Winter wonderland

Winter is finally here. It is -22 Celsius and there is a foot of snow as of yesterday. (no pictures, I figure people are already tired of seeing that) But you know what? As much as I'm inclined to grumble, I'm not going to. Yes, part of that is because I rarely have to leave the house for work anymore, but part of it is that it's time. We had unusually warm temps for the month of November, so it seems drastic and fast, but really this is where we are supposed to be.

The other reason is it makes it feel like Christmas. And I like Christmas. I like decorating the tree. I like baking cookies. I like finding the perfect gift, and seeing the persons face when they open it. I like seeing friends and sharing Christmas cheer. I like rushing around and spending the day with family. I like talking to relatives far and near on the phone, that we don't generally make the effort to at other times of year. I like getting Christmas cards and updates in the mail. There is something to be said to a written paper card in this age of technology, and it's like a little surprise, beside daily bills. I like putting my love into the perfect knitted gift. Sure my sister and I will fight (even as the grown-up we are supposed to be), the roads will be slippery and possibly hazardous. The malls will be full of people, most of them rushed and rude. It will take me hours to write out, and then mail my Christmas cards. But I have decided, I am going to keep focused on the positive, and enjoy every minute of this season. There are only 25 days left until the big day. I'm not going to let one pass without telling someone I love them. It may be my last Christmas with someone (we lost 3 family members this year) and I'm not going to let a minute be wasted. I'm just going to focus on the positive and enjoy the good things that happen.

I do have finished work to show you. I think I decided that the multi-directional scarf would be a good gift for grandma. I don't need anymore scarves, and I think she would appreciate a hand knit gift, especially one she didn't make herself. I love that way that the yarn fades from one color to another making one pattern, and the triangles make another. This was a fun project and I think the Noro silk worked really well for it.



Next I have nephews' slippers, pre-felting. I measured his foot back in September, and our feet are about the same size, so now I think I'll just go ahead and felt, and maybe make them a little loose on me, so they should fit and give him a little room to grow. I'm hoping to get that done soon, as I remember when I did mine they took days to dry, and I don't want to be wrapping wet slippers on Christmas Eve.



Now, go have some eggnog or a hot chocolate with a candy cane in it, and enjoy the beginning of this crazy season :)

meme for me...

I've been tagged with a meme by Gwen I was going to post it last week, but decided that the breast cancer post, although more depressing, was more important, so it got to go first. Now some fun stuff. :)

What is your favorite yarn to knit with? Right now I'm in to socks, so I'd have to say Lorna's laces sock, or opal. I also made a scarf I'm quite fond of with some noro silk garden, and though not as soft as I expected, it was fun to knit with, as the colors were beautiful and I liked seeing it knit up.

What's the worst thing you've ever knit? I originally thought knitting would be fun, because I could make those cute "bubbly" slippers that grandmas make. You know, the phentex ones? Not the project you want to learn to knit with, as it is slippery, splits, and feels horrible. (At least it was cheap). I never did get enough tension to make the gathers or bubbles. Yep, gotta say it's phentex, although, that cheap acrylic that comes in the huge balls is probably a close second.

Most valuable technique – I think it has to be the ability to turn a heel. I took a sock knitting class, and I think I would have gotten overwhelmed and quit if I didn't have anyone to walk me through the turning the heel and picking up the stitches and the gusset. Now it's one of my most often done, and favorites.

Your most favorite knitting pattern - I'm going to have to say the basic sock pattern because it is the one I make the most.

Favorite Knitwear designer – I don't really pay attention. Isn't that horrible? But I don't know that I can tell you the designer of most of the stuff I made. Not the way my brain fires I guess. That stuff doesn't stick.

Best Knitting Magazine - Interweave. Good designs, that I find tasteful. Fun assortment of projects. A lot of patterns in sizes I can wear.

Favorite Book – I assume this is favorite knitting book. I have about 3 I like and use regularly, if I had to pick my favorite, I'm going to say Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. Although these days Knitted Babes by Claire Garland is a close second.

Your Favorite Knit Blogs- All the knit blogs that I drop in on regularly are listed on the left side. Don't know if I can pick a favorite.

Knit item you wear the most – I wear socks regularly, but once again I try to be fair and rotate. (I know, I'm such a geek. Can you tell that I have my training in education?)

I'm going to tag Christy and Nann.

Next week, finished objects!

cancer, create, cure, contemplate

I once heard someone say that it is no longer a matter of if you will get cancer, it is when and what kind. That has stuck with me for a long time. Everybody's life is touched by cancer. I have an aunt who died from cancer, my grandfather is a cancer survivor, and my DH lost both his paternal grandparents to cancer this year. Those are just the immediate family members that fought with cancer, that doesn't even count extended family and friends.

Why am I putting such a depressing topic on a web blog? Because my friend Gina has come up with what I think is a wonderful idea. I'm going to let her tell about it, as she was far more eloquent at describing in then I could be. This is copied from the e-mail I received from her yesterday.

"I was wondering if you would help me to get the word out about a very
special project. I have been working with Beryl Tsang (www.titbits.ca)
and MJ DeCocteau (www.rethinkbreastcancer.com) on an idea to support
the many young women and their families that face breast cancer by
raising funds for research. The funds will all be directed to ReThink
Breast Cancer. My idea is to ask knitters to make a Tit Bit, using the
free Knitty pattern, and send it in. I am trying to encourage a lot of
creativity in these. They don't have to be wearable necessarily, more
objects d'art. We will then auction the titties at the annual
fundraising Gala, held here in Calgary, AB Canada in June. Any others
will be auctioned on "Tit e-bay". Wearable titties will be provided at
no charge through Titbits to women who have recently undergone a
mastectomy. Of course, there will be knitterly prizes awarded because
everyone deserves to be thanked for their support."


Here is a link to Gina's site, and for the ReThinking Titbits site as well as the titbits pattern at knitty.

I firmly believe that we need to cure cancer, and it is such a powerful killer that affects everyone, and that once we defeat one, we are well on our way to getting them all. Please make a titbit. I will be.

recovering

Well, I think I have survived. Friday was the worst, but I got to lay on the couch, watch talk shows, and be brought ice cream and flowers by my DH, so it can't have been all bad. Last night I actually sleep through the night and wasn't awakened by the pain, and didn't have to get up and take pain medicine.

Ok, enough about my teeth. I'm sick of them I'm sure you are too. Nothing more till I have to go back and get the crowns put on. *edited to add- dh just droped in casual conversation that I have an appointment on Thursday. Doesn't he think it would have been nice to know? Like I'm supposed to remember everything that happened when I was ASLEEP!*

Yesterday I actually got a little knitting done. I started a Wendy toe-up sock with some scraps from a sock I made a couple of years ago. That way I know when to stop knitting, is my theory. I did a different toe this time then the last time I made one of her socks. I think I like... Wanna see?



I also got a little knitting done before Wednesday, because I knew I wasn't gonna be able to knit for a while and was afraid of withdrawal.

Here is a Multidirectional diagonal scarf, made in Nero Silk.



Here is my nephew's second slipper, all it needs now is to bind off the cuff and add the second sole.



Here is my birch scarf started, made with Lorn's laces (thanks Gina!)…



Ok, enough fun for one day. Off to lie on the couch and maybe knit a little ;)

PS Thanks for the advice Gwen, I did manage to get some new dpns out of the deal. If I push a little harder, I just might get some sock yarn. :D

1000, progress, and dentist.

Ok, I'm getting close to hitting 1000, which is very cool. I can't believe at all. If you happened to be guest 1000, I would appreciate a hey, who you are, where you are from, and even how you came to land on this little corner of the internet.

Random thought, why do the political bloggers always seem to find my blog?

I have finished objects and pictures to show! Yea!

1. Lace. I dropped a stitch, about six rows back and haven't bothered to go back and pick fix it yet. (I'm alternating between being mad at myself and pouting.)

2. Nephew's Christmas slippers. I have one finished, and the second one half done, but then I actually ran out of wool! I had to go to the local yarn store yesterday and luckily they had some left of the same dye batch. Now I have to wind another ball to finish them. (Man, I really hope I get that ball winder for Christmas. Other wise I'm taking a hiatus from buying things that come in skeins)

3. Clapotis. I have managed about 20 more rows on this. I love this project, but am having trouble getting excited about it. Don't know why, because I really want to wear it, but can't finish it. Thinking about joining the knit along to motivate me.

4. Socks. One pair went back to the frog pond, and is now becoming a pair done on circulars. My koigu autumn socks are finished! Warm and cuddly. They are just a basic sock pattern with a 2x2 rib all the way down. I did have color pooling on these, but I like it, it reminds me of wind and autumn leaves.



5. Popsicle hat. This is my friend, Sam. She is a twin, (her brother is Sam as well, but we rarely confuse them, as he lives one province away, and we can tell them apart visually, as his nose is blue) and the only one that was around and willing to model the hat when it was finished. I tried the whole bathroom mirror shot, but apparently I'm not coordinated enough to get one of publishable use. All were off center or fuzzy, but although bears don't need hats, Sam loved modeling the soft hat. It is made of a wool and cotton yarn, but I don't know how warm it will be, as the fabric seems loose to me. I used the yarn that the pattern calls for, mine is just greener, as is the beauty of hand dyes.



6. Blanket. It is still on hold till after Christmas.

So see? I have been a good girl, but must say, I'm a little bored now. Can I start something new yet? I have 2 balls of Noro silk that are calling out to be a multi-directional scarf.

I might be away for a while. I have to go Wednesday to the dentist for 9 hours. Yes, that is right. I am having sedation dentistry, and there is so much work, they want me there all day. You can tell I must be pretty desperate to be going at all. So, depending how long recovery is going to take from all of that, is when I will be back. I'm hoping a couple of days but we'll see.

Do you think I can get away with playing the "hard done by" card around here? I'm willing to try. ;-)

Done complaining. Have a good week, and try and send some good vibes if you think of me on Wednesday.

problem (or ode to LL)

I have a problem. Well, an addiction really. I am addicted to Lorna's laces, the sock stuff. It all started back one day when I was cruising blogs. I found a color way called mint chocolate. It was beautiful and I had to have it. Now when I come across a color way I love, I by it. This in it self, not a problem, just simple stash enhancement. My problem? I love it so much I'm afraid to know with it. I love the colors. I love the way they blend in to another (or not blend, depending). I love the softness. I love the twist of the skein. I even love the cute little paper label. How could I ruin that by making socks that I may or may not like? And may have to remake? And then wear till they wear about and I have to *gasp* through them away? I've thought about making other things, but I need the PERFECT project for such beauty, and simply haven't found it yet.

Any one have any idea's on how to break this? I've thought about getting a color I'm not so hot about, and mucking around with it. Or maybe I'll just have to build (can you knit one?) a display case and collect it.

20 things

Well, I had lots of lovely and wonderful things to show you today, but that is all going to have to wait, because I have been tagged for this meme by Gina... go give her some love...

20 things about me:

1 I have a DH, no kids, 2 cats and a dog. (My fish died last week)
2 I own and run my own business (on-line book store)
3 I have no sense of smell
4 I have 2 sisters, 11 and 12 years older then I am (half)
5 I quilt, crochet, do origami, and paint (a little) as well as knit
6 I believe you can never have too much sock wool, as you can never have too many socks
7 I’ve been knitting for just under 2 years
8 I have lived in the same city all my life, as has my hubby.
9 My married name and maiden name both start with F
10 I'm trained as an educational assistant.
11 I have taken classes as an accountant, journalist, travel agent, early childhood education, library assistant, educational assistant, ASL, and lots of extra, fun classes ( drawing, quilting, tea leaf reading, knitting ect.)
12 I am addicted to coffee, the internet and chocolate.
13 I used to collect cute erasers shaped like things.
14 My parents are still happily married.
15 I took French for 13 years in school, 4 of those (K-3) were emersion.
16 I have been to France, England, Ireland, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and all over the US and Canada.
17 My DH and I are TV addicts, and have certain shows we NEED to watch each day of the week. Hey, I’m a cheap date. That is ok. It leaves me more money for yarns.
18 When I was in grade 5, I broke my arm for the first time. I have broken it 5 times since (different places, different arms) that includes once in Hawaii, and once in Ireland, to the embarrassment of my family
19 My hair changes with my moods. I am naturally brown, usually red (of one shade or another, from strawberry blond to a pure 'punk' red) and was blond on my wedding day.
20 I got married in Vegas, in a castle (Excalibur) in a medieval style wedding, with our immediate families there.


That was harder then I thought. As I have never done this before, I apologize for any breach of rules that I may make. (and if you do, could you please tell me, so I don't do it again... thx) Do I just pick 3 people? I thought of a couple of way to do this. I could pick the 3 people after me on the web ring. I could take the last 3 people who commented on my blog. I thought it would be fun to pick 3 Melissa's, and let them have a go, just because I think it's different and fun, (and there seem to be a lot of us.) So Melissa, Melissa and Melissa, you have been tagged.

Progress.

Yes, I’m making some. I have the first slipper of the pair that I am making ot felt for nephews Christmas gift. Want proof? Ok



I have also had success on my autumn koigu socks. Sorry, no proof of that one, but it shouldn’t be long, as I have just finished the gusset for the second one. Now it’s in the home stretch to the toe. Whoo hoo!

This cold caught DH yesterday. He is complaining because it knocked him on his back for a day. I know people who it knocked out for the better part of 2 weeks.

And in Christmas shopping season too. There are only 4 possible Christmas shopping weekends in my book, in November. If it’s not bought by the 30th, they are not getting it. (December is for other things like, wrapping and baking, am I organized or what?) That is ok, he redeemed himself by getting better so we could go today ;)

Man, the rudeness has already started. The people at the mall, and I’m talking about he ones who work there are already snippy. How are they gonna make it to Christmas? I think you need to be a certain personality type to work at a mall, if you’re not, then maybe you shouldn’t’ be.

Any ideas for DH for Christmas? I have a couple, but more always appreciated. The man has no hobbies; I’m convinced it’s just to make my life hard ;)

It happens to the best of us…

WARNING! POSSIBLE FAMILY CHRISTMAS SPOILERS…

I was talking to my friend yesterday whom I have been trying to teach to knit. (Which may I add, I hard from one province away, when we only see each other once in a blue moon, but possible…) She said she was getting frustrated, and needed a kick in the butt. It got me to thinking, who doesn’t? So here is my kick in the butt. I’m going to post about half of my work in project pile (I don’t like the term unfinished object, it sounds negative and final.) These are just the ones that I have started in the past month. The other half is things I have been avoiding for a while. I hope the embarrassment will spur me on to finish something. Maybe it’s not a huge pile, but its stuff taking space, and that I could be using. Especially now that the weather has turned. And we have an approaching Christmas deadline I hear.

So here goes…



Pictured here is my Clapotis (that I started in July), two pairs of socks, a felted slipper for my nephews Christmas present, a popsicle hat (for me or grandma, I haven’t’ decided yet, she may get something a little less colorful), and a lace scarf that I started when I wanted to start experimenting in lace, but haven’t got very far, because I have been working on other things.

Added *not pictured is that blanket that I started in January with a class through the city, that just needs to be sewn up and trimmed, but that is such a large project is has been repeatedly shuffled to the back for smaller ones, this is on the list too*

So, my goal is to get at least 2 things done before I start any others. This is my goal/ kick. If anyone feels inclined they are welcome to offer and additional kick/ encouragement. I expect J to be my mutual butt kicker/ nag till this is done. ARE YOU LISTENING J?

Maybe this kick in the butt will show J she is not alone, and kick her in the butt too.