Updates...

As promised, here are some updates:
Work has been really busy: my partner-in-crime gave birth to a 10 pound baby girl (yes, you read right, ten pounds!) two weeks ago, so now I have to hold the fort for her until she returns from maternity leave in about six months.

My sister and I haven't attempted anything yet to salvage grandpa's sock knitting machine. Instead, we spent time reminiscing about him using it, and about other knitters in the family. We also spent a bit of time researching, and found out that we have a Model 400, manufactured by P.T. Légaré in Montréal.

On the knitting front, I have joined the Dulaan 2007 project. Noticed my button? I have committed to knit five items, but of course will knit more (after I'm done with my Christmas knitting). I'm pretty sure that we will reach our goal of 10,000 items by the end of winter, and I look forward to see our progress on Ryan's blog. For those of you who are not familiar with the project, have a look at this link.

As you may have heard, we had a few snowflakes in Toronto already. Of course, nothing like in New York, but still got cold enough to get Sophie shivering a bit. I knitted her a sweater and she gave me this look and said: "What kind of a sick joke is this? You want to keep me warm with this?"

So sorry!

I'm so sorry dear readers, I never meant to neglect you....
Time seems to have been multiplying by four recently. What felt like a week ago since my last post has turned out to be a month! I will catch up this weekend, I promise!

Various updates...

This is what is left of my grandfather's knitting sock machine. Yes, sock knitting is a family obsession.
My sister and I were so excited when our dad told us that the elusive machine had been found in my uncle's attic, and was ours if we still wanted it. He warned us we'd have a lot of work to do in order to get it back into working shape, but we didn't expect it was in such bad condition. However, we'll do our best to restore it, and hopefully be able to use it. Any advices are welcome at this point!






Since my last post, I had a chance to complete two projects: a scarf, and yet another pair of socks. Both will be Christmas gifts. The stitches are not showing that well on this picture, but I think it's recipient will be happy to wear it in cold Ottawa, while walking the dogs. Hey, maybe I should knit matching ones for the dogs too!

The sock looks a bit weird at the toes because I rolled whatever was too long underneath (and with a size 5 shoe, that's a lot). It really looks like it's finished square at the toes, but it's not ( I was just too lazy to take another picture). I have started another pair of cabled socks, but the cable is a bit longer.

So that's what I've been up to, in case you were wondering. That and lots of sleeping. I feel like my body is fighting a cold or something.

First meme

I hadn't checked my blog list in a few days, and I just noticed today that I have been tagged by KB for a meme. This is actually the first time, so here goes:

1. One book that changed your life: Agaguk by Yves Theriault (it was more the way the teacher read it to us that had an impact on me).

2. One book that you've read more than once: Against Nature by Joris-Karl Huysmans (an exploration in decadence and amazing descriptions)

3. One book you'd want on a desert island: I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles (I read it over a period of about two months, and with a few interruptions so I'd like to read it without interruptions).

4. One book that made you laugh: Parler croquant by Claude Duneton (sorry, no translations available on this book about some hilarious uses of the French language)

5. One book that made you cry: Life Before Us by Romain Gary

6. One book that you wish had been written: The key to instant happiness

7. One book you wish had never been written: all the "how to build a bomb" type of books

8. One book you're currently reading: Knit Lit (too)

9. One book you've been meaning to read: The Instant Millionaire: A Tale of Wisdom and Wealth by Mark Fisher ( but really, how much fun can it be to read about finances?)

10. Tag 6 people: Charles, Jason, Bamboo Sticks, Cheryl (Out of the box), Celtic Knitter, Roadside ( I'm cheating here, as KB already tagged him).

Frustrating lace attempts

I finally decided it was time for me to try lacing. Try is the key word here. After spending some time selecting a pattern I'd like, and that wouldn't be too complicated, I decided on Caribbean Scarf. Seemed easy enough: some knit, some purl, knit 3 together, yarnover, nothing I haven't done before. One my first attempt, I noticed I had 40 sts on instead of 41 after a few rows ( it was my swatch). Second attempt, same results but further along. No big deal, I'll frog it and start over. Third attempt, after about eight rows I had 3 sts missing. That's it, I'm laced out for today!

Another pair of socks

Look what just came off my needles. Yes, another pair of socks, and for me too! The yarn I used is called Klassik, and it's from Stahl. I'm sure the in-laws will appreciate that this yarn was made in Romania. At least Sandra will...

The amazing Exploding Diet Coke...

I get home and see a suspicious stain on the floor, next to the fridge. What could it be? I open the door, and find that mess. A closer look, and I find the perpretator....
I guess my fridge is so cold that the Diet Coke froze.

and another baby hat...

Baby hat

I've noticed that the woman whose job I'll be taking over when she's on maternity leave, has really been gaining weight recently, and looks increasingly tired. The baby is due around the canadian Thanksgiving (October 10th, I believe), but I'm convinced she's not gonna make it to that date. So I've decided to start knitting things for the baby for a while. Here's a little hat.

Simple Stripes socks

This week's hot weather has not slowed down my knitting much. I managed to complete yet another pair of socks, this time with Knit Picks Simple Stripes in Blue Jeans. This pair will be a Christmas present for one of my sisters. The heel looks a bit weird on this picture because of the way it was laying on the branches of my dwarf lilac bush. The weather was somewhat cloudy, which explains the washed-out quality of the picture.

Next project!

Ball winding, and surfing pup

Look at the fun I had this weekend with my new toys. I had a few skeins that needed to be winded into neat little balls, including Charles' yarn (still haven't decided on a lace pattern for it). That's about the only exercise I had this weekend, except for a dip in the pool.













Speaking of dip in the pool, I think you'll agree that Sophie has recovered well from her broken toes...

Great buys day

Yesterday was a great stash enhancement day. I went to Romni Wools for their summer sale, and found a basement full of bargains. I bought enough DGB Confetti yarn (at $3.75 a ball) to make five pairs of socks. My husband wasted no time pointing out the colours he prefers, should I be tempted to knit him a pair or two.



I also bought a wool winder and a reeling machine. I had been envious of Kenny's since he blogged about it (June 02 entry) , and I have been purchasing a lot of skeins in the past few months. This will certainly come in handy. I also bought a book of traditional lace shawls. I may have found a project (not too complicated) in there to use Charles yarn.

Late last night, I also finished the second Socks That Rock pair of socks. The left sock is with Seal Rock colour, and the right sock is in Carbon Dated. I really like knitting this yarn, and I like the colours as well. I only wish the colourways would not make stripe patterns, and the colours would be spread all over the sock.

Sophie update

Sophie's bandage has been removed, and her paw seems to be healing well. In order for her not to lick the wound, and to allow it to dry, she was given a cone to wear. The plastic apparatus was making her quite disoriented, not to mention frustrated. After another visit to the vet, she was outfitted with an "Elizabethan collar". This collar is not as rigid, and can be worn up or down. Her frustration level has gone down a bit, and she can walk around the house with dignity... well, almost.

In knitting news, I completed the Socks That Rock socks in "Carbon Dating", and have started a new pair in "Seal Rock".

Cool Buddha Tonic Yarn!

Look at the amazing yarn I got in the mail today! This picture really doesn't do justice to the richness of the colors, sadly so (my camera really sucks). Charles at Cool Buddha Tonic dyes his own yarns. He is quite multi-talented, as you can see yourself from his blog. He also included a handmade card, which I'm tempted to frame and hang in my new office.
I'm not quite sure what I will be knitting, but I'm sure it will be for me. The beautiful shades of lavender, lilac and purples in this yarn are just my favourite! There is a feeling of sweetness to it, and Charles, quite appropriately named it Sweetness Memories. I just love the names he comes up with for his yarns!

Broken toes...

On Thursday afternoon, Sophie and the sitter went to a pet store to pick up treats and other things. As they were leaving the store, a loud thunder freightened Sophie, and she ran into an oncoming shopping cart and hurt her paw. By the time they got home, it was bleeding a bit, and was swollen. We took her to the vet when we got home, and she had two broken toes, and an exposed wound. We had to try to keep her from running, and putting too much weight on it, and let me tell you it wasn't easy. It's a good thing she has plenty of chew toys to chew her frustrations away! This morning, I took her back to the vet to get her bright lime bandage changed, and they made this cute bandage with a little heart on it. I love the staff there, they're so friendly and caring. I have to go back on Wednesday, and the vet will decide then if she needs to be bandaged for another two more days or not. Wish us luck!