canKNITian

Twist

2009-08-16T09:54:00.002-03:00

I love twist collective. Sometimes I love it for the photos, other times I love it for the articles. There's a new issue out today and my only regret is that I can't stay home all day to savour every kb of this beautiful magazine.

Whether you're a knitter or not, I think you'll enjoy The Tale of the Green Sweater by Joan Morhard Smith. Both Smith and Jared Flood, who lovingly photographed IT for the article, are EZ devotees in different ways. Their shared love of her makes the article even more meaningful in my mind.

For the uninitiated, Elizabeth Zimmerman is a goddess in the modern knitting world. She was fearless, innovative and charming. Decades ago she wrote about knitting in a way that changed everything. If you've just seen Julie and Julia, think of EZ as the knitting world's Julia Child. Even now, years after her death, EZ continues to do so much more than just teach us to knit.

25 Things

2009-02-07T23:28:00.009-04:00

The "25 Things" meme has taken on a life of its own. Facebook is lit up with versions of the meme recounting everything from childhood dreams to what people had for breakfast. People are answering, writing about it...it's quite a thing! I'm goin to take another crack at it here to help fill in some of the blanks since my last post.

1. I went to Ontario with my beau and visited three great yarn stores.

If you're in Belleville, you really do need to visit The Knitting Nimrod Collective. Thank you Ann-Marie for a great tip!

In Toronto, we spent a couple of days downtown and I visited Lettuce Knit with a non-knitting friend who -- I'm pretty sure -- had never considered what a yarn shop might contain. The petiteness of the store coupled with wall-to-wall (and floor-to-ceiling) inventory made his head spin.

We stayed with my sister and her gf for a few days, too, in the Beaches area. They mentioned a yarn store they'd seen on a walk so D and I set off to find it on our last day in the city. It turns out The Naked Sheep is only a 10 minute stroll from their house. Great store!

2. My beau and I returned from our trip and began looking at real estate in my city. We had been travelling back and forth every weekend all year and we knew it was time to be much closer to each other. The plan was to find a place that D could buy and live in on his own...but with space enough for me when the timing was right.

3. I turned 32! And D had his birthday a few days later.

4. D bought a condo! Less than 10 minutes from my place, it's big, beautiful and has living room walls that are just the most perfect shade of blue. There's a gigantic kitchen with great appliances (Hello dishwasher! I love you!), a fireplace, balcony and a bathroom with the biggest tub in the world.

5. I went to Halifax for work in October, met up with the lovely Ms Frozen Extremities and finally met my long-time imaginary friend Meegie face to face. It was a fun night!

6. At the end of October, local and national news was suddenly very personal when my long ago Honours thesis advisor and mentor was murdered in his home. We hadn't been in touch for awhile, but I'd seen him a couple of months earlier and was amazed by his warmth all over again. No matter when or how we connected, he had a way of getting through to me that few others have. He was one of the most peace-loving people I've ever met and I was crushed by the news. Like many others (but he always made me feel like I was the only one), I don't know who I would be without having known him.

7. D moved to Fredericton in mid-November. Yippee! It has been so, so nice to be able to enjoy the weekends without feeling like we need to cram two weekends into one every time.

8. Work has been busy and great. I'm still volunteering each week and teaching / coaching new knitters. I love it!

9. My sister, E, came home from Toronto at the end of November to spend a month of her off-season with family.

10. Our middle sister, B, had a little girl in early December. Lucky for me, I was in town the day Baby A was born and able to meet her just a couple of hours after her birth. It was an awesome day. I also had a visit on my own with her big sister, Miss J. We shared lunch in the hospital cafeteria and shot the breeze.

11. On December 16, my Dad's eldest living sister passed away very suddenly. I'll tell you the good things -- she was a great lady, the family matriarch, and a very creative person. If anyone could have out-Martha'd Martha Stewart, she would have. Every Christmas gift had been delivered, Christmas cards loaded with crocheted ornaments had reached their destinations and she'd made 43 dozen cookies just days before she fell ill. Most amazing, but somehow not surprising, her house was so full of sweets and treats that her homemade baked goods were all that were served at the reception following her funeral.

12. Christmas came very quickly after that. D and I were apart on Christmas Day but spent a few days at my Mum's and a few days at his before returning to Fredericton late on New Year's Eve Day.

13. Our New Year's plans included a friend's party so D and I got ready at our respective homes and he came to pick me up around 8:00. I was almost ready when he arrived but needed just a couple more minutes to get ready. He asked how long I was going to take because he needed to let his friend know so we could pick him up. I guessed ten minutes and he said, "Well, sometimes things take longer than you expect." And then he told me to sit down for a minute because he needed to talk to me about something. In fact, he said, he had something for me from the dollar store. He pulled out a Dollarama bag and I wondered when he'd been to the store because he dropped me off just minutes before they closed for NYE.

"It's a present. Not a Christmas present and..." A dark cloth bag was pulled out of the plastic one. "It's not really from the dollar store." He withdrew a dark blue box, lifted the lid and pulled out a ring box.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

He knelt.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?" I was starting to cry.

He asked for my hand in marriage.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

He asked, "Will you marry me?"

"Yes! Of course!"

14. Then he said he had another proposal for me and asked if I would move to the condo as soon as I could get out of my lease.

"Yes! Of course!"

15. We called our families.

16. We called the friends who introduced us.

17. We picked up our friend T and went to the party

18. We arrived at the party and said a few hellos before our friend S (who helped D shop for the ring) put a very long distance friend (C) on speaker phone. Everyone said hello and I asked C what she was wearing.

"What am I wearing...? Pajamas. Why? What are *you* wearing?"

I pulled my hand out of my pocket for all (but her) to see and said "An engagement ring!!!"

The crowd went wild. Seriously.

And C said that getting the news in real time was the best present ever.

19 - 23 - Wedding planning is in full swing. The date is set, the church is booked, so is the reception venue, attendants have been asked and 101 other things have been arranged. 1000001 still to come, I know, but we're on our way.

24 - I'm still knitting. Dishcloths were about it for awhile, and baby slippers, but I'm finally putting my Briggs & Little Anniversary wool to good use and making a throw from Norah Gaughan's Knitting Nature. It's coming along but I've been doing other things to keep myself interested. This week, finally, a pair of socks is taking shape. Pomatomus knit with STR Metamorphic. They're awfully tight but I know they'll suit someone else very well. :)

25 - I've missed all of you!

[There may still be formatting issues with this post...my apologies...changes/fixes are coming]

2008-08-18T22:08:00.003-03:00

Having completely given up on ever finding my Woodland Shawl, I picked up a skein of Handmaiden Seasilk at my LYS a week or after WWKIP Day. I quickly cast on for a Swallowtail Shawl. After a couple of false starts and swapping out my needles for smaller and smaller sizes, I was on a roll. On Canada Day, with Swallowtail in hand, I was heading home after a weekend at my beau’s. I travel back and forth on the bus every other weekend and the only place I hadn’t checked for my Woodland Shawl was the bus station’s lost and found. I wasn’t hopeful, so I wasn’t surprised when the cashier said they hadn’t found anything like my project. I knit my way home and was poking around in my room later that night when I found a knitting bag under a pile of out-of-season clothing. Expecting to find a half-finished dishcloth inside, I was STUNNED to find my Woodland Shawl.

Fast forward six weeks and I’ve dragged WS all over the place, knitting a row here, a row there...cursing the project and loving it at the same time. Last Saturday evening around 9:00, I finished the sucker. It still needs to be blocked, but I LOVE IT! I wrapped it around myself on the bus to SJ this weekend, unwoven ends (3) and all, and it’s as cozy as I’d hoped. Light but cozy. Perfect! Now I just need to block it...

* * * * *

Swallowtail and I are about to get reacquainted but I’m working away at a couple of pairs of socks. My beau’s socks are still on the needles and I’m about 65% of the way through. I cast on earlier this week for another pair knit with Colinette Jitterbug that I bought on vacation last year. Given that my beau and I fly to Toronto tomorrow for this year’s vacation, it seemed like a good time to use it up. Not that I haven’t tried before, but this time I’ve got the right pattern, yarn and situation to work on them.

The pattern is the one I MacGyvered for my Tangled Socks and I had someone ask for it recently. So I’m referring to the first pair to knit these ones and I hope to have a pattern written up sometime soon.

* * * * *

Yes! Toronto! D and I are going to spend a few days in Belleville and we both hope to see friends in the area. Friday we’re heading back to the city where we’ll see a game, catch up with friends, go yarn hunting (lucky guy!) and visit with my sister, her partner and my niece. I’m SO excited!

* * * * *

I'm excited, too, about getting back here a little more often. Fingers crossed that it won't be two months between posts this time.

WWKIP + Absence

2008-06-05T15:18:00.002-03:00

Worldwide Knit in Public Day plans are in full swing here in Fredericton and I've been working on clues and all kinds of goodies for the Singer store.

Current info:

Schedule (even more info to be added)!

Photo Scavenger Hunt Clues!

If you're in New Brunswick on June 14, you've GOT TO come to Fredericton! It's going to be a lot of fun and there will be surprises, sales and lots of silliness throughout the day!

* * * * *

Re: my absence. Dudes. I have almost literally lost my knitting mojo. My beautiful, beautiful woodland shawl is MIA. I cannot find it anywhere. My apartment ate it or one of my trips to SJ ate it or maybe the bus ate it. I don't know but the mofo is MIA and I'm pretty heartbroken.

I've been sticking to small projects, knitting baby slippers galore (ok, 5 so far) and a wee sweater for my baby soon-to-be friend Chloe (which reminds me I need to pick up buttons TODAY because I'm meeting her tomorrow). I've been very fickle about socks, knitting half an inch or so several times and then just saying "MEHHHHHHHHHHHH." I'm still crazy about yarn and knitting but not producing much.

I've been thinking about all of you. Back with photos and more info SOON.

Breaking News!

2008-04-10T00:11:00.003-03:00

My LYS finally has its own blog!

http://yarnsonyork.blogspot.com

Singer (Greggo Sewing) is growing and changing and the blog is going to be a FUN place to check in for news about everything from new yarn to workshops to -- EVERYTHING! They're on Facebook, Ravelry and Flickr too. Please check it out and be sure to visit the next time you're in Fredericton. It's a very special place and Trish is an absolute star!

Big Happy Fun

2008-03-27T11:32:00.004-03:00

Knitting content coming soon. In the meantime, watch this:

Oh yeah!

Read about it here.

New Again, Blue Again

2008-03-05T21:48:00.002-04:00

My dear friends,

Your thoughtful expressions of sympathy helped in ways I can't articulate with any measure of eloquence. Thank you all so much. It really means so much to me to know that I have great friends like all of you.

BIG HUG!

* * * * *

Last week was rough (with some extra crud on top of everything else) but spending time with my family and my beau made all the difference. My beau came back to town with me Sunday night and stayed until yesterday morning...and a friend delivered a gorgeous bouquet of flowers last night. There have been countless other gestures that have helped me deal with all of the weirdness.

* * * * *

I bought more yarn on the weekend. The trip home was a great excuse to visit London-Wul. I picked up some more needles and some GORGEOUS Trekking Handart in Karibik. I also chose a few balls of DB Baby Cashmerino for baby knits and a hat. I made a sweet little hat for my friends' baby shower and the papa-to-be asked for one of his own. So that's going on the 'to knit' list asap...

* * * * *

Knitpicks needles -- has anyone else ever noticed what feels like a tiny burr at the tip of the needle and / or at the join?

* * * * *

So. The blog. It's blue. I like it so far.

I finally updated my pathetically out-of-date blogroll. There are still links and buttons to be added but those will come.

I added a few doohickeys on the side because sometimes I just need a place to say "Hey -- I'm reading / watching / nerding out about this! Are you?" So now I have one.

I needed a change. I liked the old way but there was something BLAH about it...especially after months and months of the same old, lame old.

* * * * *

OK. I'm zonked. Take care. Be happy. Talk soon.

BIG HUG,
j

Ch-ch-changes

2008-03-05T18:28:00.000-04:00

Making a few changes tonight. My apologies for any wonkiness!

Two Knitters

2008-02-26T09:38:00.004-04:00

Grampy died yesterday morning.

I never did finish his socks.

Obituary

Ooh...Pretty!

2008-02-26T00:17:00.002-04:00

It's off-topic and might seem out of character, but I have to share...something about these shots of Martha's prop room gives me a thrill...I think it's the colour and all of the potential. The feeling is similar to what I feel when starting at wall of yarn...the possibilities are endless!

Dream Big

2008-02-19T23:12:00.004-04:00

Does anyone else dream of winning the lottery so they can take a month off from life and just knit? At this moment, my dream vacation includes long days of reading and swimming on a hot beach (with lots of readily available shade for this oh-so-flammable skin of mine) and evenings of knitting and yarn fondling. Ideally, fresh yarn and books would be delivered by Guido, my loyal cabana boy, who would also know exactly how much Dasani and Green and Black's chocolate I crave before I even know it myself.

What's your vacation fantasy?

Feel the Love: Part I

2008-02-12T00:31:00.000-04:00

So...the Loopy Knitter tagged me in a meme the other day and named me in a list of people who make help make her day. Thanks so much for thinking of me! One of these days we really do need to meet!*

Between Loopy's award and Valentine's Day, this week seems like a great time to acknowledge just a few of the great people, blogs and things that help make my day.

Today, let's talk about a few of the great knitters who've made my day in person:

Trish Blogless, Trish and her mum are the reason I'm here. Trish runs my LYS (a knit shop disguised as a sewing store; believe me, it's the real deal) and her mum taught the long ago sweater class where I learned to knit cables and really, really push my limits. I pushed Liz's too, I'm sure; I know it seemed like I was never, ever going to get it! Trish taught me how to knit socks (thank you!) and has become a great friend and my number one enabler.

Crafty Canadian One of my best friends, she shares her knitting and life with people in a way that re-defines generosity.

MissMe We met at knitting group a few years ago, back when I really sucked and it seemed like I was never going to 'get it.' And then I did! She's been there to see it all!

Byrne Somewhere along the line, Byrne joined the knitting group. We've had a lot of laughs, some hot chocolate and have enabled each other a bit...especially when the Briggs & Little sale comes around.

Steph One of the first on-line knitters I met in person, and one of the first to comment on my blog, Steph is one of the nicest people I've ever met. I always look forward to her posts and a chance to catch up in person.

Frozen Extremities We started out with emails about Grey's Anatomy and I was thrilled to meet and knit with her at Tangled Skeins in November. L is LOVELY and even more fun and fabulous in person than I expected. And she's got the best smile!

Moe We met in November too and she's lovely too. Smart, funny and full of energy. And she's been posting again! Woo!

Alison Funny story. Alison was at TS, too, and we had only a minute to chat before she left. Amazingly, it turns out that we have several real-life people in common! She's a book lover too and I love reading about her adventures with House Man and The Boy.

NinjaKnitter Fun, sweet and a great knitter, we met at TS too and it was great to knit with her in person! This woman is a multi-talented mum and I love everything she posts. Knitting, diaper covers, family stories...love it!

Cynthia I had the privilege of spending a couple of days with Cindy and family this summer. I still can't find the words to describe how much fun I had during our visit, what a special people she, Ed and Nick are...and what an important friend she has become.

Kelli Ann We found each other back when my blog was very young and she is one of the sweetest people alive. We met in Montreal two summers ago and had a fabulous afternoon together. She has shared bits and pieces of her life with me through comments, email and postcards and it is an honour to know her.

Nadine Our mutual love of London-Wul brought us together last year, we started commenting back and forth and next thing you know we're meeting in Montreal. CC and her hubby, Nadine and I explored the Musee des Beaux Arts (the Emily Carr exhibit specifically) and had an amazing lunch together. 'Charming' and 'fabulous' don't even begin to describe this very special person.

Heidi I visited London-Wul during an open house way back when I really didn't know anything about knitting. I knit but only in a very rudimentary way. I was amazed by all of the beautiful yarn and colour and I think I started to see knitting in a bigger way that day. I look forward to every visit to her shop. I try to visit whenever I'm home and Christmas wouldn't be the same without her!

Very Honourable Mentions:

Meegie! We've missed each other in person a few times, unfortunately, but she's definitely one of my favourite knitting buddies. Scrabulous wouldn't be the same without her and who would I be without someone to share Mr Wooka with? I mean, come on!

Rebecca I look forward to the day that I finally get to meet this Larocque star! We've spent many late nights on MSN together, conspiring about knitting and ruminating about lots of Big Issues (like boys, TV, books, music). Rebecca is a superstar!

Christy Swappers by chance, friends by choice! Christy is a great friend that I love chatting about knitting, writing and the blogosphere with. One of these days I'll really go south and we'll get to do so in person. She is doing something wonderful over at The House That Yarn Built. Check it out and please consider contributing if you can.

OK my ducks! Back with more love the second part of Loopy's tag in a day or two.

* We live in the same city but keep missing each at one of the local knitting groups. Maybe this month!

Order Restored at the Monkey House

2008-02-11T17:14:00.000-04:00

Got 'em!

See last night's post for more.

I don't know how they escaped. My theory is that Blogger was just being an armpit last night and decided to eat my photos for a snack. I'm not a big fan of blue food, myself... Theory #2 is that I somehow deleted them as a result of Blogger's armpitting around while I was posting last night.

Anyway, sorry for the confusion! The monkeys are where they should be now!

Escape!

2008-02-11T14:56:00.000-04:00

THE MONKEYS HAVE ESCAPED!

I don't know where the photos in last night's post have gotten to, but I'm going to track them down and re-post them tonight. There was a wonky moment during posting last night but everything was intact this morning...however, I may have been looking at a cached copy.

Sorry about that! Back with "real" photos tonight and some other goodies!

* * * * *

In the meantime, watch this:

I LOVE Flight of the Conchords!

Two Little Monkeys

2008-02-10T23:34:00.001-04:00

Ladies and gentlemen -- we have a pair! I can't thank you enough for your encouragement the other day. I was pretty fed up with them -- bored, really -- and wanted to just MOVE ON! But I stuck with them and now have a toasty warm pair of socks to show for it.

It's only one sock, but something about this photo
in particular is deeply satisfying to me!

The lighting isn't all that hot, but
the important thing is -- these monkey truckers are done!

I do love the colour (this is close).
It's pretty fabu!

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.
Yarn: S0cks that Rock, Chapman Springs
Needle: 2.5 mm Addi Turbo
Started: ~ January 15, 2008
Finished: February 10, 2008

This was my first start-to-finish pair of Magic Loop socks. I can't imagine ever going back to DPNs! And yes, Cindy, I'm going to try two at once sometime very soon!

I was kitchener-ing the toe tonight and thinking about how magical it always seems. It's a big hairy mess for a few minutes and then I start cinching up the stitches. Zip zip zip and it's as if they were knit together. It amazes me every time!

What's next? Some baby knits asap and, hopefully, a pair of socks for my beau. I finally found a half-knit pair of socks that went missing in my apartment before Christmas so I might work on those too.

Off I go for now! I'll be back with some fun stuff soon. The lovely Loopy shared some love the other day and I need to pass it on.

Haven't You Always Wanted a Monkey?

2008-02-06T22:39:00.000-04:00

Actually, no. I haven't always wanted a monkey. But I want one pretty bad at the moment.

While I realize that Monkeys are not exactly fiddly, I have to say that I am OVER these socks. I'm in the homestretch, somewhere between the gusset and the toe on the second sock and I just don't give a crap anymore. I mean, I do but I don't. I'm so close to having a pair. I WANT a pair. They're squooshy and delicious and beautiful...But I just can't seem to get there.

Originally, my big plan was to have them done by January 31. In fact, my even bigger plan for the year is a pair of socks each month. Although I finished my green socks last month (and, in fact, knit 99% of the second sock in January before knitting the first 1.5 Monkeys by Jan 31), and I've been telling other people that I think I should call January a success because I knit an un-matched pair of socks...I still feel like I blew it right out of the gate. Silly, I know. There are no rules! These are my own goals for pete's sake! Re-assess, move on silly girl!

So I'm working on these suckers and thinking about the next pair (oh FRIENDS! I bought lots of beautiful yarn on my trip 'south'! I'll show you soon) and, well...there's another reason they're not doing it for me. I wanted to to knit a pair of socks for my beau in time for Valentines Day. I've got the yarn and the pattern but everything is up in the air because the Monkeys aren't finished and I haven't got my 2.25 mm circs yet. Which is fine. It'll all happen in due course...and maybe my first monkey will have its mate in time for my next trip south (Friday).

Off to bed. Thanks for all of your super comments on my last post, btw. It's so nice to know you're all out there! I'll be back with another post and some other goodies in a day or two.

Snowbird

2008-01-25T08:15:00.001-04:00

It's cold!

I'm tired of wearing my winter coat. Tired of boots. Tired of layers. Tired of holding my breath as I step out the door in an attempt to avoid the inevitable nose freeze. Tired of watching my step. Tired of the ache in my lower back after my walk home over uneven, snowy sidewalks.

Screw it. I'm going South.

LOL. I am heading to SJ (an hour away) for the weekend, but not because the weather is so balmy down south. My beau is there and -- bonus -- there's a fibre festival happening at the Market! Woo!

* * * * *

In all seriousness, it's very cold here but it could always be worse.

Deep Thoughts 2008

2008-01-03T22:07:00.000-04:00

"Lack of current / relevant photos" is my most common excuse for not posting. Everytime I've had something to say I've backed away from "Publish Post" because my words won't have any kind of image to go with them. Here's the thing -- I'm feeling disconnected and I've got things I want to say. Questions I want to ask. So screw the photos, here's what's happening...

The knitting mojo continues, mostly unabated. My Woodland Shawl is about 70% complete and I'm working the second Oceanwinds sock. I love the yarn and have promised the socks to myself...there was a moment last week when it looked like I might give them away instead...but then I gave in and gave them back to myself...B will get her own...and now, suddenly, I'm noticing mistakes. Not fatal errors, just imperfections that I might not let go if I was giving the socks away. They're going to be far from perfect, but I'm knitting them for the sake of knitting and because I love the yarn...and because I need to finally have a pair of socks that I've made for myself...but part of me wonders if by leaving the errors in I'm somehow indicating that I'm unworthy of near perfection, you know?

My question to you is -- do your standards change depending on the intended recipient? Are your standards higher for yourself or for others?

The Mojo Returns!

2007-11-24T09:30:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I bought a huge hank of Fleece Artist Country Silk in (I think) Rainforest and my first set of Addi Turbos. I had been eyeing Brainylady's version of the Woodland Shawl and it seemed like the perfect project and the perfect time to start something new. Sure, I had lots on the go already, but none of them were thrilling me in the way I wanted. After a false start (my needles were a size too big; everything was WAY too airy), I was off to the races.

On Remembrance Day weekend, a group of my friends and I made a trip to Halifax. I was LOVING my shawl and I brought it to work on in the car and any other time the urge struck. The urge struck hard on Saturday in particular when I spent the afternoon at Tangled Skeins with some of my favourite people. It was great to see Steph again and Lisa and I hit it off right from the get go (I knew we would!). Alison was there at first and the Ninja stayed and visited for quite awhile too. It was a great afternoon and by the end of it I had two skeins of Oceanwind Knit merino in Rainforest, yarn for my slippers and another set of Addis to replace the circs I had been using for my wrap.

This is love.

When I got back to the hotel, I found out that I'd also come away with a self-portrait of a certain little green ladies man.

Henry! I miss you!

By the time Monday rolled around and it was time to head for home, it was clear that I wouldn't be able to knit my shawl all the way home. I'd left the rest of my yarn at home so I needed needles and, if at all possible, to wind one of the skeins of Oceanwind yarn so I could cast on for a sock like the sample I'd seen hanging at Tangled Skeins on Saturday. Crafty Canadian and I were chauffeured back to TS to pick up the yarn and notions we needed to supplement our Saturday purchases. I wound my yarn, bought some needles, eyeballed the sock de nouveau and picked up a couple of skeins of yarn for warm things my niece needs. All in all, it was a very productive trip.

I'm still knitting up a storm and loving every minute of it. Christmas is coming, though, and I need to decide what my goals are. Knit goodies for everyone? I might need to hire a project manager if that's going to happen!

Slippers

2007-11-06T22:53:00.000-04:00

It's raining here. Pouring like a mo-fo, actually. I went out to dinner with friends tonight and ended up talking about the weather (shocker) and adjusting to drop in temperature. I mentioned that I'm starting to notice how cold my feet are at night and the girls asked if I had cozy slippers.

Here's the thing -- I'm not a slipper fan. In fact, I can barely abide socks. Late last winter I finally caught on and started wearing heavy socks in the evening at home and it made a huge difference...even if my toes did long to be free at times.

So no, I don't have slippers. Some very cozy socks have gotten a lot of action in the past year but I've never been moved to make myself a pair of slippers.

Until I saw THESE. Ooh la la!

I've been wanting to knit a pair of Log Cabin Socks (like the ones Phoebe made for me) and now I have the perfect excuse.

Maybe I'll shop for the perfect yarn while I'm in Halifax this weekend...Hmmmmmmmm?

Sunday Night Knit Show

2007-10-28T23:07:00.000-03:00

It has been an incredibly busy three months. Things might actually be settling down and, if so, there will be room for more regular blogging. Thank you everybody for being patient, for your birthday wishes and for your 'just checking in' emails. I appreciate every one of your thoughtful and considerate words.

* * * * *

I spent all of today in bed, catching up on my shows, knitting a dishcloth and puttering on my laptop. I'm still exhausted but I needed a quiet day in without anywhere to go, go, go.

I took a few photos of the projects I've been working on lately. Some you've seen before, others you haven't.

First, the dishcloth. While it may not seem particularly exciting, I needed something I could start and finish in little to no time (combination of 'startitis' and feeling completely stalled). I was just a few repeats in when I took this photo and now it's done. Mission accomplished.

Next up, the Emerald Sweater. I started it last winter and everything was going great guns for awhile...and then I just stopped. I picked away at Sleeve 1 for awhile and, just after starting Sleeve 2 I realized that I'd counted the rows between increases incorrectly (I only did 5 rows between increases instead of six; the overall sleeve length is right though, and so is the total number of stitches)...so now I'm attempting to screw up Sleeve 2 so it matches Sleeve 1.

Theoretically, the sweater is going to be fun again once I finish Sleeve 2 and get to join everything and keep on going. In the meantime...I'm dreaming of alpaca.

Less than ideal photo, but the colour is very true.

Trish had a big sale on at my LYS a few weeks ago and I bought myself six skeins of worsted weight Misti Alpaca in the most beautiful apple green. I'm on the lookout for the PERFECT project so please, if you have any suggestions, DISH. Please. And thank you. (I'm on Ravelry now if that makes it easier -- my user name is 'canknitian')

Now for a couple of secret squirrel-type projects!

First, I've started the softest, sweetest little hooded cardigan. It's made with Sirdar Snuggly using Sirdar's Pattern 1672.

I'm following the pattern as directed (so far) for the smallest size except that I'm knitting all three pieces at once. It's been confusing at times (i.e. working the right front before the left, even though the left comes first in the pattern) but I'm loving it anyway. The wee little pockets are my favourite part so far!

Second, I'm working on a pair of socks for a Christmas gift. I really hope the recipient will like them! I'm using one of Charlene Schurch's SKS patterns for self-patterning sock yarn and some of the OnLine Supersocke 100 I bought at my LYS about a month ago. So far, so fun! This is a great project to shove in my bag on my way out the door!

OK my darlings. Off I go. Have a super week!

PS: Don't forget to tell me what you think I should do with my Misti Alpaca!

Blissed Out

2007-10-02T21:35:00.000-03:00

I’m writing this in bed. Imagine my excitement. FINE. Imagine the smallness of my life if you must, but imagine the joy I feel at being able to relax and just write a bit without sitting in the world’s most uncomfortable chair (awesome in general, but uncomfortable at a computer), hunched over, glaring at a monitor that flickers and buzzes, while listening to a computer that out-hums the noisiest refrigerator. Imagine the world’s noisiest fridge. And now the quietest computer. Noisiest fridge. Quietest computer. Oh yeah. You’re right there with me, aren’t you? Welcome. Ignore the mess.

SO here we are.

Yes, the flickering monitor and the roaring pc were getting me down. After much pissing and moaning (mostly to myself, but likely to a few innocent bystanders as well), I went online to see what dell had to offer. Just to see. Not to order. And then, just for kicks, I clicked a couple of buttons and found myself staring at a page telling me I’d been approved. Blink. Blink. Blink. Yep. Still Approved. Craziness!

Part of the reason for the upgrade is work. Ye olde tyme beastee doesn’t have word or excel and there have been a few times lately when it would have been nice to do a little work at home. Nothing habitual. Just a little something extra to tie up loose ends. There’s also the work + travel factor. I hate being disconnected from everything and I really, really hate transcribing minutes or notes after a meeting. These tasks are facts of life, but wouldn’t it be nice to be able to do it all properly the first time? Absolutely. Will it work everytime? Hard to say. STILL. The option alone is pretty swell.

And then there’s writing. Real writing. I’m doing some but it’s in bits and pieces all over the house; abandoned scribbles on canary newsprint, waiting for me to re-write or edit them. Or transcribe them (there’s that chore again). So that’s another great way to justify the purchase.

And of course – I needed a present. There’s no denying the immediate gratification that comes from retail therapy. The buzz. I know it. I love it. But this time i could justify it. There are all of the legitimate reasons above *PLUS* I’m working on (and, honestly, loving) an ENORMO project at work *PLUS* i’m turning 31 on Thursday. Seems like a great time for a present! And dell agreed, even delivering my new precious a couple of days ahead of my birthday so I could crawl into bed and blog and read blogs and watch tv shows and write and play with fonts and chat and sneeze and and and to my heart’s content and great comfort.

This is bliss. Seriously.

SQUEE!

2007-09-13T20:06:00.000-03:00

OK. The Fall issue of Knitty is out and I am absolutely, completely...in love.

First, the Woodins! I must have Woodins of my own! I wonder if there are any living in the park near here?

Second, kids are cute and everything but I don't often think "Omigod gimme" when I see one. When I saw this pattern and the kid modelling it? Holy crap. GIMME.

OK. We now return to our regular (non) programming. I'm exhausted but hoping for a real post this weekend.

Love you miss you byeeeee!

Check In

2007-08-23T07:49:00.000-03:00

I haven't been writing here because I haven't been knitting. Wedding business + work + life has me exhausted and I just haven't had the time or space (temporal or emotional) to sit and work on any of the nine gazillion projects I already have underway.

I did pick up the new Interweave Knits the other day as a treat and I think it's BEAUTIFUL. Lots of wonderful projects, like the sweater that meegiemoo has lined up / started. Love the colour, love everything, want to make it too. BUT. Not yet. Too many other things on the go. None of which I particularly feel like working on. So I'm not knitting at all. Argh.

Hope you guys are doing well. I'm thinking about you!

Whee!

2007-08-09T18:43:00.000-03:00

New header! Whee!

Zip! Boom! Bonjour!

2007-08-09T08:15:00.000-03:00

I'm back from my long weekend at the beach with friends and am finally starting to feel rested after all of the excitement of the last couple of weeks. There's more excitement to come (my sister is getting married!) but my own schedule is calming down a little and there's space for knitting and writing and reading and everything again.

I do need to back up a bit and tell you about all of the fun I had, about meeting Cynthia and family, finally checking out Wool-Tyme, visiting Emily Carr with Nadine, re-connecting with la belle Kelli Ann and seeing the sights with Crafty Canadian and her hubby. Ooh and just for Gretchen, I need to tell you about The Police. Each of these lovely ladies deserves to have me tell the stories right, and I will. Now that I'm back from the beach, it should be a little easier to line the words up properly and tell you about my adventures.

Just not this morning.

I'm on my way out the door for work but wanted to quickly check in and thank you for all of your encouraging comments. I am very proud to tell you that I have been DP free since July 27th and I survived my weekend away without a single drop. I'm still tempted at times (like last night when I went to the movies) but I'm drinking water hand over fist and it's getting easier. It has helped me so much to know that you're rooting for me!

Beach breakfast, 2006

Stalling

2007-07-30T07:34:00.000-03:00

For the first time in two weeks, I'm due at work in 35 minutes.

I haven't had a drop of diet pepsi since Friday.

Hold me.

Ab-Fab

2007-07-27T19:25:00.000-03:00

I rolled into town at 4:30 this morning after an absolutely fabulous vacation in Ottawa and Montreal. I have lots of adventures to tell you about but don't have the energy to arrange more than a few words in the proper order right now. Soon, I promise. For now, just know that I'm home, happy and safe; probably curled up reading the Deathly Hollows and trying to stay cool.*

[Thanks for all of your great comments on the last post. Good news -- I had a physio appt this morning and everything went very well.]

* It's currently 32 C (89 F) with a 'feels like' temp of 38 C (100 F).

Roadshow

2007-07-15T23:21:00.000-03:00

Thank you for all of your wonderful comments on the socks in my latest post! They are well on their way to being my favourite socks too! (Speaking of -- I have serious lust in my heart for the new IK book. It took everything I had not to buy it last week when I saw it at my local independent bookstore.).

Posting has been infrequent here lately for a couple of reasons. As some of you saw over on flickr, I crashed my bike about a month ago. I walked away with only a few bruises (big ones) and honestly couldn't believe that I wasn't hurt worse. As it turns out, there was more going on. About 10 days after the crash I noticed a persistent sting between my shoulders that felt like a knot...but not. The pain intensified and brought with it a handful of other symptoms. After a week of on again off again agony, I went for help. Turns out that joint between two of the vertebrae in my upper back were irritated by my fall (this my layperson's interpretation of the details). My physio guy has been fantastic and things are finally quite a bit better (wherever you are -- knock on wood, please). I'm able to sit quite comfortably at work -- taking breaks to stretch, etc -- and can finally knit comfortably too. Which is a big relief because I'm on vacation for two weeks and really want to knit at least a couple of days away!

Yes, vacation. Reason Number Two. I arrived in Ottawa on Friday morning and will be here through until Sunday (minus two days for a road trip to see one of my favourite people). On Sunday I'm heading for Montreal to meet up with Crafty Canadian and her hubby for all kinds of fun including rollercoasters, laughs, art + a little visiting (anyone? anyone? (anyone else? Jo?)) and (yes Gretchen, it's finally time!) The Police concert! WOOHOO!

I'm having a great time so far and am planning to savour every day of this vacation. So far I've done a lot of pedaling around town with my sister and her gf and it has been great. Today we went on extended ride that took us all through town. Last year I saw The Sights and this year I'm really getting a good look at things. What a great place! I am going to try to get some photos up here soon. In the meantime, I'll be having fun and working on a pair of socks using some Louet Gems that I picked up at London-Wul about a month ago. It's quite lovely.

HSP - FINI!

2007-07-04T00:02:00.000-03:00

Ladies and gentlemen...we have a pair!

If you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed now. The toe will have to wait for tomorrow.

Hurricane Sock Parties On!

2007-06-24T20:43:00.000-03:00

One of the best things about participating in the Hurricane Swap Party is that the two socks you get to knit are completely different. You choose a yarn and pattern for your partner (in my case -- Nicole), knit the first sock and send it off (she received it, so you can now see it here). Christy waves her magic wand and, almost before you know it, a kit arrives on your doorstep with an entirely different sock, yarn and pattern for you to work with.

I have to sing Lori B's praises again -- not only is the sock she knit for me beautiful, the pattern is absolutely genius. I cast on Friday night while watching a couple of episodes of ER Season One. After a couple of cast ons, a couple of rows knit with different needles and ripped back, I finally had the right combination. I knit a couple of rows and went to bed.

Yesterday I made a trip up river to a friend's parents' place for shopping and a night away. I knit while visiting with them for a couple of hours and made a bit of progress. I knit in the car during our trip 'over across' (to Maine) and knit a bit more today. And holy crap, wouldn't you know, I'm already working on the heel flap!

I. LOVE. THIS. PATTERN.

I. LOVE. THIS. YARN.

And I'm growing to love the Addi DPNs. I'm very loyal to my Bryspuns, but they don't come in a 2.5 mm. The Addis are a *touch* short, but I'm getting used to them and am definitely going to try some other Addis soon.

This project makes me incredibly happy in my knitting nerd place. I'm looking forward to wearing these socks within a few days. Thanks again Lori!

We were on a break... (+ HSP Goodness!)

2007-06-18T22:03:00.000-03:00

...but now I'm back. Things got a little snaky last month and I just needed to chill out. It has been a hectic couple of months and I was trying to settle in to my new job. I have a hundred and one things to tell you about and I hope that will make up for my absence. First, though, big hugs for everyone. I'm glad you're here!

Second, let me tell you about the Most Magnificent Monday I've had in a long time. I've been saying for awhile that I need a manservant but he's on backorder. Well! This morning at 7:59 my phone rang -- delivery pour moi! Now, you should know that I've had an eye out for two packages. One, my HSP package and the other my manservant. Imagine the look on my face when I opened the door to find -- not the fuzzy old guy who normally delivers packages -- but a beautiful blond boy. For a split second, I thought "This is it!" Then I noticed the turquoise box in his hands with my name on it. Forget my plans for a manservant, gimme the goods punk!

Believe me when I tell you -- Lori is a very special person who put so much work and care into the package that it kind of blows my mind. First, the box is absolutely, exactly my favourite colour. I don't know exactly what I'll use it for, but it has a home here.

Next, the goodies within the box were in a beautiful handmade bag that I still can't quite believe I get to keep. It has a felted bottom, is cinched with beautiful ribbon and has a perfect pocket (divided in two) sewn into the inner layer. I took the bag on a bike ride tonight so I could get a decent photo of it and the treasures inside!

Just yesterday I was talking to a friend about candles. I'm not a hugely scent-y person but I do like to burn vanilla / baked goods scented candles during the winter when the mood strikes...and citrus in the summer. I made a mental note to hunt for something like the tangerine candle I had a few years ago. Guess what I pulled out of the bag? Yep, you guessed it! A Berry Tangerine candle! Woohoo!

There was also an assortment of teas and the most perfect little notecard with a bunny on the front. My Grammie was named Bunny, so anytime I see one or receive something with a little brown bunny on it, I think of her. So thanks for that little extra bit of warmth!

Let's see...let's see...there was a stitch holder and some lotion and...OF COURSE -- the socks.

Oh honeys. They're AWESOME.

They're Fiber Trends 'Walking Away Socks' in the Cascade motif. Lori used Lorna's Laces "Devon" and it fits perfectly. PERFECTLY. I don't have a picture of it on my foot because the photo shoot happened partway through a bike ride. Sticking my sweaty foot into that beautiful sock would have been WRONG. :)

Thank you Lori! Everything about the socks and other goodies is absolutely perfect!!

Weirdness, etc

2007-05-27T15:34:00.000-03:00

There's been a lot of this happening lately:

(Clockwise from top)
K3, P1, K1, P1 rib in Briggs & Little 'Anniversary';
'Whitby' in STR 'Lucy' and one of the Stansfields
from Sensational Knitted Socks in STR 'Lagoon'.

Casting on, ripping back. Casting on again, ripping back again. Trying another yarn. Ripping back. Casting on again, ripping back. Repeat repeat repeat. The three sock bits you can see above are just the last three days' offerings. My HSP sock is done and almost ready to go in the mail, and I need to figure out what to do next. Apparently, the universe doesn't think I should start anything new. Does that mean I need to actually finish one of the WIPs in my stash? Perish the thought!

* * * * *

Guess who bought another 10 skeins of B&L 'Anniversary' when she was home last weekend? Yep, this crazy girl over here. Project is still TBD, but some kind of fabu sweater. Or two! These 10 match the 8 from last time.

* * * * *

While I've certainly shared my weirdness with you on many occasions, and responded to a 'Weird Things About Me' meme back in December...I'm in the mood again and have been tagged by a couple of my favourite people. SO, without further ado,

Seven (more) Weird Things About Me:

1. I used to hate seafood. Wouldn't touch it. Ick. Gack. Yuck. Now? I LOVE a lot of it. Promise me shrimp, scallops or mussels...and I'll just about turn myself inside out. Lobster tail and crab meat are on the list now too. Salmon and I have an on again off again thing -- smoked is lovely, sushi is nic, and I'll eat it otherwise...but can't handle anything with bones -- and I've tried raw oysters. They're worth trying.

2. I stopped biting my nails a few years ago -- six or seven now, I think -- but still feel the itch a bit when I'm at the movies.

3. When I was in Grade 8, I threw one of my classmates' Home Ec projects out the window. It was an accident, but still deeply satisfying long after the fact. At the time, I was sure it was another nail in my social coffin.

4. I didn't have my first kiss until I was seventeen and a half.

5. I talk to the TV during Jeopardy.

6. After a reaction to cashews in the Fall, I went for allergy testing. Turns out there's no apparent allergy to cashews (I'm still not going to eat them), I am fairly allergic to filberts. Filberts and hazelnuts are cousins. Hazelnut is in a lot of awfully good things. Like the chocolate I ate yesterday. Luckily, the reaction was mild-ish and I had an anti-histamine with me. But still. I need to be more vigilant and ask questions instead of 'hoping it's almond.'

7. My nickname in Grade 12 and in university was Phoebe. It came before Friends and had to do with a skit I did in Theatre Arts.

Bloomin' Again!

2007-05-08T22:26:00.000-03:00

My BF pal received her socks! Check them out over at Kate's.

Not much of an action shot, I know.

Here are the details:

Yarn: In total, I used one full skein of Fleece Artist sock yarn but I drew from two separate kits; 2/3 blue, 1/3 multi.

Needles: Don't get me started. Bryspuns rule! Ponys drool!

Pattern & Modifications: I used the stitch / colour pattern from Jaya Srikrishnan's Sunrise-Sunset Socks (Big Girl Knits) and modified the socks themselves to suit Kate and I using Sensational Knitted Socks as a reference. Some of the modifications include cast on, length, circumference, gauge, heel...Basically, they look a lot like the BGK socks BUT.

Overall: We had our ups and downs but, overall, I think this might be my most satisfying project to date. The first sock gave me a lot of grief and took a couple of months (it went everywhere with me, too, and was ripped back several times in a couple of cities). The second sock went together in no time. I really like the finished product and am THRILLED that they fit Kate! Yay team!

Happy Feet

2007-05-06T17:55:00.000-03:00

Yesterday was a GREAT day. The kind of day that makes me especially glad to be a grown up (more or less), live where I do, with so many wonderful friends around. I slept late, chatted with Christy for awhile and then headed downtown.

While I was out, I dropped by my local independent bookstore to pick up my copy of More Sensational Knitted Socks and, after rhapsodizing to the staff there about the genius of Charlene Schurch (she's a wizard and the layout of her books just frills me), I zipped over to my LYS to see if Trish was around. She was, so I stayed awhile...two hours, actually, wherein we talked about everything under the sun but did not knit a stitch. Neither of us knit a stitch. Because neither of us had anything with us to knit on. She own the joint, and I usually have two or three projects on me somewhere, and neither of us had anything to knit...it was crazy, but a superfun afternoon.

Just after the store closed, I bumped into WN and MD. We talked awhile and then made our way to a great local gallery where we chatted some more with another one of my favourite people. CC called to see if I was still up for croc odile hunting, so I met she and her hubby for a quick hunt (successful -- I got a pair of black mary janes), a trip to the Mart of Wal and dinner chez Dixie Lee. It ate too much, but it was awesome. A fantastic day.

I got home around 9:30 and crawled into bed to read more of MSKS. I dozed awhile and then picked a pattern for my HSP socks. So far, SO AWESOME! (Thanks again Christy!)

Pattern: Stansfield 30
Source: More Sensational Knitted Socks
Pattern: Socks that Rock, Fairgrounds
Needles: 2.5 mm bamboo something or others

I love this pattern because it's interesting enough to be worthwhile...but not so complicated that I have to have the book open every second...or so complex that the pattern gets lost in the variegate. It's coming along nicely and I really hope my pal likes it because it's making me pretty happy in my nerd place, I've gotta say.

[blogger is making me unhappy in my nerd place]

Bloomed

2007-05-05T21:44:00.000-03:00

Remember the other day when Amanda posted about the socks she knit for her BF pal? And how she lied because she wanted to surprise the bejeezus out of her pal? It worked!!! If she had posted about them all along I might not have *known* they were for me, but I would have had strong suspicions!

I have to tell you -- as fabulous as they look over at clothesknit and as beautiful as they are up close -- it's the feeeel of them that makes them magnificent. Thank you Amanda!

Included in the box of goodies, swaddled in beautiful tissue paper, were some other wonderful treats! Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road (which is not pictured because it migrated to my bedroom sometime before the photo shoot), a fabu sock bag, a skein of Cherry Tree Hill merino in Peacock, chocolate (there were two bars, but one of them has already migrated...to my mouth!), Cheetos (I have a weaknes for cheezies) and a lovely note.

Thank you Amanda, so much, for everything!

HSP Questionnaire

2007-04-25T23:02:00.000-03:00

First up, big apologies to my Hurricane Sock Party pal who has been waiting patiently for me to post my questionnaire. Things have been EXTREMELY hectic here lately and I haven't had a moment to do it until now.

Second, thanks for all of the hi's and hellos and yay STRs you've sent my way in the last little while. It's great to hear from all of you! I know I haven't had a chance to write to each of you individually, but things have been crazy. Soon, my pretties, I'll be back and much more attentive.

Third, so far the new job is going great!

Last but not least, and (no doubt) to my HSP buddy's great relief, here are my answers:

1. Repeat after me "no hurricanes, no hurricanes, no hurricanes" .

No hurricanes. No hurricanes. No hurricanes. (Yes, this part of the world is affected by hurricanes.)

2. If your pet(s) wrote a paragraph about you to describe you to us what would they say? (If you have no pets then just pretend you husband or best friend wrote it! This is a 3rd person writing exercise that is always fun.)

As President of the Canknitian Fan Club, Dusty Bunny Chapter, I can tell you that she's a lot of fun and mostly leaves us alone. She drops a lot of yarn and fluff around the house, so we're a colourful bunch. Rich too. There always seems to be $0.11 in a corner somewhere.

3. What is your favorite hurricane supplies snack?

Hmm. I can't live without Diet Pepsi. I like anything salty or salty-sweet.

4. Do sock patterns normally fit you "as written" or do you usually modify them for size in any way? (other than foot length)

So far, they seem to fit fine.

4a. What are your foot measurements, not just shoe size? (Measure the length of your foot from heel to toe, then the ball of your foot. )

Length: 9.25"
Circ: 9.00" (ankle is also about 9")

5. What one city abroad would you visit and why if money was no object? (and terrorism was non-existant)

If time and money were no object, I would visit Australia. Period. It has been at the top of my list since I was 10.

6. Do you wear socks all year round or just during the winter? Do you prefer them tall or short or regular height?

I'm happiest in my bare feet and live in sandals during the summer. If I have to wear socks during the summer, I only wear my favourites.

Regular height would be lovely.

7. The last time the power was out during hurricane season (or bad weather of any kind) did you knit by lantern or were you lucky enough to knit to the humm of a generator? Or did you knit at all?

The last time the power went out while I was at home, I think I used my headlamp (from my camping stuff) to knit by.

8. Make a wish for your favorite sock yarn that you've already used once. What would it be? ? Dont be shy about listing an exact colorway or two if you'd like.

I love just about everything, and will be more than happy to receive whatever you send. I do love STR, though.

9. What is it about sock knitting that keeps you wanting to knit more and more socks?

The colourful yarns and the portability, for sure. I love that even the simplest sock takes a bit of magic (i.e. turning the heel).

10. Make a wish for a sock yarn that you are dying to try but haven't bought for yourself yet. (be specific,even colorway if you'd like)

Again, anything would be lovely. Just choose something fun. :)

Someday I would like to try some of Teyani's fabulous sock yarn, esp the Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks superwash. I have a secret (until now) itch to try the coral reef colourway.

11. What size needles do you knit socks for YOURSELF with the most? Are they circular or bamboo needles? What brand?

I love Bryspun needles and typically use 2.75 mm. I am a tight knitter, though, so 2.75 mm is what I use to get gauge in patterns calling for 2.5 mm.

12. If you could only take 3 yarn related books and one previously knitted project that you love with you when you evacuated what would they be?

Sensational Knitted Socks. Mason Dixon Knitting. Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book. If I was staying with Mum, I'd make sure she brings the Clapotis with her. If here...hmm. That's a tough one. I have a lot more WIPs that FOs.

13. What knitting notion do you wish you had that you just keep putting off getting for yourself?

The perfect very small bag to carry a sock project in. I'm on the prowl for a little something I can tuck into my go-everywhere bag that's a little nicer than the ratty ziplock bag I usually use.

14. What is your favorite tv show?

Grey's Anatomy. Heroes. The Hour.

15. Do you want a lacey sock or a "solid fabric" sock from your hurricane sister?

Either would be lovely. Solid is probably more practical for summer. I like to wear fun socks in my Birks when I'm camping.

16. It's midnight and the power has been off for two days, its hot, and you have a craving for something sweet! What would it be? (This is a FOOD related question ladies! LOL)

A peanut butter and honey sandwich.

17. Tell us a story about any of your hurricane weather related experiences.

Most of the time, I've been just beyond any real hurricane activity. I could tell you, though, about how Hurricane Juan destroyed my uncle's yard a few years ago...about hurricane warnings when I was a kid...or about (not at all a hurricane) the winter storm when I was 15 that dumped 160+ cm (more than 5 feet) on us...or about the time the power went out because the power lines froze after an ice storm and 20 of us ended up at the neighbours because it was 20 below and they were the only ones nearby with a woodstove.

18. What was the one thing you wish you had remembered to get last year for hurricane supplies that you swore you wouldn't forget this year?

I'm not sure how to answer this one...but if I was anticipating a power outage and all of the essentials were looked after...I'd make sure I had lots of diet pepsi, chips and salsa, yarn and a good book to keep me company.

19. What color sock would you like to recieve from your sock sister? (if you don't have a pref just say so otherwise give us a hint!)

Something bright and fun! Turquoise is my absolute favourite. I'm not a big fan of yellow.

You should also know...

It might not be relevant given the time of year, etc, but I'm allergic to cats, mohair, cashews and hazelnuts. Don't worry about it if you live in a house with cats...just please don't model the sock (how would you, really?) on your kitty. Please and thank you. :)

Oh hi!

2007-04-19T18:01:00.000-03:00

Sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to disappear there. I'm on vacation this week (sort of) and am trying to rest up...Somehow, though, I didn't plan things quite right and I've ended up with lots to do every day, late nights at work (crazy) and a bit too much to do if the objective was to rest up so I can start the new job fresh on Monday. ANYWAY. Sorry about that.

I'm here now, though. Let's catch up...

1. About my trip home...

The weather was the pits, but it was a nice visit. The Easter Bunny came, we had a great turkey and during one of my runs to the dollar(-ish) store I found a cache of Briggs and Little Anniversary yarn. Now, this yarn has been a bit of a turkey ever since it came out. Some sellers required (according to a decree from B&L) customers to buy a certain amount of non-Anniversary yarn in order to be eligible to buy the Anniversary. Others were not so sticky about it for a variety of reasons. SO -- lucky for me -- after buying the last skein my LYS had, a skein or two from Heidi on another trip and keeping my eyes peeled everywhere else, I came across 8 skeins from a single dyelot at the dollar store at home. I bought them all. I now have 8 from one dyelot and two from another very similar lot that I'm hoping to turn into a sweater someday...and another one or two from a completely different dyelot (more grey than turquoise-ish) that I'll use for socks. I'm jazzed. Incoherent, but jazzed.

2. Blooooooomin' Feet Update

OK. Behind the scenes I've been struggling with these socks. They're a piece of cake, really, but as I said I had to rip back a ways to eliminate a mistake that no one could ignore. Then I was working on them, picking away but really just avoiding them. I tried to meet (but totally missed) the deadline I set for the Baudelaires, so they went back into the to-do pile so I could focus on the BFs. Here's the thing, though -- I still wasn't into them. I actually watched an entire movie the other night without knitting a stitch. I know. It's crazy. I figured out the problem, though. The needles.

See, I love my Bryspuns. They're short, quiet and the points have a great shape that just slips right in where I need them to. Most of the socks I've knit have been on Bryspuns and I have at least a half dozen sets (who'm I kidding, really? only six? come on) that I use all the time. Still, when I was down to see Heidi a few months ago (Christmas, I think) I picked up a set of Pony Pearls (2.75 mm). They're pink and although they're plastic on the outside, there's something metal on the inside. I know lots of people who l-o-v-e love them but I didn't warm up to them right away. I kept trying. And trying. But I always felt a bit like I was knitting with very skinny ball point pens (shake a bic -- you the noise the ink thingee makes in the barrel? that's kind of what these sound like) and the ends are kind of blunt. It just wasn't a match made in heaven. Still, I was using those suckers for my BF socks and it wasn't until Tuesday morning that it finally occurred to me that they might be the problem. I changed needles yesterday, knit the heel flap, made the turn and woohoo...we're back in business! And just in time -- they've got to be to their recipient (or almost there) by May 1!

3. Speaking of swaps...

Everyone's favourite misplaced southern belle, Christy, is hosting Hurricane Sock Party '07. She opened membership up a little wider this year and I was lucky enough to be included. We're still impacted by hurricanes here in Atlantic Canada, so it's not as much of a stretch as some might think. I've received my pal's info and I'm going to be posting my ASAP (HONEST). In the meantime though, here's a peek at some STR I received yesterday from the super delicious folks at Blue Moon:

One of these skeins is destined for use in the HSP swap (I knit one sock, she'll knit the other to match) and I think she's really going to like it. :)

OK. Off I go. More very soon.

Fly by post

2007-04-06T16:50:00.000-03:00

The bus leaves for home in 50 minutes and I still need to pack, get downtown, etc.

I'll be back in a few days with a response to the Hurricane Sock Party questionnaire, mmkay? (congrats Christy on your cool new digs!)

Also -- step on over to Knitting 40 Shades of Green and congratulate her! She finished all of her log cabin blocks and they look amazing!

Happy Easter! Smooches all around! Facebook is EVIL! Bye for now! Canknitian out!

Book 'em, Can-o: Part 2

2007-04-03T02:18:00.000-03:00

It's 1:42 a.m. and I need to be up and on my way in six short hours. Less than that, really. HOWEVER, I chose not to medicate myself to sleep tonight because I thought I would fall right to sleep the second my head hit the pillow. Har-dee-f*^%in-har-har.

So let's talk about books! I'm up, you'll be up eventually. It'll be fun!

What are your top three books of all time?

First of all, I really don't like the expression "of all time." It's too subjective. Ask me again in two years and I may have a very different perspective, a very different list. However, given that I asked the question and you were all kind enough to answer...and given that I have, as a matter of fact, come up with a list of books that have been on the list for 8+ years...I do have a place to start. (So start already!)

The Giant Jam Sandwich - John Vernon Lord
This wonderful, lyrical storybook has been a favourite since I was a little, tiny kid. I remember reading it with Mum, examining the incredibly detailed illustrations over and over again, and always being amazed by the enormity of the bread they produced in a building used as an brick oven! When I worked at the bookstore a few years ago (more than a few now, really), I ordered a brand new copy and this year Santa gave it to my niece for Christmas.

A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
During the summer when I was twelve, I watched a few minutes of an afternoon talk show that included an interview with this very "author-y" guy who had a new book out. It sounded to me like a good book and so did the one they kept saying he was known for...The World According to Carp? Garth? Garf?

When I was eighteen, I spent my second summer away from home with relatives in Alberta. A trip to Safeway finally solved the mystery -- The World According to Garp. I picked it up, read a bit but didn't really get into it. A couple of months later, I moved with my aunt and uncle to their new house and in the middle of a box of books I found a copy of The Hotel New Hampshire. I'd seen part of the movie on the late show the previous year and remembered it was interesting, a little twisted and there was something about a stuffed dog. I read a bit but didn't really get into it until the next spring, around the time I went home for the summer.

After I finished THNH, I wanted to read more of John Irving's books. Garp still wan't cutting it, though, so I started hunting. One day while 'in town', I rooted through the shelves at a second hand bookstore, digging for copies of anything he'd written but only turned up a copy of The Cider House Rules. I went up to pay and asked if they had anything else by Irving (because, of course, they'd keep all the 'good' stuff out back, right?) and, as it happened, a bag of books had just been dropped off with A Prayer for Owen Meany right on top. I paid and took the books home to read, hoping they'd be just what I was looking for.

The Cider House Rules was good, really good, but A Prayer for Owen Meany was everything I wanted. It was hilarious, painful, heartbreaking, uplifting, intelligent and compelling -- every obnoxious cliché any reviewer has ever used -- and then it was more. More story. More heart. More.

At first, I really didn't know what I thought of the main character. Frankly, Owen seemed like a twit. Then, about a third of the way in, right about the time Irving kicks you in the gut (hard) for the first time, I was all in. LOVED OWEN. Shortly after, the plot really took hold and I didn't want the story to end. So I read it again immediately. And then my copy went missing. So I picked up another one. And then I lent it to somebody. That one came back, but I had missed it so I'd already picked up a spare. I bought copies for friends, lovers, everybody. It's crazy how much I loved that book! I've only got one copy these days and it's pretty beat up, but I still love it. It's time to re-read it, actually.

Oh, and the funny thing is...when John Irving was on that long ago talk show, he was almost definitely promoting A Prayer for Owen Meany. Funny how these things happen, isn't it?

* * * * *

OK. There's another book to talk about here in relation to this question, and another question to be answered...but I'm feeling sleepy, so I've got to go. Here's another picture of the yarn I bought last week...the FA for the Baudelaires and some other yummy FA. I love this picture.

Semi-frogged Kind of Life

2007-04-02T22:13:00.000-03:00

Rather than show you the mistake I made in my Baudelaire (luckily, a few repeats after Saturday's photos), or tell you how proud I am of my "boyfriend" for his interview with June Callwood tonight (did anyone else tear up when she told him he was 'really very good at his job'? I'm still choked up about the interview), I'm going light. Very light.

I found this movie meme on Sprite's blog and it caught my attention. Actually, it picked and picked at me. Like it dared me to come up with answers. It took me a long time to come up with a few of these (esp 4, 8, 10...)

1. Name a movie you have seen more than 10 times. Dead Poets’ Society

2. Name a movie you’ve seen multiple times in the theater. High Fidelity

3. Name an actor who would make you more inclined to see a movie. Tom Hanks

4. Name an actor who would make you less likely to see a movie. Jeremy Piven

5. Name a movie you can and do quote from. Napoleon Dynamite

6. Name a movie musical in which you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs. That Thing You Do!

7. Name a movie you have been known to sing along with. The Birdcage. The Sound of Music. Muriel's Wedding. [ welcome to Embarrassing Revelations 1000 ]

8. Name a movie you would recommend everyone see. Saving Private Ryan

9. Name a movie you own. The Apartment

10. Name an actor who launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops. Donnie Wahlberg

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what? Yes, but "when" is a better question than "what." The last movie I saw at the drive-in was part of a "dusk til dawn" extravaganza when I was seven years old. I have NO IDEA what was playing, but I know that's the last time.

12. Ever made out in a movie? At home, of course. In the theatre, no.

13. Name a movie you keep meaning to see but you just haven’t gotten around to yet. Casablanca

14. Ever walked out of a movie? Almost – The Brothers Grimm

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater. Philadelphia

16. Popcorn? Yes please.

17. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)? At least monthly, but I used to really like going every week or two…

18. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater? Zodiac

19. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie? I like capers and comedies best but, really, I like everything.

20. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater? I vaguely remember seeing one of the Herbie movies with my grandmother when I was very, very small.

21. What movie do you wish you had never seen? Jesus Camp. I watched half and that was entirely too much. I'm sure it was 'good', but I didn't like my reaction to it.

22. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed? Maybe The Jacket?

23. What is the scariest movie you’ve seen? The Skeleton Key. It's the only movie I've seen that has kept me up all night. That being said, The Wizard of Oz freaked the crap out of me as a kid...

24. What is the funniest movie you’ve seen? When I saw Wayne's World for the first time I laughed all the way home. And the first time I watched Rat Race I laughed so hard I ached the next day.

Party on Wayne!

Startaholics Anonymous

2007-03-31T16:44:00.000-03:00

My name is j and I'm a startaholic.

It's true. I've got at least three projects on the go right now -- three main ones, anyway, that I'm paying a bit of attention to -- but I had to start something else. I need to give someone in my real life a very special gift...and when I found Fleece Artist in "her" colour I knew just what to do.

Given that Bloomin' Feet socks are due in a month, I'm going to be sock focused for the next little while. I was almost ready to turn the heel on my BF socks, but I spotted a mistake that couldn't be ignored (honestly, it was the second big mistake). So I had to rip back. They're no further along than they were the last time I showed you, but I'm not abandoning them. It's all Fleece Artist, all the time around here right now. Could be worse, huh?

I really love this colour! They're coming along pretty quickly, too, so I'm feeling reasonably confident that they'll be done by my 'deadline.'

* * * * *

Edited to add: I initially posted without a link to the pattern or any indication that they're Baudelaires.

Oh, and listen to / watch this. Hearing this song has me addicted to both Feist and Ron Sexsmith's music. I prefer RS's original, but love her cover (acoustic) of the BeeGees' Inside and Out.

Oh Canada!

200

2007-03-29T19:47:00.000-03:00

Bonjour mes chères. J'ai commencé cet poste une dixaine de fois, mais les mots étaient toujours melangé, manquantes. Je viens juste de voir (encore, pour la centième fois) Amélie, et j'ai besoin de parler en français. Aussi, je suis inspiré comme toujours par les images de Montmarte et Paris...mais, vraiment, c'est les campagnes qui me fait penser à Vimy qui m'inspirent a planifier un voyage. Je me demande, presque chaque jour, comment je pourrais épargner de l'argent pour une très belle vacance en France. Un jour, je le ferais. Pour maintenant...seulement dans mes rêves.*

* * * * *

Speaking of dreams, something almost miraculous has happened. I need to wrap a few things up where I am but, in a few weeks, I'll be moving on to new role that I hope will be much healthier for me. That's part of the reason it's been quiet around here lately -- my head has been somewhere else altogether. Woohoo!

* * * * *

Another reason it's been quiet (aside from wanting to write the second half of the Book 'em Can-o post) is that this is, technically, my 200th post. Somehow, I felt like I needed to acknowledge it, say something a little more profound. So I kept putting it off, waiting for the right words. Guess what? They didn't come. So I picked a few out of the sky (french ones, as it turns out) and started. SO, yeah. 200 canknitian posts. I'm a somewhat different person and an altogether different (better, I hope) knitter than I was almost two years ago.

An early post included the ubiquitous '100 Things About Me'...let's see what's changed, shall we?

I am Canadian.

I’m a woman.

I’m a reader.

I’ve been an ER fan since its first year. Still true, but I haven't watched it in months...

I also love CSI (Las Vegas, not the other ones), ~~Third Watch (even though I missed the last three episodes and the series is over now) and West Wing.~~ TW and WW are both long over, and have been replaced with Criminal Minds and Grey's Anatomy.

~~Suddenly, I’m into Lost.~~ I stopped watching it last year. Now, suddenly, I'm into Raines. Jeff Goldblum is so MEOW.

I love magazines.

Buying People magazine used to be a priority over food/necessities.

I’m over it now.

Now, my favourites are Real Simple, Chatelaine and (this is embarrassing) “O” (although my priorities have changed and I wouldn’t buy any of them before food these days). You know, I'm much better than I was even two years ago. I buy general interest magazines much less often now ...but...

Knit-wise, I ~~always~~ RARELY buy FC Easy Knitting, and ~~usually~~ ALWAYS Interweave Knits and USUALLY Vogue Knitting.

In an ideal world, I would be able to knit, watch tv, and read a book (or blogs) all at once. I pretty much can now. Definitely TV and talk and knit (without looking), and I can read a bit too...

~~Apparently,~~ my grandfather often read and knit at the same time, and usually had the TV on in the room too.

My first pen pal lived in Australia, but had moved there from Canada.

My second pen pal lived in Finland.

I’ve lost track of them both. Still true.

I love writing letters. Ha. Friggin. Ha. I do, BUT...only 'fun' letters.

I love mail. It's true, I do, and I've been lucky enough to receive a lot of really awesome mail from some of you. Thank you thank you!

I have a zillion notecards and cannot resist buying more. Still true.

I tend to be an irregular correspondent. I'm both better and worse than I used to be, I think.

Talking on the phone for very long usually makes me antsy. Still true for the most part.

I kept my first online journal from August 1998-November 1999.

It’s still out there. HA! Mercifully, the internet has since swallowed it whole!

~~It makes me uncomfortable to know that it’s still out there, but~~

~~I’ve forgotten the password and lost the email accounts that go with it.~~

I love Hershey Hugs. True, but I couldn't tell you the last time I had one. I'm much of a Reese PB mini-cup kind of girl these days.

My mother taught me how to knit, more or less, when I was in elementary school.

That first project was an incredibly misshapen scarf.

A friend’s mother taught me again when I worked for her during university.

That first project was an incredibly misshapen and holey dishcloth. Apparently, my friend's mother STILL uses it!

My dishcloths are much more regular now, although I don’t make them as often as I used to.

I have knit only one sweater so far, I've since knit baby sweaters, halves of a few others, most of a couple more...

Almost two socks (from different pairs), LOTS of socks, but not a lot of pairs...

Countless scarves, not many more of those...

Mitre squares and

Dishcloths out the ying yang.

I had an affair with Bernat Illusions/Mirage yarn a few years ago and

Crocheted about 40 scarves out of it. Crochet! Imagine! I was once one of those people. ;)

I really don’t like Bernat Illusions/Mirage yarn anymore. I loathe it.

I’m also a non-fan of fun fur and its many cousins. Understatement extraordinaire.

Despite my non-love for Illusions/Mirage, I have many pounds of it living in my closet (Want some? I’ll share). I thought the affair would last longer than it did. HA! It's gone now, in a rather tragic trade gone wrong...but I got rid of it, so it wasn't all bad.

I’m now hunting for just the right yarn to knit myself a sweater. I'm knitting one for myself right now. And a vest...did I tell you about the vest?

I’ve knit three or four swatches but can’t quite get the gauge with the yarn I was hoping to use, so the hunt continues. Who the hell knows what kind of yarn I was talking about...

I love hand-dyed yarns.

Fleece Artist is a favourite, but

I’m really not that picky and don’t have much to compare it to. Not true anymore, baby! I've tried lots of lovely things now. Lorna's Laces is a definite favourite, along with STR...and just about anything smooshy and colourful!

I live in a basement apartment.

I always swore I would live alone before getting married and

I have lived alone for almost ~~five~~ SEVEN years although

Not always in the same apartment.

I wish I had more space, including a balcony ~~and a dishwasher~~ (obviously, this would require moving out of the basement!).

I dream of a house with a big work room for all of my projects, including built in storage for lots and lots of yarn. I now want this house to be on the water somewhere...

My current stash would easily cover a double bed, and would probably spill off onto the floor. I can't measure it this way anymore. My stash will soon need to start earning it's keep. Maybe Dolores could give me some advice...

I inherited a friend’s stash when she moved across the country a few years ago.

Most of my yarn is sealed in transparent blue bags in my closet but OH PLEASE

There is quite a bit of yarn in stacked baskets in the living room and

Yarn for several “current” projects in a folding knitting bag next to “my” end of the couch. As if one folding knitting bag would hold much of anything around here. I've probably got more in my purse these days! :)

I used to have goldfish, but one died and the other flipped out of the bowl and swam away from home (I never found the body, but the bowl was near the sink at the time of his disappearance).

I’m allergic to cats.

I want an Airedale of my own someday.

One of my childhood dogs, my favourite, was an Airedale named Daisy.

I love daisies.

My only pets these days are the plants I keep at work.

My plants at work, including an African violet, are ~~flourishing~~ all dead but one. Including the damned violet.

The plants at home are ~~ready for burial. Poor plants.~~ all plastic. And happy about it.

I am addicted to Diet Pepsi. Honestly. Truly. Madly. Deeply.

Cucumber sandwiches, on white bread with a little miracle whip and black pepper, taste like summer.

So do fresh picked green beans and peas.

Salty foods (i.e. popcorn, potato chips or fries) are my weakness although

I love oreos and oatmeal cookies and my own chocolate cake. But I haven't had any of them in awhile. Hmm.

I love TLC's What Not To Wear. Yeah, but I rarely watch it anymore...

If I ever win the lotto, I am going to hire Stacey, Clinton, Nick and Carmindy from WNTW to make me over.

I rarely buy lottery tickets.

I have been doing to the same ~~hair dresser for years. Oh, excuse me. Hair stylist.~~ hairdo guy for years.

~~I watch Life's Birth Stories almost every weekday.~~ The only thing I watch almost every day is The Hour. And I miss that half the time. Even though I LOVE George.

I love movies.

I don't mind going to the movies alone. That's an understatement. I LOVE THAT.

I'm about 5'5”.

I wish I was taller. Yeah.

I have short hair.

It's blondish-red.

My eyes are blue.

One of them has a brown spot, like a freckle, on it.

I have at least a million other freckles, too.

My ears are pierced. Once each.

I'm a packrat.

I'm a libra.

I'm the oldest of three daughters.

I hate wearing socks. (Hmm...maybe that's why I have trouble knitting/finishing socks...)

If I could wear sandals every day, each day would be a little brighter.

My favourite sandals are Birkenstocks. Still true, but I loved my Croc flops last year too.

I own only one pair. SO FAR. I'm still wearing the same pair. This year, I might have to break down and buy a new pair.

I have a university degree.

I don't drink coffee.

Or tea.

People almost always pronounce my first name incorrectly.

It's pronounced phonetically.

People always add vowels.

People who've seen it written are more likely to get it right.

It is impossible to find pre-printed anything bearing my name.

I'm getting over it. :) Yeah. Sort of.

*Forgive me for this, svp. I'm in a mood. And forgive the horrific spelling / syntax. It needs work.

Book 'em, Can-o (Part 1)

2007-03-24T00:42:00.000-03:00

Thank you for all of your wonderful suggestions! As Kelli Ann pointed out in the comments, your responses are a gold mine of book ideas. I was interested to see how many of your favourites are on my "read" and "to read" lists, and the overlap between your responses piqued my interest too. Thanks to all of you, I think I found just the right book for right now.

First, though, my own answers...

What are you reading right now?

Clearly, I wasn't reading anything when I posed the question. I had, however, just finished re-reading The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I read it for the first time about seven years ago and I remember being amazed by the author's will to write the book. After suffering a stroke, the former editor of French Elle dictated every word of the book with the blink of one eye.

Think about how long it would take you to spell just your first name if the only means you had to communicate was a blink in response to another person's recitation of the (specially arranged) alphabet. Now think about composing and dictating an entire book.

Again, I was amazed by his determination. This time, too, I was moved by the depth of his reflection on the simple things that he missed from his former life, the things that he (amazingly) celebrated in the new one, and the bridges he built between the two. This is a book to be read in one gulp (like the first time) or savoured, page by page over several evenings, while soaking in the tub.

What are you planning to read next?

Time and again, I find just what I need, just when I need it. Things are in transition here and over the last few months I've been thinking a lot about what does and doesn't work for me. I'm always more reflective after a crisis, but something about this winter has pushed me a little further. A little deeper.

Anyway. Timing is everything and when I asked you for your suggestions, a few of you mentioned Eat, Pray, Love. Coincidentally, the Globe and Mail ran an interview with the author this week and a friend of mine and I talked a bit more about it on Wednesday night after knitting group. I already felt like the universe was trying to tell me to read the book, but when she described the author's initial crisis, I knew this was the right book for me right now. I picked it up after work and started it last night. I'm only a dozen pages in but I've got to say -- THANK YOU. It's hitting the spot.

What are your top three books of the last year?

I picked up Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden when it was nominated for Canada Reads last winter. Evocative, sensual, mystical, this book gives the reader a new perspective on WWI and the people who fought for Canada. This was my Number One Book of 2006 until December 27.

And then I read Cockeyed by Ryan Knighton. Something on the CBC caught my attention and I tracked the book down during one of my trips to the bookstore while I was home for Christmas. I started reading Knighton's memoir at around 11 pm and read until my eyes were burning and closing against my will around 2 am, and I finished it the next morning over breakfast.

Here's what you need to know -- Knighton is just a few years older than I am, grew up in BC, and his memoir about going blind is the most honest, hilarious, badass thing I think I've ever read. I read most of this book with my hand in my mouth to keep from howling out loud and waking everyone in the house. You can read some of the other reviews here, but I really suggest that you just read the book.

I lent my copy of Cockeyed to WN along with my third book -- Dirt Music by Tim Winton. I picked this one up once before but the timing wasn't right. This time, Winton's Dirt Music and The Riders found me just as I was feeling able to read again after a long period of detachment and disinterest. I'm a Reader and when I can't read, things are definitely out of whack. SO. These books found me just as I was coming around and I inhaled The Riders. Then, I took a deep breath and fell into Dirt Music.

My book club seems to have a knack for choosing depressing books in the wintertime. It's happened a few times and this year, just for example, Snow was our December/January choice. Never read about winter in the wintertime. The subject matter was a little too intense for the January blahs, and way to intense for me at the time. I stopped reading it. BUT I've already decided that I'm going to campaign for Dirt Music to be our January or February choice for 2008.

The main characters are interesting, their backstories as compelling as the plot itself, and Winton's description of the Australian landscape in the heat of summer is so evocative that the reader almost sweats with the characters. I want to read all of Winton's books now.

Other highlights from the past year include Lighthousekeeping by Jeanette Winterson, The Custodian of Paradise by Wayne Johnston and The Birth House by Ami McKay (KAF -- this is the book club's selection for this month).

I'll be back with answers to the rest of my questions in a day or so.
In the meantime, I'm off to bed and a few more pages of Eat, Pray, Love.

(And yes, that's more new yarn. I'm an addict.)

Book'em

2007-03-18T20:25:00.000-03:00

Book group is coming up in a week or so. I read the book when it came out last summer and I'm (basically) between books at the moment. I have a zillion or so on the shelf that I've read, half read and bought because I someday want to read them...but can't decide what to read next.

So, tell me quick:

What are you reading right now?

What are you planning to read next?

What are your top three books of the last year?

What are your top three books of all time?

Has reading a particular book ever changed your life?

Fiction, non-fiction, snooty literature or bathroom reader -- it doesn't matter, just please make a suggestion. Answers to any or all of these questions would be deeply appreciated.

Sociable!

2007-03-18T00:27:00.000-03:00

I went out for 'breakfast' this morning at a local pub. The place was absolutely FESTOONED with St Paddy's Day BLING and people were well on their way to plastered by noon.

I wasn't able to wear the hat left on one of our tables (don't worry -- it was obviously brand new) because of my enormo cranium, but I tattooed myself at the table (Diet Coke (pitooey!) works well with the temporary tattoo fixative, as it turns out) while waiting for friends to arrive and the music to begin.

Once our two booths were crammed with fun folks, healthy, deep-fried non-breakfasts were had by one and all, with Bailey's, green beer and diet coke to wash it all down. I left around 1:00 p.m. (I'm a party pooper), but I know several of my friends are probably still going strong. The plan was to take up residence at a particular pub by 2 pm and stay 'til close. Giganto party pooper that I am, it's 12:43 a.m. on March 18, I spent the day knitting, watching movies, going to the new Mart of Wal and I'm now on my way to bed. I'm a ROCK STAR.

Party on, Wayne!

Quick quick

2007-03-12T23:44:00.000-03:00

My apologies if this showed up in your reader five million times. I'm wiped out and keep making the same mistake. Over and over.

* * * * *

I LOATHE the time change. I'm already prone to that "one minute it was seven o'clock and the next thing I knew it was midnight" feeling, and with the time change it's worse. I swear -- it was 10:30 a minute ago. Everything always feels like it's going too fast the first few days after the change.

* * * * *

FYI: My skin peeled, but has mostly recovered. Thanks for all of your sympathetic comments. :)

* * * * *

More tomorrow. I have some FABULOUS things to show you!

Just this once...

2007-03-10T00:02:00.000-04:00

...I should have listened to my sister. OK. Not just this once. But this one time, in particular, I wish I'd taken her comment about the evils of a certain hair removal product a little more seriously. See, a few days ago B and I were talking about men's back hair (ick) and the options available if a person were to encourage de-forestation. I mentioned a certain friend's luck using a certain product's "for men" option on her beau, and B said she didn't like it, it melts your hair and (allegedly) does a lot of other nasty things. I reiterated my point about my friend's success with it and we moved on.

Dun dun dunnnn!

It's winter. It's cold. Everything is very, very dry. So dry that my hairdo guy is able to shut off his radio without actually touching the button. Just being close to the radio switches it off. Apparently. So dry that the hair on my head pretty much does its own thing all the time because any attempts to corral it or coax it in a particular direction quickly fails. So dry that my inner elbows and the backs of my knees are pretty raw all the time.

Dun dun dunnnn!

So LW and I are out tonight, enjoying our new hairdos (most of my hair was behaving) and scheming about the weekend. I'm heading to a lovely hotel with friends for the day/night tomorrow and there might be jacuzzi-ing involved.

I don't know about the rest of you, but as a single person in a northern-ish country, I keep a very different leg-shaving schedule in the winter than I do in the summer. It's generally not a big deal and if I need to do anything about it, I address the matter on a case by case basis. Given that I'd like to go in the water without being mistaken for an albino wookie, the issue needed to be addressed.

LW, fan of the chemical hair removal option that she is, made a recommendation that sounded very reasonable. We picked up a sensitive skin variety and I went home to attend to the task.

DUN DUN DUNNNN!

I'll skip the gory details, but let's just say that the recommended 4 minutes was entirely too long. The backs of my knees started to burn almost immediately and I quickly developed a flaming red rash pretty much anywhere the stuff touched. I hopped in the shower, rinsed everything in cold water and tried not to scream my favourite swear word (M-Fer) as the rash continued to bloom and burn.

Seriously. Mother of all f*%ckers. It hurt like hell.

The good news is -- it did the trick for the most part. Even if it hadn't, I'm done with that stuff and really don't care if people notice any hair on my legs. The way the rash is looking, the hair will be the least noticeable thing.

The bad news is that after my shower and a coolish bath (in which I slipped, slightly, and accidentally flooded the bathroom floor), I ran out of hot water. Now I'm freezing, rashy and cranky.

AAAARGGHHH!

(I just checked, btw...one leg is virtually hairless, the other...not so much. The rash is a bit better, but my legs feel sunburnt.)

Hellooo!

2007-03-08T21:52:00.000-04:00

I'm feeling A LOT better. Thanks for all of your cheering comments the other day! It turns out that good friends are good medicine. I can now say with a great deal of certainty that positive comments and email + decongestant nasal spray + the right combination of ibu and antihistamine + doughnuts = a very effective sinus cold treatment regimen. So effective, in fact, that if you follow this plan and are still feeling like dog crap when you go to bed, you'll be pleasantly surprised* to find yourself almost 100% cured and able to work the following morning.

* As pleasantly surprised as anyone would be to find they no longer had a legitimate excuse to stay in bed all day on a windy, -30 C workday.

* * * * *

The new issue of Knitty is up. I've already decided to make myself a vest as soon as I finish Emerald and am able to get my mitts on the yarn. My Emerald, by the way, has had a quiet couple of weeks.

I put it on the backburner when I went home the other weekend and didn't really pick it up again until tonight...only to find that one of the needles I was using for my first sleeve has gone exploring. Piss. Me. Right. Off.

SO I'm improvising and knitting the sleeve using a pair of circs. Not my favourite method, but I think that once I get through some of the increases I might be able to get away with just knitting it on my short circ. We'll see. At the moment, there is green yarn all over the couch and half way across the living room from where I ripped back. Apparently I'm better able to count now than I was two weeks ago. Apparently.

* * * * *

I finished a sock for a friend with very skinny feet today. Not the skinny socks I was working on a few weeks ago. A different one. Yes -- a different one. My friend the Crafty Canadian (hereinafter CC) and I are working together on a pair of socks for a friend. Sounds a little crazy, but no crazier than knitting a pair of socks for someone in another country, n'est-ce-pas? See, a few weeks ago I walked CC through knitting her first sock. Between us, we made a pair of 'class socks' from Sensational Knitted Socks.

With a pair of secret squirrel socks already in mind, we figured out that she is able to get gauge with the needle suggested and that I'm able to get the same gauge using a larger needle (i.e. 3mm for her, 3.5 mm for me). Once the class socks were finished, we started scheming, visited our LYS (darn -- we had to buy more wool!) and eventually settled on Patons Classic Wool in a really fabulous variegate that will suit the recipient to a tee.

We cast on together, checked our gauge, ripped back, started again, checked our gauge again and were on our (separate) way. CC finished hers Tuesday night and I finished mine at lunch. I'm waiting to graft the toe until we're able to compare them in person, just in case mine is a little long (or short). I'm happy with the way mine has turned out and am sure that CC's will be the much more beautiful twin.

The sock is short, but not that short.

I've got to say, one of the best things about this project -- aside from the insanely narrow width and shortness of the sock -- is only having to knit one sock. I love just knitting one sock, even if it doesn't leave a girl with a lot of options in the wardrobe department.

* * *

I took better pictures of my Bloomin' Feet socks but I'm not sure...I think I might need to start over. In the picture, the stitches look a little wonky. They're probably fine. I would just hate for my pal to receive them and wonder what kind of crack I'd been smoking, you know?

* * * * *

I went to Pilates last night and had a great stretch / workout. I felt well stretched this morning but after a day at work, sitting in my chair, hunched over, I'm much more sore. I hope I can remember to stretch throughout the day after my next class. There's no way that sitting like a slug at my desk helped anything.

Regardless, remember the scene in Napoleon Dynamite where Napoleon (John Heder) has the "time machine" between his legs and he's moaning "It kills! It kills!"? That's kind of how I feel everytime I move. Only without the head gear, sexy hairdo or permanent damage.

* * * * *

I'm started watching Running With Scissors earlier tonight. I paused it halfway through (I'm doing laundry) and am almost afraid to find out what happens next. It's bound to be uncomfortable.

* * * * *

OK. Off I go. The dryer is about to stop and I'm about to fall over with exhaustion (I'm better, but still tired). Work tomorrow and road trip on Saturday / Sunday. It's going to be sweet!

Goals

2007-03-05T21:40:00.000-04:00

I have another beastly cold. Congestion, sinus pressure, aching teeth, messy nose, overtired and cranky. I'm a sight to behold and spreading joy and sunshine everywhere I go. And I'm using my last three brain cells to tell you I'm still here, still knitting when I can, reading a lot and trying not to alienate everyone I come into contact with.

My goals for the next 24 hours include a full night's sleep, solid food that is not a member of the Reese PB Cup family, and decent pictures of my Bloomin' Feet socks, secret squirrel socks and the sweater-in-progress.

For now -- a crappy picture of my BF socks to distract you:

More soon.

Shiny Things

2007-03-04T21:53:00.000-04:00

I read a lot, see a lot of movies, knit a lot of things, talk to a lot of people. It doesn't always make contextual sense for me to jump in and tell you about a link I found or a book I'm reading in the middle of my rambles about yarn addiction, sock woes, etc. Sometimes there's an easy way to way to jump in and tell you about something, but not always. And sometimes I just want to show or tell you about something that got my attention.

Other people are really good at this. They post a little note that's the equivalent of "dude, check this out" without getting all self-conscious about it. Dave's Yes/No Movie Reviews* (like this one) are a great example. Dooce's Daily Links are good too, with a comment that provides context or credit but letting the links speak for themselves in the end.

I know, in a way, I already do this when I tell you I've found something I like or that's useful, but it feels like they need their own space here. And maybe it's something I need to do regularly. Regardless, I'm starting a little file, creating a place for the shiny things that catch my eye when I'm out and about in the world, and I'll let you know when I find something new-to-me that's left me with a taste for more.

*I went to see Zodiac yesterday. To borrow the Yes/No Movie Review idea, I'd give it a 'Yes with a touch of Meh'. I was hoping it would blow my mind a little more than it did, like Seven did the first time I saw it, or The Skeleton Key when it kept me up all night. It was well done, most of the characters were well cast, but it just didn't do it for me in the end. On the bright side, I went to the show by myself for the first time in ages -- definitely one of my all time favourite things to do.

Old School

2007-02-25T20:18:00.000-04:00

I love watching the Oscars, and have been overtired at work the day after on several occasions. This year, though, I'm feeling old so I'm going to bed. I expect the good bits will be on youtube soon enough anyway, right?

Part of the reason I'm feeling old is because I made a flying trip home this weekend. Zipped down yesterday morning (up and at 'em and on the road by 9:30) and back this afternoon (back in my apartment at 6:30 pm sharp). I had a lot of fun celebrating birthdays and hanging out with my sisters. We ended up downtown at around midnight last night and I was feeling pretty old anyway, but then we watched our little cousin go into the bar ahead of us (she wasn't with us) and realized that although she was only 4 when I used to babysit her, she's 19 now.

This afternoon, I went to London-Wul with Mum, picked up some yarn for Bloomin' Feet, and a couple of other skeins to either put to work or keep as pets; I haven't decided yet.

I don't have amnesia. I remember that the FA was a disaster during Toasty Toes, but I have a bit of a plan this time. Sort of. Maybe. AND I have Harv and Roy, which has already made a huge difference.

I drove back late this afternoon and I have to say that the only reason I'm still up is because (1) I refused to go to bed before 8 o'clock (I may be old, but that's ridiculous) and (2) I lost track of time for a few minutes. Off now, to bath, bed and book.

Emerald: Day 6

2007-02-19T23:26:00.000-04:00

You know, Amy didn't lie. This sweater is a fast knit. FAST.

Taken sometime yesterday afternoon...miles ago now...
the colour is pretty true here.

Of course, it would be even faster if I had the right size needles to start the sleeves. I have DPNs in just about every size from 2.75 mm through to 6 mm. I do not, however, have the 7 mm DPNs I need to start the sleeves.

I've knit all the way up to the pits on the body, and merrily went to cast on for the sleeves...when GAH. I have another set of circs in a 7 mm, but no DPNs. Two sets, apparently, of 6 mm, but no 7s. Double GAH.

One of these days, I'm going to take inventory

Yes, I should be in bed...but I'm COMPELLED to keep working on this sweater. I LOVE it, dammit, and really want to see if I can get it done by the weekend. I don't know why. I just feel like I need to. Like, maybe, I could.

Yarn-wise, I have 9 full balls left and a lot of long, long ends hanging where I had **almost** enough to finish a row, but had to tink back to the beginning of the row so I wouldn't end up with a knot in the middle of my back. Gah at the time, but it could be enough for a cuff. Of course, I won't know until I have the right needles. I reeeeally want to call my LYS right now to leave a message.

There's got to be a better way!

RRRRRROXANNE!

2007-02-17T15:31:00.000-04:00

Me and my buddies.

July.

Montreal.

The Police.

La Ronde.

Ikea.

SWEET!

Postcard

2007-02-15T17:47:00.000-04:00

Dear Alberta:

The Chin twins and I arrived late last week, but it has taken this much time for me to get it together to drop you a line. It took us a few days to recover from the trip. Our travelling compartment took quite a beating on the way up.

By the time we were all feeling a bit better, the strange one we're staying with was saying something about snow. I wasn't sure what she was talking about, so while she was out one day I snuck a peek out the window. It just looked like lots of white sand to me...but without the water. Christy said we'd need to wear hats and things...but I wasn't convinced.

When she got home from work today, I asked the strange one if she would take our picture so I could email you and let you know that we'd arrived. Turns out, it isn't sand at all. The strange one calls it snow and said they got a lot of it last night. It's pretty but I gotta say, whatever it is, it's *&?%ing cold!

Talk soon,
Lisa S.

PS: Thank Christy for the hat! The Chin twins now wish they'd taken her up on her offer!

Love

2007-02-15T01:19:00.000-04:00

I had a great Valentine's Day; certainly one of the best I've had in years. One thing that made it great -- I bought myself a present: yarn for a sweater. It's snowing here, the sky is glowing white beyond the trees even though it's twenty after one in the morning, clouds are hanging low and the city's lights are reflecting back down. It's romantic, really, and the perfect setting for love. Of yarn, that is. Forget boys*. Yarn is where it's at.

That picture** was taken hours ago, and I've since knit my way through another show and a movie. I am LOVING this yarn*** and the pattern. Fingers crossed. I'm really hoping that this is a lasting**** love.

* just for today
** I apologize if the picture is crap -- there's something very wonky about the colour settings on my monitor and no amount of tweaking helped today. The yarn is a cross between sage and olive. Kind of.
*** Treehouse (shade 140)
**** i.e. that I'll have enough yarn!

Do the Math

2007-02-05T22:36:00.000-04:00

Every year, on Sooperbowl Sunday, I host a little gathering. Girls only. No boys, babies, diets or sports allowed. We watch a chick flick, enjoy a smorgasbord of calorific goodness, and just hang out. I've done it six times (with a misguided hiatus last year) and although it's different every time, I LOVE it every time.

This year, there were five of us, including a certain exceptionally cute baby (who doesn't really break the rules because she's adorable and only a month old), just the right amount of food, lots of stitching and baby snuggling and a good movie*. Late in the evening, after lots of laughs, girl talk and chocolate, one of the girls asked me if I would consider knitting her a pair of socks.

Actually, she asked how long it would take. I didn't really answer (something about always having too many projects on the go to really guess) because, well, sometimes it takes a long time, sometimes longer (a lot longer) and other times it doesn't take very very long at all. So without making any promises (to anyone other than myself), I agreed. A yarn was selected (Regia Canadian in the "PEI" colourway), we got her measurements and I was about to cast on when it dawned on me that some adjustments would be in order.

See, she tried on the Alberta and Esprit (both Regia Canadian) socks and while they look like this on me...

...they're much more of a slouch sock on her. My feet are wide (say 9", give or take) and hers are narrow(7.75") around the ball and the ankle. I double-checked my gauge, consulted Charlene and realized that I would have to go down at least 8 stitches.

"Normally," to make myself a Regia sock, I work 72 sts on 2.75 mm needles (yes, they're *plenty* tight)...with these socks, if they're going to be snug enough that she doesn't step right out of them, I'll only be knitting 64 sts around. Over a hundred rows, let's say, I'll save 800 stitches. I'm not one for budgets, but holy -- that's a savings!

So. Yeah. I don't know how long it's going to take, but so far I'm zipping right along. What a difference an inch makes...What's that? Oh, yeah -- that *is* my coffee table. I know! Crazy, huh? You can actually see the top of it.

In fact...look what I finally did!!!

Try to imagine how much better I'm feeling.

Nope. Even better!

Speaking of which, thanks for all of your good wishes re: my sore froat. I spent most of the weekend in bed recovering, watching Grey's Anatomy Season 2 (a Christmas present, saved for just this type of occasion) and alternately whining (to myself, mostly) about my froat or sneezing my head off.

It turns out that Buckleys (two, maybe three times; I couldn't take it!), Chloraseptic cough drops (so deliciously numbing when you feel like you've swallowed a lawnmower), kleenex with lotion, ibuprofen, Grey's Anatomy (not always administered all at once) is very therapeutic.

Speaking of therapeutic -- think about knitting some more squares for Grace and her friends.

Cynthia is still working toward her goal of 20 blankets and her recent yarn giveaway (still on-going -- check it out!) is helping to raise WG's profile againg. Come on. You know you wanna...

* The trailer and movie are great, but not all of the language or content in the trailer is entirely suitable for work. :) SUCH a good show. Parker Posey, Paul Rudd, Liza Minnelli, Danny DeVito. Seriously funny. And Parker Posey is PERFECT.

Rip Off Post

2007-02-01T23:23:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry, but this is going to be a quickie. Again.

* * *

January, the month of suck, has slightly infected February. Please let it stop. I CAN'T take another month of this.

* * *

I have a sore throat. I always think "sore froat." Because that's what I have -- a sore froat. And it sucks. Other than my "flu" last month, I haven't been sick for a couple of years. This is 48 kinds of sucky. (Yes, I'm sure. Definitely not 47.)

* * *

I love Brainylady. There. I've said it. I lurk, I say nothing, and I love from afar. HOWEVER. Thanks to her very recent post about the glorious perfection that is Camera Obscura I have had "Let's get out of this country" and "Lloyd, I'm ready to be heartbroken" playing over and over again back to back to back in my head. Love the songs, love the album, love Brainylady...BUT. The super duper sweetness is just a hair too much after hours and hours and hours. I need something a little sour, a little rawr-y to knock it out for a bit. Suggestions?

* * *

Speaking of love, have you seen Musindigo's socks? I have love in my heart for these suckers.

* * *

Sore froat. Ouch. Wah.

* * *

I wonder if the person who decided Callie's middle name is Euphegenia had recently watched Mrs. Doubtfire. I'm Euphegenia Doubtfire, dear...

* * *

There's much more I could say about tonight's episode of Grey's, but it's still early. I think sometimes about writing a post composed entirely of my first thought as the show goes to commercial each time. I know that when it went to commercial at 9:26, for example, I said "HOLY CRAP" out loud to no one at all.

* * *

I started the toe shaping for my Alberta socks (aka bathtub knitting). They've grown on me, for sure. My Trekking sock is still following me around, too. Oh, and I gave knitting socks on two circs a whirl this week. I have a teeny tiny 'class' sock in progress. Pictures, etc, soon.

In the meantime -- ouch, again, my froat -- I'm off to bed to nurse my throat and a headache that just will. not. go. away.

I know my little cold is small potatoes, but I've been a total whineyarse this week and I'm sick of myself. Suck it up, buttercup. Tomorrow's Friday!

List-a-riffic

2007-01-23T22:21:00.000-04:00

Thanks for all of your great comments on yesterday's photo and your wishes regarding the "mehwah." It really helps!

* * * * *

OK. There's a new button in my sidebar. I'll be knitting a pair of socks for a new secret someone between now and May 1. I'm very excited but have NO CLUE what I'll knit yet. The good news is, Bloomin' Feet doesn't really kick off until February 1 and, knowing me, I'll spend quite awhile thinking about it. :)

* * * * *

Last week, just before things went completely 'meh', I received a package. See, the week before, Cynthia and I were talking and she asked if I'd be interested in some of her Regia and other sock yarn she wasn't fond of anymore. Of course, I said, imagining that with her stash, a boot box of yarn would find its way to me. People. Imagine the look on my face when I turned the corner to my apartment and found a MUCH larger box waiting for me.

This box once held 12 x 1 L bottles of rum

Then imagine the look on my face when I opened it and found it full to the top.

Holy crow!

Everything was much more beautifully arranged when it arrived, but I took everything out and put everything back several times before finally taking a picture.

Seriously? Seriously. I am one very lucky duck. Thanks again Cindy! You are a star!

* * * * *

I've been knitting like a maniac and am finally sorting through and organizing my yarn, books, etc, in their own corner of my living room. I had a stash of my favourite VHS movies in the bottom of a cabinet in the living room and am SURE I can find a better place for them. Like under my bed. Especially now that the VCR is in the bedroom. The cabinet is valuable real estate.

Pictures of knitting to come, but for now...here's a crummy picture of a now finished (and very much modified) hat that will soon have a scarf-ish thing to go with.

Manos del Uruguay #110 - Stellar

* * * * *

OK. There's more, but I'm tired, so off I go again for now -- more very soon.

Postcard

2007-01-22T23:59:00.000-04:00

Look -- it's really winter!

I'm OK. Real post tomorrow.

Wah

2007-01-14T18:19:00.000-04:00

I've been feeling rather "wah" this week. A little "meh" about my knitting, a little bit more "meh" about my life, very "meh" about a bunch of other stuff...and a little "wah" overall. Oh yeah. You bet. I've been a riot to be around. Count your lucky stars that I didn't drag all of you into it. Believe me. Those of you who were dragged into it -- I'm sorry and thank you.

* * * * *

ANYWAY.

* * * * *

Last Friday night I cast on another Regia sock. The brown/orange/blue pair is still standing by, waiting for my attention, but the Alberta (4735) had been tormenting me for ages. It followed me home at Christmas, and back again, all without an audible complaint. Just a stare. Every time I turned around, it was there. Staring. On Friday, I caved. I needed to know what it would look like knit up. And now I know.

The verdict -- pretty, but. Let's say it has a nice personality, OK? Good bones, just not in all the right places. I think it might be the beige. Or the neon baby shit green. Not sure...Regardless, I've been working away at them, took them with me for my pedicure last week (changed my life), dragged them all over town and even took them in the tub last night. It's superwash, after all, and I'm not all that worried about ruining them...

On Wednesday, I went out for a bit of a stitch and bitch with B, and worked away on my socks and my Wobbly Circles tote. All that knitting (and tinking and swearing) and I'm still only 66% of the way. 'Magine.

In between socks and sulking, I've been playing with Fair Isle too. I really like the look of Eunny Jang's Endpaper Mitts, but wasn't sure I wanted the mitts. So I knit a swatch using some of the Briggs & Little Sport I picked up at London-Wul over Christmas and some of the same in Ecru that I picked up at the mill in November.

I'm fairly pleased with the swatch, but want to talk to a couple of the people at the FKG about it before I think about doing colour work in something someone might actually want to wear someday.

OK. Off I go. My socks and I are going to have another swish in the tub before heading off to ~~watch Studio 60 and~~ sleep the night away.

2006: In Review

2007-01-07T03:18:00.000-04:00

I really don't have the words to describe 2006, but these pictures say a lot about it. I obsessed a bit about the arrangement so that parts of particular stories would go together...and so things would point in particular directions (Believe me -- no one needs to be that fussy. The flickr toy really does it all for you).

Parts of the year were really painful, and at least three of the pictures acknowledge that (to me)...but for the most part I had a lot of fun, and I'm glad that comes through, too.

(These mosaics were my fabulous friend WN's idea. Make one of your own, add me as a contact and throw yours in the pool. Easy-peasy, and a fun way to reflect on the year that was.)

Vacation Knitting

2007-01-04T23:27:00.000-04:00

When packing up for my trip home, I loaded a big bag with all of the knitting projects I might possibly want to work on. I kept it in the car, and pulled things out when I needed a change. Instead of only one or two projects, the possibilities were almost endless. Last year, I worked on Mum's clapotis almost the entire time I was home. I loved it, and needed to finish it...but when I was done, I was DONE. This time, I wanted variety. Gift projects were small (and a couple were finished through the week), and I worked on whatever I felt like working on, pretty much whenever I felt like working on it.

I added to the bag while I was home, too. A quick zip out to London-Wul on Christmas Eve brought Pony Pearl DPNs in my favourite 2.75 mm my way (my knitting is very tight -- 2.75 to me is probably 2.25 to you, maybe 2.5), two new skeins of Briggs & Little Sport in Teal Blue and Rose, and a ball of Trekking XXL (#110).

I was particularly excited about the Trekking. One of the women in my knitting group was working on a sock in this colour at our last meeting and she wasn't quite sure what it was, but she knew it came from London-Wul. I love the colours and it's working up nicely in the jaywalker pattern.

I'm booking a pedicure tomorrow. Seriously.
It may be winter, but LORD.
This is just embarrassing.

As for FOs, I finished the first of my Regia socks. I still need to graft the toe, but I'll probably wait and do both at once.

My sister received (and loved -- yay!) her booga bag late on Christmas Day. I have to say, felting is SO much easier when one can control the wash time and water level. Felting did great things for the hot pink stripes, slimming and toning them down just a bit. Sweet!

I knit a hat for her fiancé, but didn't get a picture of it. There was a bit of a mad scramble to weave the ends in on Monday afternoon. Take my word for it, though, it turned out great. Shetland Chunky in Taupe, 3 x 1 ribbing, nothing fancy. It took a couple of shots to get it long enough, but I'm pretty sure it fit him in the end. At least I hope so. It fit me and my head is enormous...

Seems to me I'm forgetting something else that I finished...At the moment, I've got a lot of socks on the go. When Amanda de-stashed a few months ago I acquired a couple of balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. I was holding out for just the right project. I pulled the yarn out a few weeks ago when Amelia Raitte posted her Spindle Socks pattern...but decided to go in a slightly different (but familiar) direction.

If 2006 was the Year of the Booga in my world, it looks like 2007 is going to be the Year of the Sock! I'm obsessed.

Home

2007-01-03T17:27:00.000-04:00

The door banged against the dead bolt after I turned my key. Perpetual signal that my landlord, M, has been in; he always turns the dead bolt and usually leaves a note on my white board. Opening the door, I instinctively flicked on the light and said a silent 'thank you' when both lights came on in the hall. The one near the closet had been flickering for two weeks and went out, finally, just after I called them about it yesterday. Unzipping my boots and dropping my coat on the living room chair, everything but a couch cushion was in place (i.e. askew, exactly where I'd left it). Kneeling on the couch, I ran my finger along the bottom of the window frame. Sealed. Awesome.

Of all the things I love about my apartment, my landlords are at the top of the list. They take good care of the building, change my lightbulbs, seal my windows and pick up my cheques. They always give me the real story, no b.s., and turn up within minutes when I lock myself out on a Friday night (it only happened once) or find my bedroom flooded during the Christmas holidays (last year). M is outgoing and always tells me that my apartment is great, clean and cozy, nothing to worry about even when I know better. A is shy, but always returns my calls, reminds me to drop off cheques, and laughs when I make an ass of myself (like the time I called and was telling him all about the fire in my oven but completely forgot to tell him that it went out and didn't hurt anything until the very end). They're great guys. I feel safe here and so, so lucky.

A Christmas Miracle!

2006-12-23T11:05:00.000-04:00

Collective breath-holding paid off. The card went through without any trouble, and I now have the prettiest little wagon to zip around in this week. Woohoo!!

* * * * *

A few weeks ago I found the neatest advent calendar online. Each day had a beautiful memory, a poem or activity. The site was well built and attractive, and I was looking forward to following along. Then, suddenly, new activities stopped being added. I remember thinking the person was just busy and hoping that everything was okay. It turns out, as I soon found out, things weren't okay at all.

I learned via MightyGirl that Leslie Harpold's advent calendar stopped when her life did. The web was quickly flooded with tributes to a woman whose impact on people was profound and far-reaching. I didn't know her, not even a little, but I'd read a few of her pieces in The Morning News recently, including last month's How to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner and her somewhat older piece about Post Traumatic Postcards.

Why am I telling you about someone I didn't even know? Because. It's Christmas and we all need to know how to write a proper thank you note. 'Tis the season, after all. Don't get me wrong -- I'm forgetful when it comes to writing them and I agonize over what to say. It seems daunting and inadequate. After reading Leslie's article, I now know just what to say in almost every "thank you" situation. Read it. You'll be glad you did.

* * * * *

If you need a quick and dirty recipe that will knock a friend / family member / host's socks off, look no further. Every year I have one recipe that helps me through the holidays. This year, it's a special recipe I've re-named in honour of one my favourite holiday characters.

Screaming Banshee Brittle

1 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar (packed)
1 pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. chopped almonds
1 sleeve (part) of salted crackers (Premium Plus or similar)

Heat oven to 400 F.

Melt and mix butter and brown sugar together in a small pot and heat over medium heat. Boil for 3-5 minutes (you're looking for a creamy, bubbly consistency).

While it's boiling, spread one layer of crackers in the bottom of a "legal sized" cake pan (yes, I know there's an official size, but referring to it this way already did the trick, didn't it?). Fill in the crevices with broken crackers, but don't worry if it isn't perfect. The toffee is going to push things around a bit anyway.

Once boiled, and while being very careful, pour the toffee over the cracker mixture and pop in the oven. Bake 8-10 minutes (8 is usually plenty).

Remove from oven and immediately spread chocolate chips over toffee mixture. Sprinkle nuts over top.

Tip: Some people recommend spreading the chocolate chips around after they've melted a bit, but I find pressing the almond into the chocolate with the back of the spoon works well and leaves you with a pretty nice looking product.

Let the pan cool a bit and then put it in the fridge. After a few hours, the brittle should pop easily out of the pan in a single sheet.

Tip: Once out of the pan, snap the brittle in half and, a half at a time, put it in a large ziploc or similar bag. Break the brittle into 1-2" pieces through the bag and then throw them in a decorative tin or on a plate.

Everyone loves this stuff and you will too!

* * * * *

Feeling snarky? Out of ideas for someone you feel obligated to buy for? Consider this: Gifts For People You Hate.

* * * * *

OK. I'm off to nurse another headache while working on packing, cleaning up, knitting gifts and wrapping. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with lots of time with people you like and that Santa (or his culturally appropriate equivalent) finds you.

Big happy smooches,
j

Feeling the heat

2006-12-21T23:49:00.000-04:00

So I leave for home on Saturday at noon. In 36 very short hours, I'll be standing at the car rental joint, fingers crossed, holding my breath while they run my card (let's not talk about it, shall we?) and pray, pray, praying that it goes through so I can get my rental. I've used every bad word I know and money still isn't falling from the sky.

To add aggravation to injury, the phone rang today. I couldn't bring myself to answer. I'm sure his intentions are good, but I cannot afford a hit to my confidence or another present. I need to somehow defer meeting up until after Christmas. (I'm sure you know bad words. Insert them here. I've said them all.) Gah.

* * * * *

I went to see The Pursuit of Happyness tonight. So good. A bit long, but so good.

Also awesome -- Little Miss Sunshine. Steve Carell is perfect, as is Paul Dano as Dwayne. The entire family is just so beautifully dysfunctional.

* * * * *

The only bad thing about renting a car (I mean, other than the panic attack at the counter) is not being able to knit and drive at the same time. I mean, it's great that I can't (imagine what the knitting would look like! ha!), but still. I could use the time.

Here's my knits-to-do list:

1.5 Fetching (in a putrescent, fluorescent fuschia)
1.75 hats
1.75 socks
0.80 of the handle for my sister's booga + felting.

Priority-wise, one of the hats comes first...but not the one I've already started. Hmm. Should get on that. I've also got to figure out what to do for my father's lady friend. Jammies again? I was going to knit her a pair of felted slippers, but I'm clearly f*?cked for time.

I should really add Grampy's socks to the 'to do' list. His birthday is Jan 6, so maybe I can finish them before I come back to town. There's only the foot left...

* * * * *

Speaking of coming back -- I'm going to be home for a week. A full week. I haven't been home for that long at once in, oh, almost ten years. Those of you who pray, please do. The rest of you -- please send diet pepsi and yarn. Or chips. Chips are always good. I'm going to need them.

I'm planning to take lots of fun knitting with me. A couple of pairs of socks for me, I think, and maybe the wobbly circles bag. We'll see. There's no cable or internet at Mum's (although there's both at her beau's place), so I'll need something to distract me from my allergies and any residual tension. That reminds me...must call in my prescription...

I'm packing books too. Never Have Your Dog Stuffed (Alan Alda), Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw (Will Ferguson), A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving) and maybe Snow (Orhan Pamuk). My book group picked it for next month. If I can get my quackers in a row, I might pick it up from my local independent bookstore before I leave town. We'll see.

I'm also, deep breath, taking my writing home. I'm really hoping that I'll have a chance to drive out to the area I'm writing about...hoping the little cemetery will inspire me again. If not the cemetery, then maybe the river. Fingers crossed. It's worked before.

* * * * *

More tomorrow, hopefully with pictures of more finished presents. Have I mentioned that I also have baking, packing and visiting to do in the next 36 hours?

* * * * *

PS: The house still looks like crap.

One down...lots more to go!

2006-12-21T03:29:00.000-04:00

Knee deep in Christmas knitting, I'm feeling better...except for a splitting headache. Argh.

Good news, though -- I knit a poncho for my niece today. I was talking to my sister the other night and she mentioned that little miss J loves ponchos. It won't always be easy to make her happy, but I think I'm going to this Christmas!

Jasmine (thank you!) helped me out with the pattern, and I adjusted it a bit (casting on 44 sts instead of 64). Before any kind of washing or blocking, and with the collar and bottom rolled (I decided against a seed stitch or ribbed collar; ditto for the bottom), it's 15-16" long. She's five and I think it will fit her just fine. Of course, I'm a little worried that it won't be roomy enough, so I'll block it length and width wise, without losing the rolled collar and bottom. I really like the rolls.

I used a ball and a half of Patons SWS in Natural Plum. It's soft and easy to work with, but I found the halo / fuzziness just a little much for me. For a five year old, though, I think it will be great. :)

* * * * *

It's the middle of the night in the middle of the week and I'm "allowed" to be up. Sick or not, vacation is awesome!

Weird Things About Me

2006-12-20T16:06:00.000-04:00

Given the various weird-ities about myself that I have revealed here, a meme seems a little redundant. However. Lovely Yvette has tagged me and I have come up with a few new ones...

Rules -- Each player starts with their own "6 Weird Things About Me." People tagged by others should write a post describing their own "6 Weird Things" and including these rules. In the end, each person needs to tag six other people and list their names. Be sure to leave a comment on each tag-ee's blog telling them that they have been tagged.

1. Lately, I fall asleep almost every night while watching The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It relaxes me and seems to help me dream.

2. I have a problem with scarecrows. Especially crowds of them. When Moe posted that entry about her trip to Cape Breton, I knew what was coming...and remembered my stop at Joe's Scarecrows. I didn't even want to get out of the car.

3. I'm double jointed in one hand -- the joint that connects my thumb to my palm -- but not the other.

4. I have a small, reddish brown spot on one of my irises. Mum and my youngest sister each have one too.

5. I finally went for my beginner's (learner's permit) when I was 26.

6. When trying to relax and just breathe, my new 'happy place' is a sun deck overlooking a beach. I picture myself sitting, leaning against the cottage, bluish-green sun-warmed boards beneath me, one foot and toes curled around a sun-baked rock, another warm rock in my hand...watching sparkling water going in and out, in and out. It helps.

I'm not going to tag anybody BUT I am going to ask you tell me two weird things about yourself in the comments. :)

Helping Hat -- Already!

2006-12-19T09:35:00.000-04:00

Just to prove that these are a very quick holiday knit (we've all got LOADS of time, right? add another gift to your list...), the lovely Julie (Stoneview) has already knit a Helping Hat! Yay team!

A note about gauge: I know. This is a hat. You're thinking "Screw gauge!" right? Well, 5.5 mm to me is usually 5 mm (or even 4.5 mm, sometimes) to the average person. I would feel terrible if you started out making a hat and ended up with a skirt because of the difference in tension. :) Give your hat the old hairy eyeball after you get going, just to make sure things are on the right track. And do let me know how you make out!*

OK. Gotta run. I'm feeling better today (thanks for your sympathetic thoughts yesterday!) and have to zip home (1.5 hrs each way) and back for a funeral this aft.

* None of this is meant to imply that Julie ended up with a skirt -- but she did adjust her length a bit. :)

Tis the season! * Updated *

2006-12-18T13:34:00.000-04:00

Famously fastidious homemaker that I am, people often ask me for tips. You know, deep questions about my approach to housekeeping. About my philosophy*, if you will.

'Well,' I always say, 'It helps to have a deadline. For example, I'm having a dozen or so people over to my place for a cookie swap on Monday evening at 6:30.'

'Uh-huh. Go on...'

'So my deadline is 6:29. 6:20 if I plan to shower before hand. 6:15 if I want to answer the door fully dressed.'

'Fully-dressed, gotcha. Now, tell me about the day of the party. What will you do to prepare?'

'Well, if things go according to plan, I'm up the night before with the least productive kind of insomnia. The kind where you chafe, and get into things, want to do more, but feel anxious about waking the neighbours...So I pull out a lot of yarn and wind some, put a bit into baggies, and then stop, mid-stream to focus on washing one pot. Just one. It is the middle of the night after all.'

'...Middle of the night...'

'NOW. This is key. Sleep no more than four hours and be sure to have something else you have to do that day. Like shopping for cookie ingredients, decorations (these are key) and maybe something else. Like dropping off donations or something. It's a good kind of stress, I swear.'

'Swear. Gotcha.'

'Spend the morning on the phone, tying up loose ends at work (you're on vacation, but not dead), talking to your mother and a friend who's been helping to coordinate some other Christmas activities. Be sure to leave the house at the last possible second and hit the dollar and grocery stores in the middle of the lunch hour rush. Hold doors open and try not to run over little old ladies with your cart.'

'Run over little old ladies with your cart. OK.'

'Don't make a list before you go -- lists are for suckers -- and wander blindly from aisle to aisle. This is especially helpful when you are already distracted by cramps and Snoopy's Christmas playing on the radio overhead. Sing. It helps. Buy lots of salty snacks and more overpriced decorations, and be sure to double back for salsa and other things you don't really need.'

'Buy things you don't need...'

'Gather up your stuff and walk home. It's awkward, but think of it as an aerobic workout. Besides, you can just dump everything next to the cupboard when you get home. You'll need a break. Drink some flat pop and take pictures of your place. You'll want them for 'before and after' shots. You might scrapbook some day. Who knows? Anyway, write a blog post and try not to panic. People will be here in four and a half hours and the adrenaline rush will get you through. Oh, and just for fun -- forget one of the ingredients you need. That really helps with the adrenaline.'

'Anything else?'

'Yes. Be sure to have good friends who will comment on the decorations you use to distract them from the outstanding cleanliness of your place. We don't want them to feel bad because they aren't as good as we are, after all. The perfect hostess will serve her guests drinks and snacks so they never have to open any cupboards or doors for themselves. They appreciate it, and your stress level will be lower. You know where the surprises are, after all, and some of the doors can be 'tricky' what will all of the 'Christmas surprises' hiding inside. One last thing --'

'OK.'

'Have a good time. Remember -- people are there to see you, not your place. Once the clock strikes 6:30, perfect or not, have fun!'

* * * * *

In reality (obviously), I subscribe to the Brenda Leigh Johnson school of housekeeping.

'So, you've had a party or something?'

'No. I just don't get around to housework every day of my life is all.'

It's been a crazy busy couple of weeks and, frankly, if my options are to relax or clean my house...well, 'scuse me but I'm going to take off my socks and stay awhile.'

* * * * *

Holy crap. It's 2:21. Here comes the adrenaline!!

* * * * *

UPDATE: Turns out, it wasn't adrenaline. It was a freight train. My best friend has taken over hosting duties and I'm going to bed. Nausea + cramps + leg aches so bad that even Martha Stewart herself would have cancelled. Wah. Still planning a big clean, though. Proof to follow in a day or so. Bring on the drusg...

Helping Hats

2006-12-17T20:54:00.000-04:00

A few people have asked, and I'm on vacation* and finally have a bit of extra head space and energy, so the pattern for my Operation Knit hats follow. They're a very quick knit, working up in an afternoon or evening.

Please let me know if you spot any errors and do let me know if you make one.

Thanks -- and enjoy!

* * * * *

Materials

5.5 mm / US 9 circular needle (40 cm)

1 ball of Patons Shetland Chunky

1 stitch marker

Sizes

Fits 24" head snugly. Easy to adjust.

Gauge

Approximately 12 sts to 4"

Cables

The cables in this hat are easy to work without a cable needle.

T2R: K into front of second knit stitch and leave stitch on left needle. K first stitch and slip both onto right needle.

T2L: K into back of second knit stich (from back) and leave stitch on left needle. K into back of first stitch and slip both onto right needle.

If you feel more comfortable using a cable needle, try this:

T2R = C2B: Sl 1 st to cable needle (cn), hold in back. K1, K1 from cn.

T2L = C2F: Sl 1 st to cn, hold in front. K1, K1 from cn.

* * * * *

BLUE

CO 68 sts

Join yarn, being careful not to twist, and place marker.

Work K2, P2 ribbing for 10 rows.

Round 1: (T2R, P2)* repeat to end.

Rounds 2, 3, 4: (K2, P2)* repeat to end.

Repeat these 4 rows 8 more times.

Next round: (T2R, P2)* repeat to end.

Decrease:

Row 1: (K2, P2tog)* repeat to end. 51 sts.

Rows 2, 3, 4: (K2, P1)* repeat to end

Row 5: (K2tog, P1)* repeat to end. 34 sts.

Rows 6, 7: (K1, P1)* repeat to end.

Row 8: (K2tog)* repeat to end. 17 sts.

Row 9: (K2tog)* repeat to end, K1. 9 sts.

Thread yarn through remaining stitches. Tighten to close. Weave in ends.

* * * * *

GREY

CO 68 sts

Join yarn, being careful not to twist, and place marker.

Work K2, P2 ribbing for 10 rows.

Round 1: (T2R, P2)* repeat to end.

Rounds 2, 3, 4: (K2, P2)* repeat to end.

Round 5: (T2R, P2)* repeat to end.

Rounds 6 - 11: (K2, P2)* repeat to end.

Repeat rows 2-11 twice.

Work Rounds 1-4 once.

Next round: (T2R, P2)* repeat to end.

Decrease:

Row 1: (K2, P2tog)* repeat to end. 51 sts.

Rows 2, 3, 4: (K2, P1)* repeat to end

Row 5: (K2tog, P1)* repeat to end. 34 sts.

Rows 6, 7: (K1, P1)* repeat to end.

Row 8: (K2tog)* repeat to end. 17 sts.

Row 9: (K2tog)* repeat to end, K1. 9 sts.

Thread yarn through remaining stitches. Tighten to close. Weave in ends.

* * * * *

CRANBERRY

CO 69 sts

Join yarn, being careful not to twist, and place marker.

Work K2, P1 ribbing for 10 rows.

Round 1: (T2R, P1)* repeat to end.

Rounds 2, 3, 4: (K2, P1)* repeat to end.

Round 5: (T2L, P1)* repeat to end.

Rounds 6 - 11: (K2, P1)* repeat to end.

Repeat rounds 1-5 once.

Next round: Remove stitch marker. P1. Place marker. (K1, P2)* repeat to end.

Work K1, P2 ribbing for 19 rows.

Decrease:

Row 1: (K1, P2tog)* repeat to end. 44 sts.

Rows 2-6: (K1, P1)* repeat to end

Row 7: (K2tog)* repeat to end. 22 sts.

Row 8: Knit round.

Row 9: (K2tog)* repeat to end. 11 sts.

Thread yarn through remaining stitches. Tighten to close. Weave in ends.

* * * * *

* WOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!

Boog-again

2006-12-12T22:08:00.000-04:00

Here's the thing. I was thinking about giving my sister the wobbly circles tote for Christmas but realized that it's mine. MINE. I've wanted it all year and it's going to be a little fussy -- easy, but fussy -- and if I'm going to fuss, for once I'm going to fuss for myself.

What's the least fussy thing I know?

Hmm. I don't know. Seems like there should be a bag or something that works up quickly. Something I could do up in my sister's favourite colours*. Something fun that would suit her.

Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.

I dunno. There's got to be something...

Yeah. I know.

I should be over these.

Believe me. I am so over them. Only, somehow, not.

Christmas is only 12 days away and, frankly, something had to give.

* About the colours -- I'm really, really hoping that the pink tones down a bit after felting. I need the other colours to bleed just *a bit*.

* * * * *

Did you SEE The Class last night? I watched it this evening. Ritchie on the pole? PRICELESS. (The blip at the end, when Yonk walked in, was even better!)

Wishes

2006-12-08T23:41:00.000-04:00

Santa Claus
North Pole, Canada
HOH OHO

Dear Santa:

I have been thinking about my Christmas list for some time and although I was pretty sure I wanted a cozy bathrobe, everything changed today. I bet the new issue of Knitty changed a lot of people's lists, huh?

Anyway, if you haven't packed the sleigh yet, and if at all possible, I would like a Sheldon of my very own. He's so adorable I can hardly take it. SERIOUSLY.

If you're coming by (I'll be at Mum's, btw), enough superfab yarn to make an Emerald of my own in the new year would also be dandy.

C'est tout.

Big fat Christmas smooches,
canKNITian

PS: OK. Tell you what. If you, Santa, can remind me to print the pattern and make myself a Sheldon in the new year aaaaand if you could maybe ask some of the knitting genii who visit here to suggest possible yarns for Emerald, that would be more than enough. Seriously.

December 6, 1989

2006-12-06T08:12:00.000-04:00

Geneviève Bergeron (b. 1968)
civil engineering student

Hélène Colgan (b. 1966)
mechanical engineering student

Nathalie Croteau (b. 1966)
mechanical engineering student

Barbara Daigneault (b. 1967)
mechanical engineering student

Anne-Marie Edward (b. 1968)
chemical engineering student

Maud Haviernick (b. 1960)
materials engineering student

Maryse Laganière (b. 1964)
budget clerk, École Polytechnique finance department

Maryse Leclair (b. 1966)
materials engineering student

Anne-Marie Lemay (b. 1967)
mechanical engineering student

Sonia Pelletier (b. 1961)
mechanical engineering student

Michèle Richard (b. 1968)
materials engineering student

Annie St-Arneault (b. 1966)
mechanical engineering student

Annie Turcotte (b. 1969)
materials engineering student

Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz (b. 1958)
nursing student

Operation Knit

2006-12-02T02:30:00.000-04:00

As mentioned last week, I'm making a few hats for a group that's collecting warm things for area homeless. I made plans for three hats and promised myself that I would finish them before knitting anything for myself or making any real strides toward Christmas knitting. The first two hats -- grey and blue -- went quickly. Grey in a day, blue in just a couple...and then there was cranberry.

Although the colours seem similar in these photos,
the grey is very grey, and the blue is much more denim.

Cranberry and I went everywhere together. To work, to visit with friends, even to a performance of Messiah. I did everything I could to infuse the thing with happy thoughts and good ideas. And yet it continued to piss me off. The yarn was a little ravel-y (maybe that's why it was marked down) and kept catching on the tiniest bit of velcro in my everyday purse. I was keen on the pattern -- another one of my own -- with its 2 x 1 + snaking cables + 1 x 2 ribbing. The stars were aligned, but distraction and destruction were everywhere.

Finally, tonight, while talking on the phone to my sister and to Cynthia, I wrapped up the ribbing, did my decreases and sealed the deal. Cranberry -- fini!

Details

Yarn: Patons Shetland Chunky
Grey = Oxford Grey
Blue = Medium Blue
Cranberry = Wine
About a half ball per hat

Size: I have a 24" head. They fit me
snugly, but comfortably. With ribbing,
should fit just about any adult.

Needles: 5.5 mm x 40 cm circs

Patterns: All mine

Wobbly

2006-11-26T22:16:00.000-04:00

Just a quick little post to show you my Wobbly Circles Tote in progress...

I'm about halfway up one side and I love it! Unfortunately, the colours in the picture are still not at all true (except for the fern -- it's pretty close). The MC is a teal-y, peacock-y blue and the red is much more cherry than brick. Depending on how it turns out, this could be my sister's Christmas present. Time will tell.

I love the smell of wool in the morning!

2006-11-25T15:10:00.000-04:00

It has been a BIG day! I was out the door at 7:12 and, after a quick stop at the bank and Raunchdonald's, we were on the highway by 7:30. Forty minutes and a beautiful drive later, and ten minutes after Briggs and Little opened, we were in its dooryard. As psyched up as I was for all of this, I wasn't prepared for what I saw in their parking lot -- NOTHING. Not a car, not a nothin'. Except, that is, for the ENORMO "OPEN" sign.

Once inside, I was surprised again. Every colour in the Briggs and Little rainbow in all of the different weights was on display...with lots and lots of each. PLUS -- a huge basket in the middle of the floor full of seconds. Had I not been too excited to sleep last night, and had I not flipped through several books and magazines before finally drifting off, I wouldn't have known where to start (as was clear at midnight). As it was, it took me a minute...and then I was off to the races!

For kool-aid dyed socks (someday), two skeins of Durasport in Ecru.

For a sweater or wrap or something of my own (I have several possibilities lined up), 11 skeins of Sport (1 ply) in Mulberry:

For a pair of men's socks*, 2 more skeins of Sport in Blue Heather:

In real life, this looks a bit more like
the colour of a well-worn men's undershirt.

Three skeins of Heritage in Teal Blue, one skein each of Mauve, Light Maroon, Light Blue, Fern Green and Orange. I'm finally going to make myself* a Wobbly Circles Tote. Although it looks quite Royal in the picture, the deep blue on the lower right is actually very close to the Peacock colour used by IK. And, if you look on the B&L site, the colour listed next to Peacock is much more like the Teal Blue I have here.

Speaking of Royal, allow me to present the boys:

Roy

Harv (he's smiling at you!)

I was loading up on yarn and wondering how in the hell I was going to wind it all when I noticed these two hanging out in the corner. As much as I ~~loathe~~ love winding yarn by hand with it draped either over the back of a chair or around my neck, I just couldn't leave these two behind. I know they'll make a lovely addition to my home. Maybe not a snuggly as a cat or a puppy, but much more helpful!

So, all told, the deals were SWEET and I came home with 23 skeins of yarn, Roy and Harv. I won't need to buy yarn for months.**

Life is beautiful!

* I say that, but it could very well be my sister's Christmas present.

** MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! As if.

Wishlist

2006-11-25T00:17:00.000-04:00

So, here's what I'm thinking...Big sale tomorrow and I want to get some of the things I can't normally get "in town." I'm thinking about creamy sock yarn that I can dye with kool aid someday (dare to dream) and maybe something superfab in the same beautiful deep turquoise colour that Ms B picked up last year and gave to K at the FKG yarn swap a couple of months ago. I'd really like to make a sweater of my own after Christmas, but I can't decide which pattern...and really have no idea (mostly because it's midnight) how to ballpark it so I can make up my mind about the pattern later...and I'd like a hundred, thousand, million, billion other things too. Regardless, I won't really know what my options are until morning, so I'll have to think on my feet...which could be tough at 8:00 am.

In a strange way, this feels like Christmas Eve. The sooner I go to bed, the sooner it will be time to get up and on the road, and the sooner I'll be there, surrounded by all of the yarny goodness.

Superjazzed!

2006-11-23T18:25:00.000-04:00

(1) A friend and I are going out to Briggs & Little on Saturday morning. Their annual sale is on and this Saturday is the only Saturday of the year that they're open. The plan is to be there at 8:00 a.m. sharp. I'm working on a wishlist of sorts and really hope to find what I'm looking for. The sale has been on all week, so even though I've been assuring my friend that there won't be any problem, I really hope there's still lots and lots and lots left.

(2) I went to see Casino Royale last week. You need to round up all of your best girlfriends to go, too. Or convince your boy to go. SERIOUSLY. They'll have to change the dictionary because "hot" is now spelled D-A-N-I-E-L-C-R-A-I-G. SERIOUSLY.

Also, Mads Mikkelson played Le Chiffre and although he looks like a bit of a moose in this one, he's pretty smashing himself.

Where was I? Hmm...Right!

(3) My hats for the homeless are coming along. I picked up another ball of yarn today (shocker of shockers) and I think that will help motivate me to finish the blue one. It's been a busy week. I am so glad tomorrow is Friday.

(4) Thanksgiving was weeks ago here and I was (almost) not at all jealous of the U.S. holiday until I saw this. How many weeks until Christmas? I'm already drooling...dreaming of succulent turkey, Mum's dressing and lemon meringue pie (from a kit -- not scratch or storebought).

(5) Grey's Anatomy is on tonight. Although I'm still not really working on anything in particular for the KAL, I'll be working on my hat and hanging on every word.

(6) For the first time in my working life, I'm taking two weeks of vacation next month. I've rarely been able to let go enough to take a week, but I need it this year and my boss is all for it. I'm looking forward to sitting on my butt at home for a week and knitting the first week...and sitting on my butt and knitting wherever I can most of the second week. It's going to be great! Terrifying in its own way, I'm sure, but sweet in every other way.

(7) There's a great pattern for an ear flap hat in the latest issue of Canadian Living (page 305). There's already a sample all knit up at my LYS (sans ribbing, though) and it's awesome. It'll be the right size and shape for Mum's beau for sure. I'm still going to work on a pattern of my own, but this is a great option.

Testing 1, 2, 3

2006-11-21T20:08:00.000-04:00

HI

If you're reading this via Bloglines, it probably means things are back to normal. After an email to Bloglines customer service this morning, they were nice enough to re-set the feed.

If you weren't aware of any trouble, that means you probably missed out on my makeover and a few other good things around here.

Come by, catch up, say hi!

Thanks,
j

Technical Difficulties

2006-11-21T01:16:00.000-04:00

There's something wrong with the atom feed for my blog at the moment. Bloglines isn't recognizing the (pre-makeover) atom feed anymore, although a new-as-far-as-I-know RSS feed (which appeared who knows when and from who knows where) seems to work just fine.

I've used all kinds of bad words but none of them seem to work.

Any ideas?

Procrastinating for a good cause

2006-11-20T23:01:00.000-04:00

A local law students' group is collecting knit hats and other warm items for homeless people in this area. I knit my first hat of the season on Friday and am about halfway through a second. I'm planning to make at least a couple more before the deadline. They're fast and very warm.

The astute among you will have noticed a couple of new buttons in my sidebar. Cathy is organizing a special comforting blanket for her friend Jenn. If you can spare a square, please do. (Jenn has been through an incredible amount and as much as I tried to make my own little appeal light, she's dealing with some very heavy stuff. We should all be counting our very lucky stars.)

Makeover

2006-11-19T16:27:00.000-04:00

I was REALLY tired of the old look and finally found a free template that agrees with me. I'm still hoping to change the header image and I have a plan for it, but that's a project for another day.

For now, please let me know if there's anything missing / broken.

Thanks!

In & Out

2006-11-15T21:47:00.000-04:00

As a lot of you know (and can tell from the lack of photos, no first name, certain details, etc), I'm pretty quiet about my blog out there in the real world. Tonight, at my "guild" meeting, I spilled the beans.

During 'show and tell' I was showing off my jaywalkers and raving about Phoebe's handiwork (everyone loved them, P!) and talk turned to swaps. Someone asked how people find about about them and while one of the others said that she always hears about them through a friend, I hemmed and hawed before saying "Well...I have a blog...and..."

And, silly me, I still thought I could get away with not saying anything more about it. Not a chance! Still, it was fun and I only felt like a bit of a knob...and it turns out that a few people have been by before but hadn't made the connection (which, I have to say, I found kind of comforting).

So -- welcome FKGers! I'm glad you're here and, hey, say hi!

Countdown

2006-11-15T18:41:00.000-04:00

My "guild"meet-up starts in 28 minutes and I want to leave now.

Right now.

But I can't because I'll end up standing in the rain.

So...hi!

Guess what I did today? I finished my Jaywalkers! You might remember these socks from waaaay back in August. Knit with the beautiful STR Emerald Isle that the lovely Krista sent me in July, I finished knitting them in early September but didn't bother finishing them until today. and gave the pair a shot of steam. The ladies at the "guild" wanted to see them and I forgot them the last couple of months, so I closed the toe, wove in the ends, added a bit of steam and voila!

Because they don't fit me at all (my feet are a 9 and these are definitely much, much smaller) I'm calling them Christmas knitting. And if I do that...that means I started Christmas knitting in AUGUST. Yay team!

Off to my meeting!!

Toasty Toes -- Fini

2006-11-14T23:27:00.000-04:00

My Toasty Toes socks arrived today! Woohoo!

It has been raining for days so it was really, really nice to come home to a warm pair of socks. I can't tell you what a special treat this particular pair are, though. Phoebe selected the perfect yarn (Uros Aran in a delicious shade of blue) and pattern (Log Cabin Socks from Handknit Holidays) and they fit perfectly. PERFECTLY. The length and width are just right, with a snug fit but no pulling. Honestly, Phoebe -- you must be a wizard!

There were lots of other goodies in the box, too.

First -- a postcard that cracks me up every time I look at it.

If I lived in Florida, I think this is *exactly* the postcard I would have chosen!

Next up, a selection of fine edibles and ooh-ahh-ables:

Starting in the top left corner -- a small, lilac cosmetic bag that will be perfect for carrying a sock-in-progress back and forth to work; Sweet and Salty Nut bars -- magically delicious; a small knit bag with a drawstring that came with the little box of stitch markers tucked inside -- just beautiful!; a lovely note from Phoebe herself; Crystal Light To Go (everyone raves about this stuff and I can't wait to try it!); and Jaffrey's Morning Blend.

No picture available: a dark chocolate bar (60% cocoa) with cranberries, blueberries and almonds. ;) I had a couple of the girls over tonight -- the poor bar didn't stand a chance!

Thanks again Phoebe! You're an absolute star!

Amanda -- Thanks to you too! You're a fabulously thoughtful organizer and I'm really looking forward to Bloomin' Feet!

Hugs for everyone!

* * * * *

PS: Please forgive the dark photos and the location of my 'sock shoot.' If this rain ever stops I'll see if I can do better!

Loose Ends

2006-11-13T21:53:00.000-04:00

(1) Is anyone else watching The Class? I love, love, love it. I especially love Ritchie and Lina. (OK. Especially the guy who plays Ritchie. Seriously adorable. And I would love to fly through time and space to see him in David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries.)

Oh no. It just ended.

Ohhh. Nooo.

(2) I forgot to show you the pictures of finished booga bag for LH. Voila!

1 skein Noro Kureyon 170 +
1/2 skein (or so) Briggs & Little Heritage in Grape

It's my favourite of the boogas, for sure.

Coincidentally, it's the same shade of Kureyon I used for my sister's handwarmers in February. I didn't even notice until yesterday. Guess I know what colours I gravitate toward...

(3) Remember the little pink sweater I was making for L's niece? Well, it's not quite finished. Due to a change in circumstances and the fact that the kid is now six months old, I'm going to give it to a new and precious little one. My best friend is an auntie again as of this morning and I feel motivated to finish the sweater again. I think I'm going to make a pair of seed stitch booties to match.

(4) I've got some great leads on ear flap hats thanks to all of you. My plan at this point is to sit down and see if I can put them all together to make just the right hat for Mum's beau. I'll let you know how it goes.

(5) Remember the Regia socks I started after my Thanksgiving trip? Well, I made it past the heel before I realized that I needed to rib all the way to the ankle (instead of halfway) if they were going to fit properly. So rip rip rip! Things are coming right along now and I think I am going to LOOOOVE them when they're done.

(6) Speaking of socks -- my Toasty Toes pal, Julie, received the ones I made for her! Woohoo -- she loves them! Aaaand her action photos of the socks are much better than mine, so double woohoo!

(7) Speaking of swaps -- somewhere out there, my as-yet-unknown TT pal is probably waiting on tenterhooks to find out whether or not I love the socks she made for me. They haven't arrived yet (no mail today, btw, because Remembrance Day fell on the weekend), but I promise, promise, promise I will email you ASAP and post about them as soon as I can.

(8) Bl*gger is being a b*tch, so I'm going to stop for now and hope like hell this posts. I've got so much more to tell you!

Remember

2006-11-11T09:27:00.000-04:00

www.legion.ca

Get Ziggy!

2006-11-10T23:59:00.000-04:00

Now that I'm not knitting to deadline, I don't know what to do with myself.

While I take a bit of time to figure it out, I'm finally putting to the two skeins of Manos "Wildflowers" I've been hoarding forever to good use.

Behold! My bathroom!

I've been wanting something I could wear with my jean jacket in fall and later on with my deep teal wool coat. For a while, I was fooling around with some purpley Sirdar, trying to come up with something clapotis-esque...but it was slow and the temperature dropped kind of quickly, so I needed a Plan B.

Enter (de nouveau) the multi-directional scarf! Now, you might remember that I've been down this road before and I have to say that it's much more interesting and satisfying this time around.

I'm off to add a couple more 'triangles' and hope to bind off before bed so I can wear it to the cenotaph tomorrow. It's supposed to be 1 C in the morning, and only 9 C in the afternoon. Chilly for the veterans, but warmer than a lot of years.

'Scuse the mess

2006-11-06T12:59:00.000-04:00

Sure signs that the anxiety is creeping up again.

The question is -- what the h*^% for? The place has been S*P*A*R*K*L*I*N*G clean for weeks and now, suddenly, there are drifts of stuff piling up and spilling over. Cripes.

(You'll notice a combined total of five WIPs in these two pics, and many signs of projects to come. I think I might have a problem...heheheh)

Next!

2006-11-03T23:30:00.000-04:00

I went for a walk at lunch today and, wouldn't you know it, the breeze blew me into my LYS. The place was buzzing and I decided to look around for chocolate and bright pink yarn for the handwarmers and hat I plan to make for my sister E (recipient of my olympic handwarmers). Hunting around, I settled on Galway wool in just the right colours.

I've been looking for an excuse to use it, and this project seems like just the ticket. I think I'm going to start by making her a fetching pair of handwarmers and figure things out, hat-wise, from there. Maybe a plain hat with a ribbed cables to match them. We'll see.

I also picked up a ball of Patons Shetland Chunky in black to make E a plain hat/balaclava that she can wear under a bicycle helmet. Now that I'm home, I've revised my plan somewhat. I owe my mother's beau a "snowblowin' hat" and he specifically requested one like the one I made for E last Christmas (dammit -- I don't have a picture of that either, but here's the pattern).

Now, I'd like to make something a little sturdier, a little warmer and maybe with just a little 'je ne sais quoi'...keeping in mind that I'm making it for a 50+ man, so bobbles are definitely out, and cables are probably unnecessary. I guess what I'm saying is...does anyone know of a good men's hat pattern? or resource for men's hat patterns? If it doesn't have ear flaps, I could modify it, but if there's something out there that comes close...that would be awesome. I'm thinking about a cross between the original pattern and blue hills because it gives a bit more coverage in the back...but again, if you can suggest a pattern, I'm all ears!

Boo. Gah.

2006-11-02T23:37:00.000-04:00

Alright, people. I swear. This is the last post about booga bags.

Or maybe the next to last post. You'll want to see it when it's all done and felted up, right?

The bag for LH is done and only one more foot (or so) of i-cord is left to go before I can pop this puppy in the washer for a swish. If all goes according to plan, the lovely LH will get her prezzie on Saturday. Yay!

Also yay:

They're dry! I'm going to wait to pack them up in the morning, but they are done, Done, DONE!

Btw, I didn't dry them on the rack the whole time. They slept on a blankie next to the heater last night, and once they were dry enough that I didn't think they'd end up with lines from the drying rack (the handknit's version of 'hat head'), I put them on for a 360 degree dry. Worked like a charm!

[TGIF tomorrow, people. Seriously.]

* * * * *

PS: Kelli Ann -- I know what you mean!

(click to read)

Toasty Toes -- TA DA!!!

2006-11-01T21:21:00.000-04:00

I knit the last last stitch of my Toasty Toes sock last night at 11:59. I spent an hour trying to close the toe and -- well -- let's blame the late hour shall we? I just couldn't get it together. Tonight, after work, zip zip zip! A little finishing and...

TA DA!!!

Note: For those of you who get the heebies at the sight of people wearing socks they're giving away...I put them on for the photo and then tossed them in a couple of pillowcases for a swim in the washer. They look great and will be going in the mail the *second* they're dry. I hope my patient pal likes them!!!

I've really enjoyed this process -- ups and downs and ups and all!* -- and hope my tardiness doesn't disqualify me from the next round! :)

* * * * *

* The ups and downs were all mine, by the way. Everyone else involved has been awesome!

Toasty Toes Update -- Quickie!

2006-10-26T01:24:00.000-03:00

I'm working on the heel flap of the second sock. I lost a little bit of steam on the weekend and have really, really, really wanted to work on another secret squirrel project (or twelve)...but I'm on the wagon, knitting (and still loving) TT2 like a mo-fo...and trying to figure out how I'm going to get a package to my TT pal by Halloween-ish if it's Sunday when I finish...

Yarn Aboard!!

2006-10-22T17:12:00.000-03:00

Vasco de Gama reached his northern port of call on the seventeenth of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and six. After a stop in Florida*, Dom de Gama travelled north, bringing great riches to the canknitian people. Although the locals** were thrilled with the delightful bounty de Gama had to offer while in port and, in particular, tore into the edible goodies as soon as they arrived, photographic evidence of de Gama's arrival has not been available until this date due to inclement weather.

(1) Moose Munch -- The locals (starving after a long day) were pleased to learn that this was not a package of assorted grasses, but a delectable popcorn / caramel / chocolate / almond ~~orgasm~~ confection that suited their nutritional needs.

(2) Notecards with "J" embellisments -- The locals were very pleased with this item as it includes several of their favourite colours and favourite letter.

(3) Siesta Key postcard -- Clearly, Vasco had a lot of sailing to do to reach his destination. By water, he travelled first south around the tip of Florida and back up the eastern coast of the US and into Canadian waters. Lucky for him, he was able to travel into the Bay of Fundy and up river, without having to travel around Nova Scotia. The waters off Sable Island were once known for their shipwrecks.

(4) Knitting Notebook -- Not known for their ability to remember which knitting needles they own, but having sworn a hundred times that they would not forget again, the locals were very impressed by this item.

(5) Lorna's Laces in 'Happy Valley' -- Clearly, de Gama's trade partners know what they're doing. The locals recently had a 'taste' of this yarn in nearly solid colours and are excited to work with it in a multicoloured variety. In addition, they are impressed at de Gama's spidey senses. Did Vasco know that they wanted to try this colour in particular? And did Vasco anticipate that they would appreciate it just a little more given that Happy Valley is the name of a town in Labrador? (The locals haven't been there, but the people they've met from there are great!)

(6) Handmade stitchmarkers -- These precious gems are indescribable. Luckily, photographic evidence of their beauty is available.

(7) Measuring Tape -- Although they locals are familiar with this tool, they can never find one when they need one. They were thrilled to have another one to ~~lose~~ use!

(8) Jaggerspun in 'autumn' colours and "There and Back Again," a Sirius Knitting sock pattern -- Delighted to introduce a new pattern their repertoire, the locals appreciated that all of the yarn Vasco offered was wound into center pull balls.

As long as the ~~little charmers at the post office~~ harbourmaster approves his departure, Vasco de Gama leaves for a new, more southern destination tomorrow.

* * * * *

* Clearly, I hit the jackpot. Christy was an incredible YA pal! Thank you thank you, so so much!

** When I say "locals" I mean me. Only one giant nerd lives at this address. :)

A Sock is Born!

2006-10-16T22:32:00.000-03:00

Some yarn has a mind of its own. Sometimes, no matter how much you want it to be one thing, it just doesn't want to. It will develop knots and snarls, and do everything it can to throw you off. It grows and shrinks at will, rendering the gauge and pattern...well...irrelevant.

In between booga bags and the multiple projects of the last couple of months I have been struggling to tame the Fleece Artist and turn it into beautiful socks for my Toasty Toes pal. I quietly procrastinated and put off working on them because they irked me so badly. It didn't seem fair to send someone a pair of socks knit with more hate than love. Fair or not, though, I was running out of time and needed help.

I consulted one of my gurus and a solution was found. I, too, would need to begin again. Before long, I had the wool I needed, had identified my pattern and the needles were in motion. I cast on and in between a deep de-trashing of my place this weekend, I made quite a bit of progress.

This may be premature (for the love of God -- knock on wood wherever you are!!), ladies and gentlemen, meet TT sock #1:

Born on Friday, October 13th, 2006, proud parents are Lorna (née Sage) and Bryspun. TT #1 is eagerly anticipating the arrival of TT #2 (and the rest of the foot). Special thanks to Charlene Schurch and knitting midwives Cynthia and Amanda for inspiration, consultation (and consolation) and encouragement!

Bluebell Rib

I mean it -- knock on wood!

Booga Love

2006-10-12T21:34:00.000-03:00

Thank you for all of the great comments on the bags. Good news -- LH and her bridesmaids loved them too! One of the girls even used her bag the day of the wedding and tucked it under her seat at the head table. LH thanked me during her speech and I was really, really touched.

I had quite a bit of intra-provincial travelling to do last weekend; first, the wedding was in Saint John, an hour or so south of here, so I drove down Saturday morning, then on Sunday I drove to my Mum's (another hour and a bit northeast), and back home on Monday (another hour and a half, west this time). The weather was beautiful and I had time to enjoy the turning of the leaves...

But who cares? People. I saw yarn! Lots and lots of beautiful yarn! One of the big things I wanted to do before the wedding was to take a few minutes to visit the Cricket Cove booth at the Market. I was hopeful, but given the luck I sometimes have when trying to visit a new shop, I wasn't holding my breath. But oh! I could have. The booth was small, but the selection was nice. A little bit of all of my favourite things, some new things and a lot of things I had been hoping to see...it was like the perfect bite of my favourite food...but with yarn! I had a hard time deciding, but ended up buying two balls of sock yarn.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...before leaving for my trip, I started another bag, this time for LH. Once, a week ago, when I was young and so delusional, I thought I might have her bag finished in time for the wedding too. I had to prioritize, though, and decided that having it ready for her when she gets back from her honeymoon would be a nice surprise for her. I chose a skein of Kureyon that I thought would suit her best while including a few of the colours I used in the bags for her bridesmaids.

I think she's going to LOVE it!

Finally, because this wouldn't be a true knitting blog without a cat photo or two, meet my "brother" Bovine, handsome kitty and hunter extraordinaire.

Helloooo Miss Chickadee! You look delicious!

Pick me up! Pick me up! Pick me up!

Ta-da!!!

2006-10-06T00:02:00.000-03:00

Did anyone see ER tonight? You know the part where Morris was driving the convertible and singing the theme from "Greatest American Hero"? That's what I'm singing right now!

I did it!

Most amazingly -- I really, really like the light blue/green one after all!

LH loved all of them and wants to keep all of them. She's picking them up in the morning and I know she's really, really going to be excited once she sees the finished product.

Now, about the stovetop...It didn't work quite as well as the lady at the LYS said. It worked, but I had to pull it out of the hot water, dunk it in cold and then scrub the crap out of it a few times to really get things going. My apartment was LOVELY and humid too. After a long, long time on the stove (say, an hour) I thew it in the washer and it felted up quite a bit. "Good enough," I thought and threw it in the dryer. Then I started running the others through in the washer (hauling them out of one washer after 15 minutes of hot and throwing them into the other washer and running it for 15 minutes, repeat repeat) and they felted up like a breeze. It was definitely worth the loonies.

I have to admit to another cheat, though. Given the timelines, I didn't air dry them. I threw them in the dryer. I'm really happy with the result and think LH's girls will be too. The bags are just a little softer and the fabric's a bit more dense...which is a good thing in the long run, right?

Anyway. I'm SO thrilled.

* * * * *

PS: I know the photo quality is crap, but I was taking pictures indoors at 11:30 pm. If I get it together, I might do another mini photo shoot outside in the morning.

Night night!

Wastin' Away Again in Booga-bag-a-ville

2006-10-03T17:18:00.000-03:00

Alright people -- here's a visual update for you:

The first bag was made to suit LH (aka The Bride)'s most professional, classic bridesmaid. It's still a little colourful, but mostly quite muted. This one just needs to be felted and is made entirely out of Briggs & Little Heritage.

This one is for LH's recently married bridesmaid. She's quite conservative and I had really hoped to add a felted flower to this one but there's just no time. I might make one later and send it to her. This one needs a handle -- STAT! I'm planning to use the colours I used for the stripes with just a little of the dark purple (I'm almost out). Again, all B&L Heritage.

For the sportier bridesmaid, with a thing for blues and greens, this one was supposed to look like the ocean, but came out quite flat. I hope that, somehow, felting helps. Otherwise, I'll be scrambling with this one. We'll see what the Bride says when she comes by tonight to help felt and make handles. Cross your fingers. This one, obviously, needs a handle too.

This one is my favourite, for sure, and I know the LH will want to keep it for herself. It's for her most colourful bridesmaida and just needs to be felted. This one uses B&L Heritage in Midnight Blue and Noro Kureyon in...oh...um...I'll find out!

SO. I'm almost there. I bought an enormo stockpot and I'm going to felt the first of them tonight. About felting in a stockpot -- I'm hopeful. Really hopeful. The lady-who-works-at-my-LYS-whose-name-I-can-never-remember told me that she has felted with Briggs & Little on the stovetop and was able to do it in 15-20 minutes max. In fact, I think she said 12-14 minutes (3-4 in, then shock of cold, then back in). In comparison -- she told me that the same items took 45 minutes + in her washer. Given that I'm paying a dollar a load and I have to pull everything out before it gets to the rinse cycle, the stovetop method is definitely preferable.

I'll let you know how I/we make out. Cross your fingers for us tonight.

As for tomorrow's birthday plans -- I'll be out most of the day and really hope to be able to keep my spirits up. I don't think it will be a problem -- I'm going out to dinner and a movie AND karaoke with my buddies after work so it should be a great day. Fingers crossed again!

You Do the Math

2006-09-28T22:47:00.000-03:00

All right. That's enough of that. Let's talk about knitting, shall we?

I am up to my eyeballs in booga bags. A great friend of mine is getting married next weekend and I'm making booga bags for her bridesmaids. I have all of the knitting for one bag (bag + handle) finished, one bag finished sans handle, and a little over half of the third bag finished sans handle. I'm cutting it pretty close, but hope to have the whole shebang done by next Wednesday (which really means Thursday, but if I think that way it'll be Friday).

1.5 bags + 2.75 handles + 4 bags felted and dried = holy + crap.

Wait a minute. I just set a deadline for my own birthday. What kind of craziness is that????

Does the Harlot's help line still work? I think I might need a pep talk between now and Wednesday.