Uschitita

Uschitita yarn finally arrived at The Needle Emporium ! So happy that I had the day off; I stopped in Milton to pick up mi amiga Joan, and we enjoyed a good catching up on the drive.

I went with the mission of picking out a colourway for the What the Fade MKAL coming up at the end of this month. The purples called to me and with some help fromJulie, I put this kit together. Using black and white photography, I ended up switching the last two skeins for a more totally accurate tonal gradation. I;m a bit of a stickler for fading from dark to light ... unless you're fading from one colour to another.

Then Julie walked away to help customers and this one just sort of happened.

It may not end up being a What the Fade, it may be another fade or just stash, but I love them. 

This single skein of Hedgehog sock caught my eye - fairly screams Gryffindor, yes?

I put these for skeins of Hedgehog Singles together. 

Westknits is doing another MKAL come the end of September, and while he doesnt usually do fades, this caught my eye, but I managed to leave them behind.

My next project for Julie is a So Faded Sweater in a stunning green Merino Mia Gradient Kit from Prism Yarns  I wound up the first few colours and got started straight away last night!

On my way home, I ended up here:

I always seem to end up at Krispy Kreme when I go to Julie's. 

Since there was a Staples right there, I had the screen protector replaced on my phone. WOW!!! The original one was go cracked and abused that it's like having a new phone!! I also bought an external keyboard for the phone. I love it - it makes blogging so much easier! 

I have taken my flute playing back up; it's been a year!! I have missed it and am enjoying the playing immensely. My teacher, Myrelle, had suggested that I record myself playing, mistakes and all, so I did.

This is my favourite song (that I know how to play) and it is not bad considering that I've been not playing for awhile. https://youtu.be/Tt5NnEllCgw

It will give me a baseline for measuring my improvement.

Back to my So Faded Sweater before I head to work,

What? More Yarn?!

It was off to Ancaster and The Needle Emporium today. Not quite a lovely day for the drive, but Craig was still happy to drive so that I could knit. 

Julie picked out these colours of Sock yarn for me to knit a Born Trippy scarf. "Put them (the minis) in a nice order", she says. Is there a not nice order in which to arrange these minis?!? So other than assigning numbers and rolling the dice, some sort of order needs to be ascertained. 

 

I think that we are going to go with a tonal arrangement. Yes. This pleases me. 

I bought a swift and ball winder to have at Craig's so that I don't have to pre-wind a lot of yarn for any given project so that I don't have to worry about not running out. And really, I have enough challenges traveling lightly without packing a swift and ball winder just in case. 

I don't have the energy tonight to unpack them, set it up, and wind the yarn, so I'll set to it tomorrow after work. 

I'm continuing on the Indie sock I started yesterday. I don't remember what yarn company this is from, so it's just Indie. It's coming along quite nicely! 

 

Amanda has made a request for one of those messy bun hats that are all the rage. I Googled them and found a Wooly Wormhead pattern that is free - the Tea-Cozy hat. Julie had Charlie on sale, as it met Amanda's request for black, so it was meant to be! 

 

I also couldn't resist some new, bright sock yarns! 25% off ... you know you'd've done at least the same. 

 

Ancaster also did not disappoint on the Pokémon front. Good hunting in general and a quality Ditto specifically. 

Sitting at home with Craig, watching Goliath, reflecting on what a lovely few days it's been. I'm feeling really quite lucky. 

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!

All The Projects

I spent yesterday feeling rather poorly. Some sort of stomach bug had me laid low. No sewing was done, and I spent more time just holding needles than actually knitting. The puppies made sure that I napped enough.
I feel better today. Still not quite right, but better.

Better enough to make some progress on my Amy Butler raincoat!





I am really enjoying seeing a garment start emerging from the pieces of fabric. The laminate cotton has its challenges, but it is really fun.
The colourful Kaffe fabric distracts from my less-than-perfect sewing skills, but I am quite chuffed with the early results.

I am loving my new iron! Helen picked it up for me from Costco.





I haven't had one in ages, but a necessary tool for sewing neatly, and really, I'm an adult. I have clothes that should be ironed.

I managed to cast on another Bernat seed stitch baby blanket yesterday.





It's for a co-worker who is expecting, yes, a boy!! I really do love this Baby Blanket yarn.

I also couldn't resist winding a few balls of Lorna's Laces Cloudgate.





I'm going to be knitting up the Twice Reversible Ribbed Poncho by Churchmouse for The Needle Emporium. I'm planning to swatch tonight.

The puppies took turns today distracting me. They're just too cute to be cross at!!











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First one of the Year

Woohoo!!

Seeder is a fait accompli!
I went with a crab st rather than a double or single crochet around the armholes. I find it's a sturdier, more stable edge, and it gives it just a bit of texture.





It is now ready to send off to The Needle Emporium, so you can have a look in person if you'd like.

Now what?
To figure out where I left off on The Doodler!! It's been entirely too long, but I'm near into the 4^th weeks clue.


I got this.

I had a minor terror yesterday. To let the puppies out for pee, I put them on their retractable leads, stand at the outside doorway, and they use the 16' of lead to do their business.
I apparently didn't actually latch Petey's lead to his collar, because he just kept trotting away!!
He's normally not the one to do a runner, that's Chica. But he did. I called in my happiest, "mommy's not mad" voice, offered "num-num's" for the hungry puppy, but he was not to be enticed.
I took Chica back in, went out on my crutches on the sidewalk to the side of the workshop, but he was nowhere in sight.
I was truly beside myself. I knew in my head he'd come back, lived pets know where home is, but my heart was beset with fear.
Chica didn't understand how she was on a lead and Petey got to go off on a walkabout.





I fed Chica, texted my work wife that I might not be in to work, and just keep whistling and calling. 10 of the longest minutes later, he came trotting back like all was right in the world. I reined in the instinct to yell at him for worrying me, gave him a treat for coming inside, (and gave Chica one for being a good girl), and rushed to get myself sorted after giving him the biggest hug ever. Idjit dog is lucky I love him so very much.


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It's coming!!

The KW Knitters Fair is just two more sleeps away!! SQUEE!!!! One of the premier and knittingly-exclusive shows in Southern Ontario, it is not to be missed if you knit!!

I will be going with Helen. She is my Keeper and Head Nurse these days. Her status as Protector is trumped only by Petey.
I'll be at the Needle Emporium booth for a bit - who could resist?!? Check out Julie's blog for a heads up on what she'll be bringing with.
If you're going and want to meet up in the AM, text me or FB message me.

My Stitch Surfers have stalled; I've been diligently working on the Mock Cape. Body pieces are blocking.


I love the smell of wet wool!! Seriously.I'm targeting having it done for the Fair, and you know about me and deadlines.

I am still napping () most every day unless appts interfere. The puppies are still in mosey mode with me.
The pain is seriously so much better!! I still have crampy days; things are still healing/settling and any kind of abdominal effort - too much walking, sneezing, not knowing how much something weighs - can kick off spotting and pain. So I see, feel, and obey.
I just started driving, (being given the medical permission), and am being sparing with that as well since, as I drive a standard, the clutching does put some stress on my abdomen, so carefully I go.

I have booked a hair cut through Canada Cuts for Gilda's. There are various salons participating throughout the GTA, supporting Gilda's GTA & Gilda's Simcoe-Muskoka.
Get a great cut at a special price for a great cause. Help me keep the promise that no one faces cancer alone!!

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Whatta Thursday

Nice easy pre-op physical - I'm relatively fit and totally hot. not going to argue with a professional ;)
Dropped of some stuff by Amanda, who is making her way, slowly and on her own terms, but she is doing it and learning a lot.
Then a lovely drive out to The Needle Emporium. I miss seeing Julie, touching the yarns and seeing the colours in all their glory!! I spent a lovely afternoon knitting, chatting and picking out all sorts.

I'm made marked progress on the Secret Project, but have had to go back a bit, (silly mistake), but I'm back on track now.

The Manos del Uruguay Alegria that I had purchased on the last couple of yarn crawls had been whispering to me. After going through Julie's stock of Alegria, I knew I had to answer its siren song.



Yup - Sweetspot. I am very pleased and can't wait to do an Alegria Strip!!




A Namaste BYOB to make toting my Knitter's Pride set easier.


A couple of magazines that had projects I want to do.


A Mountain Colors Perspective gradient kit for a yet undecided cowl.



I was utterly smitten with this new colour Hummingbird in Satchel by Mrs Crosby. I set to finding a shawl pattern and after much fancying about in Ravelry, selected Chevry as the winner. Hollywood Cerise was selected as the companion colour, also after significant study. Crème Fraîche, Spicy Habanero, and Icebox Watermelon were all contenders.

I also picked up a project to work on after my surgery. I know, but I don't want to run out of something to do.


Stockinette, but shaping to keep me mindful.

On my way home yesterday my rear wheel bearing seized on the passenger side. Could've been a disaster on the 401, but fortunately I had control of my car, was near an exit and was able to ease into a garage. Active Green + Ross, while they were able to find a wheel drum that same evening and do the repair, fucked me hard on pricing.
But I am going to count the multiple of blessings that kept me safe and got me back home to my puppies, who held it long time!! *\o/* yeah for crate training!!!

Today I scored the remains sets in the BSG (new) series


for $30!! and found myself a new creative outlet. My teacher, who is also a friend and a knitter bonus, was impressed with my quick study and sent me home with an extra note (beyond the beginner three) to practice on. Clearly I'm a natural


The puppies weren't sure what was going on, but ignored it soon enough. (And yes, a seriously unflattering pic of my arm!) This will give me something to occupy my fingers & mind whilst on my convalesce. Not that knitting can't do it, but I am expanding my horizons.

Whew - it's been a busy couple of days, but I am feeling quite content within myself. This vacation came none too soon!

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Sock Day

So I knit another frilly scarf for Helen's charitable endeavours. yes, she *is* that good of a friend ;)

I re-potted my ivy plant.






This plant came with my place when I moved in. It had been sorely neglected and I really didn't think it would recover. It's been in the same sad green plastic pot and had suffered my own forgetfulness. But it always comes back, seeking for the sun, growing. It's like my spirit plant.

And I did more stitching yesterday.







I can't wait to get to the flowers to add a pop of colour to the light green areas!!

I declared today Sock Day. I would've had a lot more done if I hadn't had a 4 hour nap.





I use the knitting belt to spare the waistband in my jeans/pants; even with shirt, tiny needles, I still need to anchor my RH needle. 😏though I think that anything more than about an hour is not so much a "nap" as actual "sleep"
Anyway, I turned the heel and finished the instep shaping.





I really love turning heels! Such a simple maneuver, but truly magic. It still gives me a thrill every time!!

Petey has been a naughty boy. He is a Chewer. He tears into and rips apart bedding and toys, chews them and eats the pieces. Always has. Mommy is not pleased and he shan't be getting any more knitted presents.





I know.
Thursday night he was feeling poorly. He was really throwing up, (not just bringing up a hair ball), was not eating, and was really not himself. Turns out he had eaten a length of a seam off a pair of Lee's jeans that we used as bedding and it gave him a bad turn until he pooped it out.
Chica, on the other hand, while she will tear apart toys to get the stuffing out, is quite content to just lay and gnaw on it, like a cat wool-sucking, if she's done playing with if for a bit.






Yes, the 4 hour nap has messed with my sleep schedule. I totally blame Daylight Savings Time and "Springing Ahead". Hopefully I'll get sorted out tomorrow, a day off since I worked Saturday.
Julie's package should arrive with my new project! Keenly looking forward to getting my fingers into a new yarn!!

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Bloggable

July was a challenging month.
The weather has not been kind to my head, but I have meds and a drug plan so I shan't complain over much.
Amanda has been struggling. She's had much to deal with the last few years and has kept so much bottled up for so long. And of course being a teenager is not making it easier. But she comes from intelligent and sturdy stock and we are getting through a day at a time.

On the good news front, I have finished one of the mystery projects and am onto Irish Coffee by babycocktails out of Steamer Trunk by Mrs Crosby for Julie.


Top down, that's the v opening on the neck.

I have been remoted (promoted to the job that I previously had; yes, I unvented the word) to Dept Mgr!! I have Crafts & Stationery - I know, perfect for me!! It's not great yarn but it is yarn nonetheless and all the other crafty things!

The puppies are doing very well and Toby is a good big brother to them.









They are such fun - a lot of work, but I get so much pleasure from their antics and company. They have been a good bit of comfort and distraction for Amanda as well and she has been so good helping with their training.
They have such distinct little personalities as well. Chica is a little whirlwind, initiating most of the play and is always the one leading them into trouble. Petey is a chill guy, much more laid back and easy going but so eager to please.
Chica absolutely worships Toby! She pesters him relentlessly and collapses into submission trying to win his approval. Toby is alternately irritated by her then protective when he thinks that Petey is hurting her when they play.

We had a bit of a hail storm the other day!


Some of the pieces were the size of a small marble!!

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New Project

So Julie sent me yarn to knit Vodka Lemonade.


I thought that it was Malabrigo, but I stand corrected.
Julie told me today that it is Super Secret Yarn. This is the DK weight and it is a wool/silk blend.

It is knitting up very nicely so far!





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Here kitty, kitty

This is the makings of a black & white kitty


and the start of a mixed brown & white kitty.


I know, not especially cute or impressive yet but the potential is there.

The poplars are letting loose and it's snowing fluff.


This picture is unedited and unfiltered.

Helen & I had a great time at The Needle Emporium today! A wee bit of shopping


and then a custom-fit sock class with Kate Atherly


Helen tried to appropriate Kate's shawl, but not very hard ;). Helen is also showing off her first perfect sock.


Ok ... Back to my litter and with the extra skein of Skinny Cotton I can finish Beatrice.

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