Couldn't wait anymore

I just couldn't wait anymore for new yarn. I just had to have some! So, Sophie and I got on the TTC (no longer on strike, thank you!), and went to Lettuce knit. I was looking for some Socks that Rock, but little did I know, it was all long time gone. Since I had been envying socks out of Koigu, and Trekking from other people's blog all winter, I decided it was time to indulge. Unfortunately, the colors have a bit more punch than on the picture (the lighting in my condo sucks big time). I just can't wait to start knitting a pair of socks for MOI. Yes, this time I'm knitting for myself!

When we came back from our little excursion, there was a note in our mailbox to advise me that I got a package. It was finally my yarn from Knit Picks. I'll be able to finish Sophie's blanket, and then move on to mostly socks during the summer.
Speaking of Socks, I'm within an inch of finishing the socks in Parade Checkers. I'll try to take a picture outdoors this time, in order to get a more accurate color and better lighting.

Still waiting...

Yes, I am still waiting for both yarns to arrive. At least I got a shipment confirmation from Knit Picks. What I got from Blue Moon Fiber Arts, in terms of acknowledgment, is an e-mail from PayPal saying that :"Your package will be shipped by PayPal Shipping with U.S. Postal Service!". Three hours later, I got a second e-mail and this time it says:"Blue Moon Fiber Arts Inc. has cancelled the shipping label for the reason below: Label Did Not Print". No further details were given, so I'm not sure if further label printing efforts will be made or not, or if another method of shipment will be used. I'm considering getting on my bike and going to Lettuce Knit, just to make sure I do get some Socks That Rock yarn. I'll just get a different colorway.

Pooch of the month

Here is Sophie's claim to fame: she's Pooch of the month in City Dog, a magazine available at most veterinary clinics in Toronto. I'm not sure if she will be in the printed Summer issue, or if she's only in the online issue, but either way she seems quite happy (and still down to earth, so far). The cats, they don't care either way...

In knitting news, I'm still waiting for the Knit Picks yarn to arrive in order to complete Miss Fame's blanket. Now that the air conditioner has started in the building, it got a bit cooler in the appartment, and the little canine is looking for warm spots. She was even trying to hide under the blanket when I was knitting it. Mind you, the lazy dog might have just wanted to find a darker spot where she can have a quiet nap.

Almost forgot! I ordered some Socks that Rock yarn from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. The color is called Cobblestone County. When I saw the colors, I understood what the fuss was all about. I just can't wait to get it. Oh and just so that nobody gets their hopes up, I'm making socks for myself, thank you!

Running out of yarn!

Aaaaaah! I'm running of yarn for Sophie's blanket. I have less than a quarter of a ball left, and it's clearly not enough to complete the blanket. I have placed an order with Knit Picks, and I really hope they still have the same lot number. One ball might be enough, but I've ordered two just to be safe. Better be safe than sorry.

In the meanwhile, I've been working on the Parade socks in Checkers (actually the sock in at the top of the page). They will go in my Christmas presents bin, but I have an idea of who the recipient will be. For obvious reasons (she reads my blog once in a while), I can't tell. Hopefully she will be surprised when she gets them.

Dulaan items have arrived

I received an e-mail from Canada Post to advise me that my package has reached it's destination. Yay!
Now let's start on my 2007 contribution...

Sad, sad pup

Wednesday morning, I took Sophie to be spayed. Late afternoon, I got a call from the vet's office to let me know everything went well and she was ready to go home. She was such a sad puppy for the rest of the day. I don't think I've ever seen her that quiet since I got her.

While I was waiting to hear from her surgery, I started a new blanket for her in Knit Pick's Palette Hyacinth. For some reason, I got a quick start on it, and seemed to be knitting faster than usual (yes, stress was a factor). Since she's been quieter than usual, I have been able to get quite a bit done on it, but this morning she decided she'd give me some help with it...

Dulaan items sent!

Yay! I have completed my scarf and sent all my Dulaan items for 2006 this morning. I'm sending two scarves, one pair of mittens, and five pairs of socks ( two pair were knitted by my mom). Unfortunately, my camera is not co-operating, once again. It's not much this year, as I only heard of the Dulaan Project in March, but I intend on knitting at least twenty items for 2007. I have downloaded a few free patterns, and I'll try to send various items. I'm not quite sure which item is mostly needed, but I also plan on doing a bit of websurfing, and learn more about Mongolia, the people, and their culture. I'd like to send items that are to their liking. For example, the number three has a special meaning (reflecting the three sided aspects of the Universe like past- present- future or beginning- continuation- end or sky- earth- man), so I intend on including trios in the items: three stripes, three diamond shapes, etc. Here's are three examples of triad poems' paradox:

Three endless
Skies are endless,
Wisdom is endless
Stupidity is endless

Three treasures
Knowledge is supreme treasure
Children are highest treasures
Material things are lowest treasures

Three blues
Blues is the endless skydom
Blue is rainwater in a pond
Blue is water in flowing river

Scarf for Dulaan project

The deadline for the 2006 Dulaan project is arriving soon. I have completed a scarf, and I'm working on completing another one within the next day, and finally send my box in, and proudly add my Dulaan Project button. I'm having some problems with uploading pictures with my camera yet again. Hopefully I can figure it out before I send my box in and be able to post the scarf I'm working on. It's a basket weave pattern, and the yarn is old rose.

This weekend I was helping my sister packing (moving up in the world), and inherited some yarn I'll be able to use for Dulaan 2007. There's four balls of acrylic (I'm not a yarn snob, and will knit acrylic), and at least seven balls of merino wool in various colors. Her stash consists of six large plastic bin, packed in tight. She mostly crochets, but in the past few years have re-discovered the joys of knitting. She has shown some interest in the Dulaan project for 2007. Like our mom and myself, she always has some project on the go for local charities.

Adopted a llama

Meet my adopted llama, Mamma. She just smells like a lavender patch, and eats nothing but purple grass. You can feed her all you want, she just loves it!

adopt your own virtual pet!

I'm sure many knitters dream of having their own sheep, llama or alpaca farm, but not be directly involved with the work required. My sister and I do! We'd love to have our own sheep farm in the country that would supply all the yarn we'd sell in our yarn shop in the city. Not realistic, but sure would be nice to have.

One of the things to do on my "when I'm on my severance package" list (still enjoying being unemployed) was to visit an alpaca, sheep, or llama farm for a day. I remember, quite a few years ago, my husband and I spent a weekend in a gourmet inn in Colingwood. He said had he known a $3 visit to a sheep farm would make me that happy, he wouldn't have spent the money on the inn. It was a fantastic day(and weekend too, thanks hubby) and I'd love to do it again!

Socks for the Dulaan Project, and visiting a Burmese

I must admit, I got a bit bored of knitting preemie hats (a dozen so far) and knitted a pair of socks that I'll send to the Dulaan Project , along with other knitted items. At first, I thought the picture was out of focus, but after the fourth picture, I realised that it's just the colors giving this illusion. The colors on the close-up picture are more accurate, for some reason.














Sophie and I spent yesterday at my friend Laurence's. She owns a Burmese named Tammy. It was just amazing how gentle such a big dog can be, and how careful she was when playing with Sophie. We all had a blast!

Knitted motorcycle

While surfing the net, I found a picture of a knitted motorcycle by Theresa Honeywell.
This is pretty cool! She has also knitted tattoos, power tools, a toolbelt, and a machine gun. I wonder what the next project will be...

Preemie hats count

So far, only six.
I have been busy with Sophie, my 5 month old Chihuahua: training her to overcome her separation anxiety. So far it has not been so successful, and I must practice every day. She's so compact, that I'm used to take her with me everywhere it's acceptable (no, not doing the Paris Hilton thing, Celtic Knitter :P. She gives Chihuahua owners a bad name). Also, she's just so excited to discover the world, that I can't help but wanting to expose her to as many different environment as possible (apparently good for socialisation). My vet says she's well socialized, and doesn't display any of the yappy little dog's more stereotypically unpleasant behaviours (shaking, whining, yapping, etc.), but I'd like her to be a bit more independent and learn to stay by herself. Maybe she needs a hobby. Hmmmmm.....knitting?

What are you knitting for the Brangelina baby?

This image from Salon reminded me that I better start knitting something for the baby before it's arrival in this celebrity crazed world. One question though: What is appropriate? What is considered too much, or too little?
I know! Here's my plan: from now until the birth of the Brangelino I will be knitting preemies hats. After the birth, I will take them to a local hospital. If I knew how to start a knit-along, I would, based on this idea, but I don't. Feel free to use this idea!

Basil's socks are finished!

Nathalie is trying on her husband's socks. Yup, they're way too big for her, so they'll fit. Actually, I have casually coaxed a few people to let me draw the outline of their foot, just so I can have a proper size when I knit them socks. I still have a few missing, but I know they wear similar, or same size as others.
I have started another pair of socks, this time in Parade (Checkers is the color). Even though this yarn makes me feel like I'm lazy, I really like not having to change the colors myself, and mostly, not having a bunch of yarn ends to take care of once the socks are completed. Oh well, life doesn't have to be complicated...

More yarn!

Yesterday, I got received a package from Knit Picks. This time, I ordered: two balls of Parade in Plum, four balls of Simple Stripes (two in Vinyard, and two in Storm), and two balls of Dancing in Jig. The Jig is a bit brighter than I expected, but I'm sure it's not too bright for the person I'm planning to knit socks for.
I better stop buying sock yarn, otherwise I'll be knitting nothing but socks for the next few months. Not that there's anything wrong with socks!