tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42891751545770519182024-03-14T01:45:30.299-07:00My Knits 'n' Purls WorldWelcome to my world of knitterly delights...Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-10535269058546337092012-04-29T10:10:00.001-07:002012-04-29T10:11:18.683-07:00Let There Be Light<p>I have a new door and I am inordinately pleased about it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SiOCqGt9KRU/T512D1ONz0I/AAAAAAAAB10/6zZdEIkjzS4/s1600-h/April%2525202012%252520037%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="April 2012 037" border="0" alt="April 2012 037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2vD1tbhAX0Q/T512ESGbGeI/AAAAAAAAB18/PyzITnQugg0/April%2525202012%252520037_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a>   </p> <p>You might wonder why I am this ecstatic over something a simple as a door but sometimes it’s the simplest things that bring the most joy.  </p> <p>The fact is that this doorway has been out of commission for at least two years and for various reasons we haven’t been able to replace the door and frame until now.  This has meant numerous trips out the front door and around the house or, alternately, up the inside stairs, out the kitchen door, and down the outside stairs.</p> <p>Now I not only have a door that opens <em>and </em>closes (very important qualities in a door) but it has a window (that also opens and closes and has a screen) to let in light to my laundry area and fresh air to the first floor.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9m2PIJjZTRk/T512EhNXiNI/AAAAAAAAB2E/BAM-vyW_-zM/s1600-h/April%2525202012%252520034%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="April 2012 034" border="0" alt="April 2012 034" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u5FqFC3bObI/T512FAw3JnI/AAAAAAAAB2M/LJCjwv-8cCg/April%2525202012%252520034_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>Simple things but they make me happy.</p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-86477593023553801142012-04-15T00:24:00.001-07:002012-04-15T00:24:40.591-07:00For the Win<p>It was about five years ago that I fell in love with Joe Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed in colour 416, aka “Cocoa”.  This yarn, composed of wool, silk, and cashmere, is a soft shade of oatmeal sprinkled with flecks of brown, and, in much smaller quantities, white and pink.  I first spotted it at my daughter’s LYS in Olympia, WA and even though I made a point of seeking it out on each of several subsequent visits to the shop, I could never justify purchasing a sweater’s worth of this heavenly stuff.  And then Jessica moved back home and my opportunity to acquire this particular batch of yarn vanished, although the memory of it stuck with me.  </p> <p>The details are fuzzy now but at some point I gave into temptation and ordered 10 skeins of my dream yarn from WEBS.  Their dye lot had fewer pink flecks than the yarn I’d initially been drawn to but it was beautiful just the same and I envisioned knitting it into a cabled cardigan.  Eventually I settled on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fylingdales" target="_blank">Fylingdales</a> and in January 2009 I eagerly cast on, only to find that I quickly became bored with the repetitive stitch patterns.  Over the course of the next year and a half the sweater spend more time in hibernation than in active duty and by September 2010 I’d only made it as far as the armholes.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JFQY1wtLi3g/T4p3oeUK0HI/AAAAAAAAB00/xB2bvx_h5X0/s1600-h/Knitting%2525201817%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1817" border="0" alt="Knitting 1817" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-StGxnOgnZkw/T4p3o7HRlLI/AAAAAAAAB08/SaBpNvMHRrg/Knitting%2525201817_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Time for Plan B.  I frogged Fylingdales, washed and reskeined the yarn, and cast on for another cabled cardigan, this time <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/83-fall-2010-patterns/698-halletts-ledge-by-elinor-brown" target="_blank">Hallet’s Ledge</a>.  Even though the pattern called for a heavier yarn I felt confident that I could substitute the Jo Sharp DK since it works up more like a worsted weight.  </p> <p>It started off promisingly enough and despite an early setback I was quickly well on my way.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gBoVw8S9JK4/T4p3pvgHTDI/AAAAAAAAB1E/vpfDlVLVZ5s/s1600-h/Knitting%2525201824%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1824" border="0" alt="Knitting 1824" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YGb9LwkhPOM/T4p3qAFAoeI/AAAAAAAAB1M/CLwZxlO5wLY/Knitting%2525201824_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>    </p> <p>This time I managed to complete the entire body and part of one sleeve before I came to the sad conclusion that it wasn’t going to fit.  The cables drew in the bodice more than I’d anticipated and even though I knew the yarn would relax with blocking, I didn’t think it would be enough.  Once again I ripped out all those stitches, washed and reskeined the yarn, and set it aside until the perfect project presented itself.  </p> <p>Then last fall I came across <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEff11/PATTquercus.php" target="_blank">Quercus</a>, an A-lined, short-sleeved, cabled cardigan.  Knit from a worsted-weight, tweed yarn, it looked like it might be The One.  Cautiously optimistic, I put Plan C into action and cast on.  The design’s attractive stitch pattern and interesting construction techniques held my attention and it wasn’t long before I had completed the body.  I slipped it on, stretched the cables across my chest and <em>thought</em> it would fit once the front bands were added and the sweater was blocked.  Then life and other knitting projects took precedence and it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I was able to pick it back up and complete the sleeves, front bands, and collar.  </p> <p>I tried it on again, stretched the cables across my chest and <em>hoped</em> it would fit once it was blocked.  I gave it a bath, laid it out on the blocking mats, thought it looked awfully small across the bustline, got out my tape measure, stretched it a bit more, and <em>prayed</em> it would fit once it dried.  It had to—I couldn’t bear the thought of a Plan D.</p> <p>It did.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h5noLBDpFUQ/T4p3q5JN_2I/AAAAAAAAB1U/h4KxqY8O5yM/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202602%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2602" border="0" alt="Knitting 2602" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gjXpkweEoYM/T4p3rTCZDnI/AAAAAAAAB1c/1lsTjFyKhmA/Knitting%2525202602_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a>   </p> <p>Perfectly.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nL6XIFRzAcc/T4p3tYpg1cI/AAAAAAAAB1k/5GaWmC4PLI4/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202600%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2600" border="0" alt="Knitting 2600" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PKUdkZGHupg/T4p3t3J2amI/AAAAAAAAB1s/zt29WvwDlo8/Knitting%2525202600_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>I win.</p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-53451449159672903332012-04-10T17:44:00.001-07:002012-04-10T17:44:35.790-07:00On Hold<p>If I were asked to describe my life right now this is the phrase I would choose.  That and maybe “out of my hands”.  Just minutes after publishing my last blog post I received an upsetting, but not entirely unexpected, phone call from my daughter, Jessica.  She and Neil had decided to separate and could she and Andrew move in with us for a while?  With some regret, Cameron and I said goodbye to our empty nest and set about preparing the house for its new occupants.  We moved my office upstairs and renovated the two first-floor bedrooms.  We retrieved the kids’ old crib from the shed at the cabin, moved breakable items out of reach, and put plug covers in the electrical sockets.  Bring on the toddler—we were ready!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--U-Rn62lvVI/T4TT0ZRZEfI/AAAAAAAABzU/zjGkiuPcvGE/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520039%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="February 2012 039" border="0" alt="February 2012 039" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5sO9SKuqiGg/T4TT0w5viLI/AAAAAAAABzc/Cuvt-aLFuT8/February%2525202012%252520039_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Well…as ready as you can be for life with a toddler.  Naturally, the changes go deeper than just decorating and childproofing—suffice it to say that a household with a young child (even a sweet and loveable one) is vastly different than one without. Used as I was to spending most days alone in a quiet house, it has taken me some time to adjust to the increase in noise, activity, and paraphernalia.  I’ve also begun looking after Andrew while Jessica is at work so that has left me with less time and energy to pursue my hobbies and interests.  Although I had big plans at the beginning of the year, I have put them on hold for now and am taking things one day at a time.</p> <p>Even though I’ve put off my design project for now, I’ve still had time to knit other people’s patterns.  Since the beginning of the year I’ve knocked out several shawlettes and a hat, </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rY438T8FG5Y/T4TT11Xj_AI/AAAAAAAABzk/bYuqVo2Mg7E/s1600-h/Knitting%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting" border="0" alt="Knitting" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yeLCAVbQKVo/T4TT2e0lcKI/AAAAAAAABzs/rRp5GKau94g/Knitting_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>  and, of course, there are always socks on the go.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8XNVqx-ZUdk/T4TT3G9cFeI/AAAAAAAABz0/dhzbu4PrCL0/s1600-h/Knitting1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting1" border="0" alt="Knitting1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-komti0NMxo8/T4TT3lrz8zI/AAAAAAAABz8/796dFbqcmjA/Knitting1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>One of my biggest accomplishments was to finish my journey along <a href="http://www.silkroadsocks.com" target="_blank">the Silk Road</a>, with the completion of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Knitsnpurls/mashad" target="_blank">Mashad</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Knitsnpurls/salor" target="_blank">Salor</a>.  Yesterday, I pulled out all fourteen pairs and lined them up for a photo shoot.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QKsOvhJnusw/T4TT4zh2SVI/AAAAAAAAB0E/BS12VuXI6fQ/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202593%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2593" border="0" alt="Knitting 2593" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G_tiqDihBeA/T4TT5cPWQrI/AAAAAAAAB0M/rv9rPkKtlvE/Knitting%2525202593_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="279" /></a> </p> <p>I had hardly grafted the last toe when Hunter released the e-version of her second book, <a href="http://www.knitterscuriositycabinet.com" target="_blank">The Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet</a>.  This time the designs are based on botanical prints and I’m looking forward to knitting my way through the various plants and flowers, beginning with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chrysanthemum-frutescens-socks" target="_blank">Chrysanthemum frutescens</a>.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q6k3dDhE3gY/T4TT6PB1DoI/AAAAAAAAB0U/RmAMMF1JXiA/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202581%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2581" border="0" alt="Knitting 2581" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K3g3sHOhugU/T4TT7h5rFqI/AAAAAAAAB0c/qRai5NyA1R4/Knitting%2525202581_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>Meanwhile, there are numerous other patterns calling my name and I may have had a bit of a cast-on party this past weekend.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G78SXXFFy7E/T4TT8FqsdWI/AAAAAAAAB0k/YTm5acWzo44/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202584%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2584" border="0" alt="Knitting 2584" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UZCTJggjpEo/T4TT8lX79KI/AAAAAAAAB0s/vd8EEFtTzvM/Knitting%2525202584_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>  </p> <p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>As for Cameron’s sweater…well, let’s just say it has suffered a bit of a setback.  Okay, really more of a major setback.  The Sweater That Shall Not Be Named will see some love again one of these days but for now it is on hold.  Indefinitely. </p></p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-21976851566666985662012-01-09T12:47:00.001-08:002012-01-09T12:47:28.172-08:00Happy New Year!<p>Even though the 2012 calendar went up over a week ago, for me today feels like the first day of the brand new year.  For the third year running, Cameron and I spent the first week of January on holidays, more or less holed up on our own, with limited contact with the outside world and this morning signaled a return to real life.  This year we opted for a “staycation” and except for spending two nights in a not-so-rustic cabin at a local golf course, we stuck pretty close to home.  The weather was not conducive to a lot of outdoor activities so we passed much of the time reading and knitting and just enjoying being together.  It’s a tradition that we will definitely be carrying on.</p> <p>The socks have just been flying off my needles.  Since Christmas I’ve finished three pairs.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lAkuk8TjKlA/TwtSOq70rHI/AAAAAAAABx0/b4AhbLeVaQU/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202446%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2446" border="0" alt="Knitting 2446" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O8Ezqpd-UzU/TwtSP2Brp6I/AAAAAAAABx8/m58o6Wy9gBU/Knitting%2525202446_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a>   </p> <p>I enjoyed knitting up this variegated yarn in a slipped-stitch pattern.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n5RLSTplD7I/TwtSREdfXVI/AAAAAAAAByE/WEqg0vahcxM/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202480%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2480" border="0" alt="Knitting 2480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5TGc5GBG95I/TwtSSI14XpI/AAAAAAAAByM/oeiXFe3HjTY/Knitting%2525202480_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/almondine" target="_blank">Almondine</a> worked up quickly in some yarn I received from Jessica and Neil in my "Boxing Day Survival Kit”.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zR6H3wAPxQk/TwtSS0DATVI/AAAAAAAAByU/IYS010Fkhvs/s1600-h/Christmas%2525202011%252520055%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Christmas 2011 055" border="0" alt="Christmas 2011 055" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5_j4XeBZOF4/TwtSUCl1SiI/AAAAAAAAByc/A80p-f1h6Do/Christmas%2525202011%252520055_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Last year I had presented Neil with a video-game themed kit so they turned the tables on me this year, providing everything I needed for a relaxing, knitting-filled Boxing Day (including adult underwear so as to avoid those pesky bathroom breaks).  The truth is, I didn’t put it into use until a few days later (well, except for the Depends…) but it was much appreciated just the same.</p> <p>I also made my tenth stop along the Silk Road and knit up <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/yomut" target="_blank">Yomut</a> in just a week’s time.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fjwmjrsr33g/TwtSUSU9pSI/AAAAAAAAByk/DMrrLhZUlzY/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202473%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2473" border="0" alt="Knitting 2473" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pu4owtARuaQ/TwtSU3bWKHI/AAAAAAAAByo/3btcb61B5Iw/Knitting%2525202473_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>I just love how they turned out in the <a href="http://theuniquesheep.com/Colors/Gradiance/gradiance.htm" target="_blank">Gradiance Yarn from The Unique Sheep</a>.</p> <p>In addition to socks, I joined a shawl KAL in the Handmaiden/Fleece Artist group on Ravelry and cast on <a href="http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/caricia-p-135.html" target="_blank">Caricia</a> in some Sea Silk that’s been in my stash for over four years.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--uj0oONPA0Q/TwtSVZn4r6I/AAAAAAAABy0/5YQ9CsldOxg/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202463%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2463" border="0" alt="Knitting 2463" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nv6m6UxjT9k/TwtSWpCsl6I/AAAAAAAABy8/B7SXe5q0Gp0/Knitting%2525202463_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>I like how it’s knitting up so far.  This yarn has tried and failed to be several other things in the past but I think this one’s a winner.  </p> <p>And if that weren’t enough, yesterday I began a new pullover for Cameron, the <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_121&products_id=11500&zenid=jt5dine4pqd77nbgtbs5745qt0" target="_blank">Traveling Man Sweater</a>, in a charcoal grey that’s much darker than it appears here.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SUimpgLnZ40/TwtSXb2niiI/AAAAAAAABzE/IXDXRr0CuOM/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202483%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2483" border="0" alt="Knitting 2483" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aNy4kOOH6Pc/TwtSXkQhhDI/AAAAAAAABzM/a-sY-75GTyw/Knitting%2525202483_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>Something tells me that I may regret all that ribbing in near-black yarn before it’s done but this one is all about the product, not the process.  I’d like to have it finished by the end of February, in time for his birthday.  But it won’t be a surprise.  Cameron is rather, shall we say selective?, about his clothes so he was involved in every step of the planning, from choosing the pattern, to determining the size, to shopping for the yarn.</p> <p>With all that knitting, I’ve had plenty of time to think about the coming year and what it might bring.  Most of my goals—maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, bringing vacation photo albums up to date, and compiling some genealogical research—don’t involve yarn or needles but I have been contemplating a rather ambitious project that does.  This year I’d like to try my hand at design and put together a pattern collection for sale.  Right now I am purely in the planning stage, with tons of ideas running through my mind and keeping me awake at night.  As the year progresses I hope to bring some of those plans into fruition and share the process with you as the year unfolds.  So hang on tight—it may be a rocky ride. </p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-67404729191605478652011-12-14T17:16:00.001-08:002011-12-14T17:16:03.057-08:00The Making is Over<p>One by one, I have gradually been crossing things off on my Christmas to-do list.  Today I reached a significant point in my holiday preparations by completing the last of the handmade gifts.  Since <a href="http://yarndoodling.wordpress.com" target="_blank">daughter, dear daughter</a> is on the receiving end of one of those presents and sometimes reads my blog I can not share everything I’ve been working on but here is a sampling.</p> <p>Ever since I gifted the first felted slippers back in 2006 I have received requests for at least a pair or two every year.  Knowing how much they are loved and appreciated, I am happy to oblige, even though the novelty of knitting them wore off long ago.  This year I had planned to make only two pairs, one for my sister, Anna-Marie, for her birthday and one on behalf of my sister, Alison, to gift to her daughter-in-law.  I think it was halfway through the third slipper that I decided to also knit a pair for my brother-in-law, Doug, for his birthday (we celebrate the winter birthdays in my family at a post-Christmas brunch so holiday gift-planning also includes several birthday presents).  I vaguely recall having a conversation with him about them and I’d recorded his shoe size in my knitting notebook so I am guessing that he had expressed an interest in owning a pair at some point.</p> <p>So, that makes three pairs in all:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XhRnOMsmVKc/TulKSTj21DI/AAAAAAAABxE/NT6jtL4-z2Q/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202441%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2441" border="0" alt="Knitting 2441" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1MvoNyJkTA4/TulKS-tFE6I/AAAAAAAABxM/UoM8SOmF6gs/Knitting%2525202441_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>I still haven’t decided whether to gift them felted or unfelted—I’d hate to get the sizing wrong but it is nicer to receive a pair that you can slip on right away.</p> <p>Once upon a time I used to be quite a seamstress but it’s rare these days that I use my machine for anything other than hemming or mending.  However, since Santa is bringing my granddaughter an Easy-Bake Oven, Jessica suggested that an apron might be a good gift for Morgan this year.  I found <a href="http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/Blog/Classic_Apron.pdf" target="_blank">a really good tutorial online</a> and had a lot of fun picking out coordinating fabrics.  It made up in no time and I love how it turned out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HK5j8mjpU5o/TulKTStCKYI/AAAAAAAABxU/sfsjAXCI7Bw/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202442%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2442" border="0" alt="Knitting 2442" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BM8UzMh1wxs/TulKTgROAoI/AAAAAAAABxc/0e9vdbG5zEw/Knitting%2525202442_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a>     </p> <p>While I was sewing it I remembered a Christmas apron panel that I’d bought years ago when I used to work at a craft store and decided that it had sat in the fabric stash long enough.  Luckily, I had just the right amount of muslin to line it with and before I knew it I had another apron to gift, this time to my mother (who is actually the only person I know who regularly uses an apron).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x2wV7N8-qDA/TulKUByF2DI/AAAAAAAABxk/tqpNsuvu6gE/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202439%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2439" border="0" alt="Knitting 2439" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YzvToz22_FQ/TulKUU95LtI/AAAAAAAABxs/HKf4jv0UVE8/Knitting%2525202439_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>You’ll notice that I’ve used our Christmas tree as a background for all of these projects.  If you look more closely you’ll see that the Christmas tree is completely bare of ornaments, even though it has been up since Sunday.  I am hoping to remedy that situation in the next day or two, now that the making is over and the shopping is almost done.  (We won’t dwell on the fact that I haven’t even begun the cards.)  Considering the jobs that still remain on my to-do list it is unlikely that I will be posting again before the big day so I’d like to extend a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of my blog readers and wish you nothing but good things in 2012.</p> <p>P.S.  If you have the means, please try to make the holidays brighter for someone less fortunate.  Every year my ladies group adopts a family for Christmas from our local women’s shelter and we are going shopping for them tonight.  This is one of my favourite holiday traditions—it feels good to ease the family’s burden at this time of year and it always makes me feel even more grateful for all I have.</p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-1031224656067877442011-12-05T10:26:00.001-08:002011-12-05T10:27:59.370-08:00Reveal<p>Now that Andrew’s birthday has come and gone I can share details and pictures of his super-secret birthday sweater.  Well, it wasn’t entirely secret.  Jessica knew which sweater I was knitting for him, she just didn’t know what colour it was going to be.  </p> <p>I fell in love with Arshile months ago so when I saw the booklet in my LYS I immediately snatched it up and purchased yarn; an added bonus was discovering Abi, which by the way, <a href="http://knitsnpurlsworld.blogspot.com/2011/11/triumph-and-tragedy.html" target="_blank">despite numerous issues</a>, turned out perfectly. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7J_AJFQrAZQ/Tt0M23AJXRI/AAAAAAAABv0/-tzhoJMqmsk/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202422%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2422" border="0" alt="Knitting 2422" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cc-N-Y1v0Sw/Tt0M3QvvtFI/AAAAAAAABv8/TLCTYZzzoqA/Knitting%2525202422_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>(One of these days I am going to have to get model shots of all my sweaters—the laid-out-flat-on-the-floor poses just don’t do them justice but it’s hard to take pictures of yourself!)</p> <p>Back to Arshile…</p> <p>I really loved the gansey-style textured stitches and I am a sucker for a hoodie.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HDbFqb43QDU/Tt0M3-ltTFI/AAAAAAAABwE/yVnp4sc7ghg/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202427%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2427" border="0" alt="Knitting 2427" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hTcYYbaJxFE/Tt0M4SV1H3I/AAAAAAAABwM/qbOaT1TQ2p4/Knitting%2525202427_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="290" /></a> </p> <p>The pattern called for knitting it flat and seaming but I couldn’t see why it couldn’t be knit in the round so I adjusted the pattern and cast on after taking off for Miami back in September.  It turned out to be perfect travel knitting—the pattern was straightforward and just mindless enough that I could knit and look out the airplane window at the same time.  I worked on it a bit on the way home but mostly I just slept.</p> <p>It didn’t take long to finish once I got home and settled in.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E4cgfml5KRQ/Tt0M4_B3LGI/AAAAAAAABwU/-RAn8_MEKUA/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202424%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2424" border="0" alt="Knitting 2424" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bUvSMmEGWLY/Tt0M5dhRSKI/AAAAAAAABwc/PrDW3x_ER34/Knitting%2525202424_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>  </p> <p>Once blocked, all I had to do was wait for the big day…</p> <p>With Andrew so mobile these days, it’s hard to get him to stand still for a picture but I managed a quick one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q36OzH45RGo/Tt0M5qVpgaI/AAAAAAAABwk/Lnnb7hlG1Zc/s1600-h/November%2525202011%252520040%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="November 2011 040" border="0" alt="November 2011 040" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wWp_hi483XA/Tt0M53JCXUI/AAAAAAAABws/yXTwF9ccbKo/November%2525202011%252520040_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a></p> <p>and then another.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sWwPvlViFLk/Tt0M6By-fgI/AAAAAAAABw0/9Br1k32nDDU/s1600-h/November%2525202011%252520041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="November 2011 041" border="0" alt="November 2011 041" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mD822xx5e54/Tt0M6U62QhI/AAAAAAAABw8/vYZH66_Bfv8/November%2525202011%252520041_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>After that the photo shoot went downhill when I tried for one with the hood on and he proceeded to jersey himself in his effort to get it off.  However, I am happy to report that he has gone on to wear the sweater multiple times since without incident.</p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-82307035924443931182011-11-21T13:17:00.001-08:002011-11-21T13:17:57.362-08:00Birthday Boy<p>From this </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kk9ngH7pvHo/Tsq__9kGdrI/AAAAAAAABvU/MvrCUF-1pLc/s1600-h/Andrew%252527s%252520birth%252520019%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Andrew's birth 019" border="0" alt="Andrew's birth 019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zeMgC_VHMfs/TsrAARsyunI/AAAAAAAABvc/PKqAeFcD3iY/Andrew%252527s%252520birth%252520019_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>to this</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lrBJpRuXUCY/TsrAAnoCujI/AAAAAAAABvk/aHF4Eg6TREk/s1600-h/November%2525202011%252520029%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="November 2011 029" border="0" alt="November 2011 029" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RlIaLrJg5D0/TsrABPtqohI/AAAAAAAABvs/WXu62zDfbTs/November%2525202011%252520029_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="351" /></a> </p> <p>in the blink of an eye.</p> <p>Happy Birthday, Andrew!</p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-82936786717777831872011-11-10T14:39:00.001-08:002011-11-10T14:39:12.897-08:00Triumph and Tragedy<p><strong>Triumph:</strong>  <a href="http://knitsnpurlsworld.blogspot.com/2011/09/going-around-in-circles.html" target="_blank">Despite suffering a major setback</a>, after two months of tv-, car-, and social-knitting I finally finished the seemingly endless stockinette body of Abi at about 10:30 last night.  I was so excited by the prospect of adding the sleeves and beginning the cabled yoke that I decided to begin right then.  This may have been a lapse in judgment. </p> <p><strong>Tragedy:</strong>  The process did not turn out to be as simple as I first anticipated.  Recall that the pattern is written for flat construction and I am knitting it in the round.  Consider that to eliminate seams you must alter stitch counts and use different construction techniques.  Also take into account that I decided to attach the sleeves and increase for the yoke in the same row and you might have some idea of why I ran into trouble.</p> <p><strong>Triumph:  </strong>A couple of hours, a glass of wine, and several failed attempts later, I successfully attached the sleeves to the sweater <em>and</em> ended up with the right number of stitches.  Win, win.</p> <p><strong>Tragedy:</strong>  Even after a good night’s sleep, this morning it took three tries to get the cables placed around the yoke to my satisfaction.  I should have waited until after I’d had my first cup of tea.</p> <p><strong>Triumph:</strong>  The cables are evenly dispersed and strategically placed and the yoke is well on its way.  Abi may become a sweater yet.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S98WBZflY04/TrxSinH2P1I/AAAAAAAABu0/9tUSFdxYxLU/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202410%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2410" border="0" alt="Knitting 2410" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UTXLc3jgmPM/TrxSjCmGrjI/AAAAAAAABu8/tlBG8EMP3hQ/Knitting%2525202410_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="486" /></a>  </strong></p> <p>On a more somber note, tomorrow we celebrate Remembrance Day.  In addition to observing a minute of silence at 11:00 am, Canadians wear poppies to commemorate the memory of our fallen heroes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kCUUZueqNvQ/TrxSji--PII/AAAAAAAABvE/EQFtKR2MIu4/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202412%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2412" border="0" alt="Knitting 2412" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jKG6W02sKOM/TrxSkNTRViI/AAAAAAAABvM/ezAibEHq_ew/Knitting%2525202412_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><em>Lest we forget.</em></p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-37011323588804148032011-10-30T16:02:00.001-07:002011-10-30T16:02:54.472-07:00And Then There Were Two<p>Well, three, if you count the cat (who is currently oblivious to the whole situation).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-251_Bq-fzcM/Tq3XmYaAMsI/AAAAAAAABuI/_zFqIhx3EEQ/s1600-h/October%2525202011%252520036%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 2011 036" border="0" alt="October 2011 036" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UgQGBtVfdi8/Tq3XmmzOU1I/AAAAAAAABuQ/hwss_xjTYeg/October%2525202011%252520036_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Just a short time ago Cameron helped Matt load up the last truckload of his belongings and move them into his new abode (Colin’s condo), thus decreasing the size of our household by one and ushering in a new phase of all of our lives.  It’s a day we have all been looking forward to, in the best kind of way.  Matt will experience true independence for the first time in his life and we will regain some of the freedom we lost when our first child was born.  I know some parents dread becoming empty-nesters but I look at this moment as a sign of success.  What greater achievement is there than raising your children to become capable, responsible, independent adults?  After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?</p> <p>Tomorrow we will celebrate another milestone when our youngest turns twenty-two.  Happy Birthday, Colin!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CwlEXH9JqDs/Tq3XnKqtjUI/AAAAAAAABuY/e5FPcj5GCoo/s1600-h/October%2525202011%252520034%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 2011 034" border="0" alt="October 2011 034" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rSJnsTzJESg/Tq3XnQDkPYI/AAAAAAAABug/oPOUbPpQXog/October%2525202011%252520034_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p><em>Matt and Colin, roomies once again.  Okay, so maybe they don’t look like the most capable, responsible, independent adults in this picture but underneath those Halloween costumes I assure you that they are. </em></p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-87064243246977729892011-10-25T17:58:00.001-07:002011-10-25T17:58:39.854-07:00Taking a Breather<p>September and October have been very busy and will continue to be so right up until this weekend, when we will be hosting about 25 people for our family’s annual fall birthday get-together on Saturday, then helping our eldest son move out on Sunday (after that we will officially be empty-nesters!).  Today feels like a bit of a catch-up day, working on some knitting this morning and updating Ravelry project pages and the blog this afternoon.</p> <p>First things first, a secret project I alluded to way back at the beginning of September.  A very kind Ravelry friend sent me some yummy sock yarn from her mother’s destash</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EowjxcmzJAk/Tqda3oKPhMI/AAAAAAAABo4/Q2_cTdM1zl4/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202316%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2316" border="0" alt="Knitting 2316" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wm67ozaNWZ8/Tqda308IkPI/AAAAAAAABpA/F7Cujd71cU4/Knitting%2525202316_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>so I thought it only fitting that I send my yarn fairy a gift in return.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hiEtQPhBlCY/Tqda4SZUZuI/AAAAAAAABpI/wY01z8kHN5I/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202323%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2323" border="0" alt="Knitting 2323" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IIcGjzODEPA/Tqda4n2Hq2I/AAAAAAAABpQ/K_luFe7NR7o/Knitting%2525202323_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.threeirishgirls.com/product.php?productid=404&cat=1&page=1" target="_blank">River Grass socks</a> made from some <a href="http://www.sweetfiberyarns.com" target="_blank">locally dyed yarn</a>, purchased at one of my <a href="http://www.88stitches.com" target="_blank">favourite LYS’s</a>.  I may have also sent along some <a href="http://www.purdys.com" target="_blank">Canadian chocolate</a> because isn’t everything better with chocolate?  Once again, Yarn Fairy, I want to say a huge thank you for your kindness and generosity.</p> <p>Throughout September I worked on several other projects.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9yxCKtWI8j0/Tqda5SngUlI/AAAAAAAABpY/2YefoocXwBE/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202337%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2337" border="0" alt="Knitting 2337" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i7GFeDQ6NtA/Tqda5usWEtI/AAAAAAAABpg/jNTbPFQ0eiw/Knitting%2525202337_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>I made quite a lot of progress on my Strata Sphere but it still doesn’t look much like a sweater yet.</p> <p>I finished up my last pair of socks from <a href="http://www.indiesockbook.com" target="_blank">Chrissy Gardiner’s CSK</a>, Memento Mori.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fW2zLXmlOo8/Tqda596OJ6I/AAAAAAAABpo/Ffs7_Oe3Ypk/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202349%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2349" border="0" alt="Knitting 2349" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xS_y1Lyufrk/Tqda6dbbczI/AAAAAAAABpw/-5pDa95Cg7E/Knitting%2525202349_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Unfortunately, this photo doesn’t do justice to the gorgeous yarn from <a href="http://www.impulse-of-delight.com/store/index.php" target="_blank">Impulse of Delight</a>.  I salivate every time she updates her shop.  I also cast on and completed Gordes, knit from <a href="http://quinceandco.com" target="_blank">Quince and Co.</a>’s Tern. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2uIDllnhm9o/Tqda6rOYe2I/AAAAAAAABp4/fSHZREn-yqI/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202346%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2346" border="0" alt="Knitting 2346" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l5yoLH8QoxA/Tqda6x7m-5I/AAAAAAAABqA/GDmfTVgCBiA/Knitting%2525202346_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>This is the second pair I’ve made with this yarn and I really like it.  I have plans to try out their sweater weights too.  As if that weren’t enough I also cast on Cusp for the Cookie A. KAL and got as far as the gusset on the first sock.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XiUgMxfJNUg/Tqda7tHFS3I/AAAAAAAABqI/mKxYn2dvM3M/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202332%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2332" border="0" alt="Knitting 2332" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RC23pqQDsV4/Tqda71SIrgI/AAAAAAAABqQ/6AxGcP998vk/Knitting%2525202332_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>I chose another new favourite yarn, <a href="http://www.spudandchloe.com" target="_blank">Spud and Chloe Fine</a>.  Like the Tern, it is a wool and silk blend with a nice bounce.  As if all of that weren’t enough, a few weeks before we left for holidays I decided that I really wanted a shrug to wear with my “little black dress”, one that would match the necklace I planned to wear with it.  The result was the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lady-grey-lace-shrug" target="_blank">Lady Grey Lace Shrug</a> in a deep red.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xKD5yW3W0ZA/Tqda8RDv3zI/AAAAAAAABqY/t7OeyoAiPqg/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202340%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2340" border="0" alt="Knitting 2340" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o1BZJm1F4TE/Tqda81kNo8I/AAAAAAAABqg/Dt6w2tleugw/Knitting%2525202340_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>I finished it in plenty of time and It turned out exactly as I’d hoped but you’ll have to take my word for it when I tell you how elegant it looked since I neglected to get a picture.</p> <p>We left for our trip on September 29th, a working holiday with my husband’s company that consisted of three days in Miami, followed by a weeklong cruise to the eastern Caribbean.  Of course, the most important decision was what knitting I would pack for the plane.  <a href="http://www.enneacollective.com" target="_blank">The Ennea Collective</a> had released Clue 1 of a mystery shawl the week before and I had promptly jumped in—you know how I love a good KAL.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Eaw5BmxdkBw/Tqda9QlHqKI/AAAAAAAABqo/Cx0qUSiVKD0/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202348%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2348" border="0" alt="Knitting 2348" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sR8PWMhWleI/Tqda905eO3I/AAAAAAAABqw/QveYyFCeTLs/Knitting%2525202348_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>  </p> <p>If Clue 2 was released in time I planned to work on that.  If not, Plan B was to cast on for Andrew’s <a href="http://www.berroco.com/298.303/303/303_arshile_pv.html" target="_blank">birthday sweater</a>,  Despite <a href="http://www.oceanwindknits.ca" target="_blank">Lori’s</a> valiant attempts on my and another knitter’s behalf, Plan B it was (in retrospect, it was probably a better choice anyway since all of the lace charts might have been a bit fiddly to manage).  I worked on it all the way to Miami and by the time I arrived I had more than half a body.  Then I put it away and didn’t knit a stitch for ten days.   </p> <p>Think about that for a minute.  <em>Ten whole days</em>.</p> <p>There simply wasn’t time.  We were too busy participating in 70’s night and getting down with the <a href="http://www.wcr.com/page.cfm" target="_blank">World Class Rockers</a>,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eemjQyH3kgw/Tqda-ZGKEAI/AAAAAAAABq4/PKsL2bt3qBk/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520054%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 054" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 054" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YcCg3uGMujY/Tqda-q6oh4I/AAAAAAAABrA/bND1Ety94X0/Cruise%2525202011%252520054_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a></p> <p>then enjoying the mellow sounds of <a href="http://www.bluerodeo.com" target="_blank">Blue Rodeo</a> the following night.      </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j8A0zh-gZ0E/Tqda-59_xFI/AAAAAAAABrI/tMuEh0agZTk/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520185%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 185" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 185" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aYuMt-a1ZwM/Tqda_Pv7VcI/AAAAAAAABrQ/3ecdrzR-xlE/Cruise%2525202011%252520185_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>We golfed and did some sightseeing in Miami, then boarded The Allure, the world’s largest ship.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fqTcmODLjkA/Tqda_q2MmnI/AAAAAAAABrY/uod9xs6SnjI/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520258%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 258" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 258" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oAr3s_wkKp8/Tqda_9l2WOI/AAAAAAAABrg/iRw0HkfTgIM/Cruise%2525202011%252520258_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The ship was not only huge, it was also very beautiful with an aqua theatre and boardwalk area, complete with carousel, ice-cream parlour, and old-fashioned candy store,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LsUQD7P_a-s/TqdbApRVrcI/AAAAAAAABro/g5SxIVLD1Is/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520414%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 414" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 414" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_yELzSfR-qQ/TqdbA6kYNZI/AAAAAAAABrw/iLcOTXAKDq8/Cruise%2525202011%252520414_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>a mini replica of Central Park,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0CVXIWv6UWg/TqdbBQrLKOI/AAAAAAAABr4/qkfSIgR57MM/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520284%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 284" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 284" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qjqDCJ47nfc/TqdbB57kt0I/AAAAAAAABsA/I4iIfu8XXrU/Cruise%2525202011%252520284_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>a zip line,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pLS04db1NB0/TqdbCAlDjqI/AAAAAAAABsI/x3eRsFNCq3Y/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520422%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 422" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 422" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WsRh5ocrZIc/TqdbCffeqCI/AAAAAAAABsQ/mIdhc_VByw4/Cruise%2525202011%252520422_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>a climbing wall,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OcJuNOEQFHg/TqdbC1aMxdI/AAAAAAAABsY/Znm8-lH38LM/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520423%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 423" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 423" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6h35uubKO6Y/TqdbDFP_YUI/AAAAAAAABsg/Lu0O2PbshB4/Cruise%2525202011%252520423_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>and two flow riders, </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kJ61AXqJPRM/TqdbDj_NDHI/AAAAAAAABso/snrsmaCWWOg/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520401%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 401" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 401" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9nn7WZbb4dw/TqdbEnBLsuI/AAAAAAAABsw/xv5PXAwCUGM/Cruise%2525202011%252520401_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>in addition to numerous restaurants and shops and some amazing artwork.</p> <p>Our first stop was Nassau, Bahamas</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-45QhJig8WHY/TqdbF7sKdPI/AAAAAAAABs4/sL4Nao9XIkI/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520274%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 274" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 274" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IJPYj6kBbTc/TqdbGH-Th-I/AAAAAAAABtA/4DtVdF2mAEo/Cruise%2525202011%252520274_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>then it was on to St. Thomas, where we went on a sail ‘n’ snorkel on a pirate ship.  We saw lots of turtles and tropical fish and got tattooed on our way back to port.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yB5j2C7t-Zk/TqdbGrR1vII/AAAAAAAABtI/3uuLhXngjhU/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520348%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 348" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 348" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qivWp-8MyY8/TqdbG_mUrlI/AAAAAAAABtQ/AhpGT67lUTc/Cruise%2525202011%252520348_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R-uFKjLLVZE/TqdbHXIAt5I/AAAAAAAABtY/KpxYaW-b8Cs/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520349%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 349" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 349" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1u5vtrMNeWY/TqdbHm0vxuI/AAAAAAAABtg/vVSC_mRj2YM/Cruise%2525202011%252520349_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>In St. Maarten, our final port-of-call, we attended a beach party hosted by my husband’s company.  The beach was spectacular!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TuqymvfgUHM/TqdbIITNFbI/AAAAAAAABto/4MAAwnNkOC4/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520385%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 385" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 385" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nMkljxuNQso/TqdbIe9Hm8I/AAAAAAAABts/yronZT8B7f4/Cruise%2525202011%252520385_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>With that we said good-bye to the Caribbean and headed back to Ft. Lauderdale, sailing through some stormy seas on our way (I might have been a little queasy). </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ADOmYhujAk0/TqdbIvSKgkI/AAAAAAAABt0/fbrlsPPXcmc/s1600-h/Cruise%2525202011%252520446%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Cruise 2011 446" border="0" alt="Cruise 2011 446" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L7AgEAiZg0c/TqdbI_etb0I/AAAAAAAABt8/nE5WJ2YsgPo/Cruise%2525202011%252520446_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>What a contrast!</p> <p>A few days later we arrived home to find that October was already almost half over.  Since then, real life has kicked in with a vengeance  and our trip already seems like a distant memory—cliche, I know, but all too true.  A post-vacation cold this past week allowed for plenty of knitting and I have several FO’s to show off but I’ll leave that for another post—this one is plenty long enough.</p> <p>Note to self:  <em>Write shorter, more frequent posts so you don’t bore the poor blog readers to death</em>. </p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-89927155533810574722011-10-24T23:58:00.001-07:002011-10-24T23:58:01.368-07:00Distraction<p>I promise I will post some actual knitting content one day soon but here’s a pretty picture for you to enjoy in the meantime.  It was the view out my back door this afternoon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KuDOTdVEWS8/TqZd9tlsx2I/AAAAAAAABoo/LZBT_zElLr0/s1600-h/October%2525202011%252520018%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="October 2011 018" border="0" alt="October 2011 018" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BQZRRPOuAZw/TqZd-FN09oI/AAAAAAAABow/0B2o9ElBEPc/October%2525202011%252520018_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="486" /></a></p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-74247983955295386362011-10-19T14:06:00.001-07:002011-10-19T14:06:55.976-07:00Laundry Day<p>It’s that time of year again…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O9Fz-BRMFE8/Tp877ZVKfdI/AAAAAAAABoY/_YHT7oKcGiE/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202359%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2359" border="0" alt="Knitting 2359" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QlQYmzvqFW0/Tp877lDbKXI/AAAAAAAABog/UJKRyVtWMdg/Knitting%2525202359_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="306" /></a></p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-71017869022276459052011-09-07T18:38:00.001-07:002011-09-07T20:33:16.511-07:00Going Around in Circles<p>The other day it occurred to me that all of my latest knitting projects are being knit in the round.  There are my various socks-in-progress, my Strata Sphere swirl jacket, and this sweater, Abi, made with <a href="http://www.berroco.com/shade_cards/remix_sh.html" target="_blank">Berroco Remix</a>. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HeFYuZMcgWI/TmgcdXzI2OI/AAAAAAAABoI/VpuzcNeokrw/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202317%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Knitting 2317" border="0" alt="Knitting 2317" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BY9VRSl7WZI/Tmgcd0DAANI/AAAAAAAABoM/kHBlDy7XMhg/Knitting%2525202317_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>In fact, the pattern calls for Abi to be knit in pieces but I couldn’t see any reason for doing all that sewing when it would be so easy to convert it to a bottom-up circular sweater.  After knitting a gauge swatch I did the calculations, cast on for the front and the back, and began working in the round. </p> <p>Let’s face it, until you get to the yoke Abi is a pretty boring knit.  After the ribbing comes inch after inch of stockinette, broken up only by occasional decreases and increases for the waist shaping.  Not a sweater to keep your interest under normal circumstances but the perfect project to work on while watching tv or going for a drive.  In other words, the perfect project to work on this past weekend, during which I was guaranteed to spend at least nine hours in the car.</p> <p>When we left home Saturday morning the sweater was already almost 7” long.  By the time we arrived home again Tuesday evening I was into the third ball of yarn and the sweater had grown by another 7”.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q4e5SN6okIY/TmgceWhTs4I/AAAAAAAABoQ/NztAY1sfpCk/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202318%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Knitting 2318" border="0" alt="Knitting 2318" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KDuaLbN9b-A/TmgcfG4pS2I/AAAAAAAABoU/BI9VJl8aVGw/Knitting%2525202318_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Just the final set of increases and another 5” of knitting, then it would be time for the interesting part.</p> <p>As our freeway exit approached I returned Abi to its project bag and remarked to Cameron that I really should run some yarn through the live stitches and try it on, just to make sure it fit.  In fact, I said, I probably should have done it before now.  And with those prophetic words, I set myself up for a major fail.</p> <p>When I tried the sweater on this afternoon I was shocked to discover that it was <strong>WAY TOO BIG</strong>.  How did this happen?  I checked my gauge and it was bang on.  Puzzled, I reviewed the cast-on numbers and found that they were also in order.  A quick glance at my knitting confirmed that I had indeed decreased after the ribbing.  Another look at the pattern, then another scan of my notes, some figuring on the calculator, and then it hit me.</p> <p>After working the ribbing, instead of decreasing 28 stitches on both the back and the front for a total of 56 stitches, I had only decreased a total of 28 stitches all around.  At 4.5 stitches per inch that made a difference of just over 6”.  No wonder it is <strong>WAY TOO BIG</strong>.</p> <p>Right now I don’t even want to think about frogging it back to the ribbing, working the correct number of decreases, and starting all over again but I know that’s what I’ll do (and the sooner I get the frogging over with, the better).  An eternal optimist, I can’t help looking at the bright side of things.  If I’d knit the sweater in pieces I might not have discovered my mistake until after I’d seamed it together so there’s something to be said for knitting in the round.*  </p> <p>I’ll try to remember that when I am reknitting the inches and inches of stockinette…</p> <p>*<em>I later realized that if I’d knit the sweater in pieces I never would have made this mistake in the first place.  Oh dear, there may be no bright side after all.</em></p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-7331769628031576652011-09-01T15:32:00.001-07:002011-09-01T15:32:32.010-07:00Knit, Swoon<p>You know you’re excited about a project when you sacrifice an extra hour of sleep so you can get up early to work on it.  </p> <p>I can’t remember when or where I first heard about <em>Knit, Swirl</em>, I only know that I was immediately smitten with the beautiful, drapey sweaters with their unique, circular construction.  What can I say?  I am a sucker for knits with interesting construction techniques.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A8dg2bCcwsY/TmAH5VyQT0I/AAAAAAAABnQ/FsA9Ko441h8/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202314%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2314" border="0" alt="Knitting 2314" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pGUb6jt4IDI/TmAH5oDSuOI/AAAAAAAABnU/eaOm5ZvsFa8/Knitting%2525202314_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>After pouring over the book several times I finally chose Strata Sphere as my first project, partly because I thought the off-centre circle would be flattering and partly because the Noro Silk Garden would be easily available and entertaining to work with.  When you have to knit band after band of alternating stockinette and reverse stockinette, frequent colour changes help to keep it interesting.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PKLt1D2M1Oc/TmAH6Ca3Z3I/AAAAAAAABnY/jjNFWzN4g40/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202312%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2312" border="0" alt="Knitting 2312" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Da_sxGw63Z0/TmAH6ukmMrI/AAAAAAAABnc/tzxlF3tcBCY/Knitting%2525202312_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>My yarn arrived the other morning while I was writing my last blog post (thanks for the warm welcome back) and it wasn’t long after I hit “publish” that I picked up the needles and started swatching. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F7us1XCTvh4/TmAH7NBakvI/AAAAAAAABng/zxzPzSZX6mQ/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202315%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2315" border="0" alt="Knitting 2315" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E906MIWi4_M/TmAH7rrMZBI/AAAAAAAABnk/vf6xdOLpW80/Knitting%2525202315_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p> After soaking and blocking it soon became apparent that even though I was getting stitch gauge I was going to have to go up at least a needle size because row gauge is equally important in this type of sweater construction.  I knit a second swatch and after its bath it seemed to be pretty much bang on.  If I was a good, little knitter I would have waited for it to dry and pinned it out and checked and double-checked but I was too impatient to get going.  I decided it was good enough and cast on the required 537 stitches.  (The proof, as they say, will be in the pudding—cross your fingers!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AC_HHOuhAUY/TmAH8Ap77bI/AAAAAAAABno/LBHm0tl_qpA/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202311%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2311" border="0" alt="Knitting 2311" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zdA-DKES6JA/TmAH8qMi7kI/AAAAAAAABns/mze4KuK7aAo/Knitting%2525202311_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>So far, so good.  I managed to join in the round <em>without twisting</em> and am into my third welt (each band of stockinette and reverse stockinette is called a welt).  I love how the colours are playing out so far—unlike some Noro colourways there isn’t one, jarring colour that clashes with the rest—and I look forward to seeing the stripes of colour widen as the circle grows smaller.   </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4McNvpLDb68/TmAH9L1WE9I/AAAAAAAABnw/wTN88QNyeY0/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202313%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2313" border="0" alt="Knitting 2313" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Iu0tAo_G-6s/TmAH9qNx_XI/AAAAAAAABn0/ReoaKzq7efw/Knitting%2525202313_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Meanwhile, it’s the first of the month and, therefore, time for the next round of the <em>Silk Road Socks</em> and <em>Knit. Sock. Love. </em>knitalongs.   </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3M47Dzpu2SI/TmAH-J-PZcI/AAAAAAAABn4/KflZMH2Vi58/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202309%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2309" border="0" alt="Knitting 2309" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t0gw5VvIHGk/TmAH-vl4XlI/AAAAAAAABn8/1Wpy5wWlzSc/Knitting%2525202309_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>I’ll be casting on for Gordes</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qZHppguOc2I/TmAH_FoofrI/AAAAAAAABoA/cwyFGV0e5wI/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202310%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2310" border="0" alt="Knitting 2310" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dx_oeL9rDOA/TmAH_8wVnrI/AAAAAAAABoE/d-1tHhWjyCo/Knitting%2525202310_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>and Cusp later this afternoon, as soon as I finish vacuuming.</p> <p><em>Just to make it clear,</em> <em>it’s not that I’m virtuous, just realistic.  If I start casting on now, the vacuuming will never get done.  We’re going away for the long weekend and I want to come home to a clean house.</em></p> <p>With all that plus a secret project for my yarn fairy (more about that later), not to mention a variety of half-finished socks and sweaters kicking around, I have more than enough knitting to keep me going for a while.  Even though September no longer means “back-to-school” for me or my family, there is still a sense of new beginning at this time of the year that fills me with inspiration.</p> <p><em>Except when it comes to housework.</em></p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-49350917802681026312011-08-30T12:49:00.001-07:002011-08-30T12:56:09.910-07:00“The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."<p>If you haven’t visited my projects page on Ravelry lately or, for those in my personal life, seen the odd post on Facebook you might be forgiven for thinking that I’d dropped off the face of the earth.  One thing is certain--my blog has given no indication of whether I’ve been alive or dead since I wrote my last entry late last December.</p> <p>Over the past eight months I’ve thought about writing a new post now and then (I even went so far as to began typing one a few months ago) but I felt obligated to catch you up on everything that had happened in the intervening months and, overwhelmed with the enormity of the task, abandoned the idea.  However, this morning I was once again seized by the desire to take pen to paper (or, more precisely, fingers to keyboard) and was determined to see it through this time.</p> <p>I still feel the need to bring you up to date with my life but for all of our sakes I’m going to stick to the Reader’s Digest version and just hit the highlights.</p> <p>Just after New Years we returned to Ucluelet for a few days of R&R (we even had the same condo we’d had last year), then spent the remainder of the week just up the road at Tofino.  This area is the home of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Rim_National_Park_Reserve">Pacific Rim National Park</a>, which is known for its wild beauty and surf-worthy waves.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zOEJDZQrXaQ/Tl0-ovaEYII/AAAAAAAABlg/GdSn3ypBayg/s1600-h/January%2525202011%252520045%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="January 2011 045" border="0" alt="January 2011 045" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PxlcGtImwMM/Tl0-o3rjgxI/AAAAAAAABlk/pe2KAX5e5Wc/January%2525202011%252520045_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Wintertime is storm-watching season but even though we had a bit of rain, we’ve yet to experience a full-out storm.  Maybe next year—we’ve decided to make this getaway an annual event.</p> <p>A couple of weeks after we got home Jessica had to go in for an emergency appendectomy so Andrew had his first sleepover at our house.  Typical of most sleepovers, there wasn’t a lot of sleeping going on but there were some smiles and lots of cuddle time.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EEGl6Du0GLg/Tl0-pcaAVvI/AAAAAAAABlo/K2gBm_k009c/s1600-h/January%2525202011%252520219%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="January 2011 219" border="0" alt="January 2011 219" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tasZR9KmD64/Tl0-pkKCQtI/AAAAAAAABls/F8LwLpStN5s/January%2525202011%252520219_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>As a Christmas present Cameron had arranged for a boat tour down the Harrison River to see the eagles, which gather there in huge numbers in the wintertime to feast on spawning salmon.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fc4nY_tzzXQ/Tl0-qCISNnI/AAAAAAAABlw/v7UnZeTQkpo/s1600-h/February%2525202011%252520043%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="February 2011 043" border="0" alt="February 2011 043" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nPoz5L74E8U/Tl0-qafZuqI/AAAAAAAABl0/OE5YSkDffB4/February%2525202011%252520043_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>By the time the weather cooperated the peak viewing season had passed but we still saw our share of the birds and enjoyed some spectacular scenery besides.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5HYD_xSnxmQ/Tl0-q39H3SI/AAAAAAAABl4/o4Oz7pRbF74/s1600-h/February%2525202011%252520055%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="February 2011 055" border="0" alt="February 2011 055" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5BKZu7GJlq8/Tl0-rPZfp4I/AAAAAAAABl8/FA0cxMWKsPo/February%2525202011%252520055_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>In February Cameron turned 50 so we threw a party to celebrate.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cKLtTU6pAwE/Tl0-rWA8HyI/AAAAAAAABmA/rdigTeS2YoQ/s1600-h/Copy%252520of%252520February%2525202011%252520130%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Copy of February 2011 130" border="0" alt="Copy of February 2011 130" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bMsixS8IvlQ/Tl0-ryV-JiI/AAAAAAAABmE/d67zDUqIAtk/Copy%252520of%252520February%2525202011%252520130_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>Unfortunately, Mother Nature planned a snowstorm for the same night so some of our invited guests were unable to make it but we had fun just the same.  </p> <p>Two months later my sister, Jacqueline, also turned 50 and she celebrated by running the Vancouver Marathon, coming first in her age group.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7FhTLReP1XM/Tl0-sdlKxHI/AAAAAAAABmI/b5rMIjIGmbQ/s1600-h/April%2525202011%252520074%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="April 2011 074" border="0" alt="April 2011 074" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W3H1Vbaxtdw/Tl0-s1lX6DI/AAAAAAAABmM/xFe6xjYLok0/April%2525202011%252520074_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Her husband had also arranged for a surprise party afterwards at a downtown restaurant so she got to blow out candles and eat cake too.  In my opinion, that’s much more fun than running 26 miles but what do I know?</p> <p>In May I took paintbrush in hand and finally renovated Colin’s old bedroom.  I turned it into a craft room! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lE2kM9x-pSg/Tl0-tIL4LGI/AAAAAAAABmQ/1Ty57JkQNfU/s1600-h/May%2525202011%252520007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="May 2011 007" border="0" alt="May 2011 007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HJWHTTdDvCQ/Tl0-tS59LZI/AAAAAAAABmU/vr_b4X5UBLs/May%2525202011%252520007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Now most of my sewing, needlework, and knitting supplies are in one place.  I say most because some things still live under my bed and in the trunk in the living room.</p> <p>Colin’s band made great strides this year, moving up one spot to come in third in Chilliwack’s Battle of the Bands.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yZhBiyGEJ9E/Tl0-uBiEUoI/AAAAAAAABmY/b64gXSPSp80/s1600-h/August%2525202011%252520008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="August 2011 008" border="0" alt="August 2011 008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K0rRbdxsqGE/Tl0-uVcjjKI/AAAAAAAABmc/TW8y7rEB57I/August%2525202011%252520008_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>They have a three-song CD coming out shortly and have played quite a few gigs lately, including the city’s Party in the Park one Friday night in August (that’s him on the right).</p> <p>This year Matt’s spent a lot of time working out of town so we’ve gotten a taste of what it’s like to be empty nesters.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hTzVt9pXmOo/Tl0-u6AGRCI/AAAAAAAABmg/plmPewLg0Oo/s1600-h/June%2525202011%252520026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="June 2011 026" border="0" alt="June 2011 026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7hITNRRIFVc/Tl0-vLIiqbI/AAAAAAAABmk/0Jc5joj6yjA/June%2525202011%252520026_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>We always enjoy seeing him when he’s home but we’re looking forward to the next stage.</p> <p>Jessica and Neil got engaged and had Cameron’s grandmother’s ring restored. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BFQKKo_M2Qw/Tl0-wH2xOgI/AAAAAAAABmo/TIYiNIr8rI4/s1600-h/284073_2301457219654_1345911052_32775113_3926592_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="284073_2301457219654_1345911052_32775113_3926592_n" border="0" alt="284073_2301457219654_1345911052_32775113_3926592_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4uMlLwNmaYs/Tl0-wlWUV3I/AAAAAAAABms/4CIR47ivAAU/284073_2301457219654_1345911052_32775113_3926592_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>They’ll be getting married next September 1st in my sister’s garden.  Jessica and I went shopping with Neil’s mom this past weekend and found the perfect wedding dress.</p> <p>Another highlight of my year has been losing almost 25 lbs, with the help of Weight Watchers Online.  I’d been watching my weight creep up over the past three years so it feels good to be almost back to where I want to be—just a couple more lbs to go!</p> <p>But I think it’s safe to say that the biggest joy of 2011 has been spending time with our grandchildren.  Of course, a baby’s first year is chock full of developmental milestones so we’ve seen incredible changes in Andrew since January.  With a year of kindergarten behind her now, Morgan has also matured and is on the brink of reading—Grade 1 will be an exciting time for her and she is anxiously awaiting the first day of school.  I have eight month’s worth of pictures I could share with you but I won’t.  Instead, please indulge just a few of my favourite shots from “Grandma’s Brag Book”.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zdm1TNC1Ww0/Tl0-x_wS7GI/AAAAAAAABmw/Akl3fPUDslI/s1600-h/February%2525202011%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="February 2011" border="0" alt="February 2011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bQoa7_FhUSg/Tl0-yPMfmLI/AAAAAAAABm0/HsgpmxIHZyE/February%2525202011_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="326" /></a></p> <p>And knitting?  Well, I’ve done a lot of knitting this year.  If you want to see all the pretty pictures, you can check out <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Knitsnpurls">Ravelry</a>.</p> <p>So, now that we’re all caught up, what exciting things can you expect in the months to come?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XraYRTo3mHk/Tl0-0XILUWI/AAAAAAAABm4/l-xPr5SL8XE/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202305%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2305" border="0" alt="Knitting 2305" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-As3cROuKPeU/Tl0-0tf6o0I/AAAAAAAABm8/_LrZ5rQYQKg/Knitting%2525202305_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>The second leg of the <em><a href="http://www.silkroadsocks.com" target="_blank">Silk Road Socks</a></em> KAL.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YgAGpyz8ge4/Tl0-1IUMcyI/AAAAAAAABnA/3j7s78NLWEY/s1600-h/Knitting%2525202308%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 2308" border="0" alt="Knitting 2308" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9xGq0UO39po/Tl0-1TpxLqI/AAAAAAAABnE/UsydLYNr8X0/Knitting%2525202308_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="406" /></a> </p> <p>Some <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Uniquely-Flattering-Jackets-Foreword-Bordhi/dp/0981985912" target="_blank">Knit, Swirl</a></em>.  The yarn just arrived this morning and I can’t wait to give this new construction method a try.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FTbClUEjSZk/Tl0-2ui9-tI/AAAAAAAABnI/sdTQJY79UaM/s1600-h/Allure%252520of%252520the%252520Seas%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Allure of the Seas" border="0" alt="Allure of the Seas" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_vqAOiuaRys/Tl0-3DBe3gI/AAAAAAAABnM/t3megrKnDAM/Allure%252520of%252520the%252520Seas_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>An upcoming trip on <a href="http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipCode=AL" target="_blank">the largest cruise ship in the world</a>…</p> <p>…and much, much more!  Watch this space.</p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-9631547807141260672010-12-28T17:25:00.001-08:002010-12-28T17:25:54.710-08:00Out With the Old and In With the New<p>With 2010 drawing to a close and January 1st just a few days away, I’ve been giving some thought to my knitting goals for 2011.  I ended up feeling well enough after all to knit Alison’s slippers and finish sewing Morgan’s doll clothes before Christmas so I am beginning the new year with more or less a clean slate.  As I look back at <a href="http://knitsnpurlsworld.blogspot.com/2010/01/its-that-time-again.html" target="_blank">my list of knitting goals for last year</a> I am happy to see that I was able to meet many of them, the most important of which was to finish the Great American Aran Afghan in time for my parents’ anniversary.  However, despite my best intentions, I did not “let it go” as much as I would have wished.  Even though I generally limited myself to only one SKA project each month, I found myself involved in other KAL’s and pushing myself to meet their deadlines.  In the process I put off (yet again) knitting many other projects I have wanted to knit for a while.  As a result, this year it’s all about the queue.</p> <p>Drum roll please…</p> <p><strong>1.  Limit my involvement in organized KAL’s.  </strong>I will continue to participate in Chrissy Gardiner’s CSK and attempt to knit each month’s new pattern but with no fixed deadline I can work at my own pace.  I may join in other KAL’s as the spirit moves me but my goal is to avoid overcommitting to arbitrary deadlines.</p> <p><strong>2.  Cut back on yarn clubs.</strong>  There are so many yarn clubs out there that entice me but like KAL’s they prevent me from knitting other projects.  I am currently enrolled in two bi-monthly clubs and will likely participate in the next tea version of “Sip ‘n Stitch” but so far I have resisted joining any other upcoming clubs for this year (even though they sound <em>really</em> good). </p> <p><strong>3. Participate in the Stash and Burn “Sock Stash Knitdown”.</strong>  While at first glance this appears to contradict Goal #1, this KAL is extremely flexible. with its sole objective to use up twelve skeins of sock yarn in 2011.  I’ve decided to take it a step further and have matched up yarns with sock patterns I’ve long admired but have never knit.  So far I have almost thirty combinations from which to choose but I am committing myself to knitting only twelve over the course of the next year; if I knit more than that, it’s a bonus.</p> <p><strong>4.  Knit two pairs of socks for Cameron before the end of winter.</strong>  I gave him yarn for Christmas with this intention.  Otherwise…</p> <p><strong>5.  Engage in more selfish knitting.</strong>  It’s okay to give non-knitted gifts.  Lots of people do it.</p> <p><strong>6.  Knit more sweaters.  </strong>I say this every year but this time I mean it.<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>7  Knit more shawls.  </strong>There are so many beautiful shawls and I want to knit them all.</p> <p><strong>8.  Buy less yarn.  </strong>I have a lot of beautiful yarn and I should be knitting it instead of acquiring more.  I’m not going “cold sheep” or declaring myself on a yarn diet but I will try to be more conscientious about my purchases.</p> <p>In a nutshell, the objective this year is to get more joy from my hobby by limiting deadline knitting and casting on more of those “must-knits” from my imaginary queue.  While I will most likely always do some gift knitting because I enjoy it I will try to balance it with some “selfish” knitting.  After all, as I keep reminding myself, knitting is supposed to be fun.  </p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-29049127079344762072010-12-20T14:32:00.001-08:002010-12-20T14:32:13.758-08:00Good to Go<p>Well, good enough, anyway.</p> <p>The tree is up, the cards have been mailed, most of the presents are wrapped, and as of about an hour ago the knitting is done.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TQ_Za3NoUAI/AAAAAAAABlQ/WrLbVXQIYS0/s1600-h/Knitting%201972%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1972" border="0" alt="Knitting 1972" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TQ_ZbbfhKwI/AAAAAAAABlU/YiBRPG6h_gU/Knitting%201972_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>Liz’s slippers have been felted, soled, and wrapped and Cameron’s socks have been bound off, soaked, and blocked.  They should be dry in a day or two—I will be hanging them over the heat register whenever Cameron is not around.  </p> <p>I know he will be pleased to receive them.  A day or two after I blogged last he mentioned that new socks would make a perfect gift, although he was careful to note that with all the other things I had to do that he did not expect them until after Christmas.  I smiled inwardly—little did he know I already had a pair for him half knit.  I’ve also wrapped up two skeins of sock yarn with the promise that I’ll knit them up in the new year.  After several years of trying to convert him, Cameron is finding out for himself that handknit, wool socks are warmer than the cotton sports socks he is used to wearing.  He says he does not even need to turn on the space heater in his office when he is wearing them.  </p> <p>I haven’t touched Alison’s slippers and mostly likely won’t for several weeks.  Nor have I finished sewing Morgan’s doll clothes but I’ve made enough that she won’t miss them and her birthday is coming up in a little more than a month so I can give the remainder to her then.  The last few weeks have been full with Christmas preparations, family visits, and social outings and I’ve reached saturation point.  To top it all off, I woke up with the beginnings of a cold this morning, the consequence of cuddling a sick Andrew last week.  Except for a few last-minute jobs, as far as I’m concerned I’m about as ready as I’m going to be.  My best effort is going to have to be good enough.</p> <p>It’s unlikely that I will blog again before Christmas so I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.  Don’t forget to make some time for yourself in the hectic days to come!</p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-31349524188642860162010-12-09T13:42:00.001-08:002010-12-09T13:42:30.641-08:00The Year of the Slipper<p>Unselfish knitting continues…</p> <p>Last week I washed up a bunch of “handwash only” socks and noticed that Cameron had added a few pairs to the pile.  He usually wears white sports socks and reserves his handknit, woolen ones for really cold weather so I was surprised to see them, considering that he only pulled them out once the snow and bitter winds had disappeared and the rain and warmer temperatures had returned.  It got me thinking that maybe it was time to knit him another pair.  Why not make them for Christmas?  </p> <p>I know, I know, I’m crazy to put more pressure on myself but Christmas ideas for him are hard to come by.  And I chose a simple,  easy-to-memorize stitch pattern, just interesting enough to keep me engaged.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TQFNPO9gfqI/AAAAAAAABlA/Zz3TntDBVJw/s1600-h/Knitting%201971%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1971" border="0" alt="Knitting 1971" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TQFNPmi5OeI/AAAAAAAABlE/UlVZCjviqWw/Knitting%201971_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>They’re actually working up pretty quickly, considering that a) I haven’t had a ton of time for knitting lately and b) I can only work on them when he’s not around.</p> <p>And just when I thought I was finished with slippers for a while a couple of things happened.  First, my sister, Alison, happened to mention that she was in need of some new ones.  I told her I had just knit four pairs and was slippered out but would knit her some in the new year and she was totally down with that.  Then my sister-in-law, Liz, gave Cameron her Christmas list and the second item on it was slippers.  </p> <p>Now, to be fair, she did not ask specifically for felted slippers but she did mention that she had worn through the ones I’d made her a few years back so I knew that she liked and wore them.  Knowing I could knit a pair over the course of a couple of days, I determined her size and asked her what colour she’d like.  And while I was at it, I got Alison to pick out some yarn for hers and placed an order with Elann.com.  </p> <p>Not only do they carry the suede soles from Fiber Trends, their Highland Wool is a good value and comes in lots of pretty colours.  I’d given it a test run with Ed’s slippers and it felted really nicely.  The best part is that I receive my shipments from them only two days after I place my order which means I didn’t have to fit in another shopping trip.  This arrived this morning, right on cue.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TQFNQfZhbVI/AAAAAAAABlI/cXx-qMHFeug/s1600-h/Knitting%201970%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1970" border="0" alt="Knitting 1970" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TQFNRPey5CI/AAAAAAAABlM/eMQ-dfjaKE8/Knitting%201970_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>I never get tired of the sight of stacks of unknit skeins of yarn—I think it’s the possibility it implies.</p> <p>I warned Alison that I still may not get to her slippers until after the holidays but I have a feeling that I will end up powering through them, just to get them off my plate.  That will make a total of six pairs this year, the most I’ve knit at one time since I first made the pattern four years ago.  Needless to say, they’re a hit.</p> <p>I’m now attaching suede soles to every pair I make in the hopes that it will significantly extend its life.  With any luck it will be a good while before there is another “Year of the Slipper”. </p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-4067910888020111982010-12-01T13:45:00.001-08:002010-12-01T13:46:08.487-08:00Whatever Happened to Selfish Knitting Month?<p>Well, it lasted about five minutes.  Okay, maybe a little longer but suffice it to say that November didn’t really turn out as planned.</p> <p>It got off to a good start when I cast on Nuppy Diamonds, November’s installment of Chrissy Gardiner’s CSK.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbB5KneXlI/AAAAAAAABkE/58c3l83KTtU/s1600-h/Knitting%201916%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1916" border="0" alt="Knitting 1916" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbB5-wEcpI/AAAAAAAABkI/otPbq6Ki2xM/Knitting%201916_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>  </p> <p>After working a few inches on that I put it aside and cast on Liesl with some beautiful Punta yarn I’d bought early in the new year.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbB6_pwJkI/AAAAAAAABkM/l7-l-lerp3Q/s1600-h/Knitting%201937%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1937" border="0" alt="Knitting 1937" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbB7QMnMgI/AAAAAAAABkQ/xirMflzGF2o/Knitting%201937_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>I might have also cast on a pair of plain, vanilla socks.  I had a bad case of startitis and I was enjoying it.</p> <p>A few days later a certain someone who shall not be named…<em>cough, Jessica, cough…</em>called and said she was in a time crunch and could I please test-knit something for her asap.  Well, what are mothers for?  I sighed and turned my attention to her project, all the while gazing longingly at my other WIP’s.  (It’s all done now but it’s super-secret so I can’t show you any pictures.)  </p> <p>Meanwhile, my brother-in-law, Joe, requested a new pair of felted slippers for Christmas.  He’d loved the ones I’d knitted him two years before but had worn holes in the soles and had had to resort to a pair of store-bought.  I hadn’t planned to do any more gift knitting but I’d made that decision before I’d received Joe’s Christmas list.  How could I refuse?  I’m a sucker for people who really appreciate my knitted gifts.  </p> <p>While I was buying yarn for Joe’s slippers I picked up some for myself since I’d recently noticed some holes in my own pair.  And while I was at it I might as well knit Cameron a new pair—his slippers were practically falling apart and the yarn for a new pair had been sitting in a bag beside the couch for months and months.  Every time I saw it I felt guilty.  </p> <p>Sigh…add three pairs of slippers to the list.  Okay, one pair was for me but it’s one of the few projects I knit for the product, not the experience, and it always feels like a chore.  It definitely does not qualify as selfish knitting.</p> <p>Not long after I began knitting Joe’s slippers Cameron received a Christmas list from our brother-in-law, Ed.  You guessed it, it included a request for a pair of felted slippers since his pair had also developed holes.  </p> <p>Now, technically Cameron has Ed’s name for Christmas and I am only responsible for gifting to Joe but Ed has a special place in my heart.  He has had my name for Christmas for the past two years (and, as luck would have it, has my name again this year) and has bought me <em>knitting stuff</em>!!  Two years ago he even went so far as to phone one of the indie dyers I’d mentioned and ask her for yarn recommendations.  Obviously, he is truly worthy of a knitted gift, even if I didn’t draw his name. </p> <p>So…make that four pairs.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbB8LoeDYI/AAAAAAAABkY/m808r5kSsjo/s1600-h/Knitting%201957%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1957" border="0" alt="Knitting 1957" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbB8aqSLhI/AAAAAAAABkc/wfUcSS43U1M/Knitting%201957_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>As I wove in the last stitch on the last slipper I swear I heard angels singing.</p> <p><em>By the way, from now on all the slippers I knit will include leather soles in the hopes that they will last longer.  With any luck I will only have to replace them every few years.</em></p> <p>In addition to Christmas knitting I have also been doing some Christmas sewing but this has been a labour of love.  Morgan’s dolls are sorely in need of clothes so I have been stitching up an entire wardrobe.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbB9RuCaYI/AAAAAAAABkg/Qt0h0lNDDBE/s1600-h/Knitting%201966%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1966" border="0" alt="Knitting 1966" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbB-HQ7Y4I/AAAAAAAABkk/Fw1ItYAuPkY/Knitting%201966_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>I still have a few more outfits to go.  Come Christmas, her dolls should be among the best dressed in town.</p> <p>So with all of this and Andrew’s birth too, there hasn’t been a lot of time for selfish knitting but I have managed to squeeze in a few things.  I’ve finished one Nuppy Diamond sock</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbB-uJClYI/AAAAAAAABko/cgnRvw0jI7c/s1600-h/Knitting%201955%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1955" border="0" alt="Knitting 1955" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbB_pe0dsI/AAAAAAAABks/9JE2rPji4Ks/Knitting%201955_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>and Liesl.  It was a nice, quick knit but I’m having trouble finding just the right thing to wear with it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbCAPRmD6I/AAAAAAAABkw/QG2hNQ5_iZw/s1600-h/Knitting%201962%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1962" border="0" alt="Knitting 1962" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbCAtBfgbI/AAAAAAAABk0/6e2m2ZqSUtc/Knitting%201962_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>Sorry for the crappy photo—the weather’s been dreary lately plus my good camera is in the shop.</p> <p>I’ve also been working on a set of winter accessories.  It all started with spotting a pair of red gloves in the Fall 2009 issue of Vogue Knitting.  I had the perfect yarn for them, Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in “Tart”.  Then I realized that one of the cones of yarn I’d bought in San Francisco had the same red and black tones and would make a great matching triangular scarf.  And if I was going to make gloves and a scarf, I might as well knit a hat to go with them.  I tracked down some Madelinetosh Vintage in the same colourway (not easy to find, as it turns out) for a slouchy beret.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbCCKLyoNI/AAAAAAAABk4/_jKjoiYgX1g/s1600-h/Knitting%201959%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1959" border="0" alt="Knitting 1959" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TPbCClxTbcI/AAAAAAAABk8/fOitBQgFKw0/Knitting%201959_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>   </p> <p>Sadly, I don’t expect that December will yield much time to work on them.  We are expecting houseguests from both sides of the family this weekend and will be caught up in the various activities family visits involve.  Then, of course, with Christmas approaching, we’ll be busy with holiday preparations and social events.</p> <p>Therefore, it looks like Selfish Knitting Month is going to have to be postponed until January.  We plan to kick it off with another weeklong getaway right after New Years, location still to be determined.  There are so many things I want to knit I’m not sure how I’ll decided what to take along with me.  I can’t wait for the chance to knit undisturbed for an extensive block of time, without thinking about all the things I should be doing instead.</p> <p>Which reminds me, I have a house that needs cleaning so it’s time to sign off…  </p> <p><em>I hope you’re finding some time for selfish knitting.</em></p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-23980874633630690992010-11-21T15:46:00.001-08:002010-11-21T15:46:20.731-08:00Part Deux<p>Here’s Andrew a few hours later, after a bath, a nap, and a good meal.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvMp4ArqI/AAAAAAAABjU/ogACy5LyOGE/s1600-h/Andrew%27s%20birth%20019%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Andrew's birth 019" border="0" alt="Andrew's birth 019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvNGneJ7I/AAAAAAAABjY/Jn8BxpGWT3c/Andrew%27s%20birth%20019_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Proud mama</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvNlWCMbI/AAAAAAAABjc/hhZoLfTtxsk/s1600-h/Andrew%27s%20birth%20029%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Andrew's birth 029" border="0" alt="Andrew's birth 029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvOJ5a2RI/AAAAAAAABjg/mUj3A6upFr0/Andrew%27s%20birth%20029_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>and grandparents.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvOvQ3n-I/AAAAAAAABjk/YzpifsvE-hU/s1600-h/Andrew%27s%20birth%20010%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Andrew's birth 010" border="0" alt="Andrew's birth 010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvPmHNGuI/AAAAAAAABjo/8s_204Sms-I/Andrew%27s%20birth%20010_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Meeting big sister, Morgan.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvP0DfOfI/AAAAAAAABjs/wfuBZeINVTg/s1600-h/Andrew%27s%20birth%20036%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Andrew's birth 036" border="0" alt="Andrew's birth 036" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvQyCe7GI/AAAAAAAABjw/XUfaj5aIw3E/Andrew%27s%20birth%20036_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>One big, happy family.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvRSMHtZI/AAAAAAAABj0/NOeKaqWMAbA/s1600-h/Andrew%27s%20birth%20037%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Andrew's birth 037" border="0" alt="Andrew's birth 037" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvR0lf8DI/AAAAAAAABj4/PFj2DFCOBxk/Andrew%27s%20birth%20037_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>It’s amazing how someone so small can inspire so much love.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvSYuBw6I/AAAAAAAABj8/lVuaaR-9tg4/s1600-h/Andrew%27s%20birth%20014%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Andrew's birth 014" border="0" alt="Andrew's birth 014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOmvS8c1tRI/AAAAAAAABkA/pT2jNDENt3M/Andrew%27s%20birth%20014_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Words can’t describe how happy I feel.</p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-46849497067975670582010-11-21T11:11:00.001-08:002010-11-21T11:11:48.879-08:00It’s a Boy!<p>Meet Andrew Ross, born at 3:08 this morning.  He weighs in at 6 lbs 11 oz and measures 20”.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOlu7TSu7ZI/AAAAAAAABjM/R8NPV8bhles/s1600-h/Andrew%27s%20birth%20005%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Andrew's birth 005" border="0" alt="Andrew's birth 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TOlu7xylWbI/AAAAAAAABjQ/obrB-by-omo/Andrew%27s%20birth%20005_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>Isn’t he sweet?</p> <p>Mom, Dad, and baby are all doing great.  I’m looking forward to holding Andrew for the first time when we visit the hospital later today.  We worked hard for this one (nobody harder than Jessica!) but it was oh, so worth it. </p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-28178018949273904702010-11-01T14:57:00.001-07:002010-11-01T14:57:28.264-07:00Keeping Days and Selfish Knitting<p>Today’s post will be broken into two parts.  What can I say?  I have two things I want to talk about and they’re not related in any way.  And a word of warning:  If you like posts with few words and lots of pictures today’s entry is not for you.  Sorry, but it’s my blog and I can do what I like.  :o)</p> <p><strong>A Keeping Day</strong></p> <p>When I was a teenager/young adult one of my favourite book series was <em>The Keeping Days</em> by Norma Johnston.  The first two books were written in the mid-1970’s and were in our school library; then in the early 1980’s they were republished in paperback, along with four new titles.  Set in 1910 in Yonkers, New York, the first book opens on Tish Sterling’s fourteenth birthday.  She informs us that she knew as soon as she woke up that it was going to be a Keeping Day, one of those particularly memorable days that occur only two or three times a year, a day to be cherished and recalled during less happy times in the future.  And although her birthday didn’t turn out exactly as she’d envisioned, it was a Keeping Day nonetheless.</p> <p>Ever since then I’ve held on to the idea of Keeping Days and have stored away quite a few in my own memory.  They’re not always entire days, sometimes only moments or hours, but they’ve stayed with me over the years.  Driving home from the hospital with newborn Jessica crying at the top of her lungs while Stevie Wonder sang “Isn’t She Lovely?” on the radio.  The time we bundled up young Jessica and Matthew and took them skating on a lake that had frozen over (a very rare thing around here).  Having dinner in a Barkerville restaurant on our anniversary while a trio of musicians serenaded the patrons with old-time tunes.  These occasions and others filled me with a ridiculous sense of happiness and contentment and stand out among the many more forgettable experiences of my life.</p> <p>Yesterday was one of those days.  Our youngest, Colin, stopped by in the morning to receive birthday presents and congratulations.  Afterwards Cameron and I went out for brunch—something we do once or twice a year—then stopped by the mall to pick up a convertible crib/playpen to have at our house for when our upcoming grandchild comes to visit.  The day before Cameron had suggested that we take a drive to Manning Park, about an hour or so away, to see the fall colours so we set out a little before noon.  We’ve spent a lot of time at Manning over the years, sometimes going up for just the day, other times for a few nights of camping, and once in a while just pausing there briefly on our way to or from somewhere else.  We’ve hiked a number of its trails, both as a family and alone, and have seen it in every season.</p> <p>It was overcast when we left home and we met a few raindrops on the way but the weather improved as we headed east and crossed the summit of Allison Pass.  Even though there was a dusting of snow quite low on the mountains, the sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the air held only a slight chill.  As I suspected, the fall colours were past their prime but there were still a few trees holding on to their brilliant autumn splendor.  </p> <p>After a brief stop at the day lodge we decided to walk the canyon trail, a loop that originates near the road, goes up one side of a canyon to our favourite campground, then follows the other side of the canyon back to the road.  It had been ages since we’d hiked it and as we passed a familiar hollowed-out rock we couldn’t help but be reminded of this photo of our kids, taken sixteen years earlier.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TM83w8Jk8QI/AAAAAAAABjE/HVM6iAhiagQ/s1600-h/Color%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Color" border="0" alt="Color" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TM83xipwMaI/AAAAAAAABjI/PozPW0xwwjA/Color_thumb%5B13%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="555" /></a> </p> <p>I love this picture.</p> <p>About a half hour later we arrived back at the car and headed a short distance down the road towards Lightening Lake, where we did a longer trail around the lake.  We recalled the time we’d hiked it with the kids, when Colin took three steps to every one of ours because he kept going ahead, then running back to us, then going ahead again.  At one point we spotted two Great Blue Herons in the trees on the other side of a secluded bay, which we later regrettably frightened away when we reached that part of the trail.  We had the place practically to ourselves and only passed one group of hikers the entire time.  The familiar sites put us in a nostalgic mood and we talked of the past but also spoke of future vacation plans and, of course, the impending birth of Jessica’s baby, due in only three week’s time.</p> <p>Just as we pulled into the driveway we received a call from Jessica.  Did we want to join her and Neil for Indian food later on?  Cameron was a little hesitant—he’s not an adventurous eater—but agreed to give it a try.  We had a nice meal with them (we <em>all</em> enjoyed the food), then arrived home just as our first trick-or-treater was approaching our front door.  The rest of the evening was spent quietly (we never get many kids and this year had only five in all) and I went to bed with a perfect sense of satisfaction.  Our “baby” had turned 21; we’d had a wonderful afternoon together, enjoying the outdoors; we’d spent time with each of our kids that day; and, to my great relief, I’d finished the last of my gift knitting.  Which leads us to…</p> <p><strong>Selfish Knitting Month</strong></p> <p>I have a cloth-covered blank notebook that I hesitantly call my knitting journal.  I say hesitantly because since November 2008 I’ve only used up two pages.  It’s the place where I keep track of my gift knitting, writing down what I want to make for who, and ticking off each project as I complete it.  Because I knit on gifts all year long it helps to have a list of what I’ve already knit so that I have an idea of where I stand as various birthdays and the Christmas season approach.</p> <p>In August this year, after making a list of prospective gifts, I had jotted down some projects I wanted to make for myself: a couple of sweaters, a couple of shawls, and some winter accessories.  A week or two ago I realized that while I had worked my way through most of the gifts, I had cast on only one item on my own to-do list (Laminaria), and I’d worked on it for only a day or two before setting it aside.  What was wrong with this picture?</p> <p>When I took a look at what I’d knit since the summer, and then over the course of the past year,  I realized that it wasn’t only gift knitting that had prevented me from casting on these other items, it was also my participation in various knitalongs.  Every month I cast on for two or three KAL’s, in addition to having one or two gift items on the go at all times.  No wonder I hadn’t had much time to knit on sweaters and shawls and such for myself.</p> <p>Now obviously, nobody forces me to knit gifts or participate in KAL’s.  I knit gifts for people I know will appreciate them and look forward to seeing their pleasure at receiving them, even if at times I don’t enjoy the actual knitting.  As for KAL’s, I like the camaraderie of the various groups, the motivation of a deadline, and the added bonus of potential prizes.  The downside is that gift knitting and KAL’s prevent me from knitting other projects on my wishlist, many of which I’ve already purchased yarn for.</p> <p>I’m not about to stop knitting gifts entirely.  There are some people I really enjoy knitting for and many of the socks I knit for others are “mindless” projects, saved for car rides or watching TV, and do not detract from my other knitting.  What I am going to do is avoid large gifts, like afghans, for the foreseeable future and ease the pressure on myself to produce a knitted gift.  If I’m not feeling it, it’s not happening.  </p> <p>It’s also time to step away from the knitalong.  This shouldn’t be too difficult.  The ZenGoddess and 50 Socks/50 States KAL’s are both coming to an end and I’m also considering sitting out this round of SKA.  I’d already decided that this year I was only going to participate in the mystery sock KAL’s (which take place every other month) but as fun as they are I am reconsidering the wisdom of knitting a sock I may or may not love when there are tons of patterns I <em>know</em> I want to knit.  Besides, SKA has become so large (over 11, 600 members) that it has become impossible to keep up with each month’s discussion, let alone all the other threads on the board.  What I will continue with is Chrissy Gardiner’s CSK.  It’s like the best of both worlds—it’s made up of many familiar, longtime SKA members and although we are united in our desire to knit each month’s sock design there are no deadlines or restrictions.  </p> <p>Another thing I’m cutting back on is my participation in yarn clubs.  While I’ve really enjoyed receiving yarny packages in the mail every month or two I’m ready to focus on the yarns and patterns I already own.  I’m not giving up clubs entirely—there are still five shipments to come from the 7 Wonders club, I will most likely continue with the Sip ‘n Stitch club when the tea version recommences in six months, and I have just signed up for the <a href="http://theuniquesheep.com/Clubs/colorcoop.htm" target="_blank">Color Co-op</a>—but I have resisted the temptation to sign up for several others that have caught my eye.  </p> <p>After I had my revelation a couple of weeks ago I made a determined effort to finish up all of my outstanding gift knitting and KAL projects, with an eye to finishing them by October 31st.  I missed the deadline by a mere hour and a half, casting off a fingerless glove for my Mom at 1:30 this morning.  All that’s left is some blocking and finishing work, which will take a few hours at most.  </p> <p>Therefore, I hereby declare November “Selfish Knitting Month” and plan to work on whatever takes my fancy, with no deadlines in sight.  The first thing I’m going to do is rummage through my stash to find the perfect yarn for this month’s CSK sock, “Nuppy Diamonds”.  I think it will feel strange at first to be free of deadlines (even if they are usually self-imposed) but I am looking forward to a more freeing and relaxed knitting experience in the weeks leading up Christmas.  After all, knitting is supposed to be <em>fun</em>, right?</p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-50682540611471352802010-10-10T19:42:00.001-07:002010-10-10T19:48:27.809-07:00To Frisco and Back in the Blink of an Eye<p>It was just a week ago that I was packing our suitcases for our trip to San Francisco but as I write the bags have already been emptied and the last of the holiday laundry has been washed and put away.  I’m not sure where the time went but I know we had fun.</p> <p>We left the clouds behind as we sailed under the Lion’s Gate Bridge and out of Vancouver last Monday afternoon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5TIRcN7I/AAAAAAAABhs/CPt6LjUAegg/s1600-h/San%20Francisco%20018%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="San Francisco 018" border="0" alt="San Francisco 018" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5TjouitI/AAAAAAAABhw/KMbzyBAuHS0/San%20Francisco%20018_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>   </p> <p>They say a red sky at night is a sailor’s delight and that proved to be the case.  The weather was perfect for the remainder of our trip.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5ULDw2EI/AAAAAAAABh0/nxe7NzPAreM/s1600-h/San%20Francisco%20038%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="San Francisco 038" border="0" alt="San Francisco 038" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5VMQg6HI/AAAAAAAABh4/32OKBwwrA2A/San%20Francisco%20038_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>After a lazy Tuesday at sea the cruise portion of our holiday came to an end when our ship passed beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and into San Francisco Bay on Wednesday morning.    </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5VnJsFMI/AAAAAAAABh8/P6iJ2f2wCpU/s1600-h/San%20Francisco%20051%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="San Francisco 051" border="0" alt="San Francisco 051" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5WDtqWMI/AAAAAAAABiA/WjkG4XzYD-Y/San%20Francisco%20051_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>After checking into our hotel we spent the afternoon shopping.  Or rather, Alison and I shopped and the guys patiently tagged along.  A few weeks before we left for our trip I’d learned that <a href="http://artfibers.com/index.php" target="_blank">ArtFibers</a> was reopening in a new location, which just happened to be on the same street as our hotel.  It had to be a sign, I’m sure of it.</p> <p>ArtFibers is not your ordinary yarn store.  It carries only its own line of yarns, which are wound onto cones and sold by the yard.  There are samples knit up in almost every colour of every yarn, along with suggested yardages for common projects such as sweaters and scarves.  If you like, you can indulge in a little “yarn tasting” and try out the yarns for yourself before you make your final choices.  There were so many beautiful yarns it was hard to decide but I finally narrowed it down to four.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5W2lEiuI/AAAAAAAABiE/8lfLRJlode0/s1600-h/Knitting%201883%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1883" border="0" alt="Knitting 1883" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5XYIaLII/AAAAAAAABiI/ajfTQCqXfsQ/Knitting%201883_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>   </p> <p>Just after we arrived at the shop and began looking around I heard some familiar voices.  A quick peek at their faces confirmed my suspicions—it was Jenny and Nicole from <a href="http://www.stashandburn.com" target="_blank">Stash & Burn</a>.  They were there checking out the new store and recording their next podcast.  I have been a longtime fan of their podcast and am a member of their Ravelry group so it was a pleasure to meet them in person.</p> <p>The next day we went on a wine tour in the Napa Valley.  We visited four wineries in all and each had its own style and offered a different experience.  We tasted all sorts of different wines, had an amazing picnic lunch, saw grapes being crushed, and toured a vineyard.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5YfwSx0I/AAAAAAAABiM/I3RsfkPN0v4/s1600-h/San%20Francisco%20095%5B17%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="San Francisco 095" border="0" alt="San Francisco 095" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5Zslud_I/AAAAAAAABiQ/T8jMqQi23Rs/San%20Francisco%20095_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5acnBTvI/AAAAAAAABiU/eKhFSj_Fcrk/s1600-h/San%20Francisco%20110%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="San Francisco 110" border="0" alt="San Francisco 110" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5aimeF6I/AAAAAAAABiY/6nROtvVn0Rw/San%20Francisco%20110_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5bVpvz7I/AAAAAAAABic/E9ACtsyI0MI/s1600-h/San%20Francisco%20121%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="San Francisco 121" border="0" alt="San Francisco 121" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5bzsDn2I/AAAAAAAABig/XcUkl3shXq8/San%20Francisco%20121_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>  </p> <p>That evening we had a delicious seafood dinner at Fishermans Wharf before heading back to the hotel to watch the Giants beat the Atlanta Braves in the first game of the playoffs.</p> <p>We’d planned to go to Alcatraz on Friday but discovered that there were no more tours available until the following day so we did some other touristy things instead.</p> <p>We rode the cable cars, </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5cSkt2UI/AAAAAAAABik/Qfd_FugvpFc/s1600-h/San%20Francisco%20147%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="San Francisco 147" border="0" alt="San Francisco 147" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5c4WaM3I/AAAAAAAABio/tlqAzts45Cg/San%20Francisco%20147_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>checked out the crookedest street in the world,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5dxG11gI/AAAAAAAABis/hI5ltEp3zxs/s1600-h/San%20Francisco%20164%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="San Francisco 164" border="0" alt="San Francisco 164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5e_8ttsI/AAAAAAAABiw/967YIitAtNA/San%20Francisco%20164_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="366" /></a> </p> <p>and spent some more time at Fishermans Wharf, where we did a bit of shopping and were thoroughly entertained by some California sea lions, </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5ftmGvrI/AAAAAAAABi0/NdO0p58csiE/s1600-h/San%20Francisco%20170%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="San Francisco 170" border="0" alt="San Francisco 170" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5gLrtSmI/AAAAAAAABi4/7XXmY23bCmk/San%20Francisco%20170_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>There was an airshow going on and we got a good look at The Blue Angels and a few other performers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5goa3KAI/AAAAAAAABi8/2-mtVF45MA4/s1600-h/San%20Francisco%20207%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="San Francisco 207" border="0" alt="San Francisco 207" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TLJ5hA5c9zI/AAAAAAAABjA/7LjGXA4Yb9A/San%20Francisco%20207_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>After another seafood dinner we returned to the hotel for our last evening.  Once again we tuned into the Giants game but this time they were beaten by the Braves in extra innings.</p> <p>Saturday morning it was time to say goodbye to the sunshine and head back to rainy Vancouver.  As much as I enjoyed our holiday it was good to return home, despite the weather.  Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving and I am looking forward to having the family together for turkey dinner.  With great kids, good health, and a grandchild on the way we have a lot to be thankful for.</p> <p>And yarn, of course.  Every day I am thankful for yarn.</p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-23351358272398082612010-09-30T17:31:00.001-07:002010-09-30T17:34:19.093-07:00Practically Perfect in Every Way<p>You know how some days you feel good just to be alive?  This has been one of those days.</p> <p>First, there’s the weather.  We’ve had a real mixed bag lately, alternating between sun and clouds and pouring down rain.  Today there is not a cloud in the sky, with just the hint of a soft breeze.  </p> <p>I mean, there’s no other way to describe it other than <em>soft.</em>  I sat out on the swing this afternoon and was struck by how the light touch of the breeze felt neither cool nor warm, just <em>soft.</em></p> <p>Meanwhile, the air has been continually filled with the sound of birds chirping and chittering.  The feeders are a buzz of activity these days.  I’m used to seeing house finches, chickadees, house sparrows, and Stellar’s jays year round but I’ve recently spotted many of my favourites, including juncos, white-crowned sparrows, towhees, bush tits, and flickers, returning from their summer grounds.  The goldfinches are still hanging around but are wearing their winter colours and will soon be migrating south.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TKUr1USQ1TI/AAAAAAAABhM/n9yDhEb9EH8/s1600-h/September%202010%20003%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="September 2010 003" border="0" alt="September 2010 003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TKUr17gMonI/AAAAAAAABhQ/FPTNS1OQahI/September%202010%20003_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>   </p> <p>I also woke up this morning with a sense of satisfaction.  Last night I finished the first pair of what I am dubbing “the Alaska socks”<em>.</em></p> <p><em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TKUr2uHNgAI/AAAAAAAABhU/e587DGeEnNU/s1600-h/Knitting%201855%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1855" border="0" alt="Knitting 1855" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TKUr3TR6mDI/AAAAAAAABhY/3r0lLViUmKw/Knitting%201855_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="486" /></a> </em></p> <p>The yarn for this pair was bought at Mission Street Arts & Fibers in Ketchikan.  It’s Bear Feet by <em>Raven Frog Fiber Arts</em> in the “Northern Lights” colourway knit into a basic stockinette sock.</p> <p>Ketchikan was our last port and <em>Raven Frog</em> was the only yarn left on my souvenir list (I’d already purchased yarn from two other Alaskan dyers in Juneau and Skagway) but, truth be told, there wasn’t much of a selection so I chose what I thought was the best of the bunch.  I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about the bright, neon green and purple bits but when I began to knit I was pleasantly surprised with how they knit up in predictable spirals against the navy background.  And with its cashmere content the yarn is oh, so soft.  I am going to enjoy wearing these this winter.</p> <p>I also finished another pair of socks yesterday afternoon.  Two in one day—not bad, huh?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TKUr35a6iZI/AAAAAAAABhc/yRpFI2HhPLc/s1600-h/Knitting%201862%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1862" border="0" alt="Knitting 1862" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TKUr4-FOSAI/AAAAAAAABhg/m1rb3IEDw8Q/Knitting%201862_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="486" /></a>   </p> <p></p> <p>These are “Archery Socks”, the second installment of Chrissy Gardiner’s CSK.  We’ve been gearing up for October’s sock, featuring yarn from The Unique Sheep’s Gradiance Collection and got our first glimpse of the pattern today.  Instead of simply knitting the shades from light to dark along the length of the sock, Chrissy has designed a sock that combines the shades from either end of the gradiance in a colourwork pattern.  As much as I’d love to jump right into this one I’ll have to wait until I receive my yarn order from The Unique Sheep, which probably won’t arrive for a couple of weeks.  </p> <p>What did arrive on my doorstep and added to today’s perfection was my goodie bag from the CSK, which was awarded to the first 100 members to sign up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TKUr56g1oLI/AAAAAAAABhk/HSZjaQh6pFw/s1600-h/Knitting%201857%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Knitting 1857" border="0" alt="Knitting 1857" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qUjoVt3Z8B0/TKUr6tVXZjI/AAAAAAAABho/EyBOo-q6wIo/Knitting%201857_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a>      </p> <p>Besides a canvas bag, we received all sorts of goodies, including a needle case, a couple of yarn samples, a sock-blocker keychain kit, a scarf pattern, a stitch marker, a ruler/needle-gauge, notepads, pens and a pencil, a button, and a box of yarn-themed gift cards.</p> <p>As if life wasn’t good enough, it is about to get even better.  On Monday afternoon we are setting sail on a two-day cruise to San Francisco, where we will spend three nights before heading home on Saturday.  My sister and brother-in-law, Alison and Stan, are traveling with us and we are all looking forward to exploring the city, touring Alcatraz, and going on a Napa Valley wine tour while we are there.  San Francisco is one of those cities I’ve wanted to revisit so I am very excited to finally get the chance.  Cross your fingers that the good weather there holds.</p> <p><em>BTW, Hallett’s Ledge is back on track.  I’ve finished the sweater body but I’ve had to put it on hold for the time being while I work on some gift knitting.  I’m hoping to get back on the ledge before too long.</em></p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289175154577051918.post-39506219002758019192010-09-15T23:49:00.001-07:002010-09-15T23:51:08.048-07:00Falling off the Ledge<p>You know how it is when you start a new project and you’re all enthused?  You knit and knit and ooh and ah over your progress and don’t want to put it down for anything.</p> <p>That’s how I <strike>feel</strike> felt about Hallett’s Ledge.</p> <p>I cast on yesterday afternoon and happily knit my way through the ribbing.  When it came time to begin the decreases I plotted them all out in my notebook and began to tick them off as I worked each set.  By the time I went to bed I had several inches to show for my effort.</p> <p>This morning I eagerly picked the sweater back up again and continued to work the ribbing.  I determined how long I wanted the lower half to be and worked a few extra rows to make up for the smaller row gauge of my DK yarn before beginning the increases.  Just after dinner I finally finished the ten or so inches of ribbing and prepared to begin the upper part of the sweater.  In only two days I’d knit about 2/3 of what it had taken me well over a year to accomplish on Fylingdales.  I was feeling great.</p> <p>Then I counted my stitches and came up eight short.</p> <p>Huh?  </p> <p>It didn’t take long to figure out where I’d gone wrong.  Instead of decreasing every 4 rows once and every 6 rows 4 times I had decreased every 4 rows once and every 6 rows <strong><em>6</em></strong> times.  I’d obviously had six on the brain.  Sigh…</p> <p>Resignedly, I frogged the sweater back to where I should have worked the final decrease and put the stitches back on my needle, ready to continue the pattern as written.  That’s when I realized that by doing so I would have to add an extra couple of inches between the last decrease and the first increase, significantly altering the lines of the sweater.  Blame it on the smaller row gauge and my long waist.  </p> <p>Well, I’d rather do it right than do it quickly so I reworked the frequency of the decreases (every 8 rows 5 times) and ripped back a few more inches.  It’s on the needles again, ready to go, and with any luck I’ll be back on the ledge in a day or two.</p> <p>I love knitting.  Especially ribbing.  </p> <p>No, really…  </p> Knitsnpurlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396737283430202985noreply@blogger.com1