October!

So, this is what happens when you don't pay attention. Time just trickles away, one day at a time, and whoosh! it's the middle of October. In the meantime, Egg turned two, I'm working away at Espace Tricot, and I crocheted a sweater (ravelry link) or rather, a shrug thingie that I finished yesterday and yet have to photograph.


We had some glorious fall weather, and my Mom was visiting for two weeks. During that time we went apple picking. Egg just loves it. She would go again any day.


Egg is still not happy when I drop her off at daycare, but I know that she's fine about three minutes after I leave. The payback time of my getting opportunity to work and some hours off mothering is night time. Going to bed usually was an easy thing. Since Egg started daycare it is a nightmare. She screams almost every night in protest. And three days ago she climbed out of her crib for the first time and hasn't stopped. She's also gotten quite good at it - after only five or six tries. I think I'm off to IKEA to get a bed rail to convert her crib into a bed. Somehow this leaves me uneasy, but she's getting out anyways, so I guess it doesn't really make a difference.

September!!

I know. The blog suffered once again. But a lot has happened chez Knit Stricken, and I had to prioritize.

August was very eventful. A new daycare opened at the corner of our street, and at the same time there was talk of me working part time in a yarn store (Espace Tricot) - so off I went and asked if there was a part time spot available, and it was. Egg is going to daycare three days a week now, and what can I say, I'm still not used to it. Today was especially bad, since she anticipated what was coming and was crying all the way there. Apparently she was not alone in being miserable, half of the kids there were crying, too. (I blame this effing heat. Usually they are all quite content.) I definitely have to get over the 'feeling guilty' part, I am well aware that it is futile. We're always told that she had a great time when either of us picks her up and she usually is happily playing when we arrive. And, while I am working, I don't get the time to think about it too much, so that helps!

I am also going to teach a lot of knitting classes - most of which I haven't taught before and that means a lot of preparation. I'm not saying I can't pull it off, but it is a bit scary. Then again, it's knitting, there's hardly anything else I'd rather talk about. So on to new adventures!

Last but not least, I have a design in the upcoming Twistcollective. Yes, I know it is early to talk about a new issue, but I am so excited about it! I mean, sitting here in this heat it is hard to imagine we will be wearing sweaters again soon.

Nooo, I'm not ready for my close up DAYCARE!!

Currently 26 degrees C, feels like 32

If you know me a little, then you'll know this is almost too hot for me. Though the sun is really nice. Just a bit too hot.

I'm in a pickle. I promised not to haggle my wares here, but all I do at the moment is working on the "Lili & Leo" designs.

So, happy Victoria Day everyone!

Outside!

The weather has been fabulous for Montreal in April. Whenever there is sun I get the request "outside!" and thankfully we have the outside right off our kitchen. (No sandbox yet, though. They were labeled as 'in stock' online and when we went to the shop to pick one up, they were of course not.)

This is how 'outside' might look:

Grapes taste soo much better in fresh air!

Even though it doesn't look like it, I have been working/designing. There is one piece in particular I am sort of proud of, but of course I can't show you a picture just yet. Here's a peek:


I have lots of plans - publishing some kids patterns, for example. One is being test knit as you read this, repeatedly, which means it will be hopefully ready soon.

In the meantime I have finished some knitting for myself and Egg: Hex is done, and so is a skirt and knee highs for Egg, amongst other things. I should get back to write more about what I am knitting, that might encourage finishing faster. BTW, I need to take photos of the finished Hex, once I've done that you'll get to see it, of course!

This is the Twirly skirt (ravelry link)



and these are the new knee highs:

For now Egg is still excited when I finish something for her, and accordingly very willing to try/put it on. The perfect knitter's child!

'Told you so!

My daughter and I had an argument - we often do, almost every day. The topic is: "to nap or not to nap". She apparently thinks she can do without napping, I, on the other hand, am convinced that napping is very beneficial to her.

She usually falls asleep while nursing, and it works (mostly) well. Now, it's been very hot the last couple of days and she just wouldn't. This afternoon after two failed attempts she was sitting on the floor so tired she almost keeled over. So - hard hearted Mommy that I am - put her in her bed without nursing and awake (gasp!). There was some wailing, some "mamamamamaaa" going on but after five minutes it was suspiciously quiet. Don't you know it, she was out like a light. Mind you, it doesn't work all the time, and I prefer her going to sleep happily, but I'm glad she's napping for now!

The heat is slowly but surely driving me insane (ah well, not far to go anyways) and it's not even been a hot summer so far...

I finished some knitting for Egg. For some unfathomable reason she likes my knitting and also playing with it, so here's her first knitted blankie:


The "Moderne Baby Blanket" from Mason Dixon Knitting. Lots of garter, soothing to the tortured soul. Sometimes. Other times it is torture.

Egg says "hi" - here she is today before her oh so needed nap:

Yes, she's Canadian, but...

And that's what you get when the relatives get silly!

We have been in Germany for 10 days now and as ever, the big picture is pretty much the same, but boy, little things change.

The climate hasn't been kind to me, first I got my allergies back and then a cold with a vengeance. And a cough. I so despise coughs. (Especially when you can't take much because of nursing...) But the weather has been great.

Egg didn't take too well to the time difference, sleep at night is still a bit touch and go. Otherwise she's charmed everyone, of course. Grandma is deeply in love with her.

Walking on Sunshine

Today was such beautiful weather so Egg and I took a walk.

She enjoyed it immensely. Sitting in the stroller she babbled along, while I pushed her down Sherbrooke Street.



I also finished 'Brown Eggs' - the sweater is yet too big, but that was intended. I hope it'll fit next fall.

She's my Supermodel - look at the pose!

And, in case you wondered: we have a new camera! Taking pictures is suddenly a breeze...

It's Spring, it's Spring!

I've been wearing sandals for two days now - and it's funny to look at the leftover snow in the front yards at the same time.

In the "business of yarn" we worked on Spring last Fall. When the designs finally come out it's so old news to me that I forget that it's brand-spanking new to you! Here's what I came up with, I hope you like.


This is a slightly A-line Cardi in one of our new Artful Yarns, called "Cliché".



A top in "Marine" - a slinky, variegated yarn. It's knit in the round up to the armholes, then split for front and back.



This is - next to the "Cliché" cardi in Artful Yarns - my favourite of the Reynolds designs: A tunic in "Soft Linen".



A raglan knit in a new yarn that's called "Rise and Shine" - it's a play on the fact that it's made of 50% cotton and 50% mercerized cotton, which definitely lends some shine to it. (I can't help it, but the lady doesn't look 100% thrilled to be wearing it....or is it just me?)



A tee in "Top Seed Cotton", which is mercerized and hard wearing. Meaning that it can be thrown in the wash lots and lots of times and it only gets softer. The neckline on this one was a real puzzler, it took me a while to figure it out to my satisfaction.

2008 - really?

Yup, it's really January 4th already. Happy 2008, everyone. (Better late...well, as usual.)

I have been knitting. Robyn picked up some of my knitting today. It's (or was?) available in her January sock kit - the pattern I mean. What this means in return is that I can't show you my knitting. I tell you, it's a vicious circle.

I bet a lot of you come by and want to see pictures. I'll do my best to deliver some soon. Keep your fingers crossed. Oh, and I've already had enough of snow this Winter. We had to shovel out the car again after the New Year's Day surprise, but at least today our side of the street got cleared.

Wait, there was something else I wanted to tell you. I got an e-mail today from Interweave Knits. My "Tweedy Vest" is No 7 of Knitting Daily’s Top 10 Most Downloaded Patterns of 2007. Who'da thunk?

Here's the whole scoop:

1. Modern Quilt Wrap — designed by Mags Kandis for Folk Style (Interweave Press, 2007) in Rowan Kidsilk Haze, this wrap/oversize scarf is very loosely based on the traditional Log Cabin quilt block and worked square by square in the easy and satisfying mitered-square method of color knitting. This is as effortless as working in stripes, but the results are far more impressive.

2. Knitting Needle Knitting Bag — designed by Pam Allen for Bag Style (Interweave Press, 2007) in Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Chunky, this quick-and-easy knitting bag was the most popular handbag on Knitting Daily in 2007.

3. Icelandic Lace Shawl — designed by Sigrídur Halldórsdóttir (adapted for publication by Carol Rasmussen Noble) in fingering-weight wool yarn, shown in 100 percent wool Jaggerspun Main Line 2/8.This previously out-of-print pattern originally published in the July/August 1996 issue of PieceWork magazine is called the Thórdís shawl. The original of this traditional Icelandic shawl is part of the Icelandic Craft Council’s collection of textiles. It is thought to have been knitted by Thórdís Egilsdóttir, a resident of a small fishing village on the west coast of Iceland.

4. Tomato — designed by Wendy Bernard for No Sheep for You (edited by Amy R. Singer, Interweave Press, 2007), this sweater is knitted in Blue Sky Organic Cotton but worked at a tighter gauge than the ball band suggests to improve the drape and wearability. It’s designed to be close fitting, with waist shaping and a flattering scoop neck.

5. Corset Pullover — designed by Robin Melanson in Filatura di Crosa Elena, this feminine top combines lace, stockinette stitch, and twisted ribbing. The bodice is shaped with short rows and fitted with cinch straps, just like the corsets that Robin’s grandmother wore. (Robin is doing another design for JCA for Fall 2008 - I am thrilled.)

6. Knitted Cuddlies — designed by Louisa Harding for Natural Knits for Babies and Moms (Interweave Press, 2006) in Green Mountain Spinnery Cotton Comfort (cat), Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton (rabbit), and Vreseis Fox Fibre Chenille (teddy bear), this exclusive KnittingDaily.com excerpt offers one of the easiest patterns ever written for a knitted toy animal.

7. Tweedy Vest — designed by Mona Schmidt in Tahki Donegal Tweed, this vest can be worn as a knit tank. The tweed yarn and ribbing give it even more character.

8. Connections Red Scarf — designed by Sandi Wiseheart in Filatura di Crosa Zara for the Orphan Foundation of America’s Red Scarf Project, there are two ways to make this scarf: with the cabled border ends (for the more adventurous) and without (for those wanting an easier pattern). Wiseheart designed the scarf with its intertwined stitches as a meditation on family, connectedness, and the many ways we can say “I care” to those around us.

9. Pine Cone Scarf — designed by Robin Melanson in Mountain Colors Mountain Goat. Melanson used the familiar Old Shale pattern for this fringed scarf, but worked just one pattern repeat with a double strand of dark, richly variegated yarn to produce a chunky effect.

10. Broken Cables Socks — designed by Ann Budd in Regia 4 Fadig, this is the only sock pattern to make Knitting Daily’s 2007 hot list. The ingenious cable design is one that knitters will want to create over and over again.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Snow and more snow

With much dread I watched the snow falling yesterday. There's a lot of shoveling to be done yet.

See:


That would be our car in that big honking heap of snow. That's the top of the car with a rearview mirrow sticking out, just in case you really can't see it.



That's our deck. Good thing we don't want to have a BBQ any time soon, eh?

Knitting content is soon to recommence chez "Knit stricken".

Nice weather, eh?

So much for an interesting title. It's true, however, since it is warm, sunny and just a bit windy outside. The sky is very blue on this lovely fall day here in Montreal.

I still haven't told you all about Fibre Fest North. Here's the rest of what I brought home with me:


In the upper left corner you'll find two balls of Jojoland Harmony lace weight. I have been drooling for two years over this yarn and finally got some. In the upper right corner you see something that drew me in colourwise, I had never seen it before and when I touched it I wouldn't let it go again. Morehouse Merino lace weight. (Notice a theme here? Lots of lacy things to come...)
Then there are two skeins of Oceanwind Knits Merino sock yarn. My brandnew friend Lori is just a wizard with colours, I like everything she does. Since I couldn't decide between the green and yellow, I bought one of each.



I told you. They drew me in, these spinners. When visiting the Lindenhof Wool Mill and learning how they make yarn, I had the opportunity to buy roving. Nice roving. The one in the back is a 100% wool in green, in the front there's an alpaca/silk mix in blue-green.



In the meantime I am still using some other wool roving of which I got to bring some home, too. That would be the one on the left. In the other bag there's some brown wool, and the white is some mix of wool and cotton. If I remember correctly. My other brand new friend Lorraine (who is a kick-ass spinner and spinning teacher and has together with her team, the Toronto Spiders, broken the Canadian record in the International Back to Back Wool Challenge, going from unwashed fleece to finished sweater in six hours and 18 seconds!!) told me to write it down and make a note of the ingredients. I think I have that sliver of paper somewhere. I just couldn't find it today. So much for my organizational skills.



And, last but not least, here is my new spindle made by Tracy Eichheim. After Ted (who I like to call "friend" now, too) called my Louet spindle a "boat anker" I kinda got the idea why my efforts alone at home didn't work out that well. Apart from the fact that it's so much easier when you have loads of super-spinners at hand to show you how it works. And that's why I should mention sweet Emma, too. She showed me how to catch the spindle between my knees and...oh, get your minds out of the gutter! She showed me to use the stored rotational energy to spin some more and not have the spindle twist backwards.


Oh, yeah. This is what happens when you try to get a picture of another brandnew friend, Katherine. She tries to avoid being on camera by all means as Rolf found out.


Which, in return, made it all the more interesting to try and catch her unawares. In the end she even let me take a picture of her and me together and allowed me to post it here on my blog. Now, that's what I call courage under fire! And no, I won't post the other picture. Our still delicate new friendship needs to be nourished and cultivated yet. (The whistling gnome agrees.)

It's called a cold

I got myself a nasty cold and everything that goes with it. Today is the first day since Wednesday that I kinda feel like myself again.

Let's see. There's still FFN to be wound up, and today is a bright day so it's picture taking time!

It's "Fall"-ing

Summer is taking its last stand here in Montreal, it's hot and humid as if it was July. One knows that Fall is around the corner though, the leaves have already started to turn, and there have been a couple of crisp nights in the weeks before.

I have a lot going on, new things and old things that have to be dealt with. New for instance is a teaching experience. I am teaching a beginner's sock class and it's my first time. It's exciting and scary at once, because when I get nervous I tend to babble. A lot. I guess I'll get over that.

At the end of September I'll be going to Fibre Fest North, I had meant to put up the button forever. (You know how it is, right, you think of what you want to do and then you turn around and a month has passed. I still don't know how that happens, though it's a very freqent occurence in my life.) I am looking forward to this very much, especially since my husband will tag along and it'll be a mini-vacation for both of us. I certainly hope he'll enjoy it as well.

Lots of snow

View from my office.


No sunbath on the balcony for me any time soon.