Extremely Hot

Yesterday was so hot that we didn't want to go outside. Beth was in charge of finding us something to do. We ended up at MagiQuest.

MagiQuest is an interactive live-action, role playing game where players embark on quests and adventures in an enchanted fantasy world using real magic wands to solve the mysteries of the game.

We had a lot of laughs (and a few frustrating moments when we couldn't find the darn star that we needed) and would recommend this if you have kids. Especially young teens. 

We drove to Murrells Inlet for dinner at Bovines. We ended up with a booth by the window overlooking the water.

Bovine's is a refreshing dining destination for locals and out-of-towners alike. With delicious wood-fired specialties in a relaxed, warm atmosphere, Bovine's Restaurant offers an exceptional dining experience right off the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk. This waterfront restaurant has an extensive menu featuring a range of items to please everyone, from the dedicated carnivores to the choosey eaters. Showcase menu items include wood-fired grilled steaks, succulent Murrells Inlet seafood and specialty pizzas straight from the brick oven.


Enjoy your favorite eats and drinks on our open patio while taking in the views and charm of the inlet. If you're out on the water, dock your boat at our dock and join us for lunch or dinner. Saltymen in a real hurry, call ahead for takeout. We offer dockside delivery for the days when you just don't want to get out of the boat.

We made it home just before the storm. The lightening was all around us but we didn't end up with much rain. It did help cool the temperature down. Today is much more manageable.

Beth left at 7am to go golfing. Lynda and Jessie are at the beach and I'm knitting and do a bit of work.

Magmatic Boom is growing. I will get this colour finished by tonight and then onto colour 4.

A long time ago

We didn't end up going to Charleston today. It is really hot here and we were afraid that we would drive 2 hours and then someone might not feel good (that someone being me - this heat brings on migraines) and it's a long drive home with someone who is sick. We got up and headed to Broadway at the Beach.

There was also a stop at the golf store.

The purple box is mine. Golf balls. No they aren't purple - that would be awesome. They are white but the numbers on them are purple. Beth got golf shoes which happen to be purple. The other balls and head cover are Beth's. Yes, we had fun shopping.

There is a new wax museum in Myrtle Beach. We didn't go but they did a lot of work on the building so I'm assuming that they must have lots inside to see.

It was really hot walking around so we came home for a bit of air conditioning before heading out again. There is a Love Boat marathon on. Perfect for knitting :) Not a lot of thinking required to figure out the plot. It's hard to believe that this episode is from 1979. That is a long time ago.

We're home from dinner (River City Cafe in Murrell's Inlet)...

 

...and watched the opening ceremonies of the Pan Am Games. 

I made it to the third colour of my shawl. This is a green blue mixture. The lighting here isn't great so I'll get better pictures tomorrow.

It's bed time. We were up very late last night and out of bed early this morning. My eyes are really tired and I'm afraid that there could be a knitting error.

Checkers

This morning was breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Our friend Lynda and her daughter Jessie joined us for the first few days of our trip. Of course you have to play a game of checkers after eating.

I spend some time in the sun room knitting. It was weird to do nothing in the middle of the day. There were thoughts of writing a newsletter but then I decided that it could wait for another day.

It's fun being on the next colour of the shawl. I hope to finish that colour tonight but we will see.

The plan for tomorrow is a trip to Charleston. Beth and I haven't been since we were little and we always talk about going. The problem is that we aren't usually here long enough but this trip we are. If we go there will be good pictures tomorrow evening.

Hello Myrtle Beach

We were at the airport early because you never know how the drive across the border is going to be. I got some knitting in while waiting in the lounge.

Our ride for today. I told you that I have a slight airplane obsession. I would fly every day if I could afford it.

Beth and I had aisle seats and ended up with no one else in our row. Perfect. Knitting and Elementary on my iPad. It was awesome. And I made it to the next colour on my Magmatic Boom. Pictures tomorrow.

The plants on the front of our house are liking the hot Myrtle Beach weather.

It's bed time. Today started early and even though we are on vacation there are chores to do tomorrow.

Finished Shawls

We have a new Color Play Mohair Wrap in the store. Lots of purple :)
We used Rowan Kidsilk Haze Stripe
A-365
B-361
C-365
D-363

A or C was supposed to be 357 but I didn't pay attention when I packed the box to Ann. It looks great like this but you can add a bit more colour variation by changing one ball.

 

Diana brought in this great looking shawl today

Pattern: Magmatic Boom (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: madelinetosh unicorn tails
-2 antler
-2 silver fox
-2 rainwater
-2 dust bowl
-2 dirty panther

The stripe order of my sample is
antler
silver fox
rainwater
silver fox
rainwater
dust bowl
antler
dust bowl
dirty panther
dirty panther

The shawl is awesome and now Diana is trying it in something very different. If our thinking works, the next one will be even more fabulous.

I need to start thinking about what has to be packed. Thankfully it isn't a lot. There is a closet in Myrtle full of clothes and toiletries. Really it's just knitting and anything work related.

Thinking about packing

My Magmatic Boom is growing. I think it might go to Myrtle Beach with me but that could change when I pack tomorrow night or Wednesday morning.

Yell by Gemma Atkinson from Rowan Magazine #58
Colourspun and Felted Tweed

Alderney from Martin Storey knit in Alpaca Colour.

Every time I post pictures from the new magazine, I get more excited about seeing it.

Mom and dad flew home from Seattle yesterday afternoon. I was a bit early getting to the airport so I went for a drive. Small problem - I needed a washroom. Thankfully a Coffee Time came into view. As I was getting out of the car something big and loud went over me. I was at the end of the runway. I love planes and watching them. I sent a text to Beth that they were over my head and she didn't really believe me. After I sent her a picture she believed me. The planes were really close.

This Air Canada plane went overhead and it was actually mom and dad arriving home. Just after it went by Beth sent a text that they had landed. Very cool.

It was a crazy busy day getting ready to go which means it is bed time. The sun comes up early.

A new yarn company - Yarn and Soul

We believe everyone has a story to share. 
Ours is simple.
Founded on the desire to preserve knitting as a craft and an art, at Yarn and Soul we are focused on making natural fiber, artisanal yarns available to every knitter. As the building blocks for your creations, our collection of yarns is curated from diverse sources for their high quality, good value and versatility.

We ordered yarn from a new yarn company that should be arriving in a week or so.

 

The price is $30 a skein.

I've seen swatches of the yarn in single strand on small needles, single strand on bigger needles (think shawl), and then double strand on larger needles to get double knitting and even worsted weight thickness. The colours are awesome. We have two skeins of each coming and can easily get more if you are thinking a soft alpaca sweater.

Stand by Me

The Perspective Cowl is almost finished.

The pattern has been fun to do. Not difficult and the yarn feels great on your hands. There was an error in the original pattern (a few rows were missing) but I have contacted the designer and she has updated the pattern. It's all good now. We have a few kits in the store and there are more coming. I was going to wait until September when Mountain Colors will have a new sock yarn available but I'm going to move the ship date up for the kits. It's a great summer project.

Stand by Me - a new pattern from Classic Elite that you can purchase on Ravelry.

Mesh stitch panels are joined as you go in this open-front cardigan with a unique construction.

Knit in Bella Lino 

Bella Lino is a lightweight yarn that creates an airy fabric with long, harmonious stripes. The palette of summery shades each have a linen-hued base.

A bit more from Rowan Magazine #58. I'm very excited about this magazine. There is something for everyone. The magazine should be in the store the first week of August.

Unst by Lisa Richardson knit in Rowan Fine Tweed and Rowan Tweed

Scilly by Gemma Atkinson in Kidsilk Haze and Felted Tweed

Guernsey by Kaffe Fassett in Colourspun

Glacier by Martin Storey in Brushed Fleece

Brisk by Sarah Hatton in Fazed Tweed

Wintery by Marie Wallin in Brushed Fleece

Now that my work for the day is finished, I can get back to my knitting. Or I might nap. I don't have my bedroom curtains yet because I can't decide what I want. There is paper on the lower windows but the sun starts shining in the top window at 5:30am. Then there is the construction noise starting at 7am. I'm a bit tired. And who doesn't love an afternoon nap?

Drive By Exchange

Beth has been busy knitting while dog sitting. There are new colours of Classic Elite Liberty Wool so she made another Inspira Cowl. She knows the pattern off the top of her head so no concentration needed.

Pattern: Inspira Cowl (free on Ravelry)
Version: Steampunk
Needles: 5mm
Stitches: 120 with no decreasing
Yarn: Classic Elite Liberty Wool
2 balls 78107 Lavender Mist
1 ball 78113 Pink Shadow

After work we did a drive by exchange. I stopped out front of my parents and honked. She ran out with her cowl and I threw her 3 more balls to start another one.

Here's a little sneak peek into Rowan Magazine #58

Frosty by Sarah Hatton knit in Felted Tweed

Worked seamlessly, this cabled jacket begins with its yoke collar knitted sideways then stitches are picked up to continue the yoke and shaping to the sleeves. The body has a slight a-line to add a bit of swing to the bottom hem below the hipline. 

Nippy by Amy Herzog

This oversized turtleneck pullover features set-in sleeves which drop at the shoulders, slight waist-shaping, and ribbing in the cuffs, hem, and neck. Knitted in Rowan Cocoon using 6mm and 7mm needles, the cabled sweater works up quickly to become a classic wardrobe piece.

My knitting might be a bit further along if I wasn't addicted to AlphaBetty.

I keep telling myself that it is good for my brain. Coming up with six and seven letter words isn't easy. What am I talking about? Sometimes it's hard to make a four or five letter word.

The Boom is getting bigger

I hope everyone had a great Canada Day yesterday. Beth and I golfed but there wasn't good planning on my part. It hit me yesterday morning that I needed to find my golf clothes. There were a few boxes to go through to find them and then they needed to be washed. Golf was good - it could have been better. Our team came last but we had fun. When I got home I was a bit sore. HA! I could barely walk. It was the first round since the long weekend in May.

It was 7:30 this morning when a dump truck dropped dirt on our neighbours front yard. It looks like they are going to start grading and then sodding the yards. Unfortunately ours isn't in the plan quite yet - they are still working on the house on the other side of us and the builder is probably waiting until it is done. There was no sense staying in bed so I got on my way to work.

What do you do when you are at work by 8:30? My plants needed some water so now they are nicely refreshed. Some of the hostas are about to bloom.

New yarn arrived this morning. I love these bears - they are way too cute. I had to order in the fur yarn to make them.

Lynn brought in her knitting this morning for some show and tell. She is knitting Windward (one of my favourite patterns - you can purchase it on Ravelry) with 2 skeins of Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single.

Magmatic Boom is growing. The pattern is very well written. If you can knit, purl, increase, decrease and yarn over then you can make this.

My body is still a bit sore (which means I can't unpack or clean) so I'm going to move to my chair and knit for the evening.