September Changes

This is a busy busy month over at Baad Medicine Industries. We have 3 children starting school (2 for the first time - and they get to go together, Princess #1 and my Stinky), new work schedules, going back to work preps for J. and just general insanity.

To try and keep J. and I from losing it (and we teeter on the levels of sanity at the best of times) we've decided to both start Wisteria. We're knitting it in the same yarn (different colours - any guesses who is knitting in blue and who in orange?). We're trying to complete a totally selfish project before more Christmas knitting overtakes October and November.

Do you want to join us? Get the pattern, wind the yarn and let's go......

River Valley Shawl: Edmonton Knitters Lace-a-Long

Knitters in our fair city were lucky enough to be invited to take part in a lace knit a long hosted by ThatLoganChick. This talented designer has several patterns available, but this one is special since it embodies the city in which we live.

The city of Edmonton was settled on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. This river is an important feature in the city's landscape.

There are 22 parks and over 150 km of trails in the green spaces surrounding the river. The River Valley constitutes the longest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America. It is 22 times larger than New York City's Central Park.

This shawl marks Edmonton's four distinct seasons as they appear in our River Valley. Wild strawberries in Spring. Pine cones and poplar leaves take us from summer to fall. Winter is marked by spruce boughs sparkling with beads.

What a lovely reminder of my home.

Over Ripe

I finally got around to knitting the July STR sock club kit. I could give you all sorts of reasons why I delayed these socks. I was in not one but two knit a longs. I got caught in a web of Christmas knitting that would not be denied. It's summer and I don't usually wear socks in summer.

With the September kit looming, I cast on these little anklets. The pattern is called In Season with the yarn being inspired by the colour of garden fresh vegetables.

While I think the pattern is cute, I can't say that I love these socks. The colour is just wrong for me. It's very vibrant without a hint of blue. Not that I discriminate against colours that aren't blue. I just happened to find this skein especially lacking in colours that I normally wear. That is to say, blue.

I knit them and and have set them aside for such a time as I find myself greatly changed in my colour preferences, or wishing to give them to someone who could give them a good home.

Anyone?

Friends don't let Friends

knit lace-weight cardigans. Right J?

It is a lovely cardigan. Soft and light and breezy.

It will be perfect for Fall and the colour is definitely perfect.

But I'm glad it's done. DONE.


On to bigger and better things. Like this perhaps?

Made In Brooklyn: A Book Review

My knitting boyfriend, I mean, Jared Flood recently published a book of patterns. When I heard about this collection, I was thrilled. Jared's blog, Brooklyn Tweed, never fails to inspire. His amazing photography, love of classic design and us of neutral colour palettes make his projects accessible to most knitters. Once Jared has knit a pattern, it turns up on Ravelry queues and on needles everywhere.

Prior to the publication of this book, Jared has had a number of patterns published and I have had the pleasure of knitting a few of them. I find his instructions to be very clear and absence

of fussiness in the knitting process.

There is a nice mix of projects here. There is colourwork and cables.

Lace. (This is made from 2 km of laceweight alpaca. Not for the feint of heart. One day, though....)

Sweaters for men and women. (Ok. These are not sweaters, but the Dud looks interested, don't you think?)

Hats.

Mittens.

The patterns to me speak of Elizabeth Zimmerman in a modern way. Elegant and wearable.

5 hearts to you, Jared Flood. And not just cause you're my knitting boyfriend.

Husband of the Year?

Last week, my Love abandoned me for a few days to go to Boston for "work" (as far as I'm concerned, it can't truly be considered work if it's in a fun place). The College he was staying at was 10 miles from Webs. Yes, you heard me. 10 miles from the largest yarn store in America. 10 miles. To top it off, on the shuttle out to the conference he met a knitter who ALSO wanted to go to Webs.

So he went. He went with a list and my hopes that he wouldn't be overwhelmed.

He took pictures of the store.


He took pictures of the warehouse - yes, warehouse.


He took a special picture just for J. (note the reference in the picture to your knitting boyfriend - I guess my Love does listen to me when I drone on about knitting)


And he may have bought me some yarn. Maybe. (I'll show you that next time....it's good).

My Heart Swells

My friend Andi is a tough nut. She recently lost over 50 pounds. That's a lot.

Today she ran a half marathon. 13 miles. 21.4 km. It's not easy. You lose track of how long you've been going and how much your body hurts. You realize at some point that you've been running for a couple of hours and wonder how that happened.

And if you're lucky, you look this good while you're doing it.

Way to go, Andi! I'm so proud of and inspired by you.

Ribbons

Last weekend I went to my hometown for a little small town fun and frivolity with the kids.

The town fair was going on and I knew the boys would love the parade, and I, well I would love the bench exhibits. Everything from best decorated cookie by a 5 year old to best poster of a science problem to best needlework by a senior. I came prepared with some handknits to enter. I paid my $2.75 ($2 to become a member of the Agricultural society and 25 cents per entry). I filled out my forms (with my maiden name so people would have some idea of who I was) and submitted my entries.

The next day I came and saw this....

And this...


And lastly this....
2 Firsts for the Ishbel and the FLS and a 3rd for my Kai-mei socks (I don't know if the judges could appreciate Cookie A's construction of the sock - it lost to a standard slipper in Phentex).

And - $7 in prize money!!

My mom thinks my goal for next year should be an entry in each knitting class - maybe I'll make enough money to take myself out for lunch (likely not enough to take anyone with me though)...

I still knit. Honest.

Lately, I've been consumed with knitting gifts for Christmas. Top secret, don't you know.

I have finished a couple of things that I'd like to share. Here's my take on the Edmonton Winter Woolies Knit a Long. It started with a cowl on 4 different needle sizes which you used as a gauge for the next projects. I skipped the hat, although seeing pictures on Ravelry have me regretting that decision. The last two clues were for fingerless mittens. I have to confess that I just haven't hopped on the fingerless mitten bandwagon. I mean, they are everywhere and there are some lovely patterns, I just can't see how they would fit into my life. So I did a little magic and whipped up some full fledged mittens.

I also finished my Rogue knit a long socks. It's the Outside In socks from Knitty in Jitterbug. I'm so glad I knit these socks for a number of reasons. First, they were a group knit a long with some of my favourite knitters, so how could I refuse? The yarn was a gift from a very kind and thoughtful lady in just the perfect colourway. As I knit these socks, I fell under their spell. Every few rows I would peak at the inside of my knitting to see how things were turning out. I almost swapped my normal heel flap for the recommended after thought heel, but I followed the pattern to the letter, and I'm glad I did. I learned that I don't love afterthought heels, but I do love my knitting Rogues.

So ladies? What's next?

3 is a Magic Number

As the lyrics say, it represents the past, the present and the future.

The past:


The present:

And the future? I'm sure it will be filled with more hugs, snuggles, hand-holding, broken bones, broken hearts, gray hair and will definitely will never be boring.

I love you my Baby Boy. My Stinker.

Survey Says....

So, I think you must have all gone Rogue since there has been a dismal number of submissions for the Rogue Knitters motto. Here are some options to get you thinking.

1. Knitting a better tomorrow.

2. Just knit.

3. Knit anywhere. Knit everywhere.

4. Have yarn, will travel.

5. Insert your motto here.

Please leave your vote for your favourite motto in the comments. Prizes will be awarded. T-shirts may be in our future! Travel mugs! Project bags! Ah, the options are endless.....

Cast off

The Rogue KAL has begun - and we know we have a few of you out there who have joined us in our sneaky endeavour.

I know Irene has already done one heel (and it's grafted??) and is already concerned about if she'll have enough yarn. (Just so you know, Irene is a friend of mine who has a stash that makes all our stashes look like nothing - like a small pile of insignificant yarn. This is the friend you want - that way you can say things like, "sure I have lots of yarn, but have you seen how much Irene has???? Anyway ... )

I too have cast on and once you see the yarn, you'll see why I don't really want to put this down.


ORANGE yarn. LOVE. I'm doing the small size on 2.5 mm needles because the yarn (Jitterbug) is a little bit heavier fingering.

In order to get these cast on during the weekend, I had to madly finish these....


My first finished socks from Cookie A's new book. And I think the have re-ignited my love of sock knitting.

AND don't forget to leave a comment here with your Rogue Knitter motto - you might win something.