Hubby's Big Surprise

Hey gang, Btchwstix has been a very busy girl lately. Not only have I been suffering from severe insomnia but I have also been planning a surprise 40th Birthday party for hubby. His birthday was actually earlier in the week, so he basically thinks I am not doing much. But, Saturday night I have 40 of our dearest and nearest going to play a hockey game then dinner upstairs in their restaurant (its a huge hockey/entertainment/sports facility). Jeez, I hope he likes it. So between this and not sleeping properly, things have been a little hectic. On the sleeping front, I seem to be getting better and I'll tell you I am not the kind of person that can survive on 4 hours of sleep, which is what I was averaging there for about 2 weeks. I went to the doctor and received a clean bill of health, although initially he worried the crap outta me thinking I had a thyroid disease. Now I am scheduled to go to a sleep clinic so hopefully I will be in better sleeping order. I have been sleeping better lately although I am not quite sure why. I have been trying to get outside more during the day to get a lot of sunshine so maybe that has helped. I was thinking maybe my melantonin was out of whack. I also ordered a new bed, which we were due for as you are suppose to change mattresses every 8-10 years and ours is ten. I ordered a KING size bed so that means another $500.00 worth of sheets, blankets and mattress protection needs to be purchased but I am looking forward to the large playground my husband and I have to romp in now. Last week I tried a few times to post but the damn thing wouldn't let me so that's another reason it has been a while. Can't remember if I told you about the KW knitting fair but it was really great. So many vendors, I was confused but I did buy some beautiful "BABI" from http://www.gryarns.on.ca/ and couldn't be happier with the colour. Plus the price was right $22.00 for 660yds. Now for a knitting update:

1. Harlot Poncho in blue and white cotton is half way done. After the initial screw up of yours truly being typically blonde, I figured out where the increases are without the stupid marker sliding all over the place (thus creating a very unattractive asymmetrical design)
2. Scarf from Little Box of Scarveshttp://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=730121 is working out very nicely in a mohair multicoloured mix
3. Still working on afghan from 1970s pattern book and am 1/3 the way through 1st of 5 panels
4. Started a triangular shawl in the new Grand River yarn for a Christmas gift to who I don't know yet
5. Still need to frog sweaters for DN2 and DN3 that have now gotten too small for their rapidly growing bodies
6. There's more, but the more I put this unfinished stuff in print the more I realize I have waaaaaay too much stuff on the go and it is kinda depressing me

That's it and will catch up with you all after the party.

Knitlit 2... Not A Cozy Read

So I wait freakin' months for this book from the library cuz I am totally taken with the first Knitlit and am sooo totally disappointed. So many of the stories are sad, not like low level sad but 2 or 3 kleenex sad. Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind a bit of this thought provoking stuff but that's not why I am reading the thing. I am reading for great stories of how or why people started knitting, ufo horror stories and of course the odd traditional boyfriend sweater story but some of these endings just aren't nice. One mother knitting in her child's bedroom thinking apocalyptic thoughts, another about a crazy mother sending her daughter their dead dog's collar to her at college, like come on people this isn't comfort, it's too Stephen King. Knitting is my comfort, I don't want to read that. Enough bitchin' and complaining. Also, haven't posted much lately but have been so enthralled with the CNN coverage of Hurricane Frances, man I've been glued to it since Friday. I know so much about weather forecasting I could deliver it on the evening news, but I am like totally addicted. And don't start me on Ivan, waiting in the wings to descend on these poor people again, HOLY CRAP, how much can one state take? Hoping all is well with Faery Crafty who was going to possibly be in the direct path of Frances.

Camera Update:
Returned camera to Future Shop and am reading instruction book (literally book yes) and will be posting pics soon, God Willing

Gotta Go,
First Day of School Tomorrow
(What's that music in the background? Yes it is the most wonderful time of the year...)

Finally...Knitting Nirvana

Unlike my favourite group, U2, I have found what I've been looking for. Yes, dammit, after tens of hours searching the net for a knit pattern for a poncho that my daughter is pleased with, and all thanks to http://faerycrafty.blogdrive.com/ The most comprehensive poncho list I have ever seen. Wow, talk about dedication, you must check this out. Ya gotta love knitters. Come on, really, they are some of the most helpful, kind people. Last year, when I started knitting the charm bag from the SNB book, I bought the wrong needles and the woman at the knitting store took off all my work and put them back on the proper needles. And aren't they always willing to give free advice? What about the woman in the Knitlit book who owns the store and when she is too busy to stay she leaves the store open with a sign to take what you need and leave a cheque. Where do you find people this kind and honest? I don't know but it does make you think doesn't it? I mean which came first the chicken or the egg? Are people who knit naturally like this or does the actual "act" of knitting restore something in you, something left over from childhood about always being nice to people and to share and help. Too be honest, I have yet to meet a knitter I really dislike. Not that there is a lot of people on that particular list but truly, most people who share the love of this craft with me are, on the whole, fairly nice. I mean there may be a few I don't "connect" with but I still respect them and certainly don't hate them. Maybe there is something to this "knitting for peace" movement. Hey, I'm getting just a tad too philosophical for this time of night. I gotta go to bed, tomorrow is go get a new hairstyle day (how interesting is that with four women in the family?) Goodnight and Peace Be with You.

Lovin' Yarn Harlot's Poncho

Okay, trying to be very Martha today and it ain't easy in this Malcolm household. Awoken this morning by dog next door that starts barking at 7:00am EVERY morning (Sat and Sun included). Got my butt moving, DN3 dressed, load in washer, folded laundry, and out door to pick up bag and card to deliver tea cozy I knitted for housewarming gift (was suppose to be given when we visited 3 weeks ago but perfection takes time right?). Picked up some groceries as well, delivered gift, back to another grocery store for fresh fruit and veg then home to prepare lunch as DN2 will be home for 12:30 from hockey clinic. Made lunches, and prepared Paul Prudhomme's Cajun meatloaves to go in oven at 3:30. Cleaned up from lunch, loaded dishwasher and left to go pick up gifts at one of my husband's clients for a charity golf tournament on Sunday. Stopped at 3rd grocery store on way home to pick up DN2 eczema cream and extras for dinner tonight that I forgot at previous two stores. Came home and tidied up some more, picked some pears from trees in back yard and peeled potatoes for dinner. All this is leading up to the fact I have not picked up my knitting all day and am ITCHING to cuz I am loving this pattern from Yarn Harlot. She has requested everyone should knit this while she is on holiday and I am doing what I am told dammit! If anyone out there is looking for a nice simple pattern then this is your baby. I've done about 15 rounds and it is looking FAB. Need to start something else though, I don't know what yet. I like having 4 or 5 things on the go for variety. Well, gotta go, DN3 has Kumon and DN2 has a hockey game at 7:30 so better get moving.

I'm Baaaack!

Here I am back from vacation (last week) and thought I should be doing some serious updating. While I was away on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron I visited Philosopher's Wool. Stunning colours for those that like working with pure wool. Their farm/home/store is brilliantly organized and very welcoming. For those that are in the area I strongly suggest visiting them, however, she did tell me they would be at the knitting fair in KW in September.

I know some of you may be wondering why I am not posting pictures as promised. Well it is kinda a long story but needless to say the camera is broken and going back to Future Shop for replacement or repair. Please stand by.

What is on the needles you ask? Well, finished pink poncho for DN3 and it turned out perfect, only problem was finding a ball of Bella to finish fringe. Have made 4 of the umbilical cord hats from SNB book and am TOTALLY addicted to them, I just can't stop. I am also working on a scarf for a Christmas gift from the "Little Book of Scarves". Beautiful book/kit, I strongly suggest this, wonderful patterns. Still have not repaired Mission Falls sweater and have not frogged too small sweater for hockey player daughter. DN1 still wants a poncho or shawl so I guess I should start one for her. That's about it although I must say I am thoroughly enjoying this summer and love the cooler temperatures, lack of "poor air quality" days and no hydro threats (no one is using their a/c). So as un-Canadian as this sounds, too bad.

Knitting Forever,
Housework Whenever

Non-Stepford Wife

Yes people, I am totally aware that I have not posted in quite a while. I am trying to maintain a Stepford Wife Life and have come to the conclusion I am not succeeding. I am still trying to finish purple Ikea bedroom for daughter No.1 and just got repainted furniture back for daughter No.3's bedroom. As a result, I was not knitting for quite a while. Have started again the last week or so and this is the update:

1. Patons Bella Poncho done but no fringe as I ran out of yarn, am still looking for pink (Hollyhock) yarn to complete.

2. Mission Falls sweater for daughter No.3 done EXCEPT for neckline have redone SEVERAL times and have stretched yarn so much it now resembles pink dental floss.

3. Burgundy Hoodie for daughter No.2 was halfway up back when I held it up to 130lb hockey player daughter to discover I have taken so damn long knitting the thing she has grown at least one size and have to frog it.

4. Pink Mission Falls (leftover from the %$#@ sweater) Umbilical Cord hat from SNB book. Absolutely adorable, so cute I am thinking about getting pregnant. PS Thank you Dianne for the suggestion, DPNS and I are getting along very well and only poked myself in the eye once!

5. Started a shawl for daughter N0.3 cause "Mom they're REALLY hot now you know so could you like make me one and have it done like by Friday?"

6. And of course still working on panel of afghan from pattern book circa 1970 on 3.25mm needles (I think, ahem, been a while since I looked at the poor wee thing).

That's it, I think, but memory is failing so what can I say. OOOH gotta comment on this month's Knitty, WOW! And gotta love the licorice undies. It is HIP to KNIT!

Kids are at camp ALL DAY and should get some housework done and maybe more knitting.

PS Patons Summer Sale should be coming soon!

Finished Fandango Throw

Finally finished my beautiful throw. Have been wearing it ever since. As yet, Toronto has not seen any summer weather, we are definitely still in spring, which makes it very nice for knitting outside. I have an old fashioned type porch with white wicker furniture and it's perfect for knitting and drinking tea.

We had a soccer tournament in Markham on the weekend so I have almost finished the sleeves on daughter No.3 sweater. Haven't touched the hoodie in a while but oh, the plans I have. Thinking about more sweaters for the girls and wondering about those no-sweat pants in the Spring Interweave Knits Mag. Just don't know how to adjust them for children. My six year old would love them in a cozy yarn. Any ideas out there?

Well, better go. Had some computer probs last week and haven't been on line in a while. Gotta catch up with what's going on in the KW (knitting world).

The Yarnfather

Okay, I think I am doing things a little better. To all of you that have been wanting to post comments but do not want to register you now can as I think I have changed my comment settings.

Now, on to what happened at my garage sale. Yes, I put together a little bag of yarn (odds and ends) and 5 sets of needles. The needles were all plastic so this is the most decent burial I could think of for the little bendy suckers. Anyhow, stuck a $5.00 tag on and waited. However, competition was high. Neighbour's mother was offering Patons wool, brand new, 50g balls at $1.00 per ball. Lo and behold a man, yes, a man says "I'll take all the yarn on your table, just add it up," doesn't she sell the whole lot? No one bought my little sacrifice, it just sat there first in the cold, then in the rain. Oh well, still made almost a $100.00 bucks so I can't complain. But can you believe a guy ends up buying the neighbour's wool. (He said it was for his mom but you know how guys are).

Progress report:
FANDANGO THROW: Doing very well, holding fandango and eggplant coloured Mission Falls together and it is beautiful, have had many comments on it, just need to buy more of the eggplant to finish. I will call it "winter cabbage" or "kale" as the green and the eggplant are AMAZING together.
DAUGHTER NO.2 HOODIE: Half way through back, had to frog some yesterday, saw a mistake but back on track (guarantee 30+ temperatures will hit the moment I finish the sweaters)
DAUGHTER NO.3 SWEATER: Finished back and front, just need to do sleeves and little roll neck
AFGHAN FROM 1970'S PATTERN BOOK: Haven't touched it in two weeks

Bought the new Interweave Knit book and oh the plans I have. I guess I can kiss that $100 bucks goodbye. My neighbour thinks I am going to feed my habit with this money, I wish I could prove her wrong and yet I continue to...

Knit On

Rip It... Rip It Good

Ever try to frog cotton chenille? I've been blowing chenille fibers out my nose since yesterday. Okay, have this great plan with the Colinette Fandango right? Wrong, oh so wrong. Get through one skein/hank/ball whatever and going to start with the Mission Falls and it just isn't working. So I start frogging. Not pretty. I'm thinking stripes of colour instead of the one ball of this, one ball of that strategy. Any comments, please feel free, I'm at that loser stage right now cuz I haven't completed anything in a while and I need that "just finished something" high. Suppose to be getting garage stuff ready and have been procrastinating like crazy. Still can't decide whether to get rid of some yarn yet. It's a big step, I don't know if I'm ready for it yet. Might try one of those crazy flower facecloths from the Weekend Knitting book again, mind you the last one I made almost sent me over the edge (again, I re-state, who's the pecker that invented dpns?) Had this conversation with my knitomatic homies and they quite agreed that it kinda sucked near the end especially(almost took one of my eyes out with those little suckers). Again, if anyone out there is a dpn pro, please enlighten me to the complexities of them, they scare me as much as pattern graphs. They are on my "don't go there" list along with cable patterns and any instructions that are more than a page long. Well GGK, chat you up later.

Raiders of the Lost Yarn

We are having a garage sale on Saturday, which is, indeed, the long weekend here in Canada. It is the weekend everyone opens their cottages and quite a few people go away. However, the neighbours have decided this weekend is it and I am following along. The question is, do I try and sell some old (relative term, only been knitting since October)or continue on with present stash? Went through stash 2 weeks ago and was thinking about getting rid of this and that but I was having a difficult time committing to this. Is that unusual? Is it yarn separation anxiety? Do others have this affliction of not wanting to part with said stash? Will there eventually be a NEED for the yarn you are about to depart with? How do you catergorize your yarn? I am usually a pretty organized individual but on this front I am very unmartha. At the moment there is yarn:

1. In dining room sideboard drawers (sticking out and cannot shut one drawer).

2. Artfully arranged in willow basket in livingroom, but dangerously close to overflowing like Mt. St. Helen.

3. In plastic bags in bedroom closet, corner in diningroom and front hall closet.

Any ideas/suggestions on this quandary, please let me know.

Next Time...
Where To Stick the Needles

Ciao For Now Yarn Diet

I keep trying to adhere to a yarn diet. You know finish off stuff before buying more, wait at least 2 full working days before purchasing more etc. but it ain't happening. Saw some beautiful Colinette last week at lys and did not buy (there was only three skeins) so I didn't bother. Well haven't I thought about that damn yarn all week? So I went back and got it yesterday. It is beautiful, yummy and soft like your favourtite bathrobe. So I do have a plan. I bought more Mission Falls cotton to intersperse with it and I'm going to make a small throw type thing. I also bought a digital camera this week so I will be showing you guys stuff soon as I hook it up. Half way through the back of the burgundy cotton hoodie for daughter No.2 and just finishing the front of pink Mission Falls sweater for daughter No.3. I have looked through the Rowan kids pattern book and have already planned three projects out of there. Also have the Rowan collection book and there is a men's sweater there in a cream that I would like to knit for the better half for Christmas but does the sweater curse apply to those that are married? I'll have to look into that as I am a bit superstitious. I am working with my new needles from http://www.turn-of-the-century.com/tchome.htm and I am loving them. If you love wood like I do you have to go there and fall in love. Have breezed through The Yarn Girls' Guide but didn't really see anything that said, "Knit me!" Well there is a garden out there that is saying, "Prune me, cut me and rake me up!" So my thoroughly boring chat must end but I may post more later.

A Bit About My Addiction

My mother thinks I should enter one of those 12 step programs. You know the kind I mean. She thinks I am too obsessed with knitting. But what exactly is obsessed? I try to knit one to two hours per day. I scan the web for interesting knitting blogs, sites, stores etc. I go to yarn stores maybe once a week. I started a neighbourhood stitch n' bitch group in January that met every Tuesday night, it has since gone on hiatus until October. I attend a monthly West End SNB on the first Thursday of the month. Does this sound like a personality disorder to you? I find knitting relaxes me. I need that. I have a hectic life like everyone else and find it is a terrific release. When I knit, that is almost all I am thinking about. I'm not thinking about the war in Iraq or the air quality, I'm thinking about when to move the yarn to the front and when to move it back again. I should tell you I have only been knitting since October 2003. My mother tried to teach me when I was about 10. Then she used to cast on with her hand and one needle. She would show me and I would knit, but then started thinking if I can't figure out that cast on thing, why knit? But in October she showed me the two needle cast on and away I went. Pixie slippers were my first endeavor and by January I had knit slippers, mitts, scarves (5), the charm bag in the SNB book, and a baby hat for a teacher at the kid's school. I guess my point is I enjoy it, it doesn't hurt anyone (although it embarrasses my 14 year old like there's no tomorrow) and it is constructive. What more can you ask for? Okay, it's not sex but this I can do in public (kip).

Among other rants today, I must speak up about the popularity of knitting! It's everywhere. I open up my Doubleday club booklet and there's this book in there by Debbie Macomber called The Shop on Blossom Street. It's about four lives "knit together." I guess if you like Debbie and knitting you'll like this. Personally, I have never read anything of hers but if it's about knitting I probably will. Also, I took advantage of the Crafters Book Club offer to get some of my knitting books. They offer great deals on knitting books considering the ones I like all seem to be 35.00 to 40.00 CAD. Well that's it for today. GGK (gotta go knit).

Too Damn Hot To Knit Outside

As much as I looove knitting, it is way too hot out to knit. The temperature today is about 27 Celsius but there is a humidity factor that brings me down. I am not a "summer" person. I know it is politically incorrect to state this as a Canadian but I really dislike summer. I am a fall girl. My birthday is in the fall, I love sweaters, fireplaces, hot chocolate and walks in coloured, crinkly leaves. Then I like spring (real spring, not Toronto spring, where it is -2 C one day and 30+ with humidity the next), then winter, then summer. I can only knit inside where it is cooler, although I haven't turned the central air conditioning on yet as better half has not cleaned the furnace filters in a while.

In answer to Angela's questions, I love working with Bella and find it very cozy feeling, I am surprised it was not a good seller in your store. I purchased 5 balls for 8.00 at the Patons sale in February (yes hauled my butt up to Listowel with a Suburban full of blue haired ladies)speaking of which I have a hilarious story to tell about that trip. One of my older passengers, who shall remain nameless, is 87 years old. Sweet lady and verrry crafty (she's a hooker), anyhow, she's sitting in the back seat and traveling the 401 and I am driving in the passing lane trying to pass the middle guy. Anyway, this car comes zooming up behind me flashing his beams telling me I am not going fast enough for him and MOVE. So I pass the car, move back to the middle lane and tell my geriatric audience what just happened. Doesn't she pipe up and say, "You should have told me, I would have flipped him the bird for you." Gotta love it. Planning on going to the August Tent Sale up there, has anyone out there been to it? I hear it is good. They had quite a few brands other than their own when I was there in February.

Also, Angela asked about the afghan I am knitting on the tiny needles, and no, it is not a baby afghan but a leaf pattern from an afghan pattern book published in 1970 (did they have more time in the seventies?) This puppy is going to take me forever, but that's okay, I am enjoying it, and it is good for knitting in the summer as it is in panels and all cotton.

Well gotta go, daughter No.2 has soccer tonight and need to figure out some kind of dinner for the troops.

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

So new to this blog stuff, but love to talk and read about knitting/knitters so I thought what the heck there must be more loonies like me so here I am. Was just on the KNITOMATIC site and not much going on there so I guess I'll tell you all what I am doing. Have started a hoodie for daughter No. 2 in burgundy cotton, half finished a sweater in pink Mission Falls for daughter No. 3, quarter way through pink poncho in Patons Bella again for dn3 and still working on cream cotton afghan on 3.25mm needles which I cannot see finishing this decade.