catching up...

I have a little pre-occupation with outfitting myself in all white when snowboarding. It probably won't happen - I'm likely to get a red hard shell jacket (in line with the two other red jackets I already have - for other uses), but I do have white boots, bindings, pants, and so of course I needed a fluffy white toque.

Another quick hat (are they ever not quick - such fun, instant gratification projects hats are) knit up in superwash merino, and the last little bit used to make a pompom to top it. I kind of wish the pom was bigger, but alas, that was the last of the 2nd skein. For more details, check out my Ravelry project page.

The fog has been heavy upon us lately, thick and soup and rarely providing a glimpse of the supposed clear sky above. It is finally starting to thin, but yesterday we decided to escape it for a little while and check out the temperature inversion going on.

Foggy and 2 degrees C at sea level? How about sunny and a balmy 13 degrees high on the ski hill? A bit ridiculous, and the slopes certainly aren't in much condition for downhill action. So for a change of pace we went cross country skiing with a few friends. Haven't done it in many many years, but I enjoy the swish swish through the snow (okay, nearing slush in late afternoon), and may try to get in a few more tours this season.

Returning home again, the fog will still thick over the water. This shot was taken just a few blocks above our house in late afternoon. But just a short shot down the hill into our own yarn there wasn't much to be seen, just thickening grey and the sounds of fog horn, ferry horn, and other vessels trying to find their way.

And I've got one more FO to share. Again, deets are on Rav. I knit up these "Boyfriend Socks" for, obviously, the boy, but I kind of wish they were for me. This yarn is yummy and squishy, aptly named "Foot Loose" and the cabling was addictive. I adjusted the pattern a bit as usual - either everyone else has really wide feet, or more likely I am just a looser knitter than everyone, but by removing a few stitches they fit A perfectly.

Now I want to make some 2009 socks for myself, but there are many projects in the works (and in my head). Currently I'm plugging away at a Baby Surprise Jacket, for my brand new nephew born last week.

old and new...

This is a pretty photo-heavy post, but how else to get a good picture (yuk, yuk, wry punster) of the end of the old year and beginning of the new?
The last days of December were much snowier than we here on the wet coast are used to. The snow never seemed to stop, and over Christmas we were well ensconced at my parents home, with the snow falling heavily all around. The first few shots capture some of that.
I don't think the alpacas were all that impressed with the snow, not straying often from the well worn path. But if anyone has a nice winter sweater to keep them warm, it's them right? Well them and the sheep, and both crews were eager for hay when no fresh grass was to be found.
The Tapestry Cowl is finished! A new skill figured out (double knitting), and a pretty nice finished product to boot. That chart killed me a bit - 67 rows x 110 (220) stitches with no repeats- but the result is very cool. I ended up having to take out about 15 rows actually, as I feared I was running out of yarn (my gauge was a bit off), but I probably could have left at least 5 of those in in the end.
I have never used Koigu before, but sense a lot of people love it so I may be scorned for speaking ill. However, despite it being very soft after a good soak, I was disappointed that the cowl stretched out a lot (and I tried to keep it in shape as much as possible while drying) and also seemed to get quite floppy, and not retaining the nice structure it had before. It still worked to keep my face warm while boarding, but due to the change in dimensions it does not stay up as well as it might have.
This is a great pattern though, and I would like to try it again - or make something else in double knitting with a similar idea (but possible repeats in the colourwork?) The colours of the Koigu are great too.
Lastly, a few more winter shots. We've gotten out for two days of boarding in the last week - although somehow the mountains have much less snow than normal despite all the snow at sea level. I was definitely having troubles on my board on the first day, but yesterday was a bit better. These pics are from yesterday at Mount Cain. A rare peek at a snowy white ptarmigan pecking at branches poking out of the snow (these birds are brown in the summer) entertained several skiers and boarders at the top of the t-bar.
And another shot from the top of the first t-bar - the weather changed a lot yesterday, including a heavy blizzard while driving home. Hope you are all having a good start to the year - today we are having more traditional west coast weather, a howling southeaster. and we were even without power for a couple of hours.

ah! snow!

Hope everyone has had a good holiday so far. We definitely got our white Christmas...and then some. There is probably two feet on the ground right now, and it was snowing heavily again this morning. However, now the southeaster has really come in strongly and is turning the snow to rain - lovely! Needless to say it's pretty gross outside. We had been excited to finally go snowboarding today as Mount Cain was set to open, but despite all the snow down here the mountains seem to be short on the white stuff and the opening had been postponed yet again. So we are having a quiet day at home, watching the lights flicker occasionally, and I'm plotting new projects - did I mention I got a spinning wheel for Christmas? That mom of mine, she's full of surprises. But first, thought I would quickly share a gift project that I finished early this week.

I think I mentioned that I hadn't really planned any gift knitting, but then my sister sent a list, and on it was a request for a long striped scarf. I haven't knit a scarf in ages, and find they tend to go on forever, but for some reason the idea took over my brain. This is basically Jared's Noro Scarf Pattern, except that I did not use Noro. If you've been here before, you know that I love all things Noro, but I couldn't find any of the colourways that I thought would appeal to my sister, who tends toward pastels and soft blues - periwinkle, baby blue, etc. Enter Patons Soy Wool Stripes, which also makes the scarf even softer.

She seemed to really like it, so I'm glad it turned out well. I would like to make another of these using Noro, but it's low on my list right now. At the moment I'm fascinated by the Tapestry Cowl I am working busily on - double knitting is crazy stuff, man. And I'm even using the suggested yarn! The Koigu I picked out is a lovely dark teal and "Golden Brown", which is yellow-brown in some lights, but in others has quite a bit of green in it. And did I mention the spinning wheel? Hopefully more on that soon, and maybe some more snow pics if I get around to uploading them off the camera - seriously, it's never like this around here!

99 things meme

I've never done a meme before. But for some reason this amused me. Borrowed from Pea Soup.

Things you've already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font

1. Started your own blog. Duh.

2. Slept under the stars.

3. Played in a band.

4. Visited Hawaii.

5. Watched a meteor shower.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity.

7. Been to Disneyland/world. (Euro Disney, 1994 - does that count?)

8. Climbed a mountain.

9. Held a praying mantis.

10. Sang a solo. Well, if you count in the car, otherwise no freakin' way.

11. Bungee jumped.

12. Visited Paris. (1994)

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. I do a few mostly self-taught artsy things, but not sure I would qualify as completely self-taught from scratch.

15. Adopted a child.

16. Had food poisoning.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.

18. Grown your own vegetables.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.

20. Slept on an overnight train.

21. Had a pillow fight.

22. Hitch hiked.

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.

24. Built a snow fort.

25. Held a lamb. Picture being the only one at home when Dora the sheep decides to have triplets in the middle of the cold, wet field - but yes, a few other times as well and they are just the cutest things.

26. Gone skinny dipping.

27. Run a marathon. Umm. No.

28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.

29. Seen a total eclipse.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.

31. Hit a home run.

32. Been on a cruise.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.

35. Seen an Amish community.

36. Taught yourself a new language. Not all by myself.

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. What a weird question.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.

39. Gone rock climbing. One of my biggest loves.

40. Seen Michelangelo's David in person.

41. Sung Karaoke. Not on your life.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt. 1987.

43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.

44. Visited Africa.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.

46. Been transported in an ambulance.

47. Had your portrait painted. Kind of - had a silhouette artist make a cut out of me, and my dad drew a pic of me once.

48. Gone deep sea fishing.

49. Seen the Sistine chapel in person.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I feel like there are a lot of France-related questions, and I did them all at the same time - grade 9 school trip.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling. Shudder.

52. Kissed in the rain.

53. Played in the mud.

54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.

55. Been in a movie.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout cookies. Girl Guides, actually (I guess it's a Canadian thing?).

62. Gone whale watching.

63. Gotten flowers for no reason.

64. Donated blood.

65. Gone sky diving.

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.

67. Bounced a cheque.

68. Flown in a helicopter. So very nearly. But many small planes.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. Does it count if my mom has saved quite a few for us?

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar.

72. Pieced a quilt.

73. Stood in Times Square.

74. Toured the Everglades.

75. Been fired from a job.

76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London. Wow, that school trip is covering all the bases here.

77. Broken a bone.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.

80. Published a book.

81. Visited the Vatican.

82. Bought a brand new car. Actually, my first car was brand new. Second one, less so.

83. Walked in Jerusalem.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper.

85. Read the entire Bible.

86. Visited the White House.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.

88. Had chickenpox.

89. Saved someone’s life.

90. Sat on a jury.

91. Met someone famous. I feel like there might be more than one, but the only one I can think of is William Hurt.

92. Joined a book club.

93. Lost a loved one.

94. Had a baby.

95. Seen the Alamo in person.

96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.

97. Been involved in a law suit.

98. Owned a cell phone. Sadly, yes, and currently my only phone.

99. Been stung by a bee.

could it be?

It just might be possible for us to have a white Christmas. White Christmases are pretty rare around here, but it's definitely in the air, and by "in the air" I mean freezing arctic outflow wind. Snow in itself is a rare occurrence around here, showing up in light dustings that disappear nearly before they hit the ground, or one or two good dumps per winter that also start melting and turn to slush right away, which definitely takes the charm out of a foot of white stuff on the ground.

But this stuff is different, perhaps (says she full of doubt and years of cynicism). After a week of freezing temps and a bit of snow on the weekend, this stuff started this morning and fell most of the day. It's light and fluffy, which has me dreaming of powder on the mountain (which is finally opening this weekend, geez). With more snow forecast for tonight, then cold and clear and cold, and more snow on Sunday, it just could hang around long enough for the holiday.

I took a little walk down to the beach this afternoon, after heading home early from work where it was still heavily snowing (ugh for 35 minute drives that became over an hour both to and from work today, but thank god for 4x4 and winter tires). I love how the snow dampens sound and makes you feel isolated. I was only 50 metres from the highway, but huddled in my puffy coat and watching the ducks in the frigid water made me feel all by myself, tucking my face against the icy wind.

Anyone else blanketed with snow? I'm back inside now, with the woodstove crackling, working on some gift knitting. My brain is already swirling with plans for the year ahead- I figured out double knitting the other night, so am eager to cast on for the Tapestry Cowl as soon as the previously mentioned gift knitting is done. Also on my new skills to learn in the coming year - entrelac, and lots of fun sewing projects. And hopefully improve my snowboarding skills...

Dark days...

The sun came out today, unexpectedly, allowing us to get a few shots of recent projects to share. These days it's dark when I head to work, and dark when I come home, which I'm sure is the same for much of you, but it does add a bit of sadness to the day, and certainly cuts down on my opportunities for daylight photography. Only a couple more weeks and things will be starting to turn around, however.

So...what have I been up to? Despite buying crazy amounts of yarn lately, I am trying to make some dents in the stash, and in that light I made my self a quick pair of fingerless mitts from some leftover scraps. No pattern to speak of, just coziness, a bit of shine, a bit of nubby tweed, and my current love of stripes is a perfect excuse to use up yarn.



The other item that appears in these pics is a cardigan I made after seeing something similar on Anthropologie's website. I think mine is a bit heavier weight, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I think all the ruffles are balanced with the casualness of the sweatershirt grey jersey. I also finished with the bottom with a sparkly silver ribbon, and the ruffles are sewn with silver thread, for a little extra glitz.



Last FO of the day with a super quick project that had been evolving in my brain for a little bit. Knit with Berocco Peruvia, which was a pleasure I'd never tried before, this hat has a lot of different texture. The cables wind lazily across, separating fields of moss stitch and reverse stockinette, and the decreases at the top create a flower. I had hoped for a bit more slouch, but I think it will work well and stay on my head for snowboarding. Well, that is, if we ever get some snow so the mountain can open. Grrrr. Argh.





Yes, I know. Lots of knitting for me. I've kind of given up on any notions of gift knitting as far as Christmas is concerned - I find I'm impossible at deadlines. I'm definitely impressed with others' holiday knits, though, which I was so motivated. BUt next up, a pair of socks for A, using up more scrap yarn!

cozy ruffles...

I've long been an admirer of Terhi's awesome garter stitch shawl, and when I found some Drops Angora-Tweed half price, it seemed perfect for the project. This shawl came together quite quickly, the garter stitch surprising addictive despite my fear of boredom. It could probably still use a blocking, but for now I am pretty happy.

I had a few yarns in competition for the ruffle, and eventually decided to use two. The lighter brown is alpaca I believe, which my mom picked up on a trip to New Zealand. The dark brown is handspun by a friend, from wool from one of my mom's sheep. Kind of makes an interesting mix, as they are vastly different in texture, the first light and fluffy and the second sturdy and wooly, but I kind of like it. They both also has random bits of hay and sticks in each skein. And the Angora-Tweed is different again, but I love them all.

It's funny that on one side I am looking for some bright colours to liven up the grey days of November, but at the same time the sameness of this shawl and the overcast sky is very calming. I also stopped at Fun Knits on Saturday and let myself run a bit wild, and also continued the neutrals. So much yarn and so little time to knit it all!