Sunday, February 22, 2009

One week

It's been one week since you looked at me,
Dropped your arms to your sides and said, "I'm sorry."
-Barenaked Ladies, One Week

This has been one insane week. I'm still trying to keep this blog in my thoughts and update it. Some weeks are better than others. :)

I finished a Queen of Beads sock, but have to wait to start on the second one, as my second Spawn of Braun Leyburn is on the needles I need.


I absolutely adore the beautiful tubular cast on. It was nerve wracking at first though, because it looks like you're taking the waste yarn out of live stitches.

The finished Leyburn:



And up close:
It's 60 sts on the foot, increased to 62 for the heel, decreased to 60 for the leg. Used a short row heel, and Elizabeth Zimmermann's sewen bind off.

I'm also part way through Cookie A.'s Marlene pattern from the Fall/Winter Knit.1. I didn't notice before I started that it's rated as advanced. No wonder I had a few issues at the beginning.


If you haven't been to the Sock Summit website yet, GO. NOW. The list of teachers is up there and it's a list of who's who in the not just sock knitting, but knitting in general. Mr. Loopy and I have decided that I'm going no matter what. We'll find a way to get me there. It will be my first trip to the west coast - I've never even been to B.C. before.

My heart seriously skipped a beat when I read the list. The vast amount of intelligence, creativity and knowledge that will be there is phenomenal. And then the market place... wow. I can't even imagine how much it's going to blow my mind.

Halifax may be a city, and it's my city, but it's still a small, isolated city. Lovely in many ways, but not as diverse as any of the other major centres. Nor as open minded.

I can't think anymore with the Simpsons blaring in my ears, so back to Marlene I go.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Knitting Etiquette

I've been thinking about knitting etiquette for awhile now - basically since my Grandfather died. I knit him a few things, especially in later years, to show him I love him and to wrap him in love while he recovered from various ailments.

This was brought to light again when I saw someone was giving away two handknit sweaters on Freecycle. I didn't message her for them though - most people are pick up only and I don't want them that bad.

Here's my knitting etiquette for when knits are no longer being used:

Do you know the hand knitter? If you do, he or she should be offered their knits back first.

The knitter may know someone else who could use the items or may want them for their collection. You will get the knitter's gratitude, and possibly even more knits in the future, because you thought of the love and work that the knitter put into the item and wanted to send it to a good home.

Please tell the knitter when you offer his or her work back to them what your alternate plans for the items will be (hand-me-down in the family.) Personally, I would take an item back rather than have it go to goodwill. Some knitters will be happy to let it go to goodwill where it will warm someone who needs it. Either way, by showing consideration for the handknit item, your knitter will be touched, and you will likely get more handknits in the future.

This was a little bendy in November when my grandfather died. My mom brought my knits back to me, but Dad claimed Grandad's alpaca socks for himself before they even made it out of my Mom's suitcase. I was fine with that on one condition - that my father not felt the socks like he did the other two pairs I made for him. The alpaca scarf that came back to me, I regifted to my Uncle John, who is getting married to my Aunt Lori. She taught me how to knit.

I'm lucky to belong to a family where handknits are prized possessions.

Friday, February 13, 2009

You can take the girl out of the Maritimes...


... but you can't take the Maritimes out of the girl.

Two of my co-workers bought live lobster today from a fisherman who was selling them for $5 a pound in 10 and 20 pound lots. I'm apparently the only person in my office who's not afraid to touch them. I even stood one on its head and rubbed it between its eyes and put it to sleep.
It looks like they want hugs, doesn't it?

Sunday, February 8, 2009

25 Random Things About Me

1. I find it hard to sit still unless I'm falling asleep, knitting or reading something interesting.

2. I listen better when my hands are busy.

3. The best way to keep my hands busy and me (mostly) out of trouble is with knitting.

4. I make no promises about staying out of trouble when I am around other knitters and certain friends. ;)
5. My friends and family are my world. There are very few things I wouldn't do for them.
6. I could spend (and have spent!) hours and hours and hours in a yarn shop or a bookstore.

7. Some people find it amazing how long a couple of sticks and some string will keep me busy for.
8. I miss my parents like crazy.

9. There are close family friends that I still call Aunt and Uncle. They may not be family by blood, but they're family of the heart, which is just as important.

10. I hate pain.
11. I love teaching people how to do things.

12. I don't care for my current line of work, and am thinking about getting into soemthing else. Teaching seems to be calling me, although I think I'd want to work at a private, rather than a public school. Or doing corporate training and facilitation. I'd like to get my Myers-Briggs certification and teach workplace communication.

13. I try to buy local a lot. I'd rather pay a little more to support a local business, selling local products, than a large conglomerate selling stuff made in China that's going to fall apart in three months.

14. The large conglomerates definitely have a place in our world though - especially if you have kids who grow faster than weeds.

15. I'm trying to be more creative these days. I'm happier when I am.

16. I want to visit Greece, New Zealand/Australia and Iceland in the next 10 years. Greece before I'm 30 though.
17. I tend to be quiet and serious at work because my mouth filter is broken and I have a twisted sense of humour.

18. I'm a very touchy feely person - I love to give hugs and be hugged.

19. I try to go to the gym, not to lose weight, but so I'll have the energy to do the things I love more.

20. I try to take good care of my hands because I don't know what I'd do without them.21. I don't wear makeup, because I find it feels gross on my face.

22. I'd be happy if I could wear a hoodie, t-shirt, jeans, handknit socks, sneakers and my hair in two braids every day.
23. I like with chronic pain from TMJ. There are treatments that help me to manage it though. My weekends are usually spent catching the energy I need to get through the next week.

24. I dream of a farm with dogs, horses, alpacas, a few wool sheep (different from eating sheep), and some angora or cashmere goats. Barn kitties too. And a studio for me to dye yarn/wool and spin.

25. I find 99% of music made today manufactured and yucky. I only listen to the radio when I'm in someone's vehicle. I never turn it on by choice - I'd rather pop a CD in.

Look! Knitting!



Farmhouse Leyburns. I really, really love them. Yarn from Blue Moon.

Want more?



I love the way the heel worked out. So beautiful. More stuff to come. Probably tomorrow or Tuesday. :)

Friday, February 6, 2009

My exciting Friday night...

Well, I'm having issues with this whole "updating" thing. I'm trying though. This is better than the way out of date post from 2007. :)

Knitting has been happening a whole lot lately. Fixing my Cleopatra's Stockings (May 2008 installment from the Rockin Sock Club), finishing my Leyburns in STR (Socks that Rock) Farmhouse, and getting a few more inches put on my FIL's (Father in Law) work socks. I'm thinking of knitting another pair of Leyburns, and want to start experimenting with Cat Bordhi's Pathways book soon.

I'd post photos, except I can't get into flickr and blogger won't upload today for me. Figures eh?

And now, I'm off to doze on the couch, or knit.