Great Expectations!

I really need to start lowering the standard by which I judge myself worthy of reward. I mean, I have bought myself lovely gifts, but then I make myself wait to open them!! 

I remember what is in them - from In The Deep Hue Sea is a lovely rainbow set, 

and from Ancient Arts a gorgeous Canada Day celebration skein. 

But remembering doesn't see the stunning depths of the colours that the camera and monitors can't possibly capture. I want to open the packages, but feel like I need to earn it. 

I was going well in the hat for Elise, until the new deadline came up.  

Maybe I'll finish Elise's hat tonight and open one present. Yes, that!!

I'm currently reading Area X The Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer  Not a quick read, well and thoughtfully written. Quality sci-fi, no doubt. 

Frolic

Totally got the Sleeveless Slipover done and blocked for the Frolic. Once again, I didn't get a picture of a FO, but I know that Julie will take a pic that I can snag 😏

We were up and on the road early. Craig offered to come and drive, even though I explained how much knitterly things that there were going to be and it was a whole day. He was adorably eager, and I want going to turn down a driver and traveling companion. 

 I needn't have worried - he was well occupied hitting up the Pokéstops at the JCCC  and there were judo, aikido, and archery classes to educate and entertain him.  

 

 

He also did a Tim's run for us and he might have to come to every show from now on!! 

It was a terrific day, I saw all sorts of friends, customers and students from previous years. It's so gratifying to hear how taking a class had changed how they knit and how much more they enjoy the entire process, including finishing because the result is more polished and with practice, easily achieved. It's why I enjoy teaching and maybe I'll submit to do it agin next year. 

I was at the indigo dragonfly booth first thing to get my Frolic colourway in the 3 bases. One of these years I will decide on what they will be ... 

 

After much deliberation, picking and choosing, 2^nd guessing, walking away and coming back, I made my colourway choice for the Starting Point MKAL  It's the Skinny Singles from Hedgehog Fibers. I loved knitting with the Singles so much on my Building Blocks shawl that this was the easiest choice I had to make. 
I am pleased with the combination and look forward to the winding and knitting of it. 

I also got another bottle of SOAK for all of my soakworthy projects! 

 

I hadn't bought a ZigZagStitches bag in awhile, but the batiks the Catherine had hanging called my name. I also bought a smaller Northcott Canadian one for a friend. 

Craig was photoshopping this morning ... he's really quite good and in comparison to what he usually does, a Mother's Day project for DQ was a simple diversion. He made my initial efforts look basic. He's going to be pressed into service all the time now!!  I'm going to knit on my sock 

and study for my DQ mgmt exam while I wait for my next work project from Julie. Some relative down-time. 😏☺️ 
 

 

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. 

KW Knitters Fair

Another fantastic year!!


Early morning start.


Dream in Color Jilly with cashmere!!! in the perfect Tardis Blue. Julie always picks perfect show yarn.


Shifting Sands shawl. Remembered to take a pic and make a note of it. Mostly I just tell myself that I'll remember, then I don't. You know


Quicksilver shawl at The Needle Emporium's booth.


Meeting FB friend Emily




Lunch with Helen.


Carole and Patrick at his Signature Yarns booth.


Carla and Henry from Georgian Bay Fibre Co.


Freebie from Michaels.


I can't seem to resist ZigZagStitches bags; a beauty comes home with me from every show!! The attention to detail that Catherine puts into every bag shines through in the finished product.


A lovely assortment of potential from Georgian Bay Fibre Co.!

And of course a shout out to all my friends and readers whom I totally gapped about taking a pic with!

I am on a day of utter rest today. It was a long day yesterday, but well worth it. Yarn and friends are worth it all.

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Frolic'ing

As always, had a great time at the Frolic!! Working at The Needle Emporium is a sweet torture; so many gorgeous yarns and enticing colours ... but I wouldn't want to miss it!!

On the way down I amused myself by changing the colours on the ambient lighting in Helens truck.





Then I dozed off. Not really sleeping, but not entirely conscious.
My original bestie Joan was there





to greet us (and treat us to coffee).

Helen & I were on back door duty, making sure that only badged vendors were permitted entry, keeping all the yarny goodness safe. Thank to most vendors, it was good times!






Scored a few skeins of Lambs to the Frolic early on from Indigodragonfly. I was only going to get two, but I couldn't cut one.





A true sock blend, a Bluefaced Leicester that squeals shawl, and the merino/cashmere/silk blend, well, the way the silk takes the dye just a little different than the other fibres just gives it such character!
They sold out at the show, but if you're quick you can buy online

ZigZag Stitches had found Day of the Dead fabric (per Helens request from Knitters Fair last fall) so I totally had to have one of those!!





And the Paris large project bag just would it release my gaze. Unavoidable.

At lunch one of the volunteers came in and showed the door prize that she had won. The stranded cotton intrigued me, so I popped over to Unraveled to have a look. I ended up buying 2 containers to do an Auburn Wave.





Spring colours and cotton yarn should make for a lovely summer shawl!

Swung by Soak to see Jacqueline and restock on Soak.





She is an inspiration - craftily & business-wise.

Remembered to take pics this year with a few people who wandered by!














Afterwards, Helen & I made a detour through East Toronto before heading North and saw this gem.





We each found a book that will be enjoyed and returned.





It was a fun little stop that made is happy.

Home to Lee's, who is preparing a mouth-watering curry as I type. I know, he's a keeper!!

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