The last wedge

I'm about to start the 22nd wedge - the last one. I am obsessed with this pattern. I will be picking colours tomorrow to start another Chevron Shenanigans.

Today was about shovelling, knitting and eating. Beth and I shovelled this morning. There was a lot to do because the plow came through over night and filled in the end of our driveway. Then we headed to dad's for breakfast. Dad's specialty - bacon and eggs. Dad has guests for the weekend - Aunt Clyde and Uncle Dick. We're not related but they have been friends with mom and dad since before I was born. We came home and I knit all afternoon then back to dad's for dinner. I'm writing while watching the end of the football game and then bed. We shovelled a lot of snow this weekend.

Snow Day

I was on my way to the store at 9 this morning. I got there and dad called around 9:45 to tell me that the roads were getting bad and to start my way home. I stayed in the store until 11 and then went home. I'm glad I didn't wait any longer. The roads were snowed covered and slippery and the wind was blowing like crazy. I had Beth's truck and drove home in 4x4.

This was the back deck at noon.

And the back deck at 5pm. Beth had to shovel it for the second time.

The snow is up to Roko's stomach. He dug around in the yard until he found a ball. He was so happy and wanted to play. All was good until Beth threw the ball and Roko couldn't find it. The two of them were digging in the snow until it was found. That ended the game.

Kim Hargreaves newest book Form should arrive later this week.

A collection of seasonless pieces with effortless ease and elegance, with understated cuts and subtle textures worked in cosy yarns, the garments offer both laidback comfort and style.

I have been knitting this afternoon and the 20th wedge is almost finished. It's time to start playing with colours for another one.

Rowan Felted Tweed

Marie Wallin's Bloomsbury is back in stock.

BLOOMSBURY is a collection of fairisle and stitch designs inspired by the life style and culture of the Bloomsbury group of artists and writers at the turn of the twentieth century. The 8 women's designs are knitted using Rowan Felted Tweed, one of Marie’s favourite yarns. 

We photographed this collection at ‘Stoneywell’ in rural Leicestershire - a beautiful Arts & Crafts house now owned by the National Trust.

Felted Tweed is a beautiful blend of 50% merino wool, 25% alpaca and 25% viscose.  The yarn has a beautiful tweed effect, perfect for fairisles, striping and other colour work and is the obvious choice for winter projects. The rustic colour palette makes this yarn a firm favourite, with shades ranging from cool, watery tones, to warming cherry red and fiery ginger.

We're getting ready for the snow. This is what The Weather Network was saying at 3:30pm.

Winter storm conditions expected Saturday.

Snow at times heavy is expected to develop early Saturday morning and taper off Saturday night.  

Although the storm system responsible will track well to the south of the Great Lakes, northeast winds off Lake Ontario will pick up extra moisture resulting in higher snowfall totals. The latest analysis continues to suggest snowfall accumulations of 15 to 25 cm. Snowfall amounts should be considerably less north of Hamilton and Burlington. 

In addition, strong northeast winds gusting to 60 km/h will generate widespread blowing snow and cold wind chill values near minus 20. Near zero visibility is likely at times.

Lynn is staying home tomorrow - she lives in St. Catherines. I should be able to open the store but it will depend on when the snow starts. If the weather starts to get bad in the afternoon then I will be closing the store early. Please call or visit our Facebook page before heading out if you are coming in the afternoon.

I have a few rows of knitting in me and then bed. I might need to do some shovelling before heading to work.

Slipper Socks

I made it to the 19th wedge. This is the first wedge using just colour D.
20th wedge - D
21st wedge D & E
22nd wedge E
Cast off with E.

I went to aircanada.com yesterday morning and it said the plane coming to Vegas was late leaving Toronto. At that point it was half an hour late. I assumed (not a good thing) that it was on the way. When I got to the airport I found out the plane was an hour and a half late. UGH! I sat by a huge window watching the planes landing and taking off. Lots of knitting time.

Churchmouse Yarns and Teas has a new pattern.

Chunky Slipper Socks - the pattern is free.

“Soft, sturdy, snuggly!”  

Slipper socks are one of our favorite quick knits. In a chunky yarn they’re even quicker—and cozier! The Chunky Slipper Socks, a free pattern reminiscent of our Turkish Bed Socks, have a few added, clever details. With a sturdy heel, a pretty slip-stitch edging around the ankle, and oodles of warmth and squish, we never want to take these slippers off our feet! 

We’ve knit our Chunky Slipper Socks in one of the cuddliest yarns on our shelves—Rowan Cocoon! This chunky-weight yarn is a softly spun blend of merino and mohair. Unlike most mohair yarns, Cocoon isn’t brushed to a fuzzy finish. This means the long mohair fibers twist smoothly alongside the merino for great structure, sturdiness, and softness!

We have a few balls of Cocoon in the store priced at $10 each.

We also have balls of Charly on sale at $4 each - you will need 3 for a pair of the Chunky Slipper Socks. Stock up and starting making gifts.

A few other yarn ideas
-tosh chunky
-Cascade Eco +
-Arranmore
-Rowan Brushed Fleece

It was great to sleep in my own bed last night. Unfortunately the sleep wasn't long enough. I'm going to finish my row, throw a load of clothes in the washing machine and head to bed.

Rainy Day in Vegas

This was the view from my window at 8am. Yuck! I had planned on doing some walking today. Probably not now.

And this was in the afternoon.

I ‘borrowed’ this picture from the Frabjous Fibers Instagram feed. The fabulous shawl is knit with one Blossom. We have great colours in stock and will let you know when this pattern is available.

I’m back in the room after touring for the afternoon and then dinner.

This was my dinner at Eataly. Prime Rib and roasted potatoes. I highly recommend eating at Eataly if you are in Vegas. The food is good. The staff are amazing. Everyone is friendly and very knowledgeable. If they can’t answer your questions they will find someone who can. 

The rain stopped this evening so I walked home. 

Oops - back to my hotel. Beth laughs because I say I’m home when I get back to the Mirage. It’s like home. I walk into Starbucks and they know my order. 

I have a few rows of knitting in me tonight before bed. I’m pretty much packed to come home. It’s great to get away for a few days but it’s always good to get home.

The Conservatory

I started out early this morning. It’s 5pm Vegas time and I just got back. 12km so far. My first stop was The Conservatory to see the decorations for Chinese New Year.

Then I traveled onto The Park to see Eataly.

The construction of Eataly has taken awhile and I was dying to see what it looked like inside.

This is the map hanging when you walk in from the strip. I walked around a few times and there were so many amazing options for lunch.

I chose a slice of pizza. It was very good.

Everything looked so good that I might head back for dinner (probably by cab at least one way - I’m tired). When you are standing on the Vegas Strip everything looks close. Until you start walking. Then you realize how far away it is.

Dad and Beth went to see a movie tonight. I’m waiting for them to get home so I can say hi to my dad (he is hard of hearing and my room is one of the quietest places in Vegas) and then I’ll head back out.

There hasn’t been any knitting so far today. Maybe after dinner.

Hello from Vegas

I had a great flight last night. Lots of knitting!

The 16th wedge is finished. Now I get to start fading in the fourth colour.

The view from my room is great. We had a sunny day today.





Vegas is getting ready for Chinese New Year. I went for a walk this afternoon through the Forum Shoppes and met this creature.

I will have a lot of pictures tomorrow after I visit The Conservatory.