Up Late..........always

2012-01-15T21:00:00.001-08:00

Can you tell that I am feeling refreshed and creative? I am honestly very happy painting, sketching, writing, knitting, working with pencils, beads, fabric whatever I can get my hands on! I am embracing my inspirations, letting myself make things that I may not have before and moving with the feelings that my art is giving me. I missed this, the rush of the possibilities.

I was very disappointed in my dry spell some months ago, what creative soul wouldn’t be? I barely touched my knitting, Ravelry, this blog, or any of my other crafting supplies. What changed? I can’t really say. What brought it back? Patience and embracing rest. I made a small effort to push myself and was NOT rewarded for my efforts so I decided that frustration was something I didn’t want hanging around and went with the flow. Reading, music and some video games made an appearance. Along with that I made an effort to be good to myself and relax as much as my body said I needed. No I am not pregnant! LOL

I organized a bit and worked as things caught my attention……

An Ornament Wreath I have been planning for years.

Now I’m back to the familiar feeling of “so much to do, so little time” So it seems like a bit of determined organization is in order so that I can lay out all the goodies at my disposal and see what I have been hiding from myself. More on that as it progresses though, I have no storage plans or even organizational ones, and just think I have too much stuff that is left out of the loop of possibilities because I have forgotten that I own it!

The year of owning my things and embracing them! LOL

Energetic Feet

2012-01-10T22:06:00.002-08:00

Loooook!! Finished socks!

One thing that I haven’t stopped knitting in all the time I was away from my blog was socks. Mostly striped socks. I have lots of leftover sock yarns so I just started combining them, while still being an easy and quick knit. It’s been a great way to expand my hand knit sock wardrobe without having to pick up more yarn.

Someone called the colours of this pair energizing!

Energizer Socks

Art from a Friend

2012-01-05T21:59:00.001-08:00

A Fantastic and quick upload for you…..

A little piece of art that my co-worker did up for me, isn’t she a cutie?

As far as I know it bears no resemblance to anyone, she loves to make up characters. We have been talking about materials and art, recommending films to each other and other fun things. I have been very inspired to pick back up the paints and a lot of that can stem from my discussions with her.

If you like her work she is on Deviant Art.

I should really find a frame for it, although I do think it looks charming on my fridge.

Don't you?

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T12:03:00.001-08:00

Hello folks. The prodigal blogger is back! LOL

I am well and I hope you are too. So far I have already enjoyed one fantastic Turkey dinner with good friends. What could be better? We still have three days of turkey and fun ahead! I hope for snow, however all that seems to be happening is really cold rain, so the dog is going to be disappointed if he wants a run today!

I am sorry to have had such a long hiatus, but I ran creatively dry and my computer finally gave up trying to even contact the outside world. LOL Ask how many friends were frustrated by my lack of e-mail response! Crappy.

Moving on, new computer and refreshed creative spirit, I wanted to have something to show off, but I neglected to take a photo of the Christmas stocking I knit for my nephew. I will see if I can get one from my sister to post. This one was hand-dyed green and white. I am quite proud, and I am debating getting a head start on the nest one just in case someone decides to have another munchkin! It was the only gift knitting I did. Oh, I did make two more pairs of slippers ( no I am not crazy) but that was a deal with my sister in law.This is a picture of what the stocking looked like to start. The beginning!

So Happy Holidays all, I hope to be blogging at least once a month,

and getting caught up with your lives again. I have been up to some fun things and can't wait to share. Take care and enjoy the turkey!

Did you MIni-Maker Faire?

2011-06-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks to an amazing Guild member the Fraser Valley Knitting Guild was at the Vancouver Mini-Maker Faire this past weekend, teaching makers to knit! Check the link in the title, but here are a few things I saw while I was there!

Yarn Bombing!

There were at least two of these knit flags! One at the top of Great Northern Way. We encountered this one on our way to the entrance.

A pedal powered sofa. Seriously, this thing moved great! It even came with music! See the folks sitting on it, there are pedals up there too, so if you want to move around, you just pedal and the legs start to take you forward!

I was told that this was fire breathing.... or perhaps it was the other object... I wasn't really clear on that.

honestly, I don't know how this could use fire at all... it has a large solar panel on the back.

There were so many fantastic things, steampunk stuff, music, a giant snake! Very neat! Important to this tale is the knitting however...

There was knitting and teaching and so many folks were eager to learn. Honestly though, it was a faire dedicated to folks who already like to MAKE... knitting wasn't such a stretch for them, I had some really fast learners, and a few who even leaned toward continental style! Very fun! There were learn to knit kits, and instruction sheets. It was fantastically put together! Thanks J! Check the guild blog for more pictures. Let's hope they do this again next year!

Garden Greenery

2011-06-25T07:12:00.001-07:00

Another green photo for you! I really enjoy the inspiration that I get from the Project Spectrum. I have waxed poetic about it in the past, so go read one of those posts if you would like... or just check out the main link. Next month is another colour..... brown I think. I will have to double check. Ahhhh, blue! Fantastic. But green for this week and next.... embrace the colour!

Green In June

2011-06-21T16:08:00.003-07:00

Green is the colour of this month for Project Spectrum, so I am adding a few green shots this week. Hopefully July will be much more green. Sunny weather...... I am waiting! (So are my plants!)

WWKIP

2011-06-19T19:08:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I was out at a local park for World Wide Knit in Public Day..... it was also the Community day for our city and honestly next year I think I will ask for a table. ;) It would be the perfect place to talk about the guild I belong to the Fraser Valley Knitting Guild stop by and check it out.

That being said, it was raining all morning, and I didn`t think I would find anyone out there. I was wrong, we didn`t need our back up spot at the coffee shop. The rain stopped just as I got there and we sat in the grey weather wondering if we will actually get Summer next week. LOL

One of my guild mates was even game enough to do a little modeling for me! Thanks Anna! This is the blocked Multnoma for my Grandmother and this next shot is of the Dover Castle shawl that I knit from some Knit Picks hand-dyed sock yarn.

We had a good time and I am glad that I went out. I hope that your WWKIP adventures were also dry.

One final shot for you of what I was knitting in the park. Inspired by this years` Project Spectrum I am knitting in the Green of June! Outside for a little photo shoot with my Chocolate mint plant. I do not pretend to be a master photographer, but hey, it`s visually interesting.

Happy knitting! and thanks to all the new folks who visited and left a comment, I appreciate it!

New things and thoughts.

2011-06-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my last post I have been doing other crafts, not just knitting. Come to think of it, both my previous post did touch on the fact that I have several other crafts in my life. There are times when one just takes over. Lately I have been on fire about my garden, but honestly this is the time of year when you are starting little plants and hoping they survive whatever is lurking in the night. LOL Ask me why..... I lost all my bean and cucumber plants the other night!So no garden talk, I may take some pictures to share when things get really hopping. I hope they will!

Other than that I just really want to make use of all the fantastic creative items that are all over my house! The fabrics! The Paints! The sculptables! LOL

I think that my goal will be to get more all over crafts into my life, not just knitting... I haven't been doing very well. So I hope that when I re-evaluate my goals for the year next month that I can be inspired by other crafty stuff. Honestly I am trying to use this month to get as many projects completed as possible. I want to clear up a bit. so on that note I have to finish off......

1. The Blue Top-Down Raglan
2. The Essential Cardigan
3. Christmas Stocking
4. Socks (three pairs)
5. Dover Castle Shawl
6. New Beer Gloves

Does that seem like alot? I can't think of anything else on the needles at the moment. I know that a few are less important to get finished, like the socks. I usually have a few pairs on the go so if I don't get them done, I really won't be beating myself up. The decision to re-evaluate my goals at the half year point will happen at the end of this month so I better get cracking. How is it going with your goals? I can say that I am not jogging as mush as I want and I am the only one to blame for that. How do you create a good habit. I have to look into that. Happy crafting! Let me know what you think of my list! Oh, and don't forget World Wide Knit in Public day Saturday at Douglas Park! It's Love Langley Days too, so it should be great and I think there is free hot dogs! LOL

Hello I have an update!

2011-06-12T00:02:00.000-07:00

It has been a great time to mix it up more in my crafty time. Poly-craftual, is a good thing to be. I am sure that most folks, who dabble with one craft, find themselves drawn to another one too.

This does mean that I am making less progress on my current knitting projects, but also that I am refreshing myself with other crafty ideas. There are several just piled up in my bedroom. A few canvases waiting for paint, a bead loom strung and waiting to be given beads, fabric and a zipper intended to be a bag, not to even think of all the potential lurking in my stash of yarns. So having all kinds of goodies at my disposal I grabbed a few and got to work. These past few weeks I have been working on a tea cosy.

Inspired to improve upon one, made for a friend in a holiday swap a few years ago, it was time to get to work. There are more detailed photos of the process, so if anyone wants to give it a go they can, that post will come. A quick summary, I bought a wool sweater at a thrift shop, felted it and cut it into a shape that will work for my teapot. Layered with batting and lining fabric, and then sewn up to make a nice insulated tea cosy. The wool would keep it warm enough, but my hope is the extra layer of batting is going to keep tea piping hot for ages. I will let you know how that turns out after some testing!

There are a few other FO’s to mention, a drawstring project bag that is now wanting a string, I was going to use some lovely ribbon but, am unsure if it will be sturdy enough, so there will have to be an update on that. No sense in waiting trying it out will tell me enough. Also finished is a gift for my Grandmother, a new Multnoma shawlette. I have no idea if she will get much use out of it; personally I find that they are a handy item in the wardrobe. Who knows what she will think. I need to put it in the mail before the postal strike hits me. It has been blocked, but I am just weaving in the ends, so here is a picture of it in the bath of SOAK.

I finished off the pair of gloves that my hubby has been waiting months for. So I cast on for two more pairs, I hope that I can get a few done for him as well as the other men in my family. New projects are for another post. So that is about it for now... more soon.

Mother's Day

2011-05-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

Hello, and hopefully yesterday was a good Mother’s Day for all you awesome Mommies out there. The un-sung heroes of many a family or child, except once a year it seems sometimes.
I often think that I don’t tell my Mom enough just how fantastic I think she is and was as I was growing up. If it weren’t for her, so many things would never have happened in my creative life. I painted a Dragon mural in my bedroom when I was 14; she was the chauffer for craft shop trips and wandered the isles with me. Encouraged me to draw, paint, knit, play with clay, bead, use fame, and sew and so many other things. Typically she was right there with me trying new things and learning some new type of craft with me, often she picked up some fantastic tool for us to “share” and never expected to be the primary user. Self-less and loving, I know I exasperated her often but she is always on my side thinking of my welfare.

Mom, I love you! I am trying to be the best grown up I can be so everyone knows what a great family I come from, and how awesome my Mom is.

I made you something!

A project update.

2011-04-02T19:43:00.000-07:00

The time has come to knit a Christmas stocking!
Seriously.

Here is before

and this is where I am now....

Last year I knit up a stocking for my neice quickly. I decided I don't really want to be giving this stocking to my sister Christmas Eve. So, to make less stress for me, I am on my way.
What do you think? Getting a headstart on anything yourself? I have to admit that I am suprised at myself, getting a jump on things isn't always something I do. I am a procrastinator by habit, but this year I am trying to get away from that. Dicipline can be a good thing. Especially if you have a list of things that you want to get through for the year.

Two more quick things, I did some seed starting so I can get my garden begun. I need more soil in the actual physical space but, the seeds have to sprout before I need it. I have some time.

Also a girlfriend of mine got married this past weekend and my husband and I were happy to join them. A picture for you.....

Congrats!

A Good day out

2011-03-19T20:04:00.001-07:00

Well, today was my day at the Fibres West festival. I was super glad to be there, and tried to do my best to volunteer at the guild table, but I honestly ended up walking around for ages with my girls! YAY! Jane, Julia, Aimee, and Anna. Thanks ladies.
It was a great day! Food was awesome, and of course there was yarn!
This was one of the free pass days that I am allowing myself this year.

Aren't they lovely!? I am super happy. I used all of the yarn I purchased last year, so I thought that this would be a good idea. I hope I am right! I can't wait to use it! Malabrigo, Indigo Moon, Sweet Georgia and West Coast Fiber Works. Yum.

Can't wait to show off some finished objects too. I am so close to being doen two sweaters, I was unhappy with the collar on one, so I am reknitting it. Socks, and fingerless gloves are on the needles too. Were you at the show? What did you get? Yarn Harvest is the next thing for me to save for! Sweet.

Not your normal post

2011-02-20T23:30:00.000-08:00

Um, a online pal of mine, Toni mentioned on her blog that there is something going on in the United States that may eliminate public broadcasting. She seemed disturbed by this, and I can't help but feel the same.Why would you cancel Sesame Street?? This is not my normal posting, but here is the link she shared for Public Broadcasting. I can't help, but I hope that enough people out there can. Good luck.

Keeping busy

2011-02-20T22:19:00.001-08:00

This week had flown by. I think that somtimes it's not a good thing even if work goes quick. I have stuff to get done and if my week is over so fast, how will I get to it all. I have a goal list for 2011 that I have yet to share here, and I keep forgetting honestly. Sounds silly, but the reason I wanted to make another list this year is because I felt that last year it kept my head in the goal game.

That being said I would like to share it.

But first, what I have been dabbling with this weekend.

The green/ orange/red tube is a new hat for my niece. I tried to make her one already, but it was only big enough to fit my nephew who is one month old. Ooops... take two. Good news is my sister liked the yarn, and it's a washable wool so it will keep the little head warm. I do so love knitting for my family!
Secondly, I was trying my had at CROCHET! I love the look of granny square blankets, and it's on the list this year, so I figured I better familiarize myself. I am not understanding the instructions in the book so far, but I am going to try the Attic 24 blog tutorial and see how that goes. She makes lovely blankets.

Okay so on with my knitterly goal list for 2011. Even though it's late Feburary, I assure you I have had this list since at least mid-Janurary. LOL

1. A Yoke Sweater (to be determined)
2. A Bog Sweater in Purple Cascade 220
3. Fair Isle Inspired vest or sweater
4. Urban Aran sweater modified to a Cardigan
5. New sweaters for the kids in my life (6)
6. Crochet Granny Square Blanket
7. Rogue Kit knit up
8. Green Superwash top-down sweater
9. Brown sweater or vest for husband
10. Nephew's Christmas Stocking
11. Wedding shawl for a special bride
12. All 2010 WIP's complete or resolved.

Ta da! There it is. I am feeling pretty good about it so far. I have my own set of rules to go with it. One of which is a re-evaluation in July, to allow myself revisions. I am keeping track of yarn used for the 100 ball challenge and I am not restricting myself to JUST THIS LIST (as you may have noticed with my other project post this month) Too much restriction = no fun. That isn't the point. I really just have a few things I want to get done, so I think that this is helpful. Three of the WIP's from last year are sweaters that were on the list. Just need some finishing.... or a front, or some sleeves...... and I'm done! Progress to come of course. Can't wait to show you wha't up next. Oh! On that note......

Here is the yarn and needles ready to begin the Christmas Stocking for my nephew. No time like the present. I anticipate begining the bridal shawl in the next month. Happy crafting!

They are done... mostly

2011-02-15T21:51:00.000-08:00

Here they are, warm and lovely.... but they are a bit too big, so I am putting them throught the machine again. I love this process! I guess the only thing that is a problem is that felting really only goes one way. LOL

I can't wait to wear them and give them! Purple ones are for my Mother in Law. There are two pairs for me, and the one for Jen. I think that Jen is intrested in the purple yarn so I may be turning over the rest of that to her.... I don't know what to use it for, except one more pair of slippers.

Today's post is brought to you by...

2011-02-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

The letter "B"

for Baking

Yum.

And calzones for dinner...

New Projects

2011-02-01T00:45:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine and I are trading skills.
She can spin....... and I can't.
So in trade for some spinning...... I am making her something warm and lovely.

Slippers! The first half of a pair of Fibre Trends Felted Clogs. I am finished most of the slipper and am on to the top cuff. Next step is the second sole and then on to slipper two!

These are pretty close to the pair that I knit for myself and finished in the beginning of January. Same colours. Aren't they nice? Patons Classic Wool for the black and Patons Soy Wool Stripes for the main foot. I love how the striping works out. Can't wait to be finished with these so I can get them felted up for her! Trades are where it's at!

Plans for the Dog

2011-01-16T22:06:00.000-08:00

He looks so forlorn. Poor Sam, I made him a jacket.

Before Christmas I pulled out some fleece and did something I have been meaning to get to for a while. I made my dog a new jacket. To some this may sound ridiculous, or crazy. "But why would a dog that size need a jacket" or "You didn't knit him a sweater?"
To answer these unspoken but possibly considered responses; my dog Sam is a German Short haired Pointer they are a good sized dog, but lean. In Sam's case quite lean, we can't seem to get much fat on that little body. So he, hates to get wet, loves the snow and really can get cold. Knitting him a sweater is something I may consider once I finish my goals this year (another post to come). Right now I just want a sweater for me done! LOL

Anyhow, the jacket we purchased for him is too small this year. He may be lean, but he has a broader chest than he did at 1 year old. I found a pattern in a fleece sewing book that I thought was genius. Then I cut it out....

and realised quite quickly that with his lean little frame, Sam would swim in it!So I modified it very heavily using the old jacket as a base. Snaps along the little base strap and Velcro and snaps to the front, and Voila!

This okay jacket that I know I can make work for my dog better. There are a few things about this jacket that I don't really like, so when I have made a superior jacket I will share how I did it with you. I learn best when I make mistakes. That is why knitting is such a good hobby for me. I am on the third incarnation of fingerless gloves for my husband! Hope these ones are the winners!
I mentioned above that I finally mad a bit of time to sit down and consider goals for this new year. I have 12. I will post about that when I have considered how to word that post. I think this week. I have somethings going on, but I really want to share it. Hope your crafting is going well this week. I know someone who has committed to finish over 100 projects this year! Go Toni! I have committed to 100 balls of yarn used up for sure, but other than that.... next post! I swear! LOL

Completed

2010-12-28T15:04:00.000-08:00

Well, the stocking went well. I have been given rave reviews and lavish praise, which is great for my ego, but honestly I am just glad that my sister liked it. My niece won't care for a few years yet.

I guess I just want what all aunties and knitters who create things for children want. To create something that a child feels is special. Maybe they drag the blanket you knit around forever, or maybe the toy you make is the one that makes car rides go smoothly. To knit comfort into an object. In a way I have jumped that hurdle with this project and again in the new year when I knit the matching one for my nephew. It's a Christmas stocking, you only get one, and you know what it means when every year it gets pulled out of the decoration box. On that thought, I guess I should give her something to keep critters away. I would hate to see it ruined by little moth mouths.

A note on the pattern. The toe notes I found on ravelry I mentioned last post, but I didn't see any notes on the finishing method. This pattern calls for a turnover row and hem edge. Not a problem, except it wants you to continue in the box colours so there is a bit of a scalloped effect if you are not careful (I thought I was, but apparently not enough) and it asks that you fold it inside and tack down the live stitches. Not really possible using DPN's. So I turned the stocking out and tacked down the stitches that way. I felt that this was a good solution to the finishing, but that tacking down live stitches left a bit of waver in the end result...... so I may try to cast off then tack next time, that way I can pin it into position and hopefully eliminate any bunching.

I don't think the scalloping of the edge is really any worry, at least not for me, I like it. If I hadn't told you it was an oops, the only way to know would be to find other projects. Any how, to finish it off before I gave it away, I rolled up a towel, stuffed it inside and gave it a good steaming with my iron. Worked like a charm. Hope your Christmas projects turned out well. I will have more next post. Happy New Year!

New Traditions

2010-12-12T21:22:00.000-08:00

Last week saw me begin a new project. The first of two for sure……………Fireside Stocking (by Kate Gilbert) for my niece and nephew. Kettle dyed purple yarn, done with Wilton food dye, and white Patons Classic Merino Wool.

Any Knit Wits listeners can be assured that so far this stocking experience is not a pain in the behind (this is not a DREAD stocking), but it did start out a bit rough. I began this little number about six times. I had real problems with the toe chart. As soon as I was four or five rows in, the stitches began lining up oddly and the white/ purple dispersion was all wrong. Thanks to some helpful Ravelry folks I got around the problem. In the toe chart the increased stitches are marked on their respective rows. For the toe, an “M1” box in the pattern grid means the made stitch only, not a knit stitch plus a made stitch. Thank you aufildesjours for this notation.

That note on Ravelry saved this project. I seriously love the notes that people leave. Thanks for all the help you give when you make detailed notes!
I have liked this pattern since I picked up the Interweave Holiday Knits 2007, I am pretty sure it was the “tipping point pattern” that sealed the deal on my purchase of this magazine. I try not to buy magazines or books if I won’t make more than one pattern from them. I want value for my money! So naturally when my sister asked if I would be interested in knitting the Christmas Stockings for her kids I thought of this pattern. It means a lot to me that she asked me to make them. My sister has always been knitworthy. She always asks about care of gifts, and to my knowledge she uses what I give her and my niece all the time. My BIL I am unsure of, but he got a hat I was pretty proud of last year. So when a knitworthy family member asks for a knit item, I do my best to get it done for them. Stockings are a big deal. They have always held a special place in my heart and I think my siblings hearts too.

When we were kids, it was the only thing we were allowed to open at whatever crazy time we got up. Santa is an amazing stocking filler. Even now, if we are good we get a stocking filled. So to be part of Christmas memories from the beginning, to create something that will be part of the magic for years to come…… awesome.
I hope she likes it.

Planning for a Bounty.

2010-12-05T22:49:00.000-08:00

Last year my parents' apple trees were overflowing with apples. My Dad made pies, but eventually ran out of things to do with them. This year in preperation for another large harvest I began looking over my preserving books ernestly in the summer to decide what we would most likely eat and what I could do with a bounty of apples.

This year there was no apples. That sounds dramatic, there were a few apples but not nearly as many as last year. After the 2010 Winter Olympics we had a cold snap! LOL and alot of plants and trees that were budding early due to the lovely weather in Feburary, lost buds to the cold. Simple as that.

What is a girl with apple plans to do?

Buy a box of apples from a school fundraiser of course! LOL

Here they are sitting in our cold room.

And here is what I got up to today.

Apple pear crumble

and apple chips.

Yummy. It`s sad but I am unsure what apples I purchased. I am about 90% sure it was Gala apples. But honestly it could have been another type. They have been the same colour the whole time.
So I still have more apples, I will be making more ships, and I think I will have to make more crumbles, as I already have 3 places that I am taking a desert, and I only made 5 of the little guys! That will be great and I have not decided about apple butter or a apple pie filling. I was certian that I wanted to do canning, but I really don't know anymore. I hesitate as I have not tested a recipe for either I hate to waste my apples.

More on other parts of my weekend later. Hope you had a good one!

Now that the whirwind is done....

2010-10-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

I can tell you that Yarn Harvest Yarn Crawl was great!
A Blast! Thanks so much to Anna and Catlin for hosting me at Baaad Anna's!

We had a busy and exhausting day. It was great! I bought nothing! How crazy is that!?

Find out more at the Fraser Valley Knitting Guild Blog

On a personal note..... I finished a few things. YAY!

My Old man of Storr, I knit it in Unwind Yarns in Licorice Alsorts so I call it my Treat of Storr. Came out really well and I really like the pattern!

This may seem wild, but the colour is true. I love it! How could I hide it in shoes? The pattern was easy and intuitive, once you got it..... no worries, you could pretty much pick it up and put it down. Fantastic.

I also completed another shawl, this one in Silk Crush by Sweet Georgia. I love the colour, it's called Saltwater! The pattern is Travelling woman, and I used the whole skein. I did make the centre section a bit wide and had to stop before the final lace chart was done (I wouldn't do that again) but, it's cozy and colourful. I wear it out and the Silk Crush is just fabulous.

Finally I am completing some little hats. There is a call out in the Lower Mainland for purple baby hats, so I have made a few, and will continue until the deadline, or my Guild meeting... whichever. LOL

They work up so quick that I have made a few for the little people in my life too.

Oh and the Bitterroot shawl is progressing quite well. The pattern seems daunting, but it's really straightforward. I can get through a chart in a hour or so. That being said, it's more than 300 stitches wide now and the chart I just began is the one where the beads begin too. I am not sure I will be whipping through it so fast now. The other reason or two that it may not be progressing as quick is that I have both made progress on other projects and I am beginning a KAL with some friends for the Tibetan Clouds Beaded Stole. It will be so pretty! I am using laceweight malabrigo in Polar Morn. Pictures of that when you can actually see something more than squished up stitches! LOL

Hope that Thanksgiving was good to you all and that your projects progress well! Talk at you soon. Tell me what you think.

New goodies to show off.

2010-09-21T21:57:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I have been planning a Yarn Crawl called Yarn Harvest in the Fraser Valley. It is now available for viewing in detail on the Fraser Valley Knitting Guild Blog sweet! Pop over, join up... it's this weekend and it is shaping up to be a blast!

On a trip to stop at the shops, we did a bit of yarn shopping. (oops)
Since I will be staying at Baaad Anna's most of the day... I won't really be shopping, but hay... Yarn Crawl!
Anyhow... this was what I got on my mini crawl. "Research"

A lovely skein of Fleece Artist Nyoni. I love this colour. Picked it up at Gina Brown's in Vancouver.

Organic and low impact dyed cotton from Plum Project Studios..... can you believe that this is over 800 meters! I so have plans for this!

A Yummy skein of lace weight baby Alapaca By Diamond. Picked up at my weekend host Baaad Anna's. I just love this colour, and it was so soft...... I was powerless. Mine now.

And last but not least, from the fantastic sale at Three Bags Full........

Beautiful Kauni. The colourway is ET. It is fantastic..... and yes I have plans for it. In fact as I confessed to my companions that day, I have been planning this purchase for a while. I have to say, checking out the colours on the site ELC is looking pretty appealing too! Well, I can always have more plans! LOL.

We actually hit two other yarn shops that day, and I did not buy anything. One was rude..... well chilly in their reception and the other..... I didn't see anything that made me take it home, but I think I was just scared to start shopping because they had some lovely stuff! Woo!

So, nest post a few projects that I have been working on... some Bitterroot progress, and two other shawl/stoles that take up my time... but are sooooo worth it! I finally knit with my Sweet Georgia Silk Crush Yarn that I picked up at Fibres West in um..... March? Yikes! Wait to see what I made, I love it! Have a great week. Hope to see you yarn crawling Vancouver and the Fraser Valley!

Complete!

2010-08-26T22:10:00.001-07:00

Here is a recently completed object. This is my second Swallowtail Shawl. I used Knit Picks Shadow laceweight. It is 100% wool, and has been in my stash for ages! I was glad to use it, but this only took up one skein of the three in the Oregon Coast colourway that I have. The photo does not do the yarn justice. It has so many fantastic colours in it. I highly reccomend it, lovely soft and warm. I have put aside this colour for the moment however as I have more vibrant shades in my stash.

This is my recently begun Bitterroot Shawl. Designed by Romi for Knitty..... I knew that I needed to use some colour. I have quite a bit of the Knit Picks Shadow. It's very affordable and the yardage is very reasonable so I went a bit crazy a few years ago and bought 12 skeins or so LOL. I was purchasing them with lace in mind, but I was looking at shawl patterns that called for at least 1000 yards a shawl. For each colour I bought three skeins to have enough to make the larger shawl patterns. I have indeed knit a few of that size, but with the recent amounts of smaller shawls I have found that I have a great lace stash that is going very far! I haven't decided how large to make this shawl, it has instructions for a shawlette and a full shawl size. This pattern also has beads in the shawl, so I love that!

And since this seems to be a lace themed post, I will now include a Calais Shawl that I knit for a friends' July wedding......Yarn escapes me at them moment... I think it was a Diamond Baby alpaca Lace.

Also a shawl that will most likely be worn tomorrow, by another bride. The Shetland Triangle in Malibrigo Lace. Natural colour.

I hope to post pics of the bride wearing it too! That will be fantastic, she was very excited when I gave it to her tonight, said it was perfect! Fantastic, you have to love it when you knit for someone and they really are worthy! LOL

Busy Weekend

2010-08-23T00:37:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend. I don't think I really got much rest in. Rest will be for the week. LMAO. I amuse myself some days.

Yesterday was a Yarn Crawl to check in on shops that had signed up but didn't have flyers or signup sheets for the Yarn Harvest event next month. It was great! We hit 6 shops, and we could easily have done at least one more, but we started a bit late. This wasn't go in say hi and leave either....... there was shopping. We browsed in each store, chatted to staff or customers. This crawl is going to be fantastic! Want to see the goodies?

I would love to show you but Blogger isn't letting me. That's no fair. I wanted to show off the Organic fair trade laceweight cotton, the Fleece Artist Nyoni, the purple blend Kauni, and the Blue baby alpalca laceweight too!

I also planned on showing off the beautiful peaches that I spent most of this afternoon-evening canning. They are beautiful, and will be yummy! Sad really, it's not often that I have image issues. I wonder why.
Well... anyway have a great evening and week. If you are not familiar with the Yarn Harvest yarn crawl that I am organizing and you want to know I will shamelessly plug it, or answer you if you let me know you want info. I thik I will be going to be and dreaming of what to do with my lovely yarns..... yay!

Yarn Harvest Comes!

2010-08-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

September 25, 2010 is when The Vancouver area and the Fraser Valley gain a yarn crawl of our very own!
Yarn Harvest will be fantastic, great! I don't really get to play because I am organizing.... but who cares, we get a yarn crawl! Let me know if you want more specific information... I will post more deails soon.
For sure Black Sheep, 88 Stitches, Gina Browns' and Kitopia are in. Along with some amazing local artists of the fibre persuasion! (Sweet Georgia) I am super excited!

Hello, I had plans... and then they changed!

2010-08-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

So I had plans and then things went sideways on me.
I planned to jam and can.... not so much.
I planned to blog one a week..... that worked out well huh? lol
I did get a bit of knitting and sewing done though. I need to take some FO pics... but for now.
Hope you are all well. Can't wait to browse what you are up to.

World Wide Knit In Public Day

2010-06-13T13:51:00.003-07:00

I was at 88 Stitches yesterday for the first of the WWKIP days. It was a great day to be outside. Beautiful weather, not too hot, lots of sun, perfect. There was a great group that and our lovley hostesses had coffee, snacks and cookies. Thanks so much gals! I had a great time, and made some good progress on my Ox Blood sweater.... and then I had a yarn issue so I had to switch to my Essential Cardigan sleeves, until I could get home to check out the dye lots.
I had started a new ball, and the red was a bit different.... oops. Thankfully, I did a check at home and it was only the one that was a different dye lot. Whew! So ripped the odd one out and started a new ball again.

I did post up on the main WWKip website a Langley gathering for next week. The Tuesday group had been talking about paralelling it with the Langley Community Day, as we did last year. Last year was a fluke, but this year, it's a plan! LOL Check out the site for directions and details.

Bring whatever you want to work on, not knit exclusive. Hope the weather will be just as good as this weekend was. Hopefully I will be alot farther on my sweater.

Sunshine finally.

2010-06-06T00:35:00.000-07:00

So today was sunny, I baked some muffins and bread, ran some errands with my husband, knit a bit and had a really long walk at the local dog park with my Sam.
Pretty good for a Saturday all in all. Now it's hot tea and knitting on the couch with my husband.

Just wanted to stop in, say hi and hope you are all having a good weekend too. More in depth later.

I have some Fo's

2010-05-28T23:11:00.000-07:00

Really I have a finished object or two kicking around. It is not just a rumor that I have been perpetuating.

The Blue Sedum I have mentioned is complete... and a button shopping expidition may be called for. I agree Aesderina. So no more new pics of that.... I will wait for buttons.

I did also complete some fantastic Mittens! My Canadian Pride Mittens by Vicky Taylor-Hood. I can't link to a site other than Ravelry, my apoligies if you are not on it. The pattern is available free through Ravelry if you want to make them yours. She calls them O Canada Mittens I love them... the pattern is easy, and it added a new skill to my repitoir. The braided edging. A technique that I have already put to use on a new mitten project. This I think will kick off my year of mittens... not that I will be knitting 52 pairs or anything, but I have many patterns that I want to make and they are small and portable.... just like socks, but intresting in a different way. Anyway more mittens are coming but first let me show these off.

Yes there is a dog foot in the shot... he really wanted to know what was up.
Back to the mittens, as I have small hands I used the modification provided, and went to town. They are lovely, and just in time for spring!
I used Patons Classic Wool.... about half a ball of each colour. So, affordable, quick and warm... go knit a pair! LOL

So currently on the needles I am in sleeve purgatory. The Ox Blood pattern knits the yoke to the sleeves and then you knit the sleeves before continuing with the body. Very cool, so I went with it. So, one project working on sleeves.

The second is the Iron ore sweater.... waiting to be steeked at the arms so I can begin sleeves. Since I am trying a new steek reinforcement I am not sure if it is the not wanting to cut or not wanting to knit sleeves.....

Last but not least I began the Essential Cardigan from the latest Interweave Knits. The Tangled Yoke wasn't working fot me and The stars aligned.... so I cast on and decided that I really should get the sleeves out tof the way if they are something that I really don't like knitting...... riiiight.

I do have the pair of mittens that I mentioned, but I began them once and they were huge, so I ripped them out and have started again, so Ihave no reall progress to show you. Two pairs of socks, one of the circular needles I do majic loop with snapped off in a filing cabinet accident and I am sharing the needle for both pairs. The Coastal Swallowtail is also still on the needles, but i just took a refresher on the beads and I think that after this post is done I will sit with it on my bed and make some progress. I think that's it for my current projects. I guess I just really want to be knitting new things..... spring startitis. I can say proudly that all objects are using yarn from my stash! I love my stash..... and I have so many thoughts on what to knit next. More on that in another post. Enjoy your weekend. Knit on, create more, make art!

Loooong weekend....

2010-05-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Victoria Day!

Hope you are all getting some fun in the sun with family and BBQ's and stuff like that.
I will direct you to a cool contest I was made aware of....
Jane Richmond is planning on giving away her entire pattern collection to one lucky winner June 10th.
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment. Sweet deal.

You may remember that her Mustard Scarf is pretty popular I made a few at Chistmas as gifts....

Great quick gift knit! Actually recently I finished her sweater Sedum too......

No seriously... It's finished. I just need to find better buttons.... the ones that I have don't really work.... hmmmmm, I may have some in my button stash though. More on that later.

Anyway, go enter the contest and then get back to sunshine, wine, ice cream, knitting, woodworking, or whatever you were up to! I will have some FO information next post. I have seen some of the other FO's out there.... it makes me want to knit more! LOL Too bad I have to work!

Here are some neat things....

2010-05-15T23:41:00.001-07:00

As I mentioned I was spoiled in our group gift swap.
Here is the proof. First a fantastic hand quilted Bodum cover. The fabric is devine and she did swirls for me! I love swirls.... lol They came with 5 matching cup cozies... for travel mugs and home cups. They are just as pretty!

Next up is.... my amazing baby ice dragon. Isn't he amazing. He is about the same size as the Bodum.... and at the moment he is nestled in a nook in my book case with some lovely yarns... to keep him safe from the live furries that I have in my home. Sam took one look and then folowed me around the house trying to talk (imploring eyes ) me into giving up the stuffie.... No way. Mine! This picture doesn't do him justice, his tummy is sparkly white and his tail is fantastic! I will have to sneak him into the sunshine and take some better pictures... without the dog noticing! LOL

He hasn't been named yet... nothing has been apropriate, I will let you know when I do.

This all came in a fantastic black and white project stand/ basket, with a copy of Jane Austen's collected works, chocolates, cookies and really cool teas. I think it was the best gift! She knows me well!

Thanks very, very much to my gift giver..... Dragon Rhapsody

Amazing stuff gal! Pop by her blog and see her pics of it... he is super cute in her picture!
(The baby and the dragon!) ;)

Hey

2010-05-08T22:35:00.000-07:00

Here we are! I will be posting some of my goodies from the swap soon..... some seem to have been eaten... hmmmmm

Anyway I just wanted to reply to the lovely comments I got from my post on the gifts I gave. Thanks for the ego bost gals. I appreciate it.

Btw.... the Multmoma previously mentioned is a very easy introduction into small shawl/scarves of this triangular type. This was the third one that I have knit, and I highly reccomend it, I in fact may knit up a few more for gifts because it was just that satisfying to have it loved! It's a fantastic way to work with verrigated yarns of the lace and sock weight variety. So if you have something lovely that you just are not sure what to do with... this could be the pattern you are looking for.

Seriously. It's great, and easy to take along.

Enjoy your weekend, I am. Be happy and well guys!

So, wow... we did our gift exchange .

2010-04-25T16:08:00.000-07:00

Yay Christmas gift giving has completed! No seriously...... we did our swap for our group of friends... it was great! Here we go, for gifts that I gave today... and the goodies I was gifted later.

Mitts for Julia, inspired by her dog Strider......

She squeed... it was very gratifying. I really wanted to make sure that the fingerless gloves that I made for Julia were perfectly suited for her. I did begin with a pattern that I was familiar with, but it didn't work out, so I had to make it up as I went along. The dog I found in a Selbu mitten book, and I tweaked it to look more like her furry big guy. I really like how they turned out.

I made her two tea cosies, and I only got one photographed. The first one, was begun out of recycling a sweater..... it was a great adventure, but I had total swap anxiety about it..... so I tossed it in the pile of fix it later, and went with a back up plan of lopi yarns and knitting..... and the lopi made me break out in cold sores! So I had to get a pinch knitter... Thanks Jen! When I was discussing my trouble with Jen, she got a chance to see the recycled sweater project, and was sure that Julia would love it.... so I finished it off too....

As you can see I felted a sweater and did some embroidery on the front. And lined it with some great botanical fabric. She liked it, I also liked it, and I think I will be making a few more. Seriously this was a inspiring project, I have so many notes on new ones that I plan on... and one cut out sitting beside me now. LOL

Sorry about not having the other cosy photographed, but I also like that pattern so much that I am on my third one... really easy and so easily made to match other peoples tastes. I will have pics of the others.

Finally I knit a Multnoma in a colourway that I thought she would love. And she did! YAY!

Here it is on a blocking board.
It looks great around the neck, I may see if I can get her to model for me....

On my needles.... two tea cosies, a sweater or two, socks and mittens. More on that later. Have a good Sunday.

Hello... how are you?

2010-04-02T18:09:00.001-07:00

Hi there! Busy long weekend in the works? Not for me.
At least, I hope note.
So far this morning I was at 88 Stitches for a nice sit and stitch with the owner and a pal of mine. Lovely muffins and coffee on a blustery day.
Then on my way home I stopped in at a favorite nursery for potting soil and two new house plants.
Now I am blocking shawls, blogging and spending sometime getting back on line. I seem to be exhausted when I get home from work lately, so I avoid the computer altogether ..... but hey, What can I say. I really want to see what everyone is up to so I really can't stay away. LOL

So news. Fibres West was a great day last Saturday. Jane has a great little synopsis on her blog ... go check it out. There was a great vendors area, althought no presentations that we wanted to see while we were there. Lots of local yarnies, and some great hand-dyers.
We saw some friends grabbed some lunch and spent some money. I wish I had planned a little better, last year I had notes on the patterns I was intrestd in and the yardage i would need..... not so much this year. I was just happy to have some time out with the gal pals.

The Three purchases.
One: Soak Unleashed I was out of wool wash, and this was at a booth, YAY!

Two: Sweet Georgia's Silk Crush Sock Yarn ..... yummmy. The color is named "Saltwater" and this photo does not do it justice. It is beautifully deep and a lighter shade of blue. Not softer, just lighter, if that makes sense.

Three: Licorice twist from Unwind Yarns, which I have been stalking for a year. I wished that I had bought it last year and so this year I found it and took it home.

I was wearing my completed Central Park Hoodie! YAY I finally finished it. I love wearing it! It Is so warm and comfy, so I am considering making a second ..... we shall see.

I have started a new sweater and I am not really along enough to show it off, so I will save that for another day. In short it's a design by my friend Jane, mentoned above, called Sedum. I did have much in my stash that would work for it, so I was doing some swatching, and finally settled on a yarn that I already own. That makes the process way easier, so I started, and I am almost to the arms which makes it just a strip of knitting at the moment. As I said pictures when it is a little farther along.

Hope you are well and getting up to something that intrests you. I look forward to reading about it. I think my next post will be about something neat to get up to on rainy days......

The knitting continues.... again

2010-02-20T21:04:00.000-08:00

Olympic excitement is in my life.... my knitting is going great. This is what I began with ....

and here is where I am now.....

Two mittens! I have ends to weave in on the one I just finished... which is all inside out to show off the crazy ends. I also have thumbs to put on them. That may be a challenging or lots of fun, but I don't know yet.

Hope all your knitting is going well.... I am off to weave in ends and keep this momentum up!

Olympics 2010

2010-02-13T20:03:00.000-08:00

Well, they are here. I thought the opening ceremonies went well!
LOL
Things around town are getting intresting.

This is the banner that is up around Surrey, where I work. As you can see, the blue and green theme that is going across the events is all around us!

Here is my Ravolympics cast on. I have finished the cuff, but it's going to get complicated. Fun fun.
We were at a friends house watching the opening ceremonies...it was fun and funny. We heckled, we clapped and laughed. What a great time. I was so glad that they used multiple people to light the final torch.
I am super proud to have the olympic here, so I have to get out around the town and get some more pictures to share some of the intresting things that are going on here. Happy knitting and good luck to your countries' teams.

Knitting cotinues.

2010-02-07T22:17:00.001-08:00

Well, I have completed three baby blankets in the last two weeks for showers that my sister is going to. I think I may take a break, but I still have some things left unfinished like a sweater or two and some socks that i do want to get some use out of.

The olympics are almost here and I plan on getting some info and pics to share up here. Can't wait to see what is up. The torch is coming throught the area tomorrow, and there is a big celebration and concerts just down the street from my work on Friday for the opening ceremonies. Should be neat. Now to convince my lovely husband that we should check it out! LOL So much to do! yay! I am excited!

Sorry to make this short and sweet, and lamely without pictures, but I have to get off to sleep and work tomorrow. I also have to put the final touches on the baby blanket in my lap. Have a grea night, and good times doing whatever you are up to.
Later guys!

My geek cred.... and the first offical 2010 FO

2010-01-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

Seriously... I knit a great project for my Brother in law

Just finished it today. It's the only Christmas project that I didn't finish on time. At least it's done.
here ya go.....

Thanks to my hubby who provided the head- model!

The first official FO of the new year was a second Multnoma shawl in the fantastic hand-dyed Berroco that I showed off in the fall HERE .

Here is the FO I really like it... but I am unsure if it would make a better gift...... I have someone it could be great for. However I have so much other great yarn that could work.

There it is. The flash does have something to do with the colour... It isn't quite so "brassy" lol.

Maybe this is a better image...

Well.... I guess so.... I do like it. I did a larger middle section as reccomended by Hello Knitty. I think that I like having a longer lace section. I was also compelled to do some frogging. I had a Minimalist Cardigan on the needles, but I started it in a wool and it wasn't draping well, so I ripped it out and began a plain cardigan base. K2 P2 with a centre steek. I will just knit it in the round, steek the centre and arms, then give it a k2 p2 button band.
Nothing fantastic, just simple and useful. Nothing really spectacular, so no image at the moment it's just red wool. I was also going to knit up a acrylic sweater too, but I have never steeked Acrylic. I think that it can be done, but first the wool one, then the purple with some patterning. It is just sitting in my stash anyway. i may as well. I think that is the way I feel about several stash yarns that I have. I like it, I am not waiting to use it... why not use it.

I have re-thought the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. I will knit it... I just need to get a longer needle, I have the size I swatched on, but I tried to cast on the required stitches..... and it was very inadequate. LOL Oh well. I really want to make that cardigan too, so why not.
Maybe that is what I will keep as my goal the year of "Why Not?" LOL

I hope all is well in your knitting, I haven't quite decided what goals I would like to have for the year. Some people have decided to knit 52 projects in 52 weeks, there is also a goal of 100 projects a year from blogger-pal Toni ,go Toni! That would be fantastic. I really haven't given myself adequate time to think it through, or write a bit of a list. I like lists...

So, I have been considering a goal of 50 books this year. I also want to consider lots of other things.... listen to me, vauge and off beat. I can't wait to browse the blogs and see who has what. I will add my own when I can.

Hello 2010

2010-01-07T12:43:00.000-08:00

I anticipate this being an exciting year.

I have plans.... and goals.
I know you probably do too.

I think that I need to start small though.
I have been using too many "I's" lol
Hope you are well. Ther is no snow here currently, but that doesn't mean it isn't coming and with the Olympics only a month and a half away..... we would love it.

Seriously........?

2009-12-23T11:03:00.001-08:00

You have got to check this out.
Just link throught the title. I heard it mentioned on Electric Sheep.....
Kept me laughing... OMG, the Easter Bunny! LMAO

Incidentaly, yes I am knitting geek stuff, and it is almost done. I will post soon.
Hope you are all having a great winter, and have a Merry Christmas!
Go to the link and get some laughs!

Wave your Geek FLag!

2009-12-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

I have always considered myself a geek. Nothing wrong with it.

I don't speak Klingon, never been to a Con... or dressed as my favorite anime character.
I have seen every incarnation of Star Trek, love Star Wars (the ones made in the 70's) and can totally tell you what is wrong with the storyline in the x-men movies. Actually.......... don't get me started on that one.

Podcasts have become part of the little geekhood that I carry around everyday with me. I mostly listen to knitting, craft or literature casts, but Brass Needles bridges the gap in craft and si-fi for me... LOL
Lately it's alot of talk about Star Trek DS9...... but it's intresting.

Episode 34 mentioned a podcast that I had to go check out. Wil Wheatons' Memories of the Futurecast

Fantastic!
So go give it a listen if you, like I, remember Wesley Crusher fondly. This is a podcast with excerpts from his book Memories of the future... check out his synopsis, it's much more direct than I could be here.

I really like this podcast, but I have to say that finding Radio Free Burrito was the best score. Check that out too......

Next post.... the geeky knitting I can't wait to show off! I have to get farther into the project so you can see the true glorious geek of it, but I promise pics! See you soon...... go geek out!

Intresting things afoot and a confession.

2009-12-09T20:53:00.000-08:00

This Challenge thing I talked about... may not work out this month.
Seriously..... December? What was I thinking? If I had been gift knitting since July.... sure. Now? Nope.
Silly me.
That is my confession. Not suprising I know.

Anyhow.... knitting.

I won a contest. Knitpicks has a podcast... and they have a question at the end of the new episodes. I won.... two skeins of Stroll handpainted. The blue is Lullaby and the purple/green is Make Believe. I asked for these colours because I love them... really not a suprise.. I have alot of those colours.

I have been knitting alot of gifts... pictures of those later in the month of course.

Also I went to the fantastic Dressew!! Yarn on for 1.99.... seriously.... Regia sock yarn.

Sweet!

And tons of other goodies.

You should totally go. It was amazing.
Hope you are all well, just wanted to pop in a update. Prehaps I will have a challenge that is sane for myself in the new year.

Knit on!

2009-11-22T20:44:00.000-08:00

Fantastic week... very rainy but knitting has happened. That is a good thing!

My knitting is moving forward, and I keep adding to my pile. Startisis? I am not sure.... I am not just adding random things. I am knitting small gifts and finishing projects that I have had sitting as I mentiond in my last post. I plan on having more progress on my projects this week too. I am looking forward to completing gifts for family and friends, so much that I keep casting on these gifts. Here is a neck cowl, only missing the buttons.

So I don't seem to have other images of the projects on the go. I think I shared them all last post. I will tke more for the next update.

A good fall weekend

2009-11-15T13:06:00.007-08:00

Hello... I just keep wondering how it got to be the middle of November! So much to do and only so many hours to do it in. I am very certian that I am not alone in this! LOL

I have been considering a few things lately and I think that I will be giving myself a personal challenge this December. I have been pretty slothly on the 100 Ball challenge so you you may wonder why I would consider a new challenge. Not that I haven't been knitting for that challenge. I never seem to record it. I try to wait until a project is finished before I actually add it to my tally and several big projects like my CPH sweater and a baby blanket are progressing a bit slowly, so I have a really low count so far. It is a bit discouraging. I think that I will take this challenge on again in 2010, but with a modification on my record keeping. Stickers or something in my daytimer I think... not really sure yet. Any way the challenge I am going to set for myself this December includes all aspects of my crafting. I have to say that I kinda keep thinking about Toni's method of working through a project that she has on the go until her WIP's are gone. She bagged them, and pulls a new one out each month. Congrats Toni on being 4 project away from your goal!!

So I took my own steps..

Say hello to my WIP's bin. All kinds of things from knitting to embroidery. Looks pretty packed huh.. but it isn't really. Some things are a bit bulky, like the extra dog bed I am making. My December goals will include working through this bin. Now... I am not excluding working on new projects in December, and gift knitting will be happening as well. I just don't want them hiding in my wardrobe, or some corner of my room.. until I totally forget that I ever started them. I want to work on them. I spend my money on crafting supplies, and sometimes I never get around to the project. I want to make sure that I am making use of, and creating the thing that I have been inspire to, not to wast money on a project I will never get around to. So working through my stash of WIP's is going to help with that. I do want them done by the end of december... and if I start now, maybe that will happen.

Some knitting I am currently working on is the Magic Yarn ball project. It's a bit akward. I gotta admit, I unrolled the ball and got all the goodies out....... because the stuff kept getting caught and snagging me mid-stitch! MMMM chocolate.

I am knitting an Yvaine but I have no idea how much yarn it's going to take up. Luckily there are two skeins of the Araucania... so I can choose later. So far I really like the look of it! Seems simple doesn't it... but there is some garter and some stocking sts in there too.

So that is in the works, which I think will be ideal work knitting... easy to put down and pickup.

I also started a Minimalist Cardigan and a new pair of Endpaper Mitts. The cardigan is for me... I am knitting the body in one piece, back and forth... as I have totally relised my seaming dislike! LOL Next sweater... maybe back to steeking! The mitts are a gift. I see myself making a few more pairs again this year for those who didn't get them last year. At leas it's fast. I am rocking on mitt number two and I have really only been working on them a couple of nights this week... good progress. Having the pair done by tonight or tomorrow would be great!

Oh and I did a bit more dyeing. With koolaid. The picture really isn't exciting. I am knitting a gift with that so I will update you when there is progress. I did get up to one thing yesterday morning that I totally reccomend, Pumpkin Muffins. The recipe is from the Stitch It podcast blog. I did not add the fruit or nuts... I may try next time, but I usually don't like that in my muffins. I also did not make the glaze...... but the muffins were yummy! Funny thing though.... in Canada Pumpkin comes in 14 oz. or 19oz........ oh well. no 150z can for me! Happy weekend everyone, and bake something yummy!

A Time of Remembrance

2009-11-11T19:25:00.004-08:00

Remembrance Day, to Canadains

Vetrans Day, to Americans

Armistice Day, to UK folk

A time for remembrance......

Lest we forget.

Some pics and Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-10-12T13:32:00.007-07:00

It is a lovely fall Thanksgiving day! the sun has been shining all weekend, so I have taken some pictures of recent stuff for you!As you can see I have made some stash enhancement. The two dark skeins at the bottom were purchased at the Thanksgiving sale at 88 Stitches.. another LYS. Berroco ultra Alpalca Fine and Malabrigo Lace in Purple Mystery.

The top three were dyed, and in the case of the pink/red overdyed the other night with some friends... who knew a dyepot party could be so fun! mow all I want to do is buy more white to dye it! LOL. The pink is Orangi Filati Merion Oro. The pink wasn't me, I bought it to match the Hanami stole pattern, but that is a mistake huh... never buy the yarn colour the pattern is in unless it is flattering! LOL

The other two are a Patons Classic Merino and another Berroco Ultra ALpalce Fine. They turned out very bright... but I love them. The flashes of white, and the pop of purple. Fantastic!!

This has been my easy "on the road "project but it is at the end so I am moving on soon. The was an experiment in log cabin. I made it off centre, but I am unsure if it was succesful or not. Glad I tried it though.

I also have a Multnoma shawl on the go in a green skein of West Coast Colours dyed by the owner of Knitopia the other lys. I was planning on making socks or a baby jacket, but the colours are a bit more suited to this project. This shawl has been a bit of a hit on Ravelry and I think that I would make more, maybe with some modification. I do really like it though. The begining is all garter stitch with increases that are very easy to follow. I think that I have been knitting this in the car and at work primarily in the last week, because it is really so easy. The Manic Purl Podcast has been talking about it too. The host has made two, in a larger size. Check hers out.

So a pal of mine has mentioned that a group she is in in Ravelry are having a finishing month. No new projects, just completion. I like the idea, but I won't comit to it, I really am trying to finish off all the outstanding projects on my needles, but what fun is it if you can't cast on something new when you feel like it! LOL

I suppose, because I have been frogging and einishing fairly wel; recently, I am really not too worried about this. I will be completing finishing on a few projects this week for sure, and that is always a nice thing. to use the items, or pass them on tho the rightful recipient.

Hope fall is treating you well and you are cozy with a pot of tea and some great knitting... maybe a book too. Have a great week and a holiday for those of us up in Canada. Take time to be thankful! I know I am!

So what's up?

2009-09-24T12:50:00.002-07:00

What happens in your life that tears you away from your blogging life? LOL
Real life!

So I have had a busy summer, visiting, working, canning and some knitting. A bit of drawing too.
It's been great and I think that this season of the harvest will be just as busy. When the hubby is working on a Saturday, I have been canning with friends, or my Mom. Jars of pie filling, jams, pickles and jalapeno jelly line the pantry, and boy does that feel great. There is more to do though, my parents have some great grape vines in their yard, and two apple trees that always give fruit. This year they are all full! So more pie filing and preserves are coming up!

Someone at work asked me if my sister was as "domestic" as I am. I was stuck a bit, but being as I didn't really want to get into it.... I said "not really"

My sister I think is more domestic, she has a child and a group of ladies she sees on a regular basis. She is a great mom already, and I love her to bits.
I guess I always saw my hobbies as self-sufficency, not the dread domesticity. Why I dread it I cannot say at the moment... suffice to theorize that it has something to do with the second wave of feminism that I was exposed to before I could really understand it.You know the idea. They didn't like knitting either. So I guess as a third-wave feminist, I am embracing the things that give me pleasure and make me feel connected to the earth and self-sufficent. I knit, I can fruit, I jam,, I raise a veggie and herb garden, I bake (occasionally but, not from scratch yet.)
I also practice archery, target shooting and am going to hunt this year with my husband. I have a bachelors' degree in art and love the ideas that go along with that.

So is that domestic? If so I am a domestic goddess.... I embrace it all.

Next on my list.... learning to roast a chicken well..... and maybe talk the hubby into getting me a bee hive this spring ;) I also think that running is something I should take up... or rowing.

Hope all is well with you and you are doing things away from work that make you happy.
To friends I haven't seen in a while, I will try to drop you a line for dinner or breakfast soon. Hope your autumn is shaping up nicely gang. I realllllly do want to show off some FO's and almost FO's. That is the next blog goal. Comments and thoughts are awelcome and encouraged. Talk to you soon.

Dear lord I missed two months!

2009-09-11T13:06:00.001-07:00

Hello, I am well, and knitting... I have been having a bus summer as I am sure most of you did as well. I will update more this weekend!

With pics!

Hope you are all well. I will check in soon!

What a great idea!

2009-06-27T11:36:00.005-07:00

Hey there gang... I am so happy that it is cooler here in the Lower mainland! Summer is great but heat is not my thing! Don't get me wrong, I love the sunny days, I just enjoy the cooler days too!

So I am happy to also report that I am making good progress on the baby kimono, I don't know if this pattern is the best way to do this, but hey.... gotta try things out. I am using way more yarn than the pattern sggested, and as you may know that is a bit of a concern. I don't feel like the size of the kimono is extrordinary so I don't think that I am making the "amazing humongous baby jacket" I promise to update on if that happens or not.

I was also making great headway on a purple blanket that I was knitting, and then I ran out of a yarn.... but a friend of mine is going to be saving my ass from having to buy more yarn! This is going to be a gift blanket, and it knits up so quick... as I am using huge needles and double stranding the yarns. A great baby or child blanket. Honestly it is a great blanket, and I have made several for gifts, they have several great things going for them..... washable, cushy, and warm. Double stranding means that I use up more of my stash in less time!

My plan for stash busting, is going okay. The last couple of months I have felt that I have not made as much progress as i wanted to. Som months were really slow! I have a few projects that I am knitting in pieces so I don't finish a ball as I finish a piece..... so I am making progress on my projects but not knocking down my stash. Oh well I am keeping up with my goal for knitting my stash down.

Now that 2009 is half through (yikes!) I am going to count all yarn used. purchased recently or not. I will start that next month. I don't think that it will have much bearing on my tally, as I am still planning on knitting from Stash primarily.

Okay.....so the link in the title and the image at the top.

I have been listening to some new podcasts, and the KIPing It Real podcast is a new one for me.

(more on new podcasts in another post)

Anyway the host mentioned an intresting project that she had hear of. The 3-50 Project is basically an idea for supporting the local Brick-and-mortar stores in your local area. You budget 50 dollars each month and split it between three local shops that you would HATE to loose in this economy. Thereby supporting the locals but not breaking your monthly budget! I encourage you to pop by and check it out. I have already tried to begin this idea, but I wasn't supporting three stores..... just my LYS. :D Let me know what you think.. I would be intrested.

Trying to keep up...

2009-06-22T22:23:00.009-07:00

but the world is going so fast!!!!

LOL

So here I am again with cute animal pictures!

I have several things to babble about, but I have no idea if I will hit you with it all at once. I am having a mini vacation this weekend. I am off four days in a row. We were camping this weekend already, but there was much rain so we came home this morning instead of tomorrow morning.... well that is sometimes how it goes!

We do camp in a lovely area.

See?

Pretty. Aside from the sad state of the dead pine trees due to the pine beetle infestation here in BC. This area is about 2 and a half hours north from home here in Langley. The spike buck you see in the upper photo thought we were pretty intresting to look at, he visited every day! LOL Even the dog didn't bother him.

Okay enough of that. I have completed the Crimson and Coccoa baby Blanket. Thank goodness! I am seriously falling out of love with this blanket style, but I have to admit they look great and don't take too much time. I think the verrigated yarns are the best to use though, they keep your interest longer. When I finally got to the border, I felt very put upon! lol but I wanted to finish it off so I can get it in the mail soon.

Speaking of mail... I have several packets to get out. Sorry guys, I suck and I have a small amount of play money at the moment. The will be gone before the next month. I apoligize profusley, and you know why!

I am working on a Baby Kimono for my niece at the moment as well as the Central Park Hoodie, Hunters Vest and the other straggler projects! The Kimono pattern is one I have never knit, so it has been intresting so far. I think the pattern is very clear and so far so good.. seperation for the fronts and back is mere centimeters away.

I think that I will be re-starting the blanket for my pal James. I don't know where I am in the thing, and I think that is what is keeping me from completing that paticular project. oh well.

I am feeling a bit of Startitis coming on... two shawls are calling to me. That may be bad! LOL oh well, gotta knit for myself a bit this year! I plan on using the rest of tonight and a bit of tomorrow to get ahead on the CPH I think, and maybe cast on a new shawl! :D

I am a bit tired so I will leave you with that update. Hope you are all well and more productive than I!!

Getting things done!

2009-06-07T14:20:00.002-07:00

No really!!

Honest.
I steeked the Hunters vest and I have knit on one arm band, and the second is on it's way.... Yes I cut my knitting up the centre too, and if I had remembered to bring my camera to Splynk's house, I would have pictures, but we did the steeking together and that made it better!

Thanks Splynk! More chips and alcohol next time.

I am almost done the red and brown blanket for a baby cousin.

The CPH is moving along well, I am back to working on the right fromt, after frogging back to the ribbing... I forgot to change needle sizes! The back and the left front are done already.
Plus I am totally shipping stuff off to a couple of people and I will update with pics later, before they leave!

This is just a quick update! hope you are well!

Long Weekend update!

2009-05-16T18:00:00.011-07:00

Hello!

Happy Victoria Day Long weekend gang! I plan on being productive, since our camping trip fell through. Since my last post was so heavy on the rambling... this one won't be.

So some updated things for you...

A new detail on the Stitch It charity blanket that I have had for WAY TOO LONG

My Neice Arabellas' blanket

made in Linonbrand Homespun... totally washable and care-free, my sister picked it out.

Riely Foremans' blanket

All cotton, all the time.

The Blanket for Sebastian that I have just begun.

Bernat Satin, again mommy colour preference. I think this one is going to look so fantastic, just wait!

Completed Endpaper mitts for my gal-pal.

Knitpicks Pallet wool, totally economical for this type of gift, the brown was leftover from another gift and I only used half the ball of blue!

oh and a pet pic.....or two,

Sam

Simon.

Have a great long weekend if you have one, and if not, enjoy anyway!

Good gracious

2009-05-08T11:04:00.004-07:00

My life is busy.

Sorry about that..... I know that you all understand. You too are busy.

I have a few posts in the future that I have notes on, so I will go off that and get some mindless thoughts and some great ideas up. You decide. Happy PS4 Yellow! East!!

I have knitting to update you on, but no pics at the moment..... so I will get to that later.

I was thinking that I would muse about the Creative Commons Licencing that you and I encounter in our journey through the internet and multipe things published on-line.

I have been listening not only to the posdcast previously listed somewhere on this blog.... but also to pod-books. audiobooks that are written and read by their authors. One that I really enjoyed was Playing For Keeps by Mur Lafferty. Some in an effort to get into the publishing world (and some have been sucessful you can now order Playing for keeps for your Kindle on amazon), others releasing books that have had their copyright expire.

In the case of the copyright expiration, it's pretty obvious why the books can be offered for free online. No one holds the rights to these books anymore hence sites like Podiobooks and Librivox. places where you can download classics like Alice in Wonderland or Frankenstein.

Because I appreciate hearing classic books when my hands are busy knitting or driving... whatever, I really appreciate how this sharing of ideas is working. In reading over the site I linked above on Creative Commons... it gives some great ideas. We are a race with so much shared culture in this electronic age, many people know as much about other cultures as they do about their own.... Japan, Africa, India are all being explored and explained for those who would not be able to go there and observe a culture. Also on that train of thought people can accept and adopt other cultural viewpoints on religion, art, and any number of other ideas. Now this is just a rough sketch of my thoughts splayed out over the screen, as many of you know...... so hope you have time to check it out and think about how great sharing can be.

It doesn't always mean that the artist has their idea taken away, it can mean that they choose to share it. In the knitting community and many artistic areas the sharing of ideas is fluid, and really not even thought about.... having a great brainstorming session with peers, classmates, or the buddies you have coffee/a beer with can be refreshing and even enlightening.
I love that about being part of a community, that has a great idea and shows the world.
Thanks to all the great designers of free knitting patterns, who help to inspire the rest of us and all they want is to see the FO!

Let me know what you think about my rambling.... have a great Friday!

MY Goodness, hello!

2009-04-11T18:18:00.007-07:00

Simon, the climbing cat.

Thanks everyone for stopping by and commenting. I am sorry that I have been a bit lax in my posting..

I am up to 21 balls of yarn used and um..... 16 projects complete I think... not bad for the year.

I have no pics of my project spectrum project yet... because I have very little to show... this month I hope to change that!

I have an update on my Central Park Hoodie knitting... I have the back done and I am almost complete the left front.... so I have begun the ribbing on the right front. This seems to be a quick knit. If I plan this right I can be on to the sleeves by next week.

Another Baby Surprise Jacket done, for my new neice! Hello Arabella! I already knit one for her, but it is sooooo huge, I will give it to my sister and she can pull it out this fall when it MAY fit her!
So I whipped up this one out of Bernat Jaquard in SpearamintCandy... super cute no?

This one was knit on 3.25mm needles, so I could make a more reasonable size... compare to the last one knit on 4mm.!!!

So I am working on the CPH and one a few other things for babies, a blanket for Arabella too... that I have no pic of but I hope that I can get one up with her in it soon...

There are more babies in the family... two new cousins born in the last week! they are in New York, so I will have to round up a gift bundle up for both boys. Pics of those goodies as I complete them, if the BSJ thing is any indication, all the ones I have knit up to now, are huge in baby standards. I will send one out, but I will also knit up a smaller one! LOL

Have a good Easter Weekend everyone, knit well

I have knitting!

2009-03-21T22:52:00.010-07:00

Another update and another Baby Suprise Jacket!

Seriously!

I do love the versatility of these little things.... I am spreding the good word, especially to knitters who have very little "pattern" experience, this is all knit... and a few tweaks! I am hoping to get a few people knitting these little jackets, even if they are feeling like they don't have enough experience..... nonsense. They are fantastic!

I decided that I wanted to understand a bit more about the stripes that I have seen on various scrap, leftover BSJ's I wanted to understand how the striping would travel if I knit two strips of colour at the begining and one near the end. The results were the front

and the back.

I have this one on the needles now, where I began with one colour and I am obviously using some leftovers from another colour to finish up. These two experiments have been fun, and still quick to knit.... I do have a bit more to weave in however....

I have a progress shot of the back of the Central Park Hoodie. I think it is going very well, but because it is supposed to be a KAL and the others are not begun, or knitting as much as I am. I have only been knitting this on Knit nights. I think that I will have to speed this up though, as much as I am intrested in KALing with them, I do want to wear this sweater... that is the goal for me. I may have to knit a bit more during this weekend. Maybe finish the back, and begin a front. Who knows, I may not even get to it...

I do enjoy the way this is looking though, and I think that the others will too... I do know that it is knitting up fast for me, and that is always a bonus.

I guess I am just to impaitent to be knitting for me, and I do like the product at the end!

I am very close to being complete the hunters vest, I will be re-measuring for length tomorrow (or tonight) and hopefully binding off so that I may steek..... I think I really just have to bite the bullet and do it. I am knitting with wool, and some people don't even re-inforce the knitting with wool, as the fibers grab naturally. We shall see, I promise pics and a report.

Fibres West was this weekend, a few girlfriends, and my Mom went with me on Friday night. I picked up some fantastic New Zealand wool, at a great price from Twist of Fate. It is a chocolate brown colour, so now all I have to do is decide what pattern I want to use with it.

The festival was smaller this year than in years past, but as this is the first year that it has a new group at the helm, that is totally to be expected. I still enjoyed the booths, and obviously found some goodies. In this economy I really feel that supporting the local vendors is important! Hopefully next year there will be more, I wonder if they will need a planning comittee, I should try to volunteer!

So here are some fur baby shots.....

Sam

and Simon....

they are so cute, and still growing! awwwww....

good weekend gang, can't wait to give a better update with more FO's!

Update

2009-03-08T16:38:00.005-07:00

Who would have thought that being a furry mommy would be so time consuming! HA! Little did I know!

Keeping up with a puppy and trying to keep the cat happy..... a handful.

Needless to say that I am not knitting too much, or al least as much as I want to. I have knit several things for babies... three Baby Suprise Jackets done, and two on the needles. They are fantastic as I may have mentioned, and genius.... so addictive to get it finished so fast!

Here are the first three. They need buttons, and that is all... I haven't had the time to go button shopping... oh well. I will get to it.

Here is our new fur baby, Sam

And our two together...

I know you were waiting for puppy pictures!

I did cast on for my Central Park Hoodie, but it is a KAL with the gals I knit with so I am not trying to get too far into it.

I have decided to measure up the Hunters vest for the Husband, and if the length is good, then I will cast off and steek in a collar later. I can pick up along the edge and knit it on , after cutting off. We shall see how that goes! LOL

Hope you are all well, and I hope that I can update sooner next week.

We got a puppy....

2009-02-27T09:47:00.004-08:00

Click the title and it will take you to images of the type of dog we have.....

NO that is not my dog.

Our little one's name is Sam he is heartbreakingly cute, and terribly piddly. LOL
I promise to post pics, and update you on the little knitting I have gotten done!
I was sent a lovely packet from my pal Erika and I will share that too!

No we are not crazy, and yes I am getting some sleep..... but wow... is this going to be a heck of a new experience. Wish me luck. Two fur babies!

Now Simon wants outside! Yikes.

More later, have a good Friday!

Sadly... not as much progress as I would like.

2009-02-16T11:04:00.002-08:00

I planned on swatching for a Central Park Hoodie.
I planned on having another BSJ done.
I planned on being ready to put the decoration on the Barnyard Dance blanket.
I planned on reading or listening to a book.
I planned on getting some more of the Sea Shawl done.

Sadly none of this happened. I think I was over Zealous, and since I decide that this weekend I really did want to eat and sleep, and I had chores to get done.....I was less astoundingly productive than I wanted.
Progress was made however on the Barnyard Dance.....
I started two BSJ (I am unsure if the yardage on one wil be sufficent so I am hedging my bets and have a second one just barely begun.)
I have to Sew up Jelly Bean, but it is done and I will share photos shortly... I just sooo want to share the fantastic and amazing construction wilth the girls at knitting on Wendesday. I MUST show it off... that EZ she was a genius!
I highly reccomend it.
Pictures in a bit...... have a good Monday!

A few gifts...

2009-02-15T14:09:00.004-08:00

Wow.... big!

From the swap... I told you I would share...

First a fantastic little dishcloth, that is in use right now... so no you can't see it sorry that may be a bit gross.

Next a lovely cowl in a really neat yarn... super cozy!

Finally a GIANT bag! See the lovely lining (her first ever sewing project) A new home for travelling knitting projects! :D

Awesome gifts. Thanks Miss May!

Updates on other projects later! Have a great weekend!

It's coming back......Project Spectrum 4

2009-02-10T13:17:00.010-08:00

Hey there... I am so enthused about the new incarnation of Project Spectrum, and I wanted to share it with you guys.

Grab the link in the title to get to Lolly's blog, she is the mind behind the great inspiration.

This year is the Cardinal Directions here is a quote from Lolly's post on the Ravelry board.

This year, we will base the exploration around FOUR colors - one for each direction - and participants can combine and mix these colors with any other color. Each direction is also traditionally linked to a natural material, and you can choose to work with these materials for your projects, i.e. glass beads, wooden buttons, metal pins, etc. For deeper interpretation, you can also choose to incorporate the related seasons and elements in your creative projects.

NORTH (March/April)

Color: Green

Material: Stones/Gems/Rocks

Season: Winter

Element: Earth

EAST (May/June)

Color: Yellow

Material: Wood

Season: Spring

Element: Air

SOUTH (July/August)

Color: Red

Material: Metal

Season: Summer

Element: Fire

WEST (September/October)

Color: Blue

Material: Glass

Season: Autumn

Element: Water

PS: Cardinal Directions starts on March 1st, 2009!

So I think that this will be great!!

I am already percolating ideas and plans, as I know many folks on the Ravelry Project Spectrum board are as well. If you aren't on ravelry, or a knitter... it doesn't matter. Join in!

Draw pictures, make paintings, do ATC's!!

The great thing about this idea is that is exactly what it is..... an IDEA.

INSPIRATIONAL

I promise that I will let you know how I am going ahead with my inspirations. I hope we can all share! Have a great week.... more photos, and another update later.

Update.

2009-02-01T15:07:00.008-08:00

Alright, so I have completed four projects this month and completly knit 9 balls of yarn.

Meet my new yarn bank!

Not bad!

Here is the first Log-cabin styled blanket. Plain cotton, white alternated with a purple/green verrigated. Simon felt like being helpful and testing it out....

I did have to buy another jumbo ball of cotton to complete this project, but as it is a new purchase it is not included in the totals. I went ahead and cast on another cotton based blanket and have almost use up the whole new jumbo ball of white. LOL may be I will count it after all.....

I have also completed the Confection Blanket that was hanging outhere for a long time... I would have to check on ravelry to see when it was started, but honestly it was ages ago. Probably 6 months. Done now, and waiting for a new home with one of the pregnant ladies I know.

Hmmm... let me see, I completed the Twlilight mitts as you know and have seen.... and the fourth is escaping me at the moment..... I think the mitts I made for my mother were done this month too. Dang, I know I was very happy to have completed four projects.

I have some great plans for this month. I am going to knit two baby sweater patterns. The Baby Suprise Jacket and the Two needle Feburary Sweater, both created by Elizabeth Zimmerman. To search the project lists for these two sweaters is staggering! I think that there are over 2000 Baby Suprise Jackets already knit on Ravelry, and it is in over 3000 queues! There are so many variatons, and intresting yarns, bet that if you have one ball of something worsted at home, you may be able to make the BSJ! LOL I have several balls of wool and other washer-friendly yarns that I am going to try to use and get out of my stash for these two cute projects!

I have taken a few pictures of the gifts from our Christmas swap, but I will share them next time, I feel like I have given you enough bandwith-clogging pics for today! LOL Have a great week!

Great Gift swapping!

2009-01-22T22:01:00.006-08:00

Sooo.... the same story I have told before, and that you may have heard from other bloggers....

The Secret Grinchy Swap.

I got and gave goodies, and much fun was had by all! It ws a good swap, and well timed, we had more than the holidays to create as we swapped on Sunday the 18th, and that meant that some of us could do holiday projects as well as this. One friend in the knitting circle is much easier to give to than all of them! LOL

Firstly... I made...... those things that I have been taunting you with...

Toasty warm Twilight Mitts.....

This was the knitted gift that I gave... the handmade aspect of this exchange made me make a fantastic gift. How could I do something ordinary? NONONO, it must be different and amazing and intresting, and yet useful! The pattern is free from Interweave press, I think it worked out great and would work well in several other colour combinations... just like the other crazy amounts of mitts I have been knitting!

I also decorated a scarf, made a heap of both crochet and knitting stitch markers, tossed in a few pirate-y goodies and some of her favorite tea. these sadly I have no image of, but if she posts on her blog, I will link over.

I did also get a few fantastic things, but I will tell you about those later.. I have to take good pics of them! The cat likes the box the best.

This is what I have been knitting like crazy... a baby blanket, I have a ton of babies to knit for... so I got crackin! This one is made of some leftover discloth cotton mixed with some colourful purple/green verrigated cotton. It is turning out so well that I think I will be making a few more blankets in thsi construction method. A "Log -Cabin" blanket, inspired by Mason Dixon knitting, even though I didn't use their patter per-se.

Hope to have more project updates this weekend too! Have a good Friday!

The year to clean the stash.............again....

2009-01-12T13:16:00.004-08:00

So I know that the Stash purge was the goal of last year was put out there.... and I did do quite well. Except when it came to yarn for gifts. Then I fell down a bit. I honestly haven't checkd the list I gave last year. I guess I should...... I'll do that later.

So this year I have joined some fellow Stash down 2009 Ravelry memebers in the One Hundred Ball Challenge. (I have my own rules so here we go)
The goal is simple..... knit one hundred balls of stash yarn.

Do new purchases count? No, if I owned it before Janurary 1st, 2009 I want to get it done.

What counts as finished? I want to have no yarn left of that ball.... admittedly some scraps will happen and that will be okay, but I won't be counting half a ball as complete, even if the project is done. I have some great things lined up for scraps.

Can I buy more Yarn? Sure, but I can't count it in my total. I don't plan on it.... but gift knitting for some new babies may mean a purchase or two.... (Erika, Alex.....I know that you know what I am thinking........ we shall order!)

Will Recycled yarn count? Absolutely, as long as it was part of my stash before Jan. 1 2009. I have to skein it anyway so it will lbe a "Ball".

What is my incentive? Other than being way stash lighter..... I am going to have myself a yarn bank. So every ball complete I add a dollar to the bank. I also get a bonus dollar for any completed project.

I know that this will be a tough one. So much baby knitting to do, but I have plans like I said to use the scraps.... baby stuff is small and can be cute in multiple colours.

I like to buy yarn, and my fantastic Husband doesn't see any problem with me purchasing yarn if I want to. (sooo sweet, but NOT helpful.) So I have one order to make that will have some yarn I have baby garment plans for, and then that is it. For as long as I can hold out...... I may give myself a break one I hit the half-way mark. Who knows.....

Wait until you see my bank! LOL

Next post will have project pic updates and some of the scrappy stuff I hope too. See you later. Have a good Monday.

Happy Days Everyone!

2009-01-03T20:02:00.009-08:00

Hope you all had a happy and safe holiday. We are still seeing lots of snow here in Beautiful British Columbia! We are all well, family is great...no real issues... except for some work glitches. I almost slid into a median trying to get to work on Friday, and promptly went home!

I was very spoiled iand I was the recipient of fantastic boots, books and a new table top easel. Also two knitting related gifts.......

My brother MADE ME two niddy noddys!!! YAY now I can get to that sweater recycling!

Seriously, he said that he couldn't find them to buy so he googled plans and made them! How happy it make me that my gift was HANDMADE!

And my sister got me this great book which I am so excited to have! Knitalong!

So a bit of an update on gift knitting!

I am happy to say that this secret project happend to find it's new owner safe and sound.....

yes another of the fantastic clogs. Made for a special friend.

A full picture of my sister's mitts. This was a pattern adaptation for the Endpaper Mitts.

Unfortunatally she doesn't have a blog, so I can't link anything except Ravelry stuff. They are fantastic though.

Mitts for my Mom, not done in time... but I did show her them in progress, and she approved! LOL

Yes I am on to more projects, but I can't share I still have a secret gift swap coming up and that must stay under wraps. I am working through pretty quick though, and I hope that I can share more FO's soon! Have you heard about the 100 skein challenge for 2009? I am considering it.... who knows. The only problem is the mitts don't actually use up a whole ball!! LOL

Happy creating!

OMG.... it's almost here!

2008-12-23T11:39:00.008-08:00

So....... knitting gifts......

ya,

I'm on it!! LOL I can share a few things..... I feel safe with these.

Mitts for some lovely ladies.MY MIL among them.

Finished slippers for my sister from her birthday..... belated.

And of course..... WIP"S!! LOL

One last shot...... out the front door. Hope you have a Merry and maybe White Christmas.

Vistiting for Inspiration.

2008-12-18T10:55:00.006-08:00

Hello Holiday Knitters and crafty-types!! It is a winter wonderland here and we may have a white Christmas after all! That is not something that happens alot here in the Fraser Valley!

I am well into knitting my gifts..... in fact tonight I stop by the post office to pick up a box of supplies for myself and a pal. Yay!! More wool..... yikes. Luckily now that I have a few patterns that I like, I think the gifts that I bought the wool for will be knit up reasonably quickly and I will have no stash addition after all is said and done. I am hoping to have some pics of "Safe" gift FO's here for you...... as I have given my wish list for family and friends on this blog, I have a few more people that I have to hide stuff from. Sorry gang, I know that at this time of year, we all want to see the knitting!!

LOL

Today I wanted to quickly turn you on to two podcasts that I find help with my creativity and get me inspired, hopefully to get you in the same frame of mind!

First is CraftyPod. A podcast and blog about ALL things crafty, from knitting and scrapbooking to making ornaments and macaroni art! Seriously!!

So I have not caught up to all the episodes of the Podcast, but the topics vary so greatly, and the shows can be as short as 20 minutes. My favorite lately was the #79 Episode, Crafting with Neckties!! My brain felt like it was on FIRE!!!

Right now if you pop over to Sister Diane's Blog then you will get a mass of all thing Christmassy from years gone by, and not all of it is fantastic, but it is kitchy and fun!

My second creative inspiration podcast..... is Craftlit. "A podcast for crafters who like books"

Heather Ordover is a former English teacher who runs a literature class through a podcast and also loves to knit and craft.

I am unsure what exactly about this I find so inspirational specifically, but I enjoy having someone discuss the literature that she provides, I did so love English Lit class..... and here it is for me again! The book currently begining is "The Curious Tale of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde" which I have read recently in a literature class, but I am very keen to hear what Heather has to say. I am currently listening to episode 58, which is "A Tale of Two Cities" which I have never read, and honestly am plodding my way through....... and finding out intresting things through. (You may ask yourself WHY I would be listening to a piece of literature that I am not enjoying...... when I don't HAVE to...... because sometimes what you gain from literature has very little to do with how much you like it.)

Any way I hope that you will all catch a few of these podcasts, you can listen from the blog sites in both cases. At least I hope you can. ( I checked both sites, they have the widget...)

Or just pop into the blog and poke around. I have also left another link in the title of this page.... a good site for inspiration. Happy crafting and see you soon!

Wishlist

2008-12-15T14:19:00.002-08:00

Ah,

The Holiday wishlist…… at the request of my family….

How fun!!

>Amazon.ca books from my wishlist (some books may be cheaper through Knitpicks)

>Drop Black Pearl earrings

>Holiday Mug

>Knitting Goodies

> Small cookie cutters for clay-work

>Lovely Photo frames for the multitude of pictures I have!

>Registy stuff is always great.... but not the spice rack, I have that.

I hope this is helpful, I have no idea sometimes how to express my good fortune at having such fantastic friends and family.... so Thank you! This is in no way an expectation list.

Happy Christmas and Holidays! More knitting content to come!!

Dang.... I got Tagged!

2008-12-02T23:32:00.003-08:00

A Little Yarn On the Side tagged me yesterday with the Six Things Meme.
The rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random, arbitrary things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Hey at least it's only six... there are usually fun. Check Toni's out... they are neat! The first one almost made me spit out my tea!

My 6 random, arbitrary things:

1.I like baths, but usually shower, because I can't do anything that relaxes me in the tub.... the knitting or the book could get wet!

2.I would rather be playing in the mud.

3.I own two game consoles and two handheld game players.... three of which are Nintendo.

4.Scrapbooking and I don't get along. It takes too long! LOL

5.I want to sketch and draw more, so last week I went to the art store and picked up some supplies. Pen nibs, India ink, my favorite lead of pencil and a kneadable eraser among them... I have some great plans!

6.My favorite three teas are Orange Pekoe, Earl Grey and Hawaian Colada Roobios. Yum

And I now tag.....

Erika
Chrissy
Fodeska
Anna
Jan
Aesderina

Please feel free to play along.. tagging isn't always nessecary!

That's what we're here for right?

2008-12-01T18:49:00.003-08:00

To make the world better for those that we love and cherish... and to pass it on!

So there are a few charity things happening around me. The Boomer project at the LYS.... makes hats, sweaters and all sorts of warm things to be distributed by the Canadian soilders in Afghanistan to the children in the middle of this conflict we find ourselves in. None of the objects are for adults... just the kids, in memory of a fallen Canadian Medic.

My good friend Star Gazer is gathering warm woolies, and all sorts of useful things like toliletries, and those comforts that can't be knit to give to a home for recovering adicts. She soes this with a friend of hers, who lost her brother a few years ago, much too young and honors his memory by aiding others.

Also a Blog-pal Knitting Up A Storm is having a knitting bit of charity over at her blog. Please pop over and read her tale. She is gathering ornaments to send to a care facility.... anonomously (LOL I hate that word... it never looks right... I give up) I hope that we can all make time to do some good this season, even if it is simply a visit and a hug....

I am thinking of doing some volunteer present wrapping to help the Centre for Child Development fundraise. They are at my local mall and hey... I can give four hours.

Let me know what you are up to.

Do you do something every-year?

My sister and her sorority always adopt a family or two and act as "Santa" making a hamper of food, and presents for a lower income family, to help out. Last year they even had enough to give the kids nintendo DS's Talk about fun!
I think that charity knitting may not be on my list of can do...... so many things on my list as it is!! But I have a box of things that I have from last holiday and I am giving those to Star Gazer.
Have a great week guys.................. BTW the mitts are done and I am on to pair two... for the MIL.

Endpaper Mitts.....

2008-11-23T11:45:00.002-08:00

HPIM3693
Originally uploaded by silverilix

Sooooo dam close....... ah yes I am..

This is fine, I will complete them today and move on to my next crafty endeavor!

I have also completed the baby blanket that is due today, for a shower. It has the Simon seal of approval. LOL So with that done I cast on for another baby blanket, this one has a farther due date howver so I can get my othert hings done.... but it's started so if I need a bit of easy TV knitting then I can pull this out and have some relaxking knitting time.

Othere than that I hae a pitful lack of goodies to show off. ah well... shopping for a bit today and the I think a book, some knitting and tea are in order!! Have a great weekend!

Gift Knitting???? Am I Crazy?

2008-11-16T00:01:00.003-08:00

Yes.
No.
Maybe….

I think that these are turning out well…..

I may knit one on larger size needles, to see if I like the fit better, these don’t stand up on their own, but they are snug. I am not sure that I enjoy the snugness. It is however supportive.

So they are pretty, a successful knit, and that means they will be a good quick knit to get a few of the ladies in my life gifties. I already have some yarn, and I am unsure if the colours will be appropriate for those that I wish to knit for. A quick stop at Knitopia will fix that, but that means I have to choose new colours. LOL

I do plan to knit for the family men too. Some will get fingerless gloves, and some more elaborate knitting. My brother has asked for socks, cool I also have a good idea for a new hat for him. My BIL always seems to get left out when the knitting comes around. This year I have begged Sarah for her Mario inspired chart and I am going to knit him a great scarf…. He will love it! I want to make sure that everyone gets something that they love, so I checked with my brother about what type of theme he would like…… video games. LOL

I do have another holiday project this year. My knitting pals and I have decided to do a “Secret” gift giving. The short story behind this is that for the last few years we have all pledged to hand-make the gifts that we give to each other…. and that takes time. Especially since we gather more friends to us every year. So this year we set a dollar value and drew names…..

So I have to plan for that, and since a good many of our group is online and knows this blog….
I am not sharing anything here. Sorry. Updates when we exchange in January. I promise.
I am going to give more updates on the gift knitting underway for other though, so I will have active stuff to share pictures of. I can’t wait to see what you all are up to!

Great knitting in the future.....

2008-11-11T19:35:00.002-08:00

So knitting is going great this week already.
I am happy to report that I am getting to the end of the first Endpaper mitt! I hope that I can start the next one tomorrow. I have to say that I am pretty proud of these, they are looking so good. So I have to say that the designer is fantastic.... and it is an easy to follow pattern! Did I mention last post that this is the test for making some family gifts for this season? I think that these will be great for my mothers and my sisters............. from my side and the hubby's. I do want to make some of the men in my life fingerless gloves too, but hey those will be a bit less decorated. LOL

I have my sisters slippers done and ready to tie in ends, and almost time to felt.
I will share pics when I have some actually FO's.

The other things on the agenda are of course the hubby's vest and getting the shawls done.
So I hope that you are happy with my update............ I am pretty happy with my progress.
Have a great week.

Lest We Forget. Thank you to all the Men and Women who serve in our armed forces.

Husband away.... more crafty time!

2008-11-09T20:00:00.011-08:00

I am getting some movie and knitting time in with the man away... I have a few more update pics to show you....

but first a esential kitty shot......

Hello out there!! Hi Redd and all other kitties! Hi Static! I rule the yarn!!

Let me see what else do I have for showing off... ah, Endpaper mitts that I just started knitting in a Kal with a good friend, Love the colours! I think that this will be a great project to knit up for my sister and mom too.

The Ocean socks are done!!

I have another charity blanket that I am knitting with the Stitch It podcast group on Ravelry......

This one is called the Barnyard Dance.. it is pretty cute so far and I got a few lovely goodies from Chelsea who sent it to me! Thanks again!!! Now to figure out what the heck I am going to put on it!!

Ah I have the Sea Shawl that I am knitting as a thank you gift for a friend.... Iit is totally her colours, and Feather and fan could not be an easier pattern for me!

I am knitting another pair of slippers for my sister, but I have no camera this weekend so I have to update that for you later. I am going to felt the two pairs at the same time so the other pair is done and waiting felting. That is great to have done, but I really want to give them to her so I really want the other pair done, I knit the first one already today and I plan on having the second done before bed!

I started a new shawl (another friend gift too) but that is not far at all so the pic is not intresting... sorry. Well, obviously it's black and beady, but I haven't even started on the lace part yet! So this is the shot I have!

I am really far into the vest for Hubby but I have to say that I am going to the LYS for advice this week, I am getting close and want to get the shoulders right.... I would hate to have re-knit it this far and then screw up! It is so close to being off the needles that I reall want to get it done, but I am afreaid of improper shaping. Oh well, I will get over it this week and get it done I have a CPH to knit for myself! Maybe the Olive Branch Yoga hoodie too.

The gals that I knit with at the coffee shop and I are going to do a Rogue KAL in the new year after all the holiday knitting is over. I think that it will be a blast. I already have the Rogue kit, so I am set to go and I hate the fact that it is just sitting there... I know thaq we all buy yarns that we intend to use, and sometimes don't get to but I really want to get it made. I think that I will make it a cardigan, I am really using them right now, intrestingly enough the 3 sweaters I have mentioned knitting are all to be cardigans.....

We met and did a mini stash swap at a friends house on Friday night. I went with two bags and came home with one (and half of that was some of the stuff that I went over with). We all kinda decided that if we had had it a few years it was time to re-evaluate! Mostly it was the yarns that I bought when I was a newer knitter and a student... affordable and washable acrylics. Now I can wash with care and be a bit more picky on what I buy. So I passed on my sleeping yarns to friends who are students and have something in mind for the yarn! I think that we are going to do this again in the new year also... I want to get some things made!

So that is my mini update, hope to have some good FO news for you later this week. Hope your weekend was good, and take some time on Tuesday to do a bit of remembering for our war vets.

Hi there

2008-11-05T13:19:00.002-08:00

Hello!

Hope you are all well.....

Just a quick note to say Hi and to assure you that I really want to continue with my update.

I assumed that I would have more time after this wedding business............ HA!

Busy bee that I am.... but I do have some fantastic and exciting projects on the go to tell you all about. New things, and plans.

Meanwhile, check out my list of Blogs that I read, and see what they have to say. :D

Talk to you soon. Can't wait to see you knitting!

Hello there... back again.

2008-10-19T00:39:00.003-07:00

Well, with the wedding over, I actually have time for things again.... like knitting, sleeping and blogging... LOL

I hope you are all well and I can say that the wedding was fantastic! I have great friends and family who made it a breeze! Thank you guys!

I don't have any pics of the wedding to share, but you can find one of me wearing a beautiful hand knit shawl on Star Gazer's blog. I know what it is like to knit lace on a deadline. It is an amazing gift. Thank you so much again. It kept me warm all day!

As I said I have had a bit of time to actually work on things.... so I have some FO's and a few new projects going to show you.

My sister's birthday was a few days after the wedding, so I didn't have time to do her gift justice. I am knitting her some Fiber Trends felted clogs... she liked my mother's so much! I have decided to knit her two pairs, but here is the first pair almost done. I am using Patons Wool this time.... I understand how it felts better than the B&L

I finished off a pair of socks from that fantastic purple and grey alpalca blend. They are toasty, and I have enought to make a second pair for sure. You can see Simon in the corner terrorizing my socks....

Since I finished off one pair of socks, I started another............. and then found out it's socktober!! Good think I have been knitting some socks. I hope that I can get this pair done too and cast on a third.... who knows. Sometimes socks just fly! Here are the Ocean Socks. Using another handyed from my LYS owner.

I have been working on completing the GIANT ball of cotton. I am pleased to say that it is almost done!

I am to the point in the vest for the DH that I am going to get the arm holes begun. I am glad that this is turning out to be a quick knit, and I am trying to keep going while it still is intresting. You know how guys can be. I am lucky it's a dual colour yarn! There really is no stitch pattern. But I do like how it is knitting up alot, and so now I am considering the Cobblestone, or the Big Thaw for the next DH project.... heck I may knit him both.

I have to get a sweater done for me first! LOL That is next to cast on I hope.... with time on my side now, I have to do my Thank You cards... and then I can have another flurry of Startitis! I can feel it coming on! Hope I can get this other stuff finished up soon. Othe news about a few more projects oming soon.... update time! Can't wait to see what you have. Go and visit Star Gazer and praise her fantastic, loving, little self! Hope the fall is treating you right!

Oops gotta go the cat ran away with some yarn!

Did somebody say Kitty?

2008-09-16T14:34:00.002-07:00

Hello, we interupt your regular knitting schedule to bring you a great disturbance in the knitting force...... the Simon!!!

Seriously, it's hard to keep knitting with him around, I just want to play with him all the time.......

I have to say naming him was hard.... I kept thinking of Chrissy's kitty Redd! He is a gorgeous marmalade guy! I love this little guy to bits although he hasn't really melowed out yet.... but hey he's like two and a half months old! He get's to be easily distracted for a while! LOL

So good progress on the Hunters vest, no pics of that today.... but maybe next post I will share some stagette pics!!

Well hey there funny seeing you here....

2008-09-07T13:14:00.003-07:00

Hello gang! glad to be able to share with you some great images of a FO and a WIP.... YAY!!

This is Simon... our new addition... he is super cute!

First, here is what the Spring Fever Blanket with my complete portion looked like....

And with the goodies for the next knitter...

I belive one of the Stitch It podcast charity blankets has made it's way to another podcast's charity donations. Stash n' Burn has one of the blankets made in the charity knitting for the childrens' ward of the hospital that one of the hosts works at. YAY spread the yarny love!! I really have to ask our resident Chindren's hospital staff member if we knitters can get anything together for her work......

Here is a detail of the completed Flower Bud Shawl... sorry I have no pics of the bride wearing it.. It did not match her dress so I didn't feel right insisting on her wearing it! LOL

And the second begining of the Hunters Vest for my man.

So in other news.. my wedding is coming up... I have no idea how time has crept up on me so ast. I also have a friends wedding the week before mine... wow talk about your jam packed weeks!

Oh and here are the amazing ladies who made my suprise shower so fantastic!

Seriously it was great!

I have the best friends and family!

2008-08-25T13:14:00.001-07:00

This weekend was a suprise bridal shower for me!!! Thanks so much you guys. It was awesome, I had a great time and you totally spoiled me!
I will upload pics soon.... my computer is now out of therapy.

Hello again....

2008-08-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

Hey gang,

So my computer had to be re-formatted. Dang. So I have no real way of giving you pictures at the moment. I will give you the “what’s new” snipit though… and hope to be publishing at home(not at work, on my lunch as I have been lately) Then I CAN give you pictures.

I have joined and am knitting through the third ball on the flower bud shawl. I have one more left and although I don’t think that I will be adding it to my ravlympic total, I hope to be on the fourth ball this week. It is really all I am knitting right now. Yes I have other things to finish, but I have a wedding to get this done for people!!!
In other news, I got a kitty. YAY!! He is a marmalade, and his name is Simon. Wait until you see him! Take car,e happy knitting, and for the love of Pete, stay cool!

Had to share a few things....

2008-08-13T12:55:00.004-07:00

So I would love to share with you the blog that links to my title.

A blog friend... who has just started her own shop up called Yarn Sprout.

YAY!

I think that I will add the button to my side bar later, but I said that I would help to spread the word so here it is! She is creating some lovely handyed yarns over ther so check her out!

I also wanted to spread around an idea that I have gleaned from other online sources and my knitting pals and I have chatted ourselves to a good state of excitement over. I can't claim total personal inspiration for this idea, but it cam about in a neandering way.... here is the story. LOL I will try not to babble.

Over on Foxy and Crafty (see my blog list) She and her gal knittas go on a yarn crawl for birthdays, and I think just for fun.... sounds great. So I have had that idea bubbing in my head, that we need to treck back out to Vancouver for a bit of yarn store adventure. This summer as you may have gleaned has a few wedding in it for me. Showers and Staggets are coming and going.... this leads to talk of previous showers/stagetts and the ideas that have been used. One that I went to a couple of years ago was lengthy and I could only make it to part of the day. We met up a a lingere shope that was booked just for us... the bride to be (to her horror) did a fashion show for us of the items and outfits that we picked for her. She claims that the only saving grace was the wine tasting before hand, so she was less self-concious. Any how, the idea was that we would all pony up fifteen bucks and then she could buy whatever she liked the best there. From the bedroom to the pool stuff....... so can you see where I am going with this?

I think we could have soem real fun yarncrawling for a birthday. Go to the store, pitch in ten, fifteen, twenty dollars.... whatever is affordable. The birthday knitter gets a to pick and choose, and we can all go out for desert after! So... for those on a budget who still want to celebrate, they may get away with a twenty dollar birthday "gift" and get to hang out with their knittas! LOL and the recipient gets some great new stash.... no guilt attached! This does apply for the non-knitters in your group too.... either they are helping to support a friends birthday, or you take them toa store they love and pamper them there!

Thanks Foxy for a great inspiration.... and I hope that we all get spoiled (or spoil our knitting buddies) on our birthdays! Have a nice day.... yes I am still knitting.... oh, what I forgot to mention in yesterday's quick update was that the Stitch it blanket is done and gone on to it's next knitter. I am not sure if it is there yet, but I hope so! I am on the third ball of the flower bud shawl too.... here's hoping I can addit to my WIP total! LOL

I live!!!

2008-08-12T13:37:00.001-07:00

This has been a busy summer for me... and the oylmpics are here and that can only mean one thing..... Ravelympics! Yes indded I am a competitor... in the WIP Wrestling event.

I have too much to finish to get new things started!

I did finish the rainbow socks.. and I have to get back to that shawl now... more info and pics later. Happy knitting!

Quick update.

2008-07-25T12:56:00.003-07:00

I am unsure if I will have time this weekend to do another big update, it will be a busy one!

I wanted to share a project that I am working on for charity with a group of like-minded west-coast folk.

This is the Spring Fever blanket from the Stitch It! podcast group on Ravelry. The podcast is one of my favorites, and Meghan proposed charity blanket knitting... we all jumped in. I am second to last knitting this blanket. I have to add four inches and send it off by next week. I am pretty sure that I will add a few goodies to it, but I am not sure what yet.

Speaking of goodies. I had a contest ages ago and I have to confess that my runner-up hasn't gotten her packet yet. Never fear Kathy.... I have it ready.... and I will post pics after I get that in the mail (probably Monday) I am horribly embarrassed that it has taken this long... my only defence is, I just moved into a new house, and I'm planning my wedding for this fall. Sorry excuse, but that is it.

I continue to knit on the Flower bud shawl, the Watery Root (if I can find the pattern that I have my notes on.....) and my socks. Nothing done yet, but I am hopeful. This weekend promises to be busy, I don't think that there will be much knitting done.

Locally I wanted to remind you that there is a Picknit at the Surrey Museum in Cloverdale on August 9th. I will add a link in the next post. The general idea is you bring a picnic lunch, can shop local vendors, see the textile exhibit and meet up with friends outside for some public knitting. Hopefully we can meet up. Have a great and sunny weekend!

Startitis.... meet Finishitis (a battle for the ages)

2008-07-19T15:24:00.006-07:00

So I have come to the conclusion that I need to stop casting on new projects...... it is getting bad. I am unsure if I am procrastinating or just getting bored easily. If I keep this up all my needles will be used and I will have no where to put every thing!! Startitis is sure hard to shake.

Le Sigh......

So I found a few other like minded people on Ravlery, and one has decided to spread her finishitis...... awesome.

Check it out at Yarn on the Side.... her blog should be linked to the title of this post.

I have no idea if I can do this, as you know I have a few weddings this summer, and I have a personal goal of knitting shawls for most if not all of them. This is not good for a begining case of finishitis..... as it means that before I complete the items I have I may have to cast on another shawl. I am still going to try. I posted a comment on her blog, but I think that I missed my purple alpalca socks... here is a pic of a few of the latest new projects....

And a better shot of the new FLower Bud Shawl.

This was the swatch I made to test the pattern

and a couple more just for good measure.... I do have a few more this summer right?!

I think that all the swatch tests were great! I am so glad that I did them, now I can plan shapes and sizes better. This is going to be great!

I am undecided with what to do about the Watery Root, not because I don't want to complete it, but because of the time frame of the shawls. It would be the quickest to the finish line, but I have no idea if the will put me really behind on the shawl or just a little bit...... dang. Thoughts? Suggestions? Hope if you would like to catch finishitis, you can get it from us.

Oh, but here is the finished blue socks.... a bit short, but hey, thats what happens when you test a new yarn.Hope you are having a great weekend and I can't wait to see your fantastic projects. I know that some people don't have issues with too many WIP's.... lucky.....

Getting along with summer.

2008-07-10T13:25:00.002-07:00

I am not really a hot weather fan, but I have always loved walking out of a building in the evening to the warm breezes of summer. Just warm enough to be comfortable and yet still refreshing. Thank goodness that BC is not really humid! I hope you are having great weather where you are.

I have triumphed, the blue socks are done! I am now doing some swatching for the next few shawls... pictures to follow in a day or two. I am going to try on the watery root again and hopefully keep knitting away this weekend, so that I can add that to the FO anouncements!
YAY, that would be good. Tonight is fiber night at Knitopia. So good company and tea tonight.

Soak up that summer weather! Let it inspire you!

Update images.

2008-07-05T12:00:00.003-07:00

So a quick update on the wonderous knitting that I have been up to LOL.

The Rusted Root is coming along well. I am in the body and I am still on ball two. I am going to have to buy more f this bamboo when my next oppurtunity arrises.( I think that wil be at the Pic-knit August 9 in Surrey) This brand is going along way. I think that the gauge, although correct for the pattern is not the most optimal for the yarn. It means that I will be wearing a cami under the top, but that is okay. I am glad to be getting this littl project father along. I still love this colour.

As promised completed shawl pic..... and a bit of news, I am trying to cast on the next one, and I have pulled the Icarus out again. I need to sit and knit it only, to focous on the charts, and this summer that t may not happen. I will take it up again, but this shawl thing is easier when I can take it to knit night and get some work done on it wherever I am.

It is strawberry season... so this week I picked, jammed and baked! Yummy.

I found out about this Strawberry Bread from Team Knit. Boy is it worth it! It will not last long here! LOL

Not a long weekend....

2008-06-30T13:10:00.003-07:00

So I don't get a long weekend. Canada Day is tomorrow..... but today is monday and work must go on (for some of us)

I am supremely happy to report that I completed the shaw on time, but with out blocking..... she loved it! The size was perfect, the colour was perfect and she was trying to find one!!! Squeeee I am a happy knitter... I even got a hug (she is not a hugger)! I hpe to swipe a picture from her and show you later. I will pull up a completed pic for the next post.

Happily that means that I have again been able to work on my Watery Root. I have seperated off the sleeves and am knitting the body. I have decided to be very picky with the shaping, I do want to be able to wear this, it is so soft and lovely.... plus I adore the colour. I must be able to wear this!! LOL So an update with pics the next time.

James' afghan is not progressing, I still am without needles.... I will check at Knitopia on Thursday. The socks are evil and I am planning more shawls for other weddings this summer. Dam. I can't stop. Happy Canada Day. And for those of you south of the border.... Have a Great Fourth of July weekend.

Woe thy name is lace on a deadline.....

2008-06-24T16:36:00.003-07:00

Yes indeed.... woe.

I added another ball last night... I picked it up last friday to make sure that I had an extra one "just in case" and it is a totally different dyelot!!!

I didn't see it last night, but in natual light... hoo boy! What a stripe! Do you see it? I bet you do. the part on the right is just a bit more creamy yellow.... V here.

So thankfully I have my final ball from the stash... so I must remove this imposter "bridal white" and return the proper one to it's siblings....

I guess that is my update. I have to have it done tomorrow.... I truly wanted to block it tonight... but if I try that I may not function at work tomorrow!

So here are some details about this shawl. I am using Royal Fashion Crochet cotton bought at my local Zellers (except for the imposter ball) I have a total of 4 balls, and it should be a good length after blocking. This is the same cotton that I have used on the other two bridal shawls that I have knit. It blocks LIKE A DREAM! I kid you not. and it costs about $4.00 a ball. I prefer to use 5 but 4 will have to do. (see I was unsure about the length... le sigh) I am using my basic shawl recipe. Garter stitch border and lace insert. I always base my calculations on the stitch pattern, and go from there. The first time I cast this on it was WAY to wide.

I am using a lace pattern form one of Barbra Walkers' stitch dictionaries A Treasury of Knitting Patterns the stitch is called "Vine Lace", it is a repeat of 9sts plus 4. I cast on 97 that gives me 6 sts on each side for garter stitch border. I knit garter stitch for 12 rows before I began the pattern and I will conclude with 12 rows as well. Without a back up ball I will have to be pretty careful. Hey, who says knitting is without thrill?!!? I think that this is a great stitch pattern.

This is not as easy as I thought though, I picked a 4 row repeat pattern that I thought was simple, and it is. This is not mindless knitting however. This is also not stressful lace knitting. This pattern requires you to be mindful, and yet still allows chatting and a movie or audiobook. but you can't be totally forgetful of what you are knitting. As lace goes, this is an easy pattern. If you have never done lace knitting this may be a nice stitch pattern to try out. (I am thinking of you Janey)

So once that is done I can finish my socks, and the Rusted Root, then I can finally cast on a vest for my honey, and finish the other two shawls!!

LOL I am crazy......
Hope you are having a great week so far. Feel free to leave me a comment and ask questions, I will do my best to answer. I have a hedache... time for tea and reading.....then off to knit with my gals at the coffee shop. Thanks goodness for Tuesdays!

Great sunny day!

2008-06-17T13:09:00.004-07:00

WWKIP was a great day for being outside and knitting in a park. It was fabulous! New faces, passersby who were intrested and free cookies!! LOL

Sadly I forgot my camera, but a friend had one. Check out our pics at Star Gazer's place.

I knit on a new project that day. A bridal shawl for a co-worker. I think that although I would like this summer to be a "getting ready for winter" knitting time, I am going to be cranking out lace for the four other weddings coming up. Oh well, at least it won't be last minuite. I hope. LOL
This little gem is knitting up super fast though.... that is the great thing. I started it at the KIP and I added the second ball on Sunday. I will be knitting it at Knit nite tonight for sure, I hope to add on the third ball. It may take four or five, depending..... this is a new lace pattern.

I am still knitting the blue bamboo rusted root, but I want to try it on again, before I worry about it fitting again. I am pretty close to the sleeves being done. I will get an update pic.

I am trying to get the blue socks done too. (no they aren't done yet) dam.....

Hello weekend!

2008-06-07T22:32:00.004-07:00

So here we are... some update shots on some of my current projects.

Here is the Rusted Root in a blue Bamboo., I haven't gotten to the end of the first ball yet and this lovely is almost 6" long! I love that, I may have to do some more work with this bamboo... it's silky, drapey, soft, smooth and lovely, and it comes in a great red! See... told you I liked it. I just hope that it holds up okay as a top, I hear around the bloglines that if something is too drapey then it can be not cool for garment shaping over time.

Also here are the socks that I have made for my Mom... in a new wool Knit Picks Palett, I thought I would like to try it out so I have it for a small project. Not bad, a bit splitty. The heel is done and I want to finish the cuff this weekend.

Last but not least on the project front, my slipper collection... I am using a pair as I type. Knit from Briggs & Little Regal and felted up nicely. I used the Fiber Trends clog pattern and loved it! The blue ones are also for my Mom. She knows about the slippers, but not the socks a nice suprise.
As you can see I am totally NOT in the proper colour ranget his month for Project Spectrum, but hey I do have an Icarus shaw in white happening... I just want to get a few other things finished so I can have less WIP's. So much to knit, so little time lately. I feel like I have to keep putting stuff on hold because all the knitting time that I get needs to be easy so I don't mess something up. For example, my Embers & Ashes blanket fro my pal James must wait until I get a new pair of addi turbos..... as my pair broke. Dismal, but true. I am using the 12mm size in 120cm, which means that it is a flexible tube of plastic.... and it pulled right out of the metal needle tip as I was shifing stitches to finish a row. Bummer. I will have them into my LYS this week to be replaced, but I have to root through the boxes of unpacked crafty stuff to find the envelope. oh well... the afghan isn't ruined and being stalled is where it's been for the last month at least, so it's used to it.

I am getting some fantastic free yarn tomorrow from a ravelry pal, on her way home to Nanimo. I am super excited... I want to make a CPH out of some of it... I may donate a bit to the Knit in Public day. but I think I am making a tea cozy for sure right away. I do have some other yarny news, but it must remain covert for a little while... you never know who may be reading.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to show off some more progress next week. Have a relaxing Sunday!

World Wide Knit in Public Day!

2008-05-31T17:02:00.003-07:00

Yes we are on the map!

We will be knitting in Langley BC Canada!

Come and join us!

I can't wait, we are going to be at a great park with a playground, a water park and a farmers market to boot!! I think that we will be having alot of fun! Hopefully some new faces will be there and I will be taking my camera. To see if there is one organized for your neck of the woods check out the website! I have linked it to the title of this blog for easy access!

On the knitting front, my slippers are felting as I type. I am making fantastic progress on the rusted root sweater! YAYY I love saying that! I will hopefully be getting my camera back from it's captivity at my parents house tonight, so I can share more then... I wish i had more to say tonight... but not at the moment....

Rambling

2008-05-21T19:38:00.003-07:00

Happy spring everyone!

I was thinking about my journey through the knit-blog community that we share. It is fantastic.Ever expanding and intresting.... there are so may areas to explore... It has given me a list of people that I (try) to visit each week. I gain new perspectives and ways of looking at things that never occured to me. Some of us knit at the speed of light, and some of us complete our projects at a more conservative pace.

Inspiration is one of the great things that we all share with each other, and have in common. Look more Slippers!

I wanted to share with you what has been keeping me company while I am at work and away from a computer, that I feel is just as inspiring as visiting on-line. When I was trying not to use my wrist they helped a lot. Yes my friends I am talking about podcasts.

I was slow to get into this medium, and I am not planning on publishing one myself, but I am enthusiastic about sharing them. Podio-books are also a great way to fill some time with an original story that I can't get anywhere else, or an old favorite that has been recorded for my listening pleasure! LOL

Here are a few that I feel are compelling, intresting and inspiring. I encourage you to check them out. You don't need an mp3 player, just the equipment thta you are using right now. These three sites allow acess so you can listen on your computer. Try one out.... and see what is out there. Great fun and a intresting side street in our knitting community.

Currently I am listening to Brenda Dayne in Cast On, her "Muse series" has been intresting and very thought provoking for me! Each has it's own appeal, and I have tried some that had horrifying sound quality, or I found the reader annoying, so they weren't for me. Others have sent me around the internet to online treasures that I have never found, or heard of but forgotten about. What I find paticularly enjoyable right now is catching up on the older episodes. They give me insight into knit-happenings online that I missed, (like the knitting olympics) or it reminds me of something that I have participated in (like project spectrum).

So I have been thinking about World wide Knit in Public day, and Knitting fearlessly. What have you been musing on? I am also really enjoying Sticks & String as well as Stitch It!.

Anyway, I plan to have a better update of knitting items in the next week, this past weekend was a long-weekend, and we got away to do some camping, the only thing that was safe to knit was socks!! LOL Let me know what you think..... and blog it maybe.

Are you going to be knitting in public on June 14? Where?

Movie Fun!

2008-05-12T18:54:00.002-07:00

Yes...... sheep gone mad!

Black Sheep can be found here.

You have no idea how funny this movie is...... like Hot Fuzz or Shaun of the Dead humor.

We watched it at home and then I brought it up at Fiber Night at Knitopia and we watched it a few weeks later there too. It was a hoot, but I am not sure that everyone liked it. Oh well.

Do you have a favorite knitting movie? Something that you watch and enjoy not worring about keeping track.

I like si-fi, horror, and zombie movies.

Mindless fun! Movies that you don't have to really watch to know what is going LOL...

I do love Pride & Prejudice, but I love to watch it!

Knitting is my Favorite thing sometimes.

2008-05-02T20:28:00.002-07:00

Hey Gang!

Did you order some pictures?

Well handy that I have a few to share........
First up are the Knit Felt Clogs from Fiber Trends, as you can see however they are not felted yet and are the same rough size as a hank of yarn. They are a pretty colour though, yes?

I don't think that the picture truly does them justice however, Fundy Fog made by Briggs & Little is a beautifully heathered and intresting colourway. These were made as the pattern goes, double stranded and using size 13 needles. Very easy pattern, once I got the idea down, and as I may have mentioned I will be making a few more as stand-by gifts for occasions to come. That turquoisa hank will be used for sure, another great colour. I wonder who would like the adventure of felting their own slippers.... LOL

This is the afghan that I am knitting my friend James. The colour choice was his and it is made in Bernat Bulky. One strand red, one strand grey, held together and knit on size 17 Addi Turbos... the best thing that I ever bought for knitting afghans. I hope he likes it. The pattern comes from The Big Book of Quick Knit Afghans

Finally this is a pending project but I wanted to show it off.... I am not even sure that this pic does it justice either..... the yarn is called "Northern Lights" and is a black alpalca spun with dyed mohair..... The mohair is the flecks that you see on the hanks. This yarn is sooooo beautiful and soft to the touch, i am really going to have to swatch for this project, but have no fear I have some great ideas!

Hope you have enjoyed my show and tell this week. I am excited to make the other slippers and felt some up. I will take pics....... hopefully of some more FO's. The socks are coming along swimmingly, and I do have the beginings of a shawl to show you. Is anyone else planning on "Liberating" your Laceweight? I saw the term on a Ravelry forum, but I am not sure who picked it out. I am also looking into the KIP day, so I hope to have some info for you on that soon-ish.

Has anyone heard if there is going to be a knitting olympics this summer? Well it was just a thought.....

Have a great weekend and an inspiring day!

YAY!! Knitting!

2008-04-28T12:49:00.002-07:00

Dam, I am at work and I can't acess my pictures for you, but I am back at it boys and girls!

I made slippers this weekend! From the Felt Clog pattern by Fiber Trends, I bought it at Knitopia and have had it for years.... I think that I must keep talking about it because Illuminating Soul finally talked me into getting to knitting them! Yay stuff for me! They went so dam fast that I think that I will knit myself another pair as well as two more for gifts! Super Instant Gratification, and another "trust the pattern" moment!

I just wanted to give you all a quick update that I am feeling much better and I am glad that I rested and did no more damage. The Doctor did NOT think that it was in any way knitting related so YAY!

I will have photos for you in the next post, I think that I will have to make a list of what I need to include so I don't forget anything!

Thank you for all the well wishing and good-stitching vibes Ericka, Knitting Up A Storm and Knittypants! I really appreciate it! You guys are the best part about blogging!

Hope everyone is having a good beginning to their week!

Still with the OWIE.

2008-04-21T20:41:00.002-07:00

This sucks.

Still no knitting............... but I did use a crochet cast-on and got the blue Bamboo on the needles..... then I stopped.

I don't really like this, but the anti-inflamatory pills that the doctor gave me are helping, I am not as sore in the morning.

I think that not moving my in-laws this weekend would have helped me rest, but life continues at it's breakneck speed... who am I to try to slow down. LOL

I see my doctor to report in on Thursday. Until then I will be reading. I think that I am going to stop typing now before I fall farther into this little pity party... it sounds bad, but I am okay... just a bit stir crazy, I am sure you can relate. I am used to having something to do..... even if I am watching tv! now...... it's a bit frusturating more than anything. All will be well soon. I am resting as long as I need to, maybe even another week.

I have been checking your blogs to see your knitting goodies! I hope you are all have a great week, knitting or not.

This isn't going to be fun.

2008-04-16T21:23:00.002-07:00

So I have arm pain...... yes ladies and gents, I am not knitting right now.
I have gone to the clinic, and the nice doctor didn't think that it was knitting related, but I am taking no chances. I like my hobbies too much to risk wrecking my wrists.
So I have decided to knit nothing for the next few days.
Seriously.
Nothing.
I tried...... there is owie.

LOL, goofyness aside I was going to cast on the blue bamboo this week as my swatch was done, measured, washed and measured again. I know what I need to know! I am ready..... except casting on is also owie.

Same goes for the fiber trends clog slippers.

To top it off I finished one Springtime sock..... and the stitch pattern that I have chosen mad it WAAAAAY to tight on my foot. Frog pond my friends.... I will rip it and pick another stittch pattern........

Le sigh. Hope you are having better times with your knitting this week. I will report back soon.

Look Look!!

2008-04-07T18:04:00.006-07:00

Finished Things!!!

Carina's socks. A bamboo-wool blend handdyed by my LYS owner.

The Watermelon socks. On Your Toes with Aloe Vera!

Feet on Fire socks. %100 bamboo socks. As I said I love the colour, but only have one skein.

All were knit on 2.75mm needles in the magic loop style, and toe-up based on the sock pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks. Each was using a different stitch pattern. YAY!! I know that I have never had a post where all my FO's were socks! Neat, a new first.

Wendy, and Hunnybunny, I hope you like them! I can't wait to see you latest socks. I am not exactly sure what turned sock knitting from anintresting idea, to something that I have to have active all the time. I guess it's that "almost instant" gratification. I hope you enjoy checking them out. I have been enjoying wearing all the socks..... except the blue ones, they were for somone else! I hope she is wearing them! (Hunnybunny, maybe the heel that you are knitting isn't the right one for you, there are soooooo many patterns out there!)

I did also finish the You Can't See Me Hat. That however has to be blocked for sure!! so no pics of that! I started a new pair of socks, and given hope by my friend on Illuminating Soul, I will try to knit two socks at a time. Also I am going to continue with the Icarus Shawl. Thanks for being paitent...... I hope you are all having productive weeks! (yikes what a thing to say on Monday!) Talk to you soon!

okay.... so I was wrong.

2008-04-05T18:55:00.004-07:00

I have no photos.....

Well, that isn't true, I have just not got them here. On this blog. For the moment.

I have other FO's too... and I hope to get the hat for my other half done, and the firey bamboo socks too! That will make me happy.

I have had a second-thoughts about frogging the Icarus shawl that I started. I think I will keep it and enjoy it! It has been an enjoyable knit so far! LOL not that I 'm far into it, but I can see it moving along well!
I still have to keep pluggin along on my friend James' afghan... but I really just need to sit down and get to it. I have to say that my socks have been easier to carry around with me. So when I finish a pair, I seem to cast on another....... and I probably will when I finish this pair too.

Project Spectrum has switched to another element this month. We have moved to EARTH. Now I have too look aroung for some browns and greens.... all I can think of are sock yarns!! LOL

So I will work on getting some pictures posted, so that you can actually see what I have been working through. I did do swatches in several of the fantastic yarns that I plan to make some new projects from. That bamboo is fantastic.