May 2006-July2006
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Flash Your Stash!
I decided to just Flash the Stash that I have aquired (and not knit) since last year.
Starting with my Sock Yarn. Here is my sock yarn from Spunky Eclectic's Sock Yarn Club.
Here is the rest of my sock yarn. Various gifted skeins from generous Secret Pals and contest prizes (thank you). Some of my own hand dyed. 1 skein of Stitch N Snitch. 2 skeins of Sundara. 1 skein of Sunshine Yarn and 2 of Perchance to Knit. Fabulous stuff.
And here is all the rest. Mulder couldn't resist the photo op!
A little closer here. The big difference in my yarn purchases is that I now buy enough for entire projects - no more skein at a time buys. Or loads of acrylic because I don't think I know how to knit properly.
When I gathered the yarn all into one spot I noticed that I was really into tweedy yarns this last while. Hmmmm...and yet I have made nothing other than a pair of slippers from tweed yarn. Interesting.
This comes right on time for the colour change at Project Spectrum 2. Now I have all mine yarns located and projects ready to begin. See all that tweedy pink on the left? Destined to be the Stacy Pullover from Big Girl Knits. Time to start!
In Other News
We have our winners! Big thank you to all 33 of you who commented at my site this month - your support and insight is very appreciated!!
Charity is our 200th comment winner.
Deb is our 201st comment winner.
And for the draw...
If you are one of the winners please send me an e-mail at lmartin7@shaw.ca
Labels: Contest, Project Spectrum 2, Socks, Stashalong
Monday, March 26, 2007
I am so excited!
This little blog is very, very close to receiving it's 200th comment!! Let me tell you, I did not expect that to be happening - and certainly not before the end of this month...I thought maybe mid-April. But readership and/or commenting has grown over the last few weeks and the time is now.
The lucky people who leave the 200th, and then the 201st comment, will win some knitting swag!
200th Comment: Oregon Felted Tote pattern and yarn.
201st Comment: Scarf or Sock Kit - pattern, yarn and needles - your choice
And, because I appreciate all the commentors who visit, I will place everyone's name from this month, in a draw for 2 seperate sock yarn or felted bowl projects (winners can choose!) I will even give you a choice of colours.
Here are some of the items you may win:
If you have been reading here for awhile, you know that I refer to myself as a Slow Knitter. Am I? Really? Perhaps I am just a considerate knitter?
This was how we spent much of yesterday - lounging, finishing Season 3 of the Sopranos and trying to get some of my Ravenclaw House Scarf done. I am sure you can imagine how difficult it is to knit with a pup sleeping under your arm! But she was too cozy, not to mention cute, to move. So little progress was made - just a 2nd set of silver stripes.
I did cast with my PS2 dyed sock yarn, you know since there are like 5 days left in the month. :-D
I am going to try Grumperina's Jaywalkers. I know, I am pretty late jumping on that wagon (ummm...2005?) but they look like fun.
I hope to get more done tonight - another cheesy episode of 24 is on and we are going to start Season 4 of Sopranos. (our plan is to catch up before the final season starts April 8th -we're enjoying it - though our language has really taken a dive!)
Good luck everyone! I can't wait to announce some prize winners!!
ETA: 200 and 201 have been written! I will contact the winners shortly. I guess I shouldn't really hold the draw until Sunday morning to be fair to everyone, I did say 'all the commentors this month'. Why must I be so impatient! What do you think?
Ok. All winners will be announced on Sunday, April 1st. -- no mention of Fools --
Labels: Bloggy Stuff, Contest, Movies, Project Spectrum 2, Socks, Stashalong, TV
Friday, March 23, 2007
May I Present...
The Oregon Felted Tote
Pre-felting - for an idea of the size. Look at that bit of wool - that is all that was left after making the 2nd tie!
Drying in the sun (temporarily behind a cloud)
Dried and ties woven in.
I plan on learning needle felting to embellish this bag. Maybe some embroidery and beading as well. It is lacking something.
This is my 1st true felting project. It is such a remarkable thing. To have this huge, floppy bit of knitting become this sturdy, yet malleable, fabric. I would totally do it again. In fact I am making my cousin some felted bowls with the leftover yarn - using a pattern from One Skein. I plan on filling one of them with some of those delectable Mini Eggs...Mmmmmm. I also have a lovely hat pattern I just might try one day soon.
I leave you with a few other pics from our walk last night. Spring-y!!
When these flowers open the Hummingbirds will be here!! That is less than a week away. Glorious Spring!
This is how my baby looks after the rain - she curls up like mad. Doesn't that wool look like it could be spun into something lovely?
You should see her when we get back from our walks. She runs around the house like a crazy thing, with her rear end tucked in, skittering all over the hardwood. It is a total riot. Though I do tend to be easily amused!
Labels: Books, Project Spectrum 2, Stashalong
Monday, March 19, 2007
Progress...of a sort.
Some of you may recall that I signed up for Stashalong on January 1st. Well. It has been nearly 3 months and here is how far I have gotten.
1)Sizzle: DONE - even though it didn't fit : -(
2) Anemoi Mitts: 1 DONE
3) Baby Blanket: No progress
4) Shae's Darling coat: DONE
** 5) My stinkin' Noro hat already - Since the weather has changed I am going to switch this winter project out with 4 dishcloths: 2 DONE
7) Mary Janes: DONE
8) Absorba the Great: DONE
9) The felted Oregon Tote that kickstarted my knitting frenzy 4 (I think) years ago: Felting as I write!! so...DONE
**10) The project that started the Blog: The Ravenclaw Raglan. WILL NOT BE FINISHED - does not even begin to fit so I will choose a different UFO
I am going to switch this out with socks 3 pairs as I have a LOT of sock yarn: 1 out of 6 DONE
(this might seem like an uneven switch - but actually the only thing left to do on the RRaglan was to attach the sleeves and knit the shoulders/neckline - total bummer)
11) Bejewelled: No progress
12) Purple Roving Scarf: DONE
13) Le Slouch: DONE
14) Uniscarfity: DONE
15) Surprise Baby Gift: 1/3 done
I have 1 strike at this time - which is fairly impressive for me!
I think this has been a great excercise in self-restraint for me...but I am not sure if it is something I want to do again!
Next time I am going to choose a method that allows me some free shopping days. This has been much more difficult than I anticipated - but has saved me money!
:-D
As it stands I have: 1 mitt, 1 baby blanket, 2 dishcloths, 6 individual socks, 1 scarf and 1 baby gift to go.
Or: 10 items before I can buy some yarn.
Aaaarrrghhh. Just when I thought I was close to home free!
The socks will be perfect for PS2 since I had decided that I would dye sock yarn in each sections colours. Now I just have to get back into my socks. Shouldn't be too hard.
ETA: Friends of another knitblogger lost their child in an accident last week. If you would like to help make a square for a comfort blanket please visit YarnIt.
Labels: Comfort, KAL, Project Spectrum 2, Socks, Stashalong
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Some Fo's
It certainly took long enough - here is Uniscarfity blocking in the sun. (well, it was in the sun earlier)
After FINALLY finishing the Endless Scarf, I cast on for the new pattern at FunDishCloth KAL.
It was a quick easy pattern - a welcome treat after the tedious boredom of the ES. These were so fast to knit up - one in the morning, one in the afternoon. Excellent knitting for Rome and Season 2 of the Sopranos (finally in @ the library).
The yarn is Peaches & Cream in an unknown colourway (ball band disappeared prior to posting!) that was gifted to me from the author of Unravellings.
This is the first time I have used Peaches & Cream cotton - it seems like a nice thirsty yarn, perfect for a dishcloth. Slowly, slowly there will be no more storebought dishcloths here. Then...the face cloths are next to go!
I saw Zodiac this weekend. It was very long - but maintained the tension and interest throughout. Pretty high praise, since I had already seen the documentary on A&E last year. Robert Downey Jr. does brilliant work - there are quite a few famous to familiar faces in this film. I would recommend the film without a soda! I love Dennis Fincher's films (maybe not Panic Room so much...)
I also got out in the garden to cut back some old growth and dead stalks and check on what is growing. Looks like 2 of the 5 raspberry canes I planted last year have survived the winter. 1 is really thriving. Could have some better fruit this year! Yum.
Up next: The Oregon Tote and Baby Surprise Gift
Thanks for all the congrats for my brother - really we don't know who to be congratulating. His fiance is the best woman - we are all so happy!
Labels: Family, KAL, Movies, Stashalong, TV
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Another one bites the dust
SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!
Can you see my Muldy up in the right hand corner? That is her newest perch. She looks so snuggly doesn't she?Labels: Garden, Kids, Stashalong
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Darling Details
I thought it was time to show off some of the embroidery added to Darling.
The lovely wooden bead-buttons
A closeup of the back of Uniscarf.
I have completed 72 repeats of the pattern but it still seems short. So the endlessly dull, repetitive knitting continues into the night. Again.
And here is a fun little thing I found. This is a pic of my blog's code in a pictograph (or some such)
I could not work out the html codes so here is a pic of the pic!
Labels: Bloggy Stuff, Stashalong
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Surprise!
I received the nicest surprise in the mail today!
What the? I haven't ordered anything for myself...Burlington? Isn't that where...?The lady I was assigned to spoil in SP8
D and I have really become friends and that is the best part of this exchange program! Check out her blog if you haven't been there before - she has the most beautiful family and some adorable doggies. Thank you D!! And what is this? Her boy is knitting?! This is the 2nd post - sounds like a convert to me!
Back to the YarnHarlot...yes sirree, she is coming to the West Coast of Canada. To Victoria in fact! Beautiful town and just so happens to be where my brother and his fabulous girlfriend live. I am so excited - this is how I used to feel when I knew Bono was coming to town (well minus the overpowering physical attraction - no offense YH!) - and Stephanie, that is saying something!
A word to the wise - if you are planning to go you have to sign up for tickets - the admission is free but you need a ticket to get in. If you need more information head here - and it is actually a Fibre Festival! I am dying to get in on one of those spinning lessons - but I am scared too. Every blogger I've read buys a wheel after learning to spin, and this house really doesn't have much more room...
Here is my Uniscarfity in all it's lack of impressive progress - since I am now officially out of the running I can finish at my leisure.
Yep - we had a stunningly nice afternoon here after a rainy morning - ah, but the rain is so good for the garden!
One more sign of Spring - some sort of bee was buzzing about while I was taking pictures! Yes!!
Labels: Family, Garden, Stashalong
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Headway is being made!
Honestly, this pattern is so adorable it should come with a warning. Wait until you see it on the recipient - we had a fitting the other day, and while she was a blur of motion, it was a charming blur.
Darling is nearly complete, still needs: Belts sewn on, embroidery added, loops and buttons, ends woven in and blocked. Not too shabby for a knitter of my speed.
The whirlwind that is my Mother's talent, resulted in this sweet vest. (intended for the same recipient - which means we will have to start something for her brother right away!)
This evening I began my Ravenclaw House Scarf while watching GoF. See the nearby Kleenex? My eyes were 'glistening with the ghosts of the past' - so recently past. Poor Cedric.
Notice how all of these items fall into the current PS2 theme?
It has been a busy weekend. My brother is visiting - so lots of catching up, visitors, visits and phone calls. My Mom and I drove in to the city to pick up some yarn for a project of hers. While there I bought some yummy yarn for my SP9 - that's right folks, I am still shopping: Late much? I also found a fantastic sewing project that will premiere here shortly.
I saw The Number 23 - people save your money! Fortunately we used free passes and our popcorn was fresh, so not a total waste. Really, really bad movie.
I finished a great book, Animal Dreams - now to get through the stack on my nightstand...
Oh, and I found a cool photo game - check it out here.
Labels: Books, Family, Movies, Project Spectrum 2, Stashalong
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Strike One!
I have to apologize for the pic - it is not the best light (maybe click on it to get a better view) today.
What you see on the left is 10 balls of hunter green Lana Gato that Cindy generously gave away! When is green part of PS2? Hmmmm....lots of time to come up with the perfect pattern.
It's a very soft wool-acrylic blend.
In the very front you can see the 2 skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn that I won at KnitPastis' contest last month. Beautiful wool just right for making some much needed ankle socks.
On the right there are 4 balls of dk. blue and 2 silver/grey Merino Superwash that are destined to become a Ravenclaw House Scarf over at the Countdown To Harry KAL. They also just happen to fit right in with the PS2 colour theme. The only thing is I will have to take a strike at Stashalong - 'cause I bought these ones.
In lieu of a project pic -- Darling is coming along; I should finish the body tonight and hopefully do the collar while I 'get my Lost on' tomorrow night -- I will leave you with a few links to some great blogs I found through PS2.
Fat Chick Crafts - some gorgeous Kool-Aid dyed yarn
FrickKnits - Knitting and books: a winning combo
The Knitting Philistine - come on, that title alone is worth the visit!
The Stitchin' Wench - check out her Peapod set
Thee Handworks - incredibly beautiful quilting
Tiennie Knits - stranded colour work
Turtlegirl's Bloggy Thing - Yarn Pron Fridays!
Velma's World - Scrumbling - I would love to try that.
Labels: Contest, Project Spectrum 2, Stashalong
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Posture
One doesn't generally think of a slouch as a good thing. But when it is a jaunty cap, it is a very good thing indeed. Here is my 1st PS2 project.
Pattern: Le Slouch, by Wendy Bernard
Yarn: Lang Tosca -- about 1 1/4 balls
I really enjoyed this simple pattern and I plan to make another in a neutral, solid colour soon. The best part of this for me was that for the first time ever I used my gauge to adjust the pattern and it WORKED. How long have I been knitting again? Never mind.
Very hard to get a photo I liked - mostly because it was moments from GA and I did not want to be bothered doing my hair or putting on makeup - result: I looked sheer exhausted. Not something you want to post online is an understatement.
I finished this hat at work, while the children played tag. Not something I do often but it did lead to this the following afternoon:
"Can I yarn something - I know how to knit." 5 yr old boy who demonstrated his ability to knit by intertwining his fingers and twiddling them quickly while moving his elbows up and down [not my knitting style in case you are wondering - he might just know another knitter].
I then spent an hour 'teaching' 3 5 yr old boys to knit.
It was too fun. They were so excited. 2 of them worked really hard at it too - their attention span was much lengthier than I expected. I plan on bringing in some needles to keep on site - we had one pair and lots of wool.
Here is an excerpt of some of the conversation:
"I'm going to make this into a sweater for my Mom." boy A
"I'm going to make my baby a shirt" boy B whose Mom is pregnant
"What about pants?" asked boy C
"Oh I'll make pants next time" boy B
"I chose Army. I am going to make a Army sweater for my kitten." boy D who had olive green and cream yarn
"I'll be done my baby shirt in about an hour" boy B "Then I guess I should make pants, but what about a sweater too?"
With one pair of needles the plan was to knit 4 sweaters, a pair of pants, a shirt and a blanket before we went outside - about 40 minutes altogether.
Boy C worked about 3 rows and then looked up to ask "When is it going to turn into a sweater?" I was torn between being honest and keeping the experience enjoyable.
Clearly this is something we are going to have to do more of. These are some hyperactive guys who stayed with it for 40 minutes - some sitting on chairs and watching their friends knit. I am sure knitting is good for all sorts of brain development. Could I be any happier to add this component to our day? I just hope none of them get hassled by their Fathers. It happens with dolls and dress up clothes - as if they are never going to be fathers themselves!
Last Sunday was my cousin's 1st Anniversary. Her Mom had an appy night to celebrate. Somehow I failed to take a picture of the happy couple...whenever there are children/babies you will be upstaged!
Here are the girls getting ready for some 'Su-see beans' [edamame].
I am amazed at how universal this is: Young children will put anything in their mouths -- except edamame - they always need an adult to squeeze the beans out for them. Why is that?
Here is Kai-Kai looking desperate to escape another set of arms. I took some video of him trying to walk but I didn't know that you cannot edit video with our HP program and I was holding the camera sideways. So, the picture is sideways. Not the best for ease of viewing.
Labels: Family, Kids, Project Spectrum 2, Stashalong
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Someone Got Their Haircut
I am just plugging right along with my Stashalong goals lately. What is that about?
Kira had her haircut yesterday and she has been freezing ever since. My Mom snugged her into one of her sweaters and she has been cozy as can be today.
Here's the money shot! She's been given the tail of a lion! Hilarious.
Look at that Spaniel-ly little face. I love it when her ears are like this!
Labels: Stashalong
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Absorba Complete!!
Ahhh. Finally. It does need some blocking but I figured since it was a bathmat...it really wasn't a high priority. ;-p
Here you can see one of our cats, Scully, thrilled to be modelling my Purple Roving Scarf.
She wants to be ON the handknits - not IN them apparently.
I used a simple drop stitch pattern on large needles. It was a fun knit I completed while watching The Ghost and The Darkness. Still scary that movie. Yipes. The explanations do help, I was convinced they were monsters!
ETA: Sorry 'bout that! The bathmat is Absorba from Mason Dixon Knitting and dunh dunh dunh I used up some nameless acrylic from the stash for it. Absorba is a log cabin pattern that I am not sure I would use again - I think I would rather just knit one big rectangle - I think it would lay nicer. However, I think it doesn't lay nicely because I must have made a mistake picking up stitches on one of the sides. Not too sure blocking can fix that! It was knit with 3 strands together and therefore: Absorba.
Labels: Stashalong
Monday, January 22, 2007
My weekend
I finished the Purple Roving Scarf last night and took some really great pictures. Some really great pictures that I can't share because...the Memory Stick was not IN the camera. Ahhh yes. Planning at its finest.
I also found Absorba and made some progress with that. Nothing too exciting but I've had to get serious about this Stash busting promise I made - without being fully informed, but a promise nonetheless.
Tonight I might just work on Darling to change things up a bit. I just can't keep my focus on a project these days at all. There is something to be said for variety though ;-D
Last night I watched Ocean's Deadliest - Steve Irwin's last documentary. It was excellent. It was quite hard to watch at times, knowing how things ended. It was followed by a heartfelt, upbeat Tribute show - that I am very glad I watched. Such a tragedy. The world's loss pales in comparison to what a fabulous Dad these children have lost. What a gift to have shared him with us all.
Labels: Stashalong
Friday, January 19, 2007
"I've made a huge mistake."
Oh boy. This is going to be a lot harder than I thought~! The irony is that I was feeling all, "I don't need to use my free day in January, hey maybe I won't even need it in February." Now. It is all I am thinking about.
It is a good thing I ventured out in my jammies in the wee smalls because, as it is wont to do here, it rained after the dump of snow we got.
Now all that is left is a slushy mess. Not to be gross but...it reminds me of the state of my lungs these days (the slushy mess that is - sorry - morbid sense of humour). Yep. Still coughing. Or as it was previously known: breathing.
Labels: Stashalong
Grey's Anatomy
Buttons
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
HP and the Philosopher's Stone
