I would walk 500 miles...

Oh and did we do some walkin'!
We started at 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon. Sun shining brightly warming the January day to a balmy 10 degrees Celsius. We were fed, and slept, and ready for an adventure.

We found ourselves on Bloor Street walking amongst Saturday afternoon patrons picking up fresh fruit and flowers lining the sidewalk. "Wow!", said I as I looked at my printed list of shops in TO, "We are close to a yarn shop. Let's go." They agreed. Perhaps the boys were in a good mood due to the weather or because Little Brother In Law (LBIL) was feeling a little guilty from the night before when he exclaimed to fellow party goers that he had no sister, even though I have known him since he was 11 years old and been a part of his family for 14 years... Whatever the case, they agreed and off we went to Yarn Boutique. A quick visit and no cashola dropped. We ventured back to Dundas St. "Ou!", said I, "There is a yarn shop on Dundas. Let's go." Perhaps because the first shop was so effortless, they agreed that yarn shopping wasn't a bad gig and they again entertained me.

We calculated the direction based on the numbers on the buildings and Away We Went. Sun at our backs, an open road and adventure ahead of us.

and ahead of us...

















and ahead of us...



















We crossed a river...



And it was at this point we discovered we were not in Toronto (downtown) anymore.

We went through good parts of town, bad parts, crossed train tracks. We got angry and thought we might try and catch a cab and then decided against it - we had come too far and we were going on. We laughed in hysterics until we couldn't walk any further and yet we did.

At 4:45 I decided to call the shop to find out what time they closed. We had 15 mins. and still some miles to go. But - at long last, as the sun was setting - we made it:

A little tired, and sweaty, but we made it. The staff were excellent and stayed open a little late - just for us (thanks Village Yarns and many thanks to Patrick for taking time to show me around).

Even LBIL made a purchase of Rowan Big Wool for a scarf I have promised to make him. And I'm sure he really wanted to buy some 'knitting sticks', but he wasn't quite sure how to work them ;)

And yes, and I made purchases as well. Some beautiful Prism in pearl, suede purse handles and bottom that will be used for a felted bag in 'Holiday Knits', as well as suede slipper bottoms - all in red, and something I never buy - ribbon. I don't know what for, but it sparkled and was soft, do I need another explanation? I was tired.

We then headed off to the bar for the TO vs. Canadians game. And again, cheered our team to ... well, if you saw the game you know what happened.

While in TO, I managed to hit a few other shops: The Knit Cafe - Cute shop and some cash dropped. Romni Wools - no cash dropped, and a drive by of KnitoMatic but after our above mentioned adventure I dared not ask them to stop.

Lesson learned - when in a city you don't know well, it is best to check a map before heading out. When you are on a certain street and the number you are looking for is in the 4800's and you are at 2000, it will take you aprox. 2.25 hours to walk 2800 numbers.

Good beer! Good hockey! Good company!

Good Times.

- and we're off!

Oh so much to tell you about - and so many pics to show (warning - photo heavy post)! Not sure where to start so, I'll start with knitting :)

After the holiday chaos, I decided to have a good look at my stash and plan '06 projects. *After pulling hanks out of drawers, skeins from under beds, and balls of yarn out of discretely placed bags - I proceeded to organize by weight and then by color. I then put copies of patterns with yarn in zip lock baggies, so when I need another project everything is together. I planned Christmas gifts for next year, birthday gifts, and a couple of things for myself. I put everything away swearing, I Will Not Buy more because I Have Enough...

* Note: It's best not to let spouse, friends who don't knit, or your children see the extent of your stash. Yes they know you have yarn, but it's best they don't know exactly how much yarn. Could cause shock, or to thoughts that you might be obsessed. As knitters, we know it's all waiting to fulfill it's potential and be molded by our vision. As a lady at the Shop so accurately said the other day, "The one with the most when she dies, wins."

But I didn't have this:

Rowan kid classic.

Isn't it beautiful? It's the color of a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon ~ mmmmm. It is going to be the Greek Pullover (Interweave Knits Winter '04, shown in a previous post). I had to buy it because there were only 7 balls left, and what if they sold? What if one sold?

I also purchased a pattern for the Bittersweet Chocolate Celestial Merino I already have. It's so beautiful I could almost leave it as is, all wrapped together in a beautiful hank. But I think Ilga Leja's Diamond on the Diagonal scarf pattern will be a perfect compliment to it:




Currently working on the Clapotis (Knitty.com) - again. I started it this summer, but somehow couldn't get it going. I think you really need to be in the zone with this pattern and once you feel it - you can giver'. This time I'm doing it in HandMaiden Flaxen (67% silk/33%linen). It's beautiful to work with. You know your favorite blanket when you were little? Remember how it made you feel on the inside when you touched it? Yep - that's like this stuff. Not sure if I'm in love with the color I picked. Maybe I'm just tired of it right now, as we've been spending a lot of time together... Will post photo when finished :)


Projects worked on:

Sample for the Shop - Fingerless Glove (pattern from Interweave Knits, Winter '03). This was made from the Himalayan Yarn Co. Tibet Wool/Silk blend. I love how rustic it looks. Next time I think I would add a cable to the top, but it is nice the way it is.






Sample for the Shop - Seed Stitch scarf. This is new yarn at the shop! Great to work with, knits up fast, and looks fabulous. It's the Rosarios Tentacao lime green (the new pink, I hear :)





Speaking of the Shop (Tangles Skeins) is moving the beginning of next week to be in new location First week of February. It's going to be beautiful. Bigger space for more yarn and knitters!! Don't worry it's not going far - one door down from where it is now. PS Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino is on sale right now.... If I were buying yarn - which I'm not, but if I were planning leg warmers and fingerless gloves for my niece for next Christmas I might buy it now... See? SEE how this happens?

Next topic -

I have discovered - rightly or wrongly - iron on patches!!! Ah HA! The new way to BeDazzle. Little C ripped his winter jacket pocket by stuffing too many dinky cars in there, along with gum wrappers, coins, little rocks (he's collecting them), sucker sticks - you get the picture. So, I bought an iron on patch with flames on it. I also noticed they had flowers, fish, and all sorts of pretty patches. Here's my yoga mat and matching pillow - BePatched :)




On another note - We registered our motorbikes last week, because it has been so nice out we thought..... I'm not going to say it. The action of registering the bikes was enough as this week we're supposed to get snow. Murphy's Law at work, yet again.

Bought some knitting books online:
Last Minute Knitted Gifts (because it's so beautiful and has quick projects in it)
Holiday Knits (same as above)
The Knitted Rug (for you Stephie:)

Someday I will knit a rug. Holiday Knits has a cute felted mat that all that Briggs & Little might be good for...

That's all for now folks. Have to go look up yarn shops in TO. Flying out Wednesday for a long weekend to see brothers (2) in law. They'll be so excited to accompany me to the yarn shops... hee heee. Laughing to myself really, as I'm sure they won't find that the least bit humorous.

Chow!
jak

...into the future...

Horoscope for today:
It may feel as if you must complete more today than is humanly possible, but this is just an illusion. There really isn't any justification for working harder than you can. And although you may feel uneasy about taking the day off, some downtime can actually make you more productive overall.

And downtime I took... I quit the office job. One week in, and I was beginning to feel the yellow walls move in toward me, and the vacuum that is an 'office' suck the breath from my lungs. I tried to look out through the dusty whitish plastic blinds, but the windows were small and dirty blurring the outside world. I could feel it start to happen on the first day when they said words like 'submit GST quarterly', and on day two when words like 'taking board minutes' started floating around, and on day three I noticed the only janitor would be me...

I started crying out in my sleep things like, 'where are the beautiful colors?'. 'I know my knitting needles were right here...' and to my honey's delight - and then sudden dismay, 'can I touch it? ou, it's so soft...'

So, I'm back among the partially unemployed ~ they can't tear me away from Tangled Skeins (my sanctuary in a world full of craziness). I can tell you that Mr. Harley is one happy little puppy to have me home.




To get me through the last week, I have been working on the Mikado fingerless gloves. Oh I L-O-V-E them. I am blending Lucy's Celestial Merino 2ply fingerweight (black) and Rowan's Kidsilk Night so there's a soft wooly sparkle effect. I made them one button hole longer so they cover more of my arms. I found great Stone Temple Pilot-ish star buttons, so I feel like a Rock Star in my fingerless gloves. I don't know kids - but I'm likin' this knitting for me stuff...

Here's one finished. Just working on gusset (ou that sounds dirdy) on the second.





Great news! When my SIL was here over Christmas she noticed me toting my knitting with me back and forth between the hospital and home, saw me get out my needles in the middle of company, and enjoys her Fuzzy Feet so much - she has decided to give knitting a try. She went out today and purchased Stitch n' Bitch and has selected a scarf pattern. I'm so happy to have someone in the family join my in my obsession - I mean hobby... Good luck L. Call if you need anything :)

That's all for now folks.
You can bet I'll be spending a little more time knitting, and blogging. At least until the next job adventure.

Here's to a New Year

The holidays have passed and with it have taken the ebb and flow of constant visitors. The New Year has come and with it brought a sigh of relief for our little K girl. The body is amazing, with healing powers beyond the imaginable. She was in and out of the hospital for major brain surgery in two weeks. Santa was so kind as to drop all of her and her little brother's gifts in her room, and allow her mom and dad to take over an entire room Christmas Eve.

Although we had lots of people around I did mangage to complete knitting projects - less one sock - but I think husband understands.

We brought in the New Year with my brother and his wife's family. We had a Murder Mystery dinner. Quite fun actually. I was Dorothy, a Quirky psychic, and my honey a Texan Oil Man. My brother was a 'dealer' of sorts and managed to fit his but into hot red leather pants (a ladies 29 nonetheless - I hate him...)

Here's my brother and I pre Murder...as Dorothy and Christopher.



And no, I did not commit the murder nor did Christopher... I can't tell you who did in case any of you get that version. I can say I guessed correctly... or should I say, I knew who it was all along - I was the psychic after all.

Today I started a new job. Yes, I have gone back to another office. I have gone with the hope of new experiences and for fear if I didn't I would have passed up a great opportunity. The best part about it is it's part-time and if it's not what I had hoped after 6 months I shall move myself along, yet again. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Here's to a New Year of new projects, new opportunities, and new knitting challenges!

jak