Ups and Downs

I've been knitting away at the stash for a while now. I have to say, it seems like I'm really making a dent. Even though new sock yarn arrives intermittently, I have used up almost 8500 yds! Unreal! Of course, I've also acquired some yarn so my grand total stands at about 3800 yds out. Not bad.

However....I may have placed a massive order for some Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn yesterday. Not all of it is for me, but it's gonna be a fun package to open! I can't wait to see the Dude's face!

And since I'm being honest here, I came up with a list of Christmas knitting. It turns out if I crank out a gift a week, I might just make it. And that doesn't include any selfish knitting. I'm not sure that's going to happen so I've decided that July will be dedicated to Christmas knitting. I'll see how far I get. I may be editting the list on August 1st.

Tedious, Stale, Boring

Stocking stitch. An interminable amount of stocking stitch.

You would think that would mean a loathing of this project.

Actually - this project is my interlude. Respite from the insanity of the last few days of school and the upswing of summer.

It is a painfully slow project, but I'm enjoying it. For now.

Happy Father's Day

The Good:

Monster breakfast of bacon omelets, blueberry crumble, fruit and coffee.

Korean Ribs and corn on the cob for Supper.

Lots of hugs and kisses.

The Bad:

Forgetting pastries on the top of the truck and having to retrieve them from the street.

Cracking my head and having to staunch the bleeding.

Bad naps for P2.

Overall, par for the course. Happy Father's Day, Dude. Hope you like your Robblestone.

Being 20, again

So Miss J and I are going out tonight. To see a band. At a concert. Living life like we did back in the day. Although, truly, back in the day we wouldn't have been able to afford to see this band.

Anyway, our question to you is:

Are we too old to sport concert t-shirts, even if they are likley to only ever be seen at the park with our kids?

Adventures of a Knitting Hussy

I am a monogamous person. Really. I have been married to the same person for almost 9 years. Infidelity bothers me. I can't even have a little crush on celebrities who have cheated on their mates.

So how did I get to be such a two timing knitter?

My usual knitting includes a sock which can be carried around for intermittent knitting and some larger and possibly but not always more complex project for at home knitting. At the moment, I have three projects on the needles. None of them are socks. All of them are for me.

I started the Edmonton Knitters lace a long. The first clue was tantalizing but brief and I now have to wait until next Saturday for the next clue. Fortunately for me, ThatLoganChick has started a Winter Woolie a long for the off weeks. Now I have the beginning of a cowl to keep me occupied while I wait for more lace.

However, the first clue on the cowl didn't take me very long, either. I am therefore knitting the Delphine in Knitpicks Simply Cotton. I am really enjoying this yarn. It is soft with a lovely drape. I can knit this sweater with 4 skeins which means the whole thing costs under $15 Canadian, including shipping and handling. Speaking of handling, my fellow knitters decided over beer and public knitting that this yarn does not feel like cotton. In fact, it was fondled and caressed in a way that is usually reserved for finer fibres.

I may seek counselling to deal with my issue. On the hand, this may be the new norm....

Welcome

A new cousin is here.

There are 2 very proud big cousins.

And an aunt and uncle who are honored to be her godparents. I've decided I should knit her a baby shawl for the baptism. Something with a "rose" theme.

I need help.....

Tomorrow

I get to meet my new niece or nephew....


Tomorrow I get to sniff a soft little head and coo into a baby's ear.


Tomorrow I get expand the list of cousin names when I say prayers with Punky.


Tomorrow I get to wrap a new little soul in this...


Tomorrow can't come soon enough.

Surprises

Sometimes I am unsure if I like what I am knitting. This is usually the case when it comes to sock club kits. Maybe the yarn isn't quite within my colour comfort zone. The pattern might not be what I would usually select.

The May STR kit is a little like that for me. I didn't love it. I didn't hate it. I knit it just the same. Part of my reasoning for being in this sock club is to push myself and I think I've been doing that.

So needless to say, I was a little surprised to find that I like them. The colour and pattern somehow work better when I'm wearing them. Must be me.

P2 was also surprised.

And finally, I am delighted to say that the Edmonton Knitters Lace a Long has begun and I love the pattern so far.

Surprised again.

On the Street Where You Live

Sometimes, I yearn for the amazing yarn stores that live in other cities. I think it may be a case of the grass being greener. There are some great store here in Edmonton, but I often feel like I'm missing out because I don't live close to here or here or here.

Today, however, I am delighted to live exactly where I am because we're having a lace a long. A triangular shawl that will be revealed in clues all summer. And it's just for us. ThatLoganChick has designed something special that will be available to the world at large soon but for now, it is just for me and my homies.

Jealous?

Our Swedish Friend...

...Is having her 2nd blogiversary. We met Metta during our Hanami Knit-a-long and her comments never fail to lighten our hearts!

As part of her anniversary celebration she is having a little raffle for these items:


Metta - wishing you many more years of blogging. We are lucky to have met you in this crazy knit-blogosphere!

Your guess is as good as mine

What do you think this is?

This yarn was plucked out of a bin of seconds and mill ends from the store LK Yarns in Halifax. The lovely ladies at this store go to visit the Fleece Artist studios about once a week and are lucky enough to often get a grab bag with goodies such as this. The only catch - many times they have no idea what it is. They don't know the weight, the fiber, nothing.

So during my lengthy visit at the store, I would pull out a skein (while sitting on a stool the owner had provided me with - she must have known by my look that I would be there a while) and touch it, turn it over, look at the plies and try and guess what it was. Then I would ask the ladies what they thought it was. They were pretty darned good at knowing (or thinking they knew) what each skein was. Except for the one above. They admitted that after much pondering they still have no idea what it might be. Their conclusion - a heavy weight Casbah. It's softer than a merino (can you imagine?) and more tightly wound than a lot of their 100% wools. But really, it's all a guess.

To me - that was the best part of the store. The pulling out of these gems (and there were so many of them I can't even explain) from a box or a bin and trying to guess what it was. Then getting input from the 2 wonderful ladies working there. It was truly was one the best LYS experiences I have had - and more because of the interaction with the ladies at the store, than the yarn itself.

When in Halifax - go to LK Yarns. You will not be disappointed. And when you're done...there is a gorgeous patisserie down the street that makes a mean Lemon Square.