Hello Seattle

I was up early this morning as we came into Seattle. I’m sitting on deck waiting for us to leave. While waiting I’m writing my post from my phone. Not the most efficient but I have so many pictures to share. So many I’ll share more tomorrow. 

I was off the ship at 8 and into a cab to the market. It is phenomenal. 

This is the stall where they throw fish. I tried uploading a video. I’ll try again tomorrow. 

At this point of my post my phone was cooperating so I went for a nap. Now I’m at dinner. 

From the market I went to the original Starbucks. There was a line that took about 20 minutes but I had to wait for my mug. I have quite a collection and this one was essential. 

From the market I went to the Chihuly Gardens. There are too many pictures to share tonight. Dinner should be here soon. 

Tomorrow morning we are in Victoria and I’m going whale watching. Hopefully more great photos. 

Hedgehog Fibres

Before I left I placed our next order with Hedgehog Fibres. There are new colours and we should see them sometime in July. We will also have a restock of existing colours.

Andrea Mowry’s Find Your Fade shawl is still one her most popular patterns. One of the colours in the shawl has been discontinued but Hedgehog is going to dye it for us. Kits will be available sometime in July.

Photos © Andrea Mowry

I was waiting to go into dinner last night and was looking out one of the picture windows. We saw more whales. Orcas this time and lots of them. We also had dolphins. It was so amazing. 

Today was another sea day. I spent a lot of time on deck 5 sitting outside looking for whales. Unfortunately I didn’t see any. It was cold out. 11C with winds of 20km - 30km.

There was a bit of knitting time. 

I’m in the room for a few minutes before dinner. Then it will be bedtime. I didn’t have a nap today and tomorrow we are going to Seattle. I have a busy day planned. The market in the morning and then I’m going to the Chihuly Gardens. Dale Chihuly does glass blowing - I’ve shown his work that is displayed on the ceiling of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. I can’t wait.

Now a few more rows on my shawl before heading to dinner. I’ll have lots of pictures tomorrow.

Worth the price of the trip

I had a great relaxing day. There was a bit of knitting. A couple short naps and great food. I had lunch at the Italian restaurant which has windows along one wall overlooking the ocean. I wasn’t against the window but close. All of a sudden the man at the next table said that he saw whales. Everyone ran. We could see the tails of different whales and then a Humpback whale breached. Totally out of the water. I didn’t get a picture but the image is etched in my brain. It was amazing. I’ve seen many Orcas but never a Humpback. I told Beth that it was worth the price of the trip.

I knit in a few different places around the ship today. The second colours have been added.

Our weather could be nicer. It’s chilly 14C with 20km winds and 7 feet swells. The ship is rocking a bit. Thankfully I packed a few turtle necks because it’s going to be colder tomorrow.

TV and some knitting.

I’m on a very old, small ship. Not what I’m used to but I’m not here for the ship - it’s the trip.

I’ve shown pictures of the Royal Promenade on other ships. We have a Centrum. In the morning they do an exercise class in and around the pool. It was too cold and windy so they moved it to the Centrum. It was a sight to see. Young and old, men and women all dancing away.

The main floor is on deck 4. Then you can look down from decks 5 to 10. People were on every deck following along.

My room. It’s the first time without a balcony since my first cruise over 30 years ago. The room is comfortable and I’m doing okay without the balcony.

Boscoe had his hair cut yesterday. He’s ready for the cottage. 

I’m in the room for a few more minutes to watch the end of the hockey game. Then dinner. Tomorrow is another sea day so I hope to knit more. I will be sitting outside bundled up looking for more whales.

Space Tank

This is the Space Tank by Heidi Kirrmaier - pattern purchased on Ravelry.

Design:
This design is simple in appearance, but features neatly placed increases on the front and back, and decreases on the shoulders, which make it a little bit different than your basic tank top!

Fit:
Measurements shown above are the circumference of the finished top. I suggest you choose a size that measures approximately ½ - 3 inches more than your actual full chest measurement. 

How it’s Knit:
It is knit from the top down, in one piece. You begin with a provisional cast on, and then a little yoke is knit in the round with increases and decreases, before you divide it into shoulder, front, and back sections. After the back and front pieces are knit flat, the body is knit in the round. At the end, the neckline and armholes are finished with i-cords.

The pattern includes links to videos that show several of the techniques, just in case that is something you find helpful.

The tank is knit in DK weight yarn so you have lots of options. You can use a plant based yarn for a summer tank or wool fibres to make a vest.

• BC Garn Allino
• Rowan Creative Linen
• Rowan Summer Lite DK
• Rowan Felted Tweed
• The Fibre Co Arranmore Light

Atenti Bags

Just before I left I placed an order for Atenti bags. We have the following Hope Baskets and Caddies coming which are brand new fabrics. My guess is 6 weeks but they could be here sooner. There will also be a restock on older fabrics.

I wrote posts for this week before I left. They are all knitting related. I will try and write while I’m away but sometimes it doesn’t work out. The day gets away from me. My dad told me that I have to send them pictures every day to show how much knitting I have accomplished. He is becoming a drill sergeant. 

I forgot to set this post to publish so I’m going to add to it. I flew into LA this afternoon and I’m in my hotel room in Long Beach. I’m staying at the same hotel we would stay at when we came here for TNNA. It brings back great memories.

I can see the Queen Mary from my hotel room.

I knit a bit on the plane. I was so tired that there was some napping. I’m almost finished the first two skeins of this Inclination Shawl. I started this on the train and didn’t get very far.

Tomorrow I get on a ship that is heading up to Vancouver for the Alaskan cruise season. On Sunday I will fly from Vancouver into Hamilton. Dad and I did this flight and it so convenient. I can call Beth when I have my suitcase and she is at the terminal within 5 minutes.

It is almost 8pm on the west coast and I’m crawling into bed. I love to fly but today’s flight seemed to take forever and I’m exhausted.