A looooong delayed "thank you!"

My birthday was last month and I was very lucky to receive some lovely presents by some equally lovely people. Yes, I said last month. I know, I'm lame!

In my defense, two days before my birthday I returned from a crazy work trip where I had to go to Los Angeles and work five 14 hour days. It seriously took me over a week to get my energy back! After I returned and before I got my energy back, my photography skills were lacking something fierce and I was too sock obsessed to try and do better. Now over a month later, I realize that I look like a total ass for not posting anything. So here is my official shout out! With a really lousy picture.

Sandi - You totally rock with the frog and handmade dishcloths and a (what I'm sure will be) delicious wine. In regards to the dishcloths, Paul was all like, "We really should use these? Use them to clean things with?!" I assured him that it was cool but as of now they're just sitting pretty on the windowsill by the sink making me giggle each time I see that crazy frog.

Peggy - I LOVE the yoga mat bag! (Note to those who can't see the bag in the picture: Ok, I know you can't tell it's a yoga mat bag. But the cool retro fabric IS the bag. Just nod your head and pretend you can see the whole thing.) Fits the mat perfectly and I love my stitch markers. They're so girly! You are an incredibly talented Crafty Gal!

Sophie - If anyone knew I needed a pocket ninja it would be you! And I need to get a plastic sleeve for Knitting Classic Style you gave me. (Not seen in the picture. I'm not that bad of a photographer.) The pages are stuck together from all the drool. I'm serious twitching for some Kid Silk Haze. I mean I only need three (possibly 4 if I wanted to make it longer) balls to do the Layered Skater Top.

Thanks again, ladies!

Socks of Knowledge

I know this is an old picture but for some reason I really like the idea of seeing this project so close to done. I guess I miss this project just a tad. There's nothing like a project that is mindless and challenging all at the same time which these socks were. These socks a have been dubbed "The Socks of Knowledge" by LadyLungDoc as every technique (except the knitting and purling) was new to me. It made the endless knitting and purling fun and I had no reservations about starting the second sock. What did I accomplish? Well...

- first attempt at toe-up
- mastered the "magic" cast-on by Judy Becker
- experimented with new increases - Knit Right Loop (KRL) and Knit Left Loop (KLL)
- discovered a modification worksheet for the Widdershins heel
- struggled with Elizabeth Zimmerman's Sewn Cast Off

I want to enjoy these socks as much as possible as I'll be sending these off this week to a friend. Who I hope will enjoy wearing them as much as I enjoyed making them!

GARTER RIB SOCKS
Started: first sock Sept. 3rd, second sock Sept 10th
Completed: first sock Sept. 8th, second sock Sept. 15th
Pattern: Garter Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch
Yarn: Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM)
Needles: US 3/3.25mm KnitPicks Options
Recipient: a friend...
Notes: I was a little disappointed in the Koigu. One of the skeins had what looked like snags throughout and there was a knot. That is something I don't expect when I pay $14 a skein. I would definitely think twice before buying Koigu again. However the colourway was pretty spectacular.

Socks are done...

I hope to return to my regularly scheduled blogging after I return from the Picnic at the Brickworks.

Possible Success??!

After flailing around with 43 unsuccessful attempts on starting my toe-up socks, I finally feel that maybe, juuuuuuust maybe that I have started a sock that will actually fit a human foot as opposed to a giant. I am a wee paranoid that it's too big. I mean, it seems to fit me well. They're comparable in size to other socks I've knit and are smaller than my crappy store bought socks. However I am making them for a friend who has slightly smaller feet than I. Oh well, hopefully she'll appreciate the effort made even if they flap around when she walks.

And let the games begin

September 1st started the Snarktember Sock-A-Long. A handful of us are vying for Ms. Snark's hand spun. As of right now, even though I have spent countless hours working on the socks I have nothing to show but my frustration. And that doesn't photograph very well.

I don't think I do well with deadline knitting. Probably what's complicating the situation is I am trying a few new techniques that I clearly don't quite have a grasp of. And the concepts I should have under my belt (like gauge) are just eluding me. I'm feeling terribly inadequate as one woman probably has one sock done by now and Ms. Snark herself is doing two pairs at once as a handicap.

On one hand I just want to walk away and say, "Thanks, I'll join next year." On the other, I want to dominate these techniques that are getting me down and show them who's boss. However as my hopes for this last long weekend of summer goes up in smoke, I'm sitting here feeling even more discontent knowing ALL the things I didn't successfully do this weekend that it makes me want to put on the grumpy pants. I'm apologizing to Paul now.

(Said in a Cute With Chris voice) Let's look at a picture of a completed sock!

When all else fails tell them about your knitting

August has been a whirlwind of work and family visits. It's been a bit stressful and very enjoyable but a little overwhelming at the same time. I've blogged a bit about my LA trip for work here (and hope to add more once the latest round of visitors are gone). Other than that I've been plugging away at the knitting when I have some downtime. I'm gonna look at the Summer Knitting List to see how I'm doing. This is what it looked like last I looked:

1. A-Line Top from Jo Sharp Saturday
STARTED 2. Sea Mesh Wrap out of Handmaiden Seasilk
3. Sunflower Tam from Knitting Nature
DONE 4. Angora Baby Booties from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts(3 pair)
DONE 5. Magic Loop socks
DONE 6. Clapotis Cap out of Malabrigo
7. First Hat from Knit 2 Together
8. Begin Fitzgerald from Noro Knits
DONE 9. Gauge and start some sort of sweater out of Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed (probably Pimlico Shrug from Knit 2 Together)
10. Finish Toy Bear from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
DONE 11. Three baby related secret things (they're very small)
12. Dye-Versions Wrap

Annnnnnnnd, it doesn't look much different. Although nothing is finished, I do have some items that highlight my progress that I can show off.

1. detail of Eyelet Lace for Pimlico Shrug, 2. Eyelet Lace for Pimlico Shrug, 3. Seamesh Scarf, 4. detail Seamesh pattern. (Created with fd's Flickr Toys.)

This eyelet lace is going to keeelllll me. Seriously. It is a totally boring knit. Zzzzzzzzzz. But I know it will look gorgeous in the end. I'll be focusing on this for the rest of August, so I'll be working on it like a madwoman. Then I'll put it down for a bit and focus on what needs to be done for September. I'm participating in Ms. Snarks Secret Snark-A-Sock-A-Long. There's eleven (or twelve of us) who are going to vie for Ms. Snark's hand spun by working on the Garter Rib socks. Cast on date is the 1st so I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed. Here's my swatch:

And I cast on for a second try at the Hell Socks. This time using larger needles. Hopefully it won't be so much of a struggle.

September will also see me finish Seamesh as I haven't dedicated too much time to it in the last month.

So the recap for September will be:

1) Garter Rib Socks
2) Hell Socks (probably with re-knitting the first one I did ages ago)
3) Seamesh Scarf
4) Pimlico Shrug

Should be doable...urrrrr... I think.

Hedge/No Hedge

For those of you who have been to the House of Sammon. Behold there are no more hedges!

For those who have never been, you now be able to find it without asking"Is that a ramp to your front door?"

Hey! Is that a kitchen I see?

It's not completely finished, I know. But three of the four appliances are now installed and working IN the kitchen. The top cabinets are actually installed. Lighting is no longer provided by a 500 watt work lamp. Which allowed us to do something we haven't done in a while.

We cooked our first meal in over 11 weeks.

And there was great rejoicing.

Knitty Yarn Tasting

Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera for Knitty's Yarn Tasting that happened on the 20th. But Cristina (Goddess of the Knitting Machine) did. She sent me two photos that I absolutely love and I've decided to share them here (with her permission, of course!):

1. RoleModels.JPG, 2. MaybeABeard.JPG.

Summer Knitting In Review (July edition)

It's now been two months since I've posted my summer knitting goals and it's time to check in.

1. A-Line Top from Jo Sharp Saturday
STARTED 2. Sea Mesh Wrap out of Handmaiden Seasilk
3. Sunflower Tam from Knitting Nature
DONE 4. Angora Baby Booties from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts(3 pair)
DONE 5. Magic Loop socks
DONE 6. Clapotis Cap out of Malabrigo
7. First Hat from Knit 2 Together
8. Begin Fitzgerald from Noro Knits
DONE 9. Gauge and start some sort of sweater out of Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed (probably Pimlico Shrug from Knit 2 Together)
10. Finish Toy Bear from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
DONE 11. Three baby related secret things (they're very small)
12. Dye-Versions Wrap

Not as much progress has been made but I'm getting there. I came very close to casting on #8 but Paul decided he didn't like the pattern so off the list it goes! I've started the Seamesh Wrap (picture in the previous post) and I've gotten a total of 3 repeats complete (only 9 more to go). I'd like to get that done by August when I head to LA for work as I may head north to San Francisco for a few days and I'd love to give it to it's recipient in person.

Madness (Our House)

This weekend was supposed to be the big run to the end for the kitchen. It hasn't really turned out to be that way and we will probably spend one more week consuming take-out. This project has been so monumentally overwhelming that we're just having a really hard time getting motivated to finish. Sound weird, huh? But its true.

Yesterday we spent in a car driving out to Vaughn/Woodbridge/Brampton/outside Toronto area to check out wall beds for future guest room, Ikea for Ikea things, Tri-plast to get the counter top trimmed by 1/2" and eat some of the best Indian Food. Ever. Bjohan Bhandaar (15 Jevlan Drive, Unit E, Woodbridge L4L 8C2). It's in a weird shopping area (lots of big warehouses and box stores). Look for the giant INDIAN FOOD sign from the road.

Friday night I spent at Alterknit with a whole gaggle of knitter for the first of many yarn tastings brought to us by the awesome Amy Singer. We fondled 8 yarns and it felt a lot like speed dating/musical chairs/sensory overload. The difference being it was a lot of fun. I have to admit I wasn't as into as almost everyone else. Some took copious notes, some knit beautiful swatches in an organized fashion. But not me. When I got home all I had was pile of yarn. I sure did have fun. Except for the at the end which still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I hate it when adults act like children and feel entitled to more than their fair share of a wonderful gift. No need to continue as after this post I hope not to think of it again.

Off to work on the kitchen. Wish me luck. For lack of content I give you fun things to look at:

1. My yarn tasting, 2. Paul with bad hair but good lighting, 3. My first real lace project, 4. Cat 'tocks

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

And now for something completely different. Maybe most of you remember when Michael Jackson wasn't as freaky as he is today? Maybe some of you remember the album Thriller and the awesome video that came from that album? I will say loudly and proudly that I think that is one of the best albums ever. Seriously. In fact, I believe it was the first album I ever bought. Maybe if I was older or younger when it came out maybe I'd feel differently but circumstances being what they were I wasn't. Anyhoodle, I found this little gem through Accordion Guy (who I really want to have a beer/glass o' wine with some day) who I think found it through Boing Boing (THE directory or wonderful things). It's 1500 Filipino prisoners performing Thriller in what looks like the prison's courtyard. Truly fantastic.

Oh, and I guess I should mention the knitting. I've gotten the sleeves done for Pimlico and I've started my first real lace project (photo above). More details later after the kitchen is usable.

It can't be true...

After six months of sitting in our entryway, the dishwasher has come out of the box.

And there was great rejoicing.

More art in the form of knit and crochet

My love affair with treehugger continues with two post about knitting and crochet as art.

The first thing that caught my eye is a story about E Chen's "Thousand Year Bloom" at the Taipei Biennial. Kathreen Ricketson, who writes about culture & celebrity, notes: "It consisted of a roomful of knitted random objects, such as flower pots, fire hydrants and cacti, which were slowly mechanically unraveled over the course of the exhibition, leaving piles of discarded yarn in their wake." Read the post here.



And she writes of the inspiration of the crocheted reef: "With the threat of global warming and agricultural pollutants, scientists believe the reef will be dead in 30 years. The founders of the IFF, the Wertheim sisters - who grew up in Queensland - have instigated a project to crochet a woollen reef." Read this post here.


"Crochet Coral and Anemone Garden" with sea slug by Marianne Midelburg. Photos by Alyssa Gorelick.

The Three Booties...

are done!!



ANGORA BABY BOOTIES
Started: June 6, 2007 (but failed to actually follow the pattern so had three false starts)
Completed: July 1, 2007
Pattern: Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: couldn't decipher brand, but it is from France! (1+ ball, 7 grams)
Needles: US 5/3.75mm Brittany Bamboo DPNs
Recipient: Natalie, Madilynne & ???

Yarn for Trade...

I have approximately 8 balls of the beautiful Rowan Holiday yarn (detailed specs here). I actually finished a garment with it last year. However it was the tiniest bit of too small. I could put it on but couldn't go out in public. At the time I was like, "I'll just rip it out and knit it again!" But the inspiration has long passed.



Please only reasonable offers! So no acrylic, acrylic-blends, fun fur, etc. If you're interested leave me a comment with your email addy. Or contact me at jacquieblackman AT gmail DOT com.

Treehugger talks about knitting (again)!

My favorite "one-stop shop for green news" posted about knitting again. I love these peeps! And this was before I found out they had their "own love affair with knitting." (Links to additional knitting stories at the bottom of their post.)

That's how they do it!

Brought to my attention by Ms. Snark

The Finger (A Quiz)

Taken from Purl This and Snarkland. Unfortunately I can't hang out with either of them (so says the quiz).

You Are a Pinky

You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird. A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone. You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are. You get along well with: The Ring Finger Stay away from: The Thumb

What Finger Are You?