Happy Birthday Beth

OK, it's not her birthday today (it's not until July) but she got her birthday present after work. She wanted golf clubs for Myrtle Beach. The irons that she has here were on sale at Golf Town. Ancaster didn't have them but Burlington did. We drove out after I closed the store and she has her irons. It was a very expensive trip. I have a new driver and a pair of shoes. Then I took her to Hero Burger for dinner.

While I'm writing the Paralympic Games are on. When we turned the TV on it was the 7.5km biathlon and then curling. Now we're watching sledge hockey. They must be in amazing shape. It is incredible how fast they can move up and down the ice. It really makes you think. My finger hurts and I complain. These athletes are sight impaired or missing a limb yet they compete at this level. Very inspiring.

Diana came in this morning to pick up some yarn to make a store sample and she was wearing something cool under her coat. I asked her about it and she pulled it off.

Framed (a free pattern on Ravelry) knit in Rowan Revive.

LOVE IT!!!

Framed is a sideways knitted kerchief-style shawl in the same spirit as the popular Baktus.

Panels of trellis lace are framed by strips of garter stitch, and the whole scarf is framed in I-cord, making clean, tailored edges.

Framed can be made with any weight yarn and in any size – it is very versatile and it’s all up to you!!

Framed is fully charted, using four charts that work logically through the pattern. There are also written instructions for each section.

Diana has loaned the shawl to us for a bit. She doesn't know that she might not get it back. Make sure you take a look when you come into the store. Did I mention that I love it??

Karma

Knit in a lovely tonal cotton, Kiribati is an easy knit featuring beautiful double yarn overs along one side.

Kiribati is knit in Karma.

Dyed in a range of softly shaded hues, the intriguing mesh construction of this machine washable cotton tape gives it an airy quality.

Download the pattern.... 

Karma is in the store and there are 2 new colours on the way.

3483

3488

Larisa from Offhand Designs sent some pictures of Kazul in action. There are some awesome features.

It's been one crazy day here. It started out good. Beth and I went to my parents and used their garage to lay out the booth for the Knitter's Frolic. It's looking good. On my way to the store I stopped at Tim's. Long story short - I was patiently waiting my turn in the drive thru line when a lady cut in front of me. Then it all went bad. The 403 is closed for an accident which means that all roads in and out of Ancaster are backed up. It's like a parking lot out there. Then a van broke down and parked in my driveway. Right at the bottom. Totally blocking it. It was there for almost two and a half hours. The good thing about the day is that the sun is shining!!

I'm home, had a cup of peppermint tea and now I'm going to knit. This should relax me after one crazy day.

Spring

The sun is shining which prompted us to redo all our mannequins with spring/summer garments.

It is very cheery and happy in the store. We pulled out the brightest mannequin clothes that we could find.

Most of us have a spring sweater hidden somewhere at home that didn't get finished last year. It's time to pull it out of the closet and get it finished for this summer.

I'm optimistic very optimistic that spring and summer are coming.

Okay, the poncho is not really spring/summer but it's nice and bright and cheerful.

Idol surprised me last night. I actually enjoyed the show. The performances were good and upbeat. No sappy love songs. I think that Harry woke up on the wrong side of the bed though. He wasn't happy with any one's performance.

The Colinette Arizona Dream throws moved as well. They are now at the front door and our friends are wearing them like shawls. They look great!

It's almost home time. The sun is still shining - I might need to wear my sunglasses on the drive.

Knitter's Frolic

This is my reminder that the Frolic is coming. And quickly. I need to start getting things in order. We will have a whole new booth this show. I'm going fabric shopping tonight. And a brand new yarn company with five different yarns. Samples need to be knit. Signs need to be printed. Handouts. Yikes.

Rowan has a free pattern for a scarf knit out of Pure Linen-one of the new yarns for spring.

Knit this accessory lace pattern striped scarf, a free pattern download designed by Lisa Richardson. Using Pure Linen, a wonderful yarn with a soft sheen and relaxed drape (linen), this scarf is made up using a section of every shade of yarn in the Pure Linen range.

Download the pattern...

I can't say that I love Rowan's colour choice but they wanted to show off all the colours in one scarf. I do love the stitch pattern though.

Take a look at this blog - Tina combined Silkystones and Pure Linen and ended up with a beautiful scarf. I really want it!

I was going to knit last night until I got upstairs and a 75lb Golden Retriever decided that he wanted to sit on my lap. He still wasn't feeling well. Beth took him back to the vet this morning and it is inflamed but not infected. He is on prednisone now. Our kitchen counter looks like a pharmacy with all his pills. And dog pills aren't cheap.

I'd like to say there will be knitting tonight. Hopefully Roko lets me. Survivor. I hope the brains got smarter this week. :) Idol. I hope the singing gets better. I thought we were going to have a good season but I've been disappointed so far. Criminal Minds. CSI. Busy evening.

Kazul

I shouldn't set knitting goals because I have a hard time meeting them. I said that I was going to finish my Bella Lino cardigan within a week. That has passed and I'm only this far on the first sleeve. UGGGG.

And it gets worse. I forgot my knitting in the store.

Audrey

Introducing the Kazul. It enters the market in March 2014 in a splendid array of treasured textiles inspired by the times and trends of Constantinople. The bag features a front pocket with a secret cellphone pocket behind the flap and a larger pocket for I-pad, magazine or pattern below! The bag opens up wide with a stay-put 16” x 11” doctor’s bag frame and another, deep pattern or I-pad pocket on the inside of the bag, as well as our traditional zipper pocket, pouches and pockets!  

Hippodrome

Ms. Canada Post brought the bags this morning. It was very exciting opening up the box. The big decision - which do I want?

Izmir

Theodora

Dimensions:  12.5"H x 17"W x 7"D

Closure Style:  16” doctor's frame, solid brass turn lock on a genuine leather flap

Handle Length:  22" double genuine leather straps, 45” detachable/adjustable shoulder strap

Handle Drop:  10.5”

Pockets:  Lining 3 pockets, 2 tool slots, 2 pouches and 1 zipper pocket

Textiles:  Shown here in a  floral jacquard with chenille accents

Hardware:  Solid brass hardware

Origin:  Handmade in Oakland, California

They waited for the last two minutes of The Blacklist to show me what I wanted to know. And they didn't really tell us anything. And it isn't on next week so we have to wait two weeks to find out what is going on. Come on! Work with us!

Now I need to go through my bedroom to find something to knit. Yes, there are many projects in there but what do I want to work on??

Coming soon

We have a shipment from Dream in Color arriving any day. There are new colours of Smooshy with Cashmere.

With its luscious blend of luxury fibers, Smooshy with Cashmere is opulence in a skein. The smooth, plied base, combined with our unique dyeing process, gives Smooshy with Cashmere its deep and lushly-shaded tones. And, 20% cash­mere makes this yarn divinely next-to-skin soft, while 10% nylon lends a durability that means Smooshy with Cashmere is equally at home in socks and open, airy lacework.

70% superwash merino, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon
4 oz. & 400 yds.
7.5 – 9 sts. inch
U.S. 0 to 2 needles

These are great for socks with pattern (think Cookie A. all over cables) or shawls (think Derecho by Laura Aylor - bootcamp, fern slipper, magic orchid-YUM)

I didn't get much done yesterday. Mr. Roko spent most of the day in my lap. He had surgery again. Not on his leg this time. The surgery was on his earflap - is that a word? He had a lump that they drained but it came back. They cut the flap to get out whatever was in there (I don't do well with blood so no one tells me too much) and then taped his earflap to his head. He didn't like it and then hairs got matted and were pulling. He was quite sucky all weekend and wanted to be with me. I'm much more sympathetic than Beth :) He's been to the vet and they cut away some of his hair so he isn't matted anymore. They also said he could have more pain pills to keep him from shaking his head. He'll probably be in my lap again tonight.

Nadine is teaching downstairs and I'm working on the computer - going between this post, updating the website and writing a newsletter. The ladies are being very loud down there. I thought that they were supposed to be learning but there is a lot of laughter :)

The Blacklist tonight. I can't wait after watching the coming attractions and then the commercials all week. It should be good.

Windswept

I made the podium. Thanks to the great folks of Ravelry for all their work on the Ravellenics.

Marie's first exclusive collection, Windswept is a celebration of traditional fairisle and cable patterning with a hint of crochet.  Containing 12 modern and classic fitting garments that are perfect to wear at home or on bracing country or seaside walks that look great styled with tartans and plaids.

The patterns in this book are awesome.

I just read about this book on Facebook (thanks Anne) but it's Saturday and I'm at home. I can't look on my price list to see when it will be available. I can't call my supplier to get answers. I'll try to have more information on Monday.

See all the patterns...

I totally forgot to mention Survivor. Beauty vs Brawn vs Brains. Brains?? I don't think so. They sure weren't very smart on Wednesday night. And the Beauty tribe looks very strong. They got fire right away. They're good in challenges. It is going to be an interesting season.