4 Feet 6 inches… December 27, 2009

One foot and 6 inches to go!  I’m slowly losing my mind!  I’ve been home all day because I’m not feeling well, and haven’t even taken a breath of FRESH air yet – maybe I’ll just stick my head out the window!  Nonetheless, I’ve been knitting, tidying up, and watching an absurd amount of useless t.v.  I want to know why there are so many cheerleading movies! Ack!

 So here she is – yes, I’ve decided to call the scarf a she! Why not?!  She’s almost there.  I have until Wednesday to have it completely done and dropped off.  From now on if anybody wants something smallish there will be a 2 month minimum request time. Minimum!

My wrists hurt, my fingers hurts, but back I go to knit some more!

Santa’s Coming December 24, 2009

In keeping with the holiday spirit, here’s a song for you.

Just wanted to say – that the backup singers scare me a little bit!

Happy holidays & Merry Christmas!

Babies and things December 24, 2009

So about 8 months ago (I’m a little late posting this) L showed me an old issue of Ashford ‘The Wheel’ magazine.  Ashford, for those who don’t know, is a company in New Zealand that has a magazine, makes spinning wheels and drop spindles, yarn, and dyes…  Check them out! 

In this issue was a recipe for a baby wrap.  I decided to make it for my friend who just had a baby!  I made a couple of mistakes but it was UBER easy.  I never gave it to her though since she was early and by the time I was able to see her the baby was too big for the wrap.  I used a beautiful cotton yarn in a light mint green and cream white together to thicken up the stitch.  It came out quite beautifully actually – it doesn’t even look like it’s two separate colours.  I will post a picture soon.

I also made a pair of scratch mitts (so babies don’t scratch themselves) and booties, in a purplish wool from dream in color.  Those were very easy too!  I was very proud of myself when I turned the heel because it was much easier, since I’d already done a pair of socks – where I didn’t understand about turning a heel!  They look great too!  

I’ve decided I’m going to start posting the recipes I use for most of my projects on the blog – I will still direct you to where I found them originally!  What’s funny (not necessarily haha) is that I have a ton of pattern books but the web is so easy to search and print!  Like my cooking recipes I need to focus and work through a whole book.  Hey….there’s an idea!

A Time to give December 23, 2009

Today marks another time to give back.   We recently went a bought a number of toys to give to a local charity of some kind.  I called Women’s Habitat again to find out if they have children there.  They do!  So we brought in 2 big bags of toys.  You can’t see it in the picture but we also got a bunch of books, stickers, soothers, crayons, and a baby bath thermometer.  We hope it makes some mothers and childrens holiday a little brighter! 

Toys, toys, toys

What tangled webs I weave December 22, 2009

Well, it’s 3 days till Christmas and Harry Potter’s Scarf will not be being boxed!  Unless, it comes to life while I’m sleeping and knits itself up the last 3 feet!  Everyone close your eyes, cross your fingers, spin around 3 times, and say “KaPowEe Zowee, you will be feenEe” at exactly 8pm EST.  Ok?  Thanks! I think that that will really help me out!

Two days ago – as promised to myself, I called my ’sister-in-law’ to inform her that I would not be able to get the scarf to her by the 24th.  Just not enough time – which is why I asked for more time originally.  Nonetheless, she sounded disappointed but ok with it.  I mean, what was her choice really?

Well, I now have to have it done by the 30th – so wrist cramps, callouses and all – onward and knitward!

Also, just to share a song I really like with you!

Calling all ink blotters! December 21, 2009

I don’t know about the title…I thought it sounded cute!

I’ve added a new page to this blog called ‘Ode to a Row’ – I’m sure you can read into the pun!

Here is where poetry/haikus/odes will go.  They can be knitting related or not.  They can be anonymous or not.  They can be famous or not.  But I welcome you to share anything you’ve written!  I already know at least one person that I would like to see put some inspiring words on this page!

A few knitting tips and tricks December 20, 2009

I continue to learn, as I’m sure I will for many years to come!  Today I picked up a new circular needle.  I’m going to start working on that hat for my cousin.  I went by knitomatic and just the right needle size (they were out of the dpn’s in the size I needed) and assumed I had the right length.  I was then told that (and here’s a tip) if the circular needle’s length is longer than what is needed it will stretch out the project! Ahhhh! Makes sense.

This will be my first project on a circular needle.  I tried once and it just seemed awkward.  So, I’ve been sticking with dpns.

Some photo updates December 19, 2009

Knitting in Cuba

So, I’ve knitted in Cuba – and that is my Harry Potter Grifindor scarf.  I got the pattern from Ravelry – once it’s done I will post the direct link with a photo.  The hat in white and mint stripe, is my first try at making leaves.  I think they turned out pretty good!  Next is my wool winder that I got on ebay for 25$ after going to Lettuce Knit, Knit-o-Matic, and Romni to find them being sold for 60$ and up – when I saw them on sale for 20$ in the summer! Obviously I should have bought it then but I didn’t know that that was the sale price!!! Anyway, the last picture is a skein I wound.  It really is a lot of fun!

Ho HO Ho!!! December 18, 2009

So, I’ve returned from my trip to Cuba – and had a great time! A tan, the ocean, the beach, the pool, the drinks, the relaxation!  I did knit there but only after I saw another woman (who was older than me) knitting on the beach.  I did knit a few rounds on the beach but it was hard! There was sand, sunscreen, and it’s an acrylic wool blend for Pete’s sake!  It was 38 degrees (99 Fahrenheit for you south of the border)!!!  It was sticking to me!  Needless to say I didn’t get much done. Even though it was easier to knit by the pool.  But I am now 10 rows from 3′.  However, when I told my sister-in-law that she wouldn’t be getting it for Christmas she pleaded to me – please do what you can please!!!  I’m going to call her in 2 days and say – it’s not going to be ready for Christmas!  Really though, she should have given me more time but I’m working on it as best I can! 

Tonight is the last night of Chanukah and I didn’t light the candles – I’m babysitting for a great family that I’ve known for 6 years!!!  I really love them – they are very sweet and being able to watch them grow has really been amazing!  We watched a movie together and I knitted!  I’m knitting everywhere. I knit in the car, the bus, the subway, the streetcar, anywhere I can just so I can get closer to finishing it in the next 5 days!  Cutting it kind of close I know!

Did I mention that I got a wool winder?  I don’t have the umbrella tree though I’d like it but it would take up to much room.  I love the wool winder!  I just want to put everything into those little center pull skeins!

The other day I had a ‘one on one’ with my supervisor.  She just wanted to check in with me (and the others).  She asked how things were going and how I like the position…  Over the next couple of days I’m going to post some pictures of my progress and play a bit of catch up with my other posts.  You know, every time I start a project I always tell myself that I want to photograph each step of the progress – cast on, knitting, the growth, and so on so that then I could make a little video.  I think it would be cool.  It could be like  one of those discovery channel views when they show nature and the seasons on the forest floor sped up into like 30 seconds!  But everytime I start the project I go all gung (sp.) ho and get into it and then pass the ‘cool’ point of taking the ‘growth’ shots!

I forgot to mention before I went away that I made a donation of wool.  Well over a month ago, L and I cleaned out a number of boxes she had full of unused and to continue to be unused wool.  We stuffed it all in a big garbage bag and added a couple of pairs of big plastic knitting needles and into my trunk they went…for a while!  Finally, I realized the holidays were coming and I was going away.  It was also embarrasing to go into my trunk since it was full of everything – as P can attest to!   So I did some research on shelters and found Women’s Habitat of South Etobicoke.  They were very excited to receive so much!  One of their staff actually teaches knitting classes so I know it will go to good use!

I will leave you today with a question.  What do you give to someone who has given you so much and opened their heart and home to you and already has all that they could ask for?

Just a little funny… November 26, 2009

I know that I have a strange sense of humour, and some of you may not ‘get it’.   But every time I read Get Fuzzy (the comic strip) it makes me laugh.  I find the writer’s sense of humour to be dry, dark, & sarcastic like me!  I’ve asked for one of their books for Chanukah!  We’ll see what Chanukah Harry puts under my Chanukah bush!