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!

A sewing post - and a craft by Kev!

I swear,  Kev made something!!  But first, I wanted to show off the little bingo caddy that I made.  It actually turned out to be not so little.  I've sewn this project before, and I found it ran a little small, especially on the base.  This time I wanted it a little larger, so I just kind of made it up as I went along, using the pattern more as a recipe.  The pattern can be found here by the way.   I used some more of the fabric that I got from the 99 cent dress from Old Navy.  I love it, and I still have enough for another bingo caddy, maybe two, if I don't make it so friggin huge. Its hard to tell from the photos, but trust me...huge.  And here is a close up of the cute little needle felted beads that I put on the ends of the ties. 


This past week, I had to give a little talk about spinning to my Trefoil Guild members.  I brought my wheel in to show the ladies, and I also brought along my spindle.  I showed off  my handspun yarns and all my fibers.  And.....I had Kev make them each a spindle for them to take home and try themselves.  Here he is holding them all.  I am so proud of his work.  Each spindle is well balanced, and seems to spin great.  The girls seemed to enjoy the talk and demonstrations.  I'm not sure that I convinced any of them to take spinning up as a hobby, but I really tried. 

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.

How do I feel about Alpaca?

I'm not too sure really. I know that I love knitting with it - or blends of it anyway. It always seems so soft and squishy. The jury is out on the spinning of alpaca. I bought a braid of 100% alpaca off etsy seller Roaringbravado. The colour is called Autumn equinox. I love the colours. Deep plums, midnight blues, forest greens. But the texture is weird or something. Its like the alpaca has alot of guard hairs still in it. Perhaps it is my spinning, as I'm still learning. I do want to try the Navajo plying business again, and this was my intention with this yarn, but I don't know if it will work. Alpaca has a nice long staple and it is a pleasure to spin, but just check out the hairiness. I don't know if I love it or hate it. I've no idea what its destined to become. Perhaps I should have used the drum carder and blended it with something, but the colours are just too darned pretty to be messing with.


In other news, I thought I'd share a picture of the snow that we have. I have the great pleasure of dealing with a lot of old people at work. I've been hearing from a few of them that this winter we are having an 'old fashioned winter' - meaning lots of long cold spells and a lot of snow. What do you think? Does this look like a lot of snow?


This is the view from my front patio looking up the street. Notice that you can't actually see the street because the snow banks are too high. You can see the top of one car on the street. Keep in mind that my house is also up on a little hill. Wow, that is a lot of snow.

I also wanted to share a cute baby shot - because I can.



Look at those cute little faces! Kev's face isn't too bad either.