Ketchup

Well, let's catch y'all up on my adventures. Let's see . . . oh, I finished the lace ribbon scarf, but it's been set aside for blocking. What a relief. I love it dearly, and I enjoyed the last two months of knitting it, but I am quite pleased to go on to the next project.

In between knitting the monumental scarf it turned out to become, I knit cowls. Chunky alpaca cowls. I scored three rich purple skeins of Inca Gold Alpaca (sadly discontinued) from Adriana, and they will become Christmas gifts for three undecided lucky ladies. I've knit up one, two more to go. So easy! Thank you, again, Adriana!

I have also learned the magic of dyeing wool from the brilliant Jenny! You can read all about that adventure over here at Isa's blog. No use reiterating all that again - it's THAT good.

Isn't it sherbert-y loveliness? I haven't a clue what it is going to be. Socks?

N

Retro

I totally started this post a week ago and then got sidetracked by the millions of things that I have up in the air. It wouldn't be so bad if my workload at the office wasn't insane, however, I'll just take a deep breath and have another cup of coffee. Did I mention that the insomnia has kicked in too?

The above is a kitchen handtowel that I completed two weeks ago. It was quick and satisfied my need to be creative, however, my energies will be funnelled into other projects such as moving and the wedding from now until October 11 so you probably wont hear from me as much. I will be lurking and reading all of your lovely blogs when I can (probably 3:00 in the morning after I've woken up freaking out about the colour of the ribbon on the favors).

Thanks for keeping Balkan Style stylin', N! You're the best!

Sewing Kit Swap Goodness

Oh, Ana and C! I can't imagine all the work you put into this kit. It's so pretty and so thoughtful, and B has declared this day - the best day ever! I am feeling a bit sheepish that I didn't make more for C's kit! And the bestest part (and this is indeed difficult as all of it is so flippin' awesome) is the personalized handmade-by-Ana stamp - let's just say that B has stamped everything in sight with her name and the coolio bear! And there's yo-yos and gorgeous pincushions and a felt-a-licious needle book and a sweet tissue holder and little shapes to practise sewing! B's already been a-practisin', and she's ready to sew up her pink felt bird - I'm hoping that she feels charitable and gifts it to someone who adores birds (hint, hint -me!).


Thank you, thank you, thank you! I hope our kit for C arrives soon and she likes it as much as B loves hers!


N

Miracles Do Happen

This is not me knitting. These are the hands of a bored pre-teen who was given the option of either learning how to ride a bike or knit. She must be terrified of riding a bike.
This little baby is going to be seamed up to be one wristwarmer. I'm not sure I am ready to share my precious stash just yet. The kid is a flippin' natural.
And just so the little B wouldn't feel excluded, I gave her a little hoop and a scrap of cotton and a blunt needle armed with some embroidery thread, and she drew a little blue heart and carefully stabbed the needle around it. Sadly, the red stitching is mine. I don't think I am ready for embroidery just yet.

I'm curious to see where these two are headed with their new skills. I am insanely thrilled to see them holding on to needles and string.

N

I found these in the 'panic room', and I'm in charge of getting rid of them. Aren't they awesome? There must be a tonne more of these vintage Fisher Price little people - no longer safe for playing as apparently they are a choking hazard, but they're certainly collectibles! Now to figure out eBay. Am I the only person intimidated by eBay?

N

Fini!

Cabled Hat
1.25 skeins of Patons Rumor
5.5mm and 6mm needles
Finished in one day sitting on the beach.
Commissioned by a co-worker for a daughter-in-law's Christmas gift.

My first toe-up socks - made to fit in plain stockinette stitch, Black Lamb superwash merino-nylon blend and 2.5 mm circulars. I learned two new processes - Judy's magic cast-on and short-row heels.

I also finished a third quickie cowl using Misti Alpaca Chunky in a light blue. I could knit this cowl forever. Again, it only took a couple of hours to knit. Gots to love that. It actually looks exactly like the one on the pattern page. No need for a picture. :)

Cheers! Happy Civic Holiday! I gets to return to work tomorrow. Oh, the dread.

N

Golden

A few more pics from the last week::: my new sundress and old tattered beach quilt
:: the view from the cottage porch

As for us, we're settling back in at home slowly but surely. I have a ton of blog reading to catch up on, and this was brought to my attention when I was checking our statcounter for a lark yesterday afternoon. We had a tonne of hits from the Mason-Dixon blog, and I was very curious as to why this was - I mean, I leave comments now and then, but nothing that hit-worthy! It would seem that I have won a signed copy of their new book when it is released in September! Holey-moley, moley, mole! This is fantastic!! Holidays must bring luck and sunshine! I feel like celebrating this by finishing the last dozen knits that I have shelved for seaming, buttons, and weaving in ends. It's the least I can do. Expect pictures! Lots of pictures.

Cheers!

N (with a perma-grin)