It was an absolute pleasure to be invited to attend your wedding.  The ceremony was loving and thoughtful. 

It was clear to everyone that you are a loving couple who will enjoy life together with humour and thoughtfulness.  

The reception was fun--I learned to Bhangra, I was apparently the best dressed at my table (or the most daring since I had to Gangnam Style--very sneaky of you).  And the food was delicious (I was sad that the server took my naan--I was slowly savouring it).

I love that you both hugged everyone in the reception line.  Sarosh had never even met Craig but was clearly so happy that everyone came to your celebration.  

I hope you enjoy my gift to you.  I confess it is a bit of a selfish gift.  I *really* like making blankets and your wedding was an excellent reason for me to knit another one.  It wasn't hard to let it go (even though the kids wanted to keep it) because it was always intended for you.  

I wished I had been more organized and got the gang together to make this.  But you didn't leave us much time with your speedy engagement (which I totally admire and respect).  Instead there are yarn contributions from Keri W, Keri C, Kathleen, Tonya, Kim and Lettuce Knit.

May it keep you warm in a lifetime of snuggles.  

I am one short seam and a few ends away from finishing my Parcheesi afghan!

I think it needs a border. Mostly because some of the garter edges seem to be flaring out and a border will squish them in a bit.

I am a one-project-woman and have been for many weeks now.  It has hit the very boring stage.

I seemed to have underestimated the amount of knitting involved in this blanket.

And the amount of yarn required.

I chose a lovely teal for the outer edges of the blanket.  Bought 440yards, knit 4 strips and then went and bought 660 more.  I think I will need only 2/3rds of this, but wasn't going to chance it.

I also had to order more yarn for the red squares.  Totally messed up the math on that one.  

Turns out I could have purchased 5 colours and did all the stripes.  This way there are less ends.  I pledge to do the math more carefully next time.

Hopefully the red arrives in the next few days.  It had to come from the US and it's been 2 weeks. This means I couldn't knit the edges in strips, but have tried where possible to put the teal on holders so I can just add the red.  This makes for less seaming.  It also makes for a funny in progress photo.

It's all coming together and will be beautiful (I decided to use a poorly lit photo so as to extend the suspense) but I'm ready to move on to something, anything else.

I've had my riddle-heddle loom for a good number of years now and I've dabbled at weaving every so often when something pretty someone else made caught my eye, or when I needed a quick gift. I consider myself just Okay at weaving--I still struggle with getting my selvedges consistently straight and working with colour can be tricky since things look quite different after they're off the loom and washed.  I confess I haven't done much experimenting and I know there's a lot I can do with this simple machine if I want to jump in and try stuff out.

My knit-pal Therese recently got a loom and jumped in with both feet and her stash.  She's making lovely things.  And she's very good at documenting her ideas, the sources of the techniques and her finished objects.  Her recent scarf really inspired me and I tossed the stash, found some yarn and got warping.

The technique described by Syne Mitchell here as The Painted Skein Warp, really maximizes the qualities of some handpainted yarns.  I say "some" because it all depends on how the dyer adds colour to yarn and the article describes what to look for in your stash.  The idea is that the colours are added in a particular sequence and by warping them a certain way, you can create an ikat-like effect on your piece.  Weavers sometimes achieve this look by painting the yarn once it's warped on the loom.  It's really pretty.

It turns out Blue Moon Fiber Arts uses this technique and I have a fair bit of it hanging around.  I dug out some very pretty Malabrigo Sock in Violeta Africana for the weft which matched nicely with the Socks that Rock Silkie Sock in Alley Oop!.

It took me a bit of figuring and some help from Craig to get the warp started right so that the colours pooled the way I wanted.  But when it was finished, it was WOW:

The colours lined up nicely (maybe a bit too nicely--note for the next time) and were just so vivid and lovely.

Then I started weaving.

I wasn't certain that I picked the right colour for the weft.  I worried it was too similar to the warp and the stripes would disappear.  It's really hard to tell since the yarn is under tension and most of it is wound up on the beams.  I just plunged forward and waited.

I chose the right yarn.

It was pretty nice once I got it off the loom.  It needed a wash, but first I had to twist 270 ends.  I love the look, but the twisting is mighty boring.

Then I gave the scarf a long soak in Eucalan and warm water and hung it to dry.

It's the nicest thing I've ever woven.  The yarn does most of the heavy lifting, but I'm pretty pleased with my selvedges and the drape and overall look.

Even with Emma's new DSLR, this scarf was being tricky with the camera.  It doesn't pick up the subtle bleeds of colours as they transition and the slight tweediness of the Silkie Sock.

I love the twisted fringe and that strange little dark stripe of purple at the bottom left near the edge.  I must have beat the weft too much, and yet it adds interest.

I'm already planning my next one.

I'm concerned about my yarn stores for this one though. I don't think I have enough colour diversity left for the striped sections so I'm taking a tactical approach.

Here's what I have done as of last night:

I've knit the centre strip using the colours I have, which includes some tiny bits where I have enough to use it on a stripe once or twice.  Now I will do the inside striped bits because I believe I have enough to maintain some colour variety.

I'm pretty sure I will be down to 6 colours once I get to the outside section, all of which I've used in the big squares and in the striped sections: yellow, orange, dark brown, natural, dark natural and navy (the colours in the top left square plus navy and natural e.g. the bottom right square).

I should have enough of the red to do all the squares so I can maintain that aspect of the pattern (which is something I really like) but I need to decide what to do with the outer border.

Option one is to buy a few colours of Cascade 220 which creates leftovers, but allows me to add in a few different colours.  Considering I will need about 50m tops of each colour, it seems a bit silly. 

Option two is to buy 2 skeins of one colour and do the outside sections in just that.  I like this idea because it's easier to knit and it really worked out nicely in this Parcheesi .

The issue is what colour to choose?  It would have to be something not used in the blanket already. (I have enough cream colour but would need to change the border on one of my squares and I don't think I have enough of any colours to do that.)

I was considering something like deep burgundy which is the main colour of my Ella coat. (I used this swatch in the blanket!)

Or teal blue similar to this (but not a handpaint) from my Ahni sweater and used up in this blanket.

But they both seem pretty dark. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing.

I'm also thinking a yellow-green like the one in some of my squares could work. Or a darker natural colour which would mute things a bit.

Any suggestions?

My plan is to knit the rest of the stripes, sew it up and take it to the yarn shop.  But having a good sense of what colours to look for would make me stop obsessing about this!

There aren't a lot of weekends where I get to do it all.

I just about always knit:

That's the second sleeve of my Tangled Yoke Cardi in Bugga (Lubber Grasshopper).

A few weeks ago I literally washed the dust off poor Martha Matchless and resumed spinning up some superwash merino destined to be 3 ply sock yarn.

This is the last 3rd of the batt

And, I found time to warp the loom.  Here's a peek.  This warp is so nifty it deserves it's own post.

And we were dog sitting Ruby.  Who got lonely and wanted to be right on me while I wove.  She wasn't even very upset about all the movement, she just kept muscling her way back in.

I didn't get much accomplished on any of these things, but I got to do them ALL so it was a great weekend.

I love garter stitch. I love it's squareness where the row gauge and the stitch gauge are the same. I love the way it looks. I love the ease of knitting and I love the squoosh.

Life is busy right now and garter stitch is just what I need--it's knitting that doesn't ask much of me except my time.

Not one to think small, this time I'm making a blanket. The pattern is called Parcheesi Afghan. It's a bit of log cabin and a bit of striping and a great stash buster. I'm using the leftovers from my Ella coat and odds and ends of similar worsted weight wools from my stash and any donations from knitpals. I'm into my fourth square and I can't stop knitting it.

My only concern is that I don't have enough different colours to really make this blanket pop. I don't really want to buy more full skeins of yarn so ill be hunting around for people's cast offs.

Oh, and that I'll get so engrossed with all this garter stitch that I won't knit anything else.

I treated myself to a new project bag.

Meet Ethel.  

She's a robot with a sparkly gold dress and killer glasses.  Just large enough to hold a sock-in-progress.  When I see her hanging out in my purse she makes me smile.

Made by Robot A Day, Ethel is a one of a kind sassy pouch.  There are so many other great robots--animals, zombies, smart-asses--they're silly fun.

See all the robots here on Etsy.  I can't go look or I'll get another one.

I have a healthy stash of oddballs and am genetically programmed to really feel the winter cold. I like hand knit accessories, to knit and to wear and am happy to see that Kate Atherley has written an excellent book filled with simple patterns and great tips.

Knitted Accessories: Essentials and Variations, the follow up to Kate's must have guide Beyond Knit & Purl, again uses her no-nonsense, easy to understand style guiding the knitter through projects to create useful accessories like scarves, cowls, hats, mitts, socks and legwarmers. A cold-weather intolerant person like me, she knows the importance of bundling up and offers all the patterns in various yarn weights, shows how each pattern looks in solid vs variegated yarns and provides tables and advice on creating one's own accessories using different yarn weights.

Throughout, Kate provides advice on how to tackle things like knitting in the round, getting the correct fit and how to knit for someone else when you might be unsure of her size.

These patterns are also a great starting point for a lazy person like me who doesn't want to think too much before diving in, but who might want to improvise a bit along the way. I can choose a basic pattern and add a different stitch or throw in a cable and make something pretty.

Knit accessories is a great edition to my library. I have it on my iPad which means its always with me. I highly recommend this book for both new and experienced knitters.

On January 14th, my baby turned 14.  Champagne birthday.  Full-on teenager. 

Whoa.

She's now taller than me, growing up to be a great person and she's a riot.  

To celebrate she had her two best friends over for movies (Dirty Dancing, Perfect Pitch and Strictly Ballroom), music (from A-ha to Florence & the Machine), boy chat (the cast of The Outsiders and boys in popular culture that I have no idea about) and not-much sleep.

Emma, may your life have lots of moments like these:

In a nice coincidence, I also finished the sweater I was making for her in the wee hours before her actual birthday.  It wasn't a surprise, but it was still a nice gift.

It's Owls with some modifications.  Emma wanted a loose sweater so I made the 38" size with no waist shaping.  By request, I also made the extra long cuffs with thumbholes.  It's two colours of Debbie Bliss Luxury Donegal Tweed chunky because that's what I had in the stash.  I rather like it.

My silly teen-model likes it too:

It still needs to be blocked and Emma decided she wants all the owls to have button eyes. 38 buttons.

Good thing I love her so much.

(and the sweater fits me too!)

December was sort of busy.  I got into a big fun groove of Christmas knitting.  I didn't really plan to make things for everyone but since I wasn't running I had all this TIME, so I just started making stuff.

(And I want to say a big thanks to everyone who commented about my back and my decision to take a break from running.  It's been 6 weeks and I'm still cranky about it.  Having your stories of finding new physical activities and of recovery really helped me).

A hat for Craig

He picked the yarn when we were visiting Kim and Ron of Indigodragonfly this summer.  It's hard to say no when your sweetie chooses a bright yarn and asks for you to knit something.

Simple watch cap.  A lot of ribbing.  Craig asked for it to be longer and it ended up too long.  It's pretty silly, but fine with the hem folded over. Seriously, I don't let him out like that.  

Pattern: Pismo Hat

Yarn: Indigodragonfly Merino Sock in Zen and the Art of Clown Disposal

A hat for Emma

She chose the pattern and the inner liner colour.  I didn't have anything suitable in the stash, so I picked up this stripey yarn.  Emma has a yellow pea coat, so it's a good match.

Pattern: Brimley

Yarn: Biscotte and Cie Gobelin and Tosh Dk

Mittens for Xander

He asked for mittens.  That's a quick and easy project.  I tried Elizabeth Zimmerman's mitred mittens. Very fun.  All from leftovers.

Socks for Mom

By request.  I've made my mother socks before and she's only really liked plain socks in a commercially spun wool/nylon yarn.  So that's what she got.

I used Kate Atherley's pattern from her new book: Beyond Knit and Purl.  I do better with a pattern than when I wing it.  This way I have some numbers written down!

Pattern: Classic Top Down Sock

Yarn: Opal Feelings

A Scarf for my Memere

It's hard to buy a gift for your 86 year old grandmother.  A handknit cashmere scarf really does seem like the most appropriate thing.

She doesn't knit so it's extra special (and she brags about me to her friends!)

Pattern: Miss Otis Regrets (fabulous 1 skein project)

Yarn: Handmaiden Cashmere

Something for Charity

This was a totally last minute crazy idea.  We have a charity auction at the President's holiday party to benefit a mental health initiative on campus.  This year donations were down and when the call came out, I decided to knit up a scarf.  In a weekend.

It's not so hard when you have a yummy 50/50 merino silk single in the stash.  It sold for enough money to make me feel good about the donation (I would have bought it myself if needed) and someone has something pretty.

I confess I'm not keen on the colours, but the knitting was lots of fun.

Pattern: Noro bias lace scarf 

Yarn: Schaeffer Helene

I haven't blogged much about running this year, mostly because I haven't blogged much about anything and because I was in a nice routine and routines don't really make more interesting blog posts.

Except that stuff got pretty interesting and I don't mean the half marathon (which was great!) 

By interesting, I mean messed up, but it took me a while to get myself to the point where I would accept that I'm not going to make my running goals this year.

Back in late June I started getting weird pain and numbness in my right leg.  I had a really sore spot in my butt that I figured was a result of tight hamstrings or IT bands or something sport related.  Ball hockey season was coming to an end and we had some pretty intense games, I got injured or something, no biggie.  I would just take it easy and it would go away.

Except it didn't.  I couldn't sit for more than 5 minutes without pain shooting down my leg.  I got another sore spot in the bottom of my foot.  Google was saying sciatica AND plantar fasciitis and it was all sounding horrible.  And ya, I shouldn't have googled...but I wanted to fix what was wrong with me and didn't think it warranted medical intervention beyond physiotherapy (which was helpful, but didn't make the symptoms go away).

I was having a hard time at work (I sit 99% of my day) and I couldn't stand being in the car (of course this summer we drove almost every weekend, sometimes up to 8 hours on a trip).  It was horrid.

Did I stop running?  

Nope.

In a lot of ways it felt better to move than not to move.  It didn't hurt at all to run and the leg numbness would go away.  So I kept at it.

By September I realized stuff wasn't getting better.  I finally went to the doctor. Turns out I have an L5, S1 herniated disc.

Fuck.

That's old, sedentary person stuff.  Not 40-something, in the best shape of my life, happy healthy stuff.

Turns out that sitting all day is one of the main culprits and that my active lifestyle and healthy weight kept things from being worse.  No one is sure what caused the injury (usually there's something) though I suspect it's either ball hockey since there's lots of twisting and some body contact or it might have been my new bike.

The much loved coaster brake took some getting used to and I'm pretty sure in the beginning I was coasting to an almost stop, stepping down and then using my body to come to a full stop.  That's not a good thing to do, especially with a 22kg bike.  I've really started thinking about how I stop and have tried to not do that anymore.

Regardless of the how it happened, I now have to live with it.  The treatment: core work.  Pilates in particular.  Also, lay off the running, get up every 20 minutes at work, be careful on the bike.  I added, no more high heels (sniff, I have some poor Fluevogs that need to hibernate for a bit).

I didn't lay off the running right away since the half marathon was a few weeks away from the diagnosis.  In fact I kept running but at very low mileage until about 2 weeks ago.  Now I've stopped completely.  Getting the flu made that easier, but now I'm almost recovered and I look longingly at my shoes and get jealous when I see other people running along.

I have never been a very high distance runner, I average about 20kms a week but I miss getting out there a LOT.  I need that exercise for stress reduction.  I feel better when I get out and move.  I don't want to gain back the weight I worked so hard to lose.  I'm not even thinking about ball hockey even though Spring sign ups are only a few weeks away.

Sad thing is, that week in bed really helped.  The shooting pains are gone and my butt and foot are almost better.  The herniated disc presses on my sciatic nerve and I need to get the disc goo back in place to stop that pain.  Rest is the key.

Stupid rest.

I've also started Pilates back classes.  My physiotherapist is also a Pilates instructor and has started a series of classes aimed at rehabilitation for those with back problems.  It seems to be helping.  I need to get a bit more disciplined about doing the exercises at home, but I like the active approach to managing this.

I was really hoping to run 1000km again this year.  

And I got so close.

I'm still debating whether I start a slow run again next week or try to just walk instead (less jarring) or just give up on the goal and find an alternative exercise.  

It's all wait and see.  I'm considering a gym membership so I can use an elliptical trainer (no room for one in my house) but I hate gyms and the idea I have to actually GO somewhere and not just run out the door when I feel like it. 

I've also been assessed for a sit-stand desk for my office.  I have 25 years of work ahead of me and I don't want sitting to make things worse.

So that's my running story for 2012.  I'm not setting a distance goal in 2013.  I need to see what my body wants to do.  Right now, I'm just hoping that running is a part of my exercise routine next year.

I finished on time! (except for the ends)

Terai.  I love it.

Perfect Fit (thanks for the fit advice Laura), lovely yarn (Indigodragonfly held with Miss Babs), great pattern.

Things got a bit hairy on the finishing front.  Not only did I have that flu (I'm feeling much better), but then one sleeve wasn't the same length as the other--I suspect my gauge got wonky with the illness.  Then I fixed that and tried the sweater on and didn't like the 3/4 sleeves so I ripped back the cuffs and worked longer sleeves.

Finishing might have stalled my recovery a bit, but I'll catch up on my sleep now that I have this beautiful new sweater.

And the knitting with 2 strands of laceweight--I love it.  It makes a soft, light sweater.  And since I don't like knitting lace, it gives me something to do with the small amount of laceweight in my stash.

More like NaKniSweMo AND Fever...

Sunday I was on track. One sleeve and the collar were done and the second sleeve was on the needles. That gave me five nights for one measly sleeve. Easy.

Monday I woke up and didn't feel too good. Must just be start of week tired.

By Monday afternoon it was clear that I was sick. Not a little cold, but the flu. Aches, chills, cough, fever, malaise.

Too sick to knit sick.

Stay home from work and sleep and sleep and sleep sick.

Today is the first day where I could pick up the needles. It's going to be close.

I'm pretty wiped out now and don't think I'll knit much more before I fall asleep.

And I'm even too sick to want to try it on.

Back to my sick bed.

Short version: I'm pretty sure I'm not at the halfway point of my Terai.

Long version: It's pretty.  I'm finished the cabled portion and onto the long march of the rest of the body.  I remember again that I hate top down sweaters.  The V-neck and cables kept me busy but now it's round and round and round and round and zzzzzz knitting.

The merino silk lace is AMAZING, at least there's that.

My goal this weekend is to finish the body and do the neckline (I prefer to do the neck before the sleeves so they don't wave around when I pick up the neck stitches).  

Is this a realistic goal?  Probably not.  But NaKnitSweMo is all about DENIAL.

After 2011's successful cardigan in a month, I've decided to do the NaKniSweMo again this year.

The stars all aligned...

Pattern, the gorgeous Terai from Laura Chau's Afternoon Tea Volume Two

Yarn (1/2 from stash even), Indigodragonfly Merino Silk-quel Lace in You know you're doing it right when your mother and Jane Austen would disapprove and Miss Babs Yasmin in Deep Sea Jelly Fish (the pinkish one)

No sweater on the needles

A swatch (I even have photographic proof above)

And go...

As of last night I separated the armholes (no photo, just imagine a slighly bigger blob) and I'm loving the knitting.  Laura's patterns are always great and I needed this sweater the moment I tried to rip it off saw it on her.

The colours are super pretty--grey with all sorts of pinks and warm browns.  Yum.

I can't wait to get to the nifty cables!

Rhinebeck, I always love visiting you.

This year was made better by the absolutely perfect house we rented right in town.  We parked the car Friday night and didn't use it again until we left for home Monday morning.

(one of three sitting rooms!)

I travelled with great friends: Michelle, Kim and Jo and we drank wine, ate amazing food, fondled yarn, enabled, laughed, cried and didn't share our desserts (even when we said we would).

I ran into a bunch of virtual friends I only get to hug once a year: Vanessa, Angela, Hope, Jaya, Cassandra, Julia (I love love love her not-released green cardi), Cara (and her amazing Maxfield cardi!), Chris, and others that I'm sure I'm forgetting (sorry!).

I finally got to meet (and hug) Lisa Souza and Nora Bellows of Noni knits (must write to her about getting copies of our photos in our Ella coats).  

I ate amazing meals and drank fantastic wines.

I got this super duper fantastic custom mug from Jennie the Potter. My morning coffee is now being consumed in style (and I got to hug her too!)

(yarn on an orange bike-squee!)

I bought yarn (seen on my lap) to knit pretty things.

I enjoyed the scenery. But didn't take any photos until we were driving over the Hudson on our way home.

I'll be back next year (to take a bath in that tub!)

Rhinebeck, I always love visiting you.

This year was made better by the absolutely perfect house we rented right in town.  We parked the car Friday night and didn't use it again until we left for home Monday morning.

(one of three sitting rooms!)

I travelled with great friends: Michelle, Kim and Jo and we drank wine, ate amazing food, fondled yarn, enabled, laughed, cried and didn't share our desserts (even when we said we would).

I ran into a bunch of virtual friends I only get to hug once a year: Vanessa, Angela, Hope, Jaya, Cassandra, Julia (I love love love her not-released green cardi), Cara (and her amazing Maxfield cardi!), Chris, and others that I'm sure I'm forgetting (sorry!).

I finally got to meet (and hug) Lisa Souza and Nora Bellows of Noni knits (must write to her about getting copies of our photos in our Ella coats).  

I ate amazing meals and drank fantastic wines.

I got this super duper fantastic custom mug from Jennie the Potter. My morning coffee is now being consumed in style (and I got to hug her too!)

(yarn on an orange bike-squee!)

I bought yarn (seen on my lap) to knit pretty things.

I enjoyed the scenery. But didn't take any photos until we were driving over the Hudson on our way home.

I'll be back next year (to take a bath in that tub!)

What a weekend!  Two big things happened:

1. I finished Breakwater (Rhinebeck sweater number 2)

2. I finished my first Half Marathon

Which was more challenging?

The sweater.  It was a total slog.  I realized a few things about what I like to knit when making a sweater getting through this one.  

I have no problem with endless stockinette but I hate top down sweaters.  The endless rounds with no end in sight, the flipping around of the sleeves and the dpns, the monotony just about killed me.

This is no slight on the pattern which is simple and straightforward; it's about my knitting style and it's good to know what that is.  

The yarn is Indigodragonfly MCN sock in The World is Doomed! (Giles) and I love it.  The colour is a pleasant neutral and while it seemed loose and wobbly in the sweater while I was knitting it, after a wash and a dance in the dryer it came out full and soft and fantastic.

This is a knitted sweatshirt and it's great.

I skipped the waist shaping because it doesn't work on my body but should have tapered in the body a bit after I divided for the sleeves.  I needed the 38" size for the shoulders and bust, but not the rest of me.  I know better for later (note to self: remember and listen to myself when this arises!)

Now for the Half Marathon.

It was awesome. I had so much fun.  Even two days later, I'm still riding on the crest of accomplishment (and perhaps endorphins--I still hurt).

The day didn't start out promising because it was raining.  Hard.  I hate running in the rain.  

At least the temperature was a warmish 14C so I put on my big girl pants and my running hat and made myself a garbage bag rain cape and fretted about a wet race on our short drive over to City Hall for the start.

I also had on the most awesome armwarmers.  That helped my mood.

After a wet and long wait for the porta-toilet (a pre-race must), I got myself over to my starting coral and the rain stopped.  Perfect timing.  I started to feel the good anxious instead of the impending doom anxious.

I decided the day before that I would run with the 2hr 15minute pace bunny since I knew I could run the race in that time and thought the pacer would keep me on target.  

We started and it was all good.  Except I was having trouble keeping to the pace.  It was too slow.  

I stuck with him for 6km and then noticed I was creeping up on my pace and just went with it.  I chatted with a really nice seasoned runner during this time. He was in his 60s and this 1/2 was a warmup to his full marathon this weekend in Amsterdam!  He told me I looked comfortable and could up my pace and was really encouraging.  

So I did.  And I got faster.  We met a few times more and he said something really interesting: "I bet right now you're thinking, I wonder how much further I could run?"

And he was right.  I had such a good time and felt so good, I am thinking that. It's crazy.

Here are my splits (according to my Garmin, so they won't be perfect) and I ran the last 5km fast.  

My brother who came to see me at 8km and 17km said I looked good and like I could have ran faster (he's very sporty so I welcome his advice).  

I had a great race finishing in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 30 seconds and I'm happy with that, but also think I could have started faster and maintained a faster pace throughout.  

(I was totally hurting once I stopped running.  But man that post-race burger tasted good!)

It wouldn't take off a lot of minutes, but probably a few and I realize that while I want to let go of time goals, I am motivated by them and I need to work with that.

I guess I'll find out on my next one.