Change of Seasons

We have changing weather every day. There is a bit of hot summer in there, but really just changing. I worked nights this weekend- it's good to sleep on a rainy day. This is my turn around day. If I had flown across the continent, this is the day I would unpack, do laundry and answer emails. I am not too badly jetlagged, but my reliability is a bit shakey. Usually I have to be careful about picking up my knitting on my cranky pants day because I start ripping. But last night I was comforted by the Woodland Shawl and watching Bones all by myself. Thd dark Cascade Heritage sock yarn did not stymie me because of my new lamp. Yay.

This morning I figured out the Ten Stitch Blanket. I'm using blue fuzzy yarn my sister bought to make sweaters for her little boys. They are grown and getting married now and she destashed when she moved to the ranch. I think it will please her to have the yarn used for a special co-worker's third son.

My baby is going to camp to be a counsellor this summer. She is almost packed and we should have left 15 minutes ago. Sometimes I think if she had a better mother, she'd be ready. But I also try to give her the space for her big personality. They love her at camp and have known her since before she was born. I nursed up there pregnant (twice). I'm nursing the last week in July, my birthday, as I did so many years in a row. Must start packing.

All Knits

Whoot highspeed internet. Finally got the knitting shots on blogger. D was on the phone for over half an hour again after our kind Scottish contractor came out to say there was nothing wrong on our end.

In other news, the Maltnomah shawl is growing. I hope to make the lace much wider as I have more yarn than it calls for. I now call this the Coquihalla colourway because Erin didn't name it. I was lucky to find 2 balls.

Can you see the green shiny beads. They are subtle but they will add nice weight as with my Ophidian.

Sweet Georgia is queen! She wins the miss congeniality as well as most beautiful for this merino silk 50/50. And Ishbel loves her.

Planning ahead for MIL's 70th. I made her sister a Kiri of magenta Kid Silk Haze. I know she will never wear a shawl, but probably would like to "have" one. I'm going to knit this Panda Silk in Meandering Vines Shawl. I look forward to it, even if it only comes to one party, its debut. I romantically dream she will one day wear it to the weddings of my children. As long as I can pad my dreams from reality. I will knit anyway.

Are You There Blog? It's Me, Angie

I finally managed to get some photos on the blog. I'm praying that is holds. Telus is coming today and I have to vent my rage before I talk the the technician who has no fault in this scramble. Last Friday I slept till 2 (worked nights) then we travelled the almost 3 hours to Kamloops. There was teenager angst, but I think it was worth it to have our family together and spend time with my sister at her ranch.

Emily picked eggs right away, she loves the chickens. I bought extra to donate to my friend, Bev who is selling bread to support an orphanage in her old community in Jamaica. On Saturday Julie took us out for a ride. This is me brushing up Chex. Until last spring he was a very well behaved stallion. Julie has several nice foals from him. Now he is a well behaved gelding. Thanks D.

Everywhere you look there is a changing vista. The hollow emptiness of wide fields and changing sky. It's very cowboy. I wonder if I could paint any of this?

We stopped for a snack and just let the horses graze like they do in the movies. Her horses are so well trained, they just hung around and grabbed at the unusually green grass. They've had lots of rain, too. This was their first warm and sunny day, but the sky was closing in with thunder heads.

Thanks for a great ride. We stayed for supper and got home really late, but it was lots of fun. Hope your solstice party is a hit.

Trying To Post

We have had no internet for days. Imagine my suffering!
Right now I'm trying to download pictures of our trip to the ranch and it keeps crapping out.
There has been knitting but the pictures won't stick. I even bought some banboo and silk today for a September birthday shawl.
I have been able to read a few of your blogs, but I want to put my pictures up!
Yesterday started being summer. Maybe tomorrow will start being the 21st century.

Gansey Gone Awry

Warning: Those of you who are queesy may always think twice before accepting a dinner invitation at our home. I am a nurse and my husband is a dairy vet- and I can gross him out! But this is a tale of a sweater that tried to carry on forever and bit me in the end. See that three stitch steek? It is not enough. A small steek is 5 stitches. Watch and learn.

I sewed each stitch to the one above it by hand because I grew up embroidering and making stuffed toys out of my older sisters fabric scraps while watching Bugs Bunny. I lived in that kind of home where the four of us would shout "Mice!" and pick up scissors and thread.

After the hand stitching I crocheted the steek because I'm pretty comfortable with crochet although my hand is no longer- a horse back riding injury.

The trick is to crochet the furthest leg of the v. Why didn't I do that? Can I plead debilitating allergies, or allergy medication? Don't know. Don't do it. Wouldn't do it again.

You think these stitches are bad? I took the whole knitting vomit to my friend Jean's knitting circle and soon discovered whole swathes of unhinged stitches. Oh yah, then the crochet cord pulled out of a whole row. Screw it, I said with my tea getting cold and scones in my teeth. I'll blanket stitch the bastard. I should have done that in the first place, although it made it gapey and rippley.

Could the selvege be salvaged?

Gratuitous gore.

Yes. I sewed the seams- without tears or alcohol!! And nephew # 6 got the sweater this weekend and said, "Oh, sure, now that it's hot." But you have to know him and he did say thanks and put it back in the bag. He wasn't expecting a gift and I think he liked the colour because it's one of the only ones I've ever seen him in. I have to follow up with the wool specs (Patons Classic Wool) and the washing instructions: don't even think about it and don't let your mother. I'll do it myself.

So it has flown the coop, leaving me scarred and shaking and turning to merino silk lace. Whew! Next time I'll.. what am I saying?!!!

New Window

My computer is back. Actually he put all my stuff in a new faster, slicker computer. There will be glitches as I figure out the new pathways of Windows 7. I have to reinstall a few programs, but what a relief.
You missed the steeking debaucle. There will be pictures, but they'll come with a warning. I managed to surf the interweb a bit and comment on a few blogs, but it was like being shackled. I missed y'all.
Today is cooking turkey and packing to go to the ranch in Kamloops for a bit of a birthday party for D. But tonight I work nights. Whew.
Emily has her two final exams for grade 11 tomorrow before we go as well. Whew.
I am knitting on the Ishbel in Sweet Georgia blackberry merino lace. I'm still on the Slip Jig Rockin Sock Club. The new shipment came and I went "meh". I'll do the Raven next instead. I'll probably swap this cream with barely colour.
Because I'm working nights, I very cleverly anticipated not being clever and cast on the Multnomah shawl in the Zen from Twist of Fate. It's mostly garter stitch and I like what it's doing with the variegation. Sorry no pics just yet. I'll try to interface with the camera and the new computer when I get back from the ranch. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Crash and Burn

I am posting from D's laptop because my computer is in the tech hospital. So sad. Very disturbing and rather irritating. Everything was backed up and it crashed during a scan, so I have hope.
But I have no pictures to show you the finished "Mixed Greens" shawl I made for our camp director. I gave it to her lastnight after a gruelling board meeting and I hope it brings her some comfort. It makes me cautious to be happy about my home and marriage and job and good fortune. I pray her path will get a bit easier.
I am also in the process of steeking the giant grey gansey. I sewed (by hand) all the stitches down either side of the stitch I will cut. Then I decided to crochet as well. Just to be safe. I need to measure the sleeves against my resident over 6 foot tall young man to see if they're long enough. Then I'll cast them off, cut (yes cut) the steek and start the finishing.
The Ishbel cast on like a dream and I'm in heaven over the Sweet Georgia silk/merino. Yum. This makes up for the loss of cupcakes and cookies somewhat as I try to shed one size before the summer wedding.
Also happily skipping along is the Slip Jig sock from the Rockin Sock Club.
So I have no reason to dwell on the carcass of my computer. I will take a drive in the suddenly summer weather and then enjoy a lazy afternoon on the deck while our plumber upgrades our toilets to fancy shmancy low flush. Isn't I exciting?
Reporting from the desk of the wreckage.

OMT

My friend, Barb, uses "OMT" for One More Thing on memos to the camp staff. This is the sad and wet last day of quite a nice May. Our walk today was long and quiet. I am almost finished listening to "The Swan Thieves" by Elizabeth Kostova. It has helped me with my knitting and walking.

The rhododendrons, indigenous to this area are dropping their spent blooms in the rain. They, too are almost finished. I have finished the Cascadia socks, thanks to Hazel for sharing her extra wool. And I finished the baby blanket for my flower girl's second baby.

This is not a pattern, but an inspiration, made up as I went along. The knitted on seed stitch border took quite a while, but it is better than picking up all the way around for me. The down side is weaving in the ends with cotton yarn. That really hurts my poor hands. But it is done now and awaiting blocking. I hope to machine wash and gentle dry this because that's how I expect the mom to do it.

The second sock looks like the first. You may think that boring, but it is the goal of the experiment. These will also be blocked and then I'll get a better picture.

I must finishe the nephew sweater. One more thing to finish. I already have socks on the needles, and two shawl - the heritage woodland and a quick prayer shawl in Lala's pattern with leftover gorgeous greens. I am drawn to the quick shawl and need it set up for a night shift later in the week. That's what I tell myself anyway. And it's rarely just one more thing.

Coming Close

I'm almost done the body of the inspired baby blanket. This is without a pattern. I decided to make the ivory stripes textured for some fun. The purl back on the colour change has the added bonus of making the back tidier- almost reversible. I think I'll make a seed stitch border in the green. If I slip the first stitch, it maybe won't curl. I want to knit on each row rather than pick up the whole thing.

The gansey is also coming along. Two huge and heavy projects. I think I'll get 3 centre diamond patterns. But this has turned out too big. I wanted a 44 inch chest and it's closer to 50. I'm not panicking because nephew #6 is larger. It is only a little disappointment.

This is a big disappointment. The Pacific Northwest Shawl that I knit so many years ago. I've worn it quite a bit. But it has some holes in it. Sivia Harding showed us a Russian join to repair it. But I think it's beyond help.

There are about 4 spots. Maybe I caught it in a zipper. Maybe I just didn't knit it right. Or maybe it's aging out, a bit like me.

Read it and weep. I am actively knitting and queuing more shawls. This was my first real big lace. But I wouldn't knit it today, I like other styles.

I will turn my thoughts to the next shawl because with the finishing of these big projects, I'm coming close.

Anniversary Fun

D and I went to Seattle for our 21st anniversary. We stayed at this hotel right downtown and had wonderful service from everyone.

The weather was pretty good and we enjoyed walking around. I took him to the Tom Bihn factory to buy him a super computer bag.

It was right next to the Global Headquarters of Starbucks. We had to stop.

It was a game day for the Mariners, so traffic was crazy. We loved the big sky that we don't usually get to see because of the mountains.

Pike's Market was just a short walk from our hotel and we enjoyed poking around.

We did find one wool shop, Tricoter, which was in full flurry for a yarn crawl. They had extra staff and everything on sale and it was well worth the extra drive. I bought two balls of Filatura Di Crossa Superior in slik and cashmere. Yum.

We failed to find any other wool shops and gave up after getting lost to revel in the cathedral that is Barnes and Noble. Wow! Great big store. Our big Chapters/Indigo bookstore is pushing us to on-line shopping which, although there are great deals to be had, is not so rewarding an experience as books on shelves.

Back home in time to enjoy the Victoria long weekend Monday. I pick up Emily from camp after lunch. We'll all be home for a nice BBQ tonight.

Hope your weekend was fun.

Camping Weekend

This weekend I took part in a retreat for those who volunteer or work for our camps. And it was held at my camp. We had about 25 directors and programmers from all over the province sharing ideas, concerns and blessings. I knit on the baby blanket because the weather was glorious and it was relatively clean. I forgot to do seed stitch on the colour change rows, but I like the way plain purling fashioned. It will do.

I had a lesson on safety and beginner kayak. It was awesome. The guitar player taught me how to spin!!!! I mean turn my boat in little circles. I was paddling circles around him.

My sweet cabin was vandalized earlier this spring. Some people have been cleaning up the fire extinguisher residue, but it still stuck to the floor. I was grumpy about it not being even ready for me. It took an hour of wiping a sweeping to make it inhabitable. Then I spent two hours this morning sweeping and mopping. I hope the residue doesn't stick around all year.

Having one quarter of the people on the property really left space for quiet and reflection. We also did a drum circle and had campfire every night. Great friends I hope to see again.

Knitting with Harmony

I can't finish my socks because I ran out of wool because my feet are so big. But thanks so much to Hazel for sending me the leftovers from hers. I hope it's enough. Just the last pattern and ribbing, which I can schooch down.

D asked for a sock for his Irish whistle. I looked at the stash and found something masculine and well marinated. I think I got this when Scott was in kindergarten. I'll just knit rib in the round and throw in a few cables until it's long enough.

I also started the baby blanket. Again with the not having enough yarn. But Dale at Fibres Plus returned my plea and is mailing me 2 balls of each of the four colours of Mission Falls 1824 Cotton. I grabbed it on my way out of the Fibres West show. My hands were full from Erin's booth, Twist of Fate and my bill was already beyond budget. I had already bought other yarn for this baby. But the cotton was soft and the colours subdued like the mama likes them. I just bought 2 skeins of each. Not enough. Thanks Dale for selling me enough to play with.

I also started the Slip Jig sock from the Rocking Sock Club in the When Irish Eyes Are Smiling colourway. So pretty. Just like Neuroknitter's at We Heart Yarn.

Notice the new Knitpicks Harmony Interchangeable needles? Those are a late Mothers' Day gift and I adore them. When I saw them at the knitting retreat, I knew the strong needles and pointy tips were for me.

This is why I love the virtual community of knitters. My yarn bag overflows.

For White Blossoms

We had an open house up at the camp. There were picnics and frisbees and kayaks and guitars. It was warm and welcoming. I enjoyed going up there and helping to host and play guitar.

My garden is getting some extra attention. Today I weeded and double dug the raised beds. One is for dahlias, but I'm not sure of the other one. I'm doing herbs on the deck in pots. It's hotter and sunnier and closer to the cooking pot. My lily of the valley graces the toes of the white lilac.

A favourite rose, I call it sisters white because mom propogated it at college and gave us each one. If it thrives, it is actually invasive. Mine is just starting to take. I made a 24 foot hedge at the farm, but it was ripped out by the new owners. I like that it is only one step away from an apple blossom.

The viburnum summer snowflake is stunning and will bloom all summer. I looked for a hydrangea and couldn't find a white one, but like this much better. Plus Mom gave it to me because it wouldn't grow in her yard. It's 12 feet tall!

My dogwood. The rain rusted the edges of its petals, but I still love it. This gardening is seriously eating into my knitting time, but I am well up the leg of the second Cascadia sock and finally have the pattern set for the front of the grey gansey. I hope to get one off the needles so I can cast something else on. I need to swatch for the baby blanket, the slip jig sock and the ishbel shawl. Can hardly wait!

Happy Mothers' Day

I finally figured out the grey sweater. Of course I didn't have the right number of stitches after all. Don't tell Lara from Math4knitters. I haven't knit much this week because I have been gardening. We have done lots in the last few years to minimize the yard work and it's really working. I moved a bunch of plants a few weeks ago and they're so happy, they make me want to go out and do more.

We took my mom and paw for lunch yesterday at the Pointa Vista cafe. It's not what it sounds. Wedged between a mountain and a river, I see no view. But the food is hearty and unpretentious and our awesome baker, Diane is there. It was fun. She liked the fantasy cupcake apron.

Today I go up to the camp for open house. I'll bring my guitar and hopefully we will get visitors. I'll just hack around with camp songs and bring an extra guitar in case someone wants to teach me some new songs.
Hope you have a lovely sunny day.

Evening Light

I've had too much tinking. The grey sweater is stalled. I couldn't find my original inspiration and had to spend some time just staring at it this morning. I'm ready to invest in some decisions and get on with the rest of the body. I need to get this finished because I have so much else to begin. Shawls and lace and yum. A few years ago Wendyknits had a summer of lace. I may be there. Even my sock is lacy. I have the heel turned and just need to pick it up again and apologize for carrying it around and not opening the bag.
I also spent our Thursday morning sit and knit tinking J's bridal shawl. She just couldn't face it. I'm proud of how she made a scarf as a swatch. But I did no knitting.
I took the dog for a walk in the evening. Trying to be active as if I were on Team Lime & Violet. Also the big black dog needs to get out. I also am still on Weight Watcher. I worked Wednesday and packed the best healthy lunch! Plus got stuff done and made people feel better. It was a good shift.

The sky and flowers look different in the evening. I am drawn by the pinks. I bought a clematis today for a fence in our front yard. It's not pink. I didn't plant it, but I did some planting at the MIL's and in my containers.

If I had walked the other way, I would have taken lots of pictures of pink dogwoods trees. The dogwood is our provincial flower, but the pink dogwood is a hybrid.

This is a rose reaching through the school chain link fence to shine on the kids. It's almost feeling warm today. I need to get into the garden, but Emily has her driving test today and we're all on tenderhooks. Hope she gets her 'N' and we will all be calm in the evening light.

ETA She got it!!!!