Two Wooden Sticks and a Ball of Wool

A Shawl for my Mom

The Specs: Pewter Lace Shawl from Interweave Knits Spring 2003 The Yarn: Naturally Kid et Soie (10 ply - Mohair/Silk/NZ Merino), Shade 306

The Story: After living together for 8 and 1/2 years, in late 2003 Ed (and my mother who gave the mother attitude) was finally able to convince me that we should get married (I love the man with my entire being but I tend to get sweaty palms around major commitment issues) and the wheels were set in motion. We originally planned to get married in October 2004 and I decided that I would knit a shawl for the Minister (female) who was going to marry us and started on it right then and there.

In the later Spring of 2004 my niece Grace was diagnosed with leukemia and my best friend Julie, who had been in a short remission from Multiple Myeloma, had three surgeries on her brain and was informed that the cancer had spread to her spine (Julie died on December 28, 2004). We decided to call off the wedding in late August.

We had the wedding license, good for 3 months, and on a cold day in November, two days before the license was to expire (and with some good natured ribbing from Ed that I had escaped the noose one more time) I called around and found a minister willing to marry us the next day (I shall always remember his slightly sarcastic tone - he didn't know the whole story - about "leaving it to the last minute aren't you?").

So the next day Ed and I basically eloped! With Nick of course. Nick was the ring bearer, the best man, maid of honour and photographer (his worst offense was not handing me back my bouquet because he liked it too much!). And despite the hyperventilating prior to the big moment I have been quite happy with my now legal status.

Fast forward to this summer. I am earnestly trying to clear up all my unfinished objects (I promised Carole). So I saw the shawl, two thirds done and thought why not, I will give it to my mother (she had admired it when she saw me knitting it for the minister). So, picking it up and putting it back on the needles, I looked at the pattern and what was in front of me, and wondered what the f*$%# had I been knitting (or what pattern I thought I had been following); there was no similarity between the two (and this was the summer of my total physical breakdown so of course I wasn't necessarily trusting my eyes). I have no clue what the hell I was knitting. What else could I do? I ripped the sucker out and rewound 9 balls (Mohair is no walk in the park let me tell you).

To make a long, long story that may be boring the crap out of you by now short, I knit it up in a week (the pattern was sooooooo easy and basic enough for my sorry summer brain) and then dealt with the trauma of casting on the edging. I had to do it twice (the first time 6 hours and a major headache later I decided I didn't like the bump on the back and pulled it out) but god it looks good.

I can say that this is one of the most pleasurable finished knits I have made in a long while. I just love this so much. I think it turned out fabulously and, if I can ever arrange to see my mom she will be receiving it (and a nice little surprise it will be for her!).

My Tea Swap Pal ROCKS!!!!!

I received this in the mail today. It was a parcel from my tea swap pal Allison. The funny thing is that when I saw the box the return address was from Simply Socks Yarn Company and I was trying to remember if I had purchased something from them (not that this would be surprising for me - I could claim it is my cognitive fatigue but I think it has more to do with my shopping habits...LOL).

The parcel was amazing. Lots of tea....lots and lots of tea and in varieties that I am going to enjoy; decaf darjeeling, decaf apricot, honeybush caramel, white tangerine, tropical green and earl grey lavender and a tea called sow mee white which totally intrigues me and I will be trying tomorrow. There was also a tea infuser, gourmet hot chocolate and a bar of Ghirardelli Expresso Escape (not sure if I will be able to indulge in this as the caffeine in the espresso beans might put me over the edge). Oh...and there were cookies; Walkers Shortbread - yummy!

However, the best parts were the following: 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces (I looooooove Lorna's Laces) in Apricot, a colour which was dyed just for Allison's company (at the time of her mailing this no one else had it yet - I was the first!) and this ceramic mug. Talk about making a girl feel special!
The ceramic mug. Allison's husband Joseph, created this ceramic mug for me and fired it in a wood kiln he made for the University for Saint Francis (he teaches there and is a ceramic artist). Oh my god - that is all I kept thinking; first when I opened the wrapping and saw the mug and then when I read Allison's lovely note. The thoughfulness and personal touch that was put into this package is really quite touching. The mug was made just for me. I am gobsmacked. I have already had tea in it twice; it is so perfect. NO ONE in my house will be touching this mug but me (Ed is quite taken with the mug - quite taken).

Allison, the mere words of thank you seem totally inadequate. I am really touched. This was such a wonderful package and I feel quite blessed to have been the recipient. Thank you.
P.S. I did put in a little order for some Lorna's Laces tonight...LOL.

Socks.....

In honour of Socktoberfest I decided to offer up this sockliloquy about my sock clubbin', a KAL or two and my current sock project(s). I'd like to call it "Sockclubbintoastytoesberfest".

I will preface this by saying that I love socks. When I first learned to knit socks it was to master DPN's but of course I had little idea what I was really getting into. Socks are like the most divine type of swatch that knits up relatively quickly (and is actually functional) and oh how I have come to love the magic loop and 2 socks on 2 circulars (I must admit I held onto the DPN method for a few years).

Sock Clubs

Sock Clubs, like sock yarn, sock needles, sock apparel (markers, bags and the like) are oh so hard to resist. Different than a KAL (although certainly attached at times to the club), sock clubs arrive at your door usually every other month. I have found these clubs to be divine.

1. The Petals Collection - prior to joining the Petals Collection I had had the opportunity to experience Sundara's sock yarn; lovely, just lovely. When I got my first package the woman literally blew me away. The attention to detail, the yarn, the pattern and a lovely little flower sucker; I felt like it was Christmas and I felt that inner thrill of the sock knitter (or would that be the online sock shopper).

Sundara didn't disappoint with her second mailing. So, so beautiful. I almost don't want to open them up they are so awesome. If you know what I mean. She is a woman who knows how to make you feel very, very special. This is the quintessential sock club.

2. Posh Yarn Sock Club - Dee, the owner of Posh Yarn is the sweetest of enablers! Her yarns are sublime and so luxurious, how could I not join the Sock club, knowing that I would knit socks with cashmere/merino and just plain cashmere. Dee is wonderful, the yarns are gorgeous and well, I have also joined her Lace Club. You have to check out her sock yarns; I bought some pure cashmere sock yarn to make Nancy Bush's Bed Socks (Knitting Vintage Socks) for Ed and I - they are on the socks to make now list. Oh sweet, sweet luxury!

3. Socks that Rock Sock Club - this was a total fluke. Surfing one day I hit on the club (and mammoth KAL) and thought why not?

Who knew how popular this 'little' club would be (or that it would sell out like less than 24 hours after I decided to join). I love Blue Moon's Sock Yarn and their patterns have been, for the most part, excellent. Of course I wouldnt' be telling the truth if I didn't tell you that the mini skein is the part of the club I love the best!I have also recently joined the Sweet Sheep Sock Club. I am intrigued by this club and looking forward to seeing the 4 different sock yarns from 4 different fiber artists. This club (and adjoining KAL) starts in November and I will be sure to post all about it. I have also belonged to the Sock Club from Make 1 Yarn Studio. I admit I let it slip when I was sick over the summer and I do need to call and renew my 'membership.'

Toasty Toes

The lovely Amanda is hosting Toasty Toes, the sock sequel to Bloomin' Feet. Of course I had to sign up. The thought of making someone socks and sending the knitting energy their way while you are knitting those socks is really spectacular.

And, while making socks for someone other than a blood relative (the perfectionism quotient goes way, way up for me - and it's already pretty high) is relatively anxiety provoking, getting a pair of socks in the mail is kind of like being Samantha on Bewitched.

It's almost magical - and they're handknit too! Freakin' awesome! My Toasty Toes are coming from this pattern book; a lovely Canadian only pattern book from Beehive (I believe that this is the original company of what is now known as Patons - I have no difficulty being corrected on this information). I am not revealing the pattern yet.

The yarn is Lorna's Laces in Blackberry. I LOVE the colour (I hope my sendee loves the colour). I love the knitter I am knitting these for. I love the sock bag the yarn is sitting in (perhaps more than love, these sock bags are sooooo cool and I have to get me some more!).

Of course I seriously have to get my butt in gear; these beauties have to be ready to mail in about two weeks (so many other more conscientious knitters are already done...eeps!). However, I did manage to get my Sockapaloooza Socks done on time (okay, it was 6am of the morning of mailing...). They will get done - I promise you my secret sendee!

A Current Sock Knit I have knit socks on DPN's most of my sock knitting life (about 5years and a bit). I have done the magic loop as well but I must admit I really wanted to try the 2 socks on 2 circulars - to have a pair of socks done at the same time really appealed to me.

So I decided to give it a go. These are Crown Mountain Farms socks in "American Pie." The infamous Sock Hop Yarn! I love this yarn. It's the kind of yarn you just want to bury your face in (or fill a bathtub full of it and lay in it). The colour is totally yummy and I love the tweedy/striping effect. Hats off to Klaus and Teyani - you are geniuses. And fucking nice too! (I have been working on the swearing, it just kind of slipped out!). I have quite a bit of this yarn (and some rovings as well). It is just so fabulous - you have to try it if you haven't yet. I love you Teyani, I LOVE YOU!

About the 2 x2 socks on circs. I love it, and yet at the same time, it is wrecking my usual sock mojo. Because I am knitting them at the same time, I am knitting them oh so much slower than I usually knit socks. There is no pressure, no need to worry about deciphering my little notes as I knit one sock and bust a move to get the next one on - they are, exactly the same.

In my anal retentive sock knittingness I need my socks to be as similar as possible - and I always find slight differences in the singularly knit socks, no matter how closely I knit them together. I love the 2 socks method but it will make me a much slower sock knitter. Oh well. I still love sock knitting, LOVE IT!!!!!!!

Gone Stitchin'...okay actually I did....a long time ago...

Every September (well at least the last seven for me) there is this knitting retreat known as Gone Stitchin'. It rocks. There are great teachers, a wonderful location (once you get used to the trains) and just a wee bit of hijinks that go on...and on. The retreat is held at Bayview Wildwood Resort just North of Orillia and is put on by Julie, Karen and Bev. They do a fantastic job and the weekend is intense, fun and exhausting.

This year the teachers included Barry Klein of Trendsetter Yarns, Bev Galaskas of Fiber Trends and Maureen Mason-Jamieson of Kinver Beach Knit Designs. I have had classes during past retreats with both Bev and Maureen who teach fabulous techniques and ideas. I have never had a class with Barry, and although I did sign up for his classes I still haven't had a class with him. I wasn't sure I could go this year because I have really not been well but I so had to be there so the compromise was to be there although I did not attend classes (with some medical intervention I did go to the retailers fashion show and the student fashion show...oh and the market table.. baby did I go to the market table).

This is one of the finished objects I showed at the student fashion show. I am particularly proud of this because during my summer of illness when mental concentration was a concept that did not exist, I worked on a bunch of my UFO's; knitting and sewing. I cannot claim the sewing victory however...my best bud Carole, on one of her many trips to the farm this summer, took pity on my messed up state and sewed the stripes for me. She did such a fantastic job. Thanks Carole! Now Carole finishing this sweater set me up for some ribbing because I have a bit of a reputation at the retreat for not sewing up my own sweaters (Nancy Wiseman, yes the Nancy Wiseman, sewed up a sweater for me and Margaret Della Rosa sewed up a couple) - can I help it if I am good at getting recruits to do what I totally hate?

Anyway, the sweater is Oliver and it is knit with freedom DK cotton by Twilleys of Stamford. The stuff was a dream to knit with. I normally hate to knit with cotton; I find it hard on my hands and lacking alot of give. This cotton is addictive; soft and supple.

My model isn't too bad either! Ed went with me and we arrived at the resort on the Monday with Carole - the extra three days are fantastic. We knit without interruption (i.e., no making of beds, housework, meal prep, meal clean up) and I can honestly say that we got lots done - well Carole and I did; Ed went golfing, had a couple of massages, a manicure and pedicure. He totally deserved the vacation; he has and continues to do such a fantastic job of taking care of me (in addition to all of his other responsibilities). Ed has a great time at the retreat; he loves being surrounded by all that estrogen - he modelled several sweaters and one jacket (scroll down 5 photos - this is the real Ed!).

I can honestly say the best part of the weekend (aside from the knitting classes and the market table - the market table ROCKED this year; I spent the money to prove it) are the knitters. This is my seventh year and it is fabulous to see people I really only get to see at the weekend.

I met Carole at this weekend. Dawn aka Heather aka Sybil roomed with Carole; Dawn is pretty hilarious and has this thing for PINK. Maureen and Dalia (Fred and Ethel to those of us at the retreat), Joan and Joan, Manon, Loretta, Monica, Gloria, Connie, Patrick, Lynn, Alexis and so many others (if I didn't mention you specifically I apologize...I see faces and I forget names and I think I just blew the last brain cell I have on that list). We laugh and laugh and laugh. It is such a great time. Next year they are having Barry Klein again and Sally Melville. It is gonna be good.

I do have more FO's which I hope to post soon (sorry that it is so long between my posts; I am really trying to get back in the swing of things - just lots of fatigue and other lovely symptoms) and I may have to display my haul from the market table - NOW that was fun!