My Hero!

I realize how lucky I am to have a supportive spouse in my life. Kev truly supports me in all that I do. He doesn't complain (too much) about the 20lbs of fleece that is currently stored in the shed. He will (sometimes) model shawls and lace scarves when I need to do a photo shoot, but today, he really proved to me how much he loves
me.

As I said in an earlier post, our little guy Max started hockey this year! So this means more time being spent at the arena - which in turn means more time knitting socks and mitts at the arena. I don't usually get to go to too many practices since I work full time, but today, being Saturday, I got to go.

I took my latest work in progress and off I went. I'm currently making a pair of mitered mittens (by Elizabeth Zimmerman) for Sam (my friend Karen's daughter) I've made these mittens many, many times and could make them in my sleep, I think. I finished one mitten, except for the afterthought thumb and cast on for the second.

After hockey, we went and got our fresh turkey for Thanksgiving. Kev's cousin Monica has a farm! And then we went grocery shopping. We had people coming for supper so I had a lot to get ready, but I figured I'd get a few rows of my mittens in before company came. I pulled out my mittens only to discover that I just had the second mitt - which was just a measly bit of ribbing. I told my sad story to Kev - I think I left it at the arena. Can't you knit another - he asked. Of course, I can knit another, but....but...this was handspun!!!!! And handspun that came from Torbay, Newfoundland, created with fiber that the dyer called "Jellybean Row" (named after a row of colourful houses on a street in St.John's) This mitt was special!

Well, my hero didn't hesitate. (Well, he did a little - they were recapping the Olympic gold medal men's hockey game on TSN) Off he went to the arena to try to find my mitten (sans thumb) Meanwhile, I was sick with worry. Would he find it? What if someone picked it up and realized its beauty and decided to keep it. (Without a thumb, I'm not sure if anyone would have realized what it was) What would I tell Sam? She had picked out the pattern and the yarn herself.

Well, Kev (being Kev) came through the door looking very sad, and very dejected - and I knew right away..... that he had indeed found it. He does that to me every time and he really is quite a good actor. I always say he missed his calling. He would have convinced anyone else that the mitt was gone forever, but not me. I know this man too well.

My hero saved the day - and the mitten. I just really hope I have enough yarn to finish! If not, the thumbs will be some commercial yarn.

You can see why I was upset. These are gonna be gorgeous!

Not quite there yet

But, I'm not entirely disappointed with my showing at the Knitting Olympics either. Sure, I didn't finish. But, I came pretty close. The body of the vest is done. I've only to knit the neck and the sleeve ribbing. And duplicate stitch in the green stitches on the back. And weave in the ends. Not too bad really for 17 days.

I know in my heart that this was a challenge I could have completed. I'll admit to distraction. Damn you drop spindle. Why is it that when I'm doing the Tour de Fleece, I'm distracted by my knitting and when I'm doing the Knitting Olympics I'm distracted by my spinning. I'm thinking it must be some sort of personality fault of mine.

I'll also admit to being distracted by the real Olympics. I was riveted! From the opening ceremonies and that first gold medal by Alex Biladeau to Sidney Crosby's goal, I was captivated. I am so proud of my country and never knew I was so patriotic. I even went out and bought some 'Go Canada' gear to help cheer on the hockey teams. Here is Max demonstrating!



I plan on finishing up the rest of the vest soon, and then who knows. No real plans. Exciting isn't it? I still have those gift certificates to spend at Distinctive Knitting...about 340$ worth!! I love my family and friends...and boss! Even more exciting is that I was talking to Mrs March (owner of my LYS, Distinctive Knitting) and she is going to start carrying Fleece Artist! OMG...and I am not an OMG type of girl. But...OMG!

In other news my beautiful daughter is home for her reading break. This makes me so happy. She brought back a ukelele. And she is playing it...quite well in fact. Max..not so much, but at least he is trying.


Kev just got back from a hockey tournament in Moncton. He always brings me back a gift whenever or whereever he travels. This time he brought me back a book called Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. Its a sequel to her first book called...Knit Night? or Friday Night Knitting Club? Despite me not remembering the name it did make an impression on me and I did like the book. Brain candy, I guess. A nice light read. Nothing too serious, and that is the way I like my books and movies sometimes.

Later Gator

Wanna see something cute?



Yeah, I'm talking about Max, but the mittens are kinda cute too. I dreamed last night that I knit a pair of these in a khaki green colour and had a red stripe on the mittens where the eyes go. You know, like the Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now, I must make them. Which one wears the red? Donnatello? I remember my brother loving them. I wonder would he appreciate a pair of ninja turtle mitten?

The pattern details - "Later 'Gator" mittens from Stitch n Bitch Nation. Knit in the smallest size. Brother Bradley would need a much larger size and some serious pattern altering, so no, I don't think I'll be making them. Knit these in Cascade 220, a work horse yarn that I cannot see any difference in it and Paton's Classic. The mouth is actually knit in Lopi since it twas the only red I had on hand. The teeth are french knots. I finally figured out how to do a french knot.

The designer warns that these mitts will cause impromtu puppet shows. They did indeed. I even ended up getting nipped once or twice. Now I have to make another pair for Morgan. I have this thing about making a pattern twice. I hate doing it.


But, I love Morgan. So, I will make them. I have to find the actual sewon eyes for him though. I glued Max's on, but I'm afraid glue on eyes won't cut it for Morgan, as picky as he is.

A Hat for Max

This actually started out life as a 'hat for Riley', but for some reason it was turning out small. So now it belongs to Max. This actually works out okay. I 'owe' Max a handknit since I recently finished a sweater for his little cousin Morgan. I'm such a true Libra in that I have to be fair to everyone.

Morgan's sweater was supposed to be a Christmas gift, but he is growing so darned fast that I had to give it to him as soon as I finished. I'll do the same with Max's hat. The next time he visits, the hat is his.

The pattern is 'Kim's Hats' from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. The yarn is Valley Yarn's North Hampton with a tiny bit of Noro Kureyon.