Simple really

Et Voila!

I am pretty freakin' happy with this loverly FO. I did a few alterations to the pattern (and who knew no gusset under the arm would work.. but IT DID!) like changing the sleeves completely to my taste. It fits beautifully, feels divine and looks spectacular. I will hopefully get some better pictures of this soon, the bed makes for shit model I know. As for whassup next, I have a little shrunken cardi in mind made of this lovely:

Which was de-stash score from the lovely Morgan (who I miss! Damn you work getting in the way of socialising!). Its Reynolds Mandalay 100% silk. I think I may have an addiction to the smell of silk right now. I keep taking deep huffing like breaths of it. Its only a problem if it interferes with your daily life yes? So far I can do this without attracting too much attention to myself. Ha!

In other news.. the trip to the Island looms near and I am so on top of things its scary. The wee dogga is going to the vet to get heartwormed and flea proofed. We have a soft carrier for him lined up, and I even have someone coming by to check the mail. Who is the organised person? Strange.

We bought a Wii! It is sucking a little bit of knittng time away but I am careful not to overdo it as I already can see how one could develop a freakishly oversized bicep if one isn't careful to switch up hands. loser.

AND Sephora opens today. Well its their *soft* opening at 6 pm tonight, the grand one is tomorrow. I have told Chris NOT TO BE LATE HOME TONIGHT. THERE IS NO EXCUSE! Walking past it Monday I noticed the paper all off the windows and I almost crashed into the door. The ladies inside laughed at me. Whatever.. if Bath and Body Works ever opens here.. I NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY AGAIN.

here's hoping!

:)

Not a cat person

I know.. nickname is kittin. But I have never been or ever expect to be a cat person. BUT



I have died from the cute. Ok, blogger won't let me embed this so just double click on it to go to YOUTUBE and watch it for yourself. DIE FROM TEH CUTE.

There will be actualy knitting content on here soon. I am almost done the Knitted Simple Bodice and it is luscious beyond belief. Urban Silk.. I less than three you.

Ravelry!

Got my invite today and indeed it is all that and a bag of chips! Too lazy for pretty links..

http://www.ravelry.com/people/kittin

Be there or be square. AND..

I don't know if you will be able to see this well but my Dad thought it was awesome enough to scan and send me. THAT is a true knitter. Way to go!

Puppies on the brain

Squee!

Everywhere I go I am surrounded by puppies. Do you think someone, somewhere is trying to tell me something? ;) Better than babies I reckon..

Accomplishment!

And it's done! It was a super fast fun knit this one, all alpaca, all the time. Top down (why do I even bother to say that now? WHY?) hip length cardigan. Very fitted, with eyelet increases. I have to say this was a titch hairy, but I gave it a wash and pushed some hair conditioner through it now its snuggle city. The colour is truer in the shots below.

Thanks be to work and the mannequin/light. I'd never get this done with it. Speaking of work.. OMG. Today I went a bit bonkers and bought another sweaters worth of this:

But in a more khaki green colour (10). It has the most fantastic hand, soft and luscious. And the shine, did I mention the shine? As I was pricing this to put out I just kept thinking, "Hello there my next sweater!" and before I knew it was in my knitting bag whispering promises of gorgeousness. I am a whimpering pile of something when it comes to silk. Oh yes. This will go fast, mark my words.

Which reminds me.. I have a whack of silk coming from Hip Knits. Kerrie was kind enough to dye me some aran weight in the colourway Kiss. Pink you know. Like almost everything lately. But I do love my pink. Its in the post as I type and I cannot wait to get my frantic little paws on it. SILK!

We are venturing out west next month and I am in the possession of a GC to one of the Islands Treasures, Mad About Ewe. I am all aquiver at the possibilities!

May babies

In honour of the newest link on the sidebar.. OTTER MADNESS!!!!

May has always been an awesome month. The first buds of spring, lilac trees, may trees, super hot +30 days, the snow... the joy of living in Calgary. You know, same old, same old. But it also a month filled with birthdays and anniversaries and general cause for celebration. And really.. PRESENTS!!!!! I have the most amazing friends.. I really do.

Worlds cutest strawberry mug (that had a FANTASTIC sbux card in it mwah!) from Michelley. She knows me all too well. Its a sickness is the coffee love. This was a toffee gingerbread latte and it was SWEET! kiss kiss.

Then on Friday who shows up, cool as cucumber and all pleased but Miss Morgan. Fresh with a new job and full of piss and vinegar. No surprise there huh? She tosses this oh so casually in my bag without a second glance and remarks in her Morgan like way. TAKE IT. IT'S FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY. Since all smart women are maybe a titch scared of that growl.. I happily obliged. SO EXCITED to get to this I tell ya! I see Island knitting there I do.

Knitting content ahead..

Top down seed stitch raglan in Phildar Pure Laine 3 1/2. Superwash YES! Bad (allegedly the same phhhht) dyelots? YES! I know you can see the line in the first photo.. evryone can see the damn line. But I think something will eventually be done about it. It fits like a dream and will make an excellent fall sweater. I'll deal. I love how the seed stitch collar continues down the raglan increase. I'm really pleased with how this came out.

Deeply ribbed (for my pleasure!) superhero arms sweater. Done in Knitpicks Gloss (cocoa) 2 stands held together. It took less than 10 balls so it was about a 40-ish dollar blue light special. Go strong Canadian Dollar! GO! This is spectacular on. And has the most amazing bit of lustre. I am really impressed with how smooth and next to the skin soft it is. I loved it and even though some people think that 8+ inches of 2x2 ribbing is all kinds of crazy, it was soooooo worth it. YUM!

On the needles now... mystery pinkness. I will spill that it is from Elann (Aracaunia Alpaca) and is yet another 40$ BLS. This is going to be a scrumptious bit of knitting if I do say so myself. Just wait and see..

In other news.. the shop will be closed for 3 days this week so I have a whole week off! I should maybe make some home improvement plans. Not that this will get done or anything, but I'd sure like to paint the bathroom. Hahahahahahaha! Riiiiiiight............

Se7en

Seven random facts about moi?

1. I eat frozen berries almost every night. Stupidly delicious. With Edible Oil Product too!

2. I was an accountant for a short while. Using a calculator is easy but Math is Hard! This was pre-computer age too. Bow down to my mathlete skillzor.

3. I think most good music must have loud screaming guitars in it. Hey electronic stuff has its place, but give me some good old Social Distortion/GnR/Queens of the Stone Age (HELLO JOSH HOMME!) any day. And with the exception of Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Dwight, I hate me the country music. Both kinds, country and western. HATE. I have to say my tolerance level has increased as I age. A *good thing*.

4. I have never been stung by a bee or wasp. I stepped on one when I was 3, but I reckon that was self defense for it to sting. Hence I am a little bit over scared of them. Like flappy hand, dance of fear scared.

5. I wear slippers all the time when I am home. I like my feets toasty roasty.

6. I taught myself to read when I was 3. According to my Daddy, I would sit on his back as he read the paper at night and one day he realised I was READING to him. At three. In grade 1 I was reading at a High School level and correcting the older kid who was *helping* me.

7. I am utterly addicted to all things The Office (US). Please, someone watch this show so I have someone else to babble with, my husband is just not enough. Go PAM!

Thanks Marnie!. I have no idea who else has been tagged, so please feel free to sign on at will...

Happy May long sweethearts!

Of cupcakes, dyelots and love

Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Random snaps of the food from book launch. Um how come figs are so good? Not as sweet as a cupcake (which I will cop to eating at least two of. Not nearly as many as Chris, but why mess with the master?) but fantastic with a nice smelly goat cheese. Mmmmmm.....


I have finished another sweater in Phildars Pure Laine 3 1/2. Its quite lovely, but I am having some um, issues. Ok its not Lion & Lamb but that is neither here nor there, its the colour that has me confused. All the same dye lot, but not the same colour. Really.

Its not that easy to see (and the spawn is being absolutely no help at all this morning, damn his teenage moods) so this pic will have to do. There is a definite colour change. Like 2 shades. I took this into work yesterday and with some help decided to emphasise it. Celebrate it if you will. Ok, not really celebration worthy I know but lets take it where it comes. You'll see the finished result soon. Really.

Today is May 8th right? Its mine and Chris' 8th anniversary. It should have been later but the year we got married was the year the new Star Wars movie came out and we could not compromise that opening day. I am so not kidding. One of the many reasons I love my man.

According to About.com:

8th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Traditional Anniversary Gift: Bronze or Pottery
Modern Anniversary Gift: Appliance
Travel Anniversary Gift Ideas: Casino Visit

Um hay! That casino trip sounds MIGHTY FINE! Chris got me a spectacular cashmere sweater (on sale! WE LOVES A BARGAIN YES!) and he is getting a quick joystick charger and faceplate for his X Box 360. We are such buckers of tradition.

I love you Chris with all my heart.

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows..

Nothing sweeter than an FO is there? 2? Even better. I woulda had three (which is a magic number ya'll!) but I got irritated at the yarn and pulled it out, but more on that later. For now, in chronological order.. Helens Lace Shawl in Tickled Pink. This was easily the most fun you can have knitting lace for a lace-a-phobe. Spectacular results, no charts (I know, I KNOW CHARTS ARE YOUR FRIEND right D?) no fuss, no muss. Short rows with no wrapping and turning, and if the pattern was written a teeney weeney bit clearer (you move that damn marker every row ok?) it would have been sublime. Ok it really was sublime. And fast. Did I mention fast? Because holy helena handbasket this was SUPER FAST. Like BULLET TRAIN fast. I loved it and want to knit more. The extra super cool? It is such a gossamer light whisp of a thing it is easily worn as a straight up scarf. Pulled through ala the french girl chic style. It is so yum. I definitely see me making more of these.

Oh and I also got 9 repeats of the pattern out the ridiculous 1200+ yards. The pattern says to do 6, but 9, well 9 is so much more a magic number innit? I have maybe 20 feet left over. I hate to waste dontcha know. Look at that yummy little fringe at the end? Isn't it just sweet? I didn't block this, and don't think I have any intention of blocking. I like the semi scrunched look, and think it actually works in this case.

Next is this smashing little summer weight cardigan I designed just for this luscious yarn. Its Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb in Mineshaft and if you haven't had the pleasure of touching this stuff.. I just don't even know what to say. It has maybe ruined me for all other yarn. It has the the softest hand, and feel almost cottony but with a smoothness and bounce that is hard to believe.

I was especially thrilled with the button band. After one small mishap that involved me pulling out the finished band (and OMG I DIDN'T CARE the yarn really is *that*nice to work with) and getting some advice (pick up 2 out of every 3 stitches for worsted or bigger yarn vertically! Thanks Amy!) and going down 2 needle sizes (and some corner mitering thanks D again), it came out exactly like I'd seen in my head! Shocking when that happens eh?

A quick steam block and it was more than ready to go. I am so absolutely pleased with this. It fits like well.. like it was made for me ha ha. Really though the side shaping is perfect, the 3/4 length sleeve is fantastic and I just couldn't be happier. Oh and it took less than a week and less than 5 skeins. GO ME!

Now I have to ask you all in deh blogosphere.. its a serious question ok? About um.. Socks That Rock. Now I come to you with an open mind, I have knit socks before. Worsted weight socks even. Using... um.. I am almost scared to write this... WOOL-EASE. Ok its done. No big right? I am the girl who knit her first sweater out of Lion Brand Homespun (and I'm sure its keeping some homeless guy really sweaty right now. It got donated so fast it was almost a bending of the space time continuum) so long ago huh? But I digress..

Ok, now you all know that I picked some STR up in Edmonton a while back . The purple skien I wanted to make a mini clapotis out of. In fact I was almost done it up until yesterday. I had been merrily knitting away since Saturday on it. Now I'm not sure if I am going to be tarred and feathered for this (SERIOUS QUESTION HERE-->) but does this stuff not seem all that soft? In fact does it feel gasp*plasticky* to anyone else? I thought because I had been knitting with manna from heaven nothing would feel soft like that again and was really enjoying the colour if nothing else and really hoped it would soften up after a good wash/block. But upon getting it out of my knitting bag to show a customer at work yesterday she remarked in the same thing. HAVE I BEEN SUCKERED BY THE INTERNETS? Or am I taking yarn snobbery to a whole new level? Aside from the fact that I unravelled the whole thing due to some user error.. I am now a little alarmed at this turn of events. Maybe socks need to be um.. sturdy? I dunno bloggies.. it is possible that I am ruined isn't it?

On the needles now (not a clapotis!) is a pullover Weasley Type sweater out of Phildar Pure Laine. Just started the collar last night.. will update when have more to show.

PSA

Book signing at Make 1 Yarns this Saturday. 7 pm. Come one come all! Maybe you can get Felt up all over :)

xoxo

me

HOLY SHIT!!!

Go HERE!. Buy this FANTASTIC BOOK. Check out my AWESOME PATTERNS (and photo!) and MARVEL at the amazing-ness that is all there. Big shouts to Dana and of course Amy who is teh awesomest of all.

OMG PUBLISHED!!

Happy Zombie Day!

Max says Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate it.. and to those of you who don't, Happy Zombie Day. Stubbs says: Eat your brains chocolate and be good now!

Remember.. yarn is always an option for gifts too :)

Home again

Ok first things first.. a couple of snaps of the shawl I am crazy in love with. So simple, so lovely, so great a use of Manos.. (colourway Agate, about 375 g as I used a titch of it for something else)



Work has such great natural light yes? The pattern is here:

http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/shawls-shrugs/feather-and-fan-comfort-shawl.htm

And did I mention it is a FREE PATTERN (and I am too lazy to do a nice tidy html pretty link.. deal ok?)? Can't beat free with a stick now can you? And even though the picture is um.. well lets just say I was told to embrace my inner poncho ( I<3 Leanne), it can be so much more than that you know? I LOVES it I do.. In fact it has inspired me (along with another lovely and fabulous woman Nancy) to look at things like this:


With a lot more seriousness. Like serious enough that maybe that pink skein is sitting in front of my TV right now calling me. Of course it has competition.. in the FORM OF..



Sigh.. so much damn yarn.. so little time. This HAD to come home from work with me last week. It really really did. I haven't felt the siren pull of something like this for a long time.. now I have enough for a sweater. A scoop neck cardi I think, but we'll see. This bit of heaven has made me its bitch. Oh yes it has.




Just in case you thought the trip up North yielded nada.. you were so very wrong. These are destined for others, and there were 2 more, but someone (MARILYNN) couldn't wait and had to scamper in on her day to off to collect her booty. She is too cute.

These are for me. WTF? I don't do sock yarn!? Well I DEFY anyone to resist the siren call of Socks That Rock, because even the non sock yarn Betties (and yes there are a few of us ok?) can go for a HEAVY WEIGHT! Ok and that Lorna's had to sneak in for its close up too. Chris picked the blue out for himself, and I duly promised to *eventually* make socks for him. I also made him leave River City Yarns when it came time to pay. He agreed handily. I love my husband. I really do. :)

We had a fabulous time up in the Chuck we did. we saw lovely family, ate ridiculous amounts of food, went shopping and best of all we made a really sweet new friend. Here she is, Princess Toshi.




She is a very well travelled pup, from Australia and has now achieved permanent resident status with Chris' Aunt Norma and Uncle Tom. We think she is very lucky to have them. :) She is a Jack Russell/Rat Terrier mix and just as nice as pie. Nicer in fact. She warmed up us and even deigned to sit with Chris for his morning OJ.

What a gorgeous doll she is! Max stayed with my Mum and Dad, but will be introduced next time we go up. We think they will get along famously.

What did you do this weekend??

Thankful

I think sometimes I need to be reminded to be thankful for what I have. I know we all need that kick in the pants once in a while so why not document it?

Today I am thankful for these monkeys. Now what? You say? Well jeeze, lookit them! These are Telus (which we hates with the flaming passion of a thousand fiery suns, but that is really neither here nor there right?) monkeys that have yet to be corrupted by the evil machine. By evil machine please the sentence previous to this one ok? And holy hell who doesn't like cute pictures of animals? Why do you think cuteoverload does so well? I bet even Mussolini and Satan liked/s puppies or kitties right?

AND as usual, I am thankful for :

This mornings offering is a cinnamon/french vanilla latte with cinnamon/splenda topping in a mug made by me. Oh yes, I threw this back when I was taking a wheel throwing course. My last one in fact. I have been missing pottery lately, not that knitting doesn't fulfill me, it really does, but something about wheel throwing seems magickal. I dreamed about wedging clay last night. I think its a sign no? Besides, you can NEVER have too many sturdy thrown mugs right?

I am also thankful for Baby Panda Mei Lan who keeps me happy and amused for many hours of the week. Honestly, when I feel stressed out, I click on PANDA-CAM and a few minutes of watching her sleep, play or just be a panda is enough to reduce stress and make me smile. Don't believe me? Try it for your self. The link is on the side there. AND I found a couple other panda cams the other day! WHO KNEW?!?

And finally.. this:

OMG HOW CAN ANYTHING BE SO CUTE?

Today's post brought to you by the letter R, number 4 and sincere lack of cynicism. Happy weekend all!

As promised..

Momma Panda says I love you too Mei Lan..

See I told myself I COULDN'T update until I took, and posted these fine pictures of Chris in his new fancy sweater. He is *such* a good sport isn't he? The sweater sure came out nicely, and he has ACTUALLY WORN IT! Its enough to make me wanna knit.. no wait a minute.. don't start down that road again Missy!

Superhero pose!

Checking his watch!

Peeking coyly..

I feel kinda silly as that had been finished for really long time now. Long enough for me to finish 2 pairs of mittens, 2 scarves, a BEAUTIFUL shawl (that I will take pictures of tomorrow at work because thats where I forgot it!) a ginormous square for a baby blanket (that I couldn't talk about until it had been given to its recipient, which DUH it has!) and adding to an afghan that is perpetually in progress. Brackets much? Anyways, I have been doing something really really radical lately too..

Knitting from my stash! OMG! Like totally freak me out! I am finding great joy in doing these small projects.

Mini Clapotis from Knitty. Used Cotton Silk blend yarn (lost the label sorry ya'll!) doing 3.5 repeats of the increase section. I love wearing scarves lately, the weather here is so wonky its a good thing to have one on you at all times.

I have knit a Clapotis before out of some seriously ugly super wash yarn my Mummy gave me (it was the same colour as my skin.. euwwwwww) then over dyed it. It came out kind of , um.. funny looking, so now the dogga sleeps on it. Think he knows he has a *designer* sleep blanket? I reckon he could care less.

Feather and Fan scarf out of a 100% wool yarn called Landlord that has been languishing in my stash forever. There are matching mittens to this too, but really they are not that exciting. I bought a gorgeous new coat at the Bay on clearance (Perry Ellis Portfolio! 70% OFF!) that was crying for new mittens and scarf to go with. OK it sorta matches the lining cause the coat is indeed black, but YUMMY!

I am really digging the feather and fan lately. Such a nice easy to do, looks harder than it is finish to it. Much like the Clapotis.

This weekend we are heading up North to see the Family and do some shopping. I shall be Hitting a few local Edmonton yarn shops (HELLO RIVER CITY!) and may have new and wondrous things to show you when I get back. Chris just keeps muttering three little words to himself.. I swear its the only thing keeping him going at this stressful place of work right now. POKER CHIP STORE. Apparently there is one in WEM, so guess where we are headed? Heh heh.

In other news: Make 1 Yarn Studio Turned 1 year old well.. today actually. But our party was on Tuesday night. I have to take minute to thank Amy and Sandra for having such an amazing shop, building such a fabulous community and having totally terrific taste in staff. (giggle). No, really though, you two are too amazing for words. I love you both to bits!

TAG! You're it! (it's ALL ABOUT ME)

Wow! I have been tagged by the beautiful and knocked up Tara. 5 reasons why I blog huh??

Reason the first:

I am an attention whore. No really. I know some of you will be shocked and dismayed at this startling revelation, but tis true. I like people knowing certain things. And lavish praise, oh yes LAVISH PRAISE!

Reason the second:

Its a great way to document my knitting skillz and what minutiae in my life I am currently obsessed with. You may ask why I don't have a paper journal? I find I am much funnier and less waaaah waaaaaah waaaaaah when I know other people are going to read it. I tried to keep a proper journal once, but when I went back and read it I was so mortified at myself I ripped it up. Public shame is a good motivator for me NOT to take myself too seriously. Seriously.

Reason C:

I too can avoid the mass email thingies. I like the family/friend units being able to catch up on stuff I would normally forget to tell them and know we still think about them. I LOVE they can see a slice of our lives. AND SOME PEOPLE WHO SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS SHOULD START A BLOG SOON TOO OK???

Number 4:

I enjoy inflicting random pictures of things I am OCD about on you all. Cupcakes and kissing llamas? Coffee and balls of yarn? How else will you know what to buy me for gifts? Where else would you be able to access my amazon wishlist?

Finally V:

ALL THE COOL KIDS DO IT SO WHY CAN'T I?

Now I think I want to tag........... Michelle. You ARE ON BABE!!!

Ok now for the brass tacks: We have been having a little tornado of family stuff going on which is why I haven't updated re: Chris' sweater. But rest assured it is done. He has worn it, and I will post photos ASAP of him in his best Sears Catalogue poses in it. He looks MIGHTY SPIFFY if I do say so myself. Of course I am VERY biased. :)

In Other News:

Da Vinci Gingerbread syrup is a god among syrups. Don't believe me? Come on over and I'll make you a latte or cappuccino that will prove me right. See mine today? Look up there silly, its at the top o the page.

Happy weekend all... I do love you!