I really need photos - yet another update...

Yes, I still have no batteries in my camera. *sigh*. However:

1) Remika's scarf - done. Pink and girly, long and warm. To be posted ASAP.

2) My striped scarf - uh, hiding? I can't find the bag it's in. Oops. SO...

3) My new soft boucle tube scarf. About an inch done. Because I got distracted by...

4) Peter's sweater. Growing slowly but daily. This may take a while but I'm loving it (and knitting it with love). Maybe it'll be his wedding present... that give me until May!

5) Blanket. Uh, still in progress. But I don't love knitting it, which makes it difficult.

6) Alison's scarf. One of my coworkers scored an amazing deal on some Moda Dea aerie, the same stuff I used for my fuzzy blue shawl last year. She got three balls each of a dusty pink and tangerine-orange, and wants a long, wide scarf. Easy peasy - 15mm needles, 21 stitches. However, it may take awhile because big needle knitting hurts my hands lately. *sigh*

AND - I really need to get the camera back up, because I have stuff to take pictures of. Namely, SEA SILK! and GREAT BIG SEA SILK! Yes, I splurged at Inspirations on Friday and now have no yarn budget left (who am I kidding, I never HAD a yarn budget!). Seriously - $100 on yarn in one day? I have to stop now. Knit knit knit, but don't buy. Not 'til after Christmas... oh dear, it's another yarn fast. Yup!

Pictures soon I hope!

Still no photos, another update

God, two weeks gone and no post... things have been busy! First up in news is - Peter and I have set a wedding date! Yay!!! Sunday, May 20, 2007. Much to do between now and then, but it will be small and simple so hopefully low-stress and reasonably low-cost. That's the big news.

Now the knit-news:
1) Remika's scarf is coming along GORGEOUS. It's Freshisle Fibers softspun in cochineal pink, carried along with a strand of Vespa (colourway #1644), and it's super-warm-sparkly-girly fun. I'm hoping to finish it this week to send to her at school because it's getting darn cold out! Which brings me to...

2) My scarf. Striped denim and natural Mission Falls wool , 2" wide stripes in 2x2 ribbing, and I think it's about 4" wide. I'm into the second ball of each colour and I'm loving it - but oh, all those ends to weave in later! I'll think about it later. ;) Again, needs to be finished ASAP because it matches the toque and it's getting windy and damp in the mornings and evenings here.

3) The blanket - stalled. BUT - we're getting our furnace installed this week (YAY!) so it's a less pressing issue.

4) Fuzzy Feet - decided against. Will probably make socks of the dye party yarn, when the sock mood strikes again.

5) Uh... what else? Peter's sweater. Still to be started. I need to write out the pattern and make some adjustments and then re-swatch (Actually, I should swatch first, shouldn't I?). I am going to start it soon, honest!

6) N8an and Dan's blanket - well, I've got the yarn...

7) Sandy's shawl - in progress but slowly. Not for lack of love or interest, just really don't like the green. But she does. So it must be knit. I'll have to watch hockey while I knit it. (oh darn!)

And that's about it. OH! Yumi's shawl. That's in progress as my travel-with-to-work and such knitting. It's growing steadily but slowly. Yumi, when's your birthday again? (eep!)

Lots of other "want-to" projects in the bins but I think this is plenty for now... I have a term paper to research and write and other things to do (like, plan the wedding!), so may need to knit a little less. Dagnabit.

However, Ottawa SnB is Wednesday night - YAY! - so I get my quality estrogen time in. Love the SnB gals, they put things in such wonderful perspective for me. Now, back to the books and my scarf. Study an hour, knit half an hour. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!

No photos today but an update

First, big thanks to J. for the dye party yesterday! Whenever I get together with the local knitting gals, I always enjoy myself and this was a terrific afternoon. I brought two balls of Patons Classic wool to dye, but first they needed to be skeined. One was taken over by Jo's daughter (a precocious nine-year-old who spins and knits and knows more about fleece than I ever hope to). She niddy-noddy'ed it whilst I wrestled with the other. Note to self - you suck at skeining. Leave it to those who know. Big thanks to Jo for getting me untangled.

So we did Kool-Aid dying, which is fruit-smelling fun. As per my usual impatient mode with dye things (generally, tie-dye tshirts), I did not make nice stripes, or interesting patterns. I squirted on blue, green, purple, and pink and then smooshed it all in to a kind of muddy mauve. However, it's dry now and rather pretty - I'll take a picture and post it later. I was thinking socks, but now it may become Fuzzy Feet slippers because I think the felting will make the coloration look even better.

Peter's neckwarmer, which I had mentally designed last winter, is now knit up and ready for this winter - I just need to sew on the velcro closure. Basically it's a variation on a triangle shawl - I cast on 20 stitches (Patons classic wool, doubled) on an 8mm needle and knit in 2x2 rib, knit two rows, increase one stitch each end for the next two rows, knit two rows, and so on until it was deep (long) enough, then doubled and redoubled all the ribs (with a few work-even rows interspersed) until it was long (wide) enough to wrap 'round his big ol' manly neck. Only problem is, the ribbing makes it kind of... ruffly. Like an Elizabethan ruff. BUT - I knit it deep (long) enough to actually fold over at the top which pretty much flattens out the ruffle. Anyway it's for warmth not looks. :)

Still working away on Kid's shawl, which she made ooh-ahh noises over this evening - that's my "in the bag" knitting. And slow but steady progress on the blanket - White Buffalo, for our queen-size bed. This may be a long WIP, folks...

Now I have a NPD - New Project Dilemma. I want to make a ribbed/striped scarf for me, to match my new toque. I also want to make a pair of the aforementioned Fuzzy Feet slippers because our floors are very cold and we won't have a furnace for at least another three weeks (grumble). AND I have an idea for a pretty pink scarf for a friend who's gone off to school - it'll be chunky weight, with the Freshisle Fibers softspun held together with a strand of Vespa shiny boucle. Supergirly and super warm. Besides, R. is one of the few people I know over the age of sixteen who actually looks good in soft pink.

So I'm torn three ways - I suppose I could start them all and rotate through them an hour at a time or something. Actually that might be wise because they're all different needle sizes and my hands would like that. I should swatch up the LB Homespun I got today for Sandy's shawl too so she can pick which colourway she likes. Thank heavens there's a long weekend coming up! Although I have course readings to do too... okay, here's the plan: For every hour of reading, I get a half-hour knitting break. That's fair, right? Right.

Pictures later in the week, I promise. I'm not working nights at the store right now so I have more time (yay!) for blogging, and reading, and knitting. Life is good.

And it's hat season!

A new toque, hot (well, snuggly warm) off the needles. This is what I'd call a luxical toque - luxurious but practical. It's a very good yarn but easy care. Mission Falls superwash wool, 1 ball each of "Denim" (#21) and "Natural" (#1). 2x2 rib on 5mm bamboo needles. A pretty quick knit, less than a week in "here and there" stints with a finishing push on tonight.

The stripes are approx. 2" wide and I must say a very special thanks to the gang over at KnitTalk, especially Adele, for helping me preserve the ribbing over the decreases at the top. Adele, your math rocks and I love you for it! Although I admit (and you can see in the picture, the email printout under the hat) that I only went to decrease row 7 and then fudged it because I was running out of yarn. But it's long enough for an ear-warming foldup at the bottom, so it's all good.

I loved this colour, stripe, and stitch combination so much that I splurged and bought another six balls (3 of each) to make a matching scarf. Simple but special, and the blue is a near-perfect match to my fall/early-winter coat, so it'll be getting lots of wear over the next few months (until heavy parka weather hits and I bring my lovely Tosca set back out of storage!). So I will start the scarf tomorrow night. I may not love 2x2 ribbing over 60" as much as I did over 10", but I really want the scarf, so motivation and pure stubbornness will win out!

Now, go knit yourself a hat. You know you want it!

PS, Yumi if you're reading this, your shawl in the laceweight blue Fleece Artist is underway; it's going to be my "travel-in-the-bag" knitting for the next while. :)

PS #2 - Sorry for the sudden change folks, I've reverted to the soothing lighthouse picture now that summer is over. Hot pink just doesn't work for me in cool weather.

It's scarf season!

It's been dipping down to single digits in the overnights and mornings this week, which means time to knit new scarves. Actually, I have a new toque on the needles now too, but it's not toque weather until it goes below zero, for me. So. First up we have the Lion Brand Fun Fur Stripes scarf - 3 balls x 24 stitches (I think?) , straight garter stitch, and it's about 4 feet long by 4" wide. About. Hard to measure fuzzy stuff. Anyway it's doubled up on the shoe rack here and that's about 2 feet (ha ha!) wide, so it's a little under 4 feet.

Interesting stuff, the Fun Fur. I resisted it for the longest while because in the ball, it's nasty stuff. Not cuddly and soft, not sleek, just - fuzzy. And artificially fuzzy, too. But as I knit it (a bit fiddly to start, but then you get the sense of it), I grew to appreciate its qualities. It is "fun" - you can't be in a scowly mood knitting this stuff. And it does make a funky scarf. And, that's about it, but for the price that's enough. This one is going to be a Christmas present actually for the spouse of a co-worker, who really is the perfect person for blue-striped Muppet-y-ness. I may make another - I bought 3 more balls in a rainbowy colourway. Might be nice for spring.

Now, scarf #2 - for ME ME ME!! This is in the new Patons "Rumor" yarn, which I was very much irresistably drawn to after Nancy pointed it out to me. Nancy, thank you! This colourway is called "Hawthorn Heather", and it's a beige-y, taupe-y marl... the shiny taupe twisted around the fuzzy beige. This picture really doesn't do it justice, but it's lovely stuff.

I used two balls (last two of this colour in the store, so that was that!) and the scarf is 9" wide by 36" long. Which, admittedly, is really wide and rather short. BUT - the width allows it to be folded over and it's just long enough to tuck inside the collar of my fall coat. So it's perfect for me. Prescribed needle size was 6.5mm, which worked just fine - I did a Shaker Rib stitch which is open enough to give it some drape and which also allows for the folding to happen without bunching up. I like this yarn a lot - it's very soft, retains body heat amazingly quickly, and is lightweight. One caveat - it sheds like a puppy in springtime when being knit up. I'm hoping it will stop shedding once it's been worn a few times. But I don't mind the shedding really - it's animal fiber (at least partly - 15% alpaca) and animals shed!

I could see making a sweater of this; there's a nice leaf-green colourway called "Fern Heather" that I think would make a flattering sweater. Now I just need a pattern for a chunky-weight sweater that doesn't look like a sweatshirt (my first Shetland Chunky sweater, which I love, is a turtleneck sweatshirt - let's be honest). Actually, this would be terrific for a cardigan for the office... in which case I might go for the "Spanish Heather" instead, because it's got a red marl to it that is really eye-catching. Hm - maybe after Christmas. If it goes on sale, definitely! I don't remember the price; about $6/ball if I'm right. So a cardigan's worth would probably go about $60-$80 bucks - the scarf, draped over one arm, is a sleeve plus a little. So 4 balls for 2 sleeves, at least 6 or 8 for the body. Yikes. Time to start dropping Christmas gift hints, I guess!

Current OTN: stripe-y toque in navy blue and cream, for me, and a laceweight Fleece Artist shawl for Yumi. I want to start Peter's sweater soon, but I have to rewrite the pattern to reverse all the knits and purls so I don't space out midway and screw it up. This is probably going to be a birthday sweater (March), not a Christmas sweater. Oh well. He's gonna look GORGEOUS in it whenever it is done!

Ok, laundry and another stripe of toque-y goodness. Interesting sidenote: my head is 22" diameter. Is that normal for a medium-tall, medium-weight woman? I have no idea. Where's my Knitting Rules, I need to look this up... ok, small adult = 20", large adult = 24". So yes - I am a medium-sized adult. On the other hand, Brent Butt's head is 29" around. This is true, I heard him say it on one of his TV specials. That's bigger than my waist. Wow. I wonder if anyone's ever knit him a toque? Well, probably his mom. But as an adult, I wonder. Perhaps I should knit him a nice Corner Gas red/yellow/green toque.

Ok, laundry and another stripe. Now, really now. I can hear my socks wrinkling in the dryer. HAH! gotcha!

Update: the Kit is a gimp

I tore a ligament in my knee. Ow ow ow. Which means I'm not at the store tonight, but will try very hard to be there for tomorrow night (i'm practicing my cane walking). On the upside, being forced to sit and keep the leg elevated means lots of knitting time; I finished a pair of slippers for my grandmother yesterday. Today I'm working on finishing Alison's shawl before I launch into Peter's sweater. So if you're coming to the store tonight, just ask at Customer Service if you can have a Friends and Family coupon - they should give you one. Or see me tomorrow, I'll be in from 5-9 - easy to spot, i'll be the one with the cane!

Important Flash to Ottawa people!

Hi everyone, if you're local to me and there's a chance of seeing me between now and next Saturday, please arrange to do so. Michaels is having a special "Friends and Family" event from September 14th to 16th (so Thursday through Saturday) where, if you have one of the special invitation cards, you get 25% off your ENTIRE order (not just one item like the usual crappy coupons). I have 40 of these cards - if you want one, email me at kthurber*at*rogers*dot*com and we'll try to arrange a hook-up. Worst case scenario, I'll be working at the store (South Keys location) Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights this week, 5-closing (which is 9). So you can come see me there, I'll keep a few cards in my apron just in case.

Can I flog a few products? Of course I can, it's my blog. :)

We have the new Soy With Stripes (soy/wool self-striping) and Rumours (alpaca/acrylic) from Patons, which are yummy and very neat colours. We have Takumi bamboo knitting needles. We have lots of pattern leaflets and a few of the bigger yarn books (sorry, titles escape me). And of course scrapbooking stuff (*cough*Kid*cough*) and all manner of other crafty things.

So come visit me at work! Or email me, or something! Because really, I like to share such goodies with my friends.

That's it for now - "peace out" as the kiddies say.

And time flies...

So much to do, and the days are literally getting shorter all the time! So odd now to be finishing up at the store (or not even finished) and it's already dark outside, and it's near-dark when getting up in the morning too... the light is leaving and sweater weather is upon us. Which means I really need to knit some sweaters! When stash-diving for some shawl yarn last night (more on that later), I found the bag-o-KnitPicks for Peter's Christmas sweater, and kept it out of the bin, hoping that its visible presence with get me motivated to start the dang thing. It's going to be gorgeous, I just need a quiet hour or two to get started.

I also need to (dang quick) make yet another pair of bootie slippers for my grandmother. Apparently she's worn out the last two pairs, made of Softee Chunky, so I think it's time to move to something more durable - Red Heart Supersaver. Mom & Dad are going to visit the East Coast branch(es) of the family in about two weeks, so these slippers have to happen ASAP. Probably tomorrow before work, as my only free evening this week upcoming is Thursday and we'll be having MIL over for dinner that night.

Speaking of dinners, last night we had one of my favourite people out to eat and movie with us, the beautiful and charming and generally wonderful Kid. Kid is the rarest of all people-creatures, she can inspire me to total childish silliness (knock-knock jokes abounded last night, followed by a severe gigglefit) and can also share the most serious topics of conversation, life issues (hers and mine), and just about anything else that comes along. She loves stuffies. She's a total Buffy geek. She really appreciates a home-cooked meal (Praise for my cooking is a joy to me). She, basically, is a small burst of happiness in this odd old world. I love her like a sister, maybe more because she's never hit me with a ukelele or kneeled on my chest trying to choke me to death. But I digress.

Kid is also a wonderful person to knit presents for - I've made her a couple of hats and a scarf and her enthusiasm makes me feel terrific. So in passing the other day (it may have been at the wedding), I asked her if I had knit her a shawl yet. No. Ok. So last night after dinner and movie, we dove into the bins and came out with two balls of Fleece Artist - one is the remnant of the stuff I used for Teresa's going-away shawl (still oodles of yardage left, blue/pink/green shades) and the other is a new one just picked up last week, goldielocks in rusty/plum/gold shades. We couldn't decide which was better, so I'm going to make her one in each. She looks fabulous in pretty much everything she wears, so I'm looking forward to her wearing Fleece Artist shawls knit by me! So I need to start one of them soon too... that may become travel/lunch knitting, since shawls are fairly portable for the first while, anyway - especially that laceweight. Hm.

Sadly, I've passed out of the sock-frenzy I was in last month and did not actually finish any socks. They're all in time-out for now, waiting patiently. Probably until Christmas when things quiet down a bit. Oh, crap - look at the time. I have to be downtown in an hour for a Books'N'Brunch with my bookcrossing group. Time flies!

My Best Friend's Wedding

Well, one of my best friends, anyway. Today N8an and Dan are finally (and legally!) tying the knot. N8an and I have been close friends since oh, about 1997 or so, I guess. We've seen each other go through good and bad relationships, jobs, haircuts, roommates. Now he's in a career that makes him happy, living in a beautiful home, with the man he loves (and really, has been saving himself up for all these years). I'm beyond happy for him - I'm thrilled!

Sometimes, the good guys win. I'm glad this is one of those times. :)

Unfortunately, I won't be able to knit at the wedding - I think that's one of those Emily Post no-nos. ;) But it won't be dull, for sure - some of the guests are folks I haven't seen since our shared wild university days, and most (if not all) of us have pretty much settled down and grown up by now. So now, I have to go get all dolled up for this; I know all eyes will be on the grooms but I still want to look good! I'll be wearing my Bronze Butterfly shawl or the Olympic shawl - can't decide yet - with something slinky and black, I think.

Get me to the church on time!

Wow, 101 posts!

I just noticed that I've made 100 posts to this blog since I started it, and now this will make 101. So, to celebrate, I will show you actual photos of me - and Peter - with Joe L'Erario. We met Joe at a booksigning last year and it took me this long to (a) find the pictures on the computer and (b) get them to show properly.

You may remember Joe from the supremely educational and wildly entertaining TLC show "Furniture to Go / Furniture on the Mend" back in the early 90s. He did the nifty paint stuff, his partner/sidekick Ed Feldman did the nifty upholstery stuff. Together they wrote the Furniture Guys book, and last year Joe released "Creating the Perfect Wood Finish", which you can see in the corner of the photos. Wacky and useful goodness.


So, here we are - me on the left, Joe the Magnificent in the middle, and Peter on the right. To emphasize the special-occasion'ness of the evening, note that Peter is holding a double-tall latte from Starbucks instead of his usual large-double-cream from Tim Horton's.

And no, I am NOT pregnant - it was winter and I was wearing a big sweater. I also weighed about 20 lbs. more than I do now. But please note the lovely Tosca striped scarf, handknit by me. As usual, Peter looks all rugged and manly - "so construction-y", as he puts it. Gotta love a guy with power tools. :)

And the light dawns...

Realized today why my knitting (and other) energy has been down. I'm sick. Went to the doctor this afternoon with raging fever, pain in knuckles and back, headache and general blah-ness. I've got an unspecified virus... they took some blood. Tomorrow I go back in the morning (after fasting, NO JOY) and they take more blood.

But for tonight, no knitting, no more computer, no nothin'. Soup and sleep.

Socks and shawls and socks and shawls

This has been a pretty stressful week and not much knitting getting done. I had to frog my Clapotis, Peter's Marble sock #1 is still awaiting a try-on and toe decrease, and I have my Shetland Chunky sock #1 at about the same state. Right now all I feel like knitting is garter stitch on big needles, so I've been working a bit on the triangle shawl for Alison, in Bernat "Harmony". It's soft and pretty and I don't have to think about it.

I have a lot going on these days, and more coming soon, and I have to keep reminding myself that the knitting is for enjoyment and relaxation, so if I've only got the energy and focus for plain garter, that's okay. It's still knitting. I do need to start something simple for take-along knitting, though; while socks travel well, I don't really feel like doing socks. Maybe I'll start one of the Fun Fur scarves that Janice suggested. That will be good breaktime/lunchtime/appointment knitting, I hope. Or maybe a new circular hat. I could use a new hat, with fall coming on.

But, deadlines and knitting right now are Not Good, so I'm not pressuring myself for anything. You know what they say about pressure - it makes either diamonds or dust. Normally I tend to the diamond category, but this past couple of weeks I've been feeling dusty.

Dang and Double Dang!

Karma Chameleon Clapotis is in the frog pond. Ripped back to zero because I (stupidly) was trying to work on it while my idiot landlord was futzing about with our electrical system, and he wouldn't shut up and I messed up my stitch count. Dang!

So I threw it all in a bag (because my ballwinder was also being uncooperative) and it will be in time-out until Saturday when I can untangle and restart. I love the pattern, I love the yarn, I hate my landlord.

In other knit-news, Peter's marble sock #1 is nearing completion - just needs a try-on to check for length and then I can start toe decreases. And the second sock, of course!

But for now, bed. Two-shift day tomorrow so I need my beauty sleep.

Happy birthday to me!

So yesterday, I turned 35. Not really a bad thing, in fact it was pretty good. Spent the afternoon golfing with Peter and our neighbours, Sandy & Dan. Then BBQ / party at Sandy & Dan's later, complete with Steve singing and playing guitar, and toasted marshmallows over the firepit. Any day that ends with toasted marshmallows is a good day.

I also got $75 in gift cards for Yarn Forward; $50 from mom & dad and $25 from Peter's mom. JOY! I did spend a little already on the Marble for Carole's Clapotis (I may have posted about that already?), but the rest I'm saving for something really special for me.

Speaking of Clapotis, I've finished Row 8 (straight section) for the second time, and dropped the second stitch. I still don't like the way they look dropped; I really hope it looks better when the whole thing's done!

Working this evening and may pick up some LB Fun Fur; I've never really been interested in it but Janice at the store said it's great for quick scarves for gifts and right now we've got in on sale for 2 balls/$5. That's a good deal, so I might try to find some colours that aren't too horrific. :)

KC Clapotis - 1st picture!

This week has been pretty busy; tonight is my 4th shift this week at the store along with the usual "day job" insanity (I'll be SO glad when summer is over!) so not much knitting time. Did get out to Bridgehead Stitch'n'Bitch on Wednesday night for a little while at least... so good to see the ladies even though I did have to rush off for a "House" date with Peter. Note: "House" is quite possibly the most addictive show ever. Be warned.

Anyway, this afternoon I finally had time to start on the straight section and dropped my first stitch. No bells rang, no angels sang out. And it looks kind of... sloppy. I'm hoping more will improve the look. We shall see. Here is a picture of the Karma Chameleon Clapotis at the end of Straight Section #1 (following pattern, I did the standard # of increase sections):

It's purty. I enjoy this pattern, and (like others) I already have a second one in mind - in Marble (which you know is one of my favourite yarns) for a friend of mine who, sadly, has a "no animal fiber" allergy. Yay for pretty acrylic! That will be a Christmas gift, I hope.

In other knit-news, I got a package in the mail Monday from Marian at Freshisle Fibers - JOY! Two balls of lilacy-pink softspun and a housewarming gift - a ball of fingering weight in a really neat bluey-green... kind of looks like Lake Huron on a cloudy day, so totally reminds me of Manitoulin. I think I will attempt a lace scarf with it; some kind of waves/water pattern to play up the colour.

Still working away on Peter's socks here and there, but no photos yet. I also got a $50 gift card for Yarn Forward for my birthday - JOY! again. Spent some of it on the Marble for Carole's Clapotis, but some is reserved for a rumoured incoming shipment of Handmaiden. OOOH!

Now, off to work again. Friday night before the Saturday flyer. Should be fun!

The Karma Chameleon Clapotis is underway!

Today we finally got our front porch/storage area cleaned out and (mostly) organized, so I could get into my stash bins and start my Clappy! I'm using Red Heart Soft Touch (they call it a "4" medium worsted, but it feels more like a DK to me) in colour #4612, which is red, gold, and green - hence, Karma Chameleon. :)

I started it on 6.5 mm Addis, but the yarn/needle combination was too slick and the ktbl's were a pain in the butt, so restarted it on 5.5 mm Clover bamboo straights and it's going wonderfully! One little hiccup on the first increase attempt (but that was on the Addis, so no harm, I was frogging anyway), but now I'm sailing along. LOVING the rhythm of the pattern - I've completed my 2nd increase section and like the gauge so far - I think once I get to dropping things it will have a lovely drape. Also using the "purl the 2Bdropped" technique and that makes the fabric much tidier than the markers I tried on the first go-round.

Hoping to do another repeat or two of the increases tomorrow before work, then it will probably rest until next weekend (I'm not confident enough yet in the pattern to take it to midweek SnB!). But I'm pleased so far and the slight nip in the air tonight is certainly compatible with these autumn-y colours.

Got a couple rows done on Peter's Marble sock too, after dinner (we had my parents, Peter's Mom, my sis and neice over for BBQ - house full!). A good reward of knitting after a day of chores.

Now, bed. Working tomorrow - must not buy more yarn!

I'm sinking under WIPs!

All right, there are worse ways to go than to be buried under an avalanche of yarn, but I've really got to rein in this start-itis bout I've been on lately. Confession time: here's the WIP list:

1) Peter's Mega Boots socks: 1 at the ankle gusset, and needs to be ripped back to the heel flap because I totally buggered the stitch count. It's in time out until I get its mate caught up to the heel. Guess what? Haven't cast on the mate yet, though I did pick up the yarn and a second set of the necessary DPNs.

2) Peter's Marble socks: Actually, I'm cruising on these. Just started last weekend for fun and already down the foot of the first one. I really like this yarn and the pattern; I think I can use the same pattern for worsted, like Patons Classic. I've got my Harlot yarn in stash and I think that socks would be appropriate; her paean to handknit socks in Knitting Rules (among other places) really brings home the point about the knit-love connection. Although, maybe I should do something a little... prettier? than a plain-Jane sock? Ok, sorry, I'm digressing like mad here. Next up:

3) My Jaywalkers: pathetic. I bought the yummiest yarn, cast on and have done exactly five pattern repeats beyond the ribbing of the first sock. I need concentration for this sock and I just seem - scatterbrained, I guess, lately. Ah well. They will have their day.

4) Peter's Christmas Sweater: still a swatch. Christmas is slightly over 4 months away.

5) My Clapotis: Well, I dug the yarn out of stash today (finally!) but that was not my fault - our porch (my stash storage) has been kind of a junk repository due to some major home surgery projects in the past week or so. Will be casting this on tomorrow.

6) The office curtain: It's a valance! But growing with every hour at the computer, so at least moving forward.

7) New Shawl (for neighbour Alison): Totally did NOT plan on starting this so soon, but I stopped in to the store on the way home today to get my schedule for the upcoming week and there was a whole bin of Bernat Harmony on sale for $2.00/ball. In a really pretty colourway called "Nature's Blues", which really, just had to be a shawl. So I got five balls. Which, in fairness, is a shawl and a scarf. So I will make the shawl for Alison and a scarf to go in gifting/charity stash. Altruistic knitting! (convinced yet?)

I think that's everything that's currently live or about-to-be live. I did finish Carole's shawl last night and gave it to her today (a week ahead of our birthday, but I couldn't wait). She totally LOVED it - the "Purple Poodle" was Perfect for her. So yay! Peter took some pictures of me wearing the poodle last night, so once we figure out how to get his camera to talk to my computer, I'll post those.

Now, back to reading Knitgroups and working on the curtain. Did I mention that it's about 2' x 2-1/2' of garter, worsted weight? Bleah. But - my honey wants, my honey gets. Love makes us knit funny things. :)

It's my Knitaversary!

It's "civic holiday Monday", which here in Ottawa is called Colonel By Day, in Moncton was called New Brunswick Day, and in Halifax/Dartmouth is Natal Day. I still call it Natal Day weekend, because deep in my heart I wish I could go to the parade, the fair, and the fireworks. Nothing like a holiday to make you homesick. But I digress.

It was on this same long weekend last year that Peter and I had our whirlwind trip to Manitoulin Island (which we totally fell in love with!), and that I learned to knit. I remember I had this "I taught myself knitting" kit that I bought at Michaels (it's a Boye needles/Lion brand yarn coproduction), and a skein of Red Heart super saver in a beige/blue/orange colourway. We sat in the cabin in the woods, Peter with his book (or, most of the time, napping over his book) and me struggling through those first few rows of stitches. The tranquility of it was amazing and I think contributed largely to my newfound affection for knitting. When we got home again I made a scarf for Peter in Habs colours, and that was the week my daughter was visiting from Halifax and she was admiring how fast I could knit... I would knit while she played "Kill All Humans" on the Playstation. Not really a Kodak moment, but our family is weird anyway.

So my starting-out in knitting was all peaceful and happy, and I've carried that peaceful/happy feeling with me nearly every time I pick up my needles, or play with a new yarn, or read knitblogs and knitgroups, or go to a Stitch'n'Bitch with the gals. It's become an addiction, I admit: a day without knitting is generally a cranky day. And I have a huge stash, only about 3/4 of which is for specific projects. And a project list that will take 2 or 3 years, easy, with more new ones added all the time. But - I love it.

I love knitting the way I love reading, but in some ways more; I can be social when I knit, I can watch hockey or read knitgroups or chat with friends, the way I can't when I'm reading. And the things I have made, and will make... scarves, slippers, sweaters, shawls, socks. Hrm. Mostly "S" projects. Interesting. A couple of throws and blankies also. All that beautiful yarn, knit into warm and often pretty things for my loved ones and sometimes casual friends or even strangers. All those stitches, all the things I've learned. Turning my first sock heel, kitchenering my first toe. Figuring out how yarnovers work, and wrestling with buttonholes until I said not-nice words, but perservering because it was for someone I love. And learning, always learning new things. Someone once told me when you stop learning you're dead. No fear!

And now, on my Knitaversary weekend, another stage of my knitting life, which somehow brings it full circle. See, when I first bought that learn-to-knit kit at Michaels last year, I peeked in the book to see what kind of yarn to buy, and it said "worsted weight". And I asked the nearest sales associate, and she was singularly unhelpful: "Oh, it says on the label what's what." And now, here I am working at Michaels myself! I had my first shift this weekend, and I think I'm going to like it pretty well. I'm in General Crafts, which includes the yarn aisles, and on my first shift I got to answer a couple of knitting questions, which made me feel great - I love that I can share all the knowledge I've piled up the last year with someone else who's maybe just starting out, or is at an unfamiliar stage.

Of course, working at Michaels is also tempting me in new crafting directions - I spent some time in the decorative painting section and the beading section and thought "what if I???". So who knows where that will go. But I think knitting will remain my primary craft passion. Because, after a year, I'm more in love with it than ever (kind of like Peter after six years *wink*).

So happy knitaversary to me!

Getting on the Clapotis bandwagon

I've got 4 pair of socks on the needles, a shawl that's 80% done and a sweater in the swatch stage (say THAT three times fast!). So of course, I have to start something new. And for some time now, I've been drawn to the Clapotis - it's a shawl/scarf, which I love, and I've seen enough of them in person and pics on the Net that I'm really intrigued. Also, I've had a big bag o'yarn in stash since last fall that was going to be a slinky sweater but has decided to be my Clapotis instead. It's Red Heart Soft, in a red/gold/green variegated that Peter calls "Karma Chameleon Yarn." He's such an 80s geek, but I am too, so whatcha gonna do?

And now, since the nice people came and took the dead fridge out of our front porch (yay!), I can get at my yarn bins and dig out the Karma Chameleon Yarn. And it's a long weekend - how sweet is that? So, stay tuned for the Karma Chameleon Clapotis (now, say THAT three times fast!). And the socks, and the other shawl, and the sweater... Yeah, I've got start-itis. It's summer, the season of short attention spans. :)

I feel like knitting a sweater today

Last night the temperature dropped to a brisk 14 degrees (celsius) and it's still cool enough this morning at 11:00 to need a sweater in the computer room. I'm really REALLY tempted to dig into the bins and pull out the Bernat Denimstyle to start my back-to-school sweater today. But I have 5 WIPS on the go already... well, maybe I could just swatch for it. Swatching doesn't count as starting something new, does it?

Speaking of WIPs - progress update:

1) the charity shawl - of the original 5 (or was it 6) balls of the eBay yarn, only 2 remain. Another week of computer knitting and this puppy is done and ready to be put away for the Christmas season. I finally peeled the price stickers off the yarn tag ($1.00 at Woolco/Woolworth, marked down from $2.66), and it's Mohair Plus by Grand Moulin Yarns - 70% acrylic, 15% mohair, 15% nylon. It's a nice chunky weight and verry soft.

2) Peter's Mega Boots socks - the heel is turned on sock #1 at last! Now I need to pick up the gusset and get that foot done, and start #2 ASAP. Gusset-picking-up will happen tonight or tomorrow, and then it's back in the bag for travel knitting.

3) The Purple Poodle - yes, the beast has risen again and I was surprised to see how much I'd completed of it! Did a couple more repeats yesterday and it's coming along well - has to be ready for August 19th for Carole's birthday (it's my birthday too!) so will need a couple of dedicated evenings to finish. The yarn is Cora by Lang - lovely microfibre stuff.

4) Shetland Chunky house socks for me - past halfway mark of the foot on #1. I'm only working on these when my hands get sore from the wee needles of the smaller socks.

5) Jaywalkers in KP Sock Memories (S'mores) - shamefully, no progress since the original 2" when I started them. The pattern is not complicated but does take a fair bit of attention, and it's weeny needles too. I do want to get these done but right now am not real motivated to get moving on them. Odd, because I can't wait to wear that lovely wool on my toes!

Yes, I think I will swatch for the Back-to-School sweater today. It'll only take an hour and then I'll get back to the other stuff.

Happy Sunday, Bloglanders!