Day 2 of NaBloPoMo

On October 16th Jane Ellison and some of the gang from The Purple Purl were on Breakfast Television here in Toronto. Unfortunately, with my work schedule, there was no way I could be downtown for this and still get to work on time. But imagine my surprise when I watched the segment on BT and saw the Forest Path Stole I had knit for The Purple Purl right there behind Jane Ellison! It made me feel like I was there with them even though I couldn't be there personally. Paul FINALLY managed to get the segment off the PVR but I am not sure if I am allowed to post it or not. I know there are copywrite laws etc so this still picture will have to do until I can figure things out.

To my utter surprise and amazement, yesterday I received the replacement high speed head for Lizbeth. The new one was shipped from New Zealand and I think I got it in less than 2 weeks. I was having problems with the old one because it didn't fit in the slot properly. Turns out the "neck" on the one I had was 2mm smaller than the head that came with the machine. This new head is as snug as a bug in a rug and doesn't budge. If anything it is even more snug than the head that came with Lizbeth. I am very pleased. I managed to finish spinning the purple fibre I received as part of SP11 and I'm now letting it rest for a few days before I ply it. I figure since the rest of it has been resting for so long I'd better let the last bits rest.

I Love Unicorns

I have been a unicorn collector for many years. I was given some flack about it years ago from someone who tried to convince me to get rid of my unicorns because it was devil worship or some such nonsense. I love the look and gracefulness of Pegasus and unicorns and that's why I collect them. One day I was looking at the Golding custom spindles and a light bulb went off in my head. I need a unicorn spindle to add to my spindle collection and my unicorn collection. So I emailed Tom and after a few sketches this is what we came up with. I am so pleased I can't even begin to express it in words. The wood is butternut. The ring is Abalone. The spindle weighs 1.1 oz. which is heavier than I am used to but I can easily use this to try and spin for sock yarn or plying. Oh and in case you're wondering about the fibre in the picture, it's stuff I did in the carding class I took at the Purple Purl in September. I'm cooking up ideas for the next spindle and I've just about figured it out.

On the knitting front, I've finally got the Forest Path Stole blocked. It is gorgeous. Yarn used is Classic Elite Silky Alpaca. This yarn was a dream to work with. I knit 19 tiers and only used a small amount of the 5th ball. I was almost through the second side border when I attached the 5th ball and then knit the 21 rows for the top border. I think I am a bit confused as to which needles I used so I am going to check later before I say anything. I know I used the Knit Picks Harmony needles. The stole blocked out to 29" by 88". Thank you to Miko from The Purple Purl for modeling the stole while I took pictures.

Get Blogging!

As Michelle said in the comments, it's time I got back to blogging. It's not as if I haven't been knitting. I just haven't been blogging.

First, I finished the Spring Forward socks from Knitty. I really liked knitting this pattern. It is easy to remember and it was lots of fun. The yarn I used is On Your Toes by S.R. Kertzer. I knit them up with 2.25mm Knit Picks Harmony needles. They seem to have become my sock needle of choice these days. That's a little surprising to me since I've always knit my socks with 2mm needles. The yarn was alright to knit with but I didn't think it was anything spectacular. I thought the colours looked better in the ball than they did when I knit it up but I still like the way they turned out and I know the intended person will love them. I might look to see what other colours they have in this yarn and if I find something I like I might knit with it one more time. I'll wait until the Creative Festival and see if anyone has the yarn there.

The second pair of socks I finished is the Bleeding Hearts socks. This one was a surprise for me. I use Patons Stretch Socks for these and once again the 2.25mm Harmony needles. What surprised me is how much I like this yarn. It has elastic in it and hence the "stretch" in the yarn name. I just started the Jaywalker socks in a blue colourway of this yarn. I'm hoping the elastic in the yarn will help with the tightness of the pattern. I haven't gotten past the toe so I'm not sure yet.

In other knitting, I've almost finished the Forest Path Stole. I'm working on the left side border now. I've got 4 triangles left to go and then it's the top border and blocking and this will be an FO.

Last Sunday I went to The Purple Purl for a carding class. Lorraine Smith was the instructor. She was fantastic as always. I think I might actually have gotten a better handle on carding this time around. It was a blast. We were given fibres in red, yellow, blue, white, and black. Then we blended different fibres to get different colours. The carding technique was totally different to what I was shown in the first carding class I took. I found this method of holding the cards a lot easier to do than the first class I took. This is what I managed to card and I will be spinning it up on a spindle as soon as it arrives. I'll tell more about that when I receive it in the mail.


Ever since the first time I saw this at the Purl I've wanted to learn how to make it. It just so happens that they had a rug hooking class on Sunday afternoon after I had finished the carding class. I was there but I've never done rug hooking before - latch hook yes, rug hooking no. I asked if a beginner could take the class and I was happily told yes. I ended up staying for the class. I don't have enough progress to show so I am not going to bother with a picture yet. I also want to get another hook because I feel the hook that was in the kit is a little to big. There should be at least one rug hooking vendor at the Creative Festival so I will look into getting some supplies in a few weeks.



Last but not least, some Malabrigo sock yarn and Silky Merino ended up following me home last week. I know the sock yarn will not be used for socks. I have some shawls I want to make. Now to decide which ones they want to become.

Bobbin One Done

I've completed the first bobbin in my le Tour de Fleece challenge. So far I think it's pretty good. We'll see how it looks when I ply it. The single could be more consistent but on the whole I am happy with it. I've been checking the twist pretty often and I am hoping it has enough twist. When I ply I never know what to expect.

I didn't fill the first bobbin to capacity because I want the yarn to fit onto one bobbin when I ply it. We'll see if I manage that soon enough. I've started the second bobbin and I hope to get it done by early next week.

Aren't these two skeins of yarn gorgeous? It's laceweight that I bought from Oceanwind Knits. I bought one skein of lace at the Frolic and I've been waiting for more stock ever since. Kimberly knit the Oyster Bay shawl with the Ice Blue colour and it is gorgeous. Purple being my favourite colour I couldn't resist the Vino as well. Now I just have to decide what they want to become.

On the knitting front, I've started tier 16 on the Forest Path Stole. I have a spinning class this Saturday and I'll probably hang out at the Purple Purl after the class so I'll take the stole along and see how much knitting will get done.

Let The Tour Begin

I've been working on the Forest Path Stole as often as I can and I've made some pretty good progress. I went to The Purple Purl yesterday and brought it with me. I finished 1 and a half tiers while I was there. I am now in the middle of tier 15. That means I am well past the halfway mark.

I might not get as much Forest Path knitting time over the next 3 weeks because I am starting the Tour de Fleece today. I just am not sure what fibre I want to use. It is going to be from my stash. I just don't know if I want to do a semi-solid or not. I'm going to decide soon because I have to get some spinning in today. My goals for the tour this year is the same as last year. I want to be able to spin between 10 and 30 minutes daily and see if I can finish the fibre in the colour I choose.

Speaking of The Purl, they are having two spinning classes on July 12 and July 19th. The first is spindle spinning and the second is wheel spinning. When I was up at Gemini Fibres Wendy Whelan told me if I had the chance to take a class with Lorraine Smith I should grab it. Since Lorraine is going to be the instructor, I did just that. The wheel class is going to be limited to only 10 people because of space limitations when everyone brings their wheels. I am really looking forward to both classes. Now to decide which wheel to bring. Decisions, decisions - could be worse though - I could not be attending the classes at all.

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.

Catching Up

My last post was on Thursday. That was my birthday and I didn't mention it in the earlier post because I had planned on posting again later that day. I never got around to it.

Life has been hectic. On Friday I met Ramona for lunch. We went to this lovely thai place near where Ramona lives and the food was excellent. To my utter shock and surprise Ramona spoke to the people at the restaurant and they brought out this dish of ice cream that had a sparkler and birthday candle on it. Alas, no picture because the camera was in the car. I kept the candle but that is in the car right now as well so I can't take a picture of that either.

For my birthday Ramona gave me the Total Knitting Tote from Knit Picks in the French Blue colour. I was quite surprised when I opened the box. After I opened it I remembered she had told me but until then I had completely forgotten. It was a good thing. I was surprised and Ramona couldn't believe I had actually forgotten about it.

After lunch we headed to The Purple Purl and even more fun was had. As always, I didn't come home empty handed either. I picked up the Alpaca With A Twist Fino in Evergreen that was being held for me and a skein of Classic Elite Alpaca sock yarn in colour Fruit Basket. This stuff is so soft. I also bought the More Big Girl Knits a few weeks ago when I was there with Maggie and left it there in case Amy Singer came by so she could autograph it for me. Amy hadn't been to the Purl since I bought the book but not 5 minutes after I asked about it she walked in the door. So I now have my copy autographed and it is home safe and sound.

Since Miko asked me to knit the Forest Path Stole for the store I decided to bring that along with me and start it while I was there. The yarn is Classic Elite Silky Alpaca and it is sooooo soft to knit with. I am working on tier 2 now so I am off to the races with this. It will be the project I knit whenever I go to the Purl from now on until it is completed. Of course I will also work on it at home. Because I started the stole I haven't touched the doily. I know, bad bad Rochelle. I want to finish tier 2 (only 2 rectangles left) and then I will try and put the stole aside until the weekend. I am thinking I will do the doily during the week and the stole on weekends.

Glenna threw herself a party on Friday to celebrate defending her thesis and ending her life as a student. The part was at the Purl after closing. It was so much fun and I can't thank her enough for inviting me. Not only were we invited but there were presents for all who came. Glenna brought yarn and books for people to look and and choose to take home with them. This is what came home with me. A skein of Socks That Rock and the Austermann Step sock yarn.

Tomorrow my boss comes back from vacation and things will be back to yucky normal. To be honest, work sucks at the best of times, I'm not looking forward to his return even more so right now because my head is just not there. My very best friend is going through the most horrible time. Her husband is gravely ill in the hospital and things don't look good at all. I won't go into details because I respect their privacy but prayers are always welcome. That's all any of us can do now.

The good thing about tomorrow is it's Snb night. I always look forward to that and tomorrow even more than usual.

Short Visit

It's a nasty rainy day out there today and Joseph is developing a cold. So much for going to see Iron Man today. If he's feeling better we might attempt it tomorrow. Since we didn't do what we had planned I decided to make a quick trip to The Purple Purl. I don't think I have ever gone there and stayed so short a time. I was only there a little over an hour. For me that is unheard of. I'll make up for it when I go back on Friday. I picked up the Malabrig Silk that I asked Miko to hold for me. I am going to do the Flower Basket shawl. I have some things I have to finish first but this is going to be a WIP sometime soon.

I am also going to start knitting the Forest Path Stole once again. This time using the Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace yarn you see here. It is going to be a store sample for The Purple Purl. I can't wait to get started. The yarn is so so soft.

There's lots of new stuff at the Purl. The two that stand out are the Alpaca With A Twist yarn in various weights. I have my eyes on the Fino in Evergreen for the Heere Be Dragones Shawl.

I can't forget the alpaca sock yarn. Unfortunately, I can't remember the company but it's 60% alpaca, 20% merino and 20% nylon. Yum is a good word to describe it.

Now I have to finish the doily I am working on. Here is a not so good picture of the Krokus doily so far. I want to finish the second chart B by tomorrow night so I can pick up the stitches and get chart C started. I'm using DMC Cebelia 20 and 2.25mm needles.