? Yeah, hence the idiot tag I've given myself. I spent the better part of the day yesterday (when I was working at home) looking all over for this freaking needle. "Wait" you say - "Curlerchik, you have plenty of needles. Just grab another one." Yeah that would work if I had written down what needle size I was using. I know, I know, basic information. But I didn't do it. I knew it was around 4.0mm, but I couldn't remember if it was a 4.0mm or a 4.5mm. So I kept looking. EVERY. WHERE. There's only so many places it could be. In the kitchen/family room, where I usually knit it, and where I took the stitches off. Nope. Up in the bedroom, where I tried it on. Nope. Any and everywhere in between those two places. Nope. I finally gave up, and figured I'd try a 4.0mm, but it seems I have tons of metal ones, and no bamboo ones. Nor do I have any bamboo 4.5mm that are long enough. At this point, the Kauni went into time out, and I went out to the garden to check out my son's crops. The corn is doing amazingly well, and we pulled the first carrot (very tasty). Walking back to the house, I went around the front, to see my Rose of Sharon plant. It's right beside the patch of goutweed where I took the picture of the Kauni. You know what's coming, don't you? Yep, there it was, lying on the ground, no worse for wear after the major rainstorm it endured.

Remember your mother saying things like "You'd forget your head, if it wasn't screwed on!" I'm starting to believe her...

Oh, and the needle size? 4.25mm. I would have been so screwed...

continually pleased

Back from another weekend at the cottage, and it was marvellous - Had a wonderful dinner with friends, the sun shone for the majority of the time, we swam, we relaxed, I knit, we had a great time.

Socks were ignored - the Kauni continues to enchant. I took it off the needles onto a thread to check the fit - I'm kind of designing this on the fly, so fitting often is necessary. So far, so good - the sleeve split seems to be at the right spot, the width seems good (this can always be adjusted by the width of the front bands once I get to them. The thing that surprises me - this will be my first steeked garment. In all my years of knitting, I've never cut a steek, not even a practice one. I know I should be freaking out about this, but I'm not. Of course, I'm also about 14 inches away from actually having to cut the steek, so I'll get back to you on the freak out factor. I got quite a bit knit on this this weekend, more than I usually would for one very good reason. My MP3 player, and my Sister-In-Law, Niece and Nephew.
My husband's sister and her kids were at the cottage this weekend. Normally, it's his brother's family that we share the place with, but this weekend his sister made her annual jaunt. Let's just say it's a totally different dynamic when they are there. Her son is a year older than ours, but whereas my son and his other cousin are two peas in a pod, these two? not so much. My kid would rather swim and be outside, while this nephew just wants to play video games. All day. All night. Now, I don't mind the games. Hell, I used to work for Sega, so I have nothing against video games. At the right time. In the morning, before everyone is awake - fine. Middle of the day at the cottage when the sun is shining and the lake is calling? wrong time. And the bedtime thing! They don't seem to have one. Usually, the kids are in bed by 10pm - the adults get a little time without them. Midnight, and her kids are still up and talking (non- stop. Seriously, the two of them NEVER. SHUT. UP.) Then they sleep till 11am, and wonder where everyone is when they roll out of bed. (Answer? by the lake, playing outside.) Totally different dynamic. Even my husband (whose sister it is), says he doesn't want to do that again... So I sat by the lake, MP3 player going, ear buds firmly in place, the 14 year old niece's constant questions about the 14 year old hottie next door (who COMPLETELY ignored her...) blocked out, and knit about 4 inches on the body. I did answer some of my niece's questions - will I make her a sweater just like this? No. Will I make her a beaded necklace like the one I gave our neighbour for her birthday? No. (actually, I will, but for Christmas, when she isn't begging for it.) I told her I would teach her to knit, so she can make her own sweaters, and got this in return: "Why? you already knit, and my parents are rich enough to buy me what I want."

Family. Can't live with 'em, can't kill them and get away with it.

I'm such an idiot, v2.0

I reformatted the memory card in my camera. Yes, that means I lost all the pictures that were stored there. Thankfully, not a ton, but all the pictures of the kids taken at the cottage on our holidays. This year's picture of my husband and son - every August since the boy was a baby, I have the two of them sit on a rock out in front of our cottage - it's fun to see the growth over the years. I can recreate this one this weekend, but my son and his cousin kayaking... swimming... generally being the best friends that they are... gone.

Crap.

On a good note, I have split the sleeves off on the Kauni cardigan, and I have to say how much I love this sweater. I really hope it looks good once I finish, becasue I'm going to wear it regardless. I hope to get more done on it this weekend at the cottage, so will take pictures after. If I don't royally srew up my camera again...

boring.

yep, that's my life this week - boring. Going to work, trying to clean up the stuff that sat around on my desk for a week while I was away. Coming home, trying to clean up the stuff that sat around my house for a week while I was away. At least at work, there were people to take up some of the slack. At home? not so much. Looks like I need to get into a re-training program with Husband and Son to reteach them that if they want things done, they have to start doing it themselves.
I apologize to any male readers I may have, but I truly think that there's some sort of genetic defect in males that makes them unable to understand what "equal division of labour at home" is. Seriously, how many times can a man walk past a dishwasher full of clean dishes, and instead of emptying it, simply puts his dish on top of the counter? All this while I am trying to make dinner, find some needed artifact that my son needed for camp the next day, and talk to my Mom on the phone. Welcome to Tuesday night in the Curlerchik household. (yes, he finally emptied the dishwasher - I can drop enough hints that eventually one seeps into the brain - actually I think I point blank TOLD him to empty it).
I've tried to sneak in some knitting - the second Alpaca sock is coming along nicely, and the Kauni continues to enchant me. I think we are headed back north this weekend - a good friend's birthday will be celebrated, and the weather looks to be adequate. That should mean some more good knitting time. I haven't re-warped the loom, so no weaving will be accomplished, but that will come soon enough. So tonight will be more of the same, with some laundry thrown into the mix, as well as gathering what we need in order to leave for the cottage tomorrow.

atonement

Okay, so I felt sorry for the Alpaca socks, and I knit on the second one last night exclusively. Poor Kauni sweater sat in it's bag, watching me. I could almost imagine it thinking "what did I do wrong? we were so close for the past week, and now she throws me over for that hussy sock!"
But lunch time knitting and soccer game knitting is really not the place for colourwork, so the sock made an appearance. I made pretty good progress, and it reminded me just how lovely this yarn is. I should finish these soon... (famous last words...)

This past week at the cottage wasn't all about the Kauni, however. I finished the revamped Disco lights silk-sequin-bamboo woven scarf: (Excuse the hanging thread there - I still have to weave in the ends). After ripping out the original incarnation (remarkably easy to do), I rewarped the loom, brought it north, and wove this while watching the final two nights of So You Think You Can Dance?. The boys in my life took off to the dock for fishing while I did this, so I had uninterrupted weaving time, and this was the result. About 10 inches wide, and almost 5 feet long. I love it. It shows off the Disco Lights yarn very nicely, and will be a nice addition to the wardrobe for fall. The sequins are subtle enough that it doesn't have to be kept for "special occasions". You know, since I go to so many galas, functions and such that require a "special occasion wardrobe". Yeah, right.

coulda, shoulda, woulda...

Back from the cottage, and I wish I wasn't. I hate having to wear shoes again...

I could have finished the Alpaca socks, as well as the other pair of socks I had on the go. I should have finished them - they are perfect for dock knitting. I would have finished them if I hadn't been distracted. I am utterly entranced by this Kauni yarn. Utterly. Entranced. It sucks you in and holds on, making you forsake all else.

I ordered the extra yarn I felt I needed from the Needle Emporium on the Wednesday before we went on holidays, and it was sitting on my doorstep two days later, before we left. That's some good customer service. It was my first time ordering, and it won't be my last. Julie even sent me followup e-mails confirming everything and ensuring that it was shipping. While I was ordering the rainbow colourway, I may have also ordered enough of the green colourway for another sweater. Yes, I'm weak. I want to use the damask pattern or Celtic knot pattern that I've charted, so the green will be for that, in probably a pullover. The rainbow one above is a cardigan, top down, raglan shaping - a pattern I'm sort of cobbling together myself. I took a basic top down raglan, but since it was for worsted weight, and the Kauni is thinner, I had to do the math on the numbers. I did a provisional e-wrap cast on at the top so I can pick up the stitches and do some sort of neck edging (I haven't thought that far ahead yet). I'm almost at the break for the sleeves - this pattern is just flowing beautifully. I don't even have to look at the chart I made anymore, and a top down raglan is great for sizing on the go.

There was some weaving done as well - the re sized sequined silk and bamboo scarf is done, but I forgot to download that picture, so you'll have to wait. Now I'm off to rediscover my house and job and life. Groceries, soccer games and laundry. The fun never stops...

heading north...

... for a week. Husband's brother and family will be there for the long weekend, and then they leave on Monday, leaving behind their 9 year old son. The two boys (ours and theirs) are cousins and best friends and so easy to look after. They spend the majority of the day in and around the water, so I end up doing the same. Great for reading, knitting or whatever.

It's a much needed week at the cottage, and I can't wait! We've planned some great meals, and a few jobs need doing, so hubby is happy (He's not one for sitting for too long). He's rebuilding a small deck, and doing some minor plumbing repairs. I plan on deep cleaning and lightly refinishing the dining table - it's getting sticky, and I hate that feeling. I was planning on recovering the chair seats - they are currently black vinyl, and you leave half your thigh skin behind when you get up too quickly in hot weather. However, I checked with my MIL, since it is their cottage. Turns out she likes the black vinyl (??) so I won't be changing it. It's still their place, after all.

I'm bringing some sock knitting (good for dock knitting), the lace shawl, and maybe the Kauni sweater to work out the math. The loom is also making the trip, with soem alpaca sock weight, and maybe some sea silk and tencel.

The library has been visited, and there is a stack of books awaiting their turn.

Ah, summertime...