Happy New Year

I wrote this post on Monday but didn't post it.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I haven't touched my needles in a week. It has been busy visiting people and then relaxing. Sometimes I need a break from my knitting and then I will go crazy with non-stop knitting.

I am sitting in the store writing this wearing my new Patrick. Wannietta worked like crazy and got it done. I am so happy-more old one is not doing well. There are holes in the sleeve seams but I am not parting with it!!! Since she was driving down, Amanda asked if they could work. The two of them spent all morning winding skeins of Dream in Color Classy for the Tulip cardigan.

Have a happy new year !!
It is now Tuesday evening
Last night I started a new project-Rocketry from Dream in Color. I don't have pictures yet but mine is pinks and greens. I have the body done, neck border done and I am working down the first sleeve.

Beth gave me a Slingbox for Christmas. This is the coolest thing that you hook up to your tv. I can now watch our home tv on my computer at work. I also have it on Beth's computer so she can watch at work as well. Since I was downloading I also put it on my mac. Now I can being doing work and watch tv at the same time. Life is great!!! A word of caution-it wasn't as easy to set up as they say. If you don't have someone who is technically inclined then pay someone to set it up for you. We had a friend do it-I would have thrown it across the room.

Merry Christmas

Here is an updated picture of my Leaf Poncho Jacket. I am into the second skein of yarn. The knitting is going faster than I thought it would. I am really enjoying knitting with the Tahki Donegal Tweed-it is much softer when knit.

Mom and dad are safely in Myrtle Beach. We just talked to them and it is 75 and they came home from church with the top down on the car (a PT Cruiser that stays in Myrtle Beach). We did family Christmas on Wednesday night and although it was stated no presents it took over an hour to open everything.

I want to say Thank You to Nori for the beautiful box of chocolates. Cathy and Sarah-thank you for the beautiful gifts.

There is a box of Dream in Color Classy on the way to us. I thought it would be delivered on Friday-maybe on Monday. I will be making more kits of the Tulip Cardigan in different colourways over the next few weeks. There will definitely be some done for little boys with no pink. I am also going to have my knitter make a sample for the store in a larger size to see how much yarn it takes. (Rhonda are you free?)

I don't think I will be doing a post again before Christmas. Work tomorrow morning, drinks at Rousseau House and then dinner at our friends.

I hope all of you have a safe and Merry Christmas.

Finally some knitting to report

Here is the start of my Leaf Poncho Jacket. Now that the border is done and I don't have to keep track of rows the knitting is going much faster.

I love the colour of purple and the flecks are great. This picture is close to the actual colour of yarn-that doesn't happen very often.
Roko and Melo are playing together at the warehouse. They love to fight and roll around in the snow. Melo doesn't need to be on a leash because he will come when called but the same can't be said for Roko. We aren't sure that Roko knows his name yet-or he thinks it is NoRoko.
This is Roko digging in the snow.

Last night my best friend from university came for dinner with her husband and two boys (aged 9 and 7). The dogs were so tired when the boys left and just wanted to sleep. They were up the stairs, down the stairs and running around the basement.

Tonight mom and dad are coming over to do Christmas. For a family that says no Christmas gifts there are a lot under the tree. They are off to Myrtle Beach on Friday morning-much better weather there than here!!

I had to stop writing for a bit because customers came in. Maria brought me a tin of homemade cookies-thank you very much. My idea of baking cookies is cutting up the store bought cookie dough and placing it on a baking sheet so homemade ones are always a treat!!

Central Park Hoodie

This is the Central Park Hoodie from Knitscene Fall 2006. You can purchase the pattern online (which I did today). My knitter Lynda will be making for me-I just started a sweater and need to stop myself from starting something else. I will decide tomorrow what colour to have it knit in. I know it will be done in Tahki Donegal Tweed.

I just got a letter in the mail from Dream in Color. There will be eight new colours coming in the new year (brights). There will also be a new yarn called Baby which is a lace weight yarn (700 yards on a 4oz skein). Included were pictures of some new patterns-a great lace shawl as well as an adults version of the Tulip jacket. I will be going through our stock tomorrow and doing an order-it usually takes about eight weeks to receive the yarn.

A shipment of shawl pins from Moving Mud arrived while I was away. There are some great new colours!!

People have been asking what the store hours will be over the holidays. December 24th 10-1. Closed the 25th and 26th. Back to normal on the 27th. December 31st 10-3. Closed January 1st. Reopen on January 2nd.

Gotta run. There are Christmas presents to be wrapped.

Canada is Cold!!

We just returned home from Vegas. The plane landed at 7:30 and I am at work. It could be an interesting day working with no sleep. Sarah was supposed to come in but the roads weren't good on the way home from Toronto with lots of snow falling. Of course, there is nothing yet in Ancaster.

The weather in Vegas was around 50F during the day and 38F at night. Everyone there was complaining but it was balmy for us.

The trip was great. We accomplished nothing but were busy for the whole time.
-We rented a car for two days and did some touring around

-We went to see Love again on Thursday night. The first time we saw the show we were in the second row (section 104). This time we were the fourth row from the back (section 304). Click to see the theatre set up.

-I did some damage at Nordstroms buying 3 pairs of shoes and a pair of boots. I love the shoes that Paul Green makes. I haven't found them in Canada but Nordstroms carries a great selection!!

-We both came home with roughly the same amount of cash that we took. The craps table was very good to both of us.

-I didn't take any knitting with me. I never have time while there to knit so it would have just taken room in the suitcase and we needed all the room coming home. Beth's suitcase weighed 56 lbs and we were going to be charged $50 because it was over weight. She pulled out some stuff (2 pairs of jeans, pair of boots and some books) and got it down to exactly 50lbs. Her knapsack weighed almost that much when it was filled.

It is now Sunday night. I started the post at work yesterday but the store was really busy so I never got to finish it. After work Beth and I went to Jane's for dinner. For those who don't know Jane, she works in the store on Mondays and when I am away. She is also known as Mom #3. We celebrate holidays with her family (husband Bob and two sons Gavin and Peter.) It is always an evening of laughs at the Lowe house. Thankfully the snow didn't start until after we got home. Beth had to drive because I couldn't keep my eyes open.

We woke up this morning to lots of snow. I need to think about bringing some winter clothes to the new house. I don't have boots or a coat or gloves or a scarf. Maybe tomorrow.

How about the Survivor finale? Amanda thought she was all good for winning!!

Off to bed now. I napped twice today but am still far behind in the sleep category!!

Vegas here we come

I finished sewing together my Hip to be Square yesterday afternoon. The picture is really bad but I wanted to brag about finishing another project. I will take better pictures at home where the lighting is brighter. The last time I took my picture like this I was criticized for not smiling-I have to concentrate on keeping my hand still so the picture doesn't come out fuzzy.


This is the Leaf Poncho jacket from Simply Shetland 4. It is designed by Nicky Epstein-the flower closures give her away. I am knitting it out of Tahki Donegal Tweed-colour 853 purple. I will be changing the sleeves-I think they are much too narrow. I also might do them in the pattern from the body with the scallops at the wrists. The side seams are not sewn up either but I will sew them and make it a jacket.

Beth and I are off to Vegas early Sunday morning. We are staying at the Mirage. It is one of our favourite hotels but we haven't stayed there in years. No shows are planned for this trip-it is for relaxing. HA! Who am I kidding-no one relaxes in Vegas!!

Long Post

The past week has been a bit crazy (I say that a lot). There are lots of pictures today.

Store
A limited number of colours of Cascade 220 have arrived. We will be adding more as the supplier receives them.

Knitting
I have a FO. Holly knit out of Noro Transitions. This was started over a year ago and I pulled it out last week. Super easy to knit. I think it took longer to put it together. Don't forget about the price of Transitions dropping by $5 a skein.
My Hip to be Square jacket could be done tomorrow. I just have one sleeve to sew in and the collar to finish.

House

This is our new pet. He is made out of leather and we got him at the One of a Kind Craft Show. A few years ago I bought my mom a bull dog and almost stole him when we moved into the house. Now we have our own footstool and he matches the furniture.
There were many more purchases but many are Christmas presents. It took two trips to the car!!

This is the glass bowl that was blown for us. The colours are phenomenal.


Dogs

This is Melo's favourite position-sleeping on my bed.


Sunday we had lots of snow and the dogs wanted to run and run all day.

Picking up old projects

Sorry for not writing-life has been busy.

I decided we needed a Christmas tree in the house. After looking and seeing that new trees aren't cheap, I dug out my old tree that has been in storage for 15 years. Of course I wanted new decorations-talk about not being cheap. After 2 trips to Pier 1 (and another one coming tonight) I should have the tree looking good. I will post pictures tomorrow.

A year ago I started Holly by Jane Ellison-knit in Noro Transitions. I picked it up again this week and am just finishing the last sleeve.


I have started to sew together my Hip to be Square jacket. I hate sewing but am forcing myself to do it. With two projects almost done I need to start thinking about the next one to start!!

Monkey

Yes, this is a sock-and I knit it. I used Prism's Saki (Thunderclap) and knit the Monkey pattern from Knitty. The pattern is easy to follow-I left out the purls and made them all knits. I knit the socks on 2.5mm needles and should have used 2.75mm-these are a little on the tight side.

Wannietta, before you ask, I used 5 double pointed needles.

Happy American Thanksgiving. I get to watch football all afternoon-all I need is for someone to cook me a turkey dinner!!

Dining Room Table

Mike (M & M Tables in Stoney Creek) brought our table tonight after work. It is freaking fabulous!! The table sits on pedestals that we had to attach in the house-it wasn't coming through the door with them on. We had a hard time deciding on the colour of the seats and we got it perfect. They are almost the same colour as our couch (a light duck egg blue colour). Eight chairs are made and there is fabric for four more. We are going to have two more chairs made and then have some fabric in case of an accident.
The center piece is from Mom-she brought it home from South Carolina. Tomorrow afternoon we are going to look at the glass bowl that is being made for the center of the table. Paull is behind and has two in the works-he wants us to choose which colour will work best for us.
Thursday night Beth and I are off to the One of a Kind Craft Show. That could be deadly!! If the show is good I will take Mom back on Monday.
My dad called us from Honduras earlier this evening. All is well. They are staying in a hotel this time-normally they stay with families. When Beth went with my dad, they also stayed in a hotel. She said it was about 1/2 a star-more like a jail than a hotel. I am no longer allowed to complain when we stay in a hotel.

I didn't get much knitting done today-maybe tomorrow.

A bit of everything

Knitting
I am almost finished my Hip to be Square jacket-I hope to get the second sleeve done today. There is a mystery project in the works and I might have some pictures by the end of the week.

Ravelry
I am trying to limit my time looking around. There is a lot to see but it cuts into knitting time!! The other issue is that I keep finding projects that I like-I don't have time for these!!!

Store
I just unpacked a large shipment of Smooshy sock yarn from Dream in Color. It is spread out in a large basket and the colours look amazing.
Perl Grey shawl pins are made in Nova Scotia and we just received another shipment.
I just talked with Berroco and there are at least 6 new colours of Peruvia leaving their warehouse this afternoon for us. The spring Berroco was ordered last week-amazing. You will love the new Norah Gaughan magazine.

Home life
My dad left for Honduras yesterday. The group travel to the airport together so we only had to take him to Dundas to meet everyone. They met at 2am and the weather was very cold-unfortunately all my winter clothes are still in the apartment. Dad called from Houston that they made it there okay and we received an email last night that they made it safely to Honduras.
I went shopping yesterday and bought myself a present-the new iPod Touch. It is like the iPhone without the phone. It has Wi-Fi so I can get my emails while travelling. It means finding a hot spot but I should be able to do that. My songs are all downloaded-that took about 5 minutes last night-it is very, very fast. It also holds my date book and contacts.
We are having artificial grass put in our back yard at the townhouse this week. One of the dogs (Roko) loves to dig holes in the yard and it is currently a muddy mess. It looks like grass without the fuss.

Felt Christmas Stocking

I knit these up last year. Here is the pattern. The blue stocking has been felted and the brown one hasn't been felted yet.


Materials
3 balls Noro Kureyon
7mm double pointed needles
If you wish, you can knit the stocking on a 7mm circular 40cm long but you will still need the double points.
3 stitch markers-2 in one colour and 1 a different colour (use this one to mark the start of the row)

Abbreviations:
K-knit
P-purl
Tog-together
Ssk-slip one stitch as if to knit, slip one stitch as if to purl, slip the tip of the left needle through the front of these 2 stitches and knit them
Sl-slip the stitch from the left needle to the right needle as if to knit

Cast on 64 stitches loosely. Join into a round (be careful not to twist the stitches. This will have to be checked before and after the first round.) Place the marker to mark the start of your row on the needle. Work in stocking stitch (knit every row) until it measures 15" long.

Divide for heel
Knit 16 stitches past your marker. Turn your work. You will be working on 32 stitches back and forth for the heel. You can do this on the circular needle or on 2 of the double pointed needles if you are more comfortable with it this way.

Row 1: slip 1 and purl to the end.
Row 2: slip 1 and knit to end.

Work a total of 24 rows for the heel.

Row 1: sl 1, p20, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 2: sl 1, k11, ssk, k1, turn
Row 3: sl 1, p12, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 4: sl 1, k13, ssk, k1, turn
Row 5: sl 1, p14, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 6: sl 1, k15, ssk, k1, turn
Row 7: sl 1, p16, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 8: sl 1, k17, ssk, k1, turn
Row 9: sl 1, p18, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 10: sl 1, k19, ssk , k1

The heel is now turned and there are 22 stitches on the heel needle. You will now be working in rounds again.

Pick up and knit 12 stitches along heel edge and place a different coloured marker. Knit across the 32 stitches that weren't used for the heel and place a marker. Pick up knit 12 stitches along the heel edge. Knit across 11 stitches and place your beginning of the row marker. You should have 78 stitches on your needle.
Knit one row.

Row 1: Knit to the 3 stitches before the first marker that is not the start of your row, K2tog, K1. Knit to the next marker, k1, ssk, knit to the end.
Row 2: Knit
Repeat these 2 rows 5 times (a total of 10 rows worked).
Then repeat row 1 until you have 64 stitches left on your needle.

Knit every row for 20 rows.

Shape toe
Row 1: Slip marker that marks beginning of your row, *Knit to three stitches before first marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk.* Repeat from * to *. You will now be at the beginning of row.
Row 2: knit

During these decreases you will have to change to double pointed needles. Repeat these 2 rows 5 times. Total of 10 rows marked. Now Repeat Row 1 until 12 stitches left on needle.

Cut the yarn leaving a long tail. With a sewing needle thread the tail through the remaining stitches and pull tight. Sew the tail in on the inside of the stocking. Sew in the rest of your ends.

For the loop to hang the stocking from you will make an I-Cord.
How to make an I-Cord
With double pointed needles, cast on 4 stitches with double strand of yarn. Knit all the stitches. Switch needles in your hands, so the needle with the stitches is in your left hand again. Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle and pulling the yarn across the back of the stitches knit the row again. Continue this way, sliding and knitting, until the cord is the length you wish. Give the cord a tug to make the little carry across the back disappear. Work in I-cord for 22 rows. Cast off the stitches and sew in the ends.

To Felt
Set your washer to a small load on hot wash and cold rinse (you're not going to use the rinse cycle though). Add a teaspoon or two of clear dish detergent or laundry soap. Many reference books recommend a detergent made for washing wool that does not require rinsing. Place the knitted tote into a clean zippered pillow protector (to protect your washer's pump from excess fibers) and add it to the washer. Throw in a pair of old jeans or two or three tennis balls (to increase agitation, close the lid. Wait about 5 minutes.
Pull the pillow protector from the washer, open the zipper and check on the size of your item. If it's too large, zip up and toss it back in the washer for a few more minutes. Keep checking often until the yarn looks matted like felt. If you need more time, turn the timer back to the start. Remove it from the washer (don't let it go through the spin or rinse cycles). Rinse it in cold water (that will set the felt even more firmly) until no suds is left (the rinse-free detergent eliminates the need for this step). Lay out to dry (lay in between towels to go faster). Sew on I-Cord at top for hook.


Julie Schilthuis
The Needle Emporium

Cherry Garcia

Cherry Garcia-what a great name. This neck warmer took 1 skein of Noro Iro, 8mm 40cm circular needles and one day to make.

25% off all Rowan Yarns

Happy 44th anniversary Mom and Dad!! I don' t know who deserves to be congratulated more.

With the jump of the Canadian dollar, we are reducing the prices of some yarns to stay competitive. We don't know how long these reduced prices will last-it will depend on the market. Long conversations took place before we decided to do this. For some yarns there is a percentage off, for others there is a set dollar amount decrease. For other products like Addi Turbo needles, we are charging you based on the price that we paid when the shipment came in. The shipment that came in yesterday is cheaper than the one from a month ago. There is no easy way to do this. Please remember that a lot of our inventory was bought at least 6 months ago, if not longer when the dollar wasn't nearly as strong.

All in stock Rowan yarns are now 25% off. To find out about other yarns that are being reduced, please sign up to receive our newsletter (sign up box in top left corner of this page-just enter your email address.)

I have made some knitting progress. One and a half sleeves are completed on my Hip to be Square. Maybe this weekend it will finally be done!

If you are looking for shawl pins, we received a large shipment of the wooden ones that are made in BC. There are some amazing colours!!

Scarves are still cool

Around the knitting industry I hear people saying that scarves are out. I just received catalogues in the mail from Eddie Bauer and L.L. Bean. Both catalogues have knit scarves for sale and customers are still coming in and asking to see the latest in scarves as well.

I started this scarf on Thursday and Sarah finished it on Saturday. It is using a new yarn from Trendsetter called Minestrone (colour 8). We used the Multi-Directional scarf pattern to show off the three different yarns that are combined in each ball.

We just received a shipment of yarn from Blue Sky Alpacas. I added more colours of Bulky Hand Dyes and Duotones. I wanted to see what the Suri Merino was like so I ordered two colours-it is amazing and more will be ordered.

Have you signed up for Ravelry yet? I would highly suggest it. After showing Sarah around the site on Saturday she went home and joined. The only problem is that you have to limit your time looking around or you will never get any knitting done!!

Knitting Progress

I finished Fetching on Saturday morning. Sarah is modelling them for me. These fingerless gloves are very easy to make-great if you want to learn a cable. I used Alpaca with a Twist Highlander-one skein is more than enough.

I also worked on my Hip to be Square jacket. One sleeve is almost done but I ran out of yarn. In the old days I could run downstairs and get what I need.

Gone Stitchin' 2008

I should really make notes before I start doing an entry. I totally forgot about this when I was writing earlier

Our instructors are set for 2008. Fiona Ellis will be joining us along with Barry Klein. The dates have changed from previous years-we are now meeting from October 2-5, 2008.

If you want more information, send me an email and I will add you to our newsletter list.

I am back

Apparently someone was writing posts for me this week. I read talk about knitting socks. That person has left and I am back. Wannietta, if I was going to hypothetically knit a pair of socks it would be on 5 needles.

We have a great yarn in the store called Highlander (an alpaca and wool blend) from Alpaca with a Twist. I wanted to try a ball without knitting a whole sweater so I am knitting Fetching-fingerless gloves. You can download the pattern for free on Knitty. These are very easy to knit. I started Wednesday-one is finished and I am halfway through the second.

Gotta run-need to get knitting. I just wanted to let you all know that I am back and talk of socks will stop for a couple of days (I have picked out the pattern that I would use)

Socks

The Prism sock yarn, Saki, is absolutely beautiful. I am very close to winding a skein and knitting a pair of socks!!! Wannietta and Rhonda have now fallen off their chairs.

I am working on both sleeves of my Hip to be Square jacket-maybe this weekend.

It is finally sweater weather in Southern Ontario. There were snowflakes flying around this morning.

I didn't make it to the guild meeting last night-can't wait to hear how Maureen Mason-Jamieson was. Fiona Ellis is going to be at the next meeting.

This is very short and to the point. I have some surprise knitting happening right now and want to get it done.

Cleaning, Mom and Ravelry

I am in the middle of cleaning my house-YUCK. We are going to dinner with friends tonight and then they are coming back to see the house. I haven't vacuumed in 15 years and now I know why.

My mom and dad are in Myrtle Beach and will be coming home tomorrow. My mom has had dial up for her internet and today finally got wireless. She would have to phone us and say she was going onto the internet because then the phone would be busy for hours. My dad is totally computer illiterate-he refers to the computer as 'the machine'. This will make him happy that the phone won't be tied up for 'the machine'.

I played around on Ravelry over the weekend. I connected with lots of people that I know and now they are in my 'Friends' box. You can join Ravelry even if you don't have a blog and I highly suggest it. There are places to keep track of your projects (finished, started and stashed), your books, needles and there are lots of discussion groups. If you are having problems you can post it and get many answers immediately.

Jane called me from the store that we received some boxes in the mail. One is from Prism which contains some of their new sock yarn called Saki. These are the colours that came-I can't wait to see them in person.







The other box is from Berroco-no new yarns but refills for the shelves.

How about the Amazing Race last night? The team that Beth picked to win were eliminated on the first show!!


It's time to finish cleaning!!

Cathy strikes again

Cathy worked in the store yesterday and today. WOW!! It is very tidy. We straightened up the double knitting and worsted weight yarns.

In the store there is a book shelf and the top rack on one side is binders full of leaflets. These binders have a mind of their own-they have been known to fall off the shelf near customer's heads. I took the leaflets out of at least half the binders and put them in baskets around the store. We now have a basket of just men's patterns!!

Last night I went to the Potters Guild of Hamilton and Region Fall Sale. Bad move!!! I came home with four pieces. The first piece doesn't count. Hundreds of bowls were for sale at $20.00 each. All proceeds go to Hamilton Food Share. Last Fall Sale thanks to our customers , $15,000 was raised for Hamilton Food Share. $1 raised generates $10 worth of food.
I can see the pieces on the counter and there is technically 5 pieces. I bought (all from one potter) a cream and sugar as well as two serving plates. They are a deep red/brown with accents of turquoise and lime. One of my students, Maggi, was there and she called them eclectic.

I'm off to watch the hockey game and knit. GO HABS!!!

I'm In!!!

My Ravelry invite came today. I tried to think of a clever name but decided for something that people can remember.

AncasterJulie

Gotta run-I'm having fun playing.

Friday morning

I am sitting in the kitchen eating my breakfast (toast and jam-Smuckers Raspberry with real fruit-I am extremely picky) doing some work. I love having a network set up in the house so I can take my laptop anywhere. It came home with me last night because I am having problems sleeping. I might as well get something accomplished! Of course my head hit the pillow and I woke up to a dog on me at 7am. Our house is very cold-no one turned the heat on. Luckily we have a fireplace. Beth did not want a fireplace-said we wouldn't use it. We have probably had it on 10 times since we moved it.

The store doesn't open until noon on Friday which gives me a bit of time to do some work. I am in the middle of writing three different email newsletters as well as a print newsletter.

Survivor was priceless last night when Jamie pulled out the 'immunity idol' which really wasn't.

At least I can wear a sweater to work today!!

Nadine

All I was thinking about this morning was the pumpkins and forgot a few things.

Nadine-can you give me a call? I left a message on your blog. Nadine has been a customer of mine for many years but we have only met once. I get these frantic phone calls from Montreal that she needs yarn!! I sometimes mail them and sometimes her mom picks them up. Last week I got a nice surprise in the mail-a get well card from Nadine. Thank you very much.
She is moving in less than two weeks to San Francisco. I love the city-maybe I can deliver yarn to her!!

Today's Ravelry
385 people are ahead of you in line
I guess I need to find a name for myself. It appears the invite might be coming soon.

Halloween

It was an unhappy Halloween at our house. We only saw 8 kids!! There was enough candy for about 100 so each kid got quite a lot. We did have good looking pumpkins!! Beth carved another one on Tuesday night.

Halloween

Here is the new pumpkin. Beth is going to try and carve another one tonight.

I did get a bit of knitting done over the weekend. This is one half of the back for my Hip to be Square jacket. The other back is about 1/2 done. The sleeves should take no time so maybe next week.
I did it-signed up for Ravelry.

You signed up on October 2, 2007
You are #38785 on the list.
3789 people are ahead of you in line.
10059 people are behind you in line.
71% of the list has been invited so far

I just opened up a box of books. kaffe knits again was in the box. I have been waiting for this book and it didn't disappoint.

I also opened another box that came from Fleece Artist. There were many new colours of the soft socks/mitts kits in th box.

Roko and Melo

Melo loves to pose for pictures. These were taken while Beth was carving the pumpkin. You can see behind Melo that the yard is in rough shape. The two dogs run laps around the yard and then Roko decides he needs to dig to China. We are hoping to put artificial grass in the back yard. It feels and looks like grass but the dogs can't rip it up like they did the sod. It is supposed to be very easy for cleaning up after the dogs as well.

Roko's frisbee has seen better days but those things are expensive. It is fabric because we don't want him chewing plastic.

Roko decided he needed to put his head in the pumpkin. It is food!!

It has been the day of boxes.

1. Dream in Color-Smooshy sock yarn
2. Namaste-Vintage and Jetsetter bags
3. Brown Sheep-Lamb's Pride Bulky
4. Cabin Fever-Top Down for Toddlers books

Pumpkin Carving 101

We will be getting kids for Halloween this year so Beth decided that we will need a pumpkin-but not any pumpkin will do. This has become quite an undertaking. After looking on the internet at patterns Beth set off for Michaels. She came home with patterns (on a cd) and pumpkin carving tools. First you must cut the top out of the pumpkin-of course the good steak knives are what she used. Then there is a special scooper for cleaning out the inside of the pumpkin. You print out the pattern and tape it on the pumpkin. Then you use this little tool to make holes outlining the pattern. The special knife is now used to cut out your markings.

All this work was done as a practice run for the real thing. She wanted to make sure she could do a simple pattern before trying the hard one!!!

I do have some knitting to report (but no pictures). After knitting 'Hip to be Square' I decided I would like it as a vest. I got the fronts and backs knit and hated it. I am using the fronts and re knitting the backs to make a jacket. I am part way through back one.

Who stole my swift?

It has been a crazy week trying to get arrangements made for Gone Stitchin' 2008. I will be sending out an email tonight to those who were on the retreat this year. Somehow the resort booked the weekend we wanted for a wedding. We could change weekends or change resorts. I started phoning other facilities and the price would have drastically increased for next year. After many emails back and forth between Ancaster, Toronto and New Zealand (Bev is away again) we have decided to move the weekend to October 2-5, 2008. This means that Sally Melville won't be with us this year but will be back for 2009. I am working on another teacher to compliment Barry Klein and will keep you informed.

I have at least two swifts in my store and one upstairs in the apartment. When I sat down to wind yarn on Wednesday I couldn't find any of them. Since it makes life much easier I had to open up a new one and set it up. Winding yarn for the Tulip cardigan took longer than I thought. I was trying to wind into a ball and measure at the same time (thanks Rhonda for the little tool that measures out yarn) but that wasn't going fast enough for me. I then rolled into a ball and then into mini-balls that were the correct length. It still wasn't quick but the first four kits are done. I will try and get more done next week.

I have spent the last two hours working on the website. Korey has lots of updates and additions to do this weekend.

Boy did I feel bad for Aaron on Survivor last night. It was a good strategy to get him out of the game but did they have to make it so obvious that they were throwing the challenge?

Cathy strikes again

Cathy and I did some major cleaning today. When you walked in the door of the store, there were skeins and skeins of Colinette yarns hanging. It was starting to look very messy so changes needed to be made. Boy, did we make changes. The skeins of Colinette have been cleaned up and they are now in baskets. This is the new display at the door.


On Your Toes DK is a new sock yarn. It is 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon with aloe added for extra softness. There are 10 ragg shades-great for men and women.

Beginner knitting is starting tonight. This is always a fun class because there are many tricks to teach them.

Glass Blowing

On Saturday, Beth and I went on the Beyond the Valley Tour. Local artists open their studios for people to see their work. I read about it in the newspaper and then went on the website. I fell in love with the glass sculptures by Paull Rodrigue. We spent over two hours at his studio because he was putting on an amazing demonstration. I almost bought one of these amazing works but we thought better of it. If it is on the table and the dogs were to knock the table, it might break-glass does that sometimes. Instead he is going to make us an amazing bowl for the dining room table.

Paull teaches glass blowing at the Dundas Valley School of Arts and also does classes in his studio. You go for a weekend and learn three different techniques-how much fun would that be?

My Naturally jacket is coming along. The body stitches are cast on-the rows are taking much longer now. There is yellow wool attached to the cast on. I started with a provisional cast on because I am still deciding how to finish off the cuffs.