Cocooning

Looks like this is turning out to be a weekend knitting blog. Work is sapping all my extra energy lately, so Saturdays and Sundays have become my safe haven, where nothing much happens other than me+couch+knitting.

Here, favourite things come together:


Yarn Rowan's cozy, delicious Cocoon, in "Alpine", a soft cloud grey.


Pattern Lyndon, from RYC Coast (book 17)

Needles Rosewood Lantern Moon straights, 5mm

I'm doing a lot of fudging on this one. It calls for aran weight, but Cocoon is more of a chunky. So to compensate for larger yarn/needles, I'm knitting the smallest size. So far, the sizing seems to be working out. Crossed fingers that it will work out.

Seeing as it's a gloriously sunny day, and the snowbanks are at least 8ft high (no, I'm not kidding!), I might go skiing/skating/snowshoeing later, that's if I can raise my butt off this comfy place.

What good things do you have planned for this weekend?

Bright, sunshiny day

Finally, a bright day to take pictures of my sunny Hourglass sweater.


Pattern: Hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts gifts by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Malabrigo
Needles: 4mm
Mods: did a slip 2, knit one, pass over slipped stitches decrease for raglan shaping. I also worked the yoke a bit higher.


I love it very much. It's buttery soft and warm, fits well, and perks up a grey winter's day. It's an easy-peasy knit, and I'm totally converted to knitting in the round on circs! So quick to finish! As with all my sweaters, the sleeves are a bit short (when will I ever learn? Knitter, know thyself!) but bracelet length is in, so I don't mind.





Unfortunately, it does have more pills than Collette Reardon's nightstand. But that's the price you have to pay with Malabrigo.


(Don't know who Collette Reardon is? She's my all-time favourite Cheri Oteri SNL character. Cracks me up!)

Fresh air

I'm playing hookie today, getting away from all the "shoulds" in my life (housework, photographing FO's, writing witty, thought-provoking posts, choosing who to nominate as my favourite fellow "you make my day" bloggers, organizing my closets, etc..) Ever feel like its pointless to try and keep up?

This is much, much better...



Have a lovely Sunday.

Taking it EZ this weekend

Having a blissful Saturday morning, sipping tea, knitting, and watching Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Workshop DVD (a.k.a. geeking out BIG TIME according to DH). Oh how I wish EZ was my nana. She is such a delight to watch and listen to. Not to mention the genius of her knitting! I hope I'm as elegant and delighful as she was when I reach a ripe old age.


Befittingly, I'm working on what is surely an EZ-inspired design. The ever-popular Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. It's been said a million times, but what joy knitting in the round is! Especially when you're using a sunny, juicy shade of mmmmmmaaaaaaaalllllllaaaaaaaabbriiiiiiigoooooooooooooo!!! I'm almost done and can't wait to show it to you.


Speaking of inspiration and EZ, have you all seen brooklyntweed's latest masterpiece? The Elizabeth Zimmerman Pi shawl (or in this case, blanket). Me wanna, bad!

So, now, onto the blogiversary contest winners. Having a contest was really fun, especially hearing from all you lurky-loos out there. I had no idea that so many people read my blog. I wish I had a prize for each and every one of you.

I've picked two names at random. And the lucky winners are.....

Panda who gets the Koigu

and

Jenni who gets the Fleece Artist


Congratulations, gals! Please email me with your mailing info and I'll pop your little prizes in the post.

Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend too!

Merci!

It's hard to believe that it was a year ago today that I embarked on this delightful blogging journey.

It's been so much fun sharing my knitting adventures with you. I have met so many lovely people (virtually and in person) through this blog, and have enjoyed getting to know all of you. My heartfelt thanks to all who've taken the time to read my little ramblings. And thank you for brightening my day with your sweet, thoughtful, funny comments.

So for you dear reader, a couple of presents to show my appreciation:


1 skein of Fleece Artist Sea Wool (325m, 700% wool, 30% seacell, 26sts/10cm on 3mm needles) in a semi-solid muted rose colourway.


2 skeins of Koigu KPPPM (160m each, 100% merino wool, 28sts/10cm on 3mm needles), in a gorgeous variegated mix of blues, greens and purples.

I've chosen Fleece Artist and Koigu not just because they're favourites of mine, but because they're hand-crafted by skilled fiber artists, they're made by independent producers, and they're Canadian. Since there seems to be much discussion lately about the merits of variegated vs. semi-solid colourways, I decided to offer both.

Leave me a comment letting me know which you prefer and I'll pick 2 winners at random on Friday. Don't be shy, even if you haven't commented before. I'd love to hear from you.

Looking forward to another year of fun with all of you!

Where did the time go?

Whoa, is it already mid-January? High time I take my Christmas tree post "down" (the actual tree was promptly dissasembled January 1st. Nothing more depressing than a Christmas tree that's overstayed its welcome).

It's been a busy holiday season, and despite the merriment, I'm glad to be on the other side of it. All in all we had fun, especially on our semi-traditional January trip to NYC. Yes, I had just gone in December, but that was for work, and I didn't have my "chou" with me.

So DH and I spent a week braving the cold, cold streets of the big apple, taking in as much as we could. Unfortunately, we had camnesia for most of the trip, but here are some brief highlights:


We spent a full day at the Museum of Modern Art where we saw some incredible exhibits, including this wonderful sculptor, Martin Puryear. Using natural materials such as tree trunks, reeds, string etc. he creates beautifully poetic works. It really pleased my eye.

But the main highlight for me at MoMA was the Lucien Freud exhibition (no pics allowed, boo). It was mainly an etchings installation, but happily, it did feature a great number of his beautiful paintings too. His sense of colour, the way he really "sees" his subject, his manner of applying paint, it all made me swoon.

At the Whitney, we saw an incredibly moving exhibition by Kara Walker. Very difficult to see, but in my view, extremely important and brilliant work.

On a much lighter note, the Whitney has Alexander Calder's Circus, and it's a total delight, especially viewing it alongside a video of the artist in performance.

Art followed us around everywhere, even in our hotel room. We stayed at the Gershwin Hotel, which I recommend. It's clean, quiet, very affordable and in a great location. Original works of art grace the halls, the elevator, and the rooms. Unfortunately we had this guy staring at us all night long.


A bit distressing to have Picasshole giving us the stink-eye (P. was a brilliant artist, but not the nicest guy, hence our little nickname "Picasshole")

If you're wondering how we can afford to travel to NYC on a regular basis, the right-hand side of the picture should give you a clue. We only eat 1 restaurant meal a day. For breakfast, we pick up fresh fruit and yogurt at a grocery store. For lunch, we make peanut butter sandwiches and eat them on the go. For diner we indulge and have fantastic food at great restaurants like this, this and this.

Speaking of food, if you're in NYC and hungry for a real treat, get off the beaten path and make your way to the best doughtnuts in the whole wide world. Be sure to try the Blackout and the Tres Leche.

Mmm.... doughnuts.....

Last, but not least, the obligatory coco shot at Purl. But believe it or not, I didn't buy ANY yarn on this trip. Yes, I know, I know, that's crazy talk. But my stash has hit maximum overload, so I was a good girl and just contented myself with fondling the goods this time.



A great way to ring in 2008. I hope your year brings you great things too.

Next up, a bloggaversary contest. Stay tuned...

Oh Tanenbaum!

Ahh, that's much better!



Nothing like the smell of fir and twinkling lights to get a girl in the Christmas mood. I'm still behind on holiday knitting, but I have made progress, and have given up the idea of home-baked goods (that's what fancy bakeries are for, right?)

I'll try to post again soon, but if I don't, have a great festive season, keep warm, and I hope Santa puts lots of wooly goodness in your Christmas stocking. I know you've all been nice.