Way Back

I've gone back to 2012 for today's blog post. My shipments are still caught in Canada Customs so I don't have any new yarn to show. I haven't progressed in my knitting so I picked a project that I loved making.

Pattern: All the Shades of Truth (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 5 colours of Tosh Merino Light

I used onyx, charcoal, whiskers, rain water and night bloom.

I pulled it out of my closet for a close up picture.

A colorblocked stole inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. There is no intarsia - just picking up stitches from slipped stitch edges. A coloring page is included :) 

The day after I finished the sample shown, I read this passage in Game of Thrones: “Black and white and grey, all the shades of truth” and knew what the name needed to be. You’ll have to excuse the mash-up of Frank Lloyd Wright and George R. R. Martin. 

Laura Aylor, the designer, used great colours (or non colours) for her shawl.

Sara brought her All the Shades in progress for me to see (this is from 2014). It looks great in bright colours too.

Now it's time for Survivor. And the Leafs. And the Jays. Maybe some knitting too.

Fifty One Shades of Truth

Here it is. The project that I am going to have done before I leave for TNNA.

All the Shades of the Truth. I'm using the Fifty Shades of Grey colours of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. There are five skeins and each skein has ten shades of grey. The last shade is the solid grey for the borders. I'm calling it Fifty One Shades of Truth.

Laura Aylor is the designer. This is
her All the Shades of Truth. You can
purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

The pattern calls for five colours and I have six so I decided that I am going to use the colours in whatever order I want.

When I got home from work the dogs took me outside to play.

Mr. Melo has a new ball.

Mr. Roko lost his frisbee in a snow bank.

He was very happy when he found it.

I've been home for two hours and the knitting hasn't come out of the bag yet. That isn't going to cut it so I'm doing a short post and then get the needles out.

Happy New Year!!

Blocking

It's Thursday evening and I decided to lay the shawl out. I wrapped it in towels to get the extra moisture out. Then I laid a towel on the styrofoam and the shawl is lying on it. It is doubled over-I could have laid it out on two pieces but that would make it impossible to move.

What am I going to do when the bottom towel gets wet? I'm going to put a new towel on the other piece of styrofoam, put the pieces of styrofoam face to face and flip them over. Then the shawl will be lying on the dry towel. I hope this makes sense.

Two pieces of styrofoam are as tall as I am.

Dad took them from a job site. Not any job site-one that he is working on. :)

Currently on my bed. I guess it will lie on the floor tonight. I'm being really lazy and didn't get my blocking wires. I might regret it later but we're going to try without them.

It's now Friday afternoon. I moved the styrofoam to my bathtub last night. That was the only place I could fit it.

We have a new colour of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the store.

Introducing Dalia B.

Beth, the owner of Lorna's Laces, came to Knitting Camp in September to teach yarn dying. Everyone who took the class laid their yarn out on Saturday evening and the rest of us picked our favourite colour. Dalia B. was the winner. Beth dyed the colour specially for us and no one else in the world has this colourway.

I picked up Drop City today. One more section and then I'm going to start the decreasing. I left it at work because I have other knitting plans this evening.

Now it's time to head upstairs and find some knitting. There is a Rowan sweater on the back burner that I have been dreaming about. It's time to get it done. I believe the back and at least one sleeve are done. Lots of cables in chunky yarn. Perfect for this time of year. I don't know when I started the sweater but if I had to guess it would be 10 years ago. Seriously. Get the darn thing done!! I have the urge to knit so who knows how late I will be up tonight.

It's Almost Done

While Kim and I were making kits yesterday I was looking through the free patterns on www.knitrowan.com. I found a few that are very fitting for the cold weather that has arrived. I shouldn't be complaining though. I talked with Phyllis in the Yukon yesterday and it is -40 with the wind chill. -40. That is really cold.

Unisex Scarf

This unisex, cable scarf has been designed exclusively for Rowan's web site by Sarah Hatton, using Rowan Felted Tweed Aran

download the pattern... 

These Big Wool mittens were originally featured in Rowan's Bigger Picture collection and are now available to download.

download the pattern... 

One ball of Big Wool or Drift.
10mm needles.

Beth and mom headed to the airport last night and I stayed home with the dogs and knit. It's done!!! It's almost done!!! I just have to block it and sew in the ends. I'm going to block it first to make sure that the borders are lying flat. If they aren't I might need to take out the cast off and redo. Once I'm happy with those then I can sew in the ends.

Pattern: All the Shades of Truth (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: tosh merino light - 1 skein each of charcoal, onyx, night bloom, whiskers and rain water

I'm feeling a bit empty now that it is done. I really enjoyed making it. In my world garter stitch is very soothing. There is a shipment of tosh merino light coming in the next few weeks. You never know, there could be another colourway in the works.

I just received an email from a customer. Many knitters and crocheters ask me about labels (the kind you sew in the back of your sweater that says Made By or Made with Love or.....) and I don't know where to send them.

I just received my labels...they are lovely, customer service is excellent and very reasonable prices! Just wanted to pass along to my knitting friends.

I haven't ordered from this company and don't know anything about them but if you are looking for labels it might be worth checking them out.

Mountain Street Arts 

My dad just stopped by the store to bring me a tea. He looks tired but was in good spirits. Today was spent pouring concrete. At least in Canada the truck drives up with the concrete already mixed for you. He was heading back to the office and then home for a nap before tonight's football tonight.

I'm home and All the Shades is soaking in Soak. Unleash is the scent of choice tonight.

Dad dropped off many sheets of styrofoam in different sizes. I'm going to empty the water and roll in towels tonight. Tomorrow morning I will lay it out to dry.

Drop City is sitting on the counter looking at me so it's time to sign off and get knitting.

Who Knew?

I received an email this morning about Rowan Kidsilk Creation. There are new solid colours-007-012. Who knew?? I didn't. They are ordered and we should have them next week. Still lots of time to get a scarf made (knit or crochet) for Christmas. They take under an hour.

It doesn't look like it in the picture but 009 Wicked is Black.

I'm not sure that I ever had a picture of the Stripes colours so here they are.

The first side border is done and cast off. The black really sets off the colours.

My dad is in Honduras for his annual mission trip. He gets home on Wednesday night so on Thursday I am going to have him get me a large sheet of styrofoam for blocking. Right now I have half a sheet but that doesn't work well for a big shawl.

This picture is from two trips ago to Honduras. My dad is in the back (grey hair and grey t-shirt). The lady in front was just over 100 years old when this was taken. On Sunday dad called mom to say that they went back to her village for a visit. She is still living. She can't see but she knows my dad's voice. He brings her candies-Worthers-the good stuff. She refers to my dad as the young man. He likes that. Over 70 and being called young.

They are really enjoying this trip because they are up in the mountains. The weather isn't nearly as hot. In the morning they need a jacket and it reaches about 78 during the day. Other trips it has been over 100.

This is part of the group mixing cement by hand. It is for the floor of a home. The family is grateful that they don't have to worry about mud in the rainy season. The things we take for granted.

Beth just walked in the door from my mom's. She went to take their dog Tui for a walk. While she was there Dad called and all is going well. Two more sleeps. They are staying in a church hall. No beds. No air mattresses. Just a sheet on a dirt floor. He took a pillow case and is putting clothes in it to make a pillow. His suitcase was so full with tools and treats for the kids that there wasn't room for a real pillow.

Football tonight. I think that we are going to lose our Fantasy Football this week but we did make the playoffs. The Next Iron Chef is on as well. Hopefully I can get the other side of All the Shades of Truth picked up. It takes a long time to pick up 500 stitches.

Tosh Merino Light

Kim came to work on Saturday wearing a shawl she knit in merino light.

The pattern is in the book Folk Shawls from Cheryl Oberle and is called Simple Garter Stitch Prairie Shawl.

The colour is Ruby Slippers. Madelinetosh is dying us more of this colour and we hope to have it in about two weeks.

Kim likes it so much that she took three skeins in the colour worn denim to make it again. She said it is great to work on while watching TV. She also commented that it was very light to wear. I've created a merino light monster-when she comes to work she walks to the display and plays with the colours. What will she do in a few weeks when an order arrives with 18 colours of merino light?

This prompted me to pull All the Shades of Truth out of the bag and get it finished. Sometimes I need a kick in the pants to finish a project. :)

The first chore was taking out the cast off from one end and redo it. My edge was way too loose and wavy. Then I had to pick up over 500 stitches along one edge. Now I have 10 rows of garter stitch.

It's time to hit Publish and get to work. My hope is to get this side done tonight and the second side done tomorrow while I'm in the store. Then blocking and maybe I can be wearing it next week.

Forty-Nine

Happy Anniversary to my parents. 49 years. That is a really long time. :) Beth and I took them out for dinner and gave them their anniversary/Christmas gift. My mom really wanted a Bose sound system and I kept saying no. On Monday while I was at Yorkdale I went into the Bose store. Yes, I caved. They have the system now. We set it up after dinner and it does sound really good. They are happy so we are happy.

Kim came into work this morning wearing a cowl she just finished in Classic Elite's Chalet. It looks so warm!!

Pattern: Fresco Basket Whip Cowl (free from Classic Elite)
Yarn: 4 skeins of Chalet
Needles: 6mm, 80cm circular

Section six is done! The cast off on this end looks much better. I need to take out the cast off on the other end and redo it. Then the two side borders. Those are close to 500 stitches. I made an executive decision-I'm leaving that until I get home.

Abbi wasn't a happy camper on Survivor last night. I don't know why she thought everyone would stick with her when she treats them poorly (I'm putting that in nice terms). I'm writing, doing paperwork, watching football and cleaning the house all at the same time. I might need to focus on one thing and get it done before moving on. :) Knitting might be the answer-quit doing everything else and relax.

Shades is growing

Yesterday afternoon Beth took the dogs to the vets. They aren't sick. Leeann was holding an open house and had someone come in to take pictures. Roko wouldn't have anything to do with it. He wouldn't sit nicely on the floor. Wouldn't sit on the step. Just a pain. Melo was an angel.

He does whatever we tell him. I'm not sure he looks happy but he does look cute. He should have gone and had his hair done before the picture though. The hair is coming out in clumps. It's that time of year.

Section five is done.

I tried to get a picture with it lying on the floor and me going upstairs to the loft. It didn't work so I took this from downstairs.

I'm not happy with how the cast off worked out. Laura has you doing a cast off that is loose but mine is so loose that it is wavy. I need to take it out and do it again. My decision was to do section six (I'm four rows in) and worry about that edge later.

It is a beautiful day in Ancaster. Beth and the dogs are outside playing and we are going to barbecue dinner. It is hard to believe that it is November.

Ravelry Bob

We have some new products from Lantern Moon. I first saw these in June while we were at TNNA in Columbus. I wanted them all and right away. I did beg but Lantern Moon needed to keep them on display for the weekend. They needed to take them home after the show to have them photographed for the website. I really did try. More than once. :)

Ravelry Bob Tape Measure

If you're a Raveler you'll recognize this face. Ravelry's mascot, Bob the dog, is now yours to own in the form of a hand crocheted tape measure. Metric and English measurements on opposite sides of a 5 feet/1.5 m long tape.

Coco Needle Case

A novelty tool case with Coco Chanel inspiration. Black quilted satin exterior with magnetic dot closure. One 6 inch deep pocket and two 3.5 inch deep pockets on the inside. Soft gold satin interior lining with elastic openings under the pocket flaps. Perfect for double points, circular needles, stitch markers, small trinkets, and beyond!

Velvet Rose Tool Holder

Ruffled velvet atop a colorful hand woven pattern. Woven pattern & colors will vary, reflective of the loomed craft. Reinforced center for stashing scissors. The velvet ruffles delicately hold needles, hooks, shawl pins, pencils, pens, and more.

It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas gifts.

Section 4 is complete and I started picking up section 5 last night. It was almost 11pm when I started and I tried doing it while watching the election coverage. I picked up in black, knit one row and then did two rows of the mauve. I thought about the pick up and didn't like it so before going to bed I ripped it out. I redid it today in the store (after I took the picture) and it looks much better. My goal (and you know that I have a hard time reaching my goals) is to have section 5 done tonight. It's a good TV evening.

Finally

I finished section 2 last night and got section 3 picked up. Thank goodness for Law and Order and The Mentalist. My late night, get the knitting done watching. It wasn't early when I went to bed (okay early Saturday morning) but I wasn't going until it was done. Then I was on a roll. I considered staying up later but then I remembered that I was working today.

Section 3 runs across the bottom-I picked up stitches from section 2 and along the cast on edge. There are 75 rows of the denim before I cast off.

Section 4 will be beige running the length of the scarf. Over 300 stitches but it is only 19 rows for that side. My goal is section 3 and 4 finished by tomorrow night.

If you don't know what I am knitting it is called All the Shades of Truth by Laura Aylor. The pattern is purchased on Ravelry and I would highly recommend it. It is well written and easy to follow. All you need to know is cast on, knit and picking up stitches.

I am using madelinetosh merino light
-charcoal
-onyx
-night bloom
-whiskers
-rain water

I saw on Facebook that Namaste has some new products coming later this month. I will be ordering these on Monday. These will be great in my bag-especially when traveling. And not just for knitting accessories. One for my camera. One for makeup. The possibilities....

I'm home from work. There wasn't any time to knit today which is a good thing-that means the store was busy. I've had dinner and now it's time to get down to some serious knitting. I'm going to hold off hitting publish for a bit to see how far I can get tonight.

I've made it to row 52 of 75. I decided to take a picture and get my post done. I laid it out on the living room floor. My friends decided they needed to check it out.

There is still a shadow in the picture. Roko was very interested in my work. 

I'm going to get back to my knitting. I'd like to say that I need to work on my social life and be out on a Saturday night but I'm enjoying a quiet evening at home by myself.

New Patterns

The box of patterns from Churchmouse has arrived.

Inside Outside Cowl

With some very simple knitting—and a little fussy finishing—you'll have a double layer cowl that's totally seamless, utterly reversible, and very versatile. Designed for our 2012 LYS (Local Yarn Shop) tour, the two-color version can be worn either color out, or shifted half way for bold color blocking. (We've also included a bonus pattern for a totally tubular headband that you can knot, or not.)

Two balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze

The cowl knit in one ball of Kidsilk Haze Stripe.

Cozy Boot Cuffs

Ribbed from top to bottom, our woolly cuffs give you the look of thick cozy socks, but fit nicely into your boots. Smooth stirrups keep them seated. Worked in the round, boot cuffs are a nice, easy 'warm-up' before you tackle your first pair of socks.

Knit in worsted weight yarn on 3.75mm double pointed needles.

Ferryboat Mitts

Perfect for a foggy morning commute across Puget Sound. Or keyboarding with the thermostat down. Or texting. Or knitting out of doors. We love these handsome ribbed mitts on men and women alike. One fellow told us that our thumb gusset reminded him of a sweep of chrome on a car, so we knew we'd hit a nice masculine note!

Knit in worsted/aran weight yarn on 4mm double pointed needles.

Section two still isn't done. I made it to row 40. Maybe tonight?

I'm going to talk about Survivor-if it's taped and you haven't watched then you might want to stop reading.

What happened last night? I don't understand. You are on a team of 4 that merges with a team of 7. 2 people from the larger team want to join your team which gives you the numbers. Now you are running the game. Instead you decided to join the team of 7 and vote off someone who is going to help you get to the end. Am I missing something??? Unbelievable.