Warmth in the North

frus-tra-ting

    One small shawl is my take along knitting right now.  I'm not really sure if silk yarn is good for dragging around all over the place.  The yarn likes to slip of the needles so there's no way to knit just a few stitches because things will start falling apart.  Hopefully it will be done in the next few days because I think it will be lovely to wear even if it's a pain to knit. 

in use

     I've been thinking recently about the emotions that can be tied up in knitting (or crafting in general) for other people.  The Christmas season always reveals a certain amount of unhappiness on Ravelry when a carefully made gift is ignored or goes unloved.  Over the two weeks I spent back home in Ontario I learned the fate of a few things I'd knit.

    On Sunday I notice that my friend Sarah was wearing one of the shawls I'd sent her last April so I dragged her outside after church for a picture.  It was one of the many things I've taken pleasure in knitting but needed to give away after I'd finished.  I don't know if there's anything quite as nice as learning your knitting rates a vintage coat with a fur collar.

    My sister, Thea, tearfully informed me that one of her Subway Mitts had been lost - on the subway no less.  When she dropped the mitt it fell onto the tracks where it was impossible to retrieve.  The surviving mitt sits atop her dresser, sad and lonely but very visible,  I think I need to knit her another pair.

    The hats I knit Aidan this fall are all in use and surviving their life with a 17 year old boy.  He'll need more next year since this batch is being forced to survive carpenters glue, sawdust and general neglect.  I'm also pretty sure he won't be washing them since he's afraid they'll shrink.

    I think I'm pretty lucky, my friends and family wear my knits daily.  I really want my work to be used and not saved for special occasions which never come.  For this knitter at least there's nothing better than learning that a replacement is in order.

gail in full

    I'm now back in British Columbia and the internet is working!  Just before heading home I dragged my sister outside to model Gail for me.  I'd forgotten how large the finished shawl was until she held it up.  Columba's 5'10" and as you can see it was too wide for her to hold taunt from edge to edge.    It's been over a month since I cast off Gail and the points are no where near as sharp as they once were.  The weakening of the edge is probably due to the yarn being 100% Alpaca however the stitch definition is still really sharp. I suppose every yarn choice has a bit of compromise and I really love the subtle halo of lace knit with Alpaca. 

     Thank heavens for a sister who doesn't mind standing outside in the cold and modeling for me. 

on haiti

    I've been trying to think of something appropriate to say about the devastation in Haiti.  There are no words.  I'd just like to remind any Canadian readers that until February 12th the government will match our donations up to $50 million.   So many other people have ideas and suggestions on how to help, hopefully we'll be able to make a difference in our own small ways.

more yarn

   

    Last Friday I went to my one yarn store of this trip with my friend Christina, the exact same stop as last year.  Lettuce Knit is a great little yarn store but my favorite part as always was having lunch in Kensington Market.  An avocado sandwich at the Urban Herbivore is something I dream of on occasion while at home.    

    All of the Dream in Color Classy I purchased last year has been knit up so a bit more seemed in order.  Three single skeins in Cocoa Kiss, Visual Purple and Happy Forest for hats or mitts.  Whenever I get a request there's never any worsted yarn in my stash so I thought stocking some would be a good idea.  These three were the last of their colourways and the brown and green are unisex I hope.

    The two skeins of Petal Shower are for a Dream in Color Shrug and I also grabbed the pattern.  I'm not sure if the finished shrug will be for me or my sister.  The colour would look great on her and it would work as a birthday gift but I may change my mind.  The pattern itself is really simple so hopefully it will be a quick and satisfying project.

disappearing act

    Once again I fell off the face of the earth due to internet problems.  I ended up traveling to Ontario before things were fixed.  Hopefully it will be up and running when I return home. 

    On a more positive note I've been having a great time for the last little while.  Visiting family and friends, caroling, all the festivities of Christmas and even a visit to a yarn shop.  This coming week is a little less booked so I'm hoping to sit and knit by the fire.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy Holiday!