End of the year

Well, today is the day-my A. is finishing up Grade 2. I think she has mixed feelings about it-on one hand, she is excited about the holidays. On the other hand, she will miss her friends. Since we don't live in the school cachement area, she doesn't live near her classmates. Soooo- drive drive drive is the way we live. Oh well.
I DID get one present made-the one for one of my educational aides (SSSHHHH- I am almost afraid to say I had two full time aides this year in my classroom-it is basically unheard of-but that was the nature of my class). It is a scarf out of Patagonia cotton-a hand dyed, thick and thin confection. I would LOVE a whole sweater made out of this stuff, let me tell you.

And, just because I am amazed at what my husband can do-this is a pic of his class project (he teaches tech. at a high school)

That's right-high school, NOT college. Cool, eh?

Pinwheel go round and round

Okay- the sleeves are now in the jacket. Since I am of a more generous size, let's just say, I added more rows before the armholes. I just went round and round until I had 35 stitches between increases and crossed my fingers it would be right. You see, the thing is, when I measure from arm hole to armhole across my back, I get a very similar measurement to the pattern. However, if I measure from the centre of my back to the centre of my chest, I need more fabric. So- I counted on say, 4 inches of ease across the back, the armholes will be correspondingly bigger, and then I need to add the same amount on the front. I suppose I could add even more on the front-but it will also be longer (as the piece is actually a full circle). The provisional cast on is slick and easy (once one can visualize it), and the fabric lays flat (not wavy)
. The picture shows the armhole as it sits now.

Monday Morning.......

These are pics of a purse I made (2 years ago, as a matter of fact) from some Rowan denim and some un-named off white cotton. I used some old OLD jeans to trim it, some hemp cord as the handle, and lined it with some cotton. It went to a niece. (and I have written down the pattern somewhere, but there is no place to find it at this time) Brings up the question- there are tons of purse patterns out there- the felted ones, the knit ones, the crochet ones-as well as fabric ones (my younger sister makes fabulous purses)-Is there a trend to make and actually USE these purses? I see people making them all over the blogs- but are they USING them? Or do they still look too "home- made-y" (yes, made up a word). I like things to look polished, professional, and some of those purses just do not. If you go and check out http://www.youknitwhat.blogspot.com/ you will see all kinds of things that probably looked great in a designer's mind, but, Holy Cow- not great in reality. I like this little purse I made, would probably have used it if it hadn't been a gift. But tell me, all 3 or 4 readers of this blog- do you use the purses you have made? I am currently involved in a sock kit swap, and I certainly hope the person getting the kit I have put together likes the bag I have made. It was originally a purse pattern, but it looked more like a knitting bag to me. I just hope she likes it enough to use it.

Sand dollars and little girls and what to do with a sleeve

Remember when you were a kid and finding a sand dollar on the beach meant magical things? My daughter had never found one, but had read about them and thought they were just the coolest things around. Enter a good friend of mine- she heard about A's love of seashells and sand dollars and such- so she gave A not one but TWO sand dollars. A. slipped them into bed with her last night (she is 8, remember) and, disaster struck! This morning, one of her lovely treasures was in pieces. And, of course, her heart was broken. Luckily, one of the sand dollars is whole. But the poor little kid.

I have been working like mad on my Secret Pal Sock Kit Swap. The bag is, oh, about 75% completed. I am quite pleased with it. The sock yarn is on order. I have some ideas for other things to put in the bag-any suggestions for things you have gotten (or given) that worked out really well?

I am also working away on my blue sweater. I tried the pink Ottawa for the sleeves. Unh-unh. No go. Looks like the circus stopped for a visit and they lost a clown. Sooooooo-ebay to the rescue. Found the same colour of Silk Stream, on a "Buy It Now"- good enough! So the sleeves will be blue. Now I have to decide whether they will be plain knit or modular diamonds. I am leaning toward the plain, but we'll see.

Tonight is my staff party. As well, the boss is retiring, so it doubles as a retirement party. I was asked to paint a picture (watercolour) of the school as one of his gifts. So- that is done-out to be framed-looking forward to seeing what he says about it.

Have a good weekend!

Cardboard Boats

My husband is a tech teacher, and today, one of his classes (Grade 10, maybe?) will be launching these boats they have made out of cardboard, into the Napanee River. I hope to bring pics back with me. Stay tuned.........................

The knee problem has been solved!

For those of you who know me, I have had knee problems for years. So- last March-I had a total knee replacement. I am young to have one, but, as the doctor said, "You got yourself 90 year old knees." Initially, I had some trouble, then it was doing really well. Up until about two weeks ago. First they thought I had blown a clot. That was negative. Then what? Finally, the knee was drained a cortisone shot was administered-today, it doesn't feel half bad. Aparently, doc felt this was a bleed into the joint, caused by....exercise. Because I was doing well, the physio, as trained, increased the load and the reps on my knee exercises (I don't blame her- she was doing the right thing) Unfortunately, the knee could not take it. So- back to slow down, take it easy, keep it up, ice it, walk with the cane again.
Blah. Blah. Triple blah.
So...I will leave you with a picture of my knitting buddy, my market boy(went to the open air market yesterday), my constant companion, on this first day of summer.

Sock Kit swap

This is so so cool. I signed up for this sock kit swap(see the questionnaire from the weekend)- you have to make a special bag, and then you fill it up with yarn and pattern and treats and whatever! The person who is giving to me has contacted me and sounds very nice. I have emailed my person, and ditto on the very nice. But I can't believe how excited I am!!!!!! It's like Christmas in July! (or June, depending on whether or not everything happens this month). Now- the person giving to me reads this blog- let's see if I can enlighten her a bit about me........
Hmmmmmmmm. Heavily into modular knitting lately. Design my own patterns mostly. Love dogs and kids and monkeys. I LOVE white chocolate (can't eat the brown kind- I should have specified when I said I can't eat chocolate). When I was in Belgium (my one and only trip to Europe in 1991- I was teaching, actually, and den mother to 80 Grade 12 and OAC kids from Canada)-I fell in love with these truffles- they were soft and creamy white chocolate on the inside, and rich white chocolate or crushed pistachios on the outside. (OOps- just have to wipe some drool off the monitor here). Hmmmm-what else? Well- anyone who knows me- leave something in the comments that my secret pal can use, okay? Thanks!

this can't be right

You Are Mystique

Sneaky and duplicitous, you're likely to use your powers for evil. You're eternally young looking, people don't realize how old you really are! Powers: Shapeshifting - you can impersonate other people or become a monster

Which of the X-Men Are You?

I'm just not that sexy

Sock Kit Swap Questionnaire

Questionnaire for Knit Sock Kit Swap:
What are your favorite colors? Almost any thing with the exception of beige and cream.(Translation- I do like me some colour!)
Are you a new sock knitter? No
How long have you been knitting socks?Over 10 years
Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn?Multi-colored (of course!)
What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn? Wool, silk- but please! no acrylic (yucky sweaty feet in acrylic), have found that I don't like hand knit cotton socks much
Where do you usually knit socks? Wherever is appropriate- in the car (as a passenger, of course), in front of the tube, while proctoring exams at school (I am a teacher), wherever!
How do you usually carry/store small projects? funky bags that I can wear across my body or hang on one shoulder
What are your favorite sock knitting patterns? Top down .
What are your favorite sock knitting techniques?Pretty well open to anything- from the sublime to the ridiculous
What new techniques would you like to try? Those afterthought heels
Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting? DPNs, unless I am using my special very short, size 2.5mm Addi circular (but I have to do the toes on dpns)
What are some of your favorite yarns? I love unique, one of a kind yarns from small businesses. Otherwise, Koigu, Lorna's Laces, Fleece Artist, Apple Laine
What yarn do you totally covet? Art Yarns (borrowed that from ZeNeedle)
Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? Money and time are to be considered???????
Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? My little Addi circs, or metal dpns
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Probably be wildly coloured, but may have a whole bunch of knots and snarls in it (but be unexpectedly soft)
Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? I cannot eat chocolate, but most other things work for me-sweet or salty
What’s your favorite animal? Dogs and monkeys
Do you have pets? Yes
What are their species/names/ages?Mr. Boufu Butterscotch is a schnoodle (part schnauzer, part poodle) and he is 11
If you were a color what color would you be? Pink- the colour of my neck during my early menopause!!!!!!! (Now that sounds like too much information!)
Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s). It is a shirt of my husband's- fine Egyptian cotton, cream and blue stripes, very very long, I have to roll the sleeves up when I wear it, button down collar, extra buttons in the cuff (mother of pearl buttons)
What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? Wild water, calm water, deep water, trickling water, thunderstorms, early spring rains
Tell me the best quote you've ever heard or read. If you can't say something nice, shhh say nothing.
Do you have a wishlist?No.

Any other questions you need answered, secret pal- just ask!

so far......

These are the two colourways I have together. They are both Fleece Artist (love that stuff). The blue is Silk Stream (half silk half wool) in Mermaid, and the other is Ottawa (wool with just a bit of viscose) in Dragonfly. The colours are similar-just in different proportions. So they work. Right? They do. I think.
I am a little further ahead now-the shawl collar is done, and everything is edged in the blue. Now for the sleeves. I have a ton of Ottawa left-not much of the Silk Stream-so the sleeves will be pinky by default. I just hope this doesn't look like a clown suit when I am done. I am thinking of doing little triangles in blue around the cuff(oh- I forgot- I also have little diamonds in the pink at the junction of the blue diamonds at the bottom hem-they are about half the size of the blue ones). Any suggestions? Oh- before I forget- please wear sunscreen if you are anywhere near here- the UV index is 9 or very high. Holy cow!

Edit- I forgot to add- for those who know me-I have been in and out of the hospital this week- doc thought I have a blood clot (I had a total knee replacement done in March). The emerg doctor was someone I knew- he said he was willing to bet $$ that it was a clot, and was surprised when none was found. He also said my knee looks weird. Must be some new doctor talk. I have to keep it elevated until I see my surgeon.

Do you think this is way bigger than the vision of Virgin Mary on a piece of toast

This morning, Bouf (the resident fur boy) (he doesn't like to admit it, but he is a D-O-G) left me this little reminder of silly in his food dish this morning..........

Now turn your head sideways (this is an interactive kind of thing here) and can you see the resemblance?

He's such a happy guy, that pooch of mine.

(And no- I did not manipulate the kibble in any way)

Knitalongs and buggy mitts

So it's a go- I am now part of a knitalong- the pinwheel sweater one, hosted by Anny Purls. I have no idea how to get the buttons and make the columns and anything else like that (I operate on a need to know basis- if I didn't need to know something- out it goes) Anyone out there can help me? Let me know in the comments and I will get back to you-
Now- the bug mitts- to die for? from the Morehouse book. AND a free pattern- go and see- you know you wanna- http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/pottercraftnews/jun06/index.html
Gotta go and help my pooch- the thunder just started, and he is on his way to panic mode.........
Edit- crisis averted- the dog is fine- only one clap of thunder. My physio wants me to take it very easy- no exercises at all this week, minimal everything. Blah. I'm getting bored.

This is a knee post. For those of you who do not know me-I have had knee problems for years. I have had many many knee surgeries. And, last March 24th (my mom's birthday in fact) I had a total knee replacement. Yeah, I know-everyone celebrates their mother's birthday in different ways. Anyhow, for the last week or so, the knee (which had been doing fairly well, I thought) went for a bit of a dump. Hurts. Stiff. Swollen(foot and leg, too). I had an "assessment" at the physio therapist's yesterday- and she felt I needed a couple of days of "going really really easy" on the leg. Using my cane all the time. Resting it. Dialing back on my exercises. And she'll see me on Monday. So- that means sitting around when there is all kinds of stuff to do. And tidy. And fix. And garden. Bleh. Double bleh. I might post again this weekend. Stay tuned for a truly boring post. Like this one.
Colour me bummed.

And this is why I get up every morning.......A couple of weekends ago, we went to a family wedding and this is what my husband and daughter looked like all duded up. Doncha just LOVE the shades??????? I just realized my daughter has a little of that "off the shoulder" action going on with her dress (a dress, by the way HAND MADE and HAND SMOCKED by my sister) (way cool).
On to knitting news-I am still waiting for the arrival of an ebay purchase-so that I will know, if the new yarn is NOT a match (it has the same colours, but in very different proportions) then I will know how to finish this puppy up. The seller is a friend of mine-she sells under the name musthaveyarn. Go over to ebay and see what treasures she has up for sale- but no over bidding on my stuff-ya hear????? I'm serious now- don't do it!

This is what is taking up all my time these days-it will be a rather loose jacket, made up of diamonds, and with contrasting lapels and cuffs (and perhaps smaller contrasting diamonds in the edging).

But this is the progress so far.......out on my sunny back deck.....on my Muskoka chair......overlooking my garden.....(okay- that could be why there is limited progress)

And I am having trouble with my internet connection-more later (if I can!)

It is now done!!!!! "It" being something quite interesting for the new book by Amy and Jillian (the one that is made up of designs that do not use wool). It was a really fun project- mostly because of the choice of yarn-this absolutely decadent silk!!!!!! I can hardly wait to see the book!!!!!!!!
Now- on to other things- this time for me. I am in the process of knitting a jacket for myself- out of Fleece Artist yarns. It is modular-with lapels/fronts knit out a different yarn. I think it is going to be something quite interesting- I will try to get pics when it looks more like what I have in my head!!!!!
To end- and to borrow from a blogging friend-(http://www.curiousgeorgeknits.typepad.com/my_weblog/)-
I really like...............................
-watching my little girl sleep
-feeling Fleece Artist yarns (and Handmaiden yarns)
-homemade blueberry pancakes
-on the topic of food-turkey dinner with all the trimmings (my mom always makes me that for my birthday-with graham cracker crumb cake with raspberry jam filling and seafoam icing) oh my!
-dappled light and shade in the woods
-swimming
-snuggling in bed with a really good book (okay- and a warm husband!!!!!!!!)
-my wedding ring (it is a design called "Water Ring", handcrafted in gold by Kim Snyder-because water, like love, should have no beginning and no end, as in a full circle)
-hand knit socks
-just about anything my dog, Boufie, does when he comes in from the rain

Catch you tomorrow!

I have a copy of the Starburst sweater pattern from Knitpicks, and every time I look at it, I start itching to make it. I have some beautiful Rowan Wool Cotton in a mahogany red colour-it would make a great sweater to wear teaching. I can see it with pants, a dress, a skirt-very cute. Has anybody made it? Any comments about it?

On to other news- the sweater that I knit for Big Girl Knits is now at Wool Tyme, in Kingston. The owner, Anne, is featuring the book, and showing my sweater at the same time. It is sort of cool. Speaking of cool- did anyone see the winningpattern in the elann contest? It is a "sleeves in the pi" type of design-striped-out of aran weight. AND- knit and designed by a Canadian- the "Fun Knits" lady. Way to go!!!!!!!