Oh Edward!

I finally got started on my Opposite Pole Sweater. I order the yarn a long time ago and it's been sitting here at the store taunting me. I printed the pattern and left it lying on the counter so I would see it constantly as a reminder of what was to come. I forced myself to finish several UFO's (UnFinished Objects), because the number of WIP's (Works in Progress) was getting marginally ridiculous (one of the dangers of being a yarn store owner...). So I finished many things and started and finished many more-Christmas presents mostly. About 5 days ago I cast on the back and started knitting along merrily-a total lie, I had to cast on multiple times and rip back a bunch because while there are no errors in the pattern, it's a little convoluted at times.

It's not really a complicated pattern-although it's definitely not easy, but it does take some concentration. OK, lots of concentration through certain parts of it. Like the part where you are knitting 2 separate charts while knitting garter stitch wedges while attaching it to the back piece.

I really like the construction and I was checking out Joji Locatelli's other designs, I think I like them all! They're fresh and interesting but totally knittable!

So, because I apparently only finished simple projects-all I have left are projects that require a certain amount of concentration that is nearly impossible to give in public, or when Wee Patrick is feeling particularly feisty.

I grabbed Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn by Carol Sulcoski with the best intentions, I figured I would knit the socks that Barb Brown contributed to the book since they are fantastic socks, Barb is a cool person, and I have seen the actual sock from the book...on Barb's feet...in the store...

But then I saw these.

As Stephanie Meyer so ineptly put it-I fell hopelessly, and irrevocably in love.

I LOVE handpainted and hand dyed yarns, but I am really particular about what patterns I use them for. Variegated yarns just don't translate into every pattern well. I have learned that just because you love the yarn, the colour and the pattern, doesn't mean that by combining them you will end up with an attractive pattern. If I am knitting something out of my head-like a quick scarf, cowl, hat, etc-and I choose to use a variegated yarn, invariably I choose moss stitch because it breaks up the colours in a pleasing manner. So imagine a whole book of such yarny knitterly genius!

I'll put Barb Brown's Rib Fantastic Socks on the back burner and hope that she forgives me for being so fickle.

And yes, those are Signature Needle Arts DPN's. Mumsy gave them to me for Christmas!

I love Fridays!

I am really starting to love Fridays. It's blogoriffic!
The week has been fantastic so far-we had a business mixer on Wednesday night and it went really well, many of our neighbour businesses came out to welcome us. It was great fun and full of great conversations!



I taught Wenda from the Downtown and North Shore Echo magazines how to spin and she took to it like a fish to water! She still claims she doesn't want to knit, but I'm pretty sure I can wear her down. After all, spinning is what prompted me to learn how to knit-I had a pile of handspun yarn and realized that I had to find something to do with it.

Thursday we had the Thompson Treadlers come in for the evening. It was a small but fun group and we had some great conversations. I really enjoyed having the chance to sit down and spin for a couple hours!


Today's pattern is the Bonnie Birds Knee highs by Barb Brown. Barb Brown is the wonderful knitter who is teaching at our retreat in a few weeks (there are a few spaces left!)


Dear Barb: Can you forgive me for copyright infringement?


My Mom is actually going to knit these and she has chosen Pace and Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts as her yarns. Mom is wicked at stranded knitting, so I know they will turn out incredible!

On a final note, I have a funny little story to tell about the word getting around about our little yarn store. The story is a little...personal, so I won't tell you who it was, and if you are at all easily offended I suggest you skip this part (and just by writing that you probably want to read right to the bottom now!)

She was in her doctor's office getting her regular physical, which of course included a pap smear. While she was there in dishabille getting every woman's least favourite, but unfortunately necessary chore over with-the Dr. suddenly asked her "So have you heard of the new yarn store?"

Ladies, word is getting out.

I freely admit...

I freely admit that I have been sucking in the blogging department for the past half year. I take full responsibility. I have a hundred excuses and reasons...but I still take responsibility.
My motto in life seems to be "Bite off more than you can chew!" and while I don't eschew (hyukhyuk) this motto, I sometimes think to myself "Oh crap! I bit off more than I can...chew!" I can't help it, it's just how I roll. Who wouldn't think that being the President of the Kamloops Arts Council, while co-running a business from home, while being in the Sweet Adelines (Barbershop Harmony Chorus and far more work than you might imagine, I assure you!), becoming more involved in the Society for Creative Anachronism , while raising a 16 month old boy and an 11 year girl wouldn't be a big ole slice of cherry pie? To be honest, most of the time I love it. I find that if I crazy overwork myself, I feel a sense of accomplishment. There are 16 million and 52 things I want to learn to do in this life and only a finite amount of time to do them! It might be easier if I was a TV dinner Mom, I could probably save a lot of time if I didn't cook so much. Although I bet my lack of desire for cleaning probably gives me a couple of extra hours a week!
It all came into perspective today when I realized Patrick was sleeping and it was sunny. Which meant I could catch up on my knitting photography for my projects on Ravelry. The joy was palpable, I was prancing around with my kntiting laying it on the ground and snapping pics like a tourist at the Grand Canyon. How life has changed, that a few fleeting moments in the son without my toddlers becomes such an event. I am not complaining, Wee Patrick is the joy of my life, but he has taught me one really, truly important thing - people that put harnesses on their children are not bad people. I used to be so disgusted by it. Now, I truly understand. I have not put a harness on Patrick simply because I am tenacious and I just can't bring myself to making my child into a dog. But I no longer frown upon the people that do, because I know that not everyone is as hellbent stubborn as I am. Thank you Patrick for teaching my tolerance.
Business is zooming along quite prettily. We have confirmation for our first knitting retreat which is going to be an amazing weekend on Saltspring Island with knitting expert Barb Brown. She's one of my favourite people in the knitting world and I could think of no one better for our first retreat! I waslucky enough to share a room with her at the first retreat I ever went to and I find her a joy to be around. Knowledgable, funny, down to earth, and a damn good knitter too! The details will be available soon (as will our website!).
I'm throwing around the idea of podcasting. I am usually a glib individual but am not sure how I will do with out someone to actually talk to, (or mock). I think it would be a lot of fun, but am not sure how I will fit it in since I can't even seem to do regular blog posts. I think I am going to try to commit to weekly blog posts, and if I can do that, then I shall reward myself with podcasting (since apparently I have the attention span of a 5 year old, I figure this strategy might work well.)
Mother is busy right now combing the hell out of bufallo hides and musk ox hides. This means electrictree yarns will soon be carrying bison down and the ever elusive Qiviut. Not only will this help us make money to expand our business, I am reasonably sure that with Qiviut in our inventory I can probably gather a fair number of souls and first borns.
Now it is time to sign off and continue the dinner making. I am trying out my new convection toaster oven. It has a rotisserie so I making a roast and going to cook some taters as well-all in my wee toaster oven-which, by the way, is not overheating my kitchen right now! Yay!

Book Review!!!

Ok...maybe it's not a book review...maybe it's more like a book gush, or an "Ode to Book."
I just purchased Knitting Knee Highs: Sock Styles from Classic to Contemporary by Barb Brown. (Rav link here). It's a beautiful book full of amazing patterns that are fully adaptable to a variety of styles.


Here is my copy of the book lovingly nestled in some of my hand dyed yarn destined for Abbotsford.


Here is the inscription from Barb. See? We're practically BFF's!! I shared a room with Barb at a knitting retreat and she has bionic eyes (no joke here, it's totally awesome...I think she might secretly have lasers in them or something). So of course, I think she's a totally rad person.

I love this book. I had to force myself not to toss my current UFO's out the window and cast on socks. They pattterns are beautiful. They come from a variety of ethnic inspirations and a wide variety of styles. You can do knee-highs, you can knit regular socks, ankle socks, or even leg warmers! The possibilities are endless. I am already planning my first pair!
This morning when I went downstairs to the dye pots in preparation for next weekend I had a list of colourways that I wanted to do. The list was tossed off to the side and I started experimenting with colours especially for me, so I can knit the socks in this book in the colours that I want! I just made a colour way that I think I will call "Barb's Browns." (If Barb will let me that is!).

In Which Many Things Come to Pass

Words cannot describe the busyness of the last week... Last weekend was the icebreaker softball tournament. Sunday night was my Birthday party (more on that later). Monday was work and the beginning of my Pool League Tournament. Tuesday work, taking my stepdaughter to ball (and was my actual birthday, although I forgot that until I was almost at work). Wednesday was work and silkscreening tote bags. Thursday crazy busy work day and then the Body Beautiful piercing and tattoo show. Friday absolutely insane work day and drive up to Sun Peaks for the Twist of Fate Knitting Retreat. No word of a lie from Monday until Sunday afternoon I spent 5 waking hours at home...

It was all worth it though. As crazy busy as I was, they were all worthwhile pursuits.

My birthday was super awesome. There were a heck of a lot of people there.
I had no idea that so many people liked me, although I do admit the food may have been a big draw...seriously...the food...
I have never seen so much kalamari in my life...there was wings, dry ribs, veggies, fruit, spinach dip, kalamari, meat, cheese...I don't know...it's all a blur...a wonderful sated blur...
My friend Michelle brought a kick ass carrot cake.
There was lots of fun and ridiculousness.
And some karaoke judging.Adam gave me a 10!

I don't know if my brother will ever forgive my for making him wear a Hannah Montana Tiara...
Although Cliffy seemed to enjoy it...
It was without a doubt the best birthday party I have ever had! I asked people to not bring gifts, but if they wanted to they could bring a donation for Knitters Without Borders. We raised $180!

The Body Beautiful piercing and tattoo show was very cool as always. I really enjoy that show because of the eclectic group of people it brings in. There was a professional photographer there, so I will have some professional pics to put up soon. In the meantime here are some I took with my wishy washy little camera.
The knitting retreat was fantastically awesome. The instructor was Barb Brown of Wild Geese Fibres. She was a fantastically cool lady who knew an awful lot about knitting. She was very knowledgable about history so I really enjoyed listening to her theories on the exchange of ideas and information through women travelling throughout history. Her Great Grandmother showed Cowichan ladies how to knit Fair Isle, so I am going to check out her sweaters at the Museum the next time I go to Duncan. It was really nifty to hear about the evolution of the Cowichan Sweater. Barb's pretty famous in the knitting world and she hardly snores at all! (we shared a room).

I learned to knit Fair Isle and I really enjoyed it. I'm not even that great at it and it made me feel like a knitting genius! I can knit with both my hands!! I met lot of cool people and knit all weekend, after the week I had it was just about the funnest thing ever.

So yeah, things are slowing down a little bit now. I am still busy, but not exorcist head spinning busy. Hopefully now I can finally get back to some spinning and glass work, I finally managed to add a couple more products to my Etsy Store, but I have to get batteries for my camera to add anymore...stupid thing eats batteries...because I always forget to turn it off...


Oh and for those of you that have been wondering...yes Herman the Spider is still with us...