Linen Challenge

So then this happened. 

 Yeah. 85% of this Studio Linen is recycle rayon linen which is what gives the yarn a lovely sheen and drape right off the ball. This means I really can't just toss the balls in my knitting bag and go. Well, I can, but this is the result. YMMV

This was good opportunity to just zen out and untangle something. I feel like I've got choices and decisions to be made all around me and this was something that I could just do. It felt good to make it neat again, and then, lesson learned, bagged.

 

 

So ... I'm still working on a colourway for my Building Blocks MKAL  Clearly, having more choices was not a valid strategy in making this process easier. I keep looking at my Bag of Loveliness and then just sighing and thinking.  One of these skeins was a raok gift and I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not to use it in this project. It might end up a sentimental favourite in my stash. 

It's definitely cooling off, but I've not lit the furnace yet. I did plug in the electric fireplace to take the chill off of my feet. I'd likely have it going even if the furnace was running, it's not for overall room heating. And the puppies love it!! 

 

Treats

So on this, the day before my 47^th natal celebration, Craig and I set off for The Needle Emporium. Truly, where else would I find the perfect gift for myself?!?

 

 Another beautiful day for a road trip, even with a decided chill in the morning air. 

My mission to Julie's was to make sure I had a proper

selection of Hedgehog fibres Skinny Sock to make a final decision on my colourway for the Westknits Building Blocks MKAL  I was more than successful! I also picked up the latest Rowan magazine. 

On the way back we veered off of the highway since traffic into Toronto was nuts - concerts & sporting events galore - and I remembered how much I love a Krispy Kreme donut. And since it was on the back way home, and the Magic 8 Ball concurred, we stopped in. It was more processed sugar than we usually eat in an entire month, but it was so totally delicious!! Craig had a simple glazed, but I went with a salted caramel, and a lemon filled. It's my pre-birthday, I shouldn't have to make the hard choices. 

Then there was groceries and home. Since we were making this a cheat day, it was manicotti with a homemade pasta sauce. 

I am now defrosting the freezer to make room for all of the yummy things that I'm making tomorrow. Planning and meal prep is key to any kind of diet plan and having only a 1/2 hour lunch with no easy access to other food. 

I am getting ready to cast on my next project:

 Sorrento from The Studio Linen Collection by Erika Knight. 

I am having a lovely day, and looking forward to another one tomorrow!

This 'n That

Sometimes, no matter how much you like what you do, it doesn't work out on other levels. So I am now working at Honda for the company that takes the cars off the line and parks them for shipping. It is relentless, but I like the predictability of the work. The people are easy-going and fun, I walk 12-14km on an average night so exercise is a bonus, and I really love working afternoons. 

Not an easy relationship work schedule, but generally nothing worth having is easy. Craig is being supportive which makes it easier. 

Overtime's been thrown out this week and I've been taking it since I'm not on a knitting deadline. But the knitting never, ever stops - I've been working away on my socks! 

 

Winter is coming - I've gotten a crazy urge to cook all the things!! It also is about lunch prep. Afternoons requires planning so that I can eat healthily and  maintain my current weight loss trend! This weekend I'm planning on doing up these three and making chicken soup.  

 Yes, that curry recipe has been well used! 

I went into the cupboard to make sure that I had all of the spices that I needed and that resulted in me coming to the realization that I need more little containers and spice bottles. 

 

Yeah, that needs sorting!!

Going to be a great birthday weekend with Craig. Saturday will be errand day - The Needle Emporium  Costco, Walmart, then Sunday will be about cooking and knitting. I can't wait!! 

Fait accompli

And Hitchhiker is done!

 

It's not blocked yet; I can't wait to see how much more wonderful it looks when I do block it!!

It was a great week. It would certainly have taken me longer if I hadn't known that Julie was on my heels all week. 

Still Hitching

Been a busy week - a new work schedule, battling The Allergies, sleep ... the usual. 

Fortunately, garter is a kind stitch and yields satisfyingly visible results. 

 

 

Alright then, back at it! 

Still Hitching

Been a bit busy with work, errands, and sleep, but fortunately garter stitch makes for satisfying and visible progress. 

 

 

Marble Hitchhiker

Making progress! I am

A bit further in than the picture I'm posting, the project is in the car; I'm about 60% done. 

 

I am loving the subtle variations in the Cheshire yarn. I've name my project Marble Hitchhiker on Ravelry because that's what it looks like to me. 

Busy today and tomorrow ... hopefully I won't fall too far behind Julie, Sarah, Lynn & Cathy. 

KW Knitters Fair

It was a lovely day for the drive down! I even managed to dodge the threatening thunderstorms on the way back home. 

I finished the Ashling Shaw  and it blocked out 36" deep! Wow!! So if you're a fan of lovely, large shawls, this is the one. 

My changes are noted in the Ravelry  link above. 

 

The Needle Emporium  booth was, as ever, packed with all the lovely things. 

In particular, Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles. With the next Westknits MKAL kicking off soon, I couldn't resist picking out colours. I couldn't pick just the four required, so at least I have time to mull it over and make the cut. 

 

This will be made either easier or more challenging when Julie get in the next shipment, expected at the end of the month. Yes, I'll be there, seeing if any new colour is even more enticing. 

I bought another bag from my friends at ZigZagStitches.  

 

And one from a new vendor, Alison Ruth  Something about the fabric called to me. 

 

Later in the afternoon, we were discussing the Woodstock Fleece Festival  Sarah suggested that we do matching shawls in different kits/colourways. We've all selected and the game is on!! This is what I'm knitting with: 

  

This frabjous fibers Cheshire Cat line is so lovely and soft. Craig heard me going in enough about it last night, but it's going to keep happening. I love this stuff!!! 

I didn't realize how much I miss my friend Helen until later in the evening. I missed so much that replay of the day, comparing purchases, what we saw, who we talked to. Texting just wasn't the same.