Quick and Easy Mittens

Last night I finished these mitts for The Daughter. The cuffs are knit with SWTC Karaoke, leftover from a scarf. The hands are Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky, a fabulour basic winter yarn.

This was my first pair of mittens. They were easy as pie to knit on the two needles as written in the pattern, but I think I'd like to try them in the round next time. The side seam looks and feels a bit awkward.

The Paton's leaflet from which this pattern comes, has proven to be an old friend. I picked it up a few years ago and have used it many times since. The berets I'm always knitting (three of them now) come from this book.

Random Update

I survived Grey Cup week. Who knew Rider fans wore watermelon rinds on their heads?

I've picked up the last bobble for my Christmas Around the World swap. I just need to pack it all and send it. What fun. I love parcels.

I'm sick of rain. Gray, gray skies and rain, rain, rain. Blah.

I'm knitting mittens for the first time. Photos hopefully will follow.

Memories of Alterknit

• Being surprised on Mother's Day by my wonderful daughter with a knitterly brunch.
• The equally yummy brunch and madcap silliness of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.
• The dozens of foamy lattes I've consumed there, each one as delicious as the last.
• The pretty dishes.
• Writing letters to a beloved one winter afternoon, corner table, crying away and not caring because I felt so at home.
• The objects finished among friends.
• Holding 5 week old Vivianna for an hour while Mom Alessandra knitted and chatted.
• The roominess of the space and the gorgeous natural light.
• The chance to meet other knitter mom's and exchange stories, worries, laughter.

Terri, thank you, thank you for the wonderful year. How sorry we all are to lose our home away from home. Circumstances were beyond your control and you fought for your dream as long as you could. We're so proud of you.

Holiday Shopping Opportunity

I'm definitely checking this out. Would anybody else like to come along?

One Sock

Seriously! This pattern with this yarn? When I'm right, I'm right.

The Yarn Bus

Yesterday I went with the Downtown Knit Collective on their second annual bus trip. We travelled North toward Owen Sound through beautiful, sunny Ontario autumn.

The first stop was Shelridge Farms - described as Sheep Farm and Yarn Mill on the flyer. I was met with disappointment as the family has recently sold all their sheep and we never saw the mill. I was so hoping to observe the workings of yarn production but the emphasis here was on the shopping. Lovely yarn though.

After lunch we headed over to Koigu. This was the more satisfying leg of the trip. There was still shopping (bargains!) for those so inclined but there was also tons of cool stuff to observe. Richard the dye guy showed me around the dying kettles and ovens. Then I watched hanks being made from enormous industrial swifts. Far out.

Best of all? Behind the shop and up the hill? These curly creatures who were endlessly entertaining as well as photogenic. They're the original Koigu flock. They now use merino from Europe for their dying but still keep the flock. Happy sheep!

Ah, The Yarnography

Like a drunk coming off a lost weekend, I've awoken from a two week mood slump to find, not a hangover and a strange bed fellow, but...yarn. Without realizing it, I seem to have purchased a great deal of it lately.

Here we have hand dyed tencel/silk purchased on Ebay several weeks ago. It arrived yesterday. The description said lace-weight but it's actually more like thread. I don't know what I'll be able to manage with it, but it certainly is beautiful to gaze upon.

Also from Ebay, some banana silk. I've always wanted to try it and it was such a great value. I bought sari silk from the same seller a couple of years ago.

Here is lovely, lovely Dale Svale. I've been lusting to try this cotton/viscose/silk blend since I first fondled it years ago. Now Knitomatic has it on sale so I grabbed eight skeins of this fetching musky grape tone.

This last acquisition is thanks to Kelly - a gift from Rhinebeck. Thank you!!!!! What an original colour blend in this merino sock yarn from Ancient Threads Farm in New York. I heard a rumour that Alterknit will soon be carrying some of their stuff.

Went To The Fair

Yesterday was the annual visit to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. We made many new friends including this girl who was convinced she was a household pet and wanted to come home with us. It is dairy goat weekend. The sheep arrive later this week.Yarniness was represented by these two alpacas and one llama who wouldn't stand still for a photo.
I bought no yarn as I still have some natural llama, like the skeins below, left from last year. I did fall in love with some black alpaca yarn, but it was for display only. Sniff.
However, what's the Royal without some shopping? Just look at all the beautiful food products available from Ontario. There's wine from Muskoka, wild rice from Keewatin and jam from Parry Sound. In the fridge is a lovely goat cheese and a piece of Georgian Bay smoked fish. I feel a bit like the guy in the commercial;
"Good things grow-ow-ow...in Ontario."

Really?

Lovely pic and all but I do find the text explanation a tad difficult to swallow.

Which mythological creature is most like you? (with pics!) created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Unicorn You are one of the most beautiful things alive. you bring joy, yet you are strong and underestimated.

When There's No Knitting...

Post the Cat!

Francois