Bigger IS Better

So I finally went and bought myself a new tv. Early Happy Birthday prezzie to me :) It's been at least 8 years, and considering that TV is my main entertainment (symbiotic with my knitting), it's totally worth the money spent! 

It's huge!! 55" compared to my previous 37" one which is now in my bedroom. Not sure how often I'll use it in there as I rarely have a sick day, I'm not a fan of falling asleep to a movie, and it's currently just hooked up to the bluray player, but it's in excellent condition and you never know. Now I just need another hdmi cord! Lol

I bought a wall mount kit and wow - those are some detailed instructions!! I'll probably have to ask my landlord to help with installing the actual part that goes on the wall, but I think I can manage the tv attachment.  

I also finished my Beyond the Wall shawl!! 

Ends need sewing in and it needs a blocking, but the knitting is done!

I have changed my hair, again.

I absolutely love the blonde!! The cut will show better once the colour grows out, so I'm looking forward to the next trim! Not sure if I'm having more fun yet, 'cause I have a lot of fun, but you'll know as soon as I do. 😏

Spoiler pics below on the What The Fade. No very spoilery, as I'm only on Clue 2, but perhaps you're not that far along. 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I am almost at the next Fade section!

I had a great weekend with the ladies from work. We went to Blue Mountain and the weekend couldn't have been more perfect!

We missed Julie on Friday night, but she came out Saturday night. I had to come home to my little brood, so I missed the Segway adventure, but it was still such a memeorable experience, and I'm deeply grateful to be working with such strong, fierce, and fabulous women!! ❤️👸💪🏻💖

Petey is still symptomatic, but is more himself. Still waiting for his inflatable collar 😒. 

A bit more Fading before I completely fade. 

Fading Away

I forgot to tell you that I finally have a cedar chest!! A friend was selling one since she was moving East, and I didn't even bother to bargain, I paid my $50 and started loading it up. 

The outside shows wear, but it has history, and the inside (where it counts) is pristine. I love it.

Today was a laundry day and I did a few more rows on my Beyond The Wall MKAL  The rows are at a time-consuming length now, but I persevere. 

The 3.75mm circulars were proving too large for the So Faded sweater, so I ripped out and restarted; 3.25mm are the ticket. 

With 8 colours, my first fade would have been before the neck shaping ended, so after a consult with Julie, I finished the neck shaping, then started fading. I have adjusted the row counts on the subsequent colour sections and it's all good.

Except something went awry with the first fade row and I lost the continuity of the single stitch between sections.

 I kept knitting, thinking that it wasn't so horrible, that it was on the back shoulder, no one would see it. Who was I trying to convince? We all know what a perfectionist I am. So that got taken apart and I am much happier now!

This pic is 7 rows into the fade. The colours are so close that it is almost impossible to distinguish them apart. This is going to be the most subtle and awesome fade ever!!! Prism has outdone themselves on this gradient kit. 

Beyond the Wall 2

So the Super Secret Project is a fait accompli, and I jumped straight away into my Beyond the Wall shawl.

I have finished Clue 2 and am headed into 3!! I should be caught up in time for the release of Clue 4 on Sunday. Go me!! 

I made time today to bake a pie using local berries. 

It was delish - the perfect tartness, cinnamon, and sweet. It's not going to last long - it'll be breakfast and snack and lunch ... you get the idea. 

I got new glasses!! Something a little different. 

I'm also trying out multi-focal contacts. I lose some sharpness on both near & far vision, but it affords me flexibility with sunglasses and the mid-range vision is excellent. I think I'll use them for beach days and sports. 

Beyond the Wall - spoilers

I took a couple hours out of the deadline knitting and did Clue 1 of the Beyond the Wall MKAL  So glad I did! It's a nice change-up. I went with alternating balls of yarn, and the bobbles. When I do a MKAL, I like to do the pattern that the designer envisioned, so while alternating balls of yarn is not my fave thing to do, and I love letting yarn pool as it will, this is the path that I've set myself upon. 

Okay. To work, then two more days of my chosen work. 

Starting Point - spoiler pics

I really love having my two days off in a row. Day 1 is always errand day - shops, appointments, cleaning. Day 2 is my day of home, knitting, relaxing. It is my ritual, I look forward to it, I need it. 

My Starting Point shawl is done!! I finished all the ends and laid it outside to block; it fit perfectly on my little back deck. It blocked out gently to 71cm x 203cm (28" x 80"). A generous stole, and if I knit another I could join them for a blanket. I love it; I has an intriguing construction with a pleasing symmetrical geometry.

 

   

 

I also finished the 3^rd part of my Chatelaine X garden mandala. The Algerian eyelets were the finishing touch and all 4 corners are now complete.

 The charts for the 4^th part are taped together and I'm ready to make 100's of tiny x's!!  

Happy Mail Day!! Jimmy Beans pkg arrived with the Lorna's Laces Solemat  that I ordered for the Beyond the Wall MKAL  The colours are brighter and less grey than the online pic. My fingers are almost twitching with excitement!!!

 The puppies are playing outside, no rabbit-chasing whinging to be heard, while the salmon that I planked is on the grill. It's been awhile since I've made salmon, the smell of it is so enticing. 

 I've powered through OITNB today -- how am I supposed to get along until season 6!!?? I am imaging storyline after storyline in my head. 

The Handmaid's Tale will see me through my evenings stitching. 

Have I mentioned how much I love my android box? An introverts best friend this! ☺️☺️

 Oh, I found this tiny robins egg shell on my driveway this morning.  

It made me happy, like seeing deer and rainbows. I know, I'm a bit simple, but my heart is pleased.