Knitting Again

I have started knitting again.  I am doing little shawlettes as I call them.  I have a lot of beautiful yarns which I never will be able to use all for myself so I have started making all my Christmas presents.  At least for my sisters, nieces and girlfriends.  I will post some pictures over the next few days.

I have been learning lace patterns.  Some of them are so easy especially once I have memorized the pattern.  At the moment I am knitting a pattern called Balance from the Yin Yang Collection by Angela Tong.  I can't think of the name of the yarn but it is in really bright colours.

Weightwatchers

I didn't mention before but Hugh and I joined Weightwatchers about 6 weeks ago.  Today was our regular weigh in, I have lost in total 11 lbs (20 lbs from my heaviest) and Hugh has lost 16 lbs.  I am feeling so much better, I can fit into quite a few items from my closet.  I even managed to put my wedding ring on, now that has been a long time.  I never thought my fingers could get slimmer but they are!!  I think my engagement ring is smaller, it just would not go on.

I finished knitting the baby jacket for my cousin's granddaughter.  I actually finished it on Tuesday.  I started it on Saturday evening.  The pattern called for 2 balls and it was exactly 2 balls.  I probably have enough to sew it together.  It is really cute and I love the way the collar worked out.  I have used the same method on sock heels.  The Smiley Stripes by Sirdar was so nice to knit with.  I have also been using bamboo needles, I still undecided as to what I think of them.

Spring Yarn Crawl

On Saturday, my sister, Joan and I headed out on our first Spring Yarn Crawl.  We headed to Soper Creek Yarn in Bowmanville first.  We had a good look around, I picked up my Rat Race Scarf from the Yarn Challenge.  I didn't win but my other sister, Kath, tied with 2nd with her horse hat.

Then Joan and I picked up some coffees and headed for Port Perry.  The next yarn shop was Never Enough Wool.  We found it quite easily.  This shop was bright and cheerful.  They had some beautiful alpaca wool that I may still have to buy to knit a hat for Hugh.  I did buy some yarn called Smiley Stripes by Sirdar.  It is a bamboo and wool mix.  I bought the pattern book by Hearts & Stripes also by Sirdar. I have already knit the Baby Bolero Jacket for cousin's new granddaughter in Ireland.

Our next stop was On the Lamb in Uxbridge.  This one was a bit more difficult to find.  We had the old address!!  But we just weren't that impressed with this shop.  It was a bit dark.  They are attached to a kitchen shop which we also had a look around.  It was just too expensive for me.

We then stopped for lunch at Subway.  Both Joan and I had tuna subs.  I haven't had a good tuna sandwich in ages.  It was delicious.  From there we headed towards Fergusons at Myrtle Station.  This was a small shop in a house so part of the upstairs was used also.  Joan bought some lovely green cotton to knit a little summer top.  I saw a beautiful shawl on display so I was going to buy the pattern.  It is Regia Knits Journal 611 - Classic Styles and the shawl I am going to knit is 7261.  Joan very kindly bought me the pattern and the yarn to knit it.  The yarn is 100% merino and is Punta Lace Space Dyed.  It is different colours of blue.

From there we headed back to Joan's house.  Had a well deserved cup of tea and then I headed home.

New Books

I am back at work today.  I left early yesterday, I had a swollen gland in my neck which was extremely painful.  I have been on antibotics since Friday evening and they have kicked in.  I feel so much better today.  At least the swelling has gone done and my neck is not so painful.

Anyways.....  I had a very nice surprise when I came to work this morning.  A co-worker of mine gave me two knitting books.  And the books were published in the last year.  What a great surprise!!  I have already noticed a very nice cardigan in one of them, that I may just knit for myself.  I don't usually knit cardigans; they just take so long to knit.

The other book, Knitting Bazaar has some lovely designs in it also.  I tend to use parts of one pattern and fit it into something else I am knitting.  I like to knit hats and mittens. 

What's On for Knitting - April

April seems to be a busy month for knitting events.  Here are three events that I am going to take part in.

April 9 - Durham Spring Yarn Crawl - you need to be on Ravelry to see this, it's part of the Durham Region Knit & Crochet & Fibre group.  But for those of you who want to take part, the following shops are participating:  Never Enough Wool (Port Perry); On the Lamb (Uxbridge); Soper Creek Yarns (Bowmanville); Fergusons (Myrtle Station) and The Kniterary (Whitby).  From what I have heard, you can get discounts at some of the stores.  It will be nice to get out and about.  My two sisters, Joan and Kath are hopefully going to do this with me.

April  15-16 - Creativ Festival - costs $15.00 to get in.  Look at their website because there are lots of mini courses to take for free.  This event is being held at the International Centre in Mississauga. I am going on the Friday with my sister, Joan.

April 30/May 1 - Knitters Frolic - costs $5.00 to get in, plus there are classes to sign up for (but at a cost).  This event is held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.  I don't know if anyone is going with me but I will go on my own.

Soper Creek Knitting Contest

I went and voted today at Soper Creek Yarn.  There are a lot of good entries so please go and vote.  Mine is the rat race scarf.  I took a few pictures while I was there.  It was very sunny so the pictures aren't that great.

Soper Creek Entries

On the way home from church today, Detta and I stopped by Soper Creek Yarn to check out the entries for the contest.  We did take some photos.  The entries all look really good.  If you are going by, mine is the mouse scarf or rather rats - Rat Race.

This afternoon, Donovan, Hugh and I headed out to Rotary Park.  We had a very nice walk along the beach.  The stones have all disappeared and it is very sandy now.  There is still lots of drift wood everywhere.  The ice formations on the driftwood was amazing.  I love the ice mushrooms.

Lord of the Dance

Hugh took me to see Lord of the Dance at the GM Centre in Oshawa.  It was very good, we both enjoyed ourselves.  I would still like to see the River dance show if it every was on again.  I have never been to the GM Centre before, it is quite big.  The only down side was that it was very cold.  But I only found out half way through the show, that the ice was still in the rink!  I should have brought a sweater.

Funny enough, a co-worker of mine mentioned she was going also and then when Hugh and I were seated, she was sitting about 6 seats away from us! 

There are no pictures yet of the entries for the Soper Creek Yarn contest.  I will put up a link as soon as they are posted.  Now I need to start a new project.  I have some lovely yarns that I have purchased for myself.  I keep starting a project but then I end up not liking it and ripping it.  I will have to decide on something.  I do have a number of projects to finish: the baby blanket (just sewing in the ends), the red mittens (needs the kitchner stitch done to the top) and my sister's mittens (I knit them for Christmas 2009 and never got around to sewing the ends in!).  Also my cousin's daughter just had a second baby girl so I need to do something and I know someone else having a baby boy in a month.

Knitting

It has been so long since I have updated this blog.  I am now working two part-time jobs and am extremely busy.  But my knitting has not taken a back seat.  I have been knitting like crazy as usual.  I just finished a scarf for the Soper Creek knitting contest.  We had to only use the colours provided in the package.  It took me ages to decide but finally I did the pattern called Rat Race by Morehouse Farms.  The darkest colour is actually purple though it looks black in this picture.  It was fun to knit and took about 4-6 hours in total.

The Latest

Well everyone is home from camp.  Detta would have liked to stay longer, maybe next year.  Miles and Donovan are glad to be home.  Miles has gone xbox mad and Donovan has started playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii.  Detta has spent lots of time watching movies off YouTube.  Two weeks with no tv or electronic games can be an eternity. 

Today Miles and Detta both went to Wonderland with different friends.  I am glad they were able to go.  That is one place I am not really interested in going especially with my sore feet.  Speaking of which, I went to the doctor today and explained my foot/heel pain issue.  One of my sisters told me about plantar fasciitis which I had never heard of.  It seems she was suffering from this also, only she knew what it was.  I have been suffering from this heel pain on and off (more on) for about 6 years.  I had put it down to the cermanic tiles in the house we moved to and being overweight.  Anyways I had my feet xray'd today to check for heel spurs and I have a referral for a foot doctor.  Maybe the pain will be over soon.

I have been knitting some socks but with all this heat I just haven't had the energy.  But I did sign up for a community yard sale with Creative Yarns Inc.  I have sorted through loads of yarn.  I have been very ruthless, I just can't keep all this yarn.  I have found two beautiful cotton sweators that I knit when I was much smaller.  One of them just needs sewn up and the other only needs an edge knit and then sewn up.  Tomorrow, I am going to sort patterns and books that I no longer need.  The community Yard Sale is this Saturday, July 24th from 8:30am to 1:00pm.  It is at 269 Ellesmere Rd or here is Google Map Link.  10% of everything I sell will go to the Cancer Society of Canada.

Mother's Day

I had a lovely Mother's Day. Hugh made me breakfast which was delicious. Left over potatoes fried, Hugh does a great job of them with an English muffin and cheese. But there were so many potatoes I gave half to Detta and Hugh. Detta gave me a lovely peppermint scrub and the boys gave me some lovely plants for the garden. Donovan also made a flower for me.

Then the boys and I headed off to Church. I think Donovan is really enjoying himself. I may yet have Miles and Donovan baptized. After Church, we went back to Kath's house. Another little boy came along which I think helped keep the arguing to a minimum. Alan made us grilled cheese sandwiches and Miles had crackers and cheese.

After lunch Kath and I looked at the material I had brought over. I wanted to make some knitting bags with them. Knitting bags for my different projects, better than plastic bags and prettier. So I had this lovely purplish silk scarf so we split it in two and had a bag each. It was nice to be able to reuse something rather than purchasing more "stuff". We added some beads on the bottom to give the bags some weight.

I gave Kath her gifts which I had bought at the Knitters Frolic. She loved the antique sock stretchers. I was going to keep one but then I thought that is silly. Who only knits one sock, it is much easier to block both socks at the same time. I will have to buy a set another time (I am only on my second set of socks)

Knitter's Frolic

This morning, I headed off to attend my first Knitters Frolic. It was being held at the Japanese Cultural Centre. Once I arrived I was directed to the overflow parking, it was that busy already. I was very excited. I had decided not to attend any classes this year but I may give them a go next year. Kath was unable to go with me as she and Alan were getting food ready for the Mother's Day dinner which their Church puts on.

Anyways I got inside the building, paid my 5 dollars. There were so many vendors. I bought some lovely types of yarn. All really nice sock yarn. Since I have discovered socks, I can't wait to knit more. I bought a pair of antique sock stretchers for Kath and myself. I also got a free calendar and some knitting markers. There was a lot of different vendors. There was even yarn which you could spin yourself. I don't know if I will go that far. When I left it was pouring with rain but I didn't get too wet.

When I got home I decided to start knitting the little sweater for Detta's teacher last year. She is having her first baby. I am using the Shepherd Classic, it knits up so nicely. I was only about 5 rows into the sweator and realized I had no bright yellow. So I jumped in the car and drove all the way to Soper Creek Yarn. But they didn't have any. In fact she is going to no longer carry this brand of wool. The owner did say she had some at home which she could bring. That was so nice of her to offer but I am sure Kath has some. I am seeing her tomorrow so I can get it then.

My New Hat

I forgot to put pictures of my new hat. Well not actually my hat but the hat I knit for Jan's daughter who is having her first baby. The hat matches the jacket my sister Kath knit. I love the colours Kath chose. They look really good. I would have never thought of putting those colours together.

I am still finishing the socks but they are knitting up quickly. I love the socks, I will be knitting more of them.

What a couple of Days

On Tuesday night, Kath called me and asked if I wanted to come over to her friends on Wednesday as she was dying!!! I thought that seemed a bit strange. Why would I want to watch someone dying!! What Kath meant to come and see some fabric being dyed!

So on Wednesday morning after my dentist appointment which went very well except at my next appointment I am having my gums measured. My husband informed me that it is excruciatingly painful, thanks for that darling. Anyways I went to meet Kath. I know Kath's friend also but we will just call her Mrs. P.
Mrs. P was demonstrating how to dye wool for hooking. She was finishing dying the background for a friendship rug. We had a very good demonstration on dying fabric though I can't remember what this method is called.

While the material was cooking/steaming, we went through a bunch of Mrs. P's quilt and rug books. I just might hook a rug myself. I found one of a cow I really liked. I also finished the heel on my sock. We then left there and had lunch in Orono. I had a beef sandwich with fries, delicious. By the time we got to Kath's house there wasn't much time to help pin her rugs but I did get the wool to start a hat to match the baby sweator Kath knit for her friend Jan's daughter.

I was home by 5:30 and started casting on the hat. After a couple of trys I got it right and started knitting. But then it was dinner, Hugh cooked a lovely dinner of baked chicken, vegies and rice. It was delicious. Everyone loves this chicken.

Then Detta and I were off to Pathfinders. We were all meeting at Greenwood Conservation area and going for a hike. Detta and I forgot our whistles, water and flashlights. We were not very well prepared. Anyways the hike was great, what a workout. This is the trail I was trying to find when we went on the snake hunt at Easter. The boys would love this, right by the river and lots of mud. I was so sore, up and down hills. I want to do it again this weekend. My legs and butt were killing me.

I knit more on the hat while watching CSI. I did say I was going to stop watching CSI. The episodes seem to be in for the thrill factor and their lack of wearing protective gear for the crime scene is beginning to irritate me. I just love all the high heels and loose hair!!!!

Today I headed to Kath's early. I was so stiff I could hardly get out of bed but I was there by 9am! We had some coffee and Kath started to put the finishing edge on her carpet. I think it is called 'Queen Anne's Lace'. It is so pretty. I kept knitting at the hat and finished it. The curly q's on the top look so cute. It was a good morning and afternoon.

I had a really had a surprise when I came into work. I had a message from one of the staff in the fashion dept. Earlier in the week I had bought some raffle tickets and then you put them in the envelope of the item that interests you. Well I had put all of mine in this Dior make up set (there were quite a few of them). So guess what, I won one!!! YES. I better go and buy a lottery ticket now.

Socks

I was given this kit for the contest I entered at Soper Creek. This is the first sock I have ever knit, it has been so easy and fun. What have I been missing all these years? Those socks I have that don't fit well (I have small feet), now I can make my own! I even went on Youtube to find about grafting or the Kitchener stitch as its called. Now that I have one finished I can't wait to get the second done. Next time I do a pair I will make them a bit longer though.

My entry for the contest at Soper Creek was a hat from a Mission Falls book using there 1824 wool. It is so soft. Kath won second prize with her socks. Joan also entered the contest with a tea cosy. For the contest we bought a kit with selection of wool from Mission Falls 1824. We had to use the wool in the kit but we could use more and other wool from our own stash. If you remember Kath won first prize last year and I tied for second.

Kath's Socks & Joan's Tea Cosy

Knitting

I must get started on some of my knitting. I am knitting mittens as presents for Christmas this year. I have only managed to make one pair so far. I can usually knit a pair of mittens in a couple of days, depending on time but I have been very lazy so fair this year. I have decided I can only make them for my sisters plus a couple for Joan's visitors from Australia. I will also need to knit a couple of hats also.

Detta had her hair cut today. About 6 inches was taken off the back. We are now going to attempt to keep it straight. I don't know how this is going to work out but I will do it. Detta's hair looks fantastic though, she is also very pleased with it.

Job, Baking, Knitting & Misc

Well it has been an age. I didn't get the job. The other person has 6+ years as a parttimer over me so she got the job. I was very disappointed but on the upside I saved paying an extra $20.00 a month in parking. And there are quite a few other jobs that I need to apply for.

My niece, Lisa is getting married in a few weeks. The wedding showers are flying in. My sisters and I are having one on Sundayfor her and then there are two more. I am not sure I am going to go to all these. So I am at the moment making some butter tart squares (from Canadian Living). I have made a number of substitutions which include Splenda sugar, Splenda brown sugar and 'I can't believe its butter' light. And I did add walnuts instead of pecans. I just took them out of the oven and they look delicious. I can't wait for them to cool down so I can try a piece. Now I just have to figure out how many WW points they are.

A few things I forgot to mention from my trip to Ireland. Patricia and Kenny's son, Paul, is off to Brazil in a couple of weeks. He will be there for 2 years. Paul has been there before, a couple of times but what an adventure. The other thing I forgot to mention is Patricia has the same car as me. Patricia's is red and mine is blue. I thought that was very funny, we both have great taste. Unfortunately our lease will be up in January, we probably will return it.
I have decided I must finish a few knitting projects. I have a little baby jacket I had finished knitting. I just need to sew it together, the part I dislike the most. I tried putting it on round needles since the sleeves are raglan but it didn't work. It is very pretty though, I can't wait to see it finished. I also have to finish the hat for Barbara's baby. It is purple and pink, very striking. Anne also let me know that Al's niece loved the hat I knit for her baby. It is always nice to hear what people think.

Busy Week

Joan and Tom popped around last Sunday on their motorbikes. Joan looks very flash on her bike. I have no desire whatsoever to get on a motorbike again. I think Joan is very brave especially in Canada.

While out in the garden I discovered that the baby pigeons were still hanging around. They were found under the shrubs or on the floppy cedar tree. I haven't seen them for the rest of the week though.

Work passed by quickly, two new jobs were posted at Seneca forLibrary Technicians but you have to be a full time employee to apply for them. I don't expect they will replace their jobs once the new jobs are filled. A cost saving approach by Seneca to stretch the work amongst its employees. I did apply for a job at the Ontario Legistlature and another one at Baycrest so we will have to see what happens with those. I am thinking of appling for a Radiation Protection Technician at OPG, you only need a high school diploma to apply. I am not quite sure if I would be suited to this job though.

The children and I went to see Land of the Lost last night. It was very funny and gross. The children loved it. I especially like the mosquito part and the dinosaur's brain the size of a walnut.

Detta and I had a busy day today. I wanted to get some more yarn for a scarf I am knitting, it is silk and seaweed. We dropped by Anne's house to pick her up to borrow her sewing machine. Her kitchen has been totally removed at the moment. Andrew and a buddy are doing it this coming week. We drove downtown with Anne, stopped by and bought some fried rice Chinese buns to eat plus a few for Hugh - Curried Beef and BBQ Pork. The bakery is called the Yung Sing Bakery and it is on Baldwin Street. Excellent food and service. The first time I went there, was when I worked for Sick Kids hospital in 1986. I would walk over at lunch time have a fried rice bun and a vegetable spring roll.

We went to see Alex at her store but the Much Music channel were getting ready for their awards ceremony at the City TV building and it was crazy. We found Alex and Detta is taller than Alex now. We went out for crepes, they were so good. I had dark chocolate and strawberries, Detta had dark chocolate and ice cream, oh yes I had cream also. Yummy. We left there to go to Romni wool shop but I didn't end up buying any more, one they didn't have and two the ball I had weighed 100 grams. We drove back to Anne's and stopped by for Lizzie. The traffic was terrible, College St and Bloor were closed!! Lizzie's flat is very nice and then we went to Anne's. I was so exhausted from all the driving. Anyways I am home now, enjoying my new office. Anne lent me her yellow ball for sitting on but I need to put a bit more air in.

Knitting

I can't believe I haven't talked about knitting in so long. I took a break when I wasn't feeling well (flu!). I have finished two projects - a hat for Donovan's teacher and a sweator for a baby which I still have to sew together.

The hat for Donovan's teacher is from an old knitting pattern of my Mum's. The bottom part in the lime green is a new stitch I have never done before. It is Tw2F and Tw2B which is Twist 2 Front and Twist 2 Back. For the first one, you knit in the front of the 2nd stitch and then knit in the front of 1st stitch and then for the second one, you knit in the back of the 2nd stitch and then knit in back of the 1st stitch. It was slow knitting for the first couple of rows but then it got easier as I kept doing it. The yarn I used for this was Merino wool, OMG, it is SO soft. It is called Filatura Di Crosa Baby Zarina, yes it's Italian. You wouldn't even know it was wool, I bought it for $3.50 for a 50g ball from Soper Creek Yarns. I also have purple and pink, I am going to knit one up for my cousin's daughter who just had her first baby - a girl, Katie Sarah.

The sweator I knit was again from an old knitting pattern of my Mum's. I did it in the Berroco Comfort DK. It is also extremely soft. The baby sweator knit up fairly fast but just was a bit ackward with changing colours every row.

I have started to use a new method of casting on. I previouly knit my stitiches on, but that can be time consuming. In the autumn, I knit Miles a pull on hat - balaclava and then I knit one for Donovan. Except with Donovan's hat the cast on was too tight so I thought I would try the long tail cast on method. I followed the instructions in the book and it was easy. Also I found it made a looser cast on so the hat easily fitted over Donovan's head. I have used this method ever since, it is so much faster. So for those of you who want to know how to do it, I found this video on You Tube - Long Tail Cast on. There is also a website where you can find other videos - Knitting Help. I have done so many new stitches and patterns this past winter. Knitting the hats for Miles and Donovan was the start of it. I loved the way the top knitted up. In fact, I also knitted one for my sister Joan so she could wear it under her riding helmet.

Craigslist

I listed two items on Craigslist, our chandelier and the computer cabinet. People have contacted me about them but I haven't heard anything since. Hopefully tonight we will be rid of the computer cabinet. This is so much easier than eBay but definitely more local.

Detta and Miles are both ill now. High temperatures, runny noses, etc. Detta stayed home from school today and they will both be staying home tomorrow. Miles had a high temperature on Friday and Saturday but on Sunday we thought he was recovering. Now only Hugh and Donovan need to come down with it. I finished my antibotics this past weekend and the cough is much better but still lingering.

I have been knitting a new layette. This one is simpler than the other one but I changed the green to an aqua with looks better with the verigated and the yellow. I am moving along nicely now that I have started knitting again. I didn't feel like it when I was sick. I am on the second arm and then I am going to knit all of the yoke part all in one piece, less sewing that way.