FO Friday: And this was supposed to be a quiet week!

DH’s Birthday, Maplefest (annual local event), Chapters book browsing, seeing Iron Man 3 (which was awesome!) watching Leafs tear your heart out, Craft group, lunch with the girls, Knittin club and Physio followed by lunch out with MiL (who has completely recovered, yay)  and through all this I am beavering away on my Dawn till Dusk Lace shawl, this has indeed been a humdinger of a week…

I’m in the middle of a pile of projects, embarrassed to say nothing done this week. Well started weeding the garden, we dug out 2 dead bushes and filled the planters with fresh soil… and making plans for the big event for my DS (more to come on this next month).

I adopted a couple of new books this week :0)

The Knitting Stitch Bible by Maria Parry-Jones

you can never have too many stitch dictionaries!

and Take-Along Knitting

Found on ravelry: Damask by Kitman Figueroa I liked this so much I bought the pattern one day I will knit it.

I have been enjoying reading other people’s blogs, I’m going to start linking to some you might enjoy too :0)

Blog visiting:  Peacefully knitting with Tina

Inspiration to add to my large collection of what happened next in the Austen novels.

What am I reading? Mr Darcy’s Diary by Maya Slater

Picked it up as a discard from the local library. Very entertaining so far.

Another useful tutorial:

Toe-up socks 2 at a time by Tii Casa (part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

This weeks musical interlude:

The Last Saskatchewan Pirate by the Arrogant Worms another great Canadian band! :0)

Current WIP List (15)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 20% done 
2. Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal 
3. Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern I am working on 30%
4. Sssydney and friends two more to do
5. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
6. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
8. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
9. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
10. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
11. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
12. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
13. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
14. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
15. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 15

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 15 + 1 = 16

Thanks again for visiting,

cya next week :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Adding a few to the list…

After last weeks craziness, I am hoping for a more restful week… The weather here in Ontario is lovely, and sunny. Good for sitting outside with a cuppa and knitting, while listening to Bach!

Need to move the fire pit and bring down the coffee table. and my netbook works out here too!

The Boyz put up the awning and gardening season is about to begin :0)

From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf  deadline is coming fast!

The dark pink makers are the half way point, all down hill from there :0)

Must be done by May 25th.

Mile a Minute Blanket This has been a delightful experiment!

Coming along nicely! I have another stripe ready to attach.

 Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal 

The ball on the lower right has much more of the centre green than appears in this picture.

Piles of Smiles socks  a new pattern I am working on

Really makes plain old stripes dance!

Found on ravelry: OctoCrush Hat by Ellen Taylor. Nice summer sun hat

I have been enjoying reading other people’s blogs, I’m going to start linking to some you might enjoy too :0)

Blog visiting: Of Yarny Notions: Tales of a Nerdy knitter

Another useful tutorial: A Sock Surgeon’s Afterthought Heel Technique I frequently use this technique, or knit in a waste yarn so there are no ends to darn in!

This weeks musical interlude: The Best of Bach (this is a whole album)

And last but not least what am I reading?

The Golden Thread: A Readers Journey Through the Great Books            by Bruce Meyer

A wonderful overview of the seminal works of Western literature and why we still read them. I’ve read this several times and still find new insights. Just finished the Bible and am working on Homer’s Odyssey.

Highly recommend this to literature lovers.

Current WIP List (15)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 20% done  
2. Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal
3. Piles of Smiles socks  a new pattern I am working on
4. Sssydney and friends two more to do
5. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
6. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
8. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
9. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
10. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
11. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
12. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
13. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
14. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
15. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 13 + 2 = 15

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 14 + 1 = 15

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

Happy New Year 2013!

My DS usually spends New Years Eve with his friends, while DH and I go out for a romantic dinner together. Tomorrow the family will gather at our house for early dinner and celebrate the New Year. We always spend the first and last day of the year with the people we love.

I competed my MiL’s Scarf, it has ended up as a late Christmas Present

  

MiL christmas scarf finished with 2 1/2 hours to spare, New Years eve!

Where to go to see all last years projects on Ravelry.com

And the Jar, from March to December 2012

The Jar Dec 2012

I think I’ll but it in an onion bag in the spring and watch for colourful nests.

My New Years Resolutions for 2013

1. I will Complete 7 WIP’s that have been sitting around.
2. I will knit both sweater patterns my DH gave me for Christmas 2012!
3. I have given up on organizing my stash, instead I will parcel up 13 projects with pattern,  stash yarn etc that I will make this year!
4. I will make ALL items for the Church Bazaar and craft sales from stash!
5. I will not replenish my stash as it deminishes unless DH approves (well maybe this rule can be a little flexible? I need to get the yarn for #8) (update this lasted for 14 days last year) I am going to see how long I will last this year!
6. Goal this year, significant stash reduction!
7. My studio will be dumped out and made into a haven for Knitting, sewing and scrapbooking!
8. I will complete one handmade gift for each of the 11 people that will be joining us Christmas 2013
9. I will make my DH and DS each a Hat
10. Last fibre related resolution, I will spin more.

Last Years New years resolutions - How they worked out!

I begin the year with 7  WIP’s (Leftovers from last year)

• Beryl Blanket
• Cozy Winter Shawl
• Pine Forest Baby Blanket
• Easy Peazy Shawl
• Kelp Forest Shawlette
• Ruffle Scarf #6
• SPROUT – Growing Roots Cardigan

This year I’m beginning by reading

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte on my new Koboglo. This was a free download. This is an old favourite, I reread it every few years.

I had to share this with you. A friend of ours quipped,

“In 2012, you got an Ebike, and an Ebook, you should tell your Efriends”

Bye the Bye, the Koboglo has been a steep learning curve, however I am beginning to get the hang of it, and like it better than my old Sony ereader. It holds loads more books (2gb can be upgraded to 32gb), needs a lot less chargeing it lasts a month, super easy to load new books on, and Kobo offers a wide selection of free ebooks. I like the self system and connectivity to the web. I wasn’t too sure about the touch screen till I bought a rubber tipped stylus. My hands shake and this was causing problems. I have downloaded  a bunch of knitting pattern PDFs so I can carry them around when looking for yarn or knitting. I also read at night in bed, DH loves the glo feature! No more midnight bed side lamp. I would recommend this  product. Warning, needs patience to get it working, after that it is a breeze. 

FO 2011 = 105  

FO’s 2012 =  78 (I did a few more large projects)

WIPS 2013 = 7

Stash used 2012 = 88 (stunned by this total!)

I will not mention yarn Purchased last year!

Books 2011 = 45  Books 2012 = 48

Well I wish you and yours a happy, healthy, prosperous and productive

New Year

Music to end the year: Auld Lang Syne

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: Boy, have I been busy!

First things first! Here is the Jar for November!

The Jar Nov 1,2012

I started it last March.

Finally finished the Drop Stitch scarf

I seldom knit scarves anymore, but this one was a great take along project, and the yarn was awesome.

I am finally blocking the Oaklet Shawl 

I made a few alterations to this pattern.

I like a more pointed centre line, so I continued the pattern to the centre and reversed it on the other side. If you are going to do this, watch that inc, and dec balance out, or it will not work.

I also purchased an interesting pattern from the LYS, “Turkish Bed socks” it can also be purchased from Ravelry.com

Today’s Music: “Somebody That I Used to Know” – Walk off the Earth this is a Canadian group that is doing rather interesting things!

Musical favourites to date

FO’s 2012 = 59 + 2 = 61

Patterns from my own Library = 6

WIP’s 2012 = 4 – 2 = 2

Stash used 2012 =  67  + 2 = 69

Beryl Blanket Hexes =  48

Books =  34

Thanks again for visiting,

cya on Weds.

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

For links to my blogwalk come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Birthday books & Progress

What do you give the constant knitter and reader? Other than the best niece in the world who loves books too for a visit ? A gift certificate for a bookstore with a knitting section :0)

“Stashbuster Knits” by Melissa Leapman

here is a review

and “Socks a la carte 2: Toes up!”

here is another great review

(the errata found here)

And my guilty pleasure

The Trouble with Mr. Darcy by Sharon Lathan

In the fifth in Lathan’s bestselling series, George Wickham returns to Hertfordshire bent on creating trouble, and Elizabeth and her newborn son are thrown into danger. Knowing that Wickham has nothing left to lose, Darcy and Fitzwilliam rush to the rescue in a race against time.

Untangled #6

 I plan to do 10 of these

XL coffee cup sweater

And I am well on my way, 6 of 12 XL Coffee Cup Sweater done.

Tuesday was movie night with Sarah, my niece. This week we saw Disney’s “Brave”. We really enjoyed it. A mother daughter movie for all ages.

Last week we saw “Madagascar 3″ not as good as the first 2, and if you are Canadian be aware there are some jabs at Canada. Sarah liked it, I didn’t!

for links to my blogwalk  come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

cya Friday Take Care

WIP Weds: Kelp!

Welcome all. So nice of you to come visiting again! As some of you know my family and I live in Ontario Canada, about 1 hr east of Toronto, on Lake Ontario. This weekend was Rockin Rotary Ribfest 2012, we look forward to this every year. I am now dieting, sorta lol.

 Biggest news, won 3rd prize Candy Skein Contest, Yay I never win anything! Thanks Tami! Happy dance!

(Picture from Tami’s blog, I skein of Candy skein 1st Birthday, May 2012 colourway)

Continued working on my ankle socks

Ankle socks, these are working up rather quickly considering I only work on them when I am out.

Found this cool pattern for the Kelp Forest Shawl on Ravelry.

I have to admit, I am surprised how this is turning out. The yarn was so uninspiring.

I have seen this stuff knit into scarves, everyone in town seems to be making them. They do nothing for me.

Yup, trying to think of other things to do with this stuff. Frilly scarves are not for me. Not sure if frilly shawls are either but it is working up quickly!

I was thinking there must be something else to do with it.

Currently Reading: Three at Wolfe’s Door by Rex Stout

Starts off with a culinary society dinner poisoning. The big man does it again!

For family follow up look here, news on my son.

Update Current WIP List

• Ankle Socks - June Carry along forum
• Kelp Forest Shawl
• Saroyan – June Carry along forum
• Sprout – Growing Roots
• Hill Walking Socks (design in test knit stage)
• Pine Forest blanket
• Immie Blanket
• Cosy Winter Shawl (design in test knit stage)
• Roarin Cloche (resisting this felted project)
• Beryl Blanket (Long term scrap project)

FO’s 2012 = 26

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 =  9 + 1 = 10

Stash used 2012 = 41 + 1 = 42

Stash Purchased 2012 = 61

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 46

Books = 17 + 1 = 18

links for my blogwalk join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

WIP Weds: Sprouting Sleeves

Well the Operation is over! Hopefully we will have MiL home today. She is doing fine.  Four small holes and no gallbladder, she has already returned to her usual fiesty self.

Well, the you know what hit the fan today…

- MiL is still in the hospital, lots of pain!

- My Dad has a foot that is broken in two places, 6 weeks on crutches

- DS’s blood sugar was 21 yesterday and this morning still 10.5

Can we start wednesday over again this one sucks!!!!

I have been working away on  “Sprout – Growing Roots”.

I decided to make a modifications to the Raglan portion of the pattern. The increase rows in the pattern asked for either Kfb, M1 or Yo. I opted for Kfb, however on the right side of the cable there was some unattactive laddering.

Hunting around I found an old Latch Hook (which I am adding to my knitting tool kit) and picked up the ladder and tidied up the increases.

 I think this really improved the appearance of shoulder seams.

New and improved raglans!

Book: Nero Wolfe: The Door Bell Rang by Rex Stout

I’m a big fan of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin! This book is a great read, as usual against all odds Nero catches the murder and Archie is his charming wise cracking self. I’ve always had a crush on him :0)

FO’s 2012 = 26

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 = 7

Stash used 2012 =  38 + 1 = 39

Yarn Diet target  21 balls used (diet over Yay!)

Stash Purchased 2012 = 54 + 3 = 57

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 46

Books =  16 + 1 = 17

links for my blogwalk join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

WIP Weds: I need to go on a YARN DIET!

My long-suffering Hubby gently informed me that my yarn acquisition has greatly exceeded my consumption in the last week. What with DKC Knitfrolic (12 balls of hard to find lace weight) and the Maplefest yarn sale at Soper Creek Yarns (9 balls – 8-50gm balls of 4 basic colours of regia sock, and 1 Ball Vintage Color for Puerperium Cardigan) maybe 21 balls is a little much He was really very nice about it. He supposed I was preparing for the fibre famine of 2013, when all the sheep will go on strike and take the other fibres into hiding with them… he did smile when he said it.  So I am attempting to go on another yarn diet.

No more purchases till I have knitted at least 21 balls of yarn…

Yup, I’m off to a flying start with new baby just arrived and May Carry along forum in full swing, I am one busy Bee!

Working on Wingspan for the May Carry along Forum

Wingspan: 5 of 8 points done!

Have yarn for Chinook scarf for the May Carry along Forum

James C Brett Woodlander Dk for “Chinook Scarf”

 and Puerperium Cardigan for baby Jackson.

Puerperium Cardigan for Jackson, knit in worsted on 4.5mm

This weeks book: I just love Lynsay Sands sense of humour, and this book is no exception!  Another Argeneau Family story, the family tries to help Christian find a mate by telling her he is gay… needless to say things get complicated for him! The Argeneau family is based in Toronto Canada which also appeals to me, although this one takes place in St Lucia. Highly recommend this series if you are a fan of Paranormal Romance (my guilty vice :0)

Update Current WIP List

• Puerperium Cardigan
• Wingspan (May Carry along forum)
• Chinook Scarf (May Carry along forum)
• Hill Walking Socks (design in test knit stage)
• Pine Forest blanket
• Immie Blanket
• Cosy Winter Shawl (design in test knit stage)
• Roarin Cloche (resisting this felted project)
• Beryl Blanket (Long term scrap project)

FO’s 2012 =  24

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 = 8 + 1 = 9

Stash used 2012 =  33

Yarn Diet target (21)

Stash Purchased 2012 = 45 + 9 = 54

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 46

Books = 15 + 1 = 16

links for my blogwalk join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

WIP Weds: Road trip to “The Gathering” in Port Hope Ont Cda

As promised on Friday, my report on The Gathering in Port Hope. Boy was it fun!

Lots of fibre, lots of spinners, and friends :0)

The bonus, DH came along and enjoyed the treats, not so much the fibre. He did look around with me, which I rather enjoyed. Very tolerant man, even encourages the fibreholic somewhat, and admired purchases with appropriate noises.

Superwash merino blend 4 oz

Mohair blend from Wellington fibre 250gms (luscious)

Orange fingering been looking all over for this colour

You know it is a good book when you buy a second copy Oops

I recommend this book, anyone want one? lol

Here are some more pictures straight from Port Hope Ontario Cda

The Gathering April 2012

The Gathering April 2012

This is my WIP, almost done! More info here

Afternoon Tea shawl

Update Current WIP List

• The not so Koigu Linen Stitch Scarf (April)
• Horseshoe cowl – April “Carry along Forum” (April)
• Afternoon Tea – April “Carry along Forum”
• Abigail Vest
• Hill Walking Socks (design in test knit stage)
• Pine Forest blanket
• Immie Blanket
• Cosy Winter Shawl (design in test knit stage)
• Roarin Cloche (resisting this felted project)
• Beryl Blanket (Long term scrap project)

FO’s 2012 = 19

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 = 10

Stash used =  26

Stash Purchased 2012 =  31 + 1 = 32

Books = 14

links this week, on my blogwalk :0)

Tami’s blog, Keep Calm and craft on, Knit happy  

What you doing Wednesday

Creative Friday Fibre Arts Friday I’ve made Friday

Fibre on Friday Marigolds Loft The magic onions

Show your stuff Whimsey Wednesday

and Yarn along for more really neat stuff!

If you would like to be included in my Blogwalk please post your blog name and where abouts, link under the Blogwalk page so others can find you too :0)

Well TTFN, see ya Friday all being well.

WIP Weds: WIP Round Up and the Jar!

Public Service Annnouncement: Gentle reminder this Sunday is Spring Forward, add an hour to your clock!

Good Morning all! (Imagine sunny smile + Wave ) It’s wednesday, the weather is more spring like and the sun is trying to make an appearance. 

This week began eventfully, and as my facebook followers will tell you, my DH and DS where delighted with our new arrival. They went to the electronics adoption centre and brought home a gynormous big screen Television, and like any proud parents, have been watching it constantly!  Willow really enjoyed the box. Sad to say technology does nothing for me…

I have been considering (this always makes my guys nervous), looking at my numerous WIP’s I decided to collect them into one clear bag so they could stare at me and shame me into action… well that’s the plan! 

Round Up

The Round up list:

1. Walk for Shetland by Anna Szymanowska  test knitting the english Ver.
2. Because of Love Beret (March carry along forum project)
3. Small Lace Bag (March carry along forum project)
4. Soper Creek Yarn Challenge – Top secret project!
5. Abigail Vest
6. Hill Walking Socks (design in test knit stage)
7. Pine Forest blanket
8. Immie Blanket
9. Cosy Winter Shawl (design in test knit stage)
10. Roarin Cloche (resisting this felted project)
11. Beryl Blanket (Long term scrap project)

 The jar you may ask, well at “Knittin Club” last Weds night, TB (a friend and yarnie) had a big jar and was starting a scrap fibre collection. This idea purcolated in my mind and I wondered what a year of my scraps would look like, and how much it would weigh…The Jar – A year of scraps! March 2012

The Jar

Challenge: show your Jar, how full will it be a year from now?

Books: This weeks review is a knitting book! I have had this one for some time (1986). I pulled it out for a knitting lesson last week, and thought you might like it.  “Knitting in Plain English” by Maggie Righetti, this is a great primer on knitting. Imagine your best knitting teacher ever, and a loving grandma helping with your knitting! I have been knitting forever, but I sometimes catch myself quoting a Righetti to my classes… Thanks Maggie for writing this book!        Yup that good and amusing too :0)

FO’s 2012 = 12

Patterns from my own Library = 3

WIP’s 2012 = 8 + 3 = 11

Stash used =  15 + 2 = 17

Stash Purchased 2012 = 15 + 1 = 16

Books = 12 + 1 = 13

Visit Tami’s blog, Keep Calm and craft on, Knit happy and Yarn along for more really neat stuff!

Well TTFN, see ya Friday all being well.