What I did on the May long weekend

Ya, it's the following weekend; I've been busy.

To recap, Friday night was a road trip to Shall We Knit where there was much Stash Enhancement going on. The lovely Karen was fabulous as always and no one wanted to go home. Gas was also 5 cents a litre cheaper in Stratford which still annoys the hell out of me.

I know I did something on Saturday. I think it involved reading, knitting and of course shopping. For hair crap. Because curly hair can never have enough. Sunday was more of the same, except at some point I showed up a N's place. . . as I seem to do on a regular basis. The youngest insists that I don't live there, but I walk in the door and scream "Honey I'm Home" anyway. It amuses me (as many things do).

Monday. Whoot! An extra day off just seems to make the weekend, well, that much longer. I wish there was a long weekend once a month man. I tell ya. Monday I gassed up the car, headed over to N's (surprise, surprise) and we all piled in the car and headed out to Brier Run Alpaca Farm!

They were having an open house and were in the process of doing their spring shearing. I made a b-line for the barn where all the action was. I was in there and completely in my element; animals, fur flying, butt shots, you name it - it was seriously interesting. And I shot an entire roll of film. For now, I give you the souvenirs of the excursion!

3 bags full? Who needs it? I got one, not entirely full and I'm more than thrilled with it.

One of the first things that I picked up in the store (yes!! Farm, mill AND store!) was this Grey skein. It had no price and no name, but I fell instantly in love with it. And I still am. It's soft, lovely and has some what of a halo to it. It's going to become part of a scarf . . if I can wait that long. I'm sure I will have to pet it many times before the transformation.

Rufus was another that I was lucky enough to find. There weren't many of his but whoa! Apparently Rufus is a silver with many other colours mixed in. Although it looks beige, it's got many subtle hints of other colours in it. It will be joining the above Grey in the afore mentioned scarf. Love.


Really there was so much going on there, it was a fabulous road trip! I'm looking forward to digging in to my film shots and seeing what has turned out!

WiP Wednesday

Hump day of a short week. I realized what day it was this morning. It turned out to be a rather long work day, but that's another story (that I won't bore you with).

I did finally pick up and start working on Cozy again. It really is lovely. I figure I'm about half way done now. I started off with 3 skeins of Romni Wools Angora Silk. With 200 yards a skein, and about 1/2 through the second of the 3 I'd say that half way is a good estimate.


I'm going to have to give it a really good blocking when it done. It's been hibernating since January due to my move and it's a little on the messy side. It's all good though. It really is going to be nice when it's done. It's almost a shame that it will be getting shipped off to Calgary!



Unfortunately, Cozy isn't exactly the type of project that can be carted around to work on. The pattern really isn't all that challenging, but like any lace project it requires a certain amount of concentration. Some thing I have issues with while even watching an engrossing TV program, never mind a conversation or two. In the mean time I've fallen back on an old favorite with a twist; a simple toe up sock. The twist being that it will be an ankle sock.

I made a pair last year with 1 ball of Fortissima Colori socka. They are so comfortable and way better than store bought. It's great use of an odd ball of sock yarn. These puppies are knitting up fast (fingers crossed). 1 odd ball of Kroy socks is all I'll need to whip up this pair. . . followed by a few more I'm sure. Hey, can you blame me? Who wants to pay $7 - $8 for a "value pack" of stupid ankle socks that A) don't stay on B) disintegrate after a few wears C) don't breath because of the fibre content.

Friday night outing!

Dudes . . . need I say more? I was accompanied by blog-less Alana, Iza and N to the one and only Shall We Knit? Can I hear a "Hell yes!!" The hour long road trip was following by several horrible accidents whereby my comrades and I succumb to the intoxication (followed by parting with money) that can only take place in a yarn shop.

Be warned the following images are not for the faint of (gulp) yarn-i-tude.

Rovings, Custom Carding & Dying
colourway: City Lights
30% Polwarth Wool, 70% Kid Mohair
420 yds - 8 oz.

This stuff is so stunning. I seriously need more yarn like a hole-in-the-head, but who could resist? Karen's monthly sale was 25% off of anything with mohair. The colours, drop dead gorgeous and it's Canadian!

malabrigo, Lace
colourway: emerald blue
100% Baby Merino wool
470 yds, 50 grams

I don't own any malabrigo, or at least I didn't until Friday night. Someone (obviously a horrible person) had left a hank very similar to this sitting on the counter . . where I was asking for some advise on my latest sweater project. It kept calling to me like that chocolate donut (cookie, ice-cream, whatever!) sitting in the other room. You know you want me. . come and get me. In a moment of weakness . . lets get real here, I have far too many of these . . I had to go over to the bin, toss them all on the floor and root through them like a pig looking for a truffle.

I was so not going to spend anything. I wasn't going to buy anything, I was only going to knit. I blame my company. Well, sort of. I actually "enabled" Isa to take another look at the Rovings as well and she has already made her purchases. Goes to show you that when at knit night in a store, leave the $ at home! sigh - it was a great way to spend a Friday evening let me tell you!

BTW, I'm still collecting for the Bark in the Park, walk-a-thon. Please contact me if you would like to sponsor Bogey and I!

W.I.P. Wednesday

Originally uploaded by kurly_kat

Does it still count as a WiP Wednesday post if the day is almost over? At least I'm posting. Whatever.

I finally finished these suckers off, but it's taken me most of the week to get around to taking this crap-assed pic. They really are lovely socks, although the verdict is still out on the picot top. I'm just not sure if I dig all that roll.

And I finally managed to dig out Cozy that I started last October or something? I figured it was about time that I get it done. In the 2 days I've been working on it I've snail paced through 3 inches or so (probably less). Picture? Nah. Looks pretty much like it did last time, besides, I'll need something else to post about next week.

There's a long weekend coming up. I'm so looking forward to it and I'm hoping that there will be some sort of knit gathering going on . . . like maybe a road trip Friday night?? hint, hint! Shall we Knit anyone?

i Loves . . .

DSCF0053
Originally uploaded by kurly_kat

. . . my sister and magnolias. I was rather happy to be able to see both in Brampton last weekend. Alas, my time (with both) was short, but I have this fabulous picture to remind me of the weekend.

Although I didn't spend any time with you today, I hope you had a good day - Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Because it amuses me

Bogey the yarn dog
Originally uploaded by kurly_kat

I was reading in bed last night, when I clearly should have been sleeping. I looked up to find Bogey the yarn dog passed out like this. What a view! (he really does have a cute doggy butt!)

Just a quicky

It's Monday evening and I've just returned from the Wortley meet up. It was a blast as usual. I'm doing my annual London Humane Society walk-a-thon and I passed around a mug asking for contributions - man knitters are a generous bunch. Just passing around that mug I gained $57.72 towards my total fund raising. Thanks Ladies!! Special thanks MJ & N for pledging me directly!! The walk is on June 1st . . so I'll be collecting until then . . . just saying.

So ya, it was a world wind weekend in the big TO visiting with my sister. We went to the ROM, several galleries that were participating in Contact, lots of shopping, oh and a pit stop at Americo (holly crap!) and the food! Long fun filled weekend and it made me so sad to leave and head home Sunday night.

I was so happy to see my sister and it occurred to me that I barely took any pictures of her. And we were even doing photo walks! Doh! I'll just have to make a point of saving up and waiting for a flight sale to head out there. 5 days with a weekend in the middle is really only 3 days off work. It may not be much, but it would still be great to go to Vancouver for a visit.