What a Morning

I feel very strange not being at school today. I keep having to resist the urge to run over to make sure everything is ok for the supply teacher. So why am I not there?

Today I have a funeral to go to. A very good friend of my father's passed away last week. His heart failed. He was 62.

Ronnie was a great guy. No one would try to tell you he wasn't stubborn but he was the furthest thing from selfish anyone could imagine. He would do anything for his kids and their friends. He probably did way more than any of us know. Ronnie's cottage was a place where I went with my dad. Just me and dad would go and visit Ron. His kids might be down there sometimes too. Pulling snowboards behind snowmobiles or dirt bikes across the lake. We snowmobiled in the winter and went canoeing and fishing in the summer. We had campfire and hotdogs. Who could forget the walk into the woods at night to get to the outhouse. We knew it was time to go to bed when the generator ran out of gas and the lights went out. I will enjoy those memories for as long as I live.

Once when I was a child I painted Ron a picture of him with his dog Abby ( a beautiful Doberman ). He never threw it away. Last I heard it was still up at the cottage.


So today I go to say good-bye. Ronnie was a great man, a good friend to my dad and someone very important to me. We miss you Ron!

Too many projects

The problem with having too many projects on the needles is that .... I can't decide what I want to knit. I don't know if I am happy with the Storm Water Shawl. I don't want to knit anymore but I don't want to rip it out yet either. I haven't come across a pattern to try instead. Any ideas? I have 2 skeins of Handmaiden Sea Silk.

So I am having some knitting ADHD which means not much progress on any one thing that I could show you. I did finish the toe on my first Potatomus sock but haven't cast on the second because Thursday is the first day of "Trek along with me" I still have to decide on my pattern. Since I bought my new sock book I have been dying to try a few and a few other patterns that I have that I would love to work on. Right now I 'm thinking cables. hmmmm

So many choices, so much knitting on my brain but not much knitting happening. Tonight I may stay up a bit later than usual to knit.

Car shows are good for knitting!

Today was my first car show of the season. We were out at Noyzboyz for a show today. Beautiful day and a good turn out too. We met one of my bf's friends and his dad this morning to drive down together. The first question that "Old Man" asked me was "did you bring your knitting Sarah". As if there was any question.

This is our little tent area. B-rad his dad "Old Man" and my bf. I had to edit out Old Man because as much as he is the eldest of the crew he is far from grown up.



Notice the bag by my seat. Hmmm what could that be.


This is my knitting of the day. I might even finish this sock before I head to sleep tonight. It is my Potatomus sock and it was hard to knit in the car. It teaches me to pay attention to my pattern and not get to confident that I don't need to look again just yet.

That is my bf's car in the background. One man at the show was talking to us and said..."are you knitting a sock?" I was amazed. Most of these guys ignore the fact that I'm knitting let alone can identify what said knitting actually is. Then he turns to my bf and says... "That's great, you can't find to many girls that knit now...Can she cook too?" I almost fell out of my chair laughing.

So that was our day. B-rad won best paint category. Old man was 2nd in exhaust and my bf won best body kit. I came home with a splitting headache that was making my eyes cry and a little bit of a sun burn. Over all a really good day and a great weekend.


Next weekend there is a show in Mount Albert my knitting and I will be there.

Knitting/Building?

What a beautiful weekend so far!!! I enjoyed the sunshine today and some time at Unwind. I can see why Connie gave up on the Storm Water shawl. You have to pay attention to what you are doing. But I am determined. Progress is slow ( plus I'm at the bf's this weekend and can't show him yet another new project) but I am determined that I will do this pattern.

My bf thinks it is funny that I can't seem to leave my knitting alone. Tonight we were watching TV. I put down the sock I was knitting to have a snack. As soon as we were done I picked it back up again. I know it is just natural. He laughed and said "back to building already". I never thought about it as building a pair of socks but coming from a guy who works with his hands and enjoys building things out of wood and metal, I can see how he would make that connection. Interesting.

Tomorrow we have a car show to go to. I will definately bring some knitting! Last year my bf didn't want me to bring my knitting to the shows. He learned quickly however that if I knit I don't get bored. I enjoy the shows don't get me wrong, however when I have seen the cars there is only so long I can sit there. The bf learned that if I knit.... I don't bother him about when we are leaving. I am perfectly content and then we both enjoy the day. Now some of the guys expect me to have some knitting with me....and cookies.

For now it is getting late and I have to be up so that the guys can wash their cars in the morning before the show. Sorry no pictures this tonight.

Sorry Fleece Artist

Don't get me wrong, Fleece Artist is a wonderful Canadian Company. I have knit a few things with their yarn and loved them. I fully intend to knit more. However, the shawl kit I bought was the ugliest colourway to ever make a shawl. So I stopped knitting and ripped it out.

"What will I ever do with this crap now" I wondered. I wondered for a long time and then it hit me. I'm going to change the colours. Kool Aid is the answer!!!!!!! YES I will dye it! (I'm sorry Fleece Artist I usually love you for your colours!!!!!)

This is the before:


And this is after 12 packs of Lemon Lime Kool Aid



I accidentally posted this last night when I ment to save it. I was having trouble with the photos. Sometimes it takes forever to load one or doesn't upload at all. Is anyone else having this problem?

So I'm sorry to fleece artist and I'm sorry to anyone who was reading this without the after shot, but last night I had to give up the pictures and walk away from the computer.

Ahhh that's better

Yesterday was here: Today is here:
Finally a Finished Project

Pattern: Vines and Old Shale Scarf by Meghan
Yarn: Handmaiden SeaSilk (70% silk 30% sea cell)
I don't have the band for the colour but one on the Handmaiden website that looks similar is called Lily Pond.

I knit it on 2.75 mm needles

Awww Crap!

I don't know what has been wrong with me lately but I have been a little negative. Today will be no different and here is why. (Plus blogger won't let me upload my pictures today)

The beautiful scarf that Meghan has designed was my priority this weekend. I was working away thinking I would have it finished today and be posting pictures of the beautiful silk Vines and Old shale scarf. I came home from playing nurse to the bf and and I'm working again on the scarf. Waiting to post so I can post a finished item. I look down and think...hmmm I'm on a RS row.....why does the other side look like it should be the RS? Say it with me now.... AW CRAP!

I had a picture to show you (it was a little hard to see) but since I can't upload it I will have to tell you. It was about two inches. Two inches of very small stitches where I had somehow switched the right and wrong side of my fabric.

So my plan is still to get it all done by Wednesday but I'm mad at the scarf right now.

What a long weekend

Where should I start. I am at my bf's house for the long weekend and it has been rainning. Yuck. Orriginally my bf was going to have to work all weekend. I wansn't all that pleased about that so this morning whne he came home from work early I was very excited. He told me he was going to spend all day with me and all day tomorrow. How sweet right?

He is currently in bed sick (and sleeping again). I have been bringing him tea and soup all afternoon.I don't really mind but... so much for date night. Well on the bright side, maybe I can finish the vine and old shale silk scarf.

I went to visit Connie at the shop yesterday and picked up my colour of the Socks that rock in colourway Tanzanite. She has a pick on her sight of that colour wound. I have so many projects on the go and so many that I can't wait to start. What is a girl to do but stop blogging and get back to knitting.

Mamsa said there'd be days like this

There'd be days like this my mamma said. What a day. I don't know if I want to get into it again but lets just say I came home for lunch today because .... I needed to leave.

I was up in the air about going to bar and visiting old friends or going to the store to see Connie and after the way today went. I went to the bar. Sorry Connie I'm going to come see you tomorrow for sure!!!!!

So today was another first for me. The Koigu sock I took with me to school in the odd chance that I had time during my day or if I decided to go to the store after work, instead came with me in my purse to the bar. Beer and knitting...the guys I used to work in a factory with found it quite entertaining. I did get a little shy about it and packed it up but about 20 mins of knitting in public....with no one else who knits. I thought that was a pretty brave accomplishment. I'm getting stronger I tell ya.

My plans for the long weekend include as much knitting as I can handle. My bf has told me that he is working all weekend so I think I'm going to just relax and enjoy. And so should you!!

Gifts are so much fun

I have such thoughtful knitting friends. Connie bought me some new sock yarn. It is beautiful. It has been raining and cloudy all day so this is the best picture I could get.



It is Lisa Souza Sock! in a colour called Shade Garden. The Greens and purples with some black and white make me feel like a walk in a garden at night. Ahh how relaxing.

Thanks soooo much Connie I had to be restrained from casting on last night.






It was funny to see her post about a present for me because I had found a little something for her as well. This one is mine. Her's is very similar.

So funny I couldn't resist. Now it is in my room on my shelf. What is that yarn next to it you ask...well there is a fleece artist thrum sock kit and some Opal hand painted sock yarn.





We had such a blast at Unwind last night. I get so excited about Wednesday night. I am enjoying that my mom is becoming an addict as well. hehhehehehehe. But she is moving much fast that I did when I started out. She is just casting on her first sweater (the day after she finished her first pair of socks). It is in some Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky yarn...mmmmmmm droool. My first sweater was in the 5 dollar ball from Walmart. 5 bucks gets you a really crappy sweater with enough left over for .......another crappy sweater. But good for you mom!!! I'm so proud. And now I don't have to feel guilty when I buy yarn because chances are she is buying yarn too.
She is already planning future projects. She went to a store without me and has bought a Noro book. I asked if she bought yarn to go with it but she says no. Maybe I should check the trunk of her car.

The Frustration Station

No pictures today sorry. The weather is kinda yucky and doesn't make for good pictures plus one of the things I would like to post a pic of is a gift.

Today all I want to do is lay in bed and knit. Of course instead I had to go to work. Working always gets in the way of my knitting. It was a bit of a rough day today. Indoor recess is no teacher's friend!!!

I am trying to get the Vines and Old Shale scarf done for the store by tomorrow night but I still have a ways to go.

My mother's day was kinda crap....I'm not a mother but I'm a daughter that tries really hard. I had no idea what to get for my mother as a gift. I ended up buying her a silver bracelet. I know she wears gold and I wear silver but I thought she would like it. Anyway.. I gave her the gift and she told me that it was more me than her and she thought I would have bought her the needles for her socks on two circulars class.

I felt silly. I didn't know for sure if she planned on taking the class but I guess she does. So tonight I went and bought the needles. I have tied some sari ribbon around them and put them into her knitting bag. Now she just has to work on her sock and find them.

Was this a guilt present?? NO... absolutely not. I felt badly that I couldn't think of something she would want. I'm glad I could still surprise her with her Addi Turbos for the class. I can't wait to see her reaction. If she doesn't knit tonight then maybe the unwinders can all enjoy her surprise tomorrow at the store...oh that would be funny.

Sleepy post

I really didn't have a good night's sleep last night so forgive any mistakes please.


I don't have a ton of progress to report because I am being so good about not starting anything new. (cuz I don't have a range of choices as it is). My two main things right now are the baby shawl for my cousin and the silk scarf for Unwind.

Here is the shawl/baby blanket progress. It is hard to see the pattern (the batteries in my camera are dying) but click to enlarge and see what you can see.

I have also just signed up for "Trekk along with me". I am very excited. I believe Connie and Meghan are also going to join. Have you signed up ladies??? I have not picked my pattern yet but I have decided to knit in colour #105.

I am very excited! Sign up!

Taking inventory again

Things may be getting a little out of hand with me and starting new projects so This post is more to help me keep track of my progress and try to get some things knocked off the WIP list.

Here is the Cotton Angora I posted about. Sale and no pattern, a familiar tune to most of us.







Then the Trekking cam in at the store so I had to buy...









And my Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino came in. At least the one colour so I had to cast on.
This blanket in the green colour. I am not into the baby baby pastel colours in case you couldn't tell.


Ok and here is the checklist. I will be crossing things off I hope instead of adding the way I have been.

1. Pink Grad tee from Aaron
2. Red Gaunlets
3. Koigu sock
4. Trekking sock
5. Breast Cancer sock
6. Baby Sweater (hold because yarn is still on order)
7. Vines and Old Shale scarf (sea silk)
8. Baby Cashmerino Shawl (from Debbie Bliss Special Knits)
9. Rupunzel from Rowan

I even have to shake my head at myself here. There are so many projects waiting in the wings. Quite a few of them are gifts and need to be worked on soon. Yikes. I am going to find a comfertable spot now to sit and knit. I'm tired. It has been raining a good potion of the day (sorry about the quality of some of the pics).

False Promises

I have been trying to tell myself. DO NOT buy yarn you don't have a pattern for (sock yarn is excluded from this statement). Even if it is on sale.... Don't buy yarn you don't have a pattern for.

So today I drove a half an hour to a workshop. The workshop was cancelled so instead of calling the trip a total loss and waste of gas, on my way back home I stopped in at a Knit or Knot and .... bought yarn that was on sale and I don't have a pattern for it.

So I can include "Don't buy yarn you don't have a pattern for" in the category with "don't start any new projects until you finish what you have on the needles first", then crumple them up together and toss them out the window!

What did I buy you ask? I bought 12 balls of Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora in a dark green colour. Now I just need to finish a few projects, start and finish a few gifts, and then I can hunt for a pattern. Any suggestions leave a comment.

P.S. The other baby sweater from the last post in on hold. I am waiting for another ball of the Zara in the cream colour that I ordered online. So wish me speedy delivery so I can finish it off. Sooo close but yet so far.

When do you start to panic??

I seem to start to panic at about the time I am getting close to finishing something and then wonder...will I have enough yarn?? hmmm...

I am working on a baby sweater and I have the body and one sleeve finished and here I am. See that cute little ball of cream coloured yarn. That is close to all I have. I bought just enough and now it is getting a little too close for comfort.







This is the yarn that I have left from the body of the sweater. It had quite a few little squares of cream and green so these are the little balls I have from doing that part. So I am confident that I have enough cream to finish the sleeve. The problem comes when I think about the button band and around the neck.

If I am not going to be able to make it in the cream I have green and blue left over. Both the green and the blue have been used in the body of the sweater. So now the choice is... blue or green button band?? The cuffs on the sleeves are cream and the bottom of the body is in cream so...hmmm.



I am leaning toward the green because it is a little more subtle.
But would it be better to do the blue so it looks more deliberate??
My vote is green what do you think? post a comment and let me know your opinion.

I just can't help myself

I was making so much progress on my WIP list...and I have blown it out the window!!!! I just give in to peer/yarn pressure. I felt restrained since the trip to Lettuce Knit. I didn't cast on with every yarn I bought. But then something else happened. The Addi dpns that Connie ordered for me came in and this was the result.


The yarn is Trekking XXL and I LOVE it.
The needles are my new Addi dpns (2.5mm).
The pattern is Potamos ( I think) from Knitty.

So don't blaime me...blame the yarn, the needles and Connie for calling to ask me if I had cast on a new sock yet.

I am looking forward to having a quiet house tonight and a lot of knitting.

Head Games

My mind is playing tricks on me and has a hard time quieting down lately. I feel like I am thinking and thinking and thinking all the time. Sigh...I need to knit more.

I have doubled the Sea Silk scarf now and am halfway through the heel of a sock.

Why half??? Well my mum is working on her first pair of socks. I had to help her a little too much turning the heel last time (I did the heel) so this time we are working through a heel together. I am using a short row heel so we have wrapped all of the stitches into the middle. That took a good portion of the evening last night and tonight our plan is to polish off the second half. Way to go mum stick with it!!!!!

Sea Silk Progress

Here is the progress I have made so far on the Sea Silk scarf.

A few interesting notes.

I don't know how the girls got the silk in such a tangle before I got my hands on it but I'm starting to get some clues.

This is so soft and so smooth and so....slippery.
In my last post I showed a shot of the yarn straight off of the ball winder. Today the ball it hand wound taking from the outside. I would not recommend a centre pull ball with this yarn (at least not from the winder). Maybe it was just me but as I pulled from the middle the inside was starting to get tangled. I rewound the whole thing again and haven't had any problems since.

I wonder if anyone else had a similar problem with this yarn or another. It was a first for me.

P.S. Connie... I tried to leave you a comment today and can't. Something about must be a team member? whatever that means.