Tour de France

The Tour kicked off Saturday morning. The riders have spent years preparing themselves physically and emotionally for the gruelling race. I have prepared for weeks to be able to knit along with them. I collected my yarn, the pattern, I even swatched to select the needles which would give me just the right effect.



And then I headed off to a family reunion. Sometimes, you have to pick your priorities. I spent the afternoon with people that I share a history with, descended from two brothers who crossed an ocean to settle in a lonely open prairie in hopes of something better.


They gave me the chance to grow up in a great country where we can pretty much say and do as we like without fear. Women can be anything they like and my daughter has every opportunity she could hope for.

Even if all she really wants is a popsicle and her Baba.

My project for the Tour is the Juno Regina wrap which I hope to wear to my sister's wedding in August. It is progressing well even though my yarn is incredibly fine. I think it's close to a cobweb yarn in silk and seacell that I bought in Vancouver last year.

I did an extra repeat of the diamond pattern to add some width and hope to make it about 65 inches long which is my approximate wingspan.

The burgandy diamonds do photograph well. Lace is hard to predict. You never really know how it will end until you block it. It is like a bike race where you never really know who will cross the finish line first until you see the photo finish.



Wish me luck! I have several feet of stocking stitch ahead of me but I hope to end with a flourish.

T. Casts On

My love and I wait all year for the start of it. We plan our weekend activities around when it's on. We read up months in advance to see who's in and who's out. I dream of being the flag waver to warn riders of the traffic circles. When Punky was 1 he knew what the word 'peloton' meant.

Le Tour.

The one and only.

With it I've decided to cast-on the February Lady Sweater.



The Argosy was the true winner of the vote, but I went with CathyAnn's suggestion that the FLS was likely more of a challenge to finish in the 3 week timeframe. I actually was surprised by the votes for Argosy. I just kind of threw it in at the last minute, but it's obviously a well-loved pattern.

So, 3 weeks of gorgeous French countrysides, mountain views, sunflowers, crazy people running after bikes, and don't forget the bike-riding.

I love July.

The Tortoise and the Hare

Some projects seem to fly off the needles. The February Sweater is one of those projects. It took me 2 weeks to knit. That's pretty quick considering I'm not a very fast knitter. I think it helps that I've made the baby version of this lovely garment a couple of times so I have the basics down. This is a fantastic pattern that was quite simple in execution and I think it would make a great beginner's projects. Ok, advanced beginner cause you have to know how to increase and purl. You could always cut out the lace if you wanted to really simplify it.

Being an avid watcher of What Not to Wear, I have come to understand the need for busty ladies to lock and load the girls so I did 5 buttons instead of 3.

I'm not sure you get the full effect with the baby bump sticking out. We'll have to wait til the winter to know if that was a good choice or not. As it stands, I'm quite enamoured with this little number. Too bad it's way too hot to be modelling it.

My second pair of Froot Loops are in the category of knits that seem to take forever.

I usually knit socks at work but I had a busy couple of weeks so no knitting. I'm trying to finish these up before the Tour de France starts so I can focus on lace knitting. I also have an idea for a men's sock pattern that I'd like to try out but I'll have to have some time to concentrate on that.

And in other news, look what Jill made me!

Isn't it GORGEOUS! It's totally me and I love it. Go over to her blog and tell her how much you love it, too! (I'm trying to get her to open up an Etsy shop so that knitters everywhere can enjoy her gorgeous yarns.)

Decisions, Decisions

Sometimes I can't make a decision to...well, come to a conclusion. I waffle back and forth and back and to the side and still can't decide. On some things, I'm entirely decisive. Politics, certain parenting decisions (those regarding sleep at least), and food.

Not with knitting however. Is it that there is too many choices? Or is it that I just get bored easily (yep, probably that one)?

So, in order to decide what to make I need some of your help. Hopefully you can be more decisive than me.

Option #1: February Lady Sweater
I guess I want to be like everyone else in the entire world, and make this. I have a yellow-ish yarn to go with it, so it will fit the theme of Maillot Jaune (the Yellow Jersey).

Option #2: The Tilted Duster
This was my original plan. It really doesn't fit the theme at all. It will also be near impossible to finish, but the point is to pick something challenging.

Option #3: Argosy
This is the newest member in the fleet of choices. I think a scarf is very French so it fits the theme. And I want to make it with this yarn that J. picked up for me from Toronto. I am currently in love with this yarn and want to eat it. It's 100% silk and hand-dyed by the amazing dyers of Handmaiden.


And this is actually something I can wear this summer.

Option #4: An Abridged Lace Ribbon Scarf
I'd use the same yarn as above, but make a skinnier version of the scarf, because I only have about 250m. Again, this is something I can wear right now. And I'm ALL 'bout instant gratification.

Option #5: The Aleita Shell
I bought yarn to make this shell this summer, and it keeps getting pushed back. The yarn is yellow (again fitting with the theme). It's pretty. It's summery. It's not overly exciting, but, I don't hold that against it.

I think those are the main options. I am open to other suggestions, because I'm sure that won't muddy the water at all. You have till Friday July 4th to comment. We cast-on July 5th.

(Oh, and I already know what J. will suggest....I've written it down and will let you know what my guess is after she comments.....)

Vive la France

I'm in training. I have a big event coming up and I want to be in top shape to meet the challenge head on. I want to do my best and I want to make my fellow knitters proud.

I'm starting the Tour de France Knitalong. And not just because T. is making me. No. This is something I sort of chose to do. Every once in a while, I find that the stimulus of a deadline can make knitting exciting. It's the thrill of the chase, the danger of falling down, the lack of any other interesting television.

As I am a new competitor this year, I am competing in the White Jersey category. That means I can knit whatever I want, really. I'm basically along for the ride and the men in tight pants. I have to admit, I do enjoy the crashes. There's usually some blood and a bent wheel or two. And the scenery is lovely. It makes me feel so European as I knit on my couch and basically act as a pod for this baby. I've chosen to knit the Juno Regina in a burgandy laceweight silk/seacell blend. I'll probably even do a little swatch (totally legal, no cheating here) so I'm ready with the correct needles. Like the yarn?

Me too.

I'm in Team Silence-Lotto. I understand we have a couple of good looking Australians on our team. Eye candy is very motivating.