Dear Knits

Full speed ahead!

2010-01-02T19:36:00.005-05:00

I'd just like to get one thing out of the way before we get started...

THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! Can I get an Amen?

Don't get me wrong: I love this time of year, or rather, I love the idea of this time of year. I always get all misty-eyed when I think about the decorating, the baking, the cards, picking out the perfect gifts for my loved-ones. To say nothing about the knitting! But when it comes time to actually do it? Well... it's a lot of work, innit?

The important thing is that it's over for another year, and now I can focus on what's really important: my knitting! And sharing it with you, of course.

So! I got a brand new, for-real, grown-up camera for Christmas this year, a Nikon D3000, and I had fun playing with it taking pictures of my Wips this afternoon. Can I just say what a difference having a proper camera (and good lighting) makes? Bliss!

First up, a pair of Citrus mittens.

I've been meaning to knit myself another pair of mittens for a while now, as my Grove mittens are a bit, well... holey, heh. I'm knitting these with KnitPicks Palette yarn, and I'm really enjoying them. Rather, I'm enjoying them now that I'm past the 17 rows of 1x1 stockinette on the cuff.
Next up is a pair of Conwy socks, from Knitting on the Road, using KnitPicks Stroll.

While these are technically a Wip, I've sort of fallen off the sock wagon over the past month, so I haven't been making much progress on them (isn't that always the case?). Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that I'm knitting wee cables every two rows using almost black yarn, sigh. They're a bit tedious, I'll be glad to get these off the needles.

I also needed some comfort knitting (natch'), so I recently cast on for the Cedar Leaf Shawlette (a pattern gifted to me by the lovely Robyn, thanks again girl!) using my leftover Madelinetosh Tosh worsted.

As you can see, I haven't gotten very far on it... yet. And yeah, I know Cedar leaves are traditionally green. Ask me if I care.

I think that's a pretty good start to the year, wouldn't you say? Especially since I've already got a FO on the blocking mats! Here's a sneak peek, can you guess what it is?

Happy Knitting Everyone! And may you all have a Happy, safe, healthy New Year.

It's a family affair...

2009-12-27T22:03:00.004-05:00

A few months ago my friend, up-and-coming knitwear designer Stéphanie Voyer (aka Birana), posted something on Twitter about needing a 5-6 year-old little girl to model one of her creations for a new pattern.

I happen to have one of those (to quote the Yarn Harlot, I made her myself with things I found lying around the house, heh), and she's pretty gosh darn cute if I do say so myself. So I contacted her, gave her the "Duh!" speech, and she came over the next weekend.

It's been really difficult keeping these pictures under my hat, let me tell you! But I finally got the OK to publish them on the blog.

The pattern is called Chanelette, a beautiful little jacket inspired by Coco Chanel. Give it a knit! You know you waaaaanna. Just don't ask me not to gush that MY daughter was the model for the pattern if I see it on the streets! Motherly pride, what are ya gonna do, right?

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Pick it up from the Fa La Laaas

2009-12-26T17:19:00.007-05:00

It's over! Thank God and Sunny Jesus, Christmas is behind us! Can I get an Amen?

Last time I posted it was beginning to dawn on me that I had *perhaps* underestimated the amount of work involved with having 17 people over for Christmas dinner. As I discovered, the good thing about freaking out over having that many people over at once is that it really motivates you to get your arse in gear, and it wound up being... not so bad, all things considered. I mean sure, 17 people in my tiny house presented some logistical challenges, but I think it went over fairly well.

There was food (and drink!) a-plenty, and everybody did their best to get along and make do. We had soup, salad, tourtière, ragoût de pattes with mashed vegetables and beets, cheeses, and tarte au sucre. Ugh... I may never eat again...

Christmas morning my Dad, stepmother Margot and my 3 nephews were here dark and early and we attacked the mountain o'gifts.

As you can see, Santa did indeed come to our house, and all I can say is that the dude went frickin' NUTS this year! I think everyone did really well. Émilie was a bit disappointed she didn't get the mechanical lizard she had asked Santa for, but hey, that's life, right? Apparently the hair accessories set her cousins bought her is a big hit.

The rest of the day was spent cleaning up, preparing The Bird for dinner that night, and taking my nephews to the movies (Phil took the 2 youngest boys to see Avatar, I got to see New Moon again with the eldest, Keenan. Sweeeeeet!)

And now here we are! Taking a well-deserved break before the madness starts up again with New Years' festivities. I think we might hunker down tonight. I've got a six-pack of beer, my knitting, and there's a Star Trek movie marathon on all night.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

All the way

2009-12-22T22:16:00.003-05:00

I think it's safe to say that I've *officially* underestimated the amount of work that I've got to do for Christmas this year. And I'm not even talking about the knitting.

I've somehow managed to parlay my way into having 17 people over for Réveillon (That's Christmas Eve for you non-Frenchies out there), and I'm only now realizing that it's not going to magically sort itself out all by itself. *I* actually have to do it. I have to feed and entertain 17 people. Oy Vey.

Normal people would look at the size of their house (I can comfortably sit 4 people in my living room), the size of the group, and make a reservation at their local Chinese Buffet or something.

But not me! When faced with the devastating truth of 17 people crowding into my tiny house, expecting me to feed them and make them Merry, what did I do? I made bread. And I'm not talking about your standard "stick it in the machine and press the START button" bread. No bread machine, no food processor. Just me and the dough, working it out. It was very therapeutic.

I made 4 loaves this morning, but I think I might make another 2 tomorrow. I mean honestly? 4 loaves (OK 3 and a half, we ate one today) of luscious, scrumptious, delicious homemade bread for 17 people? SO not going to happen.

I also had the love Kate-the-Enabler over for lunch, ran errands, and made a pear and butternut squash soup this afternoon.

And now it's late! I've consumed waaaaaaaay too much wine (I won't tell you how long it took me to type this post up), and I've got a big day ahead of me tomorrow. If you celebrate, I hope all your Holiday preparations are going well. Hang in there! Rhinebeck 2010 is only 10 months away!

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Another parade!

2009-12-20T21:46:00.006-05:00

A while back I mentioned that I was in the midst of a mild (hah!) obsession with hats.

The thing I love about hats is that, not only are they usually one skein projects, but you only have to make ONE to have a finished object, something that's not to be neglected during this, the busiest time in a dedicated Knitters' life.

I've been a smidge busy this week (hence the lack of blogging, sorry about that). But I've been knitting! To whit, I give you not one, not two, but three recent finished objects. Oh yeah!

A few days ago as she was getting ready for school, Émilie commented that she'd like to have another hat. Since I've made myself about 5 in the past few weeks, I figured I'd suck it up and make her one, heh. The pattern I chose, Robin's Egg Blue Hat, is a really quick, simple knit (honestly, it took me less than 2 hours). I used less than one skein of Malabrigo Chunky (Indigo colourway), and I've got a bit left over. I'm thinking of picking up another skein and making her a (sort of) matching cowl-thingy. We'll see if I have time before Christmas (bwaaaaahahahahaha!!!).

I used a vintage button from my mother's bucket 'o buttons, even though it's funkiness is probably lost on a five year-old. She seems to like it though, she insisted that it be worn with the button in the front when I took her picture this afternoon.

Of course, I tried it on for myself (just to see, you know), and I really like it. I might make one for myself, I may have another skein of Chunky in the stash somewhere (AHEM!).

In the meantime I'll just have to make do with my latest Marrow Joe.

I wound up giving the first hat to a friend, but I loved it so much that I just had to make another one for myself. Besides, these Woolly Wormhead hats are just so fun to knit!

Even Phil's got one now!

This would be Urbanista, from the Summer 2009 Knitty. A lot of fun to knit, even though it was a bit of the pain in the arse to weave in about eleventy-billion ends... But it looks great on him (apologies for the lack of Phil in this post, my pictures all came out blurry, sigh). And as Struan is still in a time-out, he needed something to warm his noggin'.

And here we are! The home stretch! The last few days of frantic knitting! The parties! The food! The shopping! The collapsing into a nervous, hysterical wreck!!!

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Stuff that matters

2009-12-13T19:40:00.006-05:00

Those of you who have been reading for a while know that Sundays... heck.... WEEKENDS are generally referred to as DORMA (Day Of Rest My Arse) days around here. Getting ready for the coming week with 2 young kids when both parents work full time is pretty hectic, and by the time Sunday evening rolls around Phil and I are both pretty knackered.

But we've been trying to do things a little differently lately. Trying to stay focused on the stuff that really matters rather than getting caught up in the mundane (yet time-sucking!) details.

So as I sit here, the laundry isn't finished. I made some meals for the week, but not all... But I'm not going to let that bother me in the slightest. Because I took care of some pretty important stuff this weekend.

For instance, I got to FINALLY meet the lovely Caroline on Saturday.

After about 2 years of reading each others' blogs and emailing back and forth almost daily, we placed a joint KnitPicks order as an excuse to finally get off our lazy butts and meet each other! (We live in the same city, for crying out loud...). Also there were Kadi and Robyn (who I must thank for these pictures because someone who shall remain nameless forgot her camera... *Sigh*)

Now you've got to admit: spending time with your fellow knitter is pretty gosh darn important, right?

Saturday evening the kids spent the night at their grandparents, and Phil and I got to have a well-deserved date night. You'll forgive me if I don't post pictures of that, this is a G-rated blog after all, heh.

Today was supposed to be all about madly scrambling to get caught up due to the previous day's slackage. And then? Then it started to snow.

Do any of you remember what it feels like to be five years-old and see the snow falling outside? How magical it is? How you just want to roll around in it and play outside until your nose freezes off or your coat is so weighted down with the stuff that you can't lift your arms anymore?

Well, after spending over 2 and a half hours with Émilie this afternoon, I sure do.

So yeah... the laundry isn't finished, the ironing hasn't been touched, and the food isn't all made. But I think I got the most important stuff taken care of. The rest? It can wait.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Ornaments

2009-12-09T21:32:00.006-05:00

Over the weekend we put up our Christmas decorations. It's a moment I simultaneously look forward to and dread every year. I look forward to the anticipation lighting up the children's faces, but positively dread because that anticipation unfailingly transforms into full blown hysteria and shrieking when things don't go exactly their way, and NOW. When the decorations come up (and I have a LOT of decorations, people), it's a mad dash to get the year-round disposable crap, I mean objets d'art, out of the way to make room for the bazillion irreplaceable water globes and figurines that come out in December. And once the tree is up? All bets are OFF. The evening after the decorations go up, I usually have a stiff drink and some serious knit-therapy once the kids are in bed.

This year though, I had an idea, something I'd been toying with for a few months. I couldn't stop the chaos or the tears (or the stiff drink), but maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to hold on to that which, when you get right down to it, matters most of all...

My ornaments.

My kids are 5 and 2. Glass ornaments and children of that age don't mix. Wait, that's over-simplifying. Not only do they not mix, they aren't meant to coexist. Period.

So what to do? I means, besides the obvious solution of buying plastic ornaments (NEVER!).

Before I answer that, let me back up a bit. Contrary to what new readers might think (although one would hope that the blog's title would cue them off somewhat), I am a Knitter (the use of the capital is intentional). And like most committed Knitters, I have a lot of yarn lying around the house. A LOT of yarn. Good yarn, crap yarn, leftover sock yarn I didn't have the heart to throw out... It's really everywhere. We're, quite simply, overrun with yarn.

And that's when the solution to my ornament conundrum hit me. It was an epiphany, I tell you. An almost zen-like, beautiful moment of clarity I have never experienced thus far in my life, and I can only hope you get to experience something like it yourselves some day.

Can you see it? Can you see what we did? How about if I give you a closer look?

Yes people, the tree at casa de Dear is trimmed with pom-poms. I was a genius!

I'll admit... it hasn't turned out quite like I had planned. I had envisioned myself, my cousin Jessica and Émilie (Maxime would be sleeping, I may be delusional but I'm not STUPID), sitting at the table, happily making pom-poms for the tree (and lifelong memories to boot), and later seeing the tree filled with these little one-of-a-kind beauties. As a matter of fact, my original plan was to have the tree trimmed ONLY with pom-poms (and the ornaments made by the kids at school/daycare).

Turns out that making pom-poms is deceptively time-consuming, and doesn't quite hold the fascination I thought it would for Émilie. Or myself. Or Jessica (she actually kept at it while we had quit, God bless her). I'd say we worked at it for about an hour and a half, and in the end I wound up with 13 pom-poms.

Even so, it warms my heart when I look at my tree. I can look at a particular pom-pom and know that it's the leftover yarn from a pair of socks I wound up giving to a complete stranger in Japan, or that one has particular meaning because it was made by my cousin (who then promptly broke into hives from concentrated yarn exposure).

Cheesy? Maybe. Tacky? Yeah, a little bit. But the point is that it's OUR tree. Everything in it has meaning, and is connected to a memory, or a time, or a place. And isn't that what this time of year is supposed to be all about?

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Yum

2009-12-05T22:46:00.004-05:00

As I mentioned earlier this week, Phil and I have been making a real effort to eat better, try to live healthier, etc. We signed up for the organic produce delivery service (and we've almost eaten all of this week's basket - Yay!), I've been making a real effort to buy either local or organic, and I'm really trying to make choices that are both physically AND economically sound when it comes to what I choose to buy for my family.

Sounds good, huh? Well, all I can say is: Hah! Easier said than done, my friends. Good intentions are all well and good, but when you've got a five and two year-old at the table (and mind you, I wouldn't call them particularly picky, they're really quite average)? Healthy=schmealthy.

For instance:

For dinner today I made a Jerusalem artichoke velouté soup, from scratch (I'm throwing in the French and italics as a way to try to impress you, really it's just boiled and puréed, with onions and butter), Swiss Chard quiche with Emmental cheese, and an apple-raspberry crumble - using organic apples and flour! - for dessert. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but it was delicious, I tell you. An absolutely exquisite meal. Oh what the Hell... toot toot!

Don't believe me? Well here, see for yourself:

Honestly, it seems as though the entire day was spent preparing for tonight's dinner. I made the soup around lunch time, had Émilie help me with the apple-raspberry crumble while Maxime napped, pondered the organic eggs I had in the fridge and decided on quiche for dinner, ran to the grocery store to buy the veggies and bread around 3:30, came home at 5:30 from visiting my mother and made said quiche... I literally spent the entire day preparing dinner!

And what do you suppose happened when it all came together like some kind of culinary ballet at the dinner table?

Well... the kids poo-pooed the soup (Phil and I loved it!), Émilie practically gagged at the quiche (Maxime liked it), and - well OK, everyone liked the apple-raspberry crumble (except that Émilie didn't get to eat any because of the afore-mentioned gagging). Not exactly what I was going for...

Gah! Why do I put myself through this? Why, why, WHY???? They are SO getting wiener wraps for dinner tomorrow night!

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Christmas Knitting...

2009-12-03T20:19:00.002-05:00

... or why I'm an idiot.

Every year this happens. I get caught by surprise that Christmas, the most stressful time in a knitters' life, is almost upon me. Around December 3rd I make up a list of people I need to give gifts to, and of course I want to knit them something, and then I sit back in a depressed stupor and wonder how I let this happen. Again.

This year's even worse, because I've got 2 new people to add to the gift list, Émilie's kindergarten teacher and bus driver. Le Sigh!

But wait, the über-intelligence of moi doesn't stop there. I don't select simple, quick knits (like say... HATS?) for my cherished woolly-love recipients. NoooOOOOOOOOoooo. I choose socks (which should TOTALLY count as TWO gifts) and lace and... wait for it... afghans! Yes folks, I am officially an idiot.

Really... Why do we do it??? I mean, it's not like our loved ones, our REAL loved-ones anyway, aren't on the receiving end of knitted items all year long, right? Looking at my list of FOs for 2009 (I'm still behind), I'd say a full THIRD of what I've managed to get on and off the needles this year wasn't even for me! (I make no apologies for that. My money + my time = my knitwear).

Phil's gotten socks, the kids have gotten hats, friends' babies have gotten cute little baby knits... They've RECEIVED the woolly-love already! So why do we feel this crazy pressure to come up with an insane amount of knitted items to give away in, say, a 22 day period?

I really believe that knitters are fairly intelligent people. While the average Muggle watches TV and sips a soda, we KNITTERS watch TV, sip a soda AND knit. We transform "down time" into "productive time". We can look at a ball of yarn and see potential for warmth and comfort and an expression of love.

I won't even ask if our efforts are worth it. We've ALL had someone smile politely and scratch their heads when we've presented them with that wedding ring lace shawl that took years off our visual acuity. Know your gift recipients, I say.

No, I'm referring to what our cherished loved ones, the ones that receive the knitwear all year long and really appreciate it, give US for Christmas. Because chances are, even though they know you LOVE to knit, that you LOVE yarn, they think you've got (wait for it...) "too much" of it, and will rack their brains to find something else to give you when the ideal gift is staring them in the face.

Tough questions, questions that need answers, I tell you!

But right now you'll have to excuse me. I've got an afghan to finish.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Something completely different

2009-12-01T19:16:00.003-05:00

Last week Phil and I watched Food, Inc., a documentary on America's (and by extension Canada's) corporate controlled food industry. We've been questioning our purchasing and eating habits for a few months now, but this film was a real eye opener, and raised some important questions for us about the kind of food we prepare for our family and where it should come from.

I think that we're fairly "good" in terms of food consumption. We're not vegetarians, but we will try to have one vegetarian meal a week. We don't go to fast food restaurants, as a matter of fact we rarely go to the restaurant period. I make almost all our meals at home, as opposed to buying convenience foods that I can just nuke and be done with...

And yet we can always do more, right? There's a local farmers' kiosk about a 10 minute walk from my house, and we never go. We don't eat enough vegetables, I don't read labels, we eat too much meat and pasta...

Well, this week I did my shopping a little differently. I tried to buy locally produced fruits and vegetables (no small feat in December!), I bought organic whenever possible, all with an eye to the budget... I'm only just beginning, so I think I could have made better choices, but I'm getting there.

Another thing I did was to sign us up for an organic fruits and vegetables delivery service called Le Jardin des Anges. I'd read about them on my friend Caroline's blog last summer, and although she ultimately decided it wasn't for her, I was curious to give it a shot. I figured that by signing up I would have a week's supply of organic fruits and vegetables, it was convenient, and it would also encourage us to broaden our palette and eat more foods we're not accustomed to.

I got my first delivery this morning, and I'm pretty happy with what we got:

Celeri, shallots, lettuce, tomatoes, Jerusalem artichoke (a first! we actually had to Google them, lol!), zucchinis, blueberries, mandarines, apples, Chinese cabbage, cucumbers and oranges. We also received some sunflower sprouts and germinated lentils. Sweet!

So that's what we're up to chez Dear! Trying to get on a healthier path, for ourselves, our environment, the whole shebang. Hopefully we can keep it up.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Catching Up

2009-11-29T19:40:00.004-05:00

Recently my friend Robyn pointed out that I had a few projects on Ravelry that had no featured photo, which made me realize that I've also got a fair whack of projects listed as completed that have no proper FO picture. Le Sigh! That's the trouble with being sick for 2 straight weeks, it really messes with your knitting mojo.

Well, I'm not 100% yet, but I'm feeling much better, I've cast on a few new projects, and I took some time to get a few pics of recent finished objects.

First up, Maxime's Sock monkey Hat!!!

Yes, I FINALLY got him to wear it! I'm very excited, I think we've turned a new leaf in the whole "knitwear appreciation" department. I'm stoked.

Knit with Bernat Softee Acrylic goodness ('cause it's a hat for a 2-year old). It was a quick, fun knit.

Also recently completed, the first of the 2 Woolly Wormhead Mystery KALs I worked on in November, Mayrose.

Knit with Olympus Make Make that I bought in Japan last year. I really like it, even though it turned out slightly too big for my taste after blocking (I'm NEVER blocking another hat, I swear!).

And that's that! I'm feeling better, Christmas is coming, and I am unprepared. How about you?

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Who can it be now?

2009-11-24T12:01:00.003-05:00

Yes, I'm listening to Men at Work right now. The title seemed appropriate, since A) I'm at work and B) it's been so long since I've posted (again) that y'all might have forgotten all about me.

Well! The funk I mentioned being in last week turned out to be (probably) swine flu. I say probably, because I haven't gotten an official diagnonsense, but I DID have the flu, and really, how many types of flu are running around lately? On Tuesday morning I went into work as usual, and within a few hours I had chills and a headache and just felt miserable, to the point that my boss sent me straight home, and I didn't go in the rest of the week.

So yeah, not a good week. The level of apathy I sank to was pretty astounding, let me tell you. I didn't knit, didn't read, didn't do anything but take the kids to school/daycare and return home to bed. Fun, fun times. And yet, a few knitterly gems managed to find their way to me somehow...

A couple of months ago Véronik Avery posted something on the Montreal Knits forum about looking for new models for her Spring/Summer St-Denis Nordique pattern booklet. I was riding the cardigan high at the time, and a few of my friends gently encouraged me to send in my picture (read: SEND IN YOUR PICTURE NOW, TARA!!!!). So I did, but I didn't really hear back from her after the initial "Thanks! I'll let you know when I know!" email. Which was fine.

Anyway, last week Véronik sent me a message asking if I would be available for a photoshoot that Thursday! I may have been sick, but this was Véronik Avery, people! Asking little old MOI to be a model for her! Um... yes? Yes, I think I can arrange something :)

So last Thursday, I loaded up on Tylenol and cough suppressant and made the 2 and a bit hour drive with a friend (to do the driving in case I passed out, heh) to a lovely sandy beach in the Outaouais region. It was a beautiful day, I had a lot of fun, and I really hope Véronik got the shots she wanted and I didn't muck it up too much. I wish I had pictures to share with you, but I haven't even seen any myself! We're just going to have to wait for Spring.

So yeah, it's been an interesting week! I am now a "knitwear model". I'm on the CUSP, people. The world is my oyster, it's all within my reach!

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Oh My...

2009-11-16T12:41:00.003-05:00

In the words of one of the Greatest Minds of our time: Oops, I did it again.

I've gone and dropped off the blogosphere for a week. *Sigh* I don't really have an excuse, either, except that I just, well... haven't felt like blogging, heh. Don't get me wrong, I've been knitting, I just haven't felt like sitting down and writing about it.

To be honest, I'm in a bit of a funk lately. I sprained my ankle last week and haven't really been able to go to the gym or for a run, and that's got me feeling antsy. Phil is in Paris on business this week, which leaves me with all the house/kids/responsible adult stuff. Thankfully everyone is happy and healthy, Lord knows it wouldn't be the first time they decided to get sick precisely when Phil's away.

Nope, I'm just... not quite there. But there are a few things to look forward to this week that might help turn my frown upside down. My impending KnitPicks order for one (along with finally getting to meet Caroline, who went halvesies on shipping with me!), getting to see New Moon with my good friend Sandra on Friday (she bought the tickets 2 weeks in advance!), catching up on Glee (Phil away on business = girly TV)...

Yup, things are looking up. And in the meantime, there's always cashmere.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

On Mittens

2009-11-09T12:23:00.003-05:00

I've been going on (and on, and on...) about how I needs me some mittens. I spent the back half of last Winter wearing shabby, ripped nylon ski-type mittens, something NO knitter should do, especially a Canadian Knitter.

I've held back on knitting a pair for myself because I really want to do some stranded colourwork, and I don't have the right yarn for it in the stash (I know, we've been over this...). But over the past few weeks, it's been getting colder, and my hands are not enjoying the freezing cold steering wheel in the morning. It was time.

Enter Jared Flood's Grove mittens, from the Made in Brooklyn booklet published by Classic Elite. I saw these knit as a sample at the LYS a few weeks ago and was instantly smitten. I loved the leaf-y motif, the narrowness of the hand (I've got small-ish hands), there was nothing I didn't like.

I'd just finished a project with Alpaca with a Twist Baby Twist (aka The Never-Ending Skein of Alpaca), so I knew I wanted to knit these mittens in the same yarn, so they'd "match". Never mind for a moment that the hat was a slouchy rasta-type hat, and these mittens are sleek, sophisticated and dainty. The yarn would match, at least, and that was good enough for me.

I was warned that these mittens, even though they're supposed to fit an "average woman's hand circumference" were really, REALLY narrow when knit to gauge, so I went up a needle size and knit at about 3.75 inches for 25 sts instead of the stated 3. The only other issue I had with this pattern is that the chart is much, MUCH too small, and it took me a while to pick up on the different symbols for a k1tbl and a p1tbl, so the first mitten is pretty much all k1tbl. Luckily, because of the way the decreases are set up, you really can't tell (at least, I can't tell, and that's good enough for me).

These mittens were quick and easy, and while they're very pretty, they're not what you'd call "warm". Definitely Fall mittens as opposed to real frostbite protective gear, you know?

No worries though, I've got an order of KnitPicks Palette on the way that'll take care of that (and then some....)

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Wips

2009-11-07T20:07:00.006-05:00

Admit it: y'all thought I'd flake out and not put up a post tonight, DIDN'T YOU?!? Hah! Oh, thee of little faith.

I think it's fair to say I'm on a bit of a hat kick lately, and really, with the weather turning cold and dreary, it's a good thing. After making everyone in the house a brand spanking new winter hat, I finally selected and cast on a hat that I can only hope will suit Phil's discriminating noggin' to the proverbial Tee.

Ysolda's Struan, using Dream in Color Classy in the lovely Deep Sea Flower colorway. I'm confident this hat will work for him, he's got one with a similar construction that looks quite dashing on him, so I'm hoping we've struck a match. And it's looking as though I'll have more than enough yarn left over to make Maxime a matching one (you know, since he still refuses to wear the as yet to be photographed in the wild Monkey hat...).

After my love affair with Woolly Wormhead's Marrow Joe, I signed up for both patterns of her Mystery KAL. So far we've only received the clues to knit the brim and the increases for the body of the hat.

Pattern A, which is a slouchier hat.

Pattern B, which will be a more fitted beret.

I dove into my stash of Japanese yarn for these projects. I'm using Diakeito Diaexceed silkmohair, a wool, silk, mohair and nylon blend, for Pattern A and Olympus make make, which is a lightly (make that VERY lightly) spun 90% wool, 10% mohair blend, for Pattern B. The second clue comes out on November 9th, so stay tuned for that.

I'm still working on my Noro socks, of course, but progress has been slow with so many projects on the needles at once... I'm about halfway through the foot on the first sock. I'm really liking the look of these socks, I hope I can get the striping sequence to line up for the second one! Hmmm, maybe I won't hold my breath on that one...

I've also got a few finished objects that are still waiting for a proper post. Let's see if we can talk about that tomorrow. Tomorrow's a DORMA day though, so you know... no promises.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Right

2009-11-06T16:21:00.002-05:00

Wow, I just SUCK at this blogging thing lately, don’t I? A whole whopping single post a week, SWEET! No wonder stats are down, heh.

I’ve been doing quite a bit of knitting, though. Not as much as I’d like (but really, do we EVER get to knit as much as we’d like?), but still… I’ve gone and caught startitis, and I’ve got quite a few small(ish) projects on the go at the moment. Tomorrow we’ll have a proper wip show and tell, right? With pictures. Cross my heart and hope to… well…. I’ll do my darndest to get a proper post out.

For now I just wanted to get SOMETHING out there, to let you know I’m still here and haven’t decided to give up blogging. So let’s do a Random Friday post:

First on my list of things I will never do again: Go on Etsy and type “cashmere”.
Second on that list of things: Brag about my knitting skillz, particularly colourwork. If you ever hear me say “sure, that could be charted up easily”, feel free to knock me out.
I’ve misplaced (I still can’t bring myself to say “lost”) my Harmony DPN set. Yeah… I KNOW.
I’m not dealing with the time change well. When I got out of the metro on Monday and it was THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT outside, I almost cried. Really.
Phil’s hand is officially on the mend. The second surgery appears to have been successful, and although he’s got a long haul of physiotherapy ahead of him, it’s all moving forward from him.
I’ve FINALLY ordered some KnitPicks Palette yarn. Stay tuned for some awesome mitten knitting.
Kate-the-Enabler has embarked on her very own running adventure. I was privileged to accompany her on her very first outing (IN THE RAIN!!!) last Saturday, and she did great. I’m so proud of her I could just about burst.
I’m in love with my stash. I realize this might not be earth-shattering news, but still, it bares repeating once in a while. I love my stash. It’s procured me so much joy, and I know it’s just going to get better and better.
I’m beginning to get nervous about Christmas. Especially since I’m giving knitted gifts away NOW. I should be SAVING the knitwear.
I think I need to embark on a coordination mission. When putting on the knitted accessories today, I noticed that nothing matches, and I look like some crazy (albeit cozy) bag lady. Hat, scarf, mittens. Nothing matches. Gotta get on that…

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Oops!

2009-11-01T20:10:00.003-05:00

Hi there! Wow, time flies when you've got 2 sick children and a handicapped husband, doesn't it? Honestly, where does the time go?

Yeah, first Emilie and then Maxime have been sick this week, and with Phil's hand, even though he does his best, it's been rather difficult for me. But I'm hanging in there! And I've got a finished object to share with you.

I finished Ishbel this week, blocked it yesterday and wore it proudly today. I made the smaller version, out of Handmaiden Sea Silk, and I think I might have enough left over for another one! I might make one too, I think it'd make a great gift. And hey! It's November. Let the knitting for Christmas craziness commence, heh.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Hats on parade!!!

2009-10-25T19:59:00.006-04:00

I've had Rage Against The Machine's "Bulls on Parade" in my head all weekend long, so you'll forgive me for this unoriginal title to today's blog post, heh.

I've got 3 finished hats that I still have yet to share with you, namely Gretel, Marrow Joe and the Sock Monkey Hat. But as I've yet to manage to capture the latter on it's intended recipients' head (he still despises it with all the passion a 2 year-old can muster), you'll just have to settle for the former 2.

First up, Gretel.
Knit with some uber-delicious angora merino handspun my cousin Jessica bought me for my birthday last year. Probably not THE greatest yarn choice for a cabled pattern, but you know what? I don't give a crap. I LOVE this hat, it's so soft and wonderful and feminine... I just wish I could get my hands on more of this yarn! I need a coordinating scarf and mittens :)

*Sigh* Love.

I also finished Woolly Wormhead's Marroe Joe hat, and it's yet to be determined conclusively exactly whose hat this will be...

Now, I originally cast this on with the certainty that I was knitting a hat for Phil. But when he put it on... I don't know... it just didn't seem to be him, you know?

But when *I* put it on... well, what can I say? (let's forget the fact that I've been drooling over this hat since I cast on the first stitches, m'kay?)

Sadly, the fact remains that I knit this hat for a Phil sized noggin', which I don't have... and while this may have made me sad, it also means I get to cast another one on for myself.

It's all good :)

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Beyond Startitis

2009-10-22T21:52:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned last post, my knitting mojo is back. Maybe it's the return of Fall, maybe I'm propelled by my recent sweater-success high... who knows. But I'm deeply smitten with my knitting lately. We're talking deep, DEEP smit, people.

I don't want to call it startitis, because (to me anyway), that term implies that you're just going to put something down almost as soon as you've picked it up, and you're sort of restless and undecided about your knitting. I've got knititis. I want to knit all the time, on a wide range of projects, with each one holding as much fascination and interest as the one before.

So far, I've managed to control my urge to splurge, but really, it's only a matter of time, right? Stay tuned for some guilty yarn pron, heh. Here's what I'm working on right now:

Woolly Wormhead's Marrow Joe hat, technically for Phil, but he might have to tackle me to the ground and wrestle it out of my dead hands to get it. I'm knitting this with Alpaca with a Twist Baby Twist and Noro Silk Garden Lite, and OH my goodness. Seriously? Vertical Hat (new technique!) + Alpaca (soft buttery goodness!) + Hypnotic Noro colour-changing goodness (Ooh! Green! Ooh! Orange! Oooh! Charcoal!) = Heaven. I'm making, like, 17 of these hats.

Ysolda's Ishbel. This is the third time I've cast on for this project, and as the saying goes, this one's the charm. I'm knitting it out of Sea Silk. 'Nuff said. The thing's flying off the needles.

Harris Tweed socks. Knit with my gifted Noro Silk Garden sock yarn. I'm loving how they LOOK, not too sure about how they'll feel on the footies though. Someone NEEDS to get Mr Noro a new base yarn! Just sayin'...

That's pretty much it for now... But there's so much knitty goodness floating around in my head! I want to cast on for this, and knit with this, and let's not forget about this... AND, I still need mittens! There must be mittens, people! I need to get on that...

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Catching up

2009-10-19T22:27:00.000-04:00

I don’t consider myself to be a particularly fast or productive knitter. I think this might have something to do with the amount of time I actually get to knit as opposed to the amount of time I spend thinking about knitting. I mean, when you think of it in those terms, I barely knit at all. So when people tell me I’m fast, I just smile and nod and think they’re entitled to their opinion, heh.

That being said, I’ve got 4 finished objects waiting to be presented on this here blog, so maybe there’s something to this whole “Gosh you’re a fast knitter Tara” thing I’ve been hearing lately.

I admit: I’ve found my knitting mojo over the past few weeks. I’m pattern stalking like never before, and pretty much all I want to do is knit. Naturally, this has led to some modest stash enhancement, all with specific projects in mind (hey, that’s my story and I’m sticking with it).

Clockwise from top left: Malabrigo Chunky (Indigo); Punta Yarns Merinotwist Hand Paint; Noro Bonbori; Malabrigo Chunky (Amoroso).

Getting back to those finished objects, I finished my Sweetwater Jaywalker socks a few weeks ago.

I had originally intended for these socks to be for me, but through some freak mishap (read: I didn’t swatch for gauge) they turned out slightly too big for my feet. When musing upon this fact after completing the first sock, Phil innocently asked whether I thought they would fit him? And lo and behold, they did. Good, settled, they’d be funky man socks, I was down with that.

Before I go any further, let me just say this: Phil loves these socks. He loved the yarn in the skein, loved the colours, loved the pattern, loved the striping sequence… I’m talking deep, deep love for the sock, people.

And y’all know what happens chez Dear when we really, really love our handknits, don’t you? That’s right, we want to wear them naked.

Happy Knitting Everyone! And thanks to Phil for being such a good sport when I presented this idea to him :)

Bounty

2009-10-15T11:15:00.005-04:00

First things first: I will not be going to Rhinebeck this year after all. It turns out that Phil's surgery was unsuccessful, the tendon and nerve in his ring finger are still severed, and he's got to have another surgery this afternoon. I am, of course, bummed about missing the trip, but am sad beyond words that he has to go through this painful operation again, and that we have to reset the timer on his recovery time. A month to the day after the original incident, and he's still no closer to being on the mend. That, I think you'll agree, is a big bowl of arse right there.

Despite the No-Rhinebeck thing, life chez Dear is feeling very bountiful in terms of knitting. For instance, I've finished the Garter Yoke Cardigan.

Probably the fastest cardigan I've ever knit, which isn't really saying much since I've knit precisely two adult-sized cardigans in my lifetime, heh. I don't know... I cast on September 17th, and bound off October 12th. That seems pretty fast to me, considering the limited amount of actual knitting time I get in an average day. Knit with Shelridge Farm Soft Touch W4 yarn in the Cranberry colourway, I knit this pattern pretty much as written, except I added some shaping to the sleeves.

I suppose it isn't really really finished though, as it's still blocking and I've yet to sew the buttons on. Stay tuned for a proper photo shoot in the near future.

Anyway, I think I might be addicted to this whole knitting cardigans thing. I've already got the next one lined up and ready to go. I'm going to knit the Honeybee Cardigan, using some luscious Malabrigo Sock. Oooh, I can't wait.

It'll have to though, sigh. I've got to knit a few Winter Woollies first, it seems like everyone needs hats, scarves, mittens... In true Knitter form however, I'm kicking off the season of selfless knitting by knitting something for myself, heh. I cast on for a Gretel hat using a beautiful handspun angora-merino blend my cousin gave me for my birthday last year.

And it has to be said: I might just have an orgasm every time I wear this thing. I mean, angora? Oh. My. God. So soft! Oh baby, where have you been all my life? I never knew it could be this way.

Saving the best for last, I received a lovely, thoughtful, package in the mail this week, from my wonderful friend Kerry. I guess she thought I was feeling a little down lately, and decided I needed a pick-me-up.

She sent me a ball of Noro Silk Garden sock yarn, and as you can see I've already cast on with it. I mean, look at those colours! Does she know me or what?

Now the yarn is fabulous, but what really knocked my socks off, no pun intended, is the card that came with it, which she made herself.

Thanks so much, Kerry. You really did brighten up my week, and I'm glad to have you as a friend.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

The leftovers

2009-10-12T21:52:00.004-04:00

Believe it or not, I actually had a photo session today. I took pictures of 2 recent FOs, the 3 skeins of yarn I wound into cakes for upcoming projects, the kids... Massive eye candy, something this blog is in serious lack of, in my opinion. And then, once the kids were in bed and I staggered to the computer, I hit Delete rather than Page Down when looking at what I'd taken and sent my lovely pictures to that great photo album in the sky.

Then I ate a slice of Chocolate chunk pumpkin bread (for you, Kerry!), which made me feel a little bit better.

The good news is that I realized my mistake in time to salvage 2 pictures, which while they aren't the greatest FO shots (you can't really see the knitting all that much), are pretty cute nonetheless, and show off Émilie's growing talents as a knitwear model.

A few weeks ago now I knit Émilie a Tretta hat out of Cascade 220, and used the leftovers to make her some no-brainer quick mittens. I know, they're cream-coloured. Also, may I draw your attention to how I said Cascade 220, not Cascade 220 Superwash? Yeah, I know, I'm an idiot. Live and learn, right? Say it with me! Sooooooooo-peeeeeeeeeer-waaaaaaaaaaaash. *Sigh*

The good news is that she loves them (as you can see). But don't take that to mean that she's satisfied. Oh no, she's already put in a request for a pink had and mitten set. And a purple one. Yup, I'll get right on that.

Oooh! Hot off the presses: I just finished my Garter Yoke Cardi! Ends woven in and everything, all I need to do is sew on the buttons. When I told Phil I couldn't really finish it tonight because I didn't have enough buttons, he stopped for a moment and said "Really. You DON'T have enough buttons".

Then I remembered I'm still holding my mom's vintage buttons bucket hostage, not to mention the huge container a seamstress friend of my grandmothers' sent over about a month ago. I know what I'm doing tomorrow night! heh.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Baking

2009-10-11T21:54:00.004-04:00

Over the past 3 days, it feels as though all I've done is bake. Zucchini bread using a third of a massive, mutie zuke given to me by my good friend Robyn, chocolate pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin cupcakes.

Fall has ARRIVED, people!

I've also been doing quite a bit of knitting, natch. Nothing I can show you yet, sadly. I don't know if I told you I had started a Garter Yoke Cardi? Well, I did, and it's almost done! I'm madly knitting the second sleeve, and I hope to finish it tomorrow evening. Two garments in 2 months! I am on a ROLL, people.

I've got lots of plans for upcoming posts and projects, I had a massive session with my swift and ball winder this week. Stay tuned!

Happy Knitting Everyone!

So much for that idea!

2009-10-07T12:15:00.003-04:00

I promised y'all a finished object parade last time, didn't I? Yeah, well, that didn't work out quite as I had planned. My usual DORMA shenanigans being squared with the absence of The Great Distractor (aka Phil), I didn't have time to take any pictures. So it's another wordy post for you, my lovelies!

Today I want to talk about the New York Sheep and Wool Festival, or Rhinebeck, for those of us who are in the know, heh. Heck, you could probably call it Knitter Mecca, it's so huge and wonderful and full of yarny (and sheepy!) goodness. Knitters dream of it all year long, and I'm no exception.

Earlier this year, the wise and powerful, soon-to-conquer-the-world Alison and I decided we would go together, as Kate-the-Enabler wouldn't be making the trip this year (something about creating a new human life and bringing it to term - WHATEVER). Alison's a hoot, we get along like peas and carrots. I was really, truly psyched.

Now, before I go on, I think I should confess to being A) incredibly impulsive and B) prone to cognitive dissonance. This can lead to lots of topsy-turviness chez Dear.

A few months later, the bills started accumulating, the noose around the neck started to get a smidge uncomfortable, and the rational, responsaible adult chimed in (don't you just HATE it when that happens?) and said: Rhinebeck is right after the start of (fairly expensive private) school. Perhaps it isn't the best time to subject yourself to that kind of temptation?

So I called Alison, we talked it through, and we agreed that she'd find someone else to room with her.

Now, after a long summer of mostly-yarn-fasting and general running around, Rhinebeck started to take on a new appeal. See, I've begun to rationalize, I mean believe, that the appeal of Rhinebeck is not, in fact, the yarn (stop that laughing!), but rather the prospect of having a weekend on my own. THAT'S hard to ignore, try as I might.

So after a few discussions with Phil (who IS a bit indisposed at the moment), we agreed that I will be accompanying Robyn, Amy and their friend Madeleine next Friday. I'm really, truly psyched.

I need to remember, though, that it's not about the yarn.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

ps: Oh, and Alison? Yeah, she's going with Véronik Avery. Trade up much?

All's well

2009-10-03T19:55:00.002-04:00

I'm still here.

But after a week alone with the kids, I'm pretty tired in the evenings, and I mostly feel like knitting rather than writing about knitting. So in lieu of actual inspiration, I give you a few random occurrences from this week:

I made Maxime a Sock Monkey hat. Upon presenting it to him on Friday morning, he took one look and said "Aime pas ça!" (I don't like it). Émilie, on the other hand, was absolutely devastated that I hadn't made her one. *Sigh*
I should be casting on for a pair of mittens for Maxime tonight, but I think I'm going to work on my new cardi instead. Bad mum, BAD MUM!
A vodka cranberry juice is a fine way to welcome the weekend in style.
I watched The Amazing Race for the first time EVER last Sunday, and I think I'm hooked. I hope Phil likes it!
Speaking of Phil: he's visiting some kiting friends in Texas this weekend. It's 30 degrees there. If I sound bitter? That's because I AM. It's been grey and raining for the past WEEK here, and I've had enough.
The kids stayed at their grandparents' house last night. My first day off and what did I do this morning? I woke up at 6:50, had a quick breakfast, and went out for a run. I need to learn how to relax, don't I?
Speaking of running, after 4 months, today was the first time I listened to music while running. It changes everything.
Kate-the-Enabler and Lemondrop (aka Kate's husband, Chris) are officially the sweetest, most thoughtful people on the planet. When I got back from my run today there was a lovely breakfast tray waiting for me on my front step. I KNOW, right?
Wee Bronwyn (aka Little Miss Enabler) is so cute, it almost makes me want to have another baby (I said ALMOST).
I'm tackling the BBC Top 100 books of all time list, and reading Wuthering Heights for the first time. After discussing it with several people, I've come to the conclusion that it's best to read it as an adolescent, all full of romantic notions of doomed love and what have you. Because as an adult? These characters are schmucks! Completely un-redeemable, first class dumb-asses.

OK, I've got a few finished objects to show you next post. I'm going to TRY to get some decent pictures tomorrow.

Happy Knitting Everyone!