Yarn Tales

Finally

2006-09-16T23:27:00.000-06:00

I know, I know, not that the world awaits, but I have been absent for a while. It seems the summer was hot, busy and didn't provide alot of time for blogging. Or at least I didn't make alot of time for blogging.
I did knit some, not alot as seriously handling alot of yarn was not what seemed to be a priority but I did some and pictures are below.
Finished a sweater for A. (9 yo gd) and here she is posing like a goofy 9 year old!

This sweater really does look better in reality than it does in this photo. She didn't seem in the mood to stand still and provide her Grammy with a proud moment !
If I remember correctly she was entertaining her cousins, as my youngest DD and her 3 have moved back to Canada from Osaka and are slowly getting settled here in Edmonton in their house.
The only "possessions" that have arrived are those that have been in storage for 4 years in Ottawa, but any day/week now the shipment from Japan should arrive which will have more of the kids things. I think they did well to pack as they had to plan for a summer at the cottage, general summer, work clothes, school clothes etc. Their suitcases were well organized but the organization seems to have gone away now as they really do need to get their daily use kitchen things etc. Hopefully by the end of the month things will all have fallen into place.
Here is another pic taken on my SIL's birthday. these are my two youngest Grands.
Christopher, with his blond curls that soon will require cutting to identify his gender and his cousin Caelan who is 9 mths younger and weights about 10 lbs more than he does!!

In the picture, Christopher has discovered that playing the harmonica non-stop is kind of fun (unless you had to listen to it non-stop!!) and they are up on the climbing structure in the back yard at DD's. I think Caelan is about to remove the harmonica and pitch it!!

This week upcoming I will be spending a couple of days/nights with the 3 kids as T. has to travel out of town and her DH is teaching at U Victoria so is only home every 2nd weekend. The boys are getting settled in French immersion school and love being in the same school as their cousin Ali!
OTN now are a couple of pairs of socks, (of course!) and a "do-over" for Lori of a shrug I knit for her for Christmas. It didn't really suit, so I frogged it and am making a shawl. Using the same lacy pattern from the shrug but just making it about 18" wide and as long as the yarn let me.
Also trying to figure out an edging for a very plain shawl I made out of some thrift store yarn for myself. Now that things have cooled off, I like something over my shoulders as I sit and knit in the evenings. It is an off white of a mystery yarn which I believe is mostly wool. (Did the burn test and sniff test and all that).
Also knitting a sweater for Christopher out of some leftovers from other sweaters and then will venture on to something for Kiernan and Quinn for school.

Well that seems to catch me up in a rather brief way but nevertheless, I will attempt to post more regularly and keep this blog up to date.
Thanks for reading..

Help

2006-08-22T23:59:00.000-06:00

Well it has been a while and I don't really know where the summer has gone, although it isn't over yet!
I received a "comment" from a wonderful lady named Louise, who said I have won some yarn from a contest I entered on her blog! I have no idea what her blog address is and of course dear Blogger doesn't let you access the people who leave comments. So I suppose I am out of luck unless she sees this post!!

I have a couple of pictures I will post of finished sweaters, both for my gd Ali who turned 9 at the end of June.
Knitting continues in a more upbeat way than it has during the heat infest of July and early August, but more onto socks and a couple of other things that shouldn't take too long
Hope you are all enjoying your summer and that you have been able to enjoy your knitting in some way even with the heat we have all had.

take care and Happy Knitting.

Finally

2006-07-05T13:02:00.000-06:00

I should be downloading pictures since I haven't blogged in a while but on the last stages of the (*&^%$ horse sweater and also another for my now 9 yr old gd Ali.

The other news which most of you know by now is that DD T. and her DH, AND MY 3 GRANDS are moving back to Canada which we expected to be Ottawa. However, she now has a job right here in EDMONTON!! We are all very excited and the kids can't wait for the snow.!!

We wouldn't mind a bit of snow right now as the temps have been in excess of 30ºC (plus some damn humidity of all things) for several days! My 3rd storey apt is quite warm and doesn't cool much in the evenings as the temps have only been getting down to 20ºor so. Ah the end might be in site as storms are coming tomorrow and with it a temp drop to a cool 25ºC!!

Continuing to pick up new clients with my foot care business, although most of them are seniors, I now have 2 wheelchair bound people as well. Anything BUT seniors for sure. Wonderful and they have both remarked that their circulation has improved many fold! that is good feedback.
I have renewed my ad in the Senior's paper for July and I have already booked 2 appts from it.
Hope that pace continues.
Have been helping with CM as much as I can on my days without appts so that he is able to be occupied inside instead of always being outside in the heat, which he would prefer of course. Unfortunately, DD had him at the Dr. for his annual checkup and less than 3 weeks before his 2nd birthday he weighs in at a whopping 21 lbs!! Also, she has just called to tell me that he has a hairline fracture in his wrist and they are going to cast it! poor guy and poor Lori, in tears and feeling sooo guilty!! She says he fell last week and cried alot but she hasn't seen any other signs of discomfort except for last evening in the bath. she mentioned it to the Dr. who asked for x-rays and that is the result. She feels soooo very guilty and I feel for her, I know how she must feel. He will bounce back but with this heat, she is expecting the cast to prevent good sleeping or anything else for that matter.
I am leaving shortly to go over and see what I can do to relieve them once they are back from the hospital where they are getting the cast put on.
Hope all is well in your world and knitting is on your agenda along with a nice tall cold one!!

Finally some pics

2006-06-04T09:50:00.000-06:00

Well not a whole bunch but a couple at least that show C. wearing her dress and another showing the dress & sweater. T. seems to not like having a diaper show, so she doesn't think the dress is any too large and of course C. is growing so much!

I just rec'd these pics this morning so they are hot off the wires! :)
I guess it is the gratification of seeing the things you knit for someone being worn and I know this outfit was well received so here's hoping she gets lots of wear out of it!

So not much other news, knitting hasn't been top of the list this week as I attempt get my "10 pairs of feet" done by Wednesday. I have done the "family" and now need about 4 more. I finally phoned the Women's shelter here and volunteered myself on Monday and Tuesday. They were thrilled so here is hoping I get lots of practice. I frankly think it will be somewhat less stressful doing strangers than doing family. Not sure why that is but that is how I am feeling anyway.

So this week will be a busy one. The weather has been very warm so not feeling like knitting much but must get back at it as I don't like days when I don't knit...strange eh?
Take good care everyone and hope your day is filled with lots of sunshine and warmth!

Socks, Socks & Socks!

2006-05-28T19:00:00.000-06:00

Well I did receive my Sockapalooza socks after all, I must admit I was beginning to get a bit worried. However, the wait was definitely worth it as some gorgeous, deep blue alpaca socks arrived along with a skein of Fleece Artist Sock yarn!!!I have cast on for a pair of cabled socks with it already as it is such gorgeous yarn. You can see in the pic it is deep greens, blues and purples. I wanted to knit them up before my sis sees this yarn or she will want it and she is NOT getting her hands on it!

They are definitely a beautiful sock knit by Meghan in Ontario. She is just getting her blog back in shape and you can check her out here Thanks again Meghan, it is a pleasure to meet another Canadian knitter and blogger. They fit so well and are so cozy. For a while, it was very hot here and there wasn't a need for socks so I tucked them away, however yesterday and today are rather cool so they have been on my feet for sure!!
I also have been knitting socks, along with other things and I have managed to finish a couple of pair. I did the Embossed Leaves socks with some gorgeous striped pink Trekking (colour # 133) and although you may question my sanity in knitting such a busy pattern with the variations in the yarn, I am enjoying them.

They seem to be quite springlike and are very pretty. My friend Sandra would not like them as they don't match "exactly" but they are fine for me :)

Then I finished another pair of some yarn that was gifted to me. I don't remember exactly what yarn it is but it is rather scratchy, so I rinsed them in vinegar when I washed them. That seems to have softened them up a bit. Again, S. they don't match exactly but they are fine!

The kids received the parcel and they L.O.V.E. the dress and sweater however I am anxiously awaiting a picture of sweet C. in it!. I had Happy Birthday sung to me in Japanese, French and English so I feel quite priveleged! Of course, it was only the boys as C. isn't quite that talented yet:)
That is pretty much it for now, I am late in blogging about my Sockapalooza socks so I wanted to get the pics up!
Have a great week everyone and oh the "Pedicure" course went very well now I have to complete 10 pedicures before June 7 for my final exam. There is a written part for about 90 minutes and then we do another ped for our instructor to observe. So far so good and I must review my notes every day to ensure I don't forget anything. Quite alot of detail about the foot, its structure and so on.
bye for now

In the mail

2006-05-17T13:35:00.000-06:00

Well not all things are in the mail but the items I have been working on are on their way to Japan to my youngest grand. She turned a big ONE at the end of April so I am late with her gift but trust me, she didn't notice! :)
I am quite pleased with the outcome of this little "ensemble" as it can be a jumper, dress, or both with a nice sweater. The sweater of course, can be worn on its own as well.
Again, This is Pattern #30 from the Spring/Summer issue of FCEK. It was recommended to use Paton's Grace but I used the Katia that I think I showed in another post.

Now socks are on the needles as it has been VERY hot here and the idea of a sweater or wool shawl laying in my lap while I knit is very undesirable at the moment.

Not much other news, going to be looking at feet next week...as I have signed up to do the Pedicure course and hope it is successful for me.

Take care and may you have a day full of sunshine and lots of knitting.

Well almost there

2006-05-11T09:41:00.000-06:00

I am on a mission to "finish" the dress and sweater today. As this package has to get to Osaka, I want to get it in the mail today if possible.

It needs buttons and the snaps that I will put in for the real closures on both the sweater and the shoulder straps of the wee jumper. It is truly darling and I will post pics once it is all ready to go! I am quite delighted so far except for a bummer with the yarn. On 3 occasions some sort of "dark blue" came out of the centre pull skein which was obviously some sort of dye mistake or splash! I have washed it and in particular tried to scrub those areas but one is on the front (of course!) of the sweater! bummer....

In other news, my Sockapalooza socks were sent off good and early and the USPS tried to deliver on April 29 (almost 2 wks ago) and left a card for the recipient to pick the parcel up at the post office. That has not happened and one wonders if she is away or just not getting her mail. I have sent her a message but sure wish she would pick up the parcel! They are nice socks and I want her to have them!!!:)

I have signed up to take some training in "Foot Care" and in particular for Seniors and diabetics. I am hoping this will be a nice, relaxed way to earn a living and go on about my rather uneventful life. That course starts (3 days) on May 24. Then the "advanced" is in early June!

I have made several enquiries about advertising and getting some business so we shall see.
Yesterday looked after wee CM for several hours..DD is very busy right now..she was recently very successful in bringing in the largest EVER job her company has ever had, almost $300K worth of printing.!! It all seems to be going well and we went to "Swiss Chalet" to celebrate with everyone for a nice family dinner on Tuesday evening. As a Mom, I am so proud of her and the work she does with her long time customers!

That is it for today, I will post pics tomorrow after completing all the finishing on the outfit for Caelan. It is always more than one imagines and I want it to be especially useful for both she and her parents!
May your day be filled with pleasant knitting and nice finishing:)

Nothin' but Knittin'

2006-04-19T09:33:00.000-06:00

Yarn Tales

Well there has been lots and lots of knitting at Chez Grammy these days. After the wonderful week (well 5 days actually) of knitting with good friends, I finished off 3 pairs of socks that were on the needles. In addition, my Sockapaloooza socks are all finished, label printed and ready to go as soon as I get the address of my Sock Pal.

After finishing the socks, and with time to knit, I cast on for the final time (ask Sandra about that!!)a sweater for me. It is ChickKnits cutaway and I am using a denim coloured yarn, more acrylic than wool however it is knitting up quickly and looks nice. I made some changes to the pattern and cast on with a bit of a ruffle. Now that doesn't sound like me, the ruffle I mean, however I thought it would be fun! Now I have to figure out how to get it to match up the fronts and around the neck edge but I will cross that bridge a bit on in the knitting.:)
Last Thursday I picked up Ali and CM and we walked to a knitting store close to DD's house. The owner, Polly, L.O.V.E.S. it when I come in with the grands especially an 8yr old girl as she knows that I will buy something. This time, however we were shopping for my soon to be 1 year old Caelan. I wanted to knit her the dress and sweater out of the latest FCEK. Now that mag rarely inspires me, however I always buy it!! - go figure - . It is pattern number 30 and shown knitted in Paton's Grace. I decided on something a bit more colourful and went with Katia yarn, Mississippi 3. You can see that the hot pink, with a colourful band of lime and turquoise is really cute!! !!:)

So of course, after finishing all those socks, I HAD to cast on another pair! Can't be without socks on the needles. Doig toe up on some Trekking that I purchased ...more on that in my next post.

A fun contest at http://kat-knits.blogspot.com/ Put your hat in the ring...why not.....Let me see the five places I have knit other than my home or knitting store are....
1. The Dr's office (not that unusual I guess)
2. Getting a pedicure..hey, might as well really relax and enjoy the entire process!
3. The car..waiting..traffic, red light, well you know!
4. Ali's soccer games
5. At a wonderful GTG (Get ToGETHER) with wonderful knitting friends..the lodge, the ranch..nothing better than knitting with friends, giggling, chatting, sharing, laughing, ...you get it I am sure.

May your day be filled with wonderful knitting and friends, maybe even together!

and then there was one....

2006-04-08T13:21:00.000-06:00

Yarn Tales
Along with finding out that my employer no longer considers me valuable enough to keep, I lost my sweet Socks this week. I found my wee cat a bit lethargic after my week away, although I had been in and out to feed them, she seemed to be very, very quiet.
I phoned the vet on Monday and off we went on Tuesday. They wanted to keep her, run some tests and see if there was once again a digestive blockage of some sort...(read more ingested yarn!!). Indeed there was and they tried to build up her system overnight and then operated on Wednesday.

She didn't come out of the anaesthesia very well and they called me quite alarmed. I spent most of Wednesday afternoon at the Vet, trying to get her to "wake up" and become the normal cat I had grown to know and love. They removed the oxygen with the warning that if she didn't breathe on her own, then it would be obvious within moments but she did although she still wouldn't "come out" of a very deep daze. Finally around 6 pm she brightened, meowed as if to say, "I am back", and tried to actually stand up. Swallowed, meowed again and then slept. I left thinking that the worst was over, however, they called first thing on Thursday morning to say, her liver was in shutdown, she was still very, very pale and they didn't think she would last the morning. I went and spent the last few hours with her, holding her, petting her, listening to her shallow breaths, getting her fur wet with my tears and finally about 11:30, the wonderful Vet, Rachel Spence said it was time.. I agreed and she slipped quickly and quietly to sleep. Her sister Boots and I miss her alot, especially at night as she was my tiny pillow companion!..

Sleep well Little Princess, you can play with all the yarn and thread you like now...it will do you no more harm.

Yarn Tales

2006-04-03T10:20:00.000-06:00

Yarn Tales
What a wonderful week it was!! Knitting, laughing, shopping, laughing, knitting, eating, laughing, with friends.
One only wishes it could have been longer especially when the reality of Daylight Saving time hits you in the face on a Monday morning.
Finished off two pairs of socks and wore one pair all day yesterday in spite of not going out of the house at all! The other is for my Sockapalooza Pal and they will be shipped when the date arrives.
Got some rather shocking news at work this morning but more on that once I digest it all.
this is short but very sweet with memories of a wonderful week.

WOW

2006-02-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

Can't believe the Olympic games are over. Canada did very well (well let's forget men's Hockey for right now)and the country is very proud of our athletes!!

Too lazy to wind two 100 gram balls into 2 separate balls, I decided to just simply knit a "pair of odds" and so that is what you see here.

One pair is out of Trekking and my first crack at knitting with it. It is positively glorious. colour # 106 very soft pastel like colours but sooo soft to the touch. I might have to get more of this :). Also knitting with some wonderful turquoise Opal, with a raspberry coloured fleck in it. It is colour 1201.
One pair is for my Sockapalooza pal so we shall see which pair it is!

Walked into the living room the other day to see Boots in this position. Puts a whole new meaning to the phrase..."wonder what's on the tube?"....

Work continues to go well and I am enjoying the challenges that this market presents. Lots of fun and great business.

Caught a gorgeous sunrise the other morning. Love facing east as I get to see this frequently!!

Hope your week is filled with great views and wonderful knitting!

Badly Behind

2006-02-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

In more ways than one!
I have been busy. The (relatively) new job is taking lots of energy but I love, love, love it!
I have been knitting, most evenings it is socks as I can't decipher anything much more complex than that. However on weekends I still love to knit and sew and have been doing plenty of that. A's "horse sweater" isn't much further but that is what I intend to do today.

I have purchased (tsk, tsk) some yarn to made C. a sweater for her first birthday!
Plans are coming together for some fun times and that is always exciting!

Othewise, life is moving along, paying some bills and slowly lowering the national debt or what is my version of it :)
Take care all and I promise pics next time.

Finally

2006-01-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

Isn't there a song? I think so. It has been so long since I posted on my blog that I am almost forgetting how!

Christmas was wonderful and everyone loved, loved their knitted gifts. They all fit and that is the main thing..especially if they are loved!!

On New Year's Eve day, Ali, my 8 yr old gd and I decided to dye some white, alpaca yarn. It was lots of fun and although we ignored the advice of wearing rubber gloves, we eventually were able to sport our flesh again!

Ali thought maybe CSI might wonder "where the body would be", if they saw our hands as we used varying shades of red/rose/pink to get some nice colours.
THis is my first experience at dying with Kool Aid so we were both doing it for the first time. Always fun to do unique things with the grands

The yarn is now (some of it at least) being knit into a pr of socks at A's request. This alpaca yarn doesn't seem to be plied all that tightly and I wonder why, you can easily find the 2 plys separating alot of the time. Annoying...
Knitting continues as does some sewing. I finished a suit for myself today for work. My new job is going extremely well and I love it! The atmosphere is positive, inspiring and generally a great place to spend 8-10 hours each day! Strategically this company is very well positioned and that is also very important as you look at the longer term!

I am in the middle of knitting a "horse sweater" for A. She has wanted something with a "horse on it" for quite some time so although doing intarsia isn't my favourite, who can say no to their grands? Not this Grammy!

Well if you continue to read my blog (all 2 of you) thanks for your support.
Hope 2006 is a bright and happy one for you and yours.

Whew!

2005-12-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

So finally have a few items done and thought I would finally share some photos. This is the bigger of the items I have been knitting on or at least finished. This is CM's sweater. Knit for my youngest grandson. He is 17 mths old and never stops. I see him alot and I know this will look great on him. I just have to make sure the neck is big enough to go over his head. I Have adjusted it once but may have to do it again.

The other item I have completed is the <a href=http://www.grumperina.com/sharfik.htm>Sharfik</a> and such a wonderful pattern too!

It is sooooo soft. It is baby alpaca and merino..and the colour is pretty true..like a "bottle green"..(am I showing my age with that description????)

Next I have completed 2 prs of fingerless gloves and hats to match each pair. They are for two of the grandaughters!

Next is a pair of socks for the oldest grandson (almost 20). I found the yarn to be kind of scratchy at first but a nice soak and a block and they are soft as can be. Hope he likes them as he wears them to work and to just keep warm!

So that is what is completed so far, however there are still lots to do. I have cast on for a shrug for my oldest DD and still need to get her a couple of other things. Hoping to get a smaller version of the same shrug done for Ali too (8 yrs). I have also (stupidly of course) volunteered to knit a scarf for a co-worker for her Secret Santa gift. I have almost completed my Secret Santa gift so it will be done shortly.

I think I will cast on many, many stitches and alternate rows of some fuzzy yarn (I know, I hate it too) with rows of some nice alpaca I have. I think it will suit the recipient nicely.

Working away on SIL's vest that I am knitting him for his 40th birthday that has already come and gone. Hoping to give it to him at Christmas too, however it might not happen. Have the back done...well not quite!! but almost.

Picked up some nice lavender today and some lavender oil for scent. I am going to knit a couple of those sachet bags for small gifts for a couple of people. My son-in-laws folks are coming from California for Christmas so want to have something small for them. Might also make a felted bag for someone else but we shall see...just a couple of straight days of knitting would do it...don't laugh, it would!!!

A dear friend sent me a beautiful email today with lovely pics of animals together that normally one would not expect to see, ie cat & a mouse, a monkey and a dog etc. The title of it is "What Peace Really Looks Like". I wish everyone in this world would learn something from the animal kingdom, it would result in a much better world imho. Here is my contribution to "peace"...these two play and scrap alot, especially in the morning but here they are snuggled and enjoying each other as sisters. The one with the white streak of lightning on her nose is the "Golden Cat". ...I will explain another time for those that might not know.

Ooops forgot to resize this!

talk to you all soon, hope there is plenty of peace in your life these busy days, take time for yourselves!

Catching up

2005-11-28T06:07:00.000-07:00

It seems I have been busy knitting but right now no pics to show. I have finished a couple of items on my knitting list for Christmas giving. One pair of "fingerless gloves" are done. I am also about to start an easy hat to match those darlings. These are for oldest teenage grandaughter!
One sleeve left to go on CM's cute wee cable sweater. I started them 2 on 2 circs but I didn't like the cables for some reason, so I frogged and started one by picking up stitches in the armhole and knitting down. I prefer decreasing on sleeves instead of increasing!!!
Should be finished the 2nd pair of fingerless gloves today/tomorrow. The socks need their ATH's and the scarf needs another 10" and I will be done with it as well. So this week, if it is all about knitting, I should finish up several projects.

~~~~~~~~
Have you ever changed your mind about the recipient while still knitting the item? I think I have. It solves a couple of issues and I am happier about the "list" now.

Some things happening on the work front which are unsettling but hopefully this week will see some light at the end of the tunnel!

Hope you all have a great week, filled with wonderful light and nothing but knitting!

WIP's

2005-11-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

Thought I better update those of you who think I am just holding off until the last minute on some of my Christmas knitting!

One of the pairs of socks has turned into a pair of fingerless gloves. Hey a cuff is a cuff! no pics of that yet..who wants to see a shot of ribbing with barely a peek at a crossed cable! I promise that later this week.

More length on the Sharfik, it is really looking quite lovely. I am very pleased with how it is working out.

I have a teenage grandaughter (I have two actually, but one is particularly charming) who has suggested that if some "really, really colourful yarn just happened to jump on my needles and want to be socks" (she even talks like a knitter!) then she would be very happy! Well this is what has evolved so far. I am literally using up bits and bobs and leftovers.
The blue is what is left from the socks I finished last week. The yellow, scarlet and hot pink are all leftovers from socks. I am using (sort of) a colour chart out of Socks x3 to guide me, but I am making decisions based on quantities! Hope she will like them..she is too funny.

Next I have finished the back of a sweater for CM my youngest grandson. I am usingthis pattern although again I have made some changes. His Mom (my oldest DD)prefers pullovers for kids as she feels they are warmer and less hassle so I have converted it and I am knitting it in the round. I then did the armhole shaping and finished the back this morning (knitting back and forth of course). So now on to the front. Here is how it looks so far.
CM will look very sweet in this colour as his eyes are very blue. I am using my favourite DK weight yarn, King Cole Merino Blend Superwash Wool. I can get it at my lys (sorry no web site) for $4.29 Can$'s for 112 metres. That means that I will probably get this sweater done for just about $20. I have yet to figure out what collar I will do, probably a mock turtle neck, he is a skinny kid but does have a long neck!
I have used this yarn for a ballet sweater for Ali (GD 8 yrs old), sweaters for the other grandsons (Penguins and Dinosaurs) and now this one. I love, love, love it. It has a beautiful hand, washes well, doesn't pill and what can I say! The colour selection is wide.

Talked to T. on Friday night and Caelan (youngest GD) is over 18 lbs now. She was born April 29 so you can tell that she is not missing any meals. Still as good natured and happy as she was earlier this summer when visiting. She still loves her big brothers and the feeling is very mutual. Quinn announced to me that he always "makes Caelan laugh"!
He makes us all laugh but he just doesn't know it yet :)
Well enough chatter, looking forward to more progress on my WIPs and hope this eases your mind a bit S. ..don't worry, I will get it all done! (Do you think now is the time to tell her that I have some other stuff, I haven't cast on for yet??? maybe not!
Hope your day is filled with nice progress and pleasant knitting!

Some knitting FO's

2005-11-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

Well as the sun was shining directly on my screen this morning, I actually had to wait a few minutes until it moved so that I could "see" the screen properly. Wonderful, beautiful, bright sun on November 17 to give us temps in the 10ºC mark today! Mother Nature isn't mad at us right now!!

I finished the pair of socks I was working on. They are from Stitches of Violet and truly are (almost) more fun that cables!!
They do give a nice pattern but do not pull in like cables do so no need to increase the normal stitch count you would use. These are knit in good old Canadian sock yarn, Confetti in a nice shade of mttled blue. I see the Confetti link is broken, sorry, took the url right off the sock bank. Do a Google for Confetti sock yarn and you will find plenty of places that sell it. Nice stuff and priced right too!

Whew that was link laden.
A friend asked me the other day, how my Christmas knitting was coming along. She knows that I will be doing something like blocking a sweater, hemming something or closing a toe on Christmas Eve. She knows me..so I couldn't let her down, I cast on for 3 prs of socks on Saturday, just to keep my reputation golden! just sayin'

I also cast on for Dad's Sharfik
and I am so happy I did. Earlier this year I purchased some yarn from a blogging friend in baby alpaca and merino. I have 9" done on this scarf and luckily I have plenty of yarn to make it to the 53" long, plus I think I will do the fringe.
This scarf is so soft...like butter. It is for my co-worker who I work with on the weekends and he allows me the odd day off when his regular job doesn't intervene.

Well, needless to say as the days at work become less busy (closer to Christmas etc), I will have time to (sssshhhhhh) knit at work! Thank heavens, otherwise S. would be so right, she may be anyway but at least I need to try and get this all done. Oh and I bought some yarn for a sweater for oldest GD yesterday..oh well, that might not be for Xmas...we shall see!
~~
Off to the post office to mail some yarn to a couple of friends and also the shawl to my sis! Finally get this all out of the way and get to work. See ya, hope your day is filled with sunshine and wonderful knitting moments:)

FFFFfinallly FFFFinished

2005-11-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

So at least I can say that I finished something this week. For a while, I didn't think I was EVER going to finish the shawl edging but I finally did. As you can see from the photos, it does look much more finished and complete!

So some not so current stats: This was a gift for my sister which my (one friend in particular) friends were shocked to learn I had it complete by the late part of June I think. (Her b/day is Oct 6!). That is a real remarkable thing for me, I am usually Susie Stress, doing things at the last minute.

It is made from Opal (yes the sock yarn people) Sweater yarn. Got it from a friend who acquired it from a seller in Germany. It is a variegated yarn in gorgeous deep shades varying from deep purple to mauve. My sis's favourite colour is any shade of purple. I made the Candle Flame shawl, a fairly popular pattern available on the web. There were several versions and I did acquire the updated version with corrections. After gifting the recipient and hearing her admire it, I suggested (What the HELL was I thinking! :) an edging. I brought along my "Knitting on the Edge" book and she picked a 22 stitch "Twin Leaf" edging from the book. As the top of the shawl measures 84" across, you can imagine that it was one heck of alot of knitted edging!!!

It measures approximately 40" from centre back to the tip. A real picky person would notice that the edging has an "up & down" to it and I did not reverse it I just kept right on going around the 3 sides of the triangle. It is done, needs one more good steaming and it will be off in the mail to her in Calgary.

Enjoy your day, hope it is filled with complete things and nice knitting!

Knittin' & Knittin' & Knittin'

2005-11-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

As I think I have said I am knitting an edging chosen by my sis for the Candle Flame Shawl I made her for her birthday. It is a 22 stitch repeat of a pattern from "Knitting on the Edge" by Nicky Epstein. You would think I would have it done by now. You would think, however I blocked the shawl before making it a present and it was very nice. This yarn has quite a bit of acrylic in it so the blocking didn't exactly change and stay as we are used to with 100% wool content.

So I killed the acrylic. Wish I could find the articles I have read about doing this but I can't seem to right now. Basically it is simply using heat/steam to press it and it works wonders. I do have a couple of pics to show you, hopefully you can see the difference.

I am showing two pics, one is more washed out than the other but in each picture the edging on the left side has been ironed and in fact is already attached to the shawl. If you count, you can see there are about 3 "patterns" on the one on the left however the one on the right has about 5 "patterns". It is very "puckered and lumpy" (highly technical terms of course!) That is how much it presses out and flattens, when ironed with heat and steam. I have done the shawl itself too before attaching the edging and it feels very soft and quite drapey (is that a word?).
In the next few days, I am determined to have this done. The deadline (self imposed) of Oct 31, has obviously come and gone but it has taken me longer than I had hoped. However, it will happen and it will get mailed and she will like it!!

Not much other news on this front, you will see finished pics once this is totally complete. I am on the last edge now, having turned two corners with this edging so wish me luck and a nice day of knitting!

May your day be filled with nice "edges" and lots of knitting.

What the heck?

2005-11-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

I know, I normally don't say "heck" but why on earth do the postings I make on here sit so far down on the page. This is only just happened the last couple or 3. it is really a strange glitch...no other highly technical term I can think of to describe it!

Was over to perform my "Grammy" duties this morning and watch Christopher and ended up cuddling with Ali too as she was home sick from school. Poor thing, she was so pale. She had been sick in the night and had a few runs to the bathroom (pun intended) this morning but other than that, she was just generally yuck!
Today was only a half day of school so it was the day to miss if it had to happen.

Then I raced off to work for 2 pm but had some help come in for the evening so I left work at about 6:30pm. Nice to have a bit more of an evening for sure

I talk to L. later and she said they both had slept alot in the afternoon so that is good, hope CM doesn't get it..he can't afford to lose any weight!

Not much else to report, a few more rounds done on his sweater and a few more on the shawl edging. That is definitely taking longer than I had planned. I just have one more side to knit up and so I should be able to get it done, steamed and off to sis once and for all in the next week.

Hope your day is filled with nice edges :)

This n that

2005-11-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

How was Hallowe'en for you. Waiting for DD to send pics of the kids as I of course, raced out of work and didn't stop home for my digital. Ali was the aforementioned pirate(ss?) and her costume turned out well and she had lots of fun. CM was a wee Lion...so cute. He did have a pumpkin that his Mom carried for him so he came home with candy which he proceeded to go through and throw into Ali's pile. We all laughed and thought how cute he was..

Finished the body of a (top-down) sweater for Ali that I have been knitting on for far too long. Still working on (what seems like)the neverending edging on my sis's Candle Flame Shawl. I have sewn on what I had, which didn't go near as far as I thought it was going to, so now the project is the entire shawl plus so not as portable as it once was. I am determined to get that done as now it is almost annoying!

Socks continue and I have made some progress on CM's Christmas sweater.

Other than that, I am hoping to have time to "just sit and knit" on my days off this week, that is providing I get 2 days off this week.

Yarn for Sale - deux

2005-10-26T11:24:00.000-06:00

For some reason the posts are sitting away down on the page and I am trying to see if posting again will bring it up to the top...how is that for highly technical fix-it suggestions??

so check out the yarn for sale in the post below and see the pretty pictures!

There should be a pair of socks to see fairly soon...and a Pirate costume once I get more fabric (*&^%$#@

2005-10-26T10:52:00.000-06:00

2005-10-26T10:40:00.000-06:00

Yarn for Sale

2005-10-26T10:34:00.000-06:00

Don't know what else to call this post but since I have discovered "Photobucket", I can easily load the photos I need to show you in case you by chance happen along here, (honestly I think I only have 2, maybe 3 readers)!

Does anyone remember the "Cat Afghan", a FCEK pattern if I recall. Can't remember what year but it is probably longer ago than I care to admit. Anyway, I bought the yarn to at least get started on this and subsequently I have that yarn still here and no cat afghan. (I got two cats of my own instead )
Naturally Aran 10 ply 100% NZ Wool- 100 gms and 169m on each skein. I have 3 cream, 4 rust and 4 deep steel grey!

The other yarn I have is also from "Naturally" but is called Tibet. It is a deep rich red and is like a knitted icord! I have 10 skeins, 2 of which have been started and rewound! They are 50 gr balls and 98.8% NZ Wool and 1.2% Elastane (?) There are 47 metres on each skein. Make a wonderful vest as you knit on 15mm needles!!! Knit up in a snap!

Let me know if you are interested and what your reasonable offer is and we will chat.
I am in the middle of tearing out my hair as I am making (cutting out) a pirate costume. Striped material, that I managed to cut the WRONG WAY!!!!!!!!! Female pirates do NOT wear the stripes going 'round the body!!!! stooooopid grammy

Blogging Friends

2005-10-25T11:16:00.000-06:00

Well I was whining on Sunday or was it Saturday? about Blogger not letting me post pics and this nice navajo plying friend
friend gave me a solution and "woot" as some would say, I have pics!!! Sometimes, I wonder where I would be without the help that some have offered online! Terrific...thanks Susie!

Sorry about the feline presence in the pics but she insisted, and of course it is "her" chair to see outside...you should see the paw prints on the window YIKES!

So that is the Cozy I finished, blocked and need to buy a new coat for! I know, I know, it is like buying shoes and then needing to buy something to wear with the new shoes...but I have NEVER done THAT!! What??????

The sun is shining and it is almost time for me to get ready for work. I am working on finishing UFO's and I am almost there with that goal. Still working on the b-o-r-i-n-g edging for my sis's Candle Flame Shawl. but it will be done. I also have to sew (read cut out and make before the weekend) a pirate costume for you know who!! Last year it was a witch, the year before, a ghost (and she was very sick so didn't wear it out Trick or Treating) but this year all is set so I should run..

2005-10-25T11:14:00.001-06:00

2005-10-25T11:14:00.000-06:00

Good Blogging Friends

2005-10-25T11:13:00.000-06:00

Photobucket

2005-10-25T11:03:00.000-06:00

This is a test post from Photobucket.com

Knitting Update

2005-10-23T19:15:00.000-06:00

Well today was a fairly busy workday but I headed out about 4:30 instead of 5 pm..'cause I felt like it??

I finished my Cozy, a nice long shawl from the Knitty Autumn '04 issue. I made mine out of Noro, which was a rather indulgent venture but it is pretty. My hope is to find a new winter coat (no, honestly, I really NEED a new winter coat) of navy blue and wear this with it. I blocked it yesterday and left it till just a while ago and I took a couple of pics.
Right now Blogger is giving me grief about uploading a picture. It really is quite pretty and I know there will be cold days ahead where it will come in handy!

Today it was 13ºC sunshine filled day! So no cold weather being thought of right now. I did see several smart homeowners putting up their Christmas lights today to prevent the last minute -25ºC rush!!! :)

My car goes into my favourite shop tomorrow to have new brakes put in. I can "hear" the lack of brakes and so it is definitely time.

Started a sweater today for CM for Christmas. It should knit up fairly quickly. Cables, twists and blue washable merino, it will be a nice sweater when finished.

Hope your day is filled with pretty things!

Sunny Saturday

2005-10-22T10:35:00.000-06:00

Well here it is the weekend again and my "Monday" after my two day weekend. This is the first week I have had two days off for a while and I wanted to take advantage of it. I did get lots of knitting done and FINALLY finished "Cozy" from the fall issue of Knitty. I need to block it yet and then the pics will follow.

I have been spending a very pleasant Thursday morning for the past few weeks looking after my 15 mth old grandson. He is so delightful and as I tell anyone who will listen, he is the first grandchild born (of the 5 I have) in which I lived in he same city. Ali (the first) was born while I was living in Toronto so the visits were as often as I could make it but it just isn't the same, as I am sure some of you know.

With the other 3, I have never been around them for any length of time and it makes it hard to be a part of their lives as I picture a grandparent to be. I treasure the times I am around them but now with them living in Japan their visits are infrequent and long. They will be "home" in Canada (we hope) in 9 mths though and that is wonderful.

I am past the heel on a pair of socks that I started toe up. I decided that I would like to "experiment" with toe up and short row heels so that I could honestly have a pair truly finished when they come off the needles. I got to the short rows and tried (THREE TIMES!!) and gave up, inserted my waste yarn for the After Thought Hel and went on to the leg. Yikes! I guess one shouldn't mess with a good thing.

Off to get some breakfast and ready for work.
Hope your day is filled with sunshine.

How time flies

2005-10-12T10:51:00.000-06:00

When you are having fun. No pics today...just a quick post to say that I had a wonderful time with my family on the Thanksgiving Weekend. I usually work on weekends and holiday weekends are no exception. This past weekend, I decided to take some of Saturday off and travel almost 3 hrs to visit with my sis, and on Sunday my bro and his wife. Also got to spend some time with DN (dear niece) and her family.

Wonderful turkey dinner was served on Sunday and I headed back to Edmonton on Monday morning early. I was home in time to grab a shower, jump on the scale to see how much damage I had done on the weekend and head off to work.

The purple yarn from a couple of weeks ago did find a home. My sis has a huge fondness for all things purple or shades thereof and so it is now in her stash. I was sorry to learn that because of her increased time spent on "footcare", her hands have been quite sore and knitting has not been high on her list of priorities. However we did spend several hours just "sittin' & knittin'" ..which is always enjoyable for a nice visit. She did finish off an item for her DD which she says had been sitting for too long! I also finished off a pr of socks and cast on for another while there.

She loved her Candle Flame Shawl that was presented for her birthday. I told her that a good friend was AMAZED that it had been done since at least May/June timeframe!!!
We both decided (and I brought along "Knitting on the Edge" in case) that it needed an edging so it did come home with me again. I am determined it will be back in the mail to her by no later than the end of the mth for her wearing!!

I am SOOOO glad that CBC strike is over and I have my "radio" back. My kids call me the Queen of Radio as I always have it on. It is my friend throughout a day at home. Even when not at home it is on for the pussycats and Tipper always loved it too!!

It was great to catch up with family and see what is happening with the growing grands...nice to be back home before any "s" starts to fly too!!

More pics

2005-09-28T11:44:00.000-06:00

So here are more pics of yarn "for sale". It is about this colour in varying shades. Nice stuff and although my sis denotes this as her "favourite" colour..she already has enough I figure!! If it doesn't sell then you know who will get it in a bag of goodies!

Together this could be mitts, hats and trim for both..with that mohair curly yarn. It is really very pretty and I sure hope someone can find some use for it. Make me an offer. There are 6 "never touched" of the Milan Tricot mohair along with 2 other skeins that hve been rewound. (I faintly recall frogging them..)There are 4 never touched Bracken Tweed, 80% acrylic/20%wool. Marked at $7.99/skein several years back. There are 2 full 100gr skeins of Galway Highland Heather in a lighter purple mix - 100% wool, 200 metres/skein. How about $40 for the entire bag?

On knitting notes, I am knitting away on socks, pulled out the Lotus Blossom Shawl again this morning in between loads of laundry and got a few more rows done on it. I am on Chart#2 about 1/2 way.

Friday is not only payday but a day off, although lots of running around to do so not sure how much R&R I will get but that is the way things seem to go..knitting in between errands for sure!
Hope you all have a great day

Stash Clean out Time~~

2005-09-23T17:17:00.000-06:00

So although it has taken me longer than I wished, I finally have taken some pics of "some" of the stash clean out yarn. I have more believe me, but thought I would start with a few and see what reactions I get if any! You should know that I will be donating 50% of all monies to the Margene's Give a Little site. I just hope there is no reason for it to become a Rita site too. Let's all pray for safety to the millions of people that have had to take refuge against Rita.

So I will post pics and a quick description and then hope that someone makes me a reasonable offer. So here goes, first there is a Lopi Kit for the coat sweater pictured. I bought it at a store here in this city and I know I paid in excess of $100 (Cdn) for it. However, a reasonable offer a
and tell me how you want it shipped and it can be yours! If nothing else we all know Lopi felts very well and you can have a felting spree. Each of the skeins (15 in all) are 100 gram skeins and enough to obviously make the coat sweater. I will send the booklet with lots of other Lopi patterns in it as well!

OK, I also have another kit. This one is a Drops Kit and the price is still on it. I did however buy this more than 3 yrs ago and have done absolutely nothing with it. It is gorgeous Egyptian cotton and enough to make the larges size of the sweater pictured. I have the english booklet for the translation and will include the book that has tons of other patterns as well. I paid less than the $199 price tag but can't remember how much less, I think about $140 of course Cdn again. Make me an offer plus the shipping and we will settle up.
I am having an awful time getting the 2nd set of photos loaded up. Meantime I will send this one for posting and see what I can do later on.
thanks for reading and hopefully buying something over the next few weeks.

Drops Kit for Sale

2005-09-23T16:18:00.000-06:00

Let me try this one more time. I have a Drops Kit for sale. It is full of gorgeous Egyptian cotton and the price on the kit bag is still there at $199. I know I paid less than that perhaps $140 but make me an offer plus the shipping and we can talk.

here are some pictures

The Sky's the limit

2005-09-23T13:57:00.000-06:00

Do you think that is what Sandy had in mind when she started a quick contest about sky pictures? I don't know either but she sure has lots of people taking sky pictures around the blogging world. Me included...don't forget you have to let her know by 5 pm EST...put a comment on her blog.

I want to get some other things done today too besides looking outside at the gorgeous weather. I have been doing a bit of sewing, finished a skirt for myself.
Not anxious to sew alot until I lose more weight. ahhh the age old story..

Chatted on line with two friends this morning that I don't get to chat with nearly enough. It was great fun, need to do it more.

Hope your day and weekend is filled with sun filled skies and white fluffy clouds.

....waiting for Socks

2005-09-22T19:19:00.000-06:00

A rather strange title I guess as I have a cat named "Socks"...however what I am really waiting for are my Sockapal2za socks. I sent mine out on Friday, to my Sock Pal...she knows there coming as I did send an email...but she doesn't know who I am or that I have a blog.

I just hope that mine arrive soon...I love parcels in the mail!!

The weather this past while has been glorious. Bright, sunny, autumnal days filled with fluffy white clouds in a blue, blue sky. As the colours change the sky seems to be bluer, or is it just me!? Sandy is talking alot about skies and in fact she has a contest right now. Must remember to go outside tomorrow with my digital as the deadline is tomorrow evening I think...check it out. There are some gorgeous photos appearing on lots of blogs.

I am working with some alpaca right now mostly to see how it works up in a scarf. An acquaintance has alpacas and is trying to figure out if she should market the yarn she is getting, I think we know the answer to that questions. She is not a knitter though so is looking for opinions. THose that know me are snorting already as they know that I will always provide that, often without being asked!!!

Well this is a short update. I do promise to get some "For Sale" items up in the next few days...time, folks it is just the elusive time.

Katia yarn

2005-09-15T09:57:00.000-06:00

I forgot to mention yesterday that the yarn I used on those socks was Katia, Mississippi, 60% cotton/40% acrylic, however one of the skeins had at least 5 knots in it!!!
So annoying, especially when knitting socks as even cutting out the knots and trying to blend in the double knitting, you don't want it to land at a spot that the wearer will find troublesome!!!

I have a good mind to write to them and complain...not that I want anymore of that yarn for sure, I wouldn't buy it again even on a deep discount!

Off to mail my package and add a few things to it..
Hope you all have a knot-free day, filled with presents!

Sockapal-2-zer - finally finished

2005-09-14T11:00:00.000-06:00

Can't believe it took me this long...guess the stress of deciding to move, moving and then finally getting organized to finally finish the socks I started for the Sockapal2zer fun knit!! I knit the "Waving Lace Socks" from Spring 2004 IK and they were a fun knit. My Secret Sock Pal said she likes bright colours and orange, lime green etc were fun for her. Soooooo, you see what she is getting. They are washed and blocked and ready for mailing out tomorrow to the US of A!

Otherwise, I have some pics to take of some yarn and kits that I have decided to get rid of. Many I have not touched for a looong time. There is no room here for me to keep things I am not likely to knit so off they go.
Stay tuned as I will upload those very soon. My weekend starts on Thursday so I should be able to get it done on Thursday or Friday my two days off this week.

I need to get a couple of other items to go in the parcel tomorrow so must get organized and get ready for work too.

Tomorrow is not only payday but a VERY special day for a very SPECIAL FRIEND. Sandra turns the big 6-5 tomorrow and officially retires. She has just returned from a trip to the coast and looking after her grand while his parents went off on an anniversary weekend.
We first met "online" on a knitting message board about 5 yrs ago and then a few of us (7 to be precise) decided to meet and get together 3 1/2 years ago. We were some of the first "internet" knitters to meet up and although my sil was sure that they were all hairy tatooed bikers and that I shouldn't go, we persisted and have since become very good friends. In particular there are 3 or 4 of us that are very close and I cherish those friendships. So Sandra, celebrate your day and celebrate who you are 'cause you are one special lady!!!

Settling In ...I think..!

2005-08-26T11:00:00.000-06:00

Well you could say "finally"! or you could say...who the heck are you? or
you could just sit back and hopefully read something that inspires or gets some sort of a reaction from you...

I have settled in for the most part. Moving from a 3 bedroom home with a basement into a 2 bedroom apt, makes for some interesting choices. Eventually you know it has to come down to the stash...after all, when there are parcels of yarn in there that haven't been touched or even fondled for years, it is definitely time to give it the ol' hook!!

I will be offering some of these for sale here I think. Annie href="http://www.knittygritty.net">a and I had a quick discussion via email and she offered me her opinion and so there will be "For Sale" post in the very near future. If I get my butt organized today, (my only day off this week), then it could be later on.

Knitting has not been intense around this place but I do have my Cherry Blossom Shawl blocked ...holy cow, finally!. I knit if from some mixture that I was unable to identify totally as it was given to me by a knitting acquaintance. It has definitely got some wool in it but it also got some coloured "loops" for lack of a better name! You can see it in one of the close up photos, (I hope).

The name of this blog has been changed, thinking it better identifies with what it will be present here.

Hope you all have a sun filled Friday and weekend.

Moving again

2005-07-22T12:54:00.000-06:00

I have friends who say that they just don't even bother putting my address in pen in their address books, as they know they will be erasing it. I even was so bold as to declare that "this will be my last move"...I PROMISE!!! I had friends laugh at me! Imagine....
....BUT they were right I guess...My youngest dd decided almost 2 yrs ago that she would buy a home and let Mom rent it ...that would be her part in "taking care of Mom" as I approached my mid-50's without enough cash for a downpayment of my own...It is sad to admit but true!
Well this has proved to be a bit of a rough 2 years...for several reasons. Job wise, I was working for people who I felt were somewhat unethical and in addition were suffering some serious financial problems. They are still in business and I left on ood terms. I am now beginning to enjoy the fruits of selling new homes (not real estate) and although it takes a while to realize those fruits in terms of a pay cheque it will happen. Meantime, debts have piled up and I must ifnd somewhere more economical to live. I have done so and will move next week. Oh joy oh bliss!
OTOH, "renting" from someone in the family proved to be a rather bad idea. 'nuf said I guess...My youngest DD and I have a rather strained relationship anyway so needless to say, it is better to be out from under and cut my mthly abode payment by half!!

On the knitting front, I continue along on Cherry Blossom, on the 5th repeat of 12 of the last chart! I may have to make that a repeat of 10, I shall see how the yarn holds out...I do have an edging to knit as well.
I do need to get busy on the Sockalatwozer socks, or I will be really burning the needles at the beginning of Sept. That is the problem I know I have time yet...oh I am the best at waiting for the pressure to be self inflicted..yikes

Hope this finds you with no pressure and knitting nice 8" squares in memory of a nice young man. Check out Annie's
blog

Whew, they are gone!

2005-07-20T08:51:00.000-06:00

I am almost afraid to admit to having looked forward to T and the kids departing for their home in Japan. Our relationship took a beating again and sometimes I think she expected that I would want to be with the kids all the time.

While any Grama knows, spending time with ones grands is special, I don't like to think that I "have to" or that I do it because I am told "now is convenient"!!

I guess in the unfolding of life, (after all we don't have total control over how it plays out), I have come to the realization that my life needs to be more simple. Both for financial reasons and because loading life up with unnecessary stress is just a recipe for trouble.

So as I prepare for yet another move, to a very inexpensive apartment, I will be off loading "stuff". Getting rid of "things"...to some degree, ridding one's self of concrete "stuff" helps with the emotional simplification as well I think.

Am I rambling..? you bet! Should I be packing? Of course! Will I knit instead? pffft you bet I will!!! I think it is called avoidance..however it will all get done.

I am now on Round 3 of the last 12 rounds on the Cherry Blossom Shawl. Pictures should be forth coming...soon! Anyone want to help me put in a link? For some reason I am having trouble making it look nice by being able to just click on Annie's name when I type it..duh is me...and would like to let you know of Annie's (www.knittygritty.net) co-ordination of knitting squares to become an afghan in memory of Kirsten's brother-in-law whose life, along with 2 of his pals was senselessly ended recently.

Hope there is some simplification in your life today and of course, knitting too! ss

Socks, socks and socks

2005-07-12T07:10:00.000-06:00

Need to update Alison on the status of my sockapa-two-zer socks. I am about half way down the foot from a top down pair. I knit socks two on two so I have a pair complete once they are done! I love it and no fiddling with dpn's...or losing them...or breaking them...

I am amazed at the work that Alison does to keep us all updated and sometimes motivated. I know with "Summer of Lace" and Sock knitting and all the other demands we are a busy bunch of knitters and all efforts are appreciated.

Hope this finds you in a comfortable knitting zone and enjoying your day.

I sleep on my side...

2005-07-11T12:48:00.000-06:00

and so do my cats, sleep on MY side I mean!! I am "wide of hip" and most always sleep on my side. One of my cats, named by my 8 yo grandaughter Ali as Boots, like the padding or as you can well imagine the heightened view from "up there"!
By the time I got settled last night (later than most nights for some reason), and my "brood" all snuggled where they want to be, I was ready to get out of bed again as they kept shifting...or was it me and they shifted in response to my shifts??

Guess that would conclude they are affected by moods and in particular mine as the only human who lives in this house.
They love it when I settle in for a long leg of knitting in my comfy chair. I think Tipper (the Bichon) can tell that it is a long stint as I settle with my water, my yarn and pattern etc. She has some trouble deciding which "side" to settle in on but nevertheless it is always the side from which I have to remove either my butt or books, knitting gadget bag etc. The cats (the aforementioned Boots) and her sister Socks, soon follow, one behind me usually on the back of the chair and the other on my lap or beside my legs on the footstool. As I said, feel like a brood hen alot of the time but do love the attention and the unquestioning loyalty no matter what the mood.

It is interesting to explore the types of pets we knitters have. Nipperknits suggested to me that the Bichon Frise is the knitter's dog. Apparently many knitters have the little sweethearts as pets. Cats are certainly often found as knitter's pets and we all know of several who make their daily appearance. For some reason pics are not going to work today, in fact I am having trouble linking to Nipper's site as well. Will try more again.

Otherwise, I hope your day is full of knitterly things and pets that love you.

Gettin' your Knittin' Groove on...!

2005-07-05T11:50:00.000-06:00

Do you ever just get "in the groove"? I am presently knitting Meadow Flowers Shawl from Knitter's Stash and it is a nice knit, as long as I stay focused on the count...but do you ever notice that when you tire and don't pay as close attention as you should, you knit more slowly and perhaps not as "correctly"?

I know, I know there is no RIGHT way to knit, but I knit the British way and throw my yarn. That means that if I get going quickly and can maintain a nice cadence, if my needles are not inserted too far into the stitch, I can maintain a nice easy pace without wasting time on a technically incorrect or wasteful step! I guess all this blithering about technically "correct" and "proper" stitch makes me a process knitter but I also love the product too so I believe I am a bit of both.

I just know that knitting soothes me a great deal, it allows thoughts to float, ideas to form and takes me a million miles from what is possibly stressful. Otoh, I can think through a stressful situation and gain a different perspective on it while knitting ...and "gettin' my groove on"..!

Hope this day finds you with a neat groove and a restful cadence..

Well it is Friday tomorrow...my Saturday

2005-06-24T00:02:00.000-06:00

I work as a New Home Sales consultant and basically that means that I sell new homes for a home builder. That also means that I work weekends...Saturday and Sunday so I have Friday consistently, as the showhomes are closed that day...don't ask...just seems to be the industry standard here in Canada. I also try to take Thursdays and I have a reliable person who works with me on the weekends that is willing to fill in for me on Thursdays as well.

However for the past couple of Thursdays, I have had to go in...nothing earth shattering, just customers who feel that Thursday is there only day to come in and sign reasonably important documents. So today I mosey on in for 6 pm at which time two "older" sisters are coming in to choose colours for their new home. I waited and waited and waited and finally at 7 pm...(on my day off...or did I already say that), I called their home to investigate their whereabouts...and

Sis #1...: "oh, yes, well our ride hasn't shown up yet...".

Me: "..oh, well that is ok, is there another day you would like to do it? ..

Sis #1...uh...well I am trying to go back home tomorrow...so no...

(sister (oldest) lives in another city and is moving here to buy a house with her two other sisters...)..

Me: " Well unfortunately we can't proceed with the sales agreement until you choose your colours (a fact I have prepared them for many times, by saying, have a tour around and see what colours you like...".

Sis #1: "oh, well....I will call you back if we can't come tonight." click

So needless to say I was glad that they showed up but sheesh, not so much as a "so sorry" ...kiss my rear...or anything in the way of an apology...what gives with people?? Can't they just say SOMETHING??

In terms of knitting, I am working away on a couple of things...trying to make significant progress on the Meadow Flowers Shawl from IK..it is coming along and I am knitting with an alpaca lace weight off a cone I purchased at least 2 yrs ago off Ebay. As a result, my foggy brain can't give more than that in terms of details about the yarn. It is a rather "teal like" colour...not my fav but it is knitting up nicely and I will show pics once I get a bit further along.

ttfn..going to hit the sack and read for a bit.

Well finally I have a blog

2005-06-19T22:32:00.000-06:00

Well finally I have made some time in this crazy world to set up a blog. I am not sure how often I will post but lets say that I will try to do it at least 3 or 4 x/week for starters.

Today I met my newest grandbaby for the first time. She, her Mom and her two big brothers travelled 17 hours from Osaka, Japan to arrive here in sunny Alberta. She was born on April 30 and so she has certainly grown from her birth pics and she is a darling. She hasn't ditched her heavy stature and is still growing nicely from her 10lbs 14ox birthweight.

My dd works in Osaka for the Canadian government and is now on maternity leave. We were all excited to see them all and her two big brothers are wonderful as I knew they would be.

Knitting has been in between many other things lately. I am working on a pair of socks for the Secret Sock pal exchange...and knitting some lace of course in this summer of lace...

In my crazy work world, my weekend is Thursday/Friday. On Friday I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with a dear friend that I have not seen for a long while. We literally ran into one another at a fabric store on my birthday so just about a month ago and then planned lunch a couple of weeks ago. We picked up sort of where we had left off, with a few years of "gap filling" to bolster our friendship. We giggled, laughed and shed some tears at lunch and it was all good.

This must be the month for friends as earlier I had dinner with my oldest and dearest friend Cheryl. She and her man of many years and DH, Ross were visiting Alberta and they made a sideways trip to see me. It was all too brief but wonderful and again, many laughs, and lots of sharing,...now that conversation is just like a semi-colon between the years of pauses...

Well guess I will call it a day for now and see what I can do with my next post. Thanks for reading if you have ..!