Free Patterns

There hasn't been much knitting content this week. Before I left I was looking on Facebook and found two free patterns from Debbie Bliss

http://www.designeryarns.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Paloma2.pdf

Sorry-I don't know how to add a link while posting on my iPad.

The cowl (and a muff) are knit in Paloma. This is a thick chain yarn (it looks like it has already been knit before you knit with it) that is super light.

60% baby alpaca
40% merino

knits on 9mm-10mm needles

I knit a cowl in the yarn and it is super soft!

And here is my scarf. I spent time last night watching TV and working on it.

It might not look longer but two more repeats of the pattern are done. Every time you start a repeat 2 stitches are added. This means the rows are getting longer and the sections are taking more time. Yes, I am making excuses for my lack of progress. :)

Having Fun

Beth and I are having fun. I'm not going to say that we have relaxed but we are enjoying ourselves.

We have mixed reviews from the zoo yesterday. It really is the wrong time of year to be going for a visit. A lot of animals are inside for the winter. There is a train that runs through the zoo but it is closed for the season. We did a lot of walking-probably over 2 miles. I was a bit tired by the time we were done. Not too tired to go to the mall but tired. :)

Otters who were more interested in sleeping that visiting with us.

This was the only polar bear we saw. Luckily I spotted him when I did. You walk into the area where they play and go in a big loop. When we came to the end of the loop and didn't see any more bears we went back to the beginning to see this guy again. He was gone. Beth would have whined all day if she didn't see a polar bear.

Sommerset Mall was on the way back to the hotel. OK, not on the way back but close. Macys-Beth and I each got a pair of shoes. California Pizza Kitchen. Nordstoms. Beth got another pair of shoes. This is big because Beth doesn't have a shoe thing like I do. The mall was beautiful. We could have spent a lot more time but we were a bit worn out.

There is a bit of progress on my knitting.

There was a bit of progress on my knitting. Maybe I will get a bit more done tonight. Maybe.

Today Beth and I went for a drive to another mall. It was outdoors. Luckily the weather today was nice.

You can even take your dogs to the mall.

We were walking along and these bears were in the window of Kay's Jewellers. Who could pass up on them? Then we found out that all money was going to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Yes, we have one of each.

Beth is reading and doesn't want to head out yet so I'm going to sit with my knitting and get some rows done.

We're Here

It was an early morning. The alarm went off at 4am so that we could be on the road at 5. Small problem-there was a lot of fog. Really bad fog. We decided to wait until 6 to get on the road. The fog wasn't too bad and as the sun came up it was fine. About half an hour past London it got really bad. I had to really concentrate. Give myself a headache concentrate. We figured we could only see 300m in front of us. It was like that all the way to the Windsor.

We had no wait at the border and were in the hotel lobby before 10. Our room wasn't ready so we went to the concierge about getting football tickets. The amazing lady working at the desk helped us get tickets that were great. And for a huge discount.

After a short cab ride (we didn't realize how close the stadium was) we were ready for football. Ford Field sits right beside Comerica Park where the Detroit Tigers (baseball) play.

The stadium was amazing. Probably the nicest I have been to for a football game and I have been to many-Miami, Buffalo, Cleveland, Seattle, Minnesota and San Diego.

Every staff person we came in contact with were helpful and friendly.

Here are a couple of the concession stands. Big Boy and Tim Horton's.

The hotel room is flash. A TV in the bathroom. Does it get any better?

And the best shower I have seen in a hotel bathroom. A shower head on the ceiling. Love it!!

We are watching football while I write. Beth forgot to tape The Amazing Race so we are going to watch and then to bed. Tomorrow we are going to the zoo.

Ready to Go

It's the time of year to wear scarves. I started thinking about my Hitchhiker Scarf and the fact that I had no clue where it was. After some searching (some should be in capitals-it took a bit) I found it in my room. This led me to think about Rock Island. I have two-one that I knit and one that Diana knit. Where were they? I know they weren't at home. I found them nicely folded (thanks Cathy) along with some other shawls downstairs in the store. They are hanging in the store again.

My Rock Island (knit in Shepherd Sock) is now hanging along side the Austin Hoodie (knit in Solemate) that has a Linen Stitch Scarf on it (knit in Shepherd Sock). A little corner of Lorna's Laces. The Offhand Designs bag is a Scottie in Gilroy. I'm hoping no one sees it because it will look good in my house.

I'm almost ready to go. One more load of laundry and then I can pack. Maps (hotel, shopping, zoo) are printed. I have a navigation system in the car but when I'm going somewhere new I like to have a map as well-just in case.

My knitting is ready to go.

Drop City using Dream in Color Everlasting Sock. The colour is Concord which didn't photograph well. The pot lights made shadows so I kept moving rooms but it didn't help with the colours.

The colour is purple-what else would I be knitting with??

Now a bit of knitting and then early to bed. Morning will be here soon. :)

Playing

Beth is out so I 'borrowed' her iPad Mini to see how easy it is to write a blog post.

There is a really cool thing where you split the keyboard. Half for each hand. Kind of like texting. The Mini is so light that it is easy to hold it and write this way.

I can't do a post without pictures so here are more colours of Everlasting Sock.

Adding pictures from the web was a snap.

The mini has a camera so I can take pictures and post them unlike my iPad where I take pictures with my phone and then download them.

I really hope Santa (mom make sure you tell Beth) brings me one of these.

Two more sleeps

Beth and I are almost set to leave for our little adventure. Almost because my car is in the shop today. It went in last Friday with tire problems and the light came on again at 6 last night. It should be ready this afternoon. We are leaving very early Sunday morning, going to the hotel and then heading to the football game. Green Bay is in Detroit. Monday is going to be zoo day - at least that is the plan right now but it could change depending on the weather. Tuesday shopping. Wednesday could be more shopping. Originally we were coming home on Wednesday afternoon but we made it Thursday night. That way we can see the Houston Texans play in Detroit on Thursday-American Thanksgiving. Beth and I didn't really want to stay (just joking) but my dad is making us. He could be more excited about us seeing two games than we are.

I did something last night that I have never done in my life. Ripped out knitting and scrapped a project. I like the yarn - Freia Fingering. I like the pattern (Drop City) but they aren't meant for each other. I'm going to put the yarn on hold until I get home and then will find a better project for it. The colour repeats are very long (which isn't a bad thing) and I think they are meant more for a shawl than a scarf. Drop City is going to be done in a hand dyed sock yarn or maybe a Noro sock yarn.

Mr. UPS brought in a box from Dream in Color-Everlasting Color is here. Good timing-one of these colours will work for Drop City. :)

With its distinctive multi-ply construction and smooth twist, this base provides the ideal canvas for our vibrant, subtly-layered colors. The fiber content, combined with our unique dyeing process — developed especially for the Everlasting bases — gives Everlasting Sock its deep and lushly-shaded tones. Knitted at a firmer gauge, this yarn forms a dense and hard-wearing fabric that’s perfect for socks and cold weather accessories, while knitting at a looser gauge yields a fabric with sensational softness and drape.

100% superwash merino wool
100 g & 420 yds.
7.5 – 9 sts per inch
U.S. 0 to 2 needles

$29 a skein

This isn't all the colours. That would make a very long post but I will say that they are amazing and choosing is going to be hard. We started with 2 skeins of each colour. I wanted to see the yarn before I ordered a really big shipment. It is very nice and I will be getting more.

I brought the Linen Stitch Scarf with me today. I'm almost done the first ball of each colour and will be joining in a second ball of each for a really wide scarf-more like a shawl.

Since it is only two more sleeps I better start thinking about what I am going to take to wear. More importantly, what am I going to take to knit??

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.

New Roof

We are having fun at the store for the next few days.

A new roof!! The shingles are being ripped off and new ones put on.

This morning Mr. Canada Post brought in a big, heavy box from Fleece Artist.

 Slubby Blue

100% Wool Blue Face Leicester
100m/125g 8mm, 10st/4"

Big needles = quick for a scarf.

There is a new pattern from Churchmouse that uses the Slubby Blue

Wooly Wreath and Garland

“A little woolly magic!”

Years ago we knitted mammoth woolly wreaths for our shop holiday display and they were so popular that we created home-sized versions for a cozy accent all winter long. The little garland is charming wrapped around your tree, over the mantle, down the banister—anywhere you want a little woolly magic. We've even been known to wear it!

2 skeins of Slubby Blue for a small wreath
4 skeins for the large one

Thrum Mitten Kit
-125 grams Blue Face Aran
-60 grams Merino Sliver
-(suggested needle size: 3.5 mm)

There is also a basket filled with fleece. You can use for needle felting or to knit thrum mitts. 

I just checked on Ravelry and here is a link to all the free patterns for Thrum Mitts.

Thrum Mitts really keep your hands warm and they aren't hard to make. 

Here is a great tutorial.

It's time for Survivor. My knitting hasn't progressed. Hopefully section 6 will get finished tonight. I'm going to be up for a while because X Factor and Criminal Minds are taping too.