RunAwayKnitter

More Mittens...

2012-01-10T18:36:00.000-08:00

I keep getting ready for winter but (I know I'm going to regret saying this) "what winter?" Other than a brief cold snap lasting less than 48 hours, things have been almost balmy around here. Neverless, our household will be prepared...behold:

Newfie Mittens

These wonderfully warm and squishy mittens look a lot more complicated to make than they really are. There are several free patterns available on Ravelry, and here's one in particular I liked: Creative Whimsy's Newfoundland Mittens

I am burning through my stash of Patons Classic Wool Merino, choosing grey and white for this pair, knit on 3.75 mm dpn's.
Thank you Newfoundland.

Just in Time for -10 degree Celsius

2012-01-03T15:39:00.000-08:00

Looks like winter has finally hit southern Ontario. This morning I woke to -10 degrees Celsius....brrrr. Oh well, just another excuse to show off one "Turn a Square" hat and a matching pair of "No Swatch, No Gauge" mittens. Both are free patterns also offered through Ravelry. I used up some Patons Classic Wool Merino I had in my stash to make these and even tried my hand at creating "jogless" stripes.

Timeless...don't mess with a good thing

2011-10-10T06:51:00.001-07:00

In the fall of 1968 Elizabeth Zimmerman published her genius pattern known as The Baby Surprise Jacket. Amazingly, by following her written instructions you knit up something which looks like this:

and with just a few folds, it turns into...

...surprise...this! A lovely, cuddly, baby-taylored jacket.

My copy of this pattern is taken from Elizabeth Zimmerman's: The Opinionated Knitter.
Wool: Classic Elite Yarns - Liberty Wool
Colourway "Painted Desert" #7804
Purchased at Soper Creek Yarn in Bowmanville, ON
Just under 3 skiens (50 grams each)

Here are the true colours of this gorgeous wool ~

I found Lorilee Beltman's "Knitting Nuggets" videos on Youtube very helpful for this project. She clearly demonstrates some tips and techniques such as how to easily identify where to make increases without having to count every stitch and every row, how to sew up the shoulder seem (photo above), and how to finish off the project with a 3-stitch I-cord border along the edges.

I can't wait to find the right buttons and give this over to a very-much anticipated baby!

Today we stepped back in time...

2011-10-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving

An overnight surprise...

2011-03-06T05:42:00.000-08:00

After a full day of steady rain, snow melting...seemingly washing away winter, I woke up this March 6th morning to Winter's surprise....

...a blast of cold north air and a fresh dusting of snow...have to admit, it's kind of pretty...
Coincidentally, I happened to finish this lovely snowflake of wool just in time...
...a winter's beret for Lydia

Pattern (free): Meret by "Wooly Wormhead"
Wool: Patons Classic Wool (approx 3/4 of a ball)
Needles: 4.5 round and double-pointed

Extreme Cold Weather Alert

2011-02-10T14:50:00.000-08:00

Just in time for yet another extreme cold weather alert...and hot off the needles is the "Gap-tastic Cowl". It's big, bulky, and best of all very warm.

The pattern is free on ravelry.

I used 3 balls of Lion Brand Thick and Quick in colour Oatmeal. Cast on the 131 sts on 9 mm round needles as suggested and just kept going around and around...

Thorpe'd again

2011-01-22T07:21:00.000-08:00

It seems everyone wants a Thorped hat so....here we go again....

I chose to go a size smaller for this one - using the medium size which has 72 stitches on the needle once you have made all the increases. Again I used double-stranded Patons Classic Wool - colours Jade Heather and Aran (both from my stash). Again I used 5.5 mm dpn's for the body of the hat, but switched to 4.5 mm circular (16") for the garter stitch band as it seemed a bit loose on my first Thorpe project (ravelry link). The trim is in single crochet due to the thickness of the wool.The top tassle...just for fun...

More snow = more mittens...

2011-01-21T05:16:00.000-08:00

It's snowing again...

I love my red mittens.

Pattern: 3 Stitch Waffle Mittens

Wool: Nashua Superwash Wool

Thorpe Hat Just in Time...

2011-01-08T12:09:00.000-08:00

It may be a little late for Christmas but Owen's Thorpe hat and matching mittens are finished, just in time for the new snow that fell overnight. What a great pattern. I made it a bit large but, double stranded, it is definitely warm.

Hat Pattern: Thorpe by Kirten Kapur

(free pattern!)

Mittens: My own generic mitten pattern

Wool: Patons Classic Wool in "Forest" (one strand) and a solid brown wool from my stash (second strand)

Waffle mittens

2010-12-25T12:24:00.000-08:00

Finished just in time for Christmas .... one pair of waffle mittens, made to order for Thomas

And he likes them!
What can I say? He picked out the colours : )
Mission Falls 1820 Wool
Pattern on Ravelry: 3 Stitch Waffle Mittens by Zortified (a free Ravelry download)
This pattern knits up quickly and the waffle stitch adds some nice thickness and warmth. My only modification was to do plain knit thumbs versus the knit-2 purl-1 that the pattern calls for. I found the plain knit looks better when adding the make-1 stitches for the thumb gusset.

A different beach...another sock

2010-10-19T17:52:00.001-07:00

It's amazing how much knitting you can get done during an 18-hour drive to the sunny south...
"Algonquin Socks" started on the shores of Pog Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park, and...

...completed on the sands of beautiful Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

I love this place they call "The Strand," with it's glorious sunrises -

seemingly endless beaches -

and, lo and behold...a local yarn store (and a lovely one at that!)

Needless to say, with the socks finished I had to pick up a little something for the 18 hour drive back to Ontario...

Algonquin-inspired Socks

2010-09-18T05:03:00.000-07:00

We spent a glorious week up at Pog Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park , relaxing, canoeing, swimming, hiking, eating 'smores by the fire....and, finally I had time to knit something... ...a pair of socks made of Patons Kroy sock yarn, colourway "55201 - Turquoise Jacquard"; however, I prefer to call it "Late Summer in Algonquin."

Here's why:

Pog Lake, Algonquin Park

The Unknown Couple - but don't they look perfect together?

Mystic Pines

Who couldn't help but feel refreshed, renewed, and inspired among all this beauty?

If I was knitting...

2010-07-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

If I was knitting...which I am not because I am either working or studying...but if I was to knit something it would be these two little friends. The pattern is called "Jacobus" by Annita Wilschut and you can find ordering info at her blog.

Plastic Chairs

2010-06-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prUCCh_NXGY&feature=player_embedded

Wii to the Rescue

2010-01-05T05:29:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful, relaxing 2-week Christmas break, all the while experiencing the craziness of Ontario's winter weather. Despite days of drizzle and rain, followed by bone-numbing sub-zero temperatures that left us quite house-bound, there were no complaints of boredom.

We bought a "family gift" this year for Christmas - a Wii and added a couple of appendages, Rock Band and Wii Fit Plus. We've had lots of fun with Rock Band and it turns out that even Aunt I and Uncle A can rock!

I have to admit, I bought the Fit Plus more for myself - to help with the perpetual New Year's resolution: to get in better shape this year. But the rest of the gang seems to be enjoying it too. A good friend told me about Sheila Wray Gregoire's blog To Love, Honor, and Vacuum. Sheila has put together three mixed 30 minute work-outs using Wii Fit and she shares them on her blog here.

So off I go to do "work-out C: core body"...

Tidying up loose ends in 2009...

2009-12-29T19:26:00.000-08:00

The Moderne Baby Blanket is almost done - just the edging to go! I have seen these blankets finished off with a neat I-cord edging. This Youtube video

shows you how to make an applied I-cord border. I tried it, but my first attempt was unsuccessful. I followed the suggestion to go up to a bigger needle size,but because of the non-stretchiness of the Cotton Ease I am using, performing the SSK was very difficult. I'll try this again because I love how it looks but will go back to my original needle size.

What to Knit Next...

2009-11-25T21:00:00.000-08:00

With only the buttons left to sew on my Little Coffee Bean cardigan...and the weather turning colder outside, I am considering knitting up a few hats. Will it be...

...a Charlie Brown cap or a Linus toque?

Hey! Only one month till Christmas...knitting all the way!

Cowls are in!

2009-11-16T05:12:00.000-08:00

Here we are in mid-November and enjoying some very nice mild weather. However...handknit winter weather should be just around the corner. If you gotta have winter, at least you can enjoy some wool to go with it!

Next on my needles will be the infamous Yarn Harlot's Pretty Thing Cowl. This one will be for me.

Then, for two trend-setting teens I hope to make The Fifth Avenue Infinity Scarf. This is a free pattern found on Ravelry and seems to be the scarf of the season. If you're not on Ravelry, the pattern is also available at
tentenknits

Very cool...

Happy Halloween

2009-11-01T19:25:00.000-08:00

I made two of these little pumpkin hats for NICU graduates at my work. The first one I made with the rolled brim, but for this second one I used ribbing instead. I preferred the ribbing after all, it had a better fit. Both the babies and their hats were adorable.Pattern: Kurbis Baby Hat

You can find the pattern here: http://sonnentaler.blogspot.com/2008/09/krbis-baby-hat.html

Yarn: Bernat Satin

Photo-less

2009-09-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

It's not good...I think I fried my camera.

I was trying to up-load some recent pictures, grabbed the cord for the USB port but...it must have been the wrong one. Something started to smell...the cord heated up...and then I realized I had used the wrong cord, the fit wasn't just right. Since then no luck in downloading any pictures to the computer. Guess what I want for Christmas?

What is good?

Janita came back from summer camp wanting to knit! Apparently another camper was selling her hand-knit hats for $7, to which Janita replied, "I'm not going to pay seven dollars for a hat that I can make myself!"

What can I say?

It's genetic.

Meryl Streep as Elizabeth Zimmermann?

2009-08-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

I just came back from the movies after seeing Meryl Streep play the part of Julia Child in Julie & Julia... ...and I couldn't help thinking - if they ever make a movie about EZ, who better to play her part?

The movie was a delight. I feel like taking cooking lessons!

Beautiful B.C. to Ontario - Trip Highlights

2009-08-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

We are back from our road/camping trip across western Canada, having travelled across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and finally back down to southern Ontario. Here are a few of the highlights:

The Terry Fox monument just outside of Thunderbay, Ontario.

"Dreams are made if only people try.

I believe in miracles...

I have to...

Because somewhere the hurting must stop."

~Terry Fox

Owen's dinosaur acquisition, Drumheller, Alberta. Hoodos, in the Alberta badlands...

One huge T-Rex in Drumheller, Alberta. We climbed inside it and were able to stand inside of its mouth!

Mountain goats...

Elk...

The Columbia Ice Fields...We stood on this large glacier which supplies 1/3 of Canada's drinking water. We were able to fill our water bottles and have a very cold drink right there and then.

The picture perfect Lake Louise...

Owen's view from the top of Kicking Horse Pass...

My first bobble head - a stegasaurus found near Dinosaur Provincial Park.

The blanket grows, province by province...

Bobble head #2...a moose!

Good to be home? Sort of, but now for the laundry!

Prairie Blanket

2009-07-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

Some pictures of "the blanket" as it grows across British Columbia, Alberta, and now Saskatchewan:
This morning we will have breakfast at the Craft-Tea Elevator Restaurant - a restaurant made out of a former grain elevator. Can't wait...

Lydia demonstrates trailer knitting...

Knitting across the prairies

2009-07-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

The Log Cabin blanket is coming along nicely... and is the perfect project to work on while driving across the prairies. Block 6 was completed in Alberta and block 7 might be finished when we cross from Saskatchewan to Manitoba. Pictures soon...

It's kind of growing on me...

2009-07-13T19:12:00.001-07:00

At last...I'm knitting again! Here is my new project:The Moderne Log Cabin Baby Blanket.

It's a nice, steady project - back and forth in garter stitch rows ~ a free pattern from Mason and Dixon Knitting and is available at Ravelry.

I am using Lion Brand's Cotton Ease:

Ivory
Terracotta
Lake
Taupe
Size 4 mm needles

The colours look a bit more muted in real life.

This is my "knitting halfway across Canada" project. BC here we come!

Still here...

2009-02-25T17:31:00.001-08:00

Apparently it has been two months since Christmas...any my knitting is still not finished! I did manage to get one pair of slippers done, but the elves are packed away for next year. I have a crocheted scarf on the go but am making very little progress. I'm in a bit of a creative slump, as far as the knitting goes anyway.
I am blessed to be able to put some creative energy into the projects I have for work, researching and writing up teaching packages, power points, and other educational material for the NICU and paediatric nurses at our hospital. Not to mention writing papers for my degree courses!
That and the rest of life have kept me away from yarn and needles for a little while...

family, work, school...what's knitting again?

2008-12-18T05:31:00.000-08:00

I have missed my needles and wool. While trying to keep up with the knitting world through Ravelry, one day I came across Manic Purl's blog and podcast. Just listening to her enthusiastically knitting up many Christmas presents, and noting her many knitted gift suggestions, she motivated me in a kniterly way once again. So here's what I am working on right now:

Yuletide Gnomes by Alan Dart

... and a few pair of these:

Ribby Slipper Socks

Interweave's Holiday Knits 2008

... seven more knitting days (including today) till Christmas...

...falling behind...

2008-11-14T20:03:00.000-08:00

With the start of a new school year, the shuttling of four kids to various activities, and beginning a new job, this is just about as close to knitting as I have come in the past two months...

...well, not quite. I do have a baby outfit on the needles (three new babies in my circle of friends). I also enjoyed the company of four dpn's and 100 gm of trusty sock wool on the GO train to Toronto this week. I don't envy those who have such long commutes to work every day; however, it is ideal knitting time!

There is just so much to knit, but so little time. Have you seen the preview for the winter Interweave Knits?

Back to school!

2008-09-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

When they are literally climbing the walls, you know it is time to go back to school! That is, if they will let them in! Our "beautiful" children...
These are much better : )

An almost finished object, or two

2008-09-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

I've always wondered what it would be like to make one of these...look familiar?

Starting to make sense yet?

Almost there now...

That's right! It's Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket.

BSJ pattern found in The Opinionated Knitter.

Knit with MARBLE (James C. Brett) in Denims (MT2)

Needles: 4 mm

I loved how this knit up in one piece and did enjoy watching my daughter try to figure out what it was, once the knitting was finished. It still needs the top seam and a few buttons but is otherwise ready for a fall/winter baby...or two...

Camping: the art of getting closer to nature while getting farther away from the nearest cold beverage, hot shower and flush toilet.

2008-08-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent.-Dave Barry --American writer, b.1947

Every summer we head off to some park or other to go for a week of camping. This year, even though it has been the rainiest summer in eons, was no exception. After cramming our tent trailer and van as full as possible with camping "stuff" and food (marshmallows, chocolate, graham wafers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, bacon and eggs, etc) we first headed off to Charleston Lake Provincial Park. It rained the first night, it rained the second day, and the third day it rained again but the sun did come out for four hours, then it rained again, the fourth day was rainy, the fifth day we packed up and drove home in the rain. The sixth and seventh days were spent drying out the camping "stuff" and doing 10 loads of rain-soaked, mud-caked laundry. The camera got rained on and is barely functioning. We have one souvenir picture of our trip.

This was taken before it rained.

The trip was a disaster. Trying to make the most of it, I did bring along a bit of knitting...which I ripped out at least 10 times, in the rain.

Never mix lace knitting and camping.

Two weeks later we were back at it again, camping at another park called BurBaLac. Here the weather was much kinder to us and I was much wiser...

...I knit wash cloths.

Protein snack or just plain "icky"?

2008-07-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

For the past five weeks or so, my neighbour and I have been faithfully running together and attending the Learn to Run clinic at our local Running Room. We have learned a lot as we run together, for example:

-do not wear "rotten cotton" on your runs

-one minute of running may feel like an eternity, but five weeks later five minutes of running is not so bad

-getting up at 5:45 AM to run is only possible because you're neighbour is waiting on her porch for you

-running on the sidewalk is harder on your legs than running on the road

-if you run on the road, various automobile drivers will make eye contact with you and still try to run you off the road, especially at 6 AM

Last evening we learned something new, once again, about the joys of running....avoid running past an open field, at dusk, during June Bug season. Swatting, shrieking, jumping, ingesting (gross, no we actually did not do that!) make for very poor running form!

After I returned from my run and showered off any bug remains, I "googled" the wretched creatures and found out that in actual fact, ingesting them may have not been so bad after all! Here's a little info about them that I found at this site:

"A chemical analysis of the June Bug revealed its hidden secrets as a beneficial healing remedy. Full of edible fats and proteins, the bug is a rich source of food and appetite stimulating medicine when prepared correctly.
When toasted in hot ashes, the internal body parts and juices of the bug congeal into a nugget of pure golden nutrition. After peeling off shriveled legs, wings, and wing case, the remaining orb of nourishment can be eaten one at a time or by the handful.
Toasted June bugs have a surprisingly sweet delightful taste. The flavor closely resembles thick raw molasses or crudely made ribbon cane syrup. It is difficult to eat just one."

Bon Appetit?

I think not!

Otto for Emily

2008-06-25T08:43:00.001-07:00

The end of the school year is a very exciting time for kids and never seems to come quite soon enough. These last few days at school have been mostly fun for our kids, celebrating completing another grade, making summer plans with friends, having class parties. (While their teachers attempt to instill those last morsels of education).

It is time for a welcome break, to throw out the routines, sleep-in, play, and enjoy the all-too-short summer because, before the kids have a chance to say "Mom, I'm bored. What can I do?" - it will be September!

Owen has some mixed emotions about finishing grade three today and going on to grade four, as one of his good friends will not be returning in the fall. She and her family (her mother was also their teacher this year) will be starting a new chapter in their lives as they move to a new city and province. Her mother read to the class Owls in the Family by Farley Mowatt and this became one of Owen's favourite studies. I just couldn't resist and knit up Otto the Owl from Lucinda Guy's book "And So to Bed".

...from Owen to Emily...enjoy...

I think there will be a lot of "MSN-ing" happening this summer. : )

2 Wheels, 2 Days, 2 x 100 K (continued)...

2008-06-25T08:09:00.001-07:00

Wow. I can't believe it has been over a month since my last entry. May and June can be crazy, busy months though, what with the class trips, recitals, soccer season, exams, and graduations, and finally the return of the sun and warm weather (in between the thunder storms). It's a great time of year to get out and do something...like this...

This past weekend my husband joined over 2,800 other cyclists in the two-day Ride to Conquer Cancer, covering over 200 kilometres from Toronto to the Niagara Falls. The participants raised over $14,000,000 to benefit research at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, one of the world's top 5 cancer research facilities.

...he's in there somewhere...

...a sea of tents (some opted for a hotel instead-wonder why?)...

...celebrating the finish along the shores of the Niagara River just before the Falls...this is definitely what Rod calls a "good weekend" - spending two days doing something he loves, for a very good cause...

Can you fail a KAL?

2008-05-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

Back in March I joined my first KAL (knit along), Fashionably-late in '08 Clapotis KAL. I missed the first deadline, and then a first, second, and possibly even a third extended deadline. My shawl went everywhere with me - to a few night shifts, along to piano lessons, violin lessons, voice lessons. I knit if I watched TV, I knit just before falling asleep, I knit to de-stress and finally....I finished!

I love my Clapotis.

Pattern: Clapotis Shawl by Kate Gilbert

Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Marsh Mix (6296); just over 3 skeins

5 mm needles

A very musical week!

2008-04-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

This past week was a very hectic, but also very successful week for Lydia. At her first Kiwanis Music Festival vocal competition she won first, two seconds, and received a junior medal!

I was so captivated by all the young vocalists I heard that I didn't even bring any knitting along! Besides, a dropped needle would sound just as disruptive as the one-year-old (although very cute) babbling baby sister of one of the other performers.

...still clapping....

2008-04-18T11:30:00.001-07:00

Wow - I can't believe I have been this negligent in updating this blog! Here we are, halfway through April already. The weather is finally getting nice and spring-like so that means...time for new running shoes. Running is another thing I have been negligent with and now it hurts!

Knitting, on the other hand, doesn't hurt a bit. I am making slow but steady progress on my Clapotis. Here she is so far, at least two-thirds of the way completed.

For a good cause...

2008-03-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

My husband is doing a very good thing.

On just two wheels,

over two days,

covering 200 km,

he is joining other cyclists in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

This fundraising event will benefit the world-renowned cancer centre, the Princess Margaret Hospital.

For more information, feel free to visit Rod's event website and of course, any donation would be gratefully appreciated!

I wonder if there are any patterns on Ravelry for bicycle seat covers? (Just kidding!)

A Trip to the Farm

2008-03-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

On Friday I went to the open house at the Spinning Wheel Alpaca farm in Enniskillen and had the pleasure of meeting Nancy and Garth Hutchinson. On the guided tour, I met some of their amazing alpacas up close, as well as the rest of the farm menagerie. Besides the 30-40 alpacas, there were several dogs, cats, geese and ducks, and even a pot-bellied pig! But the alpacas in all their wooley finery stole the show.

I believe this one is called "Peek-a-boo"

Nancy knows, respects, and loves her alpacas. She is a great source of knowledge about these animals. I was also curious about the great white dogs who were in the field near the alpacas and Nancy informed me that they are a large livestock guard breed called Maremmas. Apparently these beauties are nocturnal and make excellent guard dogs for animals like sheep, goats, and alpacas.

After the farm tour, I visited Nancy and Garth's shop which had beautiful and soft mitts, capes, scarves, coats, etc. all made from alpaca. As well, you can purchase wool directly from Nancy and the skeins are labelled with the name of the alpaca who so graciously provided it!

I went home with a couple of souveniers....two skeins of lace weight alpaca/silk blend from "Opal and Trish."

What's a Clapotis

2008-03-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

A picture is worth a thousand words and here is a picture of a beautiful finished Clapotis. The Clapotis-making phenomenon continues since it first hit Knitty in the fall of 2004. Four years later and I am just about to start mine using this beautifully soft wool from Berroco. It is Ultra Alpaca (50% alpaca, 50% wool), colour #6296 (Marsh Mix). Webs has a better view of the colour at their site.

March Break Trip ...Back in Time

2008-03-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

Unlike the many who escaped to our friendly neighbour's southern -exposure backyard, our family stayed put for the week. That is to say, we didn't put 3000 km on our vehicle. We put on more like 300 km just by carting hoards of kids around back and forth to friends, malls, pools, and large white-covered hills for the best tobogganing ever seen in March Break. The highlight of our week was a trip to see my brother and sister-in-law and their two youngun's.2 kids - 1 kid (who doesn't even use one) = 6 soothers (?)

~Life favours the prepared~

Edna Mode on The Incredibles

Other than eating all their food, which by the way was a veritable feast, we headed out to Crawford Lake Conservation Area where we hiked around the lake and then visited the 15th century Iroquoian village.

The long house...

...yarn...before two pointy sticks and sheep!

...a little light snack...

...one adorable nephew!

...and last but not least .... nature's three-ply!

Happy Knitting Day

2008-03-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a while since my last post. Knitting on the Tilted Duster continues, albeit slowly. I am on the skirt part of the bottom of the sweater still but almost finished that. I can't wait to be done this project and then go on to start something new. There are so many great things to make, like the little mouse, "Lodewijk." I received an email today from his very talented designer, Annita. It was great news ~ she has made instructions for the wee fellow available in English. You can find her here.I also joined this:

...better late than never. I'm still looking for the right wool for this project.

I also have on my desk the book "And So To Bed" by Lucinda Guy. There are at least three collegues at work who are "on the nest" and this book is full of beautiful baby things to make.
What a day...and to top it all off, I got to do some sock knitting-along today with my wonderful friend Connie. It is the year of the sock .... or should I say, a sock in a year? Either way, we have one finished!

Supper is working

2008-02-27T06:05:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful that my sister and I tried out Supperworks . At first, I must admit, I was a bit skeptical mostly because of the cost added to my grocery budget. Now, having actually eaten three of the meals, I am truly impressed ... not only with the wonderful-tasting and nutritious meals ... but also because it does truly work.

For example: Saturday was another 12-hour day shift in the land of the wee ones where things were going quite smoothly. Back at home, however, our youngest was sick, sick, sick. By 5 PM he had a fever up to 39.7 despite children's ibuprofen. After calling me at work, DD's 1&2 tried to help by placing cool clothes on his forehead and armpits. Thinking more is...well...better...soon the poor sick boy had not one, not two, not three, but 13 cool wash clothes covering most of his body and he was most uncomfortable! His dad rescued him from the "nurses" and managed to cook supper at the same time. I got home as quickly as I could with some Tylenol (more effective) for the now 40 degree fever and was still able to sit down to a nice meal of balsamic pork tenderloin, noodles with sauce, and cooked carrots.

Sick boy is doing better now but still home with a nasty cough that lingers after the fever. I have been very busy training for a new work-from-home job and so yesterday we enjoyed meal #3. This was steak in a tangy rasperry sauce. The picture is of the leftovers and unfortunately doesn't do the dish justice. Believe me though, it was absolutely delicious!

Now a bit about knitting for a change. For fun, have a visit over at Mason-Dixon and place your vote. I couldn't help voting for Babs the Sock Monkey who just has the whole package. Annabelle the Rat is a very close second (would have been a tie but we had to pick only one), and Kermit (#17) is also too cute. Salmon Wrap should get honourable mention here as well for most artistic and best photography.

Who got your vote?

Baked Pasta Florentine

2008-02-20T08:48:00.000-08:00

Last night after coming home from working in the land of the wee people (NICU) for 12 hours, I was able to enjoy our first Supperworks meal, Baked Pasta Florentine. It was delicious - a combination of pasta, ham, spinach, ricotta cheese, sprinkled with parmesan and served up easily with a side mixed salad. From fridge to table, 30 minutes.

Best of all, the kids liked it too - hence no pictures - we ate it all!

A "Wilde" family adventure

2008-02-18T06:46:00.001-08:00

~The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page~

~Saint Augustine

Recently we learned that friends of ours are going on a year-round travel adventure that will take them across Canada and to many other places in the world. For those of us too chicken, kind of stuck, or secretly planning our own escape, we can live somewhat vicariously through this family as they blog their journey here.

John and Pam, Simon and Danielle, we look forward to reading your book.

Winter continues...

2008-02-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

As you can see, winter is still in full force around here. This picture of winter wonderland was taken outside my van window, waiting for my half-decaf/double-double at Tim Hortons.Except for the shoveling, and shoveling, and shoveling, it's not really so bad and there are still plenty of things to do, like:

#1. Adding one gigabyte of RAM to the computer in preparation for another medical transcription job.

As with most things in life, one thing leads to another. The dust bunnies get cleaned out, the wires are all untangled, then plugged back into their respective ports (hopefully) and...

...this looks much better. Best of all, the machine is running just fine. Phew.

#2. Eating.

As I work 12-hour shifts and the kids often have one activity or another in the evenings, meal planning and prepartion can be crazy at our house. Instead of picking up a pizza or throwing some nuggets and fries in the oven for a quick meal, I have been looking for ways to put decent and nutritious meals on the table especially on school nights. I heard on the radio about a place where they provide the recipes and ingredients for make-ahead meals, and they do all the prep work and clean-up. How does baked pasta Florentine, balsamic pork tenderloin, creamy herbed chicken, maple-kissed pork chops, salmon with herbed couscous, or steak with tangy raspberry sauce sound? These were just a few of the dishes on the February menu at Supperworks, so my sister and I had to check it out.

After a brief orientation and a few instructions by our wonderful hostess, Nicole, the two of us set out to make six nutritious meals to take home, freezer ready.

Here's my sister at one of the work stations where the food is freshly prepared and measured, all ingredients and equipment are on hand and clearly labeled, and everything is kept spotlessly clean. Once your meal is prepared, packaged, and labeled, it goes into a bin labeled for you and then refrigerated, as you move along to make the next dish.

"Salmon with Herbed Couscous" ready for my freezer at home...

And a package of ready-to-bake cookies for me ~ or perhaps for dessert one night this week if I'm in a sharing mood.

#. Knitting.

Yes, I have found some time to do a bit of knitting. Here's my foot still on pins and needles, getting ready to finish the toe of a sock made from Patons Kroy. I am going to have to frog back a few rows as the toe is getting too pointy with decreases every other row.

I am also well underway with the Tilted Duster, having finished the fronts, back, and sleeves. I have picked up the stitches for the bottom skirt area and am working my way down to the bottom hem. The Peruvia really does roll at the edges though and I am toying with adding an I-cord or garter stitch edging.

And so, Mr. Winter, throw us some more snow...I can take it....I'm never bored!

~Through our garden gate~

It's still snowing...twelve hours later

2008-02-01T14:34:00.000-08:00

Assistant shoveller #1:#2:

There are those who believe we Canadians are all living in igloos...no wonder!

Snow Day

2008-02-01T06:25:00.000-08:00

...6:45 AM and the snow is coming down...apparently we are getting it all today: snow, blowing snow, ice pellets, freezing rain, then more snow...

.....7:10 and the phone chain begins: no school today. The kids are all snoozing and I enjoy the quiet time with my coffee and Toaster Strudel...

.....7:30 view from the front door....

....8:30....it's going to be a long day....

.....the snow is now mixed with ice pellets...time to start shoveling...

FO: Cobblestone Pullover

2008-01-31T06:54:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's true. I've finally finished Rod's Christmas present ~ the Cobblestone Pullover! It was not a difficult sweater to make, but as it was done in the round (going 'round and 'round and 'round...), I did take a few breaks and worked on some small projects in between.

This rather blurry shot is of the Kitchener

stitched armpit - pretty nifty.

Shhhh.........I'm blocking...

After blocking and letting it dry for two days, Cobblestone is finally finished and much lighter than I expected. All ready for the photo op:

Look - the "hands in the pocket" pose - just like in the magazine!

I think he kind of likes it because guess what he wore to work today?

Pattern: Cobblestone Pullover by Jared Flood

Wool: Marks & Kattens Natura (acrylic, wool, alpaca, viscose blend); Twelve 50 gm balls

Mofications: None

No swift, no ball winder, but still a centre-pull ball?

2008-01-30T07:10:00.000-08:00

Yes, I did it! Except for a little discomfort at the halfway point when my thumb became quite numb and turned blue, I managed to create a centre-pull ball wound by hand, quite literally. I followed the instructions found here. Next time I will wind the first part much looser though, to keep the circulation going!

Okay, here is where my thumb goes numb (photo right) and I take the half-formed ball off and wind the rest of the wool just around the ball itself.

Ta-da! A lovely ball of Berroco Peruvia - Tilted Duster here I come.

I realize the rest of the knitting world is already looking ahead to spring, but here in southern Ontario it is still very much "winter." Today the wind is gusting at 50- 70 km/hour, making the -8 degrees Celsius feel like -18! Not the best weather for running but perfect weather for a bit of winter knitting...

A kind word warms three winter months.

~Japanese Proverb

Lydia's Fetching...

2008-01-27T16:36:00.000-08:00

After her shower, Lydia finds her own pair of "Fetching" ready and waiting for her...

I think she kind of likes them...

Pattern: "Fetching" by Cheryl Niamath

Wool: Patons Classic Merino

Needles: 4mm dpns

Modifications: I added 2 rows in K4-P1 pattern before starting the thumb. Cast off was done in K4-P1 pattern instead of picot bind-off.

Knitting encounter - hands and feet

2008-01-19T18:51:00.001-08:00

Ever have people stop you in the middle of your tracks and ask you about your knitting? Me neither ... at least not until the other day. As I was leaving the Supercentre with my cart loaded with groceries a woman stopped me and asked about my mittens! "Hand-made?" she asked of my self patterning, sockwool mitts that flap back to become a pair of fingerless gloves. (These are my favourites so far this winter.) Then she proceded to pull up her pant leg to reveal a sock made of the same wool "from Germany" ~ we laughed.

Here's another pair that I gave to my sister:

...Fetching...

2008-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

It's done...well, except for kitchener under the arms, sewing in yarn bits, washing and blocking (sigh), the Cobblestone is finished! The trial try-on by DH shows a good fit but it is "quite itchy." I really hope a good SOAK helps with that...(photos to come).

In the meantime, as a reprieve before starting another big project, I made a pair of these:

Fetching

The pattern may be found here and is designed by Cheryl Niamath. I used Sublime (baby cashmerino silk dk) which really is sublime to knit with! These took less than one 50g (116m/127 yds) ball on 4mm dpn's, but the fit is a bit small for me. I did not do the picot edge bind-off as I had heard this seems a bit loose, so I stuck to straight forward bind-off in the K4-P1 pattern. DD#1 found them to be a perfect fit and claimed them as her own. I hope to finish a second, slightly larger pair for my sister-in-law's birthday this Sunday.

Running...out of yarn...

2008-01-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is supposed to be a blog about running and knitting. Lately, however, the only running I've been doing is running out of yarn. I am on my last two balls of wool for the Cobblestone and it will be a very close race, right to the finish. I am well into the yoke area, above the shoulder join, but need to do several more short rows. Fortunately, there are also some more row decreases coming up so my wool should go further...I hope...I'm so close...

And miles to go before I sleep...

2007-12-24T11:56:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve and I would like to say that the tree will be surrounded by lovely hand-knit gifts...but unfortunately that is not going to happen. Not this year anyway...The Cobblestone pullover is still on my needles, however I am up to the yoke. I did manage to finish one Koolhaus and had it proudly on display on my Value Village model head. Then a winter storm hit and the hat founds its place on Lydia's head who has worn it almost daily ever since. At least it is doing what a hat is supposed to do. I have a big bag of Berroco Peruvia in my closet - just waiting to be knit into my Tilted Duster and have joined the KAL group for this on Ravelry. We being January 1st so I had better get to that Cobblestone! I also managed to get a hold of the pattern for the Central Park Hoodie. If you go to Knitting Daily you can purchase the pattern online from their pattern store. While you're searching around, have a look at Brooklyntweed's latest:

Maybe for next Christmas?

...busted...

2007-12-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

Winter seems to have settled into southern Ontario and unfortunately I seemed to have settled into winter. It is just so easy to move into hybernation mode, stay indoors, knit a bit, go to work, sleep a bit, knit a bit more.... and I was getting away with it too, that is, until this weekend...

Saturday was a lovely day, the sun was out, the temperature was quite mild, no cold wind even, and so the thought did cross my mind that I should go out for a run before I fall totally back out of shape. The thought was later reinforced when I stopped in at VanBelle's and spoke briefly with Karl, one of the owners, about...running. Next, off I go to the library where I bump into Peter and Marja, my pastor and his wife, who casually ask if I have been "keeping up with my running lately?" Nope. Then I find out they had run with the church running club that morning, after which they donated blood! Okay, okay, I get the hint! Busted again....

And so, after the kids were off to school this morning, I headed out to a local indoor track and ran in circles for 20 minutes. Done!

Now for a bit of knitting....I have no trouble with this activity in the winter months! Apparently you only burn off about 30 calories per hour knitting but I think I doubled that while making this hat! Here is Jared Flood's Koolhaas and I love it, love it, love it. However, I did muddle up the decrease rows and had to tear back some of it four times before I got it right. It wasn't the pattern's fault ....just mine. Even though it took me longer than I originally thought, I will definitely make this one again and probably add an extra pattern section for my big-headed relatives!

Lydia loves the Koolhaas too, snatched it off the dummy head, and has been wearing it ever since!

Prerequisite weather...

2007-12-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas is, of course, a perfect time to build wonderful traditions with your family. Our family choses a "real" tree each year; however, before we can haul the thing home, the day must meet the prerequisite of having the worst weather of the season!

Well, yesterday was just such a day. Between the dumping of snow we received through the night, the gusty winds, and the freezing rain during the day, it was the perfectday to go pick our Christmas tree (which of course is furthest back in the field).

Once back in our warm and cozy home, stirring our hot chocolate and marshmallows with the candy canes given out at the tree lot, we discovered our tree to be "weeping" from all the snow and freezing rain on its branches!

It looks lovely now though, all decked out with ornaments and angel...

...but the weather isn't any better!

Finish-itis

2007-11-27T05:49:00.000-08:00

Along with a "no-good, dirty rotten, miserable" cold, I also find myself with a case of finish-itis. The other day I sorted out my knitting and was surprised to find a few...ahem...unfinished items. These items include:
-matching generic sock (second sock syndrome) to make for daughter with cold feet
-second sleeve (syndrome) for the Cobblestone pullover. I can't believe how far I've come on this project, only to screech to a halt now...(I think I can....I think I can...I think I can...)
-the top half of this gorgeous hat (may I call this a toque?), Jared Flood's Koolhaas featured in

Holiday Knits 2007 from Interweave. It's a beautiful pattern but don't knit it at night, in a van, on the 401 as you need to see the pattern evolve (not to mention fix your mistakes right away). As a result, this is take 2 for me!
-magnum opus (perhaps one day), the Peacock Feathers Shawl from Fiddlesticks Knitting. I think I bit off more than I can chew on this one!
-seaming and buttons for my Baby Surpise Jacket (at least this one is knitted up)
...and, just to make matters worse (or better, depending on how you look at it), this has arrived from Webs

...my wool for the Tilted Duster! This project must wait, however, as I have joined a Tilted Duster KAL on Ravelry which doesn't begin until January 1st.

Just think, if I get all these finished (with the exception of the magnum opus), I will be way ahead on my Christmas knitting!

Dionaea muscipula

2007-11-21T05:37:00.000-08:00

Otherwise known as:

...that's right, Jaws. After a summer day trip to the amazing Toronto Zoo, Thomas came home with a little "pet" - this Venus Flytrap! Two weeks ago Jaws was not looking good at all. He became quite dried out and most of his leaves and stems turned black. However, with a little TLC he seems to be making a speedy recovery and has sent up some new green growth. Soon it will be time for another fly...

Extreme Makeover...

2007-11-16T05:09:00.000-08:00

Same dog....

...same day...

...it's amazing what a good stylist can do!

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton

Success Story

2007-11-14T09:47:00.000-08:00

Here's my sister Ingrid who is a Running Room success story. She started with the Learn to Run program just a few years back and has now progressed to this ... posing with the John Stanton, founder of the Running Room!!! (Not to mention all the 5K's, 10K's, and half marathons under her belt too.)

Way to go, BB!

A little running...a little knitting...

2007-11-12T06:51:00.000-08:00

Saturday was my first "cold weather" run and I didn't enjoy the cold air in my lungs and the wind in my face. Fortunately, about halfway through the sun did come out, the wind died down, and it was almost enjoyable. This winter will be the big test for me to see if I can keep up with this running thing. I suppose I could opt to take it indoors once in a while and use the track at the "Y."

Winter and knitting, on the otherhand, were made for eachother. Having finally reached the armpits on the Cobblestone I am ready to cast on for the sleeves. I am feeling optimistic that one day it will be finished and so have ordered wool for my next project, my very own Tilted Duster (pictured on the cover of the Fall 2007 issue of Interweave Knits).

I have even gone so far as to order the suggested Berroco Peruvia in the colour "Marron" (#7107). Can't wait!

Random Acts of Knitting

2007-11-05T07:27:00.001-08:00

Although the Cobblestone is coming along, I did have to tear out about 10 rows after discovering a mistake in the garter stitch down one of the sides. I have recovered, and am now working my way back up to the yoke. This is nice knitting, round and round...and round and round...but doesn't make for very exciting pictures.

Instead, here are a couple of previously finished objects. On the left is a pair of very soft baby socks made from leftover Austermann Step sock yarn with aloe and jojoba oil. This is a self-striping yarn but on these tiny socks the colours only changed twice, from the ribbing to the heel and then from the heel to the toe. The other project is a generic dishcloth made from Bernat Cotton.

Jupiter, Fifth Planet from the Sun

2007-10-30T10:05:00.001-07:00

Ever find that your knitting needles are useful for purposes other than knitting? This 5mm needle was just the tool for turning and holding Jupiter during painting for a third grade project.

It's twin, however, has long since been lost to a niece with a broken arm who used it as a scratching tool. No, I don't advise this (even though it worked great) and no, I don't want it back!

Coming Apart at the Seams

2007-10-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

These were my first and favourite running shoes. I learned to run in these shoes. I ran my first 5K in these shoes. I have tried to replace them once but the new shoes gave me pain in the arches of my feet. So I went back to my #1's...but now...I may have to finally say goodbye...

...well, maybe not just yet. They have a few more kilometers left in them before the snow flies. In the meantime I will need to head out to the Running Room with my 20% off coupon.

October Rain

2007-10-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

Today is an about-face from the 26 degree Celsius sunshine we enjoyed yesterday! Although everything looks fresh, clean, and green outside right now, the temperature is beginning to drop and the rain continues. A perfect day for .... cleaning (yes, I can't avoid it today).

Also, great weather for baking .... I'll get those old bananas off the counter.

And of course, perfect weather for a bit of knitting. I began the Cobblestone pullover last week and am making slow progress. My guage looks good but I am a bit afraid that I might not have enough wool. So far I have already used 2 balls and it calls for 13. I will keep my fingers crossed and re-measure after another two balls or so. Here is a photo of some of the "cobbling" in progress. The wool is a bit darker than it appears here and has flecks of beige and darker gray in it as well. This shows where the garter stitch continues along the sides.

10's and 1's

2007-10-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

Blogging - day two:

Well, I have learned a thing or two about blogging, search engines crawling, being patient, etc. Although I can see my blog, it appears no one else can...yet.

In the meantime I will continue to update. Today's post is about the "run away" aspect of this blog. I have two sisters who run (5K's, 10K's, half-marathons, even one full marathon). About a year ago they began giving me "gifts" like running shoes, water bottles, and gift certificates to the Running Room. I took the hint and two weeks ago I finished my first 5K at the Run for the Cure!
Following the Running Room's Learn to Run program I gradually built up my running time until I was running 10 minutes and walking 1 minute, then running 10 minutes, walking 1 minute, etc. Here I am crossing the finish line after 38 minutes (3-1/2 sets of 10 minutes running with 3 one minute walking breaks):

Today I stuck to a nice, gentle run of 20 minutes (2 sets of 10's and 1's). If I can only figure out a way to knit and run at the same time...

The Birth of a Blog

2007-10-14T17:10:00.000-07:00

What better way to start my first knitting blog than with a FO (finished object) or two?! First, still hot off the needles is the "Alligator Scarf" from Morehouse Farms. I am very happy with the way he turned out and will definitely make a few more.

Also recently finished and sent off to a lovely new baby is the Pea Pod cardigan which is a free pattern from Interweave Knits. For this I used Sirdar Snuggly DK which is a bit fuzzy but very soft.

Next up - Jared Flood's Cobblestone Pullover in the latest edition of Interweave Knits. There is a really nice one posted here. I was having difficulty finding a wool to use but settled on Natura by Marks & Kattens in a dark, smokey gray. I found this at a wonderful shop I stumbled upon called "Ferguson's Wool" up in Myrtle. This store is a small house filled with beautiful yarns from floor to ceiling, two stories! It's worth the drive to Myrtle...