I think I may be in love

With this combination of yarn and mitten pattern.  I'm not usually a person to use the recommended yarn.  I almost always will try to substitute based on what I have in my stash.  I certainly never knit with the exact same colourway.  Except this time.  I purchased the exact same yarn brand - Malabrigo, in the exact same colours - Emerald blue and Carrot as the pattern is recommending.  And oh my, how I love it.  These mittens are so fun, they are practically knitting themselves. 

In other news, I joined a yarn club of sorts.  Its Leethal Quick knits Club, by Lee Meridith.  I love her patterns and her work.  She is genius.  She uses mostly recycled/reclaimed yarn and materials, which I love, love, love.  Her patterns are quick, quirky and fun.  I really wanted to support her work and join this club.  So far, I've received March's mail out which had a photography theme.  When I grow up, I want to be a photographer.  Some day I'll own a good camera, but for now, I love my little Canon Power shot.  The package included two mini skeins of yarn, two fun little patterns and some extras - one of which was this neat little mesh thingy that you hold over your camera lens to produce a nice twinkly effect with lights.  Here is a photo taken in my kitchen.  I suspect there would have been more twinkling if all lights in the fixture were working and if it were indeed dark enough to require lights.  And yes, that is a big pile o snow outside my window.  Late March does not equal spring in Labrador (even though we have had the mildest winter on record)


I'm not sure what is going on with Blogger.  I used to be able to somewhat format my photos, now they are just going in here all helter skelter like.  Oh well, I'm sure it makes sense to someone. 

I think I may start a tradition

I was getting kind of bored with my knitting.  Not that the stuff that I'm currently knitting isn't challenging, because it is.  But, its just not ....... fun.  I seem to need a fun project on the go all the time to keep my knitting fresh.  Otherwise knitting sometimes looses its appeal.  Now that statement is  probably a little too strong.  It will never loose its appeal.  Knitting will always be my boyfriend. But I like knitting things that I see progress quickly.  I love self striping yarns.  They always keep me entertained.  You should see my stash.  It is crazy.  And the amount of self striping yarn is ridiculous.  I actually got a Jimmy Beans order today.  The whole point of the order was that Jess and I wanted some Malabrigo worsted to make the Love Bytes mittens.   Since we had to pay about 14$ shipping, I decided to throw in some Noro Kuryeon.  I also wanted to try Mini Mochi.   No pattern in mind - just because.

Sorry, I've kind of gone off on a tangent there.  The title of my post is about traditions.  My daughter's best friend since forever is Lucy.  Lucy loves interesting hats.  In fact, I've made Lucy a mohawk hat, a princess Leiah hat, a Tepes Hat and now this year for her birthday she will be receiving the Dead Fish hat.  I think she'll like it.  Morgan does.  He looks pretty cute with it on too.  Well, he looks pretty cute with it off too, but I'm biased.  Pattern is Dead Fish Hat from Knitty and the yarn is Nashua Handknits Wooly Stripes.  I needle felted on the eyes.  So much easier than sewing.  Great pattern.  I highly recommend it. 

A Short Winter

A mild winter thats for sure. We haven't had those long periods of weeks on end where its been 40 below (Celcius). In fact, I recall only 1 real week of it sometime in January. And we haven't had a lot of snow. Spring will arrive shortly in Labrador. It makes sense then, that I'm knitting these heavey boot socks for Kevin.

He will wear these hunting and cutting wood I expect. Though, likely not until October with the way things are going. I don't mean that I won't finish them until October. (though, with me that remains a distinct possibility). I just mean that its been so mild that these aren't altogether necessary anymore.

The pattern and the yarn are both by Briggs and Little - an east coast favorite. Great pattern, neat little heel. I'll likely make these again.

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.