A Secret Compartment

The funniest, most delightful thing happened to me last evening. I was working away on my Rose Sweater with the ever gorgeous Americo Cotton Flame (seriously, this stuff is too wonderful), when I discovered the secret compartment.

My most recent Secret Pal, Caroline from Montreal (What is your blog lovely lady?) sent me a final package months ago. I have been happily using one of her handmade stitch markers on Rose.

Note how cute it looks against the yummy yarn? Anyway... I reached into the box for a second marker and felt a lump in the tissue......

There was a second layer!!! Lying under all that wrapping, all those months, were these adorable earrings and bracelet! It's the secret smuggling compartment.

Caroline, I never thanked you for them because I did not know they were there. Hopefully, you still read my blog once in a while or check your SP email because I just love them and really want you to know about it. What a treat to find this hiding gift. I intend to wear the bracelet to the office tomorrow. I just can't get over this little bit of fun.

Well, Excuse Me

It happened again this morning. I'm sitting on the aisle seat on the streetcar, minding my business, when I get someone's bag hard upside my head.
"Sorry", she says.
Meanwhile, she is continuing on down the aisle, making no effort to move her bag to a less dangerous position, and hasn't actually looked at me.
Definitely not sorry. Why did you even bother to say it?

Here's the other one. It's sadly even more common.
"Excuse me".
One hears it all over Toronto these days. I hear it in the grocery aisle as I try to reach something while my arms are full. Suddenly someone's cart rear ends me.
"Excuse me".
On the bus, standing in the overcrowded hell of rush hour, someone barrels past saying it while he's pushing me out of the way.
At the TTC turnstile, I have been shoved face first into the glass by back pack toting commuters who can't wait for me to pay my fare and just have to jam that stupid ticket in the box and jump in front of me in line. But it's somehow OK because they say the two magic words?

Look it up in the dictionary.
Excuse - to disregard an offense or fault, to try to minimize blame.
Saying "Excuse me" is supposed to mean you're asking for forgiveness from the person whom you have just offended. No one here is acknowledging fault or asking pardon. When they say "Sorry", they really mean "Move. Get out of my way. I'm in a bigger hurry and my needs are more important than yours."
You are not being polite or well bred or whatever it is you tell yourself you are. Using a couple of words incorrectly does not make you any less of an A-hole.

My creepy looking new paper doll fiendishly agrees with me.

Knitalong Haul

There simply must be rules to every game! Mine during the TTC Knitalong were as follows:

• Buy one small thing at each store. The owners and staff went to some trouble to welcome us so the least I could do was support them with a bit of purchasing power.
• Only buy something I've either never seen before, or am fairly certain I can't get elsewhere.

Thus we have the gorgeous faux leather namaste Buddy case. I knew it was mine the moment I saw it at Village Yarns - with it's magnetized bottom and interior divider. The only problem was choosing the colour. I ended up electing for the tan because it rather reminds me of my late Grandpa's shaving kit.
Next, at The Yarn Boutique, I got On Your Toes bamboo sock yarn and two lovely buttons. Yes, technically, I've seen this yarn before but never in mauve. At The Knit Cafe, I chose some Peace Fleece hand painted needles because the company philosophy is extra groovy.
Then...Americo...ah...Americo. I've never purchased their stuff before. It's so darned pricey! However, it was my birthday and no one else was buying me any presents. So,
"Happy Birthday Me. Here are three skeins of cotton and cotton/linen blend for you. Enough to knit the pullover. You know, the store sample that looked so fabulous on you?"
"Why yes, I do remember that luscious, light creation. Thank you so much for the thoughtful gift."
"You're welcome".

I Don't Love It

At least I don't hate it anymore. After much blocking, it looks less frumpy on me than it did before.

What was supposed to be quick tank top turned into months of frustration. The front and back were knit in a flash but the finishing took forever. The

cast-off as written in the pattern looked like crap. Sorry Fiona but pick up and knit then bind off creates a rolled edge. Anyone who knows me can attest to rolled edges driving me to violent behaviour. I tried so many ways of getting the sucker to lay flat that of course, the whole neckline motif got destroyed and had to be re-knit. Finally, I managed a two row ribbed cast off that didn't detract from the leaf pattern in the centre.

Then the darn I-cord braid, while looking charming, is a beast to sew on without lumpy bumps as there are so many pieces and, consequently, so many ends to weave in a very small area.

To top it off, I just don't think it flatters me well. That's especially disappointing after all the work. The yarn is gorgeous too, and should be a in garment that I like more. Ah well, they can't all be winners.

Pattern: Leaf Tank by Fiona Ellis from the Spring/Summer 2008 Vogue.

Yarn: Ella Rae Silkience. Sadly it's discontinued

I Spit Joined On the Ossington Platform

The TTC Knitalong was a delight. I'm still weary from all the shopping, laughing, transit riding and talking. I've yet to unpack the big red bag of awesome that came home with me.

And yes, I really did spit join yarn while standing at Ossington station awaiting the 63 South bus.

A Day Off...Finally

...survival lies in sanity, and sanity lies in paying
attention.

Julia Cameron