Guess what arrived in the mail today??



I used the Amazon gift certificate from my SP to purchase. And my SP kindly pointed out the book corrections. This is such a beautiful book. Thanks SP!!

Now.. to decide what to make first... I LOVE the leg warmers. I think the man's ribbed sweater would be perfect for Patrick. He's told me not to knit him anything, but he gets really curious when I'm making things... I think he secretly wants a beautiful handknit! Hmmmmm decisions, decisions!!

Another FO!

It's a rib and cable hat in Cascade 220 Tweed that I purchased on ebay over a year ago. I love the flecks of color! The pattern is a modification of the Man hat from this site. Here's a close up of the detail:



And a really bad picture of me:


I can't decide if it needs a pom pom or not. I've made a pair of wrist warmers to match, using the Voodoo pattern on knitty. I'll post pictures of those later. I still have the majority of a skein left, so I'm experimenting with a ribbed scarf. Hopefully I'll have enough!

I forgot how much I like knitting with 220. I still have two skeins of solid light blue - that I might have to dig into. I also really like the green colors in the Tweed. Maybe another hat??

In other knitting news, I've finished my first Confetti sock. It's mate might not arrive for a while. I'm not crazy about the colors and I want to dig into my Fleece Artist!

It's an absolutely beautiful day out today! We're going for a bike ride later - yes, a bike ride in Toronto in January - it's that nice out!

I just signed up for Alison's sockapaloooza sock exchange. Woo hoo!



I will have 3 months to knit, so I should be able to complete a decent pair of socks by that time.

Hopefully I can find time to knit up my Fleece Artist socks. Any suggestions on patterns?? I really like Jaywalker, but it might be a little too advanced for me right now.

OH NO!!

I think I'm in trouble now! I didn't find anything at Romni, so I decided to check out Lettuce Knit. What a great store - they have a fantastic selection of beautiful, high-end yarn. I've never Lorna's Laces up close and in person before today - now I think I'm ruined! I did make a purchase:



It's from a Canadian company called Fleece Artist. I love the colorway - I call it 'Watermelon Yum'. It looks like the mate for sock pair number two will have to wait! Here's a close up:

Sock pair number two is well underway! I'm almost down to the toe decreases on the first sock:



It's been a pretty busy week, but I have managed to get in some knitting time. I'm currently taking 3 University level courses in addition to working full time and trying to stay in decent shape. Somehow I also manage to spend a good amount of time with Patrick - although he's quite busy as well with the upcoming election (he works in the media). I also had a big presentation this week - this was the largest group I've ever presented to (roughly 150) and included our CEO, the senior management team and all our provincial office staff. Nerve wracking, but I did get lots of compliments after.

This sock is not quite as nice as the first pair I made, but still not bad. You can't really see here, but the join at my heel flap is a little loose. I'm not really too sure what I did wrong. I did take out a sock book from the library, so I'm starting to understand the construction of socks a little better.



This pair is made from DGB Confetti. I purchased it for half price (roughly $2.25 CDN per ball) from my LYS when it was closing. I love the color when it's in 'ball of yarn' shape - I'm not really crazy about it knitted up though. It certainly feels a little softer and not as itchy as the Paton's Kroy, but I'm not sure that I would use either brand again. I'm off to Romni today, so I might go exploring in the sock section.....



I knit most of the foot on Friday night. Patrick hosted a poker game, and yes, instead of playing poker, I sat at the table and knit!! Bird (yes, my dog's name is Bird) seems to approve! And if you look closely, you'll see a hint of sock pair number one on the left side of the photo:


It's true - I do wear my knit socks every day!

Finally! A couple of pictures..

This is my very first pair of socks...




...and I must say that I'm very pleased with them. I wear them almost every day - more as slippers than as socks. They are almost identical twins. I used Paton's Kroy and a free Paton's pattern. It took me a while to get the hang of using DPNs. I still get a bit of a loose stitch when I change needles, but I'm getting better. I've started a second pair of socks and just bought some scheepjes invicta extra in black and red - it feels soooo much softer than the Kroy.

I've been considering the Lace Leaf Pullover for my next bigger project. It looks so warm and cozy - perfect for the sudden dose of winter we've finally received. Canada has such a wild climate! It was close to 10 degrees on Friday - then Saturday the temperature when well into the negatives! I'm so glad I have my nice warm socks!! :-)

I've also been looking at the Bobbi Bear and the Baby Bobbi Bear pattern - sooooo cute!! My two best friends are pregnant... again, and I think he would make a fantastic keepsake.

Wow!!

It's only the first official day of Secret Pal 7.... and my secret pal ROCKS!! I just received an Amazon gift certificate that will be put to very good use.

Thanks so much SP!!

Secret Pal 7 Questionnaire

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I'm a bit of a yarn snob - I usually opt for higher quality fibers, particularly when giving a knitted item as a gift. That being said, I do occasionally use craft-store brands.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
No

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I'm ashamed to answer - a plastic bag!

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for about 3 years. I' an advanced beginner, but often select simple patterns

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes! My Chapter's wish list....

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Vanilla or coffee scents. I don't like anything too 'chemically'.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
YES!!! Chocolate all the way, baybe!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I do a bit of sewing. I've made a quilt, but it took me THREE years!

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I'm not really that into music and I don't really have a favorite band. I don't think my computer plays MP3s.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I really like blues and purples. Pinks are really fun, but don't look that great on me. I'm not really a fan of red.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with a room mate and have part time custody of a 3 year old Boston Terrier (often called Schmoodle). My boyfriend Patrick (also called Schmoodle) lives around the corner.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, yes, yes and occasional.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I've been working with Baby Cashmerino lately and its quite nice!

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Itchy fibres!

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Starting to become obsessed with SOCKS!

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Hmmmm..... socks are fun!

17. What are you knitting right now?
A baby sweater for a friend.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes! I LOVE handmade gifts! I love to see people's creativity.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circs.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo with most fibres.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No and no.

22. How did you learn to knit?
I bought some needles and yarn from Wal-Mart and started playing around. I ended up with an obscure piece of work that was far too short and fat to be a scarf and far too small to be a blanket. My dog uses it in her bed.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
About 3 years.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I'm a fan of the Simpsons and Family Guy. Brian and Stewie both crack me up!

25. What is your favorite holiday?I would have to say Christmas. Our entire family (my mom is one of 10 kids) gets together to celebrate every year. It gets a little crazy, but its how I always think of Christmas!

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Just yarn!

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I would like a sock book, but haven't really picked one out yet.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! I wear a women's size 8.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
April 26

Happy New Year!

Patrick and I had a fantastic Christmas/New Years. We went our separate ways on December 23 – Patrick to Montreal and me to Orillia – to celebrate Christmas day with our families. [My mom came to pick me up, so I was able to finish most of my first sock in the car on the way home.] I’m not quite ready to give up my huge family Christmas day celebration and Patrick’s mom is home from Qatar for just over 2 weeks so he really needed to spend Christmas with his family.

My immediate family celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve as my sister had to work on Christmas day. Some of my aunts, uncles and cousins came over for dinner and to play a bit of poker – yes, nothing says Christmas like walking away with some cash won from your family!

Christmas day was nice. My aunt Deb stayed over night and was so excited to wake up with us on Christmas morning. Our larger family Christmas started in the afternoon – my cousin and his wife hosted. [I had a chance to start my second sock in the morning.] This was the first time that someone from our generation has hosted a larger family event (my mom is one of 10 kids!)

Boxing day was spent in the car travelling to Montreal. When I arrived, we opened gifts and had a very nice salmon dinner. Patrick gave me an absolutely beautiful pair of diamond earrings – pictures will follow. And then we went shopping… oh North Face jacket (ON SALE!), how I love thee!

We met up with some of Patrick’s university friends. I never know how events like this will go as Patrick and his ex have a number of mutual friends, (she and Patrick are still friends as well) which makes me very nervous.

December 29 was another day of driving as we headed back to Orillia so Patrick could visit with my family. My sister and Ivan came over for dinner (chicken this time!).

New Years Eve was quite nice – Patrick, his roommate and I hosted a dinner party for 13. Our friend Miro made a rotisserie TURKEY (it was FANTASTIC) and I broke out the chocolate foundation and about $50 of Lindt chocolate – it was incredible and very much the hit of the party! I'm not sure why this photo is so grainy, but here we are:

On New Years day we attended a going away party for one of Patrick’s co-workers. Somehow I managed to fit some knitting in, and have finished one side and 2/3 of the back of a baby gift sweater. Photos to follow!