blargh - I can't think of a title!

It's pretty much been a shit week. A combination of hormones, stress and a decided lack of chocolate have made it harder than it should be. I've been knitting to attempt to keep me sane.

Why does everything happen at the same time?

How long is too long for Noro striped scarf in Silver Thaw?

When I finally made it home today the latest Interweave greeted me. I'm sure I'll flip through it and put it in the pile, but it still gave me a surge of happiness to see it. It always does. It's the Christmas gift that my sister gave me last Christmas that's kept on giving.

Knitting I maybe but the mojo is like jester dancing around and poking me. With knitting needles.

Why does knitting mojo evaporate?

Sock as my evidence, I'm working on the mojo. The second 1/2 of the class at Shall We Knit is this Saturday. I'm so not gonna be done my foot by then. Did you know it's hard to figure out the middle of yer leg on yer own?

Any one wanta come over and draw a line on my leg? Anyone?

And why do all the good TV shows come on at 10pm?

Knitting filled weekend!

I'm still working on getting my knitting mojo back. I have a few things on the go at this point, mostly Christmas goodies. But everything is still rather plain. I know, I know, anything well executed is far better than nothing at all. I just can't help but feel a little disappointed with my lack of productivity. The stash won't knit itself up.

Friday evening I made a lovely and much over due trek out to The Little Red Mitten with N. I really enjoy this store. Joan and her hubby are warm friendly and always a pleasure to chat with.

I had the best intentions of behaving myself at knit night as it had been a bit of a spendy week. Round three of allergy drugs for the Boogerman has begun and then I had the pleasure of discovering yet another strange noise coming from my car.

These were the last 2 balls. I just couldn't bear to leave them. I do loves me some Regia . . . and I don't think my collection includes mosaik, until now that is.

The collection also did not include any Lamb's Pride. Especially since the colour is gonna be fan-stinking-tastic as a semi matching pair of mitts to go with my wavy hat & scarf. We'll see when I get around to these.

Saturday I headed out to my other favourite LYS, Shall We Knit for their Insouciant Sock Knitter class. It's been a while since I've been out to this one as well but it always feels like a great big hug.

If you haven't seen the new Cat Bordhi book, it's worth taking a peek at. The concept and construction of these is unique and creative. Taking the class is really more about getting a push to do something rather than a lack of understanding. The fact that I was missing 15 pages from the first book was also inspiration to make sure that I wasn't insane. I flipped through that book for 2 days before noticing the missing pages. That was not fun! Hmmm. . . maybe that's what ate my knitting mojo?? Shall We Knit graciously hooked me up with a new & complete book.

During the class I managed to cast on and whip through all of my required increases easily enough. I even managed to get in some practise with the new camera!

I'm using Shelridge Farms sock yarn - yummy! - pictured here on 2.5 mm needles. I decided shortly after this that the fabric was too losey-goosey and have ripped back and re-started. BTW, you should totally go and check out page 86 of this book. Where Cat mentions both this sock yarn AND the store!

My class mate cast on in magic loop, which seemed a touch more complicated but she totally managed. We had an entertaining afternoon poking fun at each other. Followed by dinner with great company - thanks for the great day ladies (& gent).

I had better get a cracking on my home work. Did I mention that there's a second class next Saturday? I don't think it will take me long to do the actually knitting, it's just the stopping and reading that's going to mess me up. You know, making sure that I'm following the pattern and all. Hopefully I won't have to rip too many times.

Weekend entertainment

We had a visitor in these here parts over the weekend. See the speck on the right side of the apartment building roof top? How freaking cool is that?



Pretty birdy hung around for at least 3 hours. To much amusement and picture taking. Tri-pod anyone? Colour me lazy. I didn't think it would stick around long enough for me to go get it - what do I know. As you can see it was a lovely sunny day. The weather was fan-freakin-tastic.



And I guess buddy already had a full belly cuz this bugger sat up there. You know, within an easy flap or two. Pigeon with balls eh? And uh, this would be the speck on the roof top (top pic) directly about the right edge of the balconys. Clear as mud? Click top photo & go to Flickr for notes. You'll see.



Some how all the oohing and awing from the collection of neighbours didn't scare him/her off. The things I see outside my front door I tell ya.

ETA - Thanks to Rachel for suggesting trying to identify by the scream - birdy is a “Rufous-phase” red-tailed hawk.

Relief. Well almost

I can't tell you how happy I was at the site of this.


That, is frost. Sort of. I doubt it was a 'hard' enough frost, but marks the beginning of the end of Bogey's yearly allergy torture. It started in the beginning of August this year instead of mid
September. And it's been a rough one.

It's only recently occurred to me that the intensity and the early onset this year are most likely directly related to the ban on herbicides. Shhhh! Don't mention it, but Bogey's put on a touch of weight with all those steroids.

It will be nice to be drug free for a while.

Granville Island yarn

I said I would provide better yarny pics . . and I am delivering.



I give you the tussha silk in all it's splendor. I really think this is going to be a cowl. I'm not sure what the yardage is, but it will be pretty!



100% wool from BC/Alberta



and her little friend. Hand dyed by Yoriko



Yup, they are pretty spectacular too. I'm not sure what this will be either. The colours are lovely and very rich. It's a nice worsted weight which I think I had been thinking hat & scarf at the time. 220 meters each I think that's pretty good. I'm totally up for suggestions for either . . .

Happy Halloween!

This evening I sat outside with a bunch of neighbours. We handed out candies to the 50 or so kiddlets and consumed a variety of wobbly beverages. It's not even 10 yet but I think it's bed time.

Happy Halloween all. Hope you had as much fun as I!

Something more knitting related

Sort of. Well, how about stash acquisition? Ya . . I thought that would perk you up.



One of the days that I spent on my own I wandered down to Granville Island. 37 acre island that was once an industrial park is now home to arts, sumptuous shopping and delectable foods.



There was so much to look at, never mind indulge my shopping urges. When I rounded a corner it was just too much for me to resist.



The drooling began. Who knew that I would have an abundance of yarn sources within a 15 minute walk?



I was rather well restrained here. It's a co-op of 4 fibre artists that weave, spin, dye and knit. Two goody sized skeins of hand spun, hand dyed yarn followed me home. See? I was good!

(please pardon the crap pic. I will update with better ones)

There were a few other places that sold yarn as well. There was the Silk Weaving Studio.


It was lovely and as you can see I did purchase some super soft 100% silk, it wasn't my favourite place.

My favourite place . . . that would be Maiwa Supplies. Maiwa had 2 stores; one inside the Net Loft and the other on the outside. Supplies was the store that had the mother load of yarny goodness. And I didn't buy a damn thing there. My goal was to purchase what I could not acquire at home. It made me sad to leave empty handed . . . but I'll be back. Next time? I'll have a project in mind.



~more yarny goodness to come~

P.S. If you want a sneak peak of some of my other yarn . . . I'm wearing it here. My sister is a very talented artist.