And A Hat

So The Daughter saw a sample in the yarn store and declared "Make this for me for Christmas! I promise to act surprised when I open it".

It's The Antler Hat and the yarn is a delicious worsted by Lichen and Lace. 

The clouds and the cat worked together to ensure a photography fail.

A Sock for Now

I am still editing my London trip photos. I know that other people's vacation shots can be dull so I promise to to keep the album brief.

In the meantime, let's enjoy some knitting shall we? My knitting and (knit blogging) has slowed considerably but has not altogether stopped. I finished a Christmas gift hat the other day and the body of my latest cardi is done as well. 

There's also a sock. Isn't there always a sock on the go? Once again I find myself knitting a pattern by Evelyn A. Clark. This one is Go With the Flow Socks. It's an easily memorized stitch that produces a simple yet elegant looking fabric.

The yarn is "Sassy" by Mt. Rutsen Studio and this is the single skein I purchased on my trip to Rhinebeck in 2014. It's a BFL/nylon blend and it feels like a knitted hug. I'm enjoying so much working with it. The colour is perfect for winter.

Nice photos right? I took them on Friday at a local pub after calming down fron a big panic attack. My anxiety and panic disorder has lessened considerably as I've aged but it still pops up now and again. So when I found myself standing on the sidewalk, numb and hyper-ventilating I knew i needed a quiet place. I went into the warm pub, ordered a sandwich and then knit and knit until I felt better.
See? Always good to have a sock on the go.

London: The Yarn

On vacation, as with everything else, sometimes you have to be flexible. There were midweek plans consisting of taking the tube to Camden Passage for shopping at Loop of London in the morning. Then a second tube trip was meant to do some sight seeing further north. Unfortunately the morning involved lots of tea and me ill in bed with killer cramps well past noon. After rallying, plans were amended. We headed to Camden where yes, I did see the lovely Loop, as well as various vintage shops and stalls. I bought a costume jewellry brooch from the 50's and a pretty skirt from the 70's. We even managed to fit in an actual pub meal - ale, steak and mushroom pie, and mashed potatoes that were more butter than potato. Mmmm.

It was a shortened day but a nice one. We spent the evening watching tv in our suite. I'm glad that we didn't force ourselves into a strict schedule. Sometimes it's about the company as much as the content. 

The window next to the cash at Loop. The garland and the greenery with the white window framework was one of the prettiest sights of the day.

I wish I had gotten a better photo of these scarves. They are teeny tiny crocheted granny squares done in silk that's only slightly heavier than thread. So beautiful. Elegant crochet? Who knew?

One can't go to the UK without buying Shetland wool. At least I think so. I want to make some sort of shawlette with this Jamieson's DK. The skirt I was wearing that day has this palette and I was just feeling the combination. I'm thinking triangular with striped garter in 2 or 3 of the colours and a complicated border that incorporates them all.

London; The Windows

We spent a whole day shopping the high end shoppes of London. We got off at Piccadilly Circus and from there it was round and about (in no particular order) Regent Street, Sloane Street, Piccadilly, New Bond, Old Bond and Jermyn. I was strangely underwhelmed by Liberty of London, but absolutely delighted with Fortnum and Masons. My partner shopped shirts and ties at the beautiful and elegant Harvie and Hudson but ended up purchasing at the more affordable Thomas Pink. Watches are his passion so we stopped into boutiques where burly but polite guards have to open the door to admit you. I tried on a 1500 pound coat at Dak's made with Jamieson's of Shetland wool. The Holiday lights were just coming on at 5pm when we, exhausted, stummbled back to Green Park station and on to our hotel for dinner.

Channeling Georgia O'Keefe here, don't you agree?

English bears wearing knits at Ralph Lauren.

LOVE this! Max Mara homages the best of the 70's

Dak's. Wool dress, silver shoes.

Watches watching the time at Cinderella's ball.

One of the many holiday windows at Fortnum and Mason's. 
The store was packed with people filling their carts full of biscuits, tea, coffee, fruitcake and Christmas chocolates.  I'm sure much of it was meant for mailing to relatives around the world.
 I purchased tea and shortbread here for The Daughter.

Sweet November

It's been a diverse and busy November here. I continued to struggle for workers' rights and equal pay and I also took a posh trip - to England! The irony of this does not escape me. However, that may be a discussion for another day. 

I'm in the process of sorting through the 200+ photos I took in London. I think maybe only thirty or so are any good and of those I shall choose the best to create a holiday photo post here in the coming days.

A Bill Passes and I Was There

Usually, I keep politics out of my blog. Today, however, I can't. Here are the details of the labour law reforms that passed today in Ontario. 
And here is my Facebook post about my happy reaction to watching this unfold:

"I am reflecting this evening on the experience of sitting in the Legislature today watching Bill 148 pass final reading. 
Three years ago, I called Workers' Action Centre for help with a labour dispute. I was welcomed into this crazy group and my life changed. Other than helping to raise an amazing human and citizen, the small contribution I've made to WAC and the Fight for $15 and Fairness, is my proudest achievement. This diverse group of hard working, inclusive, and ever-so-attractive individuals has been tirelessly organizing in the province for years - phoning, visiting MPPs, flyering, postering, handing out buttons, writing letters, marching, making speeches, educating, protesting, talking to anyone who will listen, and relentlessly s**t disturbing - to make life better for 1.6 million Ontarians. Tonight, I am happy and grateful.
It's not over yet. From here we push for enforcement and strengthening of existing laws . We must make sure government knows we are still paying attention. Tonight though, we celebrate a little."