Monday morning

Emma was in on Saturday with this amazing shawl she knit in Fleece Artist yarn. Sorry, I didn't get the name of the pattern she used-I was having too much fun playing with her son Dexter. Emma is having her second child very soon so I think it would be nice of her to give me Dexter. :)

I showed you the Spud and Chloe pattens last week. This is the box that we have to display them.

The top comes of and all your patterns are organized inside. There are dividers as well so you can personalize your own box. We are sold out of the boxes but more are on the way.

Saturday night we watched two movies.
Taken-I couldn't knit very much because I was trying to pay attention. The occasional subtitles made the knitting hard as well. I liked the movie. It held my attention which is all I really ask for.
Bride Wars-Bad movie. Not much more can be said except to ask where Kate Hudson got that awful hair cut. I did get lots of knitting done so I guess that is a plus.

My stack of paperwork is done so maybe Beth and I will go golfing this afternoon.

Another project from Bev

Bev came in yesterday afternoon with a vest that she just finished but she wasn't sure how to wear it. This is the picture on the pattern from Naturally. (Where did that hair cut come from??)

Bev put her vest on, I grabbed a shawl pin and we played for a bit. We came up with a few different options. Bev went home much happier.

Has anyone been watching Y&R? I wish there was a way we could just watch the story lines that interest us. Thank goodness for fast forward!!

I am working away on my Jane Slicer-Smith Boxes Drape Vest. 17 rows are done. Hopefully by the end of the weekend (great golf on TV) I can get enough done that a picture looks good.

Tent Sale

Susan came into the store today wearing the cutest little cardigan that she knit. This is from the Debbie Bliss Spring/Summer 2009 magazine and is called Cropped Rib Jacket (who would have guessed that?) She used Debbie's Prima.

This is a pile of boxes ready to be moved to the tent sale. Cathy has cleaned out the back room of the store and there were some great yarn finds. My truck is packed and ready to be unloaded late tomorrow afternoon at the hall. Dad, Beth, Cathy, Jane and I will be making many trips tomorrow afternoon and Thursday morning to get everything moved from the store, warehouse and my house.

Don't forget that the store will be closed tomorrow and Thursday during the day.

Last night Beth and I started watching 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here'. You know we have a love for reality shows. It could have been the stupidest show on TV. I watched the first hour and then left. The show is supposed to be on Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks. Beth figures it will be pulled before next week.

Watch for a sock newsletter later tonight and a general newsletter will go out tonight or tomorrow morning.

Events on Ravelry

Bev brought in this great boys sweater knit in Sirdar Crofter (pattern 2256). The yarn is acrylic/cotton/wool, machine washable and it self stripes like sock yarn.

While playing on Ravelry today (I know I should have been knitting) I found something that was new to me. Go to 'My Notebook' and then 'Groups/Events'. Look on the right side (just under the main headings) and you will see Groups or Events. Now you can see all the Events in your area. I have added our October retreat to this. If you are coming to the retreat, please add yourself too.

Dad, Mom and Beth are currently at Terra Greenhouses picking up the new plant for our front porch. Dad and Beth went this morning but there wasn't anything they liked so a plant is being put together for us. Dad and Beth out together can be scary-we might have something that takes up the whole front porch. I will take pictures when I get home.

What a great day!!

Yesterday got away from me and I totally forgot to write a post. There wasn't much to say then but now I have lots along with some great pictures.

Tish was just in from Mississauga with these great Mukluks. The pattern was in the February 2009 issue of Canadian Living. They were knit with Cascade 220 and Felted. The embellishments were left overs from her Baby Tulip Cardigan.

This cardigan is the cover pattern from Classic Elite's Summer Book 2. Tish used Baby Bamboo from Sirdar.

I brought my laptop to work today knowing it would be slow. Everyone is gardening on this beautiful day and/or waiting for the tent sale. I am writing some newsletters today-watch your inbox over the next couple of days.

I had an interesting visitor in the store today-Chip. I was talking with some ladies when a small furry thing ran by my feet-they didn't see him. I calmly walked into the front room and a baby chipmunk was running around. As I was calling Beth to beg her to come and help me he ran back outside. The front door is now closed-such a shame on this beautiful day but I don't need any more visitors today.

How about Idol last night? The special Idol song written by Kara was atrocious. How could anyone sing that and make it sound good? Simon was about to say something about it but stopped-Beth had to hit the STOP button because she was laughing so hard. I really want Adam to win but Kris did a great job. He came a long way from his auditions.

Two more SO your FO

The weather outside this morning is crappy. I know, not a good word but when I look out the window this is one of the nicer words that came to mind. The rain is pouring down and I hear it is going to keep raining all day.

Justin just finished Alvin from Jane Ellison's book Queensland Collection Book 9. He combined Jo Sharp Silk Road DK with Noro Silk Garden Lite. The vest came about because he knit a cardigan from the book and had leftover yarn.

This is the Favourite Cardigan by Wendy Bernard from the book Custom Knits. Claire used Cascade 220 Heathers.

I am trying to get the last few yarns and patterns we need for the Frolic. I called Lorna's Laces yesterday and Amanda was very helpful getting me some patterns and more Helen's Lace. It is being sent to my parents in Myrtle Beach and they will bring it home after Easter-much quicker than sending it directly to Canada. You never know if the customs people are going to hold and box and if they for how long.

I need to get some boxes packed and then off to work. It would be a great day to stay at home and nap.

Very Cute Slippers

Shirley has been very busy knitting. Last week we saw her finished Log Cabin Afghan and here are two pairs of Elfin slippers knit with Cascade 220. The pattern has infant to ladies sizes.

Lynda is one of my knitters for the store. Earlier in the week I showed you the pink cardigan she knit-this was in the same package but I forgot to take a picture. This is knit in Helen's Lace from Lorna's Laces. The pattern is on the label and is very easy if you want to make your first shawl. All you need to know is how to knit. The shawl is hanging in the store right now and we will have it at the Frolic.

I have finished the last sleeve for my Noro cardigan. Now the front bands and the collar. Basketball is on tonight so hopefully I will get a chunky done.

Pretty in Pink

A parcel arrived from Lynda today with this great summer top knit out of Lang yarns Lucia. From Lang's website "A discreet play of color, material and structure along with an opaque-shiny-metallic effect, are the characteristics of this summer yarn."

The big picture is the true colour but I included this picture because of the shawl pin-it is one of Romi's new designs.

Judith emailed me a picture of her first pair of socks. She used one of the many self patterning yarns we sell along with my sock pattern.

Basketball preempted Survivor last week and this week Survivor has been moved to tonight. I am listening while typing as it is a recap show. I hate these-just give me new content!!

My Chicago Knitting

I did get quite a bit of knitting done while away. OK-not this much knitting. I am working on a design out of Sirdar's Eco wool book 336 and using Silk Garden Lite. Sirdar doesn't have a picture of what I am doing on their website so I can't show you the finished project-this will make me knit quick to get it done and show you the finished project!! I knit one front while away and got some done on the second front.

Shirley just finished her Log Cabin Afghan and emailed me a picture. FABULOUS!! Shirley lives out of town and knits felted bags. I was sending her Kureyon regularly but she didn't tell me what it was for. When she asked for the Cascade 220 in black then I knew she was making the afghan and not bags.

Here is the room that we sit in for the workshops in Chicago. Many people brought their laptops but that would have been one more thing to lug around. I used my phone for emails. Luckily we had free WiFi in the conference room and there was an Apple Store just across the street from my hotel.

One thing the hotel didn't have was pay phones. Have you heard of anything so crazy?
Looking down Michigan Avenue. I should have taken the picture on Tuesday when it was sunny. Wednesday was a bit overcast and dreary.

More great FOs

Sorry there wasn't a post yesterday. I left work and had my nails done. On my way I picked up dinner, we ate, watched Lie to Me and I went to bed. The computer was yelling at me but I couldn't keep my eyes open.

Jane just finished Wrapped up in Bows for the store. One skein of Winter Lace (50% wool, 50% silk) from Mountain Colors made this great shawl. The wind was blowing when I took the picture which makes it hard to see the ends of the shawl-there are lengths of I-cord which are tied into bows. This is in the store right now and we will have it on display at the Knitter's Frolic.

Color on the Side is a Fiber Trends pattern that Sandra knit out of Naturally Vero and added her own finishing touch-a bit of fluff around the edges. This jacket is so Sandra!! The shawl pin is one of our Wouldworks pins. I am very jealous-the purple colour is amazing. It should be in my collection!! I don't usually do this but I am going to give Sandra a plug. She custom makes jewellery out of semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls. Notice her fabulous earrings and bracelet. You can see her work in Niagara-on-the-Lake at Optimus. Custom orders are welcome. I can get you in touch with her.

Sunday morning I am flying to Chicago until Wednesday afternoon. Why am I going? There is a conference for yarn shop owners. I attended last year and it was a great source for information and inspiration. Yes I will be visiting Nordstrom's and Macys. Maybe there will be some extra shoes in my suitcase when I come home. :)

February Lady is almost done-maybe tonight. One sleeve is complete and I am half way through the second one. There probably won't be much knitting in class tonight but after class I will be watching Survivor and Hell's Kitchen.

Lisa has been very busy finished up her UFOs. This pattern can be found in the new Debbie Bliss magazine as well as the Cathay pattern book. Lisa used Cathay (cotton and silk blend) and the new magazine uses Prima (wool/bamboo blend).

I am watching the Y&R while doing paperwork and just have to comment. Ashley is pregnant-how is that possible? How old is she supposed to be? Ashley was in her 20s when I started watching 30 years ago. Victor is the father? Good thing he had his vasectomy reversed!! It is amazing how the characters age on a soap opera. They go from infant to teen in a couple of years and then once they reach 30 they don't age another year. I think I will pretend I am a soap opera character from now on and my age is 35.

Amazing Race last night did not have the outcome I wanted. Amanda and Kris were a great team-I think front runners to win.

Celebrity Apprentice-not sure what I should say about it. Scott Hamilton was a terrible project manager. Clint Black seems like an ass and I thought he was going to be a good guy. Tom Green is annoying but I think we all knew that.

I need to finish paperwork at the other computer now and then work on my knitting. I am almost done the body of February Lady. Just have the last inch of garter stitch on the bottom to finish. Then picking up for the sleeves.

What a great day

The weather today was amazing. You couldn't help but be happy. Hopefully spring is here. It was hard getting dressed this morning. Nothing in my closet was exciting me. After much digging I came up with my Summer Tweed sweater.

Sarah came in today with her Felted Clutch with Roses knit out of Cascade 220. You can find the pattern on Ravelry-go to patterns and enter Pipp's Purses.

Survivor last night-great TV. A cross tribe alliance. That is going to be interesting. We didn't get a chance to watch Hell's Kitchen last night. Maybe tomorrow night. After Survivor we had to quickly watch American Idol. When you don't watch all the talking the show goes quickly. What a drama queen Tatiana was. I am so glad that she didn't make it through because I don't think I could watch her every week.

Sorry this is a quick post. Beth and I are going bowling with our kids.

Keep the pictures coming

Kim sent me some pictures of a few baby cardigans she has knit. These were given at a baby shower last week. The cardigan on the right is knit out of Sirdar Baby Bamboo and the pattern is from the book #336 Baby Bamboo Too. I wasn't given any details about the cardigan on the left.

Debbie Bliss' Eco cotton arrived today. The book arrived a couple of weeks ago but since there was no yarn I didn't talk about it. You can preview the patterns here. The yarn is aran weight with a nice sheen to it.

Bev is coming for a meeting tomorrow afternoon and Beth reminded me that I had better get out the gift she gave me. I think she was a bit embarrassed when her boss was visiting from Italy and I served him an Espresso in a coffee mug. Now I have proper glasses. They are much too small for me-one sip and you are done.

I have Idol taping right now. There is no sense watching tonight's show live-it takes about 3 minutes to see everything you need to know. It is going to be interesting to see who the judges bring back tomorrow night.

SO your FO

It was another busy Saturday in the store-I'm not complaining. Here are some pictures of finished objects for you.

Lisa was very excited last week because her cardigan was done and she needed buttons. Here it is. She wore it in this morning and wasn't happy that I made her stand outside in the freezing cold to get a picture. The cardigan fits her perfectly-according to Lisa the best fitting item she has knit. The design is Martha from Rowan 37 knit in 4ply cotton.

Bev came in wearing Clapotis knit out of Silky Wool from Elsebeth Lavold. She didn't want her picture taken but the 10% off her purchase today got her outside quickly.


Marg is wearing the shrug knit out of Silk Garden Chunky from Mini-Knits from Jenny Watson. Very cute and can be worn dressed up or dressed down. See more pictures on Marg's blog.

Don't forget that Celebrity Apprentice is starting tomorrow night. What a weird group of people. Joan Rivers? That is going to be interesting.

Is spring coming soon?

We are ready for spring in the store. Mom and dad are away until the middle of April and one of dad's many jobs is changing the flags. I didn't want the winter flags up in April so we have the spring flags up a bit early. A cheery sight on a freezing cold day.
Diana came in last night wearing this great scarf knit in Kureyon Sock. The pattern is The Lace Ribbon Scarf from knitty.com. Diana wasn't going to mention the scarf because she didn't have her receipt. If you have knit something from the store we aren't worrying too much about receipts right now. I know that most people don't keep their receipts but hopefully you will from now on.

At class on Thursday night Phyllis was telling us about a new shoe store that has opened in Dundas-David Williams shoes on King Street. I will definitely be checking it out.

SO your FO

If you live out of town, you can send me pictures of your FOs like Susan did. We do ask that the projects be fairly recent-sweaters you finished 15 years ago don't qualify.

These cute mukluks are a free pattern on Ravelry-go to patterns and type in Suede Booties.
The Baby Tulip cardigan from Dream in Color. Susan used her left overs to knit a matching hat.

Two baby blankets knit out of Buttons from Naturally.

The jacket and booties are for her granddaughter who is arriving very soon. The blankets are for a friend's granddaughter who is also on the way.

Beth is very upset that we don't have American Idol tonight. However, not quite as upset as she was last night. She has been waiting for the finale of The Bachelor when DeAnna comes back. Who you ask-DeAnna was the Bachelorette last season and Jason proposed to her. She turned him down but apparently she will be showing up on the final episode-does she want him back now?

SO your FO

In my last newsletter I talked about SO your FO-show off your finished object. Wear in your finished garment (from yarn bought in the store) and we will take your picture for the blog and give you 10% off your next purchase. This is Marie and Helene in their finished garments. Marie (on the right) is in an Elsebeth Lavold design-Iris from book 8-knit in Cable Cotton. Helene's jacket is my design knit in Naturally Vero.

These are my kids. They wanted to make funny faces but I told them they had to play nice for the first picture.


Our waitress last night was named Beth. She has served us with the kids before so she knew what to expect. When the kids were signing for their supper she sat down and graded them. After dinner everyone came back for some Wii. The Wii was the best investment we made-it can keep the kids busy for many hours.

Sarah worked today and I was supposed to leave an noon but we were very busy-thank you all who visited-so I was there until closing. We picked up Beth and went for dinner. They are now at a movie. I can't sit through a movie in the theatre for a couple of reasons. The first is that I can't go that long without using the washroom. The second is that I get bored sitting there for that long without knitting.

Thank you for all the kind comments on my afghan. It will be in the store for a bit yet. I think I will pick up Lizard Ridge again and get it done.