Trying to Bloom.

So, I go shopping at my favourite second hand store for job interview clothes and find out he's closing. The city has spit him out. After a forced move by his previous landlord, his business is failing in the new location. So, he and his wife are moving to effing Hamilton where housing is half the price and they'll commute in for work.

I tried on 14 pairs of pants that were all too tight across the hips and miles too big in the waist because no one makes clothes for women with big asses.

I bought a beautiful long velvet coat which I will wear over my ugly old clothes so at least I'll feel attractive when I arrive at the interview. I really need to get a job soon so I can move out of my smelly, unhappy house.

When I arrived home just now, I cleaned from the front garden all the wet winter garbage that the melting snow had revealed. Beneath it were some tiny green branches. My phlox is trying to bloom. O, hurry up Spring!

Nice Photo Though

Behold! A hand rolled centre pull ball, done on a TP roll. It's so cute I think I'll name it.

Later that week:
Unfortunately, having knit with it a while, the centre pull doesn't pull so well anymore. I think I squashed it too much in the bag. Yet, I am not defeated. I shall try and try again another day!

Tis A Long Yarn Indeed

I was lucky enough to participate in the first Knitty Yarn Roundtable at Alterknit last summer, and another one last Wednesday at the Purple Purl. Very cool to have my little opinions counted in the creation of a feature in Knitty. I discovered a few things about my yarn preferences while knitting these funky swatches. For example, mercerized cotton (the green speckled one, centre top) looks very pretty, but I don't like working with it. My love of cotton blends however, was confirmed. The grey section at the top of the photo is a Nashua blend with linen. I love it. Everything the others at the table complained about - the crunchiness, the uneven stitches, the ropiness - are all qualities I adore. I'm just weird that way I guess. This stuff would make a great tunic.

One thing I missed from my first Roundtable to my next, was the question "What does this yarn want to be?" on the form. This little phrase sparked much inventiveness and hilarity last summer. "A tractor cozy", Lisa replied about a wool she particularly disliked. Priceless.

I do like the look of my wee swatches in the late evening sun here. So warm and inviting. Contrast that picture with this:

Barren n'est pas? It's one of the views from the Go Train on the way to visit my parents on freakin' Easter Sunday people! I believe this is somewhere before Oakville. In many ways, Southern Ontario can be disappointing.

For a delightful blend of cool and hot, there's Dr. David Suzuki. Don't you just love this ad campaign?

Book Review

I went to the launch of Robin Melanson's Knitting New Mittens & Gloves at In The Loop Cafe last Wednesday. It was a delightful gathering with live Celtic music and much trying-on of the beautiful samples. I actually had a peek at the book about a month ago when Robin brought a copy into the cafe but decided to hold off buying until the party so as to be all official-like. And I got my copy signed by the designer! Tres cool.

It's, quite simply, a beautiful book. There are twenty-eight designs, at least half of which I want to marry. Robin turns mittens, gloves and hand warmers into creations to be fancied and adored. Discussing the book with Christina of The Loop, we decided that the best description of it, is scholarly knitting. Robin has combined creativity and inventiveness with a deep respect for technique and knitting lore. In her own words, the designs are "unusual but not outlandish". I know I will be a better knitter after tackling some of these.

Her use of Celtic language is not out of place. How delightful that a pair of beaded sea silk hand warmers are named after Rusalka, a Slavic water dwelling fairy.

The book itself is a nice size for portability. The photography is gorgeous. My one main criticism, no fault of the designer I'm sure, is the typeface. It is far too small. When I lay the book on the table, I cannot read the print, making knitting directly from the text impossible. Enlarged photocopies will be necessary - a small inconvenience for such a wonderful collection which will live in my knitting library for years to come.

Sunshine

At last, there was sun today, though it was still so very cold. I'm tired of winter, dragged down by chill and gloom. Today was day 11 of a twelve day work marathon. On three of those days I worked one job in the morning and a second in the evening. Come Tuesday I get to rest.
For cheer, and the memory of summer, here is an FO garden shot from last year. Sweet basil, sunshine and yarn...aahhh.

Tagged

Ayumi tagged me for a meme. Well, there's no knitting so, why not?
The Rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

• I play with my hair a lot - twirl it around my finger. I know I'm doing this and make no attempt to break the habit. I like the way it feels.
• I don't eat squash. Yuck. It's revolting.
• I love to exercise, especially to work with light weights, but I hate doing it when anyone is watching.
• I appreciate lipstick more and more each day.
• I tear up when I yawn.
• My favourite chip flavour is salt and vinegar.

I tag Michelle, Marin, Koko, Susan, Kelly and Angie>