Fall 2015

The change of seasons heralds sweater weather, and what better way to celebrate this most joyous time of year than with a fresh crop of designs from Brooklyn Tweed.

The Lookbook Fall 2015

I knit Trailhead by Veronik Avery. It is always the most wonderful experience knitting, sight unseen, a pattern of hers. The attention to detail, a view to the most polished finished look, the subtle shapings - an exercise in near perfection.
Veronik sent me these pics to share. 

New this issue is a nod to the knitters. Thank you Jared, a fine example for the industry.

Keepin' On

No matter what is happening, I keep on knitting. More or less, but always with the yarn going through my fingers.

Lee put up a small 5.1 surround system in my little living room. It's great - perfect for my cozy little setup.

I have finished one sleeve on the Moss Cardigan and just started on the 2^nd one. It's been awhile since I have needed more yarn than a pattern called for! I had to text Julie and request a couple more balls of the Liberty.


But it's looking good; can't wait to block it!

The Magic 8-ball nixed both my Chatelaine cross stitch and Romi's shawl, so I'm working on a Secret Project that needs finishing.


Nothing taxing, which is just perfect.

The Magic 8-ball is an app (I'd love a real one) and if we ask the Magic 8-ball, we abide by the answer. Amanda was always torn when she was younger as to whether or not it was worth the risk. lol
Lee picked out Longfellow from the recent BT Men Vol 2. Yes, nothing fancy or complex - I seem to attract men with simple sweater tastes - but it is what he wants. After much discussion about colour, he decided to "live a little" and we're going with Embers.
I have decided that we are in more of a committed relationship than merely dating, so this will hopefully not be a Curse Sweater.
I also have a scarf to knit for him in United colours.


He has a 1960's style bar scarf that he wants it styled after - similar to this one.


Fortunately both his birthday and Christmas are both very attainable deadlines.

I received some spirit-crushing news; my surgery is more likely to be in Oct/Nov. The surgeon has not been given as much OR time as he had anticipated. Sigh. But I did agree to be put in the cancellation list, so hopefully I'll get something earlier. Until then, it's day-to-day, band-aiding the pain as best I can with the codeine.

Oh. And speaking of the Men's issue - I can reveal that I knit Véronik's Carbon!! I had forgotten exactly what project I had done, so I was especially excited to page through the issue. Véronik always blocks and finishes the piece so I never have a finished picture in my head. That and the way that Jarod's photographs always take the project to a higher level than I remember it make it a thrill to see again.



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Romi Mystery Shawl Spoiler

Friday was a struggle, but that's alright. By the end of the day I chose to not take any Rx, clear my head and body a bit. I worked some on Romi's Mystery Shawl. I'm not sure about the colour. it's lighter IRL


A darker colour will get worked in later on (this is Clue 2 of 5). It just seems quite pastel. I know, but like baby pastel. I'm keeping on knitting as I'm hoping that the darker colour will help some of the coloured bits in the the Dream in Color Smooshy pop. But I am reserving final judgement and might still use the lighter Wollmeise


(on the far right in the pic).

I slept for 12 hours. Between the constant pain (in varying degrees), and the drugs, my body is exhausted. My choice today has been to accept the pain. Easier when I can just relax (kind of) and knit through it. Not having to deal with people makes it easier to bear as well.

Still working with the hand-pleasing Loft from Brooklyn Tweed. Secret Project. You know.

Enjoying, as ever, the garter stitch. Especially in the variegated CEY Liberty Wool.


I do like the redo better; the colours seem to lay nicer. I know, sounds crazy, but there it is.

Amanda came over for a couple of days to hell with the puppies & Toby. Lee went on an impromptu drive to Boston. He misses the sea.





Don't worry, I explained about Oceans & Seas ... Amanda & I coloured (I bought her her own Enchanted Forest and colouring pencils) and had a lovely time. I should have taken a pic of her colouring - we have very different styles. She walked dogs and fetched bagels - a good daughter.

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And the Knit Goes On

I awoke way early with a creeping migraine. Zomig and a good lie in sorted that out but put me off to a slow start in my day.

Did some errands, the puppies both have harnesses now for walking. It immediately improved their propensity for pulling. Chica is less find of it, but she'll adapt. I hope.

My knitting accompaniment has been George Gently. I think that much of the appeal of British shows for me is in the countryside. The moors and the seasides (of Northern England in this instance) make me ache to go.
One day, but for now I am content to knit to the views from my sofa.






The great thing about a Shaping Plan is that you can see how far you've come.

Chica is still dogging me with her ball. oh yes, pun intended And who could resist this wee face?


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More of the Same

Flanking a cable motif is stockinette - more simple pleasure.







I watched Bloodline today as I knit. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I have all of the Netflix original series. Totally worth the price of admission.

I've had a craving for burgers this week. Sunday night found me at Crabby Joe's, nice to have a local that I can walk to and from, but tonight I went to No Frills for provisions.





Mmmmmm!!! Petey thought that I was is some sort of pain given the moaning of pleasure that was coming from my full mouth.

Petey seems more himself today, less mopeyness.

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Simple Pleasure

I love knitting, you all know that. It's not all about having a finished something, though I couldn't just swatch forever.
I love the yarn, the way each different one winds its own magic through my fingers. Thick, thin, slubby, silky, natural.
The colours, even if they aren't the ones that I would choose for myself. Muted, bright, rich, tweedy, variegated.
When a swatch is blocking, I love the smell of wet wool. I love knowing that this square will be The Key. That even though math was never my best or favourite subject, that the numbers that swatch holds will never lead me astray.
I really love the way one stitch joins with the one beside it and below it, creating a fabric with its own magic.
And I will always enjoy the simple pleasures of basic stitches - garter, stockinette, and ribbing.

Ahhhhh, I can't help it.

Here is the simple thing I've done so far today.


And then I did the Shaping Plan.


Keeps me on the straight and narrow ;)

Petey has been mopey today. Not poorly, but just going and laying in the small crate rather than laying at my feet. He's 11 months old, maybe he's a moody teenager??
Chica has been obsessed with her ball. She will play with it all day. And by "she will", I mean that as long as I toss it, she'll bring it back. And it's not like I have a lot of choice. She brings it and if I'm not fast enough for her, she'll nose it, then look up at me.





This'll happen a few times then there will be the yipping. I think that she may die of neglect and boredom when I go back to work!!

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A Tale of Four Swatches

The Naushon wrap is done.





The colourway was very popular at work and I thoroughly enjoyed working with the yarn. My row tension is tight no matter what so I had to do a few extra repeats to get the length, but I had enough yarn.

What better way to spend my vacation than a deadline!!
It has been a challenge getting gauge.








As you all know, I am a tight knitter, makes for better stitch definition, that's what I tell myself but a needle change and sorted. I actually had to go down 2 needles sizes to get this one!! I had a hankering for a burger the other night but wasn't minded to make one, so it was off to my local. my beverage of choice had nought to do with my loose knitting ways ;)
But they say that the exception proves the rule, and it's full speed ahead now.

Speaking of cooking, I *did* feel like chicken Alfredo last night. I generally but Classico but decided to do it from scratch.
Apparently when Ree says "freshly grated parm", pre-shaved parm is not an adequate substitute in this application. It was WAY salty and didn't melt and blend completely. Decidedly *not* photo worthy. O_o
But lesson learned; I will be trying again.

Yesterday was National Dog Day. Every day around here is Dog Day - LOL - but the puppies were as adorable as ever.





They love peanut butter in their little Kongs, and watching them work so hard to get the last bit of flavour out is amusing.

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Comfort Knitting

A much easier day today. I fended off an early migraine with a Rx and a wee nap.
The day was beautiful and I sat out and knit for a bit in the sun.



I couldn't stand the intensity of it for long but it was lovely while I lasted.

The ease and peace of stockinette continues with Shelter.


It is a pleasure to knit with; easy on the hands, sliding lightly through my fingers and around the needles and the fabric promises lasting warmth.

I had enjoyed this cherry wine


so very much that I purchased it's peach cousin.


I couldn't believe how much I disliked it, even the scent of it!!! Though Lee declared that this was indeed peach wine, I couldn't detect any of the luscious sweetness that I associate with ripe peaches.


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