Cure for Christmas

Daily Diatribes. Go. Save yourselves.

How I Love Thee...

...let me count the ways. What now, you ask?

The Incredible, Custom-fit Raglan Sweater, from the neck down! That's what! Oh how I love thee. The ability to try on and adjust fit as I knit around and around, only the stitch markers strategically placed to bring me back from the dreamland into which I slip. The speed with which I can knit thee tickles my fancy to no end. But best of all, I covet thee for the minimal finishing thou require.

Thou has many faces and many admirers. Grumperina even ciphered the math to speed my way with her Picovoli . My Debbie Bliss sweater is more than half done as a result.

Thou also endeared thou self to me with incredible stash busting abilities.

Long live The Incredible , Custom-fit Raglan Sweater, from the neck down!

I Can Relate

Resembles my house most mornings. I swear the cats have a yarn party as soon as all the lights go off!

New

Did you all see the new Twist Collective? Very nice. Go see for yourselves.

Snowed-In Heart

Middleton, Nova Scotia: Heart of the Valley.















Practically shut down by the first snow storm of the season. So I went on a walking tour of my town, initially intending to go to the library but that turned out to be closed too. Even the parking lot wasn't plowed out since the day before.


















The MacDonald Consolidated School Museum. They hosted a really good Christmas Craft Fair last weekend. You should mark your calendars for next year.























Town starting to decorate for the holiday season .






Check that out. A new permanent sign advertising the Farmers' Market. Definitely a good sign. (pun intended)



















Commercial Street. Only a few of the businesses were open, and planned to close early.



















That's my reflection in a bank door. Bundled up to weather the weather. Bwahahah (I am so funny!)

I attempted to shovel our driveway once I got home but that didn't last long before my back started screaming for mercy. And it's so much nicer to sit inside by the fire and knit anyway.

I do have some good news for any knitters in the local area (Hi Patty!) and any new recruits. There is a new internet cafe on Commercial Street that is welcoming us with open arms. The Naugles just opened their doors two weeks ago and they're all about welcoming the local community to come and hang out. Angela, one of the owners, is a lovely woman that will try to accommodate us as much as possible, including opening to suit our needs outside of their current hours. The cafe is bright and spacious, the walls decorated with local artists' wares. Tomorrow evening they're even hosting an art show so drop by and check them out.





Oh yes, and here is the newest addition to the family. (Hey AliP: neener neener!!)

Have you seen this? I've considered myself a fairly decent knitter, but I'll never be in the same league as the woman that won the World's Record in 2006 as fastest knitter. WOW.

Thank you!

Here is one of the photos (at least the good one!) that I took at Patty's home on her birthday. Aren't they gorgeous? Did I mention what a lovely host Patty was, and how well she shared? And Iain was utterly charming. It seems a lifetime ago that my darlings were that small.

Patty paid me a nicest kind of compliment. I would never consider myself a Knitting Angel. Thank you, Patty. I was just happy to be able to gift something you and Iain needed. When Patty called to thank me for the wash cloths, she asked if I just happened to have them in the house, and oddly enough I answered yes. Because there was a time when I wouldn't knit these cloths until there was a shortage, at which time I usually didn't have the time to sit and knit them. So every so often, I pull out a giant ball of cotton and start knitting plain garter stitch wash cloths, one after another, until I get sick and tired of them. Then I tuck them away in a safe place until they're needed for service or gift. Coincidentally I finished two last night and have another on the needles today. Because sweaters and socks aren't the only knitting in high demand in this home.

Here's a picture from Wednesday evening. First snow of the season. Well, let me tell you: I was not quite prepared for this much of it so soon. I mean, just the day before I was sifting soil in one of the gardens before planting the last of my spring bulbs. Needless to say, I never did get finished. Hubby called me in for supper, and after that I never ventured back outside.

All of Wednesday was spend in a doctor's office for assessments of my first born (10.5 hours!) , and the trip home took much longer than on the way in, mainly avoiding cars slipping and sliding on town roads, and never exceeding 70 km/h on the highway.

Thanks for Sharing

I'd like to take this opportunity to send some belated Birthday wishes to Fibreholic Patty. Her birthday was yesterday and she very generously shared her birthday cake with me (her hubby baked her a chocolate cheesecake! What a man!). I'm sure she won't mind if you drop in and wish her well, either.

I finally met the adorable Iain, and although he wasn't in top form, he didn't mind hamming it up for the camera.

Look what I knit last night.

My very first tam, in about 2 hours. I have to sew in a couple ends and block it, but there it is. It will match my first ever pair of gloves. Nice.

And today I will be knitting one for my Mama in yellow (peach?) out of Rio De La Plata. It's a hand spun, kettle dyed 100% Uruguayan Wool. She's been obsessed with wanting yellow hand knits lately, so I hope it will be yellow enough for her liking. And of course if she doesn't like it, I might be forced to reclaim it. Forced. Yeah, okay. HEH

The Debbie Bliss sweater is chugging along nicely. I've just begun a third skein, but now I have to try it on again to see if it's to the point where I can knit only the body in the round. I love top down sweaters. love love love

Most of the first sleeve is done on the First Born's sweater. I really must try to find some bamboo dpns in 5.5mm.

Hope for Women

Hope for Women is an organization worthy of my support. Click on the link to find out more. I found it through this blog. It all comes back to PIF. How inspirational is that? (Yeah, yeah, a little bit of sappy never hurt anyone, so spread the love.) While you're at it, visit Doctors Without Borders. Christmas is not far away but before rushing off to the nearest mall, follow those links and purchase something not made in China for the loved ones on your list. It is a season of giving, and of hope. And if you make a donation to MSF, don't forget to email the Yarn Harlot so she can update her total. Knitters: we do our part for the betterment of world.

From the mouths of babes...

If you have a moment, check out today's Baby Blues cartoon at the very bottom of this blog. Good grief.

I seem to have been infected with start-itis. Let me show you. And let me point out these are only the sweaters, and just the ones I cast on in the past week. From left to right, the variegated one is for my first born, a Christmas present, two days' worth of knitting (three, if you count the false start where I cast on approximately 45 extra stitches and happily knit on for four and a half inches before stopping to consider that it might be a bit large! When I took the circular out to rip, it revealed that I was completely delusional. At that amount of stitches it would have been too big for someone normally wearing XL.) I am at the armpit part, and started the first sleeve while watching Grey's Anatomy last night. Next is the Drops sweater, cast on last Sunday (if memory serves me right). So far so good, but my dear friend AliP pointed out that I might want to be working on the Christmas presents so I don't have a melt-down a couple days before gift giving time. Yeah, there is that. Did I tell you that I had signed up for that Knit a Sweater in the Month of November thing? AliP thought that was a little bizarre. Something about skewed priorities or something. She is a good conscience, except where was she when I cast on Grumperina's Picovoli top for myself? Hey, I can say it's a Christmas present for me. HEHEH I'm knitting it out of Debbie Bliss Merino, which is divinely squishy. For your info, the pattern is free over at Knotions. I am planning on knitting it with long sleeves. Maybe, possibly with a bit of beads for a bit of bling. Every girl needs a bit of bling in her life now and again.

Okay, then. Who else is knitting Christmas gifts? How are you all managing? Are you knitting for everyone on your list or just the select few? This inquiring mind wants to know.

Really??

You Are 50% Normal

While some of your behavior is quite normal... Other things you do are downright strange You've got a little of your freak going on But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself

How Normal Are You?

Test...

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Balanced, Secure, and Realistic.

15 Impressionist, -4 Islamic, -7 Ukiyo-e, -17 Cubist, -10 Abstract and -7 Renaissance!

Impressionism is a movement in French painting, sometimes called optical realism because of its almost scientific interest in the actual visual experience and effect of light and movement on appearance of objects. Impressionist paintings are balanced, use colored shadows, use pure color, broken brushstrokes, thick paint, and scenes from everyday life or nature.

People that like Impressionist paintings may not alway be what is deemed socially acceptable. They tend to move on their own path without always worrying that it may be offensive to others. They value friendships but because they also value honesty tend to have a few really good friends. They do not, however, like people that are rude and do not appreciate the ideas of others. They are secure enough in themselves that they can listen to the ideas of other people without it affecting their own final decisions. The world for them is not black and white but more in shades of grey and muted colors. They like things to be aestically pleasing, not stark and sharp. There are many ways to view things, and the impresssionist personality views the world from many different aspects. They enjoy life and try to keep a realistic viewpoint of things, but are not very open to new experiences. If they are content in their live they will be more than likely pleased to keep things just the way they are.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test

Can Never Get Enough

...of Mark Harmon. This little gallery is for Cranky Knitter over at Shut Up & Knit! If you have cable, you can view him seven days a week. It's so pleasant to knit with eye candy such as Mark.

He's aged well, wouldn't you say?

Window Shopping

What else is a girl to do when on a nasty, nasty diet?

I received an email about a huge yarn sale (on some good STUFF) at Little Knits, and Knitting Daily advertised a discount on Nancy Bush books, and did you see that Estonian Lace Book? *Moan* And Sweet Sheep (love that name!) is still holding a sale, until the end of November. Don't forget all the goodies at Elann. Locally, Cinnamon Creek is now carrying a wide selection of yarn, even Briggs & Little and Patons Classic Wool. Don't you just love yarn that you need only walk to? (If you weren't on a yarn diet that is!) All this is enough to make a girl whimper and cry.

AliP, awesome friend extraordinaire and my personal conscience, has been talking me down off the slippery slope of stash acquisition beyond life expectancy (S.A.B.L.E.). And speaking of diets, why is it that the best food commercials come on around 8pm and on? The Keg and Red Lobster ones make me drool without fail. Thank heavens neither are within a short driving distance of home. My husband would have to make good on his promise to make wider doorways if I consistently over-indulged after seeing these cruel-mercials.

On a positive note, stash reduction is underway. With the exception of fibre for Mom's thrums (which I purchased from Ducky's etsy shop before declaring the diets), Christmas knitting has been using up stash in a nice way. I won't go so far as to say by leaps and bounds but every skein and ball count.

This pic is for you, Dorothy. Feel free to post pics of your hens anytime.

My apologies to all for not linking in this post. Links may be found in my sidebar, or in older posts. Go look there. It won't kill you.

P.S. Ooops, sorry for the snarky. It's this damned diet, I tell you!

PIF

Remember the "Pay It Forward" phenomenon?

Look what I received in the mail yesterday:

My very own Clapotis, from TheAmpuT. It's gorgeous. More gorgeous than the photos show. But you can judge by my smile how happy I am with it. Which is like waaaaayyy a lot happy! Thrilled. It's in the absolute perfect colour, I kid you not! It's so freaking soft. But what would you expect from 50% wool/50% silk? Dyed by Black Bunny Fibers. Love it!

Check who tried to swipe it while I was making the pizza for supper! Quite the nerve she's got!

Now I have to offer some major apologies for not blogging sooner about the first PIF I received from no-blog Rachel. I did send out a thank you card, but for some unknown reason it came back to me, and then I just kept forgetting to take a picture of the bag she sent me, because, get this, I have been using it from the moment I opened the package. Literally. I opened it while walking home from the post office and loved it instantly. The colours are great and I couldn't help myself from slinging it over my shoulder and putting the wrapping in the bag. I still use it every day, and that's the ultimate compliment of a loved item. Don't you wish you had one of your own?

Let's see, on the knitting front, yesterday I started on some 1X1 ribbed socks. One is already done and so is the leg of the second. Technically I intended them to be gifted to someone at Christmas but I am liking them very much and seeing how they just happened to be my size, I might keep them for myself. The Cable sock is coming along nicely. I am half way down the foot. The thrum mitts only need thumbs (still). I've also started knitting another wool blanket out of Briggs&Little Atlantic. I'm making it up as I go along: knitting individual strips however long each skein allows, 21 stitches wide, on 8mm needles so it will hopefully turn out to be squishing and cozy. All in the name of reducing the stash. Oh yes, and the PIF for Dorothy is still awaiting assembly. Maybe today!

HEH

Cake.



I made a discovery. That 5-minute cake recipe? Works better nuked in a glass bowl. I have this over-sized cereal bowl I got at the Dollar Store. I mixed the ingredients in that, added a dash of baking powder and nuked away. Better. Not as chewy. Probably because it has a larger area to expand so it's not cooking in steam. Don't ask me how I know. It's not because I just stuffed my face with cake. Honest. And did I tell you I have some prime real estate for sale on Mars?? HEh



Moving on, I am quite happy with the new President of the USA. Maybe he won't pass on before his term in office is up. Heh

10 Things You Love Talking About

Not necessarily in that order:

1. Knitting
2. Education (or rather deterioration thereof)
3. Cats
4. Farming
5. Books
6. Religion/Beliefs
7. Politics
8. Kids
9. Rude People
10. House cleaning (if I talk about at least it almost seems like it's getting done)

OMG!!!

Anyone out there a fan of Conan O'Brian? Greg Kinnear? Yarn Harlot?

I was cruising through some blogs this evening, clicking on linkies on Harlot's blog and lookie here what I came across! A must watch. I kid you not. I am a bit techno challenged so I haven't figured out how to post the actual YouTube clip on here but watch it at Laurie's place. Unbelievable! Long live the Harlot!

Next

DROPS number 47-19 (pattern copied directly from Drops site, colouring and spacing added to suit me, thank you very much.)

Note: This pattern is written in British English.All measurements in charts are in cm. For conversion from cm to inch - click here.There are different terms for crocheting in British and American English.If this pattern includes crochet, click for "crochet terms" here.

Knitting tension: 24 sts x 32 rows on needle size 3 mm in pattern = 10 x 10 cm.

Rib: *K2, P2*, repeat from *-*.

Pattern: See diagrams M1-M.3. 1 diagram = 1 repeat.

The diagrams are seen from the RS. English Translations for the wording in the diagrams are given at the bottom of this pattern, and they are given in the vertical order in which they appear in the diagram.

Back and front piece: The jumper is knitted round on circular needles and cut for armholes afterwards.

Cast on 220-232-240 sts on circular needle size 2.5 mm with black and knit 6 cm Rib, at the same time inc 48-56-62 sts on the last round = 268-288-302 sts. Change to circular needle size 3 mm and knit 1 repeat of M.1 – beg at the arrow for appropriate size and knit pattern over sts on front piece = 134-144-151 sts, beg by appropriate arrow again and knit pattern over sts on back piece = 134-144-151 sts. After M.1 continue in M.2.

Diagram

When piece measures 44-47-48 cm inc 5 sts each side (to be cut for armholes afterwards and not included in pattern but knitted in stocking sts). When piece measures 65-68-70 cm cast off the middle 26-28-29 sts at front and finish the piece back and forth on needle.

Dec to shape the neckline each side on every other row: 3 sts 1 time, 2 sts 2 times and 1 st 3 times. At the same time when piece measures 67-70-72 cm (adjust to pattern) knit M.3. When piece measures 69-72-74 cm cast off 43-44-45 sts mid back for neck and dec 2 sts each side on next row.

Cast off after M.3, piece measures approx 71-74-76 cm.

Sleeves: Cast on 52-56-60 sts on double pointed needles size 2.5 mm with black and knit 5 cm Rib. Change to needle size 3 mm and knit M.3, inc 10-8-4 sts evenly on first round = 62-64-64 sts. At the same time, after the Rib inc 2 sts mid under arm 34-33-35 times as follows: Size S + M: on every 4th round, Sise L: alternate between every 3rd and 4th round = 130-130-134 sts. After M.1 continue in M.2.

When piece measures approx 50-49-48 cm (adjust to pattern) knit 2 cm in reverse stocking sts = edge for sewing on sleeve to body pieces. Cast off and knit the other sleeve.

Assembly: Insert a marking thread in the middle of the inc sts for armhole each side of body piece. Make 2 seams each side and mid front on your sewing machine, the first seam ½ st from the MT and the other one ½ st from the first one.

Cut the piece between these. Sew shoulder seams.

Pick up approx 108-112 sts round the neck on needle size 2.5 mm with black and knit 8 cm Rib. Cast off.

Set in sleeves from the RS as follows: sew in the last row before the edge in reverse stocking sts on sleeves to the first row after the seam in the sts for cutting on body pieces.

Turn the jumper inside out and sew the piece in stocking sts over the cutting edge on body pieces. Sew on clasps.

English explanation to pattern diagram:

Blank square = black

Black square = beige

Triangle in square = yellow

Dot in square = deep red

We take pride in providing knitting and crochet patterns that are correct and easy to understand. All patterns are translated from Norwegian and you can always check the original pattern for measurements and calculations. Go to original pattern for model 47-19. All patterns are carefully reviewed, but we make reservation for possible mistakes. In the case of discrepancies please post your remark in "knitting help" or contact your local Garnstudio retailer.

This sweater may seem ambitious but I am in need of something beautiful and just for me on the needles right now. I have been knitting Christmas presents. Lookie:

Thrums for my MAMA. She needs something warm and comfy and special just for her, too. She lost the love of her life recently and this is the least I can do to cheer her up. I hate that I live so far away so I can't be with her right now, but I will never move to Ontario.

Even if it's filled with more yarn stores than you can shake a stick at!

These started out as socks for me (don't you love that goofed up centre cable?) but naturally I forgot to allow for how much smaller the cables make a sock and so these will be for my first born. I will knit this pattern again with adjustments to adult sizing, and if I manage it without mistakes, I may publish it for your enjoyment. I love this yarn. It's Trekking (XXL), colour #100.

Note: This pattern is written in British English.
All measurements in charts are in cm. For conversion from cm to inch - click here.
There are different terms for crocheting in British and American English.
If this pattern includes crochet, click for "crochet terms" here.

Knitting tension: 24 sts x 32 rows on needle size 3 mm in pattern = 10 x 10 cm.
Rib: *K2, P2*, repeat from *-*.
Pattern: See diagrams M1-M.3. 1 diagram = 1 repeat. The diagrams are seen from the RS. English Translations for the wording in the diagrams are given at the bottom of this pattern, and they are given in the vertical order in which they appear in the diagram.

Back and front piece: The jumper is knitted round on circular needles and cut for armholes afterwards. Cast on 220-232-240 sts on circular needle size 2.5 mm with black and knit 6 cm Rib, at the same time inc 48-56-62 sts on the last round = 268-288-302 sts. Change to circular needle size 3 mm and knit 1 repeat of M.1 – beg at the arrow for appropriate size and knit pattern over sts on front piece = 134-144-151 sts, beg by appropriate arrow again and knit pattern over sts on back piece = 134-144-151 sts. After M.1 continue in M.2. When piece measures 44-47-48 cm inc 5 sts each side (to be cut for armholes afterwards and not included in pattern but knitted in stocking sts). When piece measures 65-68-70 cm cast off the middle 26-28-29 sts at front and finish the piece back and forth on needle. Dec to shape the neckline each side on every other row: 3 sts 1 time, 2 sts 2 times and 1 st 3 times. At the same time when piece measures 67-70-72 cm (adjust to pattern) knit M.3. When piece measures 69-72-74 cm cast off 43-44-45 sts mid back for neck and dec 2 sts each side on next row. Cast off after M.3, piece measures approx 71-74-76 cm.

Sleeves: Cast on 52-56-60 sts on double pointed needles size 2.5 mm with black and knit 5 cm Rib. Change to needle size 3 mm and knit M.3, inc 10-8-4 sts evenly on first round = 62-64-64 sts. At the same time, after the Rib inc 2 sts mid under arm 34-33-35 times as follows: Size S + M: on every 4th round, Sise L: alternate between every 3rd and 4th round = 130-130-134 sts. After M.1 continue in M.2. When piece measures approx 50-49-48 cm (adjust to pattern) knit 2 cm in reverse stocking sts = edge for sewing on sleeve to body pieces. Cast off and knit the other sleeve.

Assembly: Insert a marking thread in the middle of the inc sts for armhole each side of body piece. Make 2 seams each side and mid front on your sewing machine, the first seam ½ st from the MT and the other one ½ st from the first one. Cut the piece between these. Sew shoulder seams.
Pick up approx 108-112 sts round the neck on needle size 2.5 mm with black and knit 8 cm Rib. Cast off. Set in sleeves from the RS as follows: sew in the last row before the edge in reverse stocking sts on sleeves to the first row after the seam in the sts for cutting on body pieces. Turn the jumper inside out and sew the piece in stocking sts over the cutting edge on body pieces. Sew on clasps.

English explanation to pattern diagram:

Blank square = black
Black square = beige
Triangle in square = yellow
Dot in square = deep red

Diagram

DROPS number 47-19

We take pride in providing knitting and crochet patterns that are correct and easy to understand. All patterns are translated from Norwegian and you can always check the original pattern for measurements and calculations.
Go to original pattern for model 47-19.
All patterns are carefully reviewed, but we make reservation for possible mistakes. In the case of discrepancies please post your remark in "knitting help" or

This is a wool and mohair (one strand of each) triangle shawl for my youngest, with little crystal beads sewn on around 2 edges. I still have some ends to sew in and I am contemplating putting a pom-pom at the bottom point, just for the cute.