Firefly Knit

Rhiannon

2010-05-23T12:44:00.001-05:00

Rhiannon, originally uploaded by _firefly_.

Two years of knitting and these socks are done and ready for the spring fair!

Cobweb Lace Stole

2010-04-10T21:23:00.001-05:00

Cobweb Lace Stole, originally uploaded by _firefly_.

Stonewall

2010-02-10T22:23:00.001-05:00

Stonewall, originally uploaded by _firefly_.

Turn A Square

2009-11-04T18:10:00.001-05:00

Turn A Square, originally uploaded by _firefly_.

Woohoo, way ahead of schedule with this Christmas present for my brother. I may knit up a couple more of these!

Top Down Noro Shawl

2009-09-27T12:15:00.001-05:00

Top Down Noro Shawl, originally uploaded by _firefly_.

In progress...

Rhiannon Sock

2009-07-04T12:03:00.001-05:00

Rhiannon Sock, originally uploaded by _firefly_.

Hey, it only took me about a year and a half to knit one sock! Check back December 2011 for the second. Haha!

Fetching

2009-02-13T09:55:00.002-05:00

Only one skein of Debbie Bliss Cashermino Aran!

This is a quick and easy pattern for a pair of fingerless gloves that are perfect when I'm at the computer at night.

Tudora

2009-01-24T14:49:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T13:02:00.002-05:00

Feather & Fan Short Scarf

Yarn: Malabrigo Lace
Size: 15" x 31"
Recipient: My Aunt

Long Time No See

2008-12-02T08:34:00.006-05:00

But I did knit!

It's been a busy few months, but I did manage to complete this Alpaca Baby Shawl. I used a Misti Cotton/Silk combo, rather than alpaca. Though the blanket is not huge in itself, I ended up on 60" circular needles.

Now I'm trying to whip through a short feather and fan scarf for a Christmas present, with Malabrigo Lace.

And with a nice long Christmas break coming up, I'm looking forward to planning the next line up of projects, becuase they're really starting to pile in my Ravelry queue!

Counterpane Carpet Bag

2008-08-31T11:30:00.002-05:00

I dilly dallied over this project for far too long (started October 2007) and was held up by a fruitless search for bamboo handles big enough to slip over my shoulder. I ended up calling it a day and using the 8" circulars I had on hand. Sewing the lining was a bit of a struggle too, but luckily that's hidden from sight.

All in all I'm pretty pleased with the bag and will look forwarding to toting it around this fall. It measures about 17" long by 13" wide (at the mid point), so it's a good size for just about any knitting project.

All Done!

2008-08-05T19:18:00.002-05:00

Japanese Feather Stole from Knit Spot.

I put this project down for many months this year, but once I picked it back up again it flew off the needles.

Many more pictures of the whole process over at Flickr and Ravelry.

I'm immediately launching into the next lacy item: the Myrtle Leaf Shawl with Willow Border from Victorian Lace.

The Return of the Japanese Feather Stole

2008-07-17T12:24:00.004-05:00

After all that, the Gossamer Stars Scarf got canned. While it was a fairly enjoyable pattern to knit, the alternating stockinette and garter sections really threw me off. When I decided to pick up the Japanese Feather Stole I started so long ago, I remembered just how much I loved that pattern and how much I enjoyed knitting it. I've made a lot of progress over the last few days and if I keep it up it should be done in short order. Blocking this should prove to me pure magic.

Lace Ribbon Scarf

2008-07-11T11:26:00.002-05:00

Got the Lace Ribbon Scarf done and now the needles are freed up for the Gossamer Stars Scarf. Woot!

Irony

2008-07-07T17:52:00.003-05:00

I've been trying to finish up the endless Lace Ribbon Scarf, but I finally gave in and wound up my ball of sea silk and started the Gossamer Stars Scarf. I haven't been satisfied with my first two attempts at picking a needle size and the irony is I think I'll end up with the set that the Lace Ribbon Scarf is on, so I may have to finish it after all.

Happy Canada Day, eh!

2008-07-01T18:14:00.001-05:00

What did you do for WWKIP Day?

2008-06-15T09:57:00.002-05:00

Were you out there bringing knitting to the people? I didn't actually go out and knit, but I did stop on by the Kniterary and donated an old project (an acrylic cardigan that will never be finished) for their tree cozy along with some perishable items. Local knitters were out their doing their thing, but it was a busy day for me so I couldn't stay. Hope you did something fun!

Tilly's Garden Shawl (on a very hot day)

2008-06-08T17:03:00.008-05:00

It's so hot here this weekend that the last thing anyone needs is a wool shawl, but I did finish Tilly's Garden Shawl and it does match the poppies!

More over at Flickr and Ravelry.

P.S. to KD. No, you can't have it!

Spinning Wheel Alpacas

2008-06-01T08:46:00.015-05:00

Yesterday morning Mom called and said suggested we go to Ikea, but I came up with another suggestion. My local yarn store advertised an event that was a short drive out into the country to the Spinning Wheel Alpacas farm. So off Mom and I went to visit some of the cutest alpacas ever at their shearing and fibre show. It was a small scale event with vendors selling everything from yarn, to stained glass, jewellery and artwork. But the best part were the alpacas.

When we arrived, the alpacas were calmly moving in a bunch back and forth in their large pen. These ones were already sheared, and inside the barn was where the cuts were taking place. Apparently it takes about nine people to hold an alpaca down, but it was all very calmly done.

Also in the pen were two of these awesome, friendly dogs and two funny pot belly pigs. I'm sure the dogs were there for safety and protection of the herd, but what the pigs were there for I have no idea, other than comic relief.

There were a couple of ladies there spinning and selling yarn (no credit cards?!) . It was a great little visit and if I were ever to have a radical life and career switch, I might be an alpaca farmer. A few more photos over at Flickr.

Birthday unSurprise!

2008-05-30T17:07:00.004-05:00

There's not much surprise left over when the recipient chooses the pattern, picks the yarn, even lends you the needles and then you start to knit it in front of her. I prefer to give things that people really want so it's a no fail method.

The gift was A Good Bias from Interweave Spring 2005, knit with Louisa Harding Kashmir DK (in Olive), a curiously spongy yarn because of its chained structure.

It was a pleasure to make, which is good because it looks like I'll be knitting it again!

Front and Back

2008-05-17T09:32:00.003-05:00

Rhiannon Sock Pattern

2008-05-04T14:18:00.004-05:00

From Cookie A

Lace Ribbon Scarf

2008-04-06T17:07:00.006-05:00

Woohoo! Spring!

Finally, the first nice weekend and the warm weather got me all cRaZy so I started a new project. The Lace Ribbon Scarf from the latest Knitty. Reminiscent of the Clapotis but with a whole lot less work, it's a simple but dynamic pattern. I'm using Elisabeth Lavold's Hempathy, a cotton/hemp blend which should make for a nice spring/summer scarf for those cooler days and nights.

And I finished off the Dragon Scale Gauntlets once and for all. I like them a lot, but I probably should have made them a shorter. These ones ride all the way up to my elbow. Maybe I'll feel different about them when winter rolls back around, but let's not think about THAT.

Twisting with the Cable Girl

2008-03-30T09:03:00.004-05:00

So yesterday, Kelly and I took a class on cable knitting with Fiona Ellis at the Kniterary here in Whitby.

Turns out, cable knitting is much like learning to knit for the first time. You learn your basic cables (ie. knits and purls) and then depending on the way you manipulate them, or place them, you can come up with a million different patterns.

Down in the bottom left hand corner, you can see where I made my first mistake. I was all gung ho starting out and wasn't paying close enough attention to the pattern, so that cable isn't twisting the way it should at the start. It's good to learn your lessons early on!

I really enjoyed the class and now a whole new genre of knitting is open to me. Fiona's a lovely lady and an excellent instructor so don't let a chance to take a class with her pass you by.

+5 Dex

2008-03-22T07:19:00.002-05:00

One gauntlet done, the second in progress. With winter still hanging around, these gauntlets will get some use before the real spring arrives. I love Noro yarn.

Only the geeks among you will get the title of this post.

The Counterpane Carpet Bag is slowly being assembled. At the moment I'm seaming up the edges, need to cut the lining and I'm still looking for bigger circular handles (sorry, Kel!).

Tag, You're It!

2008-03-14T19:44:00.004-05:00

Things are in progress and at least one will be revealled soon. In the mean time, Yvette tagged me for a meme! If you read, consider yourself tagged too.

The Rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

1. I sneeze when I go out into the sunlight.
2. I drive stick shift.
3. I hate being photographed.
4. I share a birthday with Ghandi. He spun. I knit.
5. I despise smoking.
6. I always make my smiley faces this way (: and I'm not left handed.

Dragon Scale Gauntlets

2008-02-18T16:17:00.003-05:00

I'm a geek. I like to read fantasy novels and I play an MMO (that's an online game) and ever since I saw these Dragon Scale Gauntlets I've wanted to make them so I could put them on while I was playing my fantasy game where I run around slaying the enemy. I thought it would be very "in theme". At first I thought I'd do them in some respectable, single colour to be a little more mature about it and then I decided to forget that and go straight for the awesome fantastical colours of Noro!

wish it was spring

2008-02-11T16:30:00.001-05:00

In the last week there's been two major winter storms and I've shovelled my driveway I don't know how many times. Today we're in the midst of a deep freeze and more snow is rumoured for tomorrow. Siiiiiigh. So tired of winter!

Not patient enough to wait for spring, I cast on Briar Rose Fiber's Tilly's Garden Shawl. I have no idea who Tilly is, but I like her simple diamond lace patterned shawl, and I love the fiery red-orange yarn, with its very non-winter like name: Fourth of July. That's right winter, I'm ignoring you so you'll GO AWAY!

I still knit

2008-02-02T14:41:00.001-05:00

I've been keeping myself busy with this and that, but I still do a little knitting here and there. The Counterpane Carpet Bag is still on the needles and when I'm done the knitting portion I'll have to learn how to sew and do the lining. I'm sure I'll finish it before 2009!

Ringing in the New Year

2007-12-31T10:40:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket
Designer: Brooklyntweed
Yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool (8025 - Night Vision)

Turning a lacy little doily into a big old warm lap blanket is one heck of a brilliant idea (thank goodness for boys who knit in Brooklyn). I loved knitting this, particularly because of the feather and fan stitch...and the centre piece...and the edging...ok, I loved the whole thing! and I'm a little sad that it's done. The Cascade Ecological Wool used was also fantastic. A nice, substantial wool with loads of yardage packed in, it'll be good and warm this winter.

Unfortunately when blocking time came around I couldn't, for the life of me, find my blocking pins, so I simply laid it out and gave it a good tug around the corners, leaving it to dry on its own and that seemed to work fine. It is a blanket after all and I think I can get away with not blocking it to perfection, but I may give it a gentle press of the iron here and there.

So that's the last finished project for 2007! Happy New Year, everyone! Remember, don't drink and drive, but drinking and knitting is allowed!

I've been a good knitter this year

2007-12-24T15:12:00.000-05:00

Oh yes, I have! It's not even Christmas Day yet and look what I got!

Some absolutely fabulous laceweight yarn from Kelly. There's 1675 yards in that humble looking silk/yak yarn. I totally regretted not buying yarn at the Skaska stall back at Rhinebeck, but by the time we hit it I had spent all my available funds. Luckily Kelly was generous enough to gift me with some. Thanks Kel!!! I can NOT wait to knit something (or two things) out of it from the Victorian Lace book I got from my aunt, who also gave me the book of scarf patterns. I've been wanting this book for a long time and after looking through it again I'm very excited by the designs.

Today I'm madly finishing off a pair of socks for the brother, knitting a combination of patterns from the Easy Knitted Socks from my coworker. A very timely gift since I needed an easy pattern because I was starting the socks at the last minute.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Flowers in Lace

2007-11-30T17:06:00.001-05:00

Ahhh, cashmere. I will buy more of you and knit many soft things.

Hemlock Ring Blanket

2007-11-11T17:02:00.001-05:00

That's right, another project started!

This time it's Brooklyntweed's Hemlock Ring Blanket. The pattern was originally a 1942 doily from the Canadian Spool Cotton Company that he's modified with additional repeats to make it large enough to serve as a lap blanket. It's a very pretty design and I love the feather and fan stitch. I was lucky enough to spot Cascade Ecological wool at Rhinebeck and had to snap it up.

Looking forward to curling up at Christmas with this one.

Cashmere

2007-11-05T20:48:00.000-05:00

I think next year might be the Year of Cashmere.

This stuff is so soft, I don't know how I can go back to inferior fibres.

Two New Projects

2007-10-31T20:20:00.001-05:00

The Japanese Feather Stole from Knitspot, which reminds me more of the waves you see in japanese prints than of feathers.

And the Counterpane Carpet Bag from Handknit Holidays, which if you were to knit in the yarn shown in the pattern would cost you around $220 for the yarn alone. Me, I only spent $78 and that should be enough to knit the small pocket version to go along with.

And I still have to take some photos of the completed Clapotis.

To Rhinebeck and Back Again

2007-10-27T11:44:00.000-05:00

1. Baby Alpaca/Silk
2. Dancing Goat Cahmere

3. Cascade Ecological Wool
4. Briar Rose - Fourth of July

5. Aussi Sock
6. Alpaca with a Twist - Highlander

7. Pink Mohair,
8. Prime Alpaca

I had a great time down in Rhinebeck last weekend! The weather warm and sunny and perfect for outdoor fairground shopping. I had my list of projects to buy yarn for and money in pocket, and I came away with a enough to keep me busy for many months. These yarns will turn into scarves, stoles, shawls, socks, blankets and bags that I've been queuing over the last year.

Some lovely photos of the entire trip were taken by Angie!

See You Soon

2007-10-18T22:45:00.000-05:00

Bright and early tomorrow we're off to Rhinebeck, NY for the Sheep and Wool Festival. This year I have a better plan and more money which should equal more yarn than last year.

We also have a reservation at the famous Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and the weekend ends with a quick visit to Montreal for dinner at Stash Cafe. Yum! Yum!

See ya soon!

Birthday!

2007-10-04T17:21:00.000-05:00

Tuesday was my birthday and there were knitted cupcakes!

2 weeks till Rhinebeck!

Birds, Beavers, Butterflies (and Baskets of Yarn) Nature Festival

2007-09-19T17:18:00.000-05:00

So last weekend I went to Thickson's Wood*, a local reserve for their yearly nature festival. It was a great event where I went on an hour and a half nature walk guided by a man with the most incredible amount of knowledge on flora and fauna. He taught us a lot and I enjoyed it immensely. Lots of things were going on at the event and one of them was a silent auction where I was happy to find a basket donated by the Kniterary. I placed a bid and won it and now I have eight balls of Hempathy, a nice Cabin Fever shawl pattern, a set of bamboo needles, and a bottle of Soak. Not bad, and the money goes to maintaining this wonderful place.

*Thickson's Woods is the last remnant of old-growth white pines on the north shore of Lake Ontario. Once reserved for masts of sailing ships of the British Royal Navy, the towering pines provide a vital resting place for countless migrating songbirds each spring and fall.

Sold!

2007-09-09T11:34:00.001-05:00

Blah, blah, blah, knitting on the clapotis continues. Too much going on these days to really make a dent in it. If you want to see the largest clapotis on earth, hop on over to my friend's site for a good laugh.

However, this week I actually sold this scarf on Etsy! I threw it up there as an experiment. I thought it would sit there for months but in less than 24 hours I had two buyers asking and I ended up shipping it off the next day. I couldn't believe it. I might have to start knitting more for profit.

Rainy Weekend, Busy Days

2007-08-26T14:06:00.001-05:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks and it'll still be busy for a couple more. Progress is slow, as a result. Most of this weekend has been dedicated to napping and the weather has cooperated nicely.

Clapotis

2007-08-11T15:05:00.000-05:00

Only about three years behind the trend, here's the beginnings of my Clapotis.

Have you joined Ravelry or got yourself on the waiting list? You should! It's a great place for cataloging your projects, seeing what other people are knitting, what yarn they chose, what adjustments they made, etc. It's very useful. Not to mention forums, groups, resources, and stash searches. I just traded some silk yarn for some chocolate merino lace with Cam in Washington state!

To the Blind Follower

2007-08-07T18:09:00.000-05:00

Knit Picks order arrived! Here's the plan:

Gloss = Clapotis
Swish DK = Log Cabin Socks from Handknit Holidays
Essential Solid = Rhiannon Socks

Elizabeth Zimmerman's dedication in the Knitter's Almanac:

To the Unsure Knitter,
To the Blind Follower,
and
To all those who do net yet know
that they can design their own knitting,
this book
is encouragingly dedicated

Encouraging, but perhaps a little optimistic.

Lofty Scarf

2007-08-05T12:49:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Lofty
Source: Rowan 34
Yarn: Alpaca with a Twist - Baby Twist (bark)
Needles: 7.5 mm needles

Lofty

2007-07-25T15:04:00.001-05:00

Last October I visited the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck for the first time. It was incredibly fun, but very overwhelming and I ended up coming back with only one skein of yarn: the softest baby alpaca. Since then, it's been sitting in my stash, waiting.

Having just finished Birch and perusing the rest of Rowan 34, I remembered the Lofty scarf. Perfect! Lofty calls for Rowan Cork, a long discontinued yarn that's almost entirely merino with a touch of nylon. I think the baby alpaca is a suitable substitute and I've just had to knit it with two strands to match the bulkiness of Cork. The pattern is knit on the bias and uses a drop stitch method of varying length.

We've just booked our hotel for Rhinebeck this year and this time I'm going with more of a plan and maybe for more of that baby alpaca!

Birch Reviewed

2007-07-24T08:30:00.000-05:00

I love Birch. It is the prettiest thing and I love looking at it as you can probably see by the number of photos I posted. I'll tell you what I learned along the way.

Mason-Dixon created a Top Ten Things to Remember When Knitting Birch which you might want to review if you're planning on knitting it up (you really should). I don't agree with all their suggestions, but here's what I learned:

1. The 299 stitch cast on was not a problem. It took me about an hour and I just took my time and placed markers every 10 stitches.

2. There are actually two versions of Birch. A stockinette and a garter version. I went with the stockinette because I like a right side and a wrong side. It's difficult to even find a garter version online, but I imagine that the lace work would appear looser.

3. I wrote out the 4 row pattern (not including purl rows) on a sticky note to carry around with me. You don't need a chart. It's a very simple pattern that you'll have memorized pretty quickly, but if you'd like one, here you go: Birch Chart.

4. I kept those stitch markers on the whole way. I wasn't taking any chances and it paid off. The only thing I would suggest is to use moveable markers because after you finish a repeat they'll always be off and you'll be shifting them one stitch to the left. Don't panic when this happens!

5. I followed the pattern, using 3 skeins of Kidsilk Haze and 5.0 mm needles. I found many people were buying extra yarn or going down in needle size because of probably running out. I was paranoid the whole way through, even though I did some quick math, but I was left with about a thumb sized bit left (see above)

6. Blocking it was hard work. It's a HUGE shawl. The top of my shawl measured about 7 feet wide, so you're going to need a lots of space to do this. I used my back deck. Check it out.

7. I'd knit this again, but who has the time!

Birch

2007-07-21T15:16:00.000-05:00

Blocking Birch

2007-07-21T11:15:00.001-05:00

Birch is sunning itself out on the back deck, as we speak.

Come back later for the final reveal!

Twelve Days Later and a Bit of Saturday Sky

2007-07-14T12:06:00.001-05:00

I had to run out and rig this up fast because it was starting to rain a bit.

I did some quick math and I'm pretty confident that I won't have a problem with running out of yarn, something I've heard several people online having trouble with. I'm a fairly tight knitter.

We're almost done. Just about to start the last ball of yarn and 16 repeats to go!

P.S. I'm on vacation for THREE WEEKS!

Two Days Later

2007-07-02T13:59:00.000-05:00

You might look at this photo and think not a lot of progress has been made over the last two days, but when you're knitting from the top down that's really where the bulk of the work is at. The six hour Concert for Diana yesterday really helped move things along and I'm just at the end of the first ball of kidsilk haze. It's a simple, straightforward pattern, and like all lace, you just have to be mindful of where your k2togs and yos are landing. A militant use of stitch markers helps.

Birch Progress

2007-06-30T10:18:00.000-05:00

Birch

2007-06-21T20:49:00.001-05:00

299 stitches patiently cast on.

Viewer Discretion is Advised

2007-06-20T20:05:00.000-05:00

I thought I was back on track with the Flower Basket Shawl after I frogged back a repeat.

I wasn't.

I couldn't figure out what the problem was. I didn't have the energy to give it another try so I frogged.

I frogged it all.

I may restart it with this yarn, but I've seen some lovely versions out there and they're tempting me to try a different yarn.

Preview

2007-06-19T21:51:00.001-05:00

Look what's coming up next!

8 Random Things

2007-06-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

I have been tagged by Jason!

Here are 8 random things about me!

1. I am the eldest of my mother's four children.

2. I only live two doors down from my family. I call my house the "guest house" and their's the "big house".

3. I have never worn makeup. I never learned how and I'm a-ok with that. I'm not a fussy girl.

4. I have been to Africa! Morocco specifically. Unfortunately it was a very fast one-day trip, but I remember it vividly and loved it. I ferried over from Spain and took a bus through the Atlas Mountains to Tangiers where I visited the bazaar, bought a carpet and ate cinnamon oranges and couscous beneath a tent while watching bellydancing. I would love to go back and spend more time there.

5. I went to University to be a history major but ended up an english major. People used to ask if I wanted to be a writer or a teacher. I just like to read.

6. As soon as the weather's nice, I knit or read in the park near work every morning. I like watching the dogs and people exercising.

7. I drive stick shift.

8. I'm 5ft 7" tall.

Need to fix that

2007-06-13T21:27:00.001-05:00

I was just starting the edge of the shawl when I noticed something was just not right. My last row of flower baskets are all wonky, so I'll be taking it back to around the safety pin there.

Flower Basket Shawl

2007-06-05T21:22:00.000-05:00

The $5 is already spent (on breakfast), soooooo on to my next big thing:

The Flower Basket Shawl.

This is an alpaca yarn provided by the same person who has provided me with yarn for a couple of other projects. Merci beaucoup, mon amie!

Reigning Champion

2007-06-03T16:40:00.001-05:00

I'm still an award winning knitter!

This $5 first-prize is really going to help me out. (har har)

And following tradition, I celebrated my win with mini donuts covered in apple cinnamon sugar while I planned my entries for next year.

Spring Fair

2007-05-30T16:55:00.000-05:00

There's been no knitting on the homefront here, but tonight I'm heading off to enter my Estonian Garden Lace Wrap in the local spring fair. You might remember last year when I took the whopping $5 first prize for my afghan and the most generous $3 second prize for a lace scarf.

Stay tuned Sunday for this year's results!

Finale

2007-05-12T10:45:00.000-05:00

Pulling out the waste yarn and picking up the stitches to start the second border.

The finished product before blocking. Lumpy, lumpy, lumpy.

(sorry for the dark photo)

Blocking. Love those nupps that make the lily of the valleys.

The Estonian Garden Lace Wrap complete!

Lily of the Valley

2007-05-05T10:33:00.000-05:00

First edge, nearly complete.

I thought this would be the challenging section of the lacework, but it's dead easy.

Don't let lace scare you. It's still just a series of knits and purls with some yarn overs thrown in.

Lily of the valley edging.

On the Edge

2007-05-01T17:45:00.000-05:00

Hello!

I'm alive!

Still knitting!

I'm working on the edge now!

Sorry, I've been busy and I discovered Facebook!

Woof!

2007-04-19T20:20:00.000-05:00

In order to fill the long, lonely gaps between knitting updates...

You Are: 70% Dog, 30% Cat

You and dogs definitely have a lot in common.
You're both goofy, happy, and content with the small things in life.
However, you're definitely not as needy as the average dog. You need your down time occasionally.

Are You More Cat or Dog?

26/41

2007-04-16T16:59:00.000-05:00

Checking my Bloglines tonight, it seems like almost everyone was busy updating their blogs. I also came home to a little poke from someone to update my own, so here it is:

More of the same!

Woowoo!

I'm at about the 26th of 41 repeats before I work the edges. Because it's a very simple and repetitive pattern I'm moving along fairly steadily (for me).

For my non-knitting readers, lace just looks like lumpy knitting until you wet and stretch it .

Row, Row, Row

2007-04-09T10:13:00.000-05:00

Tradition

2007-04-07T18:02:00.000-05:00

My Great-Grandparents came to Canada from the Ukraine, met and had many children, one of them my favourite grandmother. I admit it, she's my absolute favourite! I feel closest and most like her and think she's hilarious, though she doesn't know she's being funny. Like the way she never says goodbye when you talk to her on the phone. It's just an "ok" and *click*.

Holiday dinners at grandma's always had cabbage rolls (holubtsi) and perogi (pyrohy). Cooking and craft sort of skipped a generation in my family and I've started to take over the role official Cabbage Roll Maker and Knitter (she taught me when I was wee).

So this is about my fourth go at making cabbage rolls and it's getting easier. I give myself a day or two and do it in steps. If I did it all in one run I'd be worn out at the end. I also try not to snack on them as I make them so I'm not sick of eating them come Easter dinner. They're very simple in construction but take a lot of work and the house stinks like a giant cabbage at the end, but boy is it worth it!

The ingredients.
- cabbage
- rice
- bacon
- onion
- tomato soup

Step 1: Put a whole cabbage in a pot and boil, peeling leaves off, one by one.

Step 2: Make rice. Dice bacon and onions. Fry till soft. Stir into rice and add 1/2 can tomato soup.

Step 3: Take cabbage leaves, slice out hard core. Place a tablespoon of rice mixture in and roll. This is the hardest part because cabbage leaves don't always cooperate.

Step 4: Place in roasting pan, lined with tinfoil for easy clean up, pour the rest of the can of tomato soup (diluted with water) and bake.

Step 5: Eat!

Important Note:
Sour cream must be served with cabbage rolls.

I just called Grandma to see if I should bake them tonight or tomorrow morning (she says tomorrow).

She didn't say goodbye. haha!

Holy Knitting!

2007-04-06T18:19:00.000-05:00

I had a short but very enjoyable visit from Kelly today. She abandoned Koko yet again. We ate good food (if I don't say so myself), and knit while we watched some home reno shows.

(For aao: the funny coloured yarn at the bottom is just waste yarn that will be removed when I go back and pick up the stitches.)

Today's only downside was the snow. You, Mr. Snow, can go away!

There's been half a dozen robins hopping around my backyard today so I know spring will return.

The Addi lace needles are amazing. I highly recommend them for all you lace knitters. The pointy tips are a big help and they're smooth like you expect Addis to be but not slippery and they're almost completely silent. They're worth every penny.

Half way

2007-04-02T18:44:00.000-05:00

Two down.

Two to go.

No Joke

2007-04-01T12:57:00.000-05:00

It's April Fool's Day, but I'm not kidding when I tell you I'm almost done the green version of the Lacy Kerchief Scarf. Only two more colours left to knit it in! (red and lilac)

Also, I finally tracked down a copy of Rowan 34 on Ebay at a good price. I've been wanting to knit the Birch Shawl for a long time (sweetgeorgia's had me at hello). The 299 stitch cast makes me pout and I'm still thinking about what colour of kidsilk haze to choose.

It's a cliche, I know!

2007-03-31T21:00:00.000-05:00

The Firefly crocuses I planted last fall just popped up!

The Year of Lace

2007-03-26T18:04:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers: So sorry for blocking your comments and not providing a picture yesterday. Something went wonky! Please proceed!

This is definitely the Year of Lace for me.

Here we have the beginning of the Estonian Garden Wrap; a gigantic piece of lacework that will likely take me months to complete. That psychedelic coloured yarn is the provisional cast-on and I'm knitting with those new, fancy, dancy addi lace needles.

Weekend Update

2007-03-18T17:29:00.000-05:00

Second Verse Same As The First

2007-03-10T09:37:00.000-05:00

The green version of the Lacy Kerchief Scarf is coming along and came along with me to the Drunken Knitters monthly meeting last night. I admit, some tinking did occur. Not because I was drunk but because it's a challenge to concentrate on lacework when you're in a noisy bar with around 20 knitters and you're goofing around, especially when some knitters torment you by placing their beer glasses, salt shakers, sugar containers, etc. on your pattern. Mmhmm.

Anyhoo! After this one's done I'd like to move over to the Estonian Garden Wrap that's been waiting in the wings, but I've got to get myself a pair of those (new?) Addi Lace Needles. I got to check out a pair last night and they have a nice sharp tip and they're very smooth, but not slippery so you won't lose stitches off the needles.

Another Go

2007-03-03T11:12:00.000-05:00

Since I was so happy with the last one, I'm starting another Lacy Kerchief Scarf. This time in a very bright, springy green mercerized cotton. I was going to go up a needle size to loosen up the pattern a bit, but even after one repeat I could tell that I wasn't going to like the result so I'm going back to the original 4mm needles.

All Wrapped Up

2007-02-25T12:39:00.000-05:00

I loved knitting this Lacy Kerchief Scarf so much I'm launching right into a second one in green.

Happy Chinese New Year!

2007-02-18T13:50:00.000-05:00

Happy Chinese New Year! Especially to all my fellow Pigs.

I'm still knitting away at the Lacy Kerchief Scarf (loving it!)

You should pop over to see Joyousknits in Hong Kong. She knits in red every Chinese New Year, not to mention knitting beautifully all year long.

A look back at Backyard Leaves

2007-02-12T18:09:00.000-05:00

I don't believe I posted the final shot of the Backyard Leaves Scarf.

This was a nice, fun piece to knit. A great little pattern and pretty fast to work through.

I'll be doing Forbes Forest, from Scarf Style, sometime soon.

Intermission

2007-02-10T14:06:00.000-05:00

We interupt your regularly scheduled knitting content to bring you Leafs hockey!

The brother and I have scored some most excellent GOLD seats for tonight when the Leafs take on Pittsburgh in their race for the playoffs. We're psyched to see Sidney Crosby!

GO LEAFS GO!

Game update: A great game but Leafs lose in overtime after coming back from a 3-0 deficit (only a point behind Tampa). Highlights included Mats Sundin getting his 700th assist and a hat trick for one of the Staal brothers. The lessons of the game? Don't get in a fight unless you think you have a chance or else this could happen to you.

Beer: $12.75

Logic: He's of legal age in Quebec so, at that price, he's close enough.

The Weekend!

2007-02-03T12:21:00.000-05:00

It's the weekend again!

Here are some closeups on the Lacy Kerchief Scarf progress. I'm moving along steadily and with it being one of the chillier weekends, I expect to get a fair amount done.

Thanks to all those who raised their hands as potential recipients of the shawl. You never know!

I'm a little concerned about blocking this. I think I'm going to need a lot of pins to cover all the cast off points along the edge. The instructions do say "block lightly" so maybe it's not even necessary to do so.

Attention to Detail

2007-01-30T08:54:00.000-05:00

I daydream of playing hooky from work all the time but I'm too much of a chicken to ever do it. Today, however, I am playing hooky! With permission! We moved into a new building at work last week and this morning there's a fire inspection, drills, etc. and we've been asked not to come in until noon. No need to ask twice, there.

After sleeping in this morning and having a leisurely breakfast, I decided to dedicate my free time to some professional development:

Attention to detail, in the form of lace knitting.

Some people, who shall remain nameless, think I have a problem being detailed oriented. I beg to differ. Since starting this project I have read the instructions slowly and carefully until I understood them and then followed them exactly. I've had to do some research for clarification on two problematic areas and I can report that as a result of my efforts I have not had to rip this pattern back once and there are no errors in my knitting. None. None people! Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

Dainty

2007-01-24T22:17:00.000-05:00

I bought 24 balls of mercerized cotton from Lewiscraft last summer, just before they closed. Finally something popped up that I could do with it: the Lacy Kerchief Scarf in Interweave's Holiday Knits issue.

I started last night, after figuring out how to do a provisional cast on. You can see the blue, waste yarn ducking in and out at the bottom there.

It's straightforward so far, but it'll be a rather dainty item that I'm not sure I see myself going out and about in, so it may become a gift to someone, sometime. In fact it may become several gifts because there'll be a lot more of that cotton left!

McSteaming

2007-01-21T11:33:00.000-05:00

The wonders of steam blocking the Backyard Leaves Scarf.

Addendum: For the benefit of my non-knitting viewers, steam blocking is a process whereby you take your knitted piece, stretch it out to the dimensions you want, and then steam block it in one of two ways: Either you can place a damp towel over the knitting to protect it and gently iron, or you can take your iron and hover it over the knitting and steam away. Blocking is important in order to for the piece to really show its design. See how the unblocked piece is all bunched up and the blocked piece stretches out to show the lacework?

And yes, I did this on styrofoam and it worked out fine! Didn't melt it or anything!

Ajax

2007-01-13T11:08:00.000-05:00

Here's Ajax sporting his new winter coat! I'm told it's a bit loose on him and could benefit from some VERY CAREFUL shrinking (since he came down wearing it around his waist like a skirt one day).

Unfortunately Ajax is far away in Illinois and so it will be up to his owner to work on the fitting, but I think he looks pretty smart in it even if the expression on his face is less than enthusiastic. I'm hoping to receive some more photos of him outside and in action in it.

MIA

2007-01-09T21:44:00.000-05:00

Knitting came to an abrupt halt late last week and has been missing in action since. Chuck Norris is on the case.

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

There is no chin under Chuck Norris' beard. This is only another fist.

Chuck Norris has two speeds. Walk, and kill.

The show Survivor had the original premise of putting people on an island with Chuck Norris. there were no survivors and the pilot episode tape has been burned.

Chuck Norris grinds his coffee with his teeth and boils the water with his own rage.

For more Chuck Norris Facts follow me. Chuck Norris can knit, for sure.

Backyard Leaves

2007-01-02T13:48:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

I've finally been able to start this scarf and I love the pattern. Only three repeats are shown here, but I'm actually about to start the eighth. I messed up the wybs (for the stems) over the first four repeats, but since this scarf is knit in two halves I don't think the error will be that visible. I'm pretty easy going about these things and even Muslim weavers make one intentional error in their perfect rugs, because only God is perfect. Amen to that.

The pattern is available in the ScarfStyle book and Interweave's Holiday Gifts issue.

2006: A Year of Firsts

2006-12-31T12:24:00.000-05:00

2006 was a pretty good year for knitting and one where I covered a lot of new territory.

I started and/or finished several lace projects.
I completed my first two sweaters.
I knit my first afghan.
I attended three hardcore knitter's festivals, going as far as Rhinebeck, on a whim.
I successfully competed in the Knitter's Olympics.
I entered and won prizes for my knitting at the local fair.

All for these for first time. I wonder what 2007 holds!

January
Pixie Slippers

February
Florence Scarf
Booga Bag

March
started stuff!
Gold Medal in the Knitter's Olympics

April
Debbie Bliss Sweater with Yoked Ribbed
Bridal Veil Falls Shawl (started)
Knitter's Frolic (attended)

May
Simple Elegance Afghan

June
1st prize, Brooklin Spring Fair for Fleece Artist Afghan
2nd prize, Brooklin Spring Fair for Florence Scarf

July
started stuff!
New Yarn Store opens in Whitby (the Kniterary)

August
started more stuff!

September
Storm Water Scarf
Kitchener-Waterloo Knitter's Fair (attended)

October
Garter Stitch Jacket
2nd Storm Water Scarf
Princess Leia
Rhinebeck! (attended)

November
3rd Storm Water Scarf

December
Dandy Dog Coat
Feather and Fan Comfort Shawlette
Bobbilicious

Saturday Night Dinner

2006-12-30T18:09:00.000-05:00

I've had a cold for almost two weeks now and for the last week I've had to sleep on the couch pratically upright just to tame the constant coughing. I'm a natural night owl, but I've been pushing 5am waiting to get just a couple hours sleep. Luckily I'm on vacation, so it doesn't really matter, but it's left me not doing much more than watching tv. I'm slowly starting to come around and today I decided I wanted some comfort food.

Straight from Nigella Lawson's "Feast" cookbook, this is a simple ham and pea pasta, loaded with cream and parmesan. I've got a pile of cookbooks and love the Food Network so I decided that I really need to make a new year's resolution to try to be more adventurous in the kitchen.

Bells on Bobbilicious Ring

2006-12-28T14:17:00.000-05:00

I actually finished Bobbilicious on Christmas Eve and it was a hit on Christmas Day.

Grandma loved her Feather and Fan Comfort Shawlette. Much more than I expected her to. Really happy with that.

I've had word that the dog sweater looks great on Ajax (that's the dog), and I've requested photos. That's a huge relief!

I've started Backyard Leaves so there'll be photos of that soon!

Even Kangaroos Can Knit

2006-12-23T02:28:00.000-05:00

Found that in my late night wanderings!

Feather and Fan Comfort Shawlette

2006-12-19T19:56:00.000-05:00

The shawlette is done and it only took a week. This isn't the full version of the pattern, but it still measures 50 inches in wingspan and will rest nicely on my grandma's shoulders. After all the knitting she did for us as kids it's nice to be able to knit something for her.

Thanks to my baby sister for modelling!

6 Weird Things

2006-12-18T18:46:00.000-05:00

Michelle tagged me with this so here goes:

THE RULES:Each player of this game starts with the ‘6 weird things about you.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

I have this weird, irrational fear of being shot in the head while driving on the highway. I have no idea why. I don’t think about it every time I’m out there, but it regularly pops into my head that it could happen.
I set my alarm for odd times like 5:47 am or 6:03 am. I don’t like setting it for an even time, like on the hour or quarter hour. I also set my clock a few minutes ahead of the actual time to give me a buffer zone.
I love reading books about mummies. Not just Egyptian, but Peruvian ice mummies, Urumichi (that's caucasian people found in central Asia from 2000 years ago!), bog people etc. I’m absolutely fascinated by the dead, burial rituals, disease, history. Stuff like that.
I have never learned how to wear makeup.
I type my smiley faces this way (: and I’m not left handed.
I have a blog about my knitting! Hey, a lot of non-knitting, non-blogging type people find that weird!

I'm tagging: No one!

Nothing Much New to Show

2006-12-16T11:47:00.000-05:00

It's been a busy week and I've been a bit stalled on the Feather and Fan Shawl, but for those who asked, here's the link to the free pattern and a quick close up because no one likes a post without pics.

Tonight I'm off to my fourth Christmas party and I'm itching to take the shawl with me to work on but I don't think it'll be a knitting friendly environment. Alas.

In other news, my brother's hockey team, the Uxbridge Bruins, beat Georgina, 4-3 last night in one heck of a fiesty game. Pucks and fists were flying! Go Bruins!

Everybody cross their fingers!

2006-12-11T20:06:00.000-05:00

And hope that this dog coat will fit the dog! I've only had the second hand measurements to go by, so I've been a bit anxious about the fit. I really hope it works out! It'll be in the mail shortly.

I've also started a Feather and Fan Shawl for my Grandma for Christmas, but I'll be making it smaller than the full version. I may have a hard time handing it over to because I'm really enjoying the pattern and I'm really loving the colours. The blue and brown ball are actually left overs from previous projects and I bought the more green colour to be the main. I'll probably have to knit myself a full version of it sometime soon.

Saturday Night Sky

2006-12-09T16:52:00.000-05:00

Santa's Workshop

2006-12-04T20:38:00.000-05:00

Shhhhtuff is gettin' done!

Luckily we doubled checked the measurements for the dog who will be receiving this sweater because his back length was a full 3" off! I'm finishing the turtleneck and will be starting the chest panel (hopefully) tonight.

The twin seasilk scarves were stretched last weekend. I popped into Home Depot and bought an 8-foot styrofoam board for about $6. I had to chop it in half to get it in the car, but that was no biggie. I need the length for scarves and you can't beat the price.

Going to the dogs

2006-11-26T17:06:00.000-05:00

Literally!

The Beaded Rib dog coat is coming along.

Christmas is now less than a month away, people! This weekend I managed to get a tiny bit more shopping done and my Christmas lights are out on the trees, ready to make their debut in about 45m. The problem is, it was 13C/55F today so it feels nothing like Christmas.

This just in...

2006-11-21T19:50:00.000-05:00

Seven sweet skeins of Wool of the Andes in Forest Heather.

Let's get started!

Calm Waters and Fiery Skies

2006-11-18T11:32:00.000-05:00

Almost at the end of my third Sea Storm Scarf and I still enjoy knitting the pattern.

I was hoping my order from Knitpicks would arrive before the weekend so I could get started on the next project, but it didn't. That's ok. Maybe I can sneak in a thing or two.

Has the Christmas spirit hit everyone early this year? I've seen tons of houses with their lights blazing and I know I had the Christmas music going last weekend. What's up with that?

And if you're up late tonight, poke your head out to look up at the skies where the Leonid meteor shower is set to take place around 11:45 p.m. EST.

The Road to Bobbilicious

2006-11-12T17:25:00.000-05:00

Just like the energizer bunny, I just keep going and going!

I've only got about 2.25 balls left to knit but I can already feel how heavy and warm it's going to be.

Power Knitting

2006-11-07T18:03:00.000-05:00

I've been on fire this week (for me).

I motored through and finished (but not blocked) my second Sea Storm Scarf and started my third. I think this makes me a certified Sea Captain and Fleece Artist will have to enlist me for the fleet (pay me in yarrrrrrn!).

Bobbilicious grew by 108 yards and I threw in a suede flower for fun.

This also means I'm well ahead of my Christmas schedule, so I was feeling cocky and ordered a Fiber Trends dog coat pattern for a friend's doggy. He's a big puppy so I'll be doing the one on the left.