Best. Weekend. Ever.


I don't have much to talk about on the knitting front. I've been working on a sock (hereafter to be referred to as the Sock of Hate) out of Berroro Comfort Sock during what little knitting time I've had available. I hate that thing. I think I'm one of those people who just shouldn't knit socks, but I'm determined to finish, since I only have the heel and foot chunk of the second one to go. From here on out, I pledge to knit only worsted weight socks. Ever.

In happy news, I got to spend an amazing almost 5 days with James in Toronto. I think we saw all the big things the city had to offer and were even lucky enough to catch a 16 piece band playing Radiohead songs. (I should add that one of the trombonists was a dead ringer for Matt Smith, so I'm pretending I saw the doctor take a sweet 'bone solo) Of course, I managed to make a trip to Romni Wools and, as you can see above, James snapped this photo of me in my natural habitat. Handknit toque with pompom? Check. Cat purse? Check. ALL THE YARN? Double check. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of visiting this shop.. note that I'm about 5'8"tall. That's a lot of yarn in there. And this was only 1/4 rows. On the first floor. Amazing.

I'm off to hit the hay and work on some reading for school. I can write 2 papers this weekend, and still have time to cast on Christianna's lovely new cowl, Jessie, right?

-H

Study, Eat, Sleep, Repeat


It's that time of year where everything happens all at once. It's not like I haven't done this before. I know this annual routine of panicking and flailing, but I can never get the better of it. (Though, this year includes the added fun of a thesis proposal. How did I get here?) As a result, my knitting time has taken a beating. Since I don't really have much time, I've been relishing the stockinette tubes laying around my room. My Stasis pullover gained a good 1.5" this weekend, but at the expense of my Gathering Stripes. That sucker is going nowhere fast.

But I'm dreaming of new and better things, so I better get finishing!

My new (and awesome) LYS, Needles in the Hay, had it's birthday sale a couple weeks back and among the things I picked up were these two balls of Berroro Blackstone Tweed. My initial plans for it was Stephen West's Pom-Pom It! hat, but I've since changed my mind to his Raxtur hat. I kind of love the texture and versatility of Raxtur, and I think these colours would work really nicely together. Different enough to be stripey, but similar enough to not be weird. Just my style.

This weekend James is coming all the way out to Toronto from Edmonton, so I'm gleefully anticipating exploring a city with him again. I can't wait to eat all the good food! It will be a welcome break after this week (which has been bananas), and it will take lots of work to catch up, but 4 days off will be lovely. Now, to get a couple stitches in before bed!

Fellow students, how do you balance your crafting with schoolwork? I really need to work on maximizing my time in an effective way. I have big plans, after all!

-H

Finally, an FO! (Or Two)

I basically spent yesterday curled up in a pile of snot and tissues yesterday, and my prolific amount of internet surfing reminded me that I hadn't been here in awhile. Part of that is my seeming inability to take photos. I swear I have all the things I need, I just never seem to connect life to the lens. And blog posts without photos are sad. After some coaching through photo exporting processes, I finally have documentation of the two little sweaters I made for Christmas presents. Miraculously, one of them was finished in time. The other one was finished before I came home, so I give myself half points on that one. Both of these knits were for the progeny of my favourite neighbours. Their little girl, who I've previously knit for, is one of the coolest toddlers in the universe. Right when I moved out to Ontario they announced the arrival of another little dude. I'm sure he'll be just as awesome as his sister and also deserved to be covered in handknits!

First up is Baby Sophisticate. I used Berroco Vintage Chunky which made for a super quick knit. I cast this sucker on during my shortest flight home and I quickly got through the raglan shaping before landing. I'm a bit sad I didn't make it bigger since, wait for it, babies grow like weeds.. No matter, the buttons are adorable and he'll look like a tiny scholar for as long as he fits it!
Second is Gathering Stripes. I started this way back in the summer on my drive out to Ontario but I just never really got around to dealing with it until October or so. It's made out of Madelinetosh Merino Light (I told you I liked this kid) in Composition Book Grey and Robin's Egg for the stripes. I really wasn't sure about the colour combo until I got the stripes going. It ended up fitting her with room to spare, and I think the colours are unisex enough that little brother will be able to wear it in a few years. You can't see it in the photo, but I put wooden buttons on the collar of this one too. I couldn't decide if blue or grey was the way to go, but you can't go wrong with a touch of nature!

Right now I'm working on a grown up Gathering Stripes out of Ultra Alpaca for myself. Some of the details are up on my project page if you want to take a look. I just finished the third ball about two thirds of the way through a sleeve and need to wait until tomorrow to wind another one. I'm really excited to wear this one. The fit is great thus far! Since my needles can't be empty, I'm also working on a hot water bottle because.. well.. why not?

What are you working on? Are you ready to leave the January blues in the dust?

-H