tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236002962024-03-12T21:37:09.914-04:00By Hook or By CrookA blog about crochet, knitting, and whatever else I feel like talking about...Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-69927374494424336762010-05-01T18:30:00.002-04:002010-05-01T18:36:32.110-04:00littles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'd like to start off by saying that <a href="http://wanderingcatstudio.blogspot.com/">Valerie's</a> suggestion that I leave the tiny babies around the house for Cee to come upon unexpectedly--and thus be totally freaked out--made me about giggle my considerably-large-sized arse off! I could never be that mean, however, 'cause I do love him, after all...and because I grew up with two older brothers, who took entirely too much devious joy in doing just that type of thing to me as a child...looking back I'd say that's where half my problems stem from...yeah, yeah, that's it....couldn't be anything I ever did or said...right? Ahem......</div><br />
My loving brothers took delight in doing things like blowing up black leather gloves and shoving them at me in the doorway to my bedroom as I was walking through, so I'd think someone was grabbing at me (you had to be there, it was scary!) or putting tabasco sauce on a lemon wedge and telling me it was a 'Danish Candy' and doing the literal ROFL (before there even was ROFL) while my eager chubby little hands stuffed it into my mouth...don't you laugh, it wasn't funny! Well, I guess it was--to everyone but me...and maybe I fell for that one more than once--stop giggling, you!--but hey, I was little...like 2 or 3 little...and you tell a chubby kid it's a candy and they will fall for it almost every time....my dad didn't have to practically wet his pants laughing over it though...harumph...<br />
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Speaking of little...it's the season of littles....the next little is due this very month in my hometown of Calgary. Arrival date is technically May 18th, but this little (who is a girl, the first one in a while in my world--everyone has been making boys for years!) seems to want to make an early appearance. I have previously blogged about the February baby sweater on two needles, which is destined for this wee one, but thought she should have some footwear as well, so I made some socks and some booties:<br />
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The booties are seamless, which I absolutely loved! I embroidered some little pink daisies on them because they just seemed so plain to me....and I think this little deserves some May flowers, since she shall be a May baby. The socks are a fast little knit that I've used a few times before. <br />
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I acquired one of those ridiculously cute sock blocker keychains recently, and decided I'd make it a little sock with my leftover Yarn Pirate from Ishbel (which is blocking as I type this)...it started off swimmingly, but, well, a picture is worth a thousand words...or in this case; five:<br />
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</div>Well, technically four words and 1 slang....I used the needles the pattern suggested, honest...and I knit very loosely...so I can only guess that the yarn was too fine for the pattern specs...still...fun! I shall have to try again, and it only took mere minutes to make.<br />
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And this is what the Killer Shih-Tzu thinks of my knitting teeny socks:<br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: inherit;">Here's a link to the little bootie pattern I used: <a href="http://pickinandthrowin.blogspot.com/2008/08/baby-booties-without-seams-top-down.html">Seamless Baby Booties (Top Down)</a></span><br />
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And here's a link to the little socks pattern I used: <a href="http://www.freepatterns.com/search.html?criteria=FK00091">Baby Cables Bootie Socks</a></span>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-16727512739471403012010-04-16T10:20:00.006-04:002010-04-16T10:33:41.838-04:00file this under<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">'You Know You Knit Too Much When'....You know you knit too much when, in the course of watching a primetime crime drama show you observe that someone on said show has been killed on an airplane with a knitting needle (through the throat, no less), necessitating the solving of that crime...and maybe they show the victim from a long angle and you say out loud, to no one in particular, "Hmmmm...that looks like about a 4 1/2 mm, maybe Susan Bates"....and then they show a close up of the wound....and you discover you are right....uh thank you verra much...and then maybe your husband looks at you and says "you really need to step away from the needles"...yeah, like that'll happen...you will be pleased to know it wasn't the knitter that committed the crime...us knitters can be so wily and crafty...I just worried that maybe they will ban knitting needles from air travel...and I wouldn't want anyone eyeballing me whilst I was getting my knit on during a flight...</div><br />
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Thanks for all your well wishes on my health, you guys have no idea how much that means to me! Things are coming along fine with physio, in fact I have my last in-home visit in about two weeks...after that I may need more therapy, but it's still up in the air. I have flashes of normalcy more and more often...and by that I mean I'll be going along and realize I've done something I haven't been able to do since I got ill--like stand on my right leg and lift my left foot off the ground, for instance--and then I will do the fake dance of joy and lift my left foot about a million times just because I can...and then later on in the evening I'll be in enormous amounts of pain in my right leg because--duh--I put so much weight on it...it appears I won't learn...ah well, maybe the resolution of this condition won't take much longer...she said with hope...<br />
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I've been knitting...still finding it hard to stay monogamous to one project, so I'm just rolling with it...yes I have a lot of stuff on the needles, but it's all getting finished, so no big whoop.<br />
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First up is the Ishbel shawl/scarf. I love looking at the "people" tab on Ravelry, and found that I was clicking on shawl projects more and more thinking 'wow that looks gorgeous'...after about 7 or 8 clicks, I realized it was the same pattern I was clicking on over and over...the Ishbel shawl, by Ysolda Teague, which appears to be very popular on Ravelry...I decided that since I was so drawn to it, I must have the pattern...now lace and I have a love/hate relationship...I always try lacy things and always end up screwing the pattern up and having to frog...and then hating them...but still the siren call of the pattern...so with wide-eyed optimism I cast on...and discovered that I'm really not that bad at lacy patterns after all....sure there was some tinking, and after one particular row I spread out the shawl to see how wide it was and didn't notice the 30 or so stitches falling off the one side of my circular (man was the air blue that night!) and had to rip back 2 or 3 rows because the stitches just unravelled so quickly...but still...I got it done!! And now, I need to block, but here it is, in all its naked finished pre-blocked glory...<br />
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I made the small size, so it's more of a scarf than a shawl, and I have a feeling that the yarn is a little busy for the pattern, but still....lurv...I already have the yarn picked out for another...<br />
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The above picture is a better representation of the colourway...this is Yarn Pirate in Neptune, and when I went looking through the stash to find yarn to knit Ishbel, this literally fell out and hit me on the head, so I decided I'd better use it and not tempt fate.<br />
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I also found another dishcloth pattern to love...love to knit, love to finish, just plain love;<br />
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This is the Round Lacy Cloth by Rhonda White...it's a free pattern online and it really should be illegal to love a pattern this much, but if loving it is wrong I don't want to be right....it's ingenious...knits up wickedly fast and is so pretty when it's done it's almost a shame to use it on your dishes...well, maybe I wouldn't go that far...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again, I already have another on my needles as I type this...it looks awesome in the variegated colours.</div><br />
I also have a guilty pleasure to tell you about....sigh, here goes....my name is Kiki, and I like making doll clothes...<br />
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There, it's out...don't judge me....can I hear some of you singing "Creepy Doll" by Jonathan Coulton??? I can't help it, friends...I think they are too adorable...these are little 5-inch Berengeur babies, and their little duds are made out of crochet cotton size 10 thread and my teeny steely crochet hooks....<br />
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Cee is looking decidedly worried these days...keeps saying things like; "You're not going to turn into one of THOSE women, are you??"...you know, the kind that fill their houses with weird porcelain dolls or those 'reborn' thingies? I can't say as I am...but you just never know how deep this rabbit hole will go, folks. Cee is seriously creeped out by them....he thinks they will come to life and try to steal his eyes while he sleeps....<br />
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I personally think they are far too adorable to ever be that mean, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion...<br />
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If you would like to knit Ishbel, you can find the pattern over at Ravelry <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ishbel">here</a> you do need to purchase it, I think it's 3 British Pounds...<br />
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The Knitted Lacy Round Cloth by Rhonda White is free, and you can find it <a href="http://www.knittingknonsense.com/lacyround.html">here </a><br />
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If you would like to join the dark side and make the tiny baby clothes, I found them in a booklet called "Itty Bitty Babies"....<br />
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"...and there's a creepy doll....that always follows you...it has a ruined eye, that is always open..."Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-56869471337385492232010-03-24T23:13:00.003-04:002010-03-24T23:35:16.185-04:00holy sh#tHey...............<br />
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Wow, it's been a while, hasn't it? The last time I posted we were just rid of our 'house guest' and I was having some pain in my right hip that I was assured was strained ligaments..... <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Without going into a long (and probably very boring) story, the strained ligaments turned out to be acute Sciatica, which is an inflammation of the Sciatic nerve (lower back, either side of your spine, top of your butt cheeks is a nerve which feeds allllll the way down your leg) I had it on my left side in the summer, but recovered fairly quickly...the right side...well, it's taking quite a bit longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Basically kids, not long after I last posted I ended up taking an ambulance ride to emergency (boy was that fun--not) because I could no longer move without screaming in pain....this seemed to unnerve my husband for some reason, the me screaming in pain, and also my continued pleading of him to take his alluminum baseball bat and cave my head in was really starting to wear on his psyche....can you believe the heartless bugger refused EVERY single time?? After xrays and tons of blood tests and all that junk, I was given some very strong narcotics and sent home....home to where I couldn't get up the stairs, or move..or even get IN the house for that matter...um...yeah. It was decided that I should go and stay with my mother in law, as she has a bungalow, so everything is all on one level, plus lots of neat equipment like a lift chair, walkers, etc. etc. and after a couple of weeks I should be back to normal. That was November 1, 2009. I made a visit to my doctor about a week or so later and was told that it was Sciatica...they had to dope me up big time to get me down the few stairs and into the car, and I was still screaming most of the way...every bump in the road felt like it was 3 feet deep.</div><br />
I haven't posted kids, because I don't remember the entire month of November, nor the first 3 weeks of December....and to be honest, even January is a bit hazy....I was too busy being in indescribable pain, the nerve was spasming almost constantly, sending jolts all the way down to my big toe, praying I didn't have to get up and "walk" anywhere, because not only did it take me almost 20 minutes to walk 20 feet, but the pain was....well let's just say the pain was bad....really bad....like praying for a quick death to get away from it bad. I basically lost the use of my right leg...in between crying jags, begging for the pain to go away, and making uncontrollable involuntary noises while not being able to even speak at times, I was without tv, computer, or even my beloved knitting (because believe it or not, I couldn't even hold my knitting without being in pain, much less complete the act of knitting) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Flash forward to today.....that "two weeks" I was going to stay with my mother in law? Well it turned into almost 4 months. I'll say that again....Four Months. For obvious reasons we bypassed all the holidays...in fact, to me it still feels like it should be Fall...and even though my mother in law and I get along...well....you fill in the blanks....there were tensions....and issues....and even though Cee came and visited tons, it of course wasn't the same, and I wasn't in my own home...</div><br />
When I finally started moving around again, after being whacked out for a month and a half on heavy duty pain killers, then spending two weeks sick as a dog as those came out of my system, I realized that my muscles just wouldn't do what they were supposed to...mainly support the weight of my leg (did you know that your legs make up about half your body weight? You don't realize how heavy they are until you can't move them anymore)<br />
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I've been having multiple physio therapy sessions (they are fabulous, come right into our home, which is good, 'cause I'd have a heck of a time going to them), at one point she was coming twice a week....after learning to walk again, and learning in stages to do stairs again, I was able to come back home 3 weeks ago, and have slowly started getting back into a routine...the dogs were all like "Hey, I remember you....sort of....got any snacks??"<br />
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I am making slow progress, have come a very long way, and have a very long way to go, friends. I will probably have to have more tests to see just why I got it so bad (something about me being 'too young' to get 'this' 'this bad') and maybe have to see more specialists....and I may yet face more relapses and pain....still, as long as I wake up and I'm not in that awful pain it's a good day. I can do the stairs now...it's not pretty, but I get it done....and I'm able to walk (although I have to use a walker still), and am trying right now to improve my gait, but it's all good. Why, just last night I was able to sit and actually lift my right foot off the ground, and raise my leg....a huge triumph! Guess I ended up telling a long and boring story after all, huh?<br />
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Annnnnnnnyway, as soon as I felt even the teeniest bit better, I asked for my knitting, of course! And as soon as I got home I surrounded myself with all my beloved projects in progress, they had been left languishing in the exact places I'd put them down last Fall.<br />
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Life has gone on, as it tends to do, and the people around me keep having babies. I always think this is very considerate, as it give me an excuse to knit baby clothes, which I love...two are expected this year, the first is a girl due in May, the second is yet a surprise, due in the Fall....so when I got home, I got out the trusty Knitter's Almanac (Elizabeth Zimmermann) and cast on for the February Baby Sweater on Two Needles.<br />
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</div>Just needs buttons! The simplicity of this pattern is a pure joy, it's no wonder the adult version is so popular with everyone at Ravelry!<br />
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Then I decided I needed some booties or socks (or both!) to go along with the sweater, so last night I cast on the Little 16 Newborn Socks...it's a free pattern you can find on Ravelry.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4460854070_58f8d1fa81_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4460854070_58f8d1fa81_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Just using some Bernat baby sport yarn for these, so far they are fun to knit.</div><br />
Cee has been wearing the socks I made him almost constantly, so I figured he needed a new pair. I started the Mock Wave Cable socks from Favorite Socks last week.<br />
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This will be the fourth time I've knit this pattern....I must say I love it, and he really likes them....or at least he wears them....probably because he loves me :o) Using some manly-type coloured yarn...I think it's Kertzer with the Aloe Vera.<br />
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And last but not least, I've made progress on my 'Cowichan' style cardigan I started waaaaaaay back last September, the back is now done.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Those are meant to be beavers there, I found this hilarious, but to me they kind of look like fatty squirrels...which is even more hilarious....I have a weird sense of humour though....</div><br />
Anyway kids, that's it for me now, but not forever....can't promise how often I'll post, but touch wood it will be often (hopefully that's a good thing!) Thanks for reading, TTFN.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-29313247180080046762009-10-16T10:55:00.000-04:002009-10-16T10:55:55.029-04:00this house is cleanWell, maybe not in a strictly literal sense, but...let's just say: my friends, the occupation is over.<br />
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Things have been percolating here the last three (has it only been 3?!) weeks because of our 'house guest'. I suppose a teeny bit of back story is in order....don't worry I won't go on forever, and since I have no new knitting pictures to post--mostly because I've done no new knitting, a short story may suffice.<br />
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Our 'house guest' was actually Cee's brother's wife (notice I don't say sister-in-law)....there's been animosity there, almost completely on her side, by way of the fact that she doesn't like or want to know her husband's family, hasn't spoken to any of us in 8 years (yes, you read that right) and actually moved them two hours away from where we all live and kept her husband from communicating with any of his family for almost 6 of those 8 years. Well, the rift between Cee's brother and family recently healed, thanks in part ironically to Cee's dad's declining health and eventual passing, and things were starting to go back to normal, but there's been tension between his wife still see, because she still didn't want to know any of us or even try to mend things...all of us decided we could live with that, as long as Cee's brother was still communicating, and it seemed it would go on indefinitely until....out of the blue she took a job here (or close to here) and all of a sudden she didn't want to commute the distance and demanded they sell up down there and move back here, but in the meantime she needed a place to stay.....<br />
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Enter yours truly....now, I must preface this by saying this was against our better judgement to begin with, we weren't too keen on having her here--wait, that is a big understatement, we both knew it was a horrible idea--mostly because like I said, she didn't want to know any of us, and but for the fact that she needed a place, she STILL wouldn't want to know any of us, and I knew for a fact that once they got settled into a place here, she again wouldn't want to know any of us....still, some part of Cee and I thought that maybe by doing this, things would be resolved, fences mended, rifts overcome...so we agreed, mostly for Cee's brother, who let's face it, was in a terrible fix..also we figured if we said no, that rift just might start to open up again.....damned if you do, damned if you don't.<br />
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So we said yes....and to make a long story short, it's been a nightmare. I won't bore you with the excruciating minutia of every event, but suffice it to say we felt heartily ill-used and abused, but were accomodating and opened our home, and the first time I asked her not to do one thing (that one thing was do multiple loads of laundry every day....she's one of those people to whom one shirt and a pair of socks is a laundry load) she decided that we were mean horrible people who were making her life intolerable and she moved out without so much as a thank you for letting me stay or a kiss me arse.<br />
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Where this leaves Cee's family and Cee's brother I have no idea....I'm hoping that we (with the exception of her, because she's shown her true colours and I wasn't completely surprised by what happened) can all be adults and get this resolved before it turns into another indefinite period of animosity and no communication.<br />
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I'm hopeful, because I don't think Cee's brother wants that either, but I also know he's got a poisonous little bug in his ear....stay tuned, it could get ugly.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-4337289643034694362009-10-07T17:21:00.000-04:002009-10-07T17:21:18.318-04:00oops i did it again<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hey all...looks like I missed posting for a while again....sorry. Our 'house guest' (Cee and I prefer to call it The Occupation--similar to Germany occupying France in WWII) has arrived and things were not as bad as I thought they would be.....they have been much worse. I'm sure eventually we will iron things out, but both Cee and I are horrible with confrontation, so it's much wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth and whispering to eachother about why we agreed to this in the first place...I don't mind helping anyone one out, but I do mind being taken advantage of, and such increasingly seems to be the case...stay tuned.<br />
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On more crappy fronts, I have had some more problems with my hip, the other side from the sciatic side...seemingly because I've been favouring my leg and well, to put it delicately, I'm just too damn fat...need to get some pounds off and all will improve...or so the doctor says...I hope so, because being in pain all the time really sucks, and not being able to walk or make your leg move sucks even more...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So dear friends, since I don't want to go on ad-nauseum about all the crappy things going on here, and since I've done very little knitting or crocheting in the past couple weeks (oh yeah, they think I have the beginnings of arthritis in my shoulder, too...yay) I decided I wouldn't be posting too much.<br />
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My cardigan had made some good progress though, before all the icky started...did you know that when you knit intarsia your yarns get REALLY tangled? It's enough to make a control freak like me have a breakdown...<br />
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This picture was taken when I was on row 2 of the intarsia charts...I got fed up untangling all the mini-skein/balls and just used yarn lengths around 3 feet or so and let them hang free, a technique of which I'm told Kaffe Fassett is fond...it worked much better and made me less sweary...I am now on the upper fair isle chart, so it's going much better, as I'm used to that....I started with the back of the pattern, so this will be the biggest piece and the most complicated (I hope at least) I'm nothing if not persistent, so it will be done...just may take a while.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-30222598099543061042009-09-19T10:17:00.000-04:002009-09-19T10:17:36.191-04:00by the pricking of my thumb....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What day is it? It's been a week around chez Kiki & Cee...let's just say the times, they are a changing...and not because of anything either Cee or I did or even wanted...ever feel like you are damned if you do and damned if you don't? Then you know exactly how we feel. Can't go into much detail, but let's just say that we shall be hosting a lodger for an undetermined amount of time and leave it at that....the things you do for family...or more accurately in-law family....that you don't even know....bleh, enough...I'm getting a headache just thinking about it...<br />
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Work has been progressing on the blanket for my niece's housewarming present. It's pretty boring to look at, but I haven't as yet gone completely crazy with all the garter stitch:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/3925478545_2cd312f898_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" iq="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/3925478545_2cd312f898_o.jpg" width="420" /></a><br />
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This is the Moderne Log Cabin Blanket, from Mason Dixon Knitting...perfect for sitting in front of the tv while pondering silently about how life as you know it is now over...am I being too melodramatic??<br />
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I also started a cardigan....can't call it a Cowichan, mostly because it's not...but it's that style...I wanted something thick and warm for fall days spent hiking trails and raking leaves and generally being outdoorsy...snort, like I do any of that! Seriously, it just caught my eye and I thought I'd make it...for whomever it fits, just to see if I could...yes, I'm the process-type of knitter:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/3926264960_c53dbf4c99_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" iq="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/3926264960_c53dbf4c99_o.jpg" width="420" /></a><br />
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It's from a Bernat pattern booklet....it may end up being cannibalized for other things...who knows.<br />
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Until next time, dearies...keep well. I'll leave you with Queen Collie, who captures my thoughts exactly, 'cause she keeps it real like that:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3933509219_88da2891fa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" iq="true" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3933509219_88da2891fa.jpg" width="420" /></a><br />
</div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-25435559107361886612009-09-11T12:49:00.001-04:002009-09-11T13:32:22.899-04:00face lift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You may (or may not) notice a bit of a change around these here parts....I decided, after three years, that we needed a bit of a different look around By Hook or By Crook, so I spent the better part of an hour <strike>trying to figure out how the heck it all works</strike> previewing new layouts and generally being indecisive, until I finally settled on a new template...I like it, it feels right, and it was time for a change.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought I would continue showing some of the projects I started during the time I was being neglectful and not posting. There's no way I could not post the Marialis End to End Scarf I started from 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders. I had the perfect yarn, thanks to the perfect <a href="http://chickenlipsknitting.blogspot.com/">Sharon</a>, of the perfect <a href="http://www.stitchjones.com/">Stitchjones</a> yarns...crank it to eleven and head on over there to get your socks rocked off.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3554513097_187c3586fe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" mq="true" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3554513097_187c3586fe.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is La Villa Strangiato Super Sock. I wanted to showcase the insanely gorgeous colours, so I decided no mere pair of socks would do, and cast on a light summer scarf.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3555321712_fa14d73d42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" mq="true" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3555321712_fa14d73d42.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This picture was taken when I first started. The scarf is now about two feet long. I take it with me everywhere I go and work on it often. I can't count how many comments and compliments I've had on it and it isn't even done yet. It's delicious, and a pleasure to work with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since I'm a total unapologetic bag ho, I have been working on several. I seem to have an unending supply of kitchen cotton. No matter how much I use, I keep finding more skeins of it hidden around the house....funny since I haven't bought any in years...why can't that happen with cashmere or alpaca, or the delicious Noro Silk Garden? I have a theory that elves break in at night and leave skeins, in between trying on our clothes and making fun of the size of my underwear...yes, I need help....In my attempt to get the kitchen cotton stash down, I cast on another market bag. This one is a free pattern called "Let's go shopping - market bag" you can find it by doing a pattern search on Ravelry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3889413153_b67332329c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" mq="true" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3889413153_b67332329c_o.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right about the middle of the summer, my hooks were feeling lonely....I try to give equal attention to both the pointy sticks and the hooks, so I yanked out the One Skein book and whipped up a couple of the Geometric Bags:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/3909968542_29b680a902_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" mq="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/3909968542_29b680a902_o.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are the Rectangle Bobble bag and the Circle bag (obviously)...I made the pieces for both of these in one night...ahh the speed of the lovely crochet hook! I wanted the rectangle one to go in my project bag and hold all my knitterly things like tape measure, needles, etc. But decided I liked the circle one better for that purpose. Cee's mum took a shine to the rectangular one, so she will probably end up with it. I lined and zippered both of them....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/3909181119_165d93b5e0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" mq="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/3909181119_165d93b5e0.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A bit of a sad story there....my trusty, faithful Singer sewing machine, that I bought with my very first paycheque from my very first job, finally gave up the ghost....that or it needs servicing, I'm not sure. In any case it doesn't owe me a single thing, it's a magnificent beast, and made many a Hallowe'en costume, Christmas dress, play outfit, etc. etc. Sigh, goodbye old friend, I will never forget you. I ended up doing all the sewing by hand....what would have taken mere minutes ended up taking hours, but it got done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">My niece recently got engaged....this put me in a quandry, because while I was completely overjoyed for her and her fiance, I was also horrified to realize that I am now old enough to have an engaged niece! I take comfort by telling everyone that I was but a young teenager when she was born...it's true...really it is!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I noticed that <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2009/08/24/thing_finished_and_thing_started.html">Stephanie</a> was making the Moderne Log Cabin blanket for a wedding present, and loved the colours she was using....and since my niece is building a house (well she herself isn't building it, you know what I mean) and her colours are all in the gray/brown family, I decided right then and there to <strike>steal the Yarn Harlot's idea</strike> make them a blanket in similar colours! No picture as yet as it's quite boring, just a grey rectangle with a bit of cream on it....but I found her post on picking up stitches around the blocks a total Eureka moment.</div><br />
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And now, since I promised, here is the recipe for the Jalapeno Jelly....soooo good...with just a little kick:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3884693928_6b9088e05f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" mq="true" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3884693928_6b9088e05f.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Jalapeno Jelly<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">5 Jalapeno peppers (I use fresh, but canned will also suffice)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">2 Medium-sized green peppers, cut into small pieces</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">1 1/2 Cup white vinegar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">1 Package powdered pectin</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">6 Cups sugar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">10 Drops green food colouring (optional)<br />
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Prepare 5 half-pint (I use 125 ml) canning jars. Rinse Jalapeno peppers, discarding stem ends, any bits of blackened skin, and about half the seeds (the seeds and the membrane bring the heat, so if you like it hot and spicy, leave them all in!) Chop peppers<strong> ****I strongly recommend using surgical gloves while doing this, as you can burn the creases between your fingers, and trust me, this is not fun!*****</strong> Place in a blender or food processor along with green peppers, and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Blend until finely chopped Pour into a large pot. Use the remaining vinegar to rinse out the blender or processor, then add to the pot.<br />
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Stir in the pectin and bring to a full, roiling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Add sugar and food colouring and continue stirring until mixture comes to a boil again. Let boil for exactly one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim off foam. Pour into jars and water process for 10 minutes.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is heavenly with pork, and I love it on melba toast, drizzled over a smackering of cream cheese...yummmmm...</div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-78310297750018845842009-09-03T12:03:00.006-04:002009-09-03T13:53:04.243-04:00i go all 'suzy homemaker'....There's something about late Summer/early Fall that puts thoughts of mason jars and snap lids into my head. I want to make jellies and jams and pickle everything....don't ask me why...it's not like my mother ever did anything like that, and she certainly didn't teach me to do any of that....and preserving things really isn't that big of a necessity for us modern gals....it's not like I'm living in some sod house in the middle of the open prairie where we won't see fresh fruit and vegetables for six months.<br /><br />No, today it's more of a kitschy, urban thing to do. Years ago, never mind how many exactly, my friend and I decided we were going to pickle garlic....don't screw your face up, it's good! And make Jalapeno Jelly....again with the screwy face....it's so yummy, and has just the right kick. We spent many an hour joking, laughing, telling stories and secrets while peeling garlic cloves and stinking up her kitchen....good times, good memories.<br /><br />This year while mulling over just what I wanted to make, I indulged in my favourite guilty pleasure; making dishcloths.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/3884687012_470f3fe3f0_m.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/3884687012_470f3fe3f0_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is the Linoleum Dishcloth, from the Mason Dixon Knitting blog. Fun to knit and pretty easy to memorize the pattern...I love the designs and it produces a thicker-than-normal dishcloth, which is great for scrubbing grimy dishes.<br /><br />I decided to do both. Pickled Garlic...really it's good...when we started making it eons ago, people thought we were nuts....now you have to pay big dollars for a tiny jar in the gourmet places....apparently we were far ahead of our time. And Jalapeno Jelly....it's heaven.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/3884780636_94a5652ca1_m.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/3884780636_94a5652ca1_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We found the recipes for both online....but I noticed I couldn't find them when I searched for them....so I will repost them here, for anyone brave enough to try something different. First the garlic. You can use this in your cooking like regular fresh garlic, or eat them like pickles...which is what I do, and I've never been told I reek of garlic, but if I had I wouldn't care...it's just too good!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Pickled Garlic</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center">Place peeled garlic cloves into washed 125 ml/half pint jars. (Usually takes around 3 bulbs of garlic per jar) fill each jar with vinegar. Into each jar add:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">1 Tablespoon sugar</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">1 Teaspoon salt (pickling/coarse salt preferred)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">1/4 Teaspoon each of basil and oregano</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Pour contents of each jar into large saucepan. Add 1/3 Cup additional vinegar. Bring to a boil and boil 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat. Fill jars with garlic and vinegar mixture. Add a pinch of crushed red peppers to each jar before sealing for an extra-spicy touch.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Process in canner/boiling water bath for 10 minutes.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I usually leave the garlic for two weeks before opening, to give the flavours time to get to know eachother! </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">**It's very important to follow proper canning procedures like sterilizing your jars, lids, rings and processing your canned goods for the required amount of time to avoid spoilage and bacteria.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3883992199_6f35e73510_m.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3883992199_6f35e73510_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A word about the "blues".....garlic contains phenol, which is this fancy-schmancy chemical...love my techincal jargon? Anyway, sometimes the vinegar makes the phenol in the garlic react and turn it blue....if you peek closely you can spy a couple bluish cloves up there....it looks weird, but it is totally safe to eat and doesn't affect the taste at all. There are all kinds of remedies people have come up with to keep your garlic from getting the blues, so just do a search and you will be reading for hours.<br /><br /></div><div align="left">If any of you make the garlic, please let me know how your batch turns out! I'd love to hear your input. I will post the recipe for the Jalapeno Jelly next time.<br /><br />Another word of advice....to get the smell of garlic (or onions, for that matter) off your hands, there are a few tried and tested ways thought up by our "Suzy Homemaker" ancestors...you can take a stainless steel knife (a dull one) and rub it over your hands under cool running water, you can also try rubbing either mustard powder or coarse salt on your hands and then rinsing them in cool water...these do the trick every time!<br /><br /></div><div align="left">If you would like to make the kitschy linoleum dishcloth, you can find it <a href="http://www.masondixonknitting.com/archives/2009_08.html#002711">here</a></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-66026366573677275502009-08-27T09:40:00.003-04:002009-08-27T12:22:48.151-04:00it takes brains....And apparently no one at the phone company has any*....Now I know I might be cursing myself by criticizing the phone company, but after the week we've been through I'm willing to take the chance.<br /><br />Remember back to the day when your home and/or work phone was your primary means of communication? Back when if you were out and you needed to make a phone call, you had to find a public telephone located somewhere along your travels?? Well, Cee and I pretty much still live in those good old days. Yes we have a cellphone....<strong>A</strong> cellphone, as in one...and we only take it along as an afterthought; you know, so we don't need to find a public phone...I know, we are an anomaly these days, freaks, if you will. I keep threatening to bring us into the present and get us both iphones, or some other kind of smart phone, but for now we are just happy the way we are.<br /><br />Well last week I noticed that we were getting some static on the line at home . I didn't think too much of it, but then it started getting worse, and by Saturday night when I was on the phone with my friend it was really bad. Sunday morning it was complete static and there was no dial tone. Bright and early Monday morning, I headed over to Cee's mum's house to call the phone company....and so it began.<br /><br />I always cringe when I have to call any large conglomerate like the phone company, you know what I'm talking about; you get put on hold and told how important your call is, asked if you want to be spoken with in French, (or whatever other language your country supports), told your call is in sequence, press 1 for this, 2 for that, etc. I got a pleasant robotic female who told me I only had to say what I wanted and she would gladly oblige, so I did and when it came to the part where she asked me for a contact number, I simply said:<br /><br />"If I had a contact number, I wouldn't need to call you."<br /><br />Pleasant Female Robotic Voice: ".............I'm sorry, I didn't quite get that, can you repeat it?"<br /><br />Me: "I don't have a contact number"<br /><br />P.F.R.V.: "..................I'm sorry, I didn't quite get that, can you repeat it?"<br /><br />Me.: "No number!" Shouting now, like it's going to make a difference.<br /><br />P.F.R.V.: ".................I'm sorry, I didn't quite get that, can you repeat it?"<br /><br />Me: "Expletive."<br /><br />So I hung up and called back and managed to get put through to whatever country they are outsourcing their customer service, and got a very pleasant man who at first seemed to have it all together. I explained to him that I was calling from someone else's house, our line was completely dead and we needed someone to come out and take a look. He asked me if we had checked the demarcation box to see if it was working. I told him that we had gone down to the demarcation box and everything was plugged in. He asked if we had plugged a phone into the box, I told him no. He said,<br /><br />"Can you go do that now?"<br /><br />I said: "Well, you see, here's my problem with that: I just explained to you that I'm not in my house. Now, if you really want, I can get in the car, drive all the way back home and plug a phone in the box. Then, if it doesn't work, I guess I'll have to get back in the car and drive all the way over here again and call you back, unless you'd like to hold on while I do that?" ....I was joking, it never hurts to insert a little levity where you can....<br /><br />He said: "No, no need to do that, the tech will do that for you." ....guess he didn't think I was funny.....<br /><br />Things proceeded fine, and we arranged a convenient 8-hour window in which we should be home to expect the tech to be at our house, and then he said,<br /><br />"Can I have a contact number?"<br /><br />Me: Sigh....."Well here's my problem with that; My cellphone's battery is dead, and I'm calling from my mother-in-law's house, and she's going out this afternoon, so if the tech calls here she might not be here to answer, and even if she did answer, how is she supposed to let me know the tech has called, because our home line is dead?"<br /><br />Him: "Can I have that number?"<br /><br />Me: "Which one, the cellphone that's dead, or my M.I.L's number that no-one will answer?"<br /><br />Him: "Yes."<br /><br />Me: Sigh.<br /><br />Him: "Ma'am?"<br /><br />Me: "Here you go, I'll give you both, but the tech won't get through, so it's useless."<br /><br />Him: "Thank you." They are nothing if not polite.<br /><br />So anyway, I came back home and proceeded to wait, noticing that we'd been blissfuly free from annoying telemarketing calls the last week, and seriously considering going and calling the phone company back to cancel the tech, but he arrived and was very good at his job and fixed the line. Turned out it was just plain old wear and tear on the line that had opened it up, so he just had to do a bit of repair. Voila, we are now able to receive all the calls the telemarketers can fling at us.<br /><br />Want to know the kicker? My mother-in-law called me later that evening to let me know that when she got home the tech called and said:<br /><br />"I hear you're having trouble with your phone?"<br /><br />M.I.L: "No."<br /><br />Tech: long pause "I got a call you were having trouble....."<br /><br />M.I.L: "No, that would be my son, they called from here you see, because their line is dead."<br /><br />Tech: "Oh, okay....well I'm on my way if you want to let them know."<br /><br />M.I.L.: "How would I do that? Their phone is dead."<br /><br />Tech: "Oh...oh yeah....well, I'm on my way"<br /><br />He called back a few minutes later to tell her he was having trouble finding her house....to which she replied that she could tell him how to get there, but the trouble was at ours....but if he'd like she'd make him a cup of tea and they could have a nice visit. He politely declined. Like I said, it takes brains.<br /><br />I made some new hats to use up stash. I had intended only to make one. This one, in fact:<br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/3859859322_02aabda69a.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/3859859322_02aabda69a.jpg" /></a></div><div><br />This is the Druidess Beret. It calls for dk weight, which I used. When it was all said and done it was a bit smallish for my taste, although still cute. I like them insanely slouchy. So I cast on another one in worsted and upped the needle size to 5.00 mm for the body and crown decreases.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3859069395_f299d70b6e.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 434px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3859069395_f299d70b6e.jpg" /></a><br />It came out more tam-like, and so it's perfect. It will be great for holding in my brains, which apparently are in short supply these days.<br /><br />If you would like to hold in your brains with this beret, you can find the pattern here: <a href="http://princesspea.org/?page_id=668">Druidess Beret</a></div><div> </div><div>* If you work for the phone company and are reading this, I'm sure you are an exception to the rule!</div></div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-19932958460345049842009-08-23T13:06:00.010-04:002009-08-23T14:20:59.817-04:00in which i am sheepish....no pun intendedOk....it's been waaay too long since I've posted. <em></em>I throw myself upon your mercy (if there are any of you left checking this blog) and apologize whole-heartedly....although I have a sneaking suspicion that your lives have gone on perfectly fine without my blathering entries....still-- so sorry my friends. I have been reading your blogs and posting comments when I could, just not keeping up with things around By Hook or By Crook! I vow to be better in the future, and will try to post at least once a week, pinky swear. No real excuses on my part, except to say that life has been weird....chaotic, strange...much like this picture:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuPfKocte8BkgZuErCzBnIn9iVbMFs4vM7QUftjbfbkY874K-IBM9iA34nFuvs_kMeu1O9AfPw3cDv0JEgohNTy8h-tpKGkUnEqWWkQsCCPMkW8kdXgtUKg9fLPjB8Ez3wWwu/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373210640695989234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuPfKocte8BkgZuErCzBnIn9iVbMFs4vM7QUftjbfbkY874K-IBM9iA34nFuvs_kMeu1O9AfPw3cDv0JEgohNTy8h-tpKGkUnEqWWkQsCCPMkW8kdXgtUKg9fLPjB8Ez3wWwu/s320/004.JPG" /></a><br />All this crap was on my little table beside the couch....I snapped this picture when I was feeling fed up one day and realized<em> </em>I felt it was how my brain probably looked at that moment.<br /><div></div>Of course there's yarn in it, what did you expect?<br /><br /><br />I won't go on ad-nauseum about what I've been up to since March, but here's a couple things I did.....<br /><br />I got up close and personal with our resident chipmunk, whom I called Theo.....well, as close as me taking this picture through our back screen door...<br /><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39uKTZiEANBiNYaDFUiKhsZPfAU5vj10hhUw0pwYCb1hMFAb3Yq3Jt2wQI9N8naWi848eP5I-rt6rlVKJkaxN4pkKtuWPBYYb0gaITT2bMmREAIIL7PwfBSVwswRF5MrRS3Vk/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373210460954686210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39uKTZiEANBiNYaDFUiKhsZPfAU5vj10hhUw0pwYCb1hMFAb3Yq3Jt2wQI9N8naWi848eP5I-rt6rlVKJkaxN4pkKtuWPBYYb0gaITT2bMmREAIIL7PwfBSVwswRF5MrRS3Vk/s320/006.JPG" /></a><br />Here he is telling me to put down the damn camera and bring him some peanuts already, jeez, I'm slow!<br /><br />Then one day while keeping a watch out for our ducks, I spotted this little guy out front eating plants and had a little conversation with him:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdpTlHbFeawzOlK62UbjmwH8OVDiT6N9Y7Yk26kHinnkxfAMdZlOWX3a12aEeFrOYFvMn8VfwBQTu17KqT_Z1sQDSlDXoCMNj0Mcz28Y-qTJsmVeThMzVcco9LnmjFerECpHK/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373210334076938370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdpTlHbFeawzOlK62UbjmwH8OVDiT6N9Y7Yk26kHinnkxfAMdZlOWX3a12aEeFrOYFvMn8VfwBQTu17KqT_Z1sQDSlDXoCMNj0Mcz28Y-qTJsmVeThMzVcco9LnmjFerECpHK/s320/010.JPG" /></a><br />A little bit hard to see on account of his natural camoflage I suppose, but it's a little bunny!! I dubbed him Buster, as in "Hey Buster!! Stop eatin' my green thingies!!" Don't you just love my technical gardening jargon? I am still flabbergasted as to why all these wild critters keep showing up around our place, it's not like we're out in the middle of nowhere...unless "nowhere" is in the middle of a busy street in a smallish city....<br /><br />One thing I <em>didn't</em> do was sign up with Twitter....maybe I'm getting old (maybe??) but I just don't see the point....or maybe my life isn't that exciting that I need to be updating my status every 20 minutes....<br /><br />I have been doing a lot of knitting and crocheting (duh!) and will post more pictures in the following entries...don't want to bore you all at once now...what fun would that be!<br /><br />Cee's brother <del>practically begged me on his hands and knees</del> asked me if I could make him some socks like I had made for cee so I happily obliged him. No pictures as I used the Mock Wave Cable pattern from Favorite Socks that I've shown here previously, and aside from being a relatively fun pattern to knit, in dark grey they are hopelessly boring. I do love the pattern though, and from the last pair I'd made Cee I had almost 2/3 of a skein left, so decided to just use the same colour.....can you tell where this is going??<br /><br />Cee came with me to buy the yarn, and just happened to be wearing his socks, so when I held the skein up to his socks and saw that the skein was much darker, I figured "Oh, it's faded in the wash...it should be okay"....famous last words. I bought two skeins of Patons Gentry Grey kroy socks and got to knitting. I finished the first sock and was about half way through the second when I needed the partial skein of yarn....so off I went to dig it out.....that's when I realized.....<br /><br /></div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-XZUejl5vRWl_bLciQbqBVc06Gs187vARjOnBTm27kV-MGEsuxhJlW2XPR6Mw6fvBwhQRdxDl3s4AlJyMsIql7dNxWiiE4jytRvmjdEvn6l-EWbFv2MIRLOw5Zg_i-RNmeAQ/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373209937486590226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-XZUejl5vRWl_bLciQbqBVc06Gs187vARjOnBTm27kV-MGEsuxhJlW2XPR6Mw6fvBwhQRdxDl3s4AlJyMsIql7dNxWiiE4jytRvmjdEvn6l-EWbFv2MIRLOw5Zg_i-RNmeAQ/s320/001.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Can you tell the BIG difference in colour? Cee's socks hadn't faded at all....same colour, same yarn, different label...WAY different shade....sigh. So back to the store I went. Then I finished the sock and realized that even though Cee's brother's feet are much smaller than his, I had way less yarn leftover.....wtf? Then I had a bit closer look at both labels....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkX7nqlaoUxLKVqf0nQlMUwpR4V9LHbqtaGxndVNY3WRu90NX1Ew_97t7JkdR6neMNOdQfZrbAyaooplp94U7vcXduCULJznhPnWiiYyWoYsr5IQOSoW1OwO2US8r3WrTyg00/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373209772362816338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkX7nqlaoUxLKVqf0nQlMUwpR4V9LHbqtaGxndVNY3WRu90NX1Ew_97t7JkdR6neMNOdQfZrbAyaooplp94U7vcXduCULJznhPnWiiYyWoYsr5IQOSoW1OwO2US8r3WrTyg00/s320/008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNG0sBoAfjZWLryZRxCDQsatzJrBcTPCJztWN-IL68S7Sfc8k_t_vGJVDv0urWf2s4dOU7UnS_CHQys5ZLGyq3y_L45g3cz8WwfNvBrQdzStHImKdDDRN3y9Te1hrOZYl-tXq/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373209563598238338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNG0sBoAfjZWLryZRxCDQsatzJrBcTPCJztWN-IL68S7Sfc8k_t_vGJVDv0urWf2s4dOU7UnS_CHQys5ZLGyq3y_L45g3cz8WwfNvBrQdzStHImKdDDRN3y9Te1hrOZYl-tXq/s320/009.JPG" /></a><br />Those sneaky Patons so-and-so's have decreased the yardage from 192 to 166! or 175 to 152 metres....man, that sucks! I notice they also haven't listed the weight on the new label.....sneaky sneaky petes!<br /><br />Anyway, I got over the trauma of the kroy socks and coasted into summer feeling pretty good...and then it happened. And no, I'm not talking about the death of a certain pop king, although that was tragic and weird. I got hit with Sciatica....or at least that's what they think it is/was.</div><div> </div><div>In early July I was completely minding my own business (like I always do, snort!) and getting out of the shower, dried off and hanging up the towel (oh no, did I put an image in your brain? Sorry!) and doing nothing in particularly special at all and all of a sudden I felt like someone had plunged a knife into my lower back/side (top of my rear basically--oh no, another image!) Very soon it became apparent that something was seriously wrong...mostly because every time I put my left foot down on the floor I screamed in pain.... The pain travelled down my leg and very quickly I couldn't walk or even stand up straight. This was the scene for about 4 or 5 days....couldn't stand, couldn't sit, lean, lay, get comfortable, sit, do much of anything except cry in frustration and take anti-inflamatories that never really took the pain away and depend upon my knight in shining armour Cee to take care of me, which he did, very brilliantly. Every day it seemed to get just a little bit better, and I kept trying to do a bit more and push through the pain when I could, and now six weeks later I am very much improved, although I have to take it slow at times on the stairs and not sit or lay in one spot too long....there is a little numbness around my knee region too, which is also frustrating...I am told it can take up to 3 months to completely recover....Cee's aunt has had it off and on for a year and a half...../me shudders!!<em> </em><br /><br />The worst part of this is I have no amusing or entertaining anecdote as to how it all happened, I mean, taking a shower? Man, I should have been base jumping or something! Like that would ever happen...but seriously, that's as bad as walking and breaking your hip....I hate getting old! This didn't just come out of the blue, I have had issues with sciatic pain going back to my mid twenties, but nothing as bad as what I went through this summer.<br /><br />Let's hope the Fall season will bring a bit more normalcy for all of us.<br /><br />Until next time, don't make fun of that old lady on tv that says she's fallen and can't get up, it might come back to bite you in the ass one day!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-84343636753484545722009-03-19T14:48:00.004-04:002009-03-19T15:17:43.752-04:00a major prize, a major prize!!The beautiful and wonderfully multi-talented Sharon, of <a href="http://chickenlipsknitting.blogspot.com/">Chickenlips Knitting</a>, and the gorgeous <a href="http://www.stitchjones.com/">Stitchjones</a> yarns has bestowed upon yours truly a most awesome award:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpw4YXt9onT0riaraYml3ESHm-BadRaZz8UnL9QWFOhcCwTUW03QiDybSepvEQSR4EZoffYgNQ2ThZVH1MOHVPUjtBThi3_2zveWooojBtZeil3mvkTzpcsK5sgILuoJaehAiL/s1600-h/kreativ_blogger.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314972841353188018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpw4YXt9onT0riaraYml3ESHm-BadRaZz8UnL9QWFOhcCwTUW03QiDybSepvEQSR4EZoffYgNQ2ThZVH1MOHVPUjtBThi3_2zveWooojBtZeil3mvkTzpcsK5sgILuoJaehAiL/s320/kreativ_blogger.jpg" /></a><br /><br />How wicked is that?! Thank you so much, Sharon, and just in case no one has told you today, you are the best!<br /><br />It's now up to me to pass on the love, as this award comes with responsibilities....<br /><br />Here are the rules for the nominees:<br /><br />1. Copy the award to your site. (Save it to your own server).<br /><br />2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.<br /><br />3. Nominate 8 other bloggers.<br /><br />4. Link to those on your blog.<br /><br />5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.<br /><br />Since anyone who reads this blog is obviously extremely intelligent and awesome, I nominate you all, with special attention to:<br /><br />Lexa from <a href="http://knitoftime.blogspot.com/">Just in the Knit of Time<br /></a>Cute kids, adorable dogs, and awesome knitted objects, who could ask for anything more?<br /><br />Vik from <a href="http://like-grandma.blogspot.com/">Like Grandma</a><br />Vik blogs from Argentina about her beautiful crochet and knit items and her cuter-than cute Scottie dog.<br /><br />Cass from <a href="http://shutupimcounting.wordpress.com/">Shut Up, I'm Counting</a><br />Home-schooling accident-prone pet-sitting, knit-loving vegan hilarious mom...that's Cass.<br /><br />And lastly, <a href="http://chickenlipsknitting.blogspot.com/">Sharon</a>, I'm sending this back to you, because, my dear, you are the most "Kreativ Blogger" I know! Love ya!<br /><br /><br />I have no pictures of knitterly or crochety things today, mostly because I'm in various stages on all my projects right now. I'm working on the February Lady sweater (who isn't?) and I've had to restart it a few times, because I haven't liked a few things on it (like the eyelet increase row) and I decided I should make a smaller size than the one I was making...at this point I really don't know if it will get finished...we'll see. I'm also making a pair of socks for Cee's brother, boring dark grey ribbed...those seem to take forever....I don't know why men don't seem to like wearing funky coloured socks...<br /><br />In a related vein...does anyone know why all my pictures are looking so funky lately? They seem to get cut off on the right side....I'm sure it's something I'm doing, I just don't know what....I'm not that tech savvy, so you'll have to dumb it down for me.<br /><br />Time for me to head off into the sunshine (it is actually sunny today) and survey the damage the winter has done to our yard.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-69668383560493979492009-02-28T17:45:00.004-05:002009-02-28T18:18:43.680-05:00a cowl-tionary tale...Yet again this year Winter still has us in its icy grip...and even despite a whirlwind trip to Ottawa by rock star President Obama, we are still suffering those winter blues...I myself absolutely refuse to even think about shovelling any more snow...so it better just stop.<br /><br />By the way, is it just me, or is it kind of ironic/scary that people flocked to Ottawa from all over the country to catch a fleeting glimpse of Obama, most of them not even knowing if they would see even his limo, much less the man himself. They waited for hours and hours in bitterly cold weather, brought their children, and cheerfully stood and cried when his car came down the road, and every Canadian TV channel pre-empted coverage all bleeding day so that they could chatter on ad-nauseum about the lunch menu that would be presented to the president, or wondering if he would even bother to come out and wave hello. I'm glad he did, but hey, part of me is ashamed because in my whole life I've never seen anyone do that for one of our politicians...even Trudeau....not that everyone liked him, but still...what does that say about us? Or him, or the times we are living in? I think that Obama has a lot to live up to, and I hope for his sake that he can, but all this worshipping of him is kind of troublesome to me.<br /><br />Since Spring won't come to me, I came to it, in a matter of speaking. I finally finished my daisy square afghan that I've been working on and off (mostly off) for the last two years or so. And here it is....you may need sunglasses...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3314560495_287f5d0886_o.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 448px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 336px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3314560495_287f5d0886_o.jpg" /></a><br />Like wow, man...groovy...or something like that. I used up a lot (although not all, much to my chagrin) of my variegated acrylics. It's a large one, fitting the top of a queen size, so it would make a suitable double coverlet. Not sure what I will do with it...it may get donated, I haven't decided.<br /><br />This daisy square is cute and really fun to make, and call me crazy (and believe me, a lot of people do!!) but I like it just as much from the back/wrong side:<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3314560499_8a1eed9f4a_o.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 448px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3314560499_8a1eed9f4a_o.jpg" /></a><br />Then, since I have been the recipient of a large amount of inherited yarn from different sources lately (it seems like word gets out when you knit, and all of a sudden yarn starts appearing from this aunt or someone's grandma or cousin, not that I'm complaining) I decided to try a little cowl with some yarn (no label, no idea what it is...probably acrylic, I think it wants to be mohair-like)....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3314560487_b1ae403589.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 448px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3314560487_b1ae403589.jpg" /></a><br />It knitted up so well, and the pattern came so easily for me (since I seem to be brain-dead about knitting lacy patterns) I knew it was too good to be true...and I was right...because, dear friends, this is what happens when you knit with gifted yarn and you're not sure how much you have, and you try to be careful with your tension and not knit too loosely in case you run out, and then you make it to the very end and are casting off and feel very smug about your victory....<br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/3314560491_0dfb6318d5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 448px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/3314560491_0dfb6318d5.jpg" /></a><br />And then you run out of yarn with 30 stitches left to bind off....Sigh.<br /><br />I will probably frog it and make it into yet another beret (another one!?) because while I was knitting it, it reminded me so much of the colour of Martha's tam in the Doctor Who episode "Human Nature"--I know, GEEK!!!!<br /><br />If you wanted to get the charity daisy square (it's crochet) you can contact Krystal via her blog<br /><a href="http://krochetkrystal.blogspot.com/">Krochet Krystal</a> The pattern is free but she does ask that you make one square and send it to her for her charity afghans.</div><div> </div><div>The cowl pattern I used is called A Noble Cowl. A lovely pattern, that is a fun knit. You can find it for free as a Ravelry download.</div></div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-15456067334386695122009-02-02T18:28:00.004-05:002009-02-02T19:00:51.603-05:00six. more. weeks.Oh yeah, that's right...the fat rat up in Wiarton, Ontario predicted six more weeks of Winter today...I don't know why I was so upset...oh yeah, that's right, I do...'cause winter sucks!! I thought last year was bad, but we must have been extra bad again this year. Sigh, oh well, it does no good to whine about it, and it doesn't even make me feel better. I thank Heaven everyday for our neighbour who bought the snowblower and does our sidewalk and driveway for us every time we get a dump, he's an angel, to be sure.<br /><br />Aside from not blogging regularly (sorry!) I've totally been in to fair-isle/stranded knitting! I am currently making the "We call them pirates" mittens--sorry, no pics yet, I'm only half-way through one of them... but took a break to make up a couple of hats for Cee's elderly second cousin in the UK...sounds like she will need them soon because they got 30 cm of snow in London today...I think that much would shut the city down for sure.<br /><br />The first hat I made was Shedir, from Knitty, this was a bit of a challenge for me, all the cables and twisties...<br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/3248087671_c339d5b544.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 449px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/3248087671_c339d5b544.jpg" /></a><br />It didn't help that it called for dk weight and I just used worsted...the tension was a bit tight on the 3.25 mm needles...but at least it will be warm! The colour choice is hers....I'm not a fan of beige yarn...for some reason it brings out the anger in me....it's not rational I know, but neither am I most of the time! She made the request by phone, and when I repeated the colour and style choices she wanted, she pronounced she couldn't understand me because 'my accent was too strong'....I guffawed laughing at that, because I've never been accused of having any kind of accent before, so I handed the phone back to Cee's mum and she 'translated'...I swear she didn't say it any different than I, but for some reason, her cousin understood....<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3248087679_760684fb7d.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 426px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3248087679_760684fb7d.jpg" /></a><br />My favourite part is the top of the hat, which reminds me of a Clematis flower or a Pointsettia. I think I did screw up a bit towards the top, as not all of the lines are meeting up as they should, and some of the twisties aren't that even, but I don't think she will care all that much.<br /><br />She has a very small head (or so she says, I've never met her) so I whipped up a 3 am Cable hat for her as well. Talk about a fast knit.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/3248087665_9357373290.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 420px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/3248087665_9357373290.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>You can see them side by side here...the 3 am is so much smaller than the Shedir, but it stretches like crazy, so hopefully it will be okay for her.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3248087663_34c7e85628_o.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 411px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3248087663_34c7e85628_o.jpg" /></a><br />And lastly, my most favourite, made purely for the fun of it and not for an elderly British cousin:<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/3248087685_487e971cf9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 394px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/3248087685_487e971cf9.jpg" /></a><br />If you are in to Doctor Who, you will recognize the Blue T.A.R.D.I.S. and the grey Daleks, with their metallic cries of "EXTERMINATE!!!" If you aren't into Doctor Who...my sympathies, as it's a most excellent show...you should watch it, you'll like it! Or not, no biggie.</div><div> </div><div>You can find all the patterns I used by clicking:</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.marblehead.net/amy/knittyF04surp.pdf">Shedir</a>, <a href="http://smariek.blogspot.com/2006/01/chemo-hat-8-completed-3am-blue-cable.html">3 am Cabled Hat</a>, <a href="http://twisted.traditions.googlepages.com/exterminate">Exterminate</a></div></div></div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-92177497612335870262008-12-24T18:17:00.002-05:002008-12-24T18:38:35.260-05:00'merry christmas, movie house!!'Just wanted to drop by and wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy new year! Thanks to you all for reading and commenting, and sticking with me in the non posting times! In the spirit of the season, I've brought back one of my own personal favourite and most terrifying holiday gif files:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRZju4olk70Bg9dr09ZZUJCni_NrOQkLoMSZ5SdNkatptQfe-qi_cu7jKzzEP5o4MxF-tY6hISFk_tGepUouDoC6OtAi7YsRobh8VSsMocOwcHgMy-P_WojrLcKNnnMLODL8z/s1600-h/image001_(2).gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283503030697824930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRZju4olk70Bg9dr09ZZUJCni_NrOQkLoMSZ5SdNkatptQfe-qi_cu7jKzzEP5o4MxF-tY6hISFk_tGepUouDoC6OtAi7YsRobh8VSsMocOwcHgMy-P_WojrLcKNnnMLODL8z/s320/image001_(2).gif" border="0" /></a><br />Don't you just want some bleach for your eyes/brain now???? I hope you all won't be up late crocheting/knitting/crafting or tearing your hair out tonight! I have only made 2 gifts this year and finished the last yesterday (n'yah n'yah phffft).<br /><br />Take care and as always, eat too much, drink too much, and laugh too loud!! And don't forget to dance.<br /><br />I leave you with the immortal words of Clark W. Griswold, from my Dad's favourite Christmas movie, "Christmas Vacation":<br /><br />"And when Santa squeezes his fat, wide ass down the chimney tonight, he's going to find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse!!"<br /><br />I can still hear him laughing.Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-30312970767368882762008-12-13T15:33:00.005-05:002008-12-13T17:56:44.075-05:00the most wonderful time of the year?Is it really almost Christmas time? It doesn't feel like it to me...am I the only one? Every year it seems to come sooner, and every year it feels less and less like it...maybe I'm just getting old and crotchety.....maybe I'm becoming more like my mother, God Bless her, who was not fond of Christmas, and despite working in a mall, left all her shopping, be it gift or food, until the very last possible minute, and made me wrap everything (once I grew old enough), even sometimes my own presents ("don't look in <em><strong>this</strong></em> box before you wrap it!!") all the while baking and cleaning house and complaining the whole time that we had too much, didn't appreciate it, and as Christmas dinner wore on and the wine disappeared, telling us how ungrateful we all were....we in turn kept filling her wine glass, because we liked "drunk mum"--she was funny, and said weird things!--and she only drank that one day a year...what can I say, we're a bunch of strange folks in my family. Anyway as I get older I can appreciate what my mother had to go through, all the work, cooking, shopping, cleaning (not so much wrapping as I said earlier, I was the "wrapping beeyotch") and all for one day a year.<br /><br />My mom was a legendary baker....she made so many good things, like peanut butter logs, and marshmallow rolls, and butter tarts (Oh! the butter tarts!!!) I don't have one favourite, they were all so good! I remember one year (I was about 7 or 8) my mother baked early (in October or November) and put everything, squares, cookies, tarts, goodies, you name it, in the freezer, all nicely packed and ready to pull out Christmas evening. She really had everything organized and all ready to go. After dinner, she went to the freezer to pull out a few tasties for a dessert tray, only to find out that my teenage brother and his teenage friends had been steadily raiding the deep freeze of all the goodies and there were none left for us to eat!....I'm sure she drained an extra bottle that year.<br /><br />If you have a favourite Christmas memory, can you share it with me? Maybe that will get me into the Christmas spirit...<br /><br />I've been knitting berets a lot lately....don't know why. I'm not really a hat person, they don't look good on me, but berets, well I can handle one of them...harkens back to my old "Brownie" days I guess. Still, I only have one head, and just how many of them do I need??? One more, apparently:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/3105688756_c4115b2d65.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 414px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/3105688756_c4115b2d65.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the "Sweet Honey Beret" by Faina Goberstein, from the Winter 2008 issue of Interweave Knits. I have to say I love the honeycomb pattern, even though it took me a while to get used to it (let's face it, it doesn't take much to confuse me!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/3105699264_a02c2536f7.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 412px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/3105699264_a02c2536f7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And there's the flip side. My first attempt was in a grey(gray?gris?) yarn, which I ran out of on almost the last row, and in trying to 'stretch' said yarn to finish, dropped a stitch and completely arsed it up so bad I frogged it and tried it with this multi-coloured yarn.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/3104861673_4536cbfcb1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 428px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/3104861673_4536cbfcb1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here it is perched on a bowl for an almost 'real head shot'...I made this with a larger needle (more out of necessity than anything else...the needle the pattern called for has a sweater on it currently, so I went a size up) and I made it extra slouchy (like me!) 'cause that's how I like it.</div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-19670572219189125542008-12-06T16:14:00.003-05:002008-12-06T16:35:27.969-05:00i've never liked politicians,Although I'm sure they have nothing but good things to say about me....snort, whatever...but still, the crap that's going on with our government right now is ludicrous. I won't bore anyone by going into details, just say our politicians seem to have gone insane, along with a good number of our citizens, apparently. We just had an election barely six weeks ago, and now the opposition leader, who no-one in Canada wanted to be Prime Minister, is on the verge of becoming just that, thanks to a coalition with the NDP and the Bloc Quebeqois, which is a truely frightening prospect to me, and anyone else who doesn't think that the leader of a party that wants to separate the province of Quebec from Canada should have any power over the rest of Canada. Arrrgh, I don't even want to talk about it. If it's not gloom and doom about the economy it's this new palaver about our "leaders"....no wonder I don't want to watch the news anymore....here's some fibre for your diet:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/3012981795_7e6bfba427_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 336px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/3012981795_7e6bfba427_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This is a relatively bad picture of a flower afghan that's been ongoing for about a year...I seem to only want to work on afghans in the winter, small wonder.<br /><br />And here are some glovey-mitteys I made, from the pattern in the Creative Knitting January 2008 issue:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3061799547_1a59743715.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 432px; height: 336px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3061799547_1a59743715.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I also tried the Mystery Beret from Wooly Wormhead (you can find the pattern at Ravelry, they have dubbed it: "Meret"):<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/3061799515_1c20d583c0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 435px; height: 336px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/3061799515_1c20d583c0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here's the flip side....I did the rolled/ribbed brim, which I really like...I suppose now I should block it, so you can see the lacey pattern better:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/3061799491_3f573322b9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 448px; height: 336px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/3061799491_3f573322b9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Sorry for ranting about the govt....the only potential good thing this mess has done is galvanized the country towards their politics....it's made Canadian politics sexy again....Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-4158903914319793212008-11-10T18:51:00.003-05:002008-11-10T19:04:50.388-05:00a moment in time<div align="center">At the 11th hour,<br /><br />On the 11th day,<br /><br />Of the 11th month,<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp8IGJ0OS6WqmnpXctMXe0T65j5qXzDjbiZyweCvM7czlL4ZiwmHqbggsNF_v9rj0MC8L4SrZ8rCyOQvYk0npE5fXcW5qjQ1k0Z3pe7xeT8n1qS-OhnRJ_WAfB9y7243UlpkL/s1600-h/remember.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267181098261548114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp8IGJ0OS6WqmnpXctMXe0T65j5qXzDjbiZyweCvM7czlL4ZiwmHqbggsNF_v9rj0MC8L4SrZ8rCyOQvYk0npE5fXcW5qjQ1k0Z3pe7xeT8n1qS-OhnRJ_WAfB9y7243UlpkL/s320/remember.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We remember. </div><div align="center"><br /><br />We remember the ones that went before. The men and women who gave their lives so that we can live and enjoy ours. We wear red poppies on our left lapels to signify that they are not, will never be, forgotten.<br /><br /><br /><em>In Flander's Fields</em></div><div align="center"><br /><em>In Flanders fields the poppies blow</em></div><div align="center"><em>Between the crosses, row on row,</em></div><div align="center"><em>That mark our place; and in the sky</em></div><div align="center"><em>The larks, still bravely singing, fly</em></div><div align="center"><em>Scarce heard amid the guns below.<br /><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em>We are the Dead. Short days ago</em></div><div align="center"><em>We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,</em></div><div align="center"><em>Loved and were loved, and now we lie,</em></div><div align="center"><em>In Flanders fields.</em></div><div align="center"><br /><em>Take up our quarrel with the foe:</em></div><div align="center"><em>To you from failing hands we throw</em></div><div align="center"><em>The torch; be yours to hold it high.</em></div><div align="center"><em>If ye break faith with us who die</em></div><div align="center"><em>We shall not sleep, though poppies grow</em></div><div align="center"><em>In Flanders fields.<br /><br /></em>Lt.-Col. John McCrae<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br />We remember....that freedom is not free.</div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-24757438575755184452008-11-08T15:11:00.005-05:002008-11-08T15:28:59.572-05:00ode to my red oblique cardiganPlease indulge my dorkiness.....<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3S5tbP8XuveKe1ArKIo2FbiiBxXFSKIE59Y-Y3dYD0pUdPgKRHHHv-GosNhS8iYo811FsT138V0vWv8dgcW-t4l2mBf3X52VBO82w5PQS3QDjXDEdcAn5X0z-6zHHJFz1mZi/s1600-h/redblique.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266382487409244258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3S5tbP8XuveKe1ArKIo2FbiiBxXFSKIE59Y-Y3dYD0pUdPgKRHHHv-GosNhS8iYo811FsT138V0vWv8dgcW-t4l2mBf3X52VBO82w5PQS3QDjXDEdcAn5X0z-6zHHJFz1mZi/s320/redblique.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />(To the tune of "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes", by Edison Lighthouse)....</div><br /><div align="center"><em><br />It looks kinda dozy,</em></div><div align="center"><em>but it's so warm and cosy,</em></div><div align="center"><em>this sweater that was made by me...<br /><br />Oh, and love grows where my Red Oblique goes,</em></div><div align="center"><em>and nobody knows like me.<br /><br />Sure I made a few gaffes,<br />But it keeps out the cold drafts,<br />and others know it's plain to see...<br /><br />Oh, that love grows where my Red Oblique goes,<br />and nobody knows like me.<br /><br />The sleeves have stretched to just past my knees,<br />still it keeps out the breeze,<br />when I walk out the door....<br /><br />It lengthens every time that it's worn,<br /></em><em>but I scoff at the scorn,<br /></em><em>'cause like never before.....<br /><br />I can say "I did it!"<br /></em><em>and people know I've knit it,<br /></em><em>it's just so wonderful to me..<br /><br />Oh, 'cause love grows where my Red Oblique goes,<br />and nobody knows like me.<br /><br />Oh, yes, love grows where my Red Oblique goes,<br />and nobody knows like me.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-2fXkD94ANtuSjsRa9AiGO1E0bHf9YWlZfwHjy4u1KX1Q2fI5sA91OQ_V7OXm12L3YRUw7o4qtU3THYCO58SsePpQDv17QPkAhnJ9edCBB6mIJaqJ9zrEu1k256A-Y9Dvye-/s1600-h/redblique1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266382356505637730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-2fXkD94ANtuSjsRa9AiGO1E0bHf9YWlZfwHjy4u1KX1Q2fI5sA91OQ_V7OXm12L3YRUw7o4qtU3THYCO58SsePpQDv17QPkAhnJ9edCBB6mIJaqJ9zrEu1k256A-Y9Dvye-/s320/redblique1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Dear Red Oblique sweater:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTN7DinkcePzgyq0WkGMpQY57H1whsjkLNMi-jGv8wcLh2unwkxLWP0y2ewz2Wu9QjgEhAY_kzOdaK0bGnax2kMVHWhgLK9A6npbAXVJ0Ay9HJKtugbzL9tBTuCMe29IMjVyl/s1600-h/redblique2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266382234285302130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTN7DinkcePzgyq0WkGMpQY57H1whsjkLNMi-jGv8wcLh2unwkxLWP0y2ewz2Wu9QjgEhAY_kzOdaK0bGnax2kMVHWhgLK9A6npbAXVJ0Ay9HJKtugbzL9tBTuCMe29IMjVyl/s320/redblique2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I love you,<br /><br />Love, me.<br /><br /><br /><div>Pattern: <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATToblique.html">Oblique</a> by Veronik Avery, Knitty: Fall, 2007</div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-42830301312941378782008-11-01T15:27:00.007-04:002008-11-01T15:48:23.525-04:00what the...???Hey....where did all my blog posts for the last two months go??? Oh yeah, that's right...I didn't do any. Apologies. Life has been....weird, to say the least. I won't go into a lot of detail, I'll just say that a lot has happened....not a lot of it good, but not all of it bad. Some of it funny, some of it terrifying. Some things may or may not be resolved, so I'll leave it there for now. I may not be posting very often for the next while, so if you get tired of checking here, I understand.<br /><br />I've been knitting a lot, save for about a two-week break during which I thought about knitting and crocheting, but didn't do any. I finished a sweater (which I have no picture of yet, but have worn a lot) and for a few days, became engrossed in knitting tiny little socks, hence this picture:<br />The pattern is mini stockings, which you can find on Ravelry, I believe it's by Little Cotton Rabbits.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XrhBe80tJ-1inXupQt7We5gUaljp3BBohfBST-aBXB4dsFYFJFBhvoyU2gG5wN3hBUWsO0UtJt1h7UsiRQqBJcSIjAbKQJg4KjPSJ64EI8mlhOpqcdLKV6WfkotXj0CvgMjg/s1600-h/lilsok.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263773790753825954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 271px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XrhBe80tJ-1inXupQt7We5gUaljp3BBohfBST-aBXB4dsFYFJFBhvoyU2gG5wN3hBUWsO0UtJt1h7UsiRQqBJcSIjAbKQJg4KjPSJ64EI8mlhOpqcdLKV6WfkotXj0CvgMjg/s320/lilsok.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>I also started the domino potholder from Interweave Knits site, except I'm not using dk weight, just bernat handicrafter, which I assume is worsted weight. I'm thinking I'll have to make it less squares or my potholder would come out tea towel size. These little guys are fun to make and go fast:<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46PMuS6vABjEc4L-MFdvlz32i9HlKvt0PHHP-jX-7P7tOhMNqmDiLWr8r_jjXdT-Z-iJ-oAi7oHjlaJ1kKzaoUuv5N7ADuX68HXwlybzhjqlJexy1KmrHkF8_I1fKKs3U8zTO/s1600-h/domino.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263773644030182434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46PMuS6vABjEc4L-MFdvlz32i9HlKvt0PHHP-jX-7P7tOhMNqmDiLWr8r_jjXdT-Z-iJ-oAi7oHjlaJ1kKzaoUuv5N7ADuX68HXwlybzhjqlJexy1KmrHkF8_I1fKKs3U8zTO/s320/domino.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And I also finished a present for one of Cee's friends who is expecting a baby with his wife in January. I'm taking a bit of a risk posting here because she is aware of my blog, but what the heck, I like to live life on the wild side:<br /><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFHfYcuOBUwug5gqCA-21ASqCWCmxyheh7Fwv_6WxWxKHNtxFKyk8yUTAmLlN01pN4GJo130b7qR9yq9WR-38uvXdbSjuOp8SD3YnbVD5E6O5ws69otCqNV1GIKtK3CMZnuUz/s1600-h/teddyromp.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263773506125441586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFHfYcuOBUwug5gqCA-21ASqCWCmxyheh7Fwv_6WxWxKHNtxFKyk8yUTAmLlN01pN4GJo130b7qR9yq9WR-38uvXdbSjuOp8SD3YnbVD5E6O5ws69otCqNV1GIKtK3CMZnuUz/s320/teddyromp.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The picture kind of sucks, but it's a little teddy bear all-in-one. Super soft and cozy, and the whole time I was knitting it I found myself singing "Teddy Bear's Picnic" which drove Cee crazy (and me, too, if I'm honest). But a very quick knit (I did it after my sweater, which took months) I completed this little guy in under a week at the 6 months size.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5Pi84i0rh1AksuQodQR9QvRrS5NGxobt2KpolaJzwoSyJoVbe3SccJ9kdYo0WjlSPvXJnva6vhjnQcuWd2vR7hwbPxFcadYGepTwPd-3ZgEs2tJIGcYF67ZH6qDcagAX96rQ/s1600-h/teddyromp1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263773371500060866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 261px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5Pi84i0rh1AksuQodQR9QvRrS5NGxobt2KpolaJzwoSyJoVbe3SccJ9kdYo0WjlSPvXJnva6vhjnQcuWd2vR7hwbPxFcadYGepTwPd-3ZgEs2tJIGcYF67ZH6qDcagAX96rQ/s320/teddyromp1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A little closer look. Since I have no baby to model, and the killer shih-tzu was just not cooperating, I took a picture of the pattern picture on the Mary Maxim catalogue so you can see what it looks like filled with a baby:<br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ07ABmWAY2XlHs2PiOdEFxJZy-BD_lF9Km3NzRdAl6D_U-rG5swa1mtjBYlJKvQefRYzO7Ob8_8Q2MjEubCT7BFdU86zONlwxP7_w2E6GeonSJFnCQ0alyUjCaEpsJ9olbUDf/s1600-h/teddyrompfull.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263773246122195698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ07ABmWAY2XlHs2PiOdEFxJZy-BD_lF9Km3NzRdAl6D_U-rG5swa1mtjBYlJKvQefRYzO7Ob8_8Q2MjEubCT7BFdU86zONlwxP7_w2E6GeonSJFnCQ0alyUjCaEpsJ9olbUDf/s320/teddyrompfull.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />You get the idea. The cuteness factor is large, there was much "oohing and ahhhing" when I showed it 'round. I do hope they like it. They live in Illinois and I'm not sure, but I think they get pretty cold winters there. It will be put to good use.<br /><br />I will try not to make it too long before I post again. Take care all.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>"At six o'clock their mummies and daddies will take them home to bed, because they're tired little Teddy Bears...."</div></div></div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-44204889297878036272008-08-31T17:21:00.005-04:002008-08-31T18:13:19.285-04:00august rushSuch a month, this August was!! First of all we had the Olympics....our Canadian athletes seemed doomed to be wallflowers until almost half the games were over...but they soon quieted the nay-sayers who called us the "Ugly Betty" of the Olympics.....what does that even mean? Leave it to Fox News...Oh and Boo to the people that felt the need to replace the little singing girl from the opening ceremonies with the other "prettier" little singing girl....talk about giving a kid a complex....Booo!!!! Hisss!!! Boo!!!<br /><br />My pretty sister and her handsome fiance of--oh let's just say a few years--decided to make it legal and had a beautiful very small ceremony on the 8th in Calgary. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't currently live in Calgary even though that's my hometown, so sadly we weren't in attendance in body, only in spirit. Tee, you looked gawjus! I was probably casting on my Ravelympic projects right around the time they were saying their "I do's", but I was thinking of them the whole time.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">A Major Prize, A Major Prize!!!!!<br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">I won!! I won awesome stuff from an awesome contest given by <a href="http://chickenlipsknitting.blogspot.com/">Sharon</a> (she of the awesome <a href="http://www.stitchjones.com/">Stitch Jones </a>yarn) I was looking forward to some of her gorgeous yarn, but the angelic Sharon also threw in some other fun goodies, including a pretty card, beautiful stitch marker (matches the yarn, so sweet!) and a chocolate bar with a pictoral scene of Portland, Oregon, which is her home base. My goodness, Portland is a breath-taking city!! Seeing Mt. Hood made me homesick for the Rockies. Sharon, I've said it before, but you really are the best!</span><br /><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqjzos0jBI69ewj5S0cQAHSWy0apusdOLv6eXDVjgsQHBc0LeYAma0nZ99v7Oi60PjJSqmED6SO9Wr0r4vg9vbJDmVrPvUC1TO_e77Lh2sYcoiirgxa8Z20-4bRWIy0IG1WpP/s1600-h/awesome.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240799755121413202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqjzos0jBI69ewj5S0cQAHSWy0apusdOLv6eXDVjgsQHBc0LeYAma0nZ99v7Oi60PjJSqmED6SO9Wr0r4vg9vbJDmVrPvUC1TO_e77Lh2sYcoiirgxa8Z20-4bRWIy0IG1WpP/s320/awesome.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Look at the lusciousness!!!!! From her Super Socks line.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRWh82pDHU0XVwaipMOfTkClTLwsSmbOiKVDl5o05dZXKt5pCOwm8DRPq5ribZqy8WgK3sEccw3CipnvWjkM9ikpdKISeSIErMKWHiq0TyQ-QT_ylJQe6w1LYkDzhqJFetZTs/s1600-h/luscious.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240799663549530642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRWh82pDHU0XVwaipMOfTkClTLwsSmbOiKVDl5o05dZXKt5pCOwm8DRPq5ribZqy8WgK3sEccw3CipnvWjkM9ikpdKISeSIErMKWHiq0TyQ-QT_ylJQe6w1LYkDzhqJFetZTs/s320/luscious.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The colour is Orchid and I am in love with it...I'm thinking of making it into the <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/preview/2008_fall.asp#Knotty-or-Knice-Socks">Knotty or Knice </a>socks from Fall Interweave Knits.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">I Came, I Saw, I Ravelled.....</span><br /><br />Speaking of Ravelympics....well, I had a fair result. I finished the Leaf & Lace baby cardigan from the vintage pattern about a week into the olympics:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4if67QhXQ6BrV-9H_hNe_PDwah6FU-47g9q87FKHL2WcLzhGd0X9uC3zv1Iq12eVE6r0Qlx_V7A0DxopbphYvvXPfTx8fFeNZILmhGYsfYkff-8PnWEbGRTtb97DncgaNolV_/s1600-h/leaflacedone.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240799544151208178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4if67QhXQ6BrV-9H_hNe_PDwah6FU-47g9q87FKHL2WcLzhGd0X9uC3zv1Iq12eVE6r0Qlx_V7A0DxopbphYvvXPfTx8fFeNZILmhGYsfYkff-8PnWEbGRTtb97DncgaNolV_/s320/leaflacedone.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div>Extreme closeup, like anyone cares...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBHNwPnel_a9NsB18u0hHo0iFmmjGEY-SdZNWWmv9eAFRQOpmh96C-Bv12WD0edSIlY73-UnrrzqtelPv3RBCpLpP8nfNFQs1LtFTjCjfJp8w70EONYKMeaxIGRykJccCntXw/s1600-h/leafclose.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240799409870107362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBHNwPnel_a9NsB18u0hHo0iFmmjGEY-SdZNWWmv9eAFRQOpmh96C-Bv12WD0edSIlY73-UnrrzqtelPv3RBCpLpP8nfNFQs1LtFTjCjfJp8w70EONYKMeaxIGRykJccCntXw/s320/leafclose.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />But fell a little bit short on the Pomotomus socks.....I finished them, but this morning....only a week late!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2814771093_ba463a0943_m.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2814771093_ba463a0943_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I had fun, but kind of knew about a week and a half in that I really had bitten off more than I could chew, so I just tried my best. By the last few days I didn't even feel like knitting, so I didn't push it....Heaven forbid I lose the urge to knit, <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysterystole4/?yguid=246207339">Mystery Stole 4</a> is starting soon!!! Last chance to sign up!</div></div></div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-24378970349276825662008-08-04T16:34:00.002-04:002008-08-04T16:52:50.184-04:00biting off more than i can chewAs usual. I decided to take part in all the fun of the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/account/login">Ravelympics</a>. I'm a sheep, and like to be in on the action, and not be left out of the fun, because that brings up all kinds of painful childhood 'issues'...not really, but sort of...whatever.<br /><br />So of course I entered not one, but two events, because I really am out of my mind (on a good day, anyway). The first project I wanted to do was from this pattern booklet:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCV5JFR-hKmqkXFDwNfIlvyk5vFFgljhqEAcjuPI7Deq73xIglC22Cm_W9jPcQlm1-rZMKT58GyIZkVdkG00VTnn60YXXq6ddo9CJqmmSbgjWUWeJfly0LQV0jWSMsEtRqTNk/s1600-h/oldasspattern.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230764059547854882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCV5JFR-hKmqkXFDwNfIlvyk5vFFgljhqEAcjuPI7Deq73xIglC22Cm_W9jPcQlm1-rZMKT58GyIZkVdkG00VTnn60YXXq6ddo9CJqmmSbgjWUWeJfly0LQV0jWSMsEtRqTNk/s400/oldasspattern.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Which is really old...I'm not sure how old, but definitely old enough to be considered vintage. The price on the book is .75 cents. I got it from Cee's mum. It was in a box of other patterns/magazines, etc. When I first started knitting, I tried to cypher out the pattern (it has lots of weird abbreviations that aren't explained like Wl.fwd---wtf??---and w.r.n. and w.o.n.) I couldn't figure them out and put the pattern down.<br /><br />Then recently I saw someone had made this little sweater on Ravelry. It really is gorgeous.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePWXcmML698CNVns6CB6fKpYPD2nleDqT8Q1whTP8mP-7ucyIcgJqy1WBWYpGf5PW6MSKQLJkJL51zSuDKwmgQJ0Z_-oufOW-rb9rCJZkrr2L0C77xLTfnTY7jjeiC6AQrDYx/s1600-h/oldasspattern2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230763911150353298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePWXcmML698CNVns6CB6fKpYPD2nleDqT8Q1whTP8mP-7ucyIcgJqy1WBWYpGf5PW6MSKQLJkJL51zSuDKwmgQJ0Z_-oufOW-rb9rCJZkrr2L0C77xLTfnTY7jjeiC6AQrDYx/s400/oldasspattern2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And I decided to try it again...but still couldn't decode those weird abbreviations, except I kind of figured that w.r.n. meant 'wind round needle' and w.o.n. meant 'wind over needle' but the Wl.fwd...no clue. From what I can figure out, I'm hoping all of them simply mean yarn over...what the heck. I just had a weird thought....the babies in those pictures are probably in their late 40's or early 50's by now.<br /><br />My second project will be the Pomatomus socks from Knitty...I have wanted to do them for a while, too...I have no idea if I will be able to get even one of those project done.....let the madness begin.<br /><br />P.S.--the writing you see on the second picture is not mine...I wouldn't ever write on a pattern, it goes against my Canadian upbringing...Cee's mum says it's not hers either...what a mystery. I don't suppose they had post-its back then...</div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-90418398685339369562008-07-19T17:43:00.006-04:002008-07-19T18:20:58.990-04:00told you i was no photographerThanks so much to all of you for all of the warm wishes of sympathy over Cee's dad...in true British fashion, his family is soldiering on, trying to keep things as normal as they can, whatever that is.<br /><br />As for me, well, I've been knitting (insert 'no duh!' here...like I'd be doing anything else?!?). I finished the clapotis...in like 10 days....(I'm thinking of joining the Ravelympics, I could kick some serious butt, in a not-that-it-really-matters sense).. I'm so happy with it, and I can totally see why everyone seems to be making dozens of these, what a pleasure to knit! I was so excited to take a picture of it that I didn't even weave in the ends, which is usually a big no-no for me, but oh well.<br /><br />And now you will see why I'm no photographer, because here's what happens when I try to do more than one thing at a time, ie: spread out clapotis with left hand while balancing and holding camera with right:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNm7nfOjWQPYJvl7m8cm9aN2VR95NWQmH7tvEWe1yQjhzDjyiBFuZ0SH5OefOJQJApU3VIW9TNJsyAix_MgLboNfrwEodYviqkB3gHjYg7YxxcwbRUNU1Jv7ydvDbdD5-J5rb/s1600-h/oops.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224844723484878482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNm7nfOjWQPYJvl7m8cm9aN2VR95NWQmH7tvEWe1yQjhzDjyiBFuZ0SH5OefOJQJApU3VIW9TNJsyAix_MgLboNfrwEodYviqkB3gHjYg7YxxcwbRUNU1Jv7ydvDbdD5-J5rb/s400/oops.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A slanty pic of the Saturday sky and a peek at my pudgy paw. Still, check out those clouds...<br /><br /><div><div></div><br />And we're done:<br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdTG6w4F6zhNRSq5rPlqhwLJbApdV9TCS-NfDWIN9-KRCJsdD0bgncAHbQzAfL4anhqECA4gI0_MFJuTPcxTSkGju18AL6F_2mLFnWU0NCksdMIRnKZ0n3EIhmN6N3atQCOt1/s1600-h/doneclap.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224844566372032066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdTG6w4F6zhNRSq5rPlqhwLJbApdV9TCS-NfDWIN9-KRCJsdD0bgncAHbQzAfL4anhqECA4gI0_MFJuTPcxTSkGju18AL6F_2mLFnWU0NCksdMIRnKZ0n3EIhmN6N3atQCOt1/s400/doneclap.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I can safely say I'll be making more of these, since my MIL has been wearing it around, refusing to take it off and give it back...and it's like Africa hot here right now...hello central air...what would <a href="http://www.davidsuzuki.org/">David Suzuki </a>say? What a versatile thing this is, this little french scarf/shawl/thingie....what a genius Kate Gilbert is. And mine is visible from space, too! I exaggerate a little, but still...I thought maybe the drop stitch would make it...not so brighty...not so much...sigh, still...I thought dropping the stitches would give me the hivey hives, but it was strangely gratifying.<br /><br />Completely changing the point, my Ravelry queue is becoming far too long...anyone else have that problem? I find myself spending more and more time looking at what people have done, favouriting them and then queuing them up...somebody stop me.<br /><br />You can find the Clapotis <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATTclapotis.html">here</a>, but I can't imagine anyone who's online who hasn't heard of it yet...</div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-5061655203202492462008-07-13T16:42:00.008-04:002008-07-13T21:49:40.574-04:00turn turn turnI wanted to thank all of you for the good wishes and thoughts about Cee's dad that you've been sending...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecoiKs9TRI-Lths9AWfcn55ZY1oKTJcb2H3vtsJu78QIb8agACPl4QVeJ1rbvFw7bKbCChe2dRHaXlDcu6hAD_uUwB-8vsBPDlGIm-laIOe4F-Oxc36tilHnZubDe2djvHt9r/s1600-h/orangethings2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222602506387800450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecoiKs9TRI-Lths9AWfcn55ZY1oKTJcb2H3vtsJu78QIb8agACPl4QVeJ1rbvFw7bKbCChe2dRHaXlDcu6hAD_uUwB-8vsBPDlGIm-laIOe4F-Oxc36tilHnZubDe2djvHt9r/s400/orangethings2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We said goodbye to Cee's dad last Sunday, July the 6th. There won't be a funeral as per his father's and mum's wishes. Things here are a bit disjointed, understandably. Cee told me that it didn't even feel real for him until he saw the obituary in the paper.<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCn1j5TF0S3Lobdgerlj-22mOVazF2aWQXn-2yaHV7wWEIlb-txjvIXHdgxbD6MLLDo1C_2Fg_9NYM4-QsyAQ__tXWIYhv87FjAeadMtaWd-BlgCaEKOgrAVeUoiosHfotBfgc/s1600-h/johnsons.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222602398528464498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCn1j5TF0S3Lobdgerlj-22mOVazF2aWQXn-2yaHV7wWEIlb-txjvIXHdgxbD6MLLDo1C_2Fg_9NYM4-QsyAQ__tXWIYhv87FjAeadMtaWd-BlgCaEKOgrAVeUoiosHfotBfgc/s400/johnsons.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The important thing is that he is no longer lingering in pain from an insidious, debilitating, life shattering illness, and his immediate family is no longer living in torment, watching him slip away hour by hour. He is now free.<br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nViD5HQaj4KUZMaI8_aBOpVVJ5ArlHGURf4K2p68IRrqyRY0jy42B9Fxt5jxNwZnq3XrINDCzZBp34uDV9P9HwI_sBBmzc_ZrNGhcvGdYd5krfFL4VdSwJNEpa2pwSv7Ic86/s1600-h/orangethings.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222602270960757074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nViD5HQaj4KUZMaI8_aBOpVVJ5ArlHGURf4K2p68IRrqyRY0jy42B9Fxt5jxNwZnq3XrINDCzZBp34uDV9P9HwI_sBBmzc_ZrNGhcvGdYd5krfFL4VdSwJNEpa2pwSv7Ic86/s400/orangethings.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This whole experience has of course brought back memories of both of my parents' illnesses and deaths, and has been a trying time for all concerned. The only comfort Cee and his family can have right now is knowing that he's not suffering any more. And if you keep telling yourself that, it just might make it a little bit easier to get through.<br /><div></div><br />Here's some knitting content, a Clapotis I started last week as a distraction. </div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTk6qiopksBu0KHkQEtRwdPvQ6zssKFDWyfkuPuIKxTp8Rkp6A4TWvyRULv8kLAJTKcPsohCe0AXMTTDIgtSKcOqtFkMOUZd2NMOwwaQCeDrPOSlCAxaLmtdnFupt3nKQxzei/s1600-h/clap.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222602084257707442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTk6qiopksBu0KHkQEtRwdPvQ6zssKFDWyfkuPuIKxTp8Rkp6A4TWvyRULv8kLAJTKcPsohCe0AXMTTDIgtSKcOqtFkMOUZd2NMOwwaQCeDrPOSlCAxaLmtdnFupt3nKQxzei/s400/clap.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I'm using some baby yarn I had in my stash that is a little bright...in fact it just might be visible from space, but I'll finish it anyway. For everything, there is a season, and so it goes.</div></div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-52048499369370799232008-06-28T15:34:00.004-04:002008-06-28T16:24:02.405-04:00i am not a number...I am a free man!!!! Well, I'm not a man...or a number...I digress...The sci-fi/fantasy savvy of you will recognize the title and lead in of this post from the British TV series "The Prisoner", starring Patrick McGoohan...which of course everybody has watched, right? (methinks I hear the sounds of crickets chirping...) Yeah, I didn't know it either...when my husband asked me if I'd heard of it and was incredulous that I hadn't, I inquired when it was broadcast on tv....turns out it was originally aired the year before I was even born, so gee, duh, wonder why.... It's a cult favourite, apparently, with a huge following. Cee's brother has the whole series, let him borrow it and we've been watching it here and there when there's time.<br /><br />The thing that caught me originally is the opening of the show, when you hear the character tell the "Bad Guys" that they won't get any information from him and said "Bad Guys" say "We will...<em><strong>by hook or by crook</strong></em>"...and this lightbulb went off in my head and I thought "Ah ha!!! That's why I keep getting all these weird search hits on my blog...another mystery solved!" (and now there will probably be even more since I've referenced dialogue, characters and the actor's name) Anyway, the premise of the show is that the lead character is a secret agent (See also "Secret Agent Man") who resigns, but apparently "They" think he knows too much, so he's gassed and wakes up in this place called "The Village", which appears to be this idyllic sort of seaside town but is actually a prison, and he is known only by a number, the number 6, which he keeps telling them he will not respond to, hence the phrase "I am not a number, I'm a free man!!!!" So far my favourite character is this giant white balloon/ball thingie called Rover that is sort of the security service...it's kind of a weird show, we'll leave it at that.<br /><br />I get a lot of knitting done while we are watching it, let's put it that way....I made another pair of Fetchings. I really do love this pattern, it just goes so fast (I'm not that fast a knitter, and I can usually get them done in a full day) I think I'll keep this pair as I gave the other ones I made last year to my niece.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2578600524_33f4e5fb1f.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2578600524_33f4e5fb1f.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's been a long, strange week at Chez Kay & Cee...without going into too much detail, Cee's dad is having continued major health issues, so we've been spending a lot of time at his parents' house. So because I don't have enough going on, and because it's so practical to knit a big, bulky sweater when it's a zillion humid degrees outside, I cast on the Oblique sweater from the Fall 2007 Knitty.<br /><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2619190286_5d0ae47e88.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2619190286_5d0ae47e88.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Apologies for the poor quality photo...I don't know what it is with my camera and the colour red. I had to edit this majorly to keep it from looking radioactive. I absolutely love this pattern (even if the lacy lacyness is a bit confounding to me...I keep thinking I've screwed up and should frog, then realize I'm okay) and I've knit about 10 inches of the back so far...I'm using the yarn that was originally for my woman in red sweater, which has gone to the lily pond after almost a year and a half of neglect.<br /><br />Oh, I also adopted a new motto this week, thanks in part to my sister's last birthday card to me, and also to lack of sleep, time to do my housework, yard work, work work, regular life-type stuff and all that kind of thing:<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2618358887_3a49625e35.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2618358887_3a49625e35.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Appropriate for all situations, don't you think? Now if only I could put a little bubble text that says "let's knit!" under the 'screw everything' I'd be set....or possibly "Let's get pissed! or "Let's trash the place!" or whatever suits your fancy...here's hoping the next week will be blissfully uneventful, take care everyone, and Happy Canada Day to all my fellow countrymen/women on July 1!!! Happy July 4th to all our neighbours to the south!!!...happy happy for all.</div></div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23600296.post-74868623227158863302008-06-14T15:20:00.003-04:002008-06-14T16:51:27.731-04:00did you knowthat I used to smoke? Well I did. A lot. I was one of those people that actually enjoyed smoking, yes..one of <em><strong>those</strong></em>. I wasn't an inconsiderate smoker by any means...if people didn't want me to smoke in their cars or homes or near them, I wouldn't, I'd just go outside and freeze or get rained on with the rest of the social lepers, but baby, I loved me my smokes! I used to wake up in the middle of the night and have to have a smoke before I could go back to sleep, that's how much I loved them, and my smokes, they loved me in return....I never even gave one thought about trying to quit. Ever.<br /><br />But then I met Cee. Cee doesn't smoke...never has...in fact he gets quite ill around cigarette smoke.....awkward!! When we first met, I still stayed a smoker for a little while (of course, never around him), but when it became increasingly more apparent that our lives were going to be intertwined, I decided I'd better bite the bullet and at least try to quit....notice I'm not mentioning anything about quitting for my health. Well I did quit....over nine years ago...it wasn't pretty. Have you seen the commercial with the flight attendant screaming at the passengers on the plane and breaking into crushing sobs as she picks up the phone to page? Well that was me. <br /><br />I tried cold turkey (anyone remember that movie? It's pretty accurate and funny) at first...I went to my mother, gave her my cigarettes, and said "I'm a non smoker now, you can put these away for me."...and she looked at me with that look that only mothers have, and said "Mmm hmm...ok." I made it almost 6 hours before I (quite logically, to me at the time) thought I should probably kill someone for their smokes. The addiction had me...hard. Luckily for my mum, she'd put my cigarettes where they could be easily reached in the case of my spectacular cold turkey failure, which of course, inevitably happened.<br /><br />Two months later I tried the gum. I told Cee over the phone that I was quitting, and he said "Uh huh" in sort of an unbelieving tone, which to be honest, kind of pissed me off (it could have been the beginnings of nicotine withdrawal) and I thought, "Do I really want to quit for <em><strong>this</strong> </em>guy?!" (still notice I'm not quitting because smoking is so horribly bad for me, but because Cee doesn't smoke) Anyway, I managed to make it through the first 24 unbelievably horrible hours and I knew...I just knew I was going to be successful. And every time I started to think about having a cigarette, I just tried to remember how horrible quitting felt, the shakes, the irritability, the wanting to kill people for their cigarettes, the uncontrollable heaving sobs...and I stayed not smoking. Now the gum (Nicorette Gum, to be specific) can be a double-edged sword....some people cannot stand the taste--I didn't mind it. Some people actually get addicted to the gum--I didn't like it that much. About a month or so after I quit, I stopped chewing the gum. Fast forward to 9 years and some months later and I am still smoke free. I don't miss it really, although I can smell it from about 50 feet away and sniff wistfully at times, and my eyes get all glassy with the fond, fond memories.... I do, however, dream about smoking. All the time...almost every night in fact. It's always the same...whatever dream I'm having, all of a sudden I stop and light up a smoke, and get about half-way through it, feeling absolutely wonderful. Then I panic, thinking "Oh no...I quit smoking...I can't have this!!" Then I look around sneakily and think, "Oh well, it's only one, it doesn't make me a smoker again." and then whatever other dreams I'm having continue. I think I have this dream for at least two reasons; 1. Because I know in my heart if I had even one cigarette, I'd be up to a pack a day in about a week. and 2. at least in my dreams I can still enjoy me my smokes...It truly is a hard addiction to break.<br /><br />Sometimes I like to think that someone up there sent me my beloved Cee just to get me to stop smoking...and I got a pretty good deal in the trade.<br /><br />Now on to things knitting and crocheting and fibre related, since it is World Wide Knit In Public Day...or something like that. For me, that's pretty much every day, since I drag my stuff everywhere, but I suppose not everyone is as wrapped up in this addiction as I am. (gee, do you think I've got an addictive personality or what?)<br /><br />Cee's mum brought me an Avon catalogue a few days ago, pointed to a picture of socks with no toes (Spa Socks, they called them) and said "Do you think you could make me these?" and I of course said "Absolutely!!" and so I found the Pedicure socks pattern on Knitty.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/2577802557_542e73f785.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/2577802557_542e73f785.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2574043032_fc3945fa10.jpg"></a>I took some liberties here...she wanted them to wear in bed to keep her heels warm, so I used some baby wool I'd been gifted instead of the recommended Patons Merino, and I went down a needle size. I also ribbed all the way down the leg and the instep, because my MIL has very dainty ankles and narrow feet (lucky wench). She likes them, and they went fast because of the thicker yarn.<br /><br />Then because I don't have enough projects going, I decided to start a new knitting bag. I'm using the "Mrs. Weasley's Bag of Stitch Witchery" pattern from Charmed Knits. I played around with colours and came up with a combination I thought was utterly brilliant, and I revelled in my cleverness, my ability to create something unique...then I went on Ravelry and found at least two other people had come up with the exact combination...great minds...<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2574043032_fc3945fa10.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2574043032_fc3945fa10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is the centre front panel of the bag, which seems to be going quickly. Something tells me though that the rest of the bag will take me a while, since my right thumb has been giving me some weird pains, so I'm going to try to stay away from the needles and hooks for a while and give the paws a rest...don't know if I'll suffer withdrawals or not.<br /><br />If you want to take a look at the Pedicure Socks pattern, you can find it a Knitty <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTpedicuresocks.html">here</a>.</div><div> </div><div>If you want more info on the book, "Charmed Knits" (projects inspired by Harry Potter), click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charmed-Knits-Projects-Harry-Potter/dp/0470067314/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213476230&sr=1-1">here</a>.</div></div></div>Kikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515408615488711840noreply@blogger.com5