Still Alive

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post. I think something just went to sleep in me for a little while after everything that happened at the end of May. I am feeling much better now. I've been very busy with end of school year stuff and I have been so out of blog mode I didn't even remember to take pictures. I knit a pair of socks for Joseph's gifted teacher. They came out great and was an interesting challenge. It was the first time I've ever knit socks for an adult that wears a size 5 shoe. I am pleased and relieved that the socks fit perfectly. Alas, as I said, no pictures. I completely forgot to take any before I delivered them. I was in such a rush to get them done. It's a good thing her feet were so small or I am not sure I would have finished them on time. I used the pattern called Twining Leaves Lace socks by Evelyn Clark. The yarn I used was Online Supersock Cotton in colour Beach. The socks are really soft and I actually liked knitting with this yarn.

On the home front, Tuesday was Joseph's graduation from grade 8. The graduation was wonderful. It was very emotional for me. I was like a blubbering idiot just crying my eyes out. I still can't believe that he is going to be going into high school in September. I still struggle with letting go of those apron strings but I am trying.



On the knitting and spinning front, I have been out of the house for the last 3 Saturday's doing differnet things. The first Saturday was the cotton class I had at Gemini Fibres. I brought my Bosworth Charkha with me and I think I might actually be able to use it very soon. The class was great and I am glad I went ahead with it. The choice still wasn't easy because I missed the big party for the Yarn Harlot at Lettuce Knit. Last Saturday Shannon and I went to the spin in up at Gemini and we met Maggie there. Ok believe it or not, at the last minute I decided to take up the Little Gem wheel instead of the Pro and I forgot my fibre at home. What else could I do but buy more fibre? I bought some Fleece Artist merino silk in red tones and am almost finished spinning the 1st 50 gram bobbin. Pictures will come when the first bobbin is done. I also bought some Fleece Artist merino/alpaca blend and some Louet roving in a wool/soysilk blend. I haven't tried it yet but I saw it spun up and it was so nice I had to get some.

After the spin in Shannon and I went over to Maggie's place. I bought more fibre (see below) and some yarn. The yarn is a blue semi-solid that I still have to photograph.

Today I met Maggie and her sister Natalie at Kimberly's house and we had a wonderful lunch and afternoon of spinning. More yarn and fibre founds its way into my bag and came home with me.




Maggie, this is the clown blanket I was telling you about this afternoon. I know you don't like clowns but I still love this blanket.

The Heat Is On

Mother Nature decided to turn up the heat. Today was the hottest day of the year, so far, here in Toronto. I know there are people out there that love this kind of weather. I am not one of them. HHH days are too much for someone that doesn't have AC in the apartment.

My lunch plans got cancelled at the last minute so I decided to take advantage of the unexpected free time to go to Creative Yarns. I've passed by the place a few times but never had time to go in. I ended up spending most of the afternoon there. Nina is very nice and her husband Jody arrived while I was there. I was pretty good. I only bought this ball of sock yarn and 2 Evelyn Clark patterns. I might try and go there on one of their Thursday night Snbs. My overall impression of the place is very positive. It will be nice to go back and spend time there every once in a while.

Sisters

Laurie Goldiuk from The Black Lamb sent me this in a email. The timing couldn't be better. Those of you that read my blog will know why. Rather than email it and clog an inbox I've decided to post it here.

Sisters

Time passes. Life happens.
Distance separates. Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors. Careers end.

BUT – SISTERS are there, no matter how much time and how many milesare between you.

A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley
and you have to walk it by yourself

The women in your life will be on the valley's rim

cheering you on
praying for you
pulling for you and intervening on your behalf,
waiting with open arms at the valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules
and walk beside you, or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends,
daughters,
granddaughters,
Daughters-in-law,
sisters,
Sisters-in-law,
mothers,
Grandmothers,
Aunties, nieces, cousins

An extended family all bless our life,
when we began this adventure called womanhood.
We had no idea of the incredible
Joys or sorrows that lay ahead,
nor did we know how much
we would need each other.

Every day, we need each other still.

Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful.
I just did.

I'm Blank For A Title

When my friend's husband had his surgery I told her when he comes home I was going to buy the biggest basket of plants so he could enjoy them. His mom had passed away in March and I don't like buying cut flowers because they don't last. I always get some sort of basket with a plant arrangement. It wasn't meant to be for Tony to come home and enjoy the basket but that wasn't going to stop me. On Monday I went to the florist and asked what is the biggest basket she has. She told me she had gone to her supplier and saw this very nice wheel barrow. I told her to find out the cost. She did and I went on Tuesday to see what she had done. The picture doesn't do it justice. It is stunning. Paul, Joseph and I brought it over to Valerie's yesterday. I still can't believe that he is gone but I will do anything and everything I can to be there for the most wonderful person and family I have ever met.

Felici

My daughter had tried some of the Knit Picks Felici and she told me it was so soft. Of course I had to feel for myself so I ordered 2 colours the last time I ordered from Knit Picks. I received the order today. Henny was right about how soft this stuff is. I don't think any of their other sock yarn is as soft as this stuff is. I am going to have to look at the other colours and see if there are any that appeal to me and get some the next time I order. This colour is Martinique.

This colour is Mixed Berries. The pictures don't do either justice.

I also ordered different size and lengths of both Harmony and the nickel plated Options needles along with these Harmony cable needles. They have the ridges in the different needles like other wooden cable needle sets I've seen. Now to knit those cable socks I ripped out so I can give the smallest size a try.

Change of Plans

I thought I wouldn't be able to do the 1,000 Knitter's at Lettuce Knit. I received an email from Gemini Fibres that the cotton spinning class is going to go on as planned. I forgot it was going to be on the 14th and I was supposed to do that first. I don't know if they will repeat the class in the fall or I might have waited. I intend to take my Bosworth Book Charkha with me. Anyway, I just spoke to Megan at Lettuce Knit and there is still a possiblity I can do it. My class finishes at 3:30 and I can get back to Toronto by 4. I should be able to get to Lettuce Knit by 5. Megan put me down for the afternoon and if I get stuck in traffic or anything I will call her while I am on the road. I will miss the stuff at the Purl but I'll go there sometime before then and get some ribbon kits. Info on that can be found here.



As for knitting, my mind has been preoccupied of late and I haven't been able to work on the doily. I just can't seem to concentrate. Since this is the third go round for me on the Forest Path Stole, it's become pretty mindless knitting for me. I'm now in the middle of tier 5 and just joined the second ball of yarn. This yarn is so soft it is a joy to knit with. I am really enjoying it.