Caught Jaywalkin'.

If you're reading my blog because you like reading knitting blogs, and are not just a friend of mine fulfilling an obligation, then what I'm about to show you is nothing new. After all, a pair of Jaywalkers come of the needles approximately every 2 minutes somewhere in the world. But this isn't about anyone else's Jaywalkers - it's about mine.


What a great pattern! I wanted just a tiny bit more of a challenge. I'm new(ish) to sock knitting, so the first 2 pair I knit (second pair will be posted soon - I have to re-knit the toes) were plain but still exciting to me as I was cutting my teeth. These literally just flew off my little dpns. I loved loved loved knitting them & am excited to put them into my pile of christmas knitting.





Jaywalker socks - pattern by Grumperina in Magknits
Regia "Canadian Colours" in 'Winnipeg'
bamboo 2.50mm needles
Started Wednesday, finished Sunday (wha??)

WOOO! I just hope that they fit my mother - she's got smaller feet than me (like, 2 sizes smaller) & I'm not *really* stretching these out very much when they're on my feet - but I think she'll love them.

Deep V Argyle Back Support Belt

Coming home from work to knit on my Deep V Argyle Vest has been, to me, like coming home to play with a puppy - it's fun, it's *adorable*, it's super snuggly soft - and.....it's tiny.


After I finished all the hip increases, I thought "that still looks kinda small"....but I kept on anyway... today I finally let the logical part of my brain win, and I took it off my circulars & onto a scrap piece of yarn to try it on. Then, I re-measured my gauge & found that I am at 6.5 sts per inch instead of 5 - does that 1.5 stitches per inch really make that much difference in the fit? The answer, simply is - hell yes.

Now, here's where I come to a standstill - do I keep knitting, hoping that it'll all come out in the wash (literally) when I block it? Can I *really* expect it to stretch out another inch or two? (or 3 - because like, seriously, this thing is snug!) Do I rip it out & fiddle around with the pattern (perhaps adding another argyle pattern in there - which means I'd for sure have to order some more wool from knitpicks (which would be no biggy since I have to order some stuff for christmas projects anyway?) or do I knit this & give it to a well deserving friend who would probably love love love it for Christmas?

Right now I don't know the answer - but luckily, since it's pretty hot here, a merino wool sweater vest is not high on my priority list - but dag-nabbit! I love this thing, I want it.

In other knitting news, here is an unflattering photo of my Orangina sweater that I've fallen totally in love with - my dress Judy is about half my size, which is why there's some scrunching there, but just to give you an idea:


I've measured this thing & it'll fit no probs - but I do plan on making the lace section longer & the ribbing part shorter than what the pattern calls for, so I may need to take a trip back to the shop & buy some more Young Touch
How annoying is it to know that this stuff comes in "32 gorgeous colours!" & I chose black? Can I blame it on the fact that there was a sales clerk tidying up the yarn around me reminding me every 10 seconds that they were closing in just a few minutes?

Tonight I am spending some quality time with my *sewing machine* I feel like I've neglected her for too long now.

no WAY!

Susannah's Shrug
Cotton Fleece in "Cherry Moon"
size 3.25 mm bamboo needles
My own pattern

Could it be? I'm *finally* done Susannah's shrug?? I feel like I've posted so much about this and posted so many progress pictures that this doesn't seem too exciting - but I'm thrilled to be able to send this off to Susannah! I just wish I could fit into the box with it. I miss her SO much.

The only thing that worries me is that the right front seems to be a slightly different shape than the left front - but I'm hoping that Susannah, beautiful (and smart, and witty, and sharp, and sexy etc) as she is, has some weird body deformity that will mask this flaw. Maybe it's only me that sees it, I don't know. I became quite intimate with this l'il sweater as I knit it - I hope that its not only the Cotton Fleece that will keep her warm, but also the mass amounts of love I knit into this.

What did I learn from this project?
I *love* cables & wanna get all freaky with them in future projects
I'm not too great at 'winging it' with making my own patterns or taking bits & pieces from other patterns to make the final piece. I think I worried so much about making the right fit that some of my creativity was spent on that. As a result, there some parts of this that I wish were a bit more sassy (like the 2x2 ribbing around the edge)
Also - although the colour of the cotton fleece is super duper hot stuff, I wish now that I used wool - that way it would have stretched & snuggled around Susannah - I'm not sure of the fit of cotton, but there's no stretch to it, so here's hoping. There's always the next sweater she asks me to make her! All in all I'm happy with it & I hope Susannah is too - now I shall cross my fingers & hope it fits!

And now a walk down sweater memory lane..... This is only the third finished sweater I've knit.

The first one came early on in my knitting career - back when I didn't pay attention to stuff like "gauge" or "swatching" or "recommended needle size" - I don't even remember reading that stuff in the pattern - I think I just picked up sticks & (very cheap) acrylic & went at it. The sweater was a christmas present for my sister. I imagined a big comfy thing that she'd wear while out on a Sunday with her family - my sister is a hot mom & I wanted to make her a hot mom sweater - a little bulky, but body skimming & totally yummy. Needless to say, since I was a poor student & could only afford the yarn one step up from Red Heart (AUGH!) The sweater looked fine when it was done, but I'll bet money on the fact that it's a mangey ugly ball now. (about 5 years later) Also, the sweater was not comfy & bulky. I got bored of knitting - I wanted decreases! I wanted armhole shaping! I wanted more than just stockinette stitch! The sweater was about 5" too short. But my sister, God bless her, wore it to Christmas dinner anyway. My nephew was just a baby then, so there was lots of bending over to hold his chubby arms as he tried to walk, there was lots of bending down to pick him up, there was lots of sitting in the floor playing with him - but she worked it. She made that acrylic belly top HERS - she proudly said "Nicky knit it!" when asked about it....
This year, I'm planning on knitting her something she can actually *wear*.

Sweater #2 was a cardigan the next christmas for my mother. My mother doesn't like wool, and had just been introduced to the wonders of cardigans. She marveled at how practical they were & I was determined to give her the cardigan that people would identify her with. *Jan's cardi* I spent what felt like a million dollars on lovely cotton tweed - it had just a tiny bit of silk in it, and the colour was awesome. I loved knitting it & was sure it'd be a success. I've never seen her wear it. I asked her once about it & she said "OH! It *has* been worn!, my friend was over one night & was chilly so I gave her the cardigan to put on - she LOVED it!" The problem, I found out - was (surprise) too short!

Sweater #3 was the 'vintage pink cardigan' from Interweave Knits Spring 2005. Designed by Norah Gaughan & possibly sent to me by angels. I instantly fell in love with it & HAD to knit it for myself. So why then, if I loved it so much, if I needed it so badly, did I decide that WOOL EASE would be a suitable substitution for Blue Sky Alpaca & Silk?? Why did I use size 3 needles with the wool ease?

and..... why did I make it too short?
(it was after this that my friend Jeff said, as I was teaching him & some other friends to knit, "Just knit until when Nicole tells you to.....and then knit 20 more rows.")

So now, I've just finished sweater #4. I took time to do swatches, I used the recommended needle size, I got all of susannah's measurements before I started & took note of them as I went along. The good thing about knitting shrugs? They're *meant* to be short! With this done & sweaters #5 & 6 in progress hopefully I can get past this sweater bitch goddess that is following me around.

AIE!

HEY! Where am I?

I'm still here! Two weeks ago I started a new job & while I enjoy not working for my previous employer, I cannot say that I don't miss the icey cold temperature the store was kept at in the summer months. Last friday I called in sick as I was suffering from some pretty yucky flu-like bug. I have a feeling my grossness came as a result of working in an office that hit 33 degrees 3/4 of the days I was there last week.

But I digress.

I wonder if Susannah could hear the heavy sigh I let loose when I cast off the last stitches of the second sleeve cap(for the second time) last week? Why is such a teensy tiny little sweater taking me SO freakishly long to knit? And why why why didn't the sleeve cap of the second sleeve match the first?? I don't have the answer to that second one - the first one boils down to the answer for why it takes me a long time to do anything I design & am responsible for. I make it too precious in my mind - I want every single thing to be perfect about it - My brain thinks "If I'm still MAKING it, then I can't fuck it up." I'm getting over that - because tonight (after I put down my laptop in fact) I will set in the last sleeve & seam it up & put that mofo in the mail.


Honest, that lump o' Cherry Moon Cotton Fleece will be a real live sweater in mere hours!

So last week while I was sick, I still wanted to knit - I didn't want to seam anything, I didn't want anything finicky & I wanted to see real live progress. BUT! I also didn't want to start on anything I hadn't already *planned* on starting.

With a cold you can knit practically anything - I actually thinking knitting with a cold helps you get better because it's a cozy soothing thing you're doing. Knitting with a fever & cold sweats & joint aches however, is a different story. So, following all that reasoning does nothing to explain why I chose to start on my Deep V Argyle Vest. I got the yarn I ordered from knitpicks in the mail a couple days before & I was anxious to start her up.



I've never knit a sweater in the round before. This was brought to light after I cast on 112 sts & then sat & wondered how on earth that was going to fit around my body - let alone join on my circulars. After a shamelessly long time I figured out that those 112 sts were only *half* of the body & of course, I needed 112 more. I guess I can blame it on the fact that I was sick. The pattern isn't all too complicated, it takes some getting used to though, and my eyes just wanted to sleep - so that little bit there took me most of Saturday afternoon (I had the ribbing done the night before). Just for the record - the yarn is knitpicks 'merino style' & I was a little skeptical of it when I ordered it - it was very cheap - so I figured it had to have something wrong with it. Not so far as I can tell. So far, it's super soft & squishy & I love the colours & I'm excited to see it turn into a sweater I'm sure I'll love.

When Saturday night came I wanted to knit something *else* - I couldn't knit the one project I have on the go that is mindless since the intended recipient was all up in my grill all day (okay, he was taking care of me...but still....) so I started my Orangina Sweater!


It's not too far along but what a super easy lace pattern! It's only made up over 2 rows & those 2 rows only differ in the number of stitches knit at the beginning, so memorizing this was a snap. I'm not actually sure it's going to be my style when it's done, but I am willing to give it a go.
And finally - I'm one thumb away from finishing my first Christmas knitting project! I've surprised myself! A previous co-worker of mine was none too subtle last winter about how nice it'd be to have a pair of red mittens....If only he knew someone who could knit them up... this comment was usually followed by a lingering stare in my direction with an exasperated sigh. So here then, are some red mittens for my friend Walter:



Right, so there you have it - 4 projects in progress. Yeah Buddy!

Good Crafternoon to you, m'lady!

Things are changing for me - and maybe it's because I turned 30 a couple of months ago & I'm more interested in a more domesticated version of myself, but it's weekends like the one coming up that slap me in the face with the fact that I'm not 'chasing the dragon' (so to speak) like I once was.

Tomorrow is my last day at a job I've held for 5 years. Saying goodbye will be bitter sweet. I've made some really good friends - I've learned the names of most of the dogs that visit with their owners, I made a lot of really great "suits" out of cardboard boxes & sealed some hilarious items in plastic using the fancy machine - but my time has come. Typically, in order to celebrate this monumental occasion, I'd send out an e-blast to all my friends with some hilariously witty title & then I'd celebrate the monumental day by having a whole buncha beer.

So, why won't that be how I celebrate tomorrow?

Because of this and this. I intend to be shamelessly consumptive...edging on vulgar in my purchases. Afterall, I derserve it! And to be fair, I will get some christmas shopping done. My big plan is to either make all the gifts I give, or to get them from independent designers. No, *seriously!*

Greetings from Sleeve Island

There's terminology in knitting that non-knitters could never understand. "The Boyfriend Sweater Curse" for instance - and, in my case "Sleeve Island." Sleeve Island is the dreaded place knitters go after knitting the body of a sweater. Some of them never return. Others stay there for quite a while, some speedsters don't even have time to unpack - they're on & off the island lickity split.

I've been overstaying my welcome here at Sleeve Island & the other night after a couple of glasses of wine (okay, okay....a whole bottle - but it was the finale of ANTM!) I sauntered up to that 3/4 knit sleeve & warned it that it was in for a ride.

This is the first time I've ever made up my own pattern - the math involved in the sleeve cap was looming over me & I just couldn't seem to jump into it. But with the help of some liquid courage (is this a sign of me getting old? 'liquid courage' used to mean I had had enough to drink that I could talk to boys in bars - now it means I can muster up the sass to finish a sleeve cap?) I am now able to present to you Sleeve 1/2. The second one should be a snap!


And this shot shows off the length! Susannah is a woman who likes long, long sleeves:


I'm pretty darned happy with how this is turning out, and I just hope that I can get it in the mail to jolly old England in time for their balmy summer.

too easy....

Today I discovered how easy it is to spend money without moving more than your fingers. First, I visited Glampyre and purchased the pattern for 'Orangina' it's so cute! Well, maybe it's Stephanie Japel that is so cute. I mean. *SO CUTE!* I've always loved her patterns so I thought "hey! I got $11 american dollars in my paypal account that I can't transfer to my bank account....why not order this pattern?" so I did. Ordering it was far too easy - I sent $5us through paypal & within seconds the pattern was right there on my screen in pdf format ready for me to print out & add to my 'to knit' pile.

But why stop at one?

Why not mosey over to See Eunny Knit and finally get my paws on the 'Deep V Argyle Vest' that I have been absolutely drooling over since I first laid eyes on it. Sincerely - this thing is perfect. I also like the idea that my money is going directly to these designers. I just hope Eunny puts out more patterns - the pattern to the vest is a whopping *32* pages long! She goes into great detail about the pattern & has super directions on steeking which is the part I'm most worried about.

I promised myself I absolutely wouldn't start on anything new until I finished the last sleeve on Susannah's shrug (Susannah - it's nearing the end, I *swear!*) but like my bookshelf is full of books marked only 20 pages from the end (it's annoying to me, too - don't worry) I have this weird sense of urgency as I'm nearing the end of a project - a need to cast on for a new project.
The thing is, while surfing the internet & ordering patterns I finally visited knitpicks. I'd heard that their yarn was wicked cheap & boy howdy they weren't lying! I can knit that whole argyle vest for under $40cdn! unheard of!

But no...I will finish the last of Susannah's shrug & *THEN* I will go steeking crazy.

my lovely lady lumps.

For what seems like months, I've been working on a little amigurumi sleepy eyed cat. I got the pattern instructions from this blog - and good thing, too - since the original instructions (and what you have to follow for some of him) are in Japanese I'm happy to announce he's done! hoorah! The crocheting sort of hurt my hands since everything's so tiny, but the photo ops are totally worth it!

hey! who's in my bed?!
oh! heh, it's you! Well, you better wake up because it's time to smell some flowers.... the only nice thing in the whole Book City basement!



Hey! That's *MY* miniature sample bottle of Marc Jacobs!.....but you look so cute nestled up with it I guess you can have it...

I haven't named him yet, but Patrick seems to think his name should be Abraham Lincoln Jr.

The other day while I had my camera at work I took the time to try & capture the fear & disgust & general trapped-in-ness I feel while there..

Sadly, this doesn't even come close to showing how I feel while at my job. But that doesn't matter since this morning I got a lovely phone call from a woman I interviewed with last week. "The job is yours if you'd like it." It took all I had not to weep into the phone that YES! Yes I wanted that job! Yes I wanted to be set free from my current situation! Yes I never wanted to have to cry in a supply closet! Yes I wanted a job with higher pay & shorter hours! and most importantly... "YES! I wanted a job that is a 5 minute walk from Romni Wool!"

It dawned on me that I really don't have much in the way of 'respectable work clothes' so I whipped up some pants this afternoon. I did this also because I'm ever so slowly starting to focus on what I want to start making for my line. (This 'line' will be incredibly humble, and long, long overdue since I'm going to make clothes geared towards girls like me... girls with junk in theys trunks.) Anyhow, pants have long been an enemy of mine, but I think I actually like these:
I took a picture of me wearing my spring jacket that I made - nothing is more satisfying to me than to know that the only child who was exploited to make my outfit was *myself*. The front of these pants isn't what I like though...it's the cute pockets on the back. In trying to get a good shot of my own ass I learned a couple of valuable lessons:

1) it's super, super hard to get a picture of your own bum - most of your photos come out like this:
2) it's probably best to get someone else to take the photo & never show it to you because I probably erased about 30 photos of less than flattering shots.

3) use the self timer. DUH!



I swear to you the pockets are even. It's my rump that makes them look askew. Here's a detail shot that I took by accident but that I actually like:

So - pants, kitty, and I cast on for the 'Pentagon Pullover' from Knitting Nature. I feel like a well oiled crafting machine!

I-heart-mail!

Coming home after a full day of work is always nice - coming home to awesome mail after a full day of work is....well....it's awesome! The mailperson brought me two packages on Friday - one of them being my replacement needle from brittany (superfast! yeow!) and the other was a mysterious tv sitcom pilot on video. I was asked last week if I'd mind being part of a *specially selected* viewing group for this show. I like to keep a mid to high element of exclusivity in my life and if that requires me to watch the hi-jinx of 3 divorced dads (one of them being C. Thomas Howell) well alright then.

The tape came with strict instructions - one of which I broke right away. I was instructed to watch the show on Sunday but I knew it'd be a problem fitting it in so I watched it on Saturday instead. The most memorable thing for me from the show was Rue McClanahan's terrible German accent so the survey questions should be interesting.

Today though, was the best mail day as my Earth Day swap package arrived!

Some lovely goodies! 3 knit washcloths, a billfold made of recycled vinyl, some Lush stuff, some knitting goodies (including a yummy colourway of 'Hip Hop') and I think my favourite is the little reusable cloth bags. I saw them for the first time this weekend - you can use them for loose tea & they make so much sense! Now I just have to start buying loose tea. Thanks Maley!

And now...I *must* post progress photos of Susannah's Shrug. She came to me months ago & asked if I could recreate a shrug she saw in a magazine. I said I could. It's been more of a challenge than I thought it would - the shaping around the bust was tricky & I've never made my own pattern before, so I'm hoping it works out in the end.





The way I went about this comes straight from my pattern drafting experience. I made pieces out of fabric first (luckily, Susannah's dainty figure is similar to that of my dress form) and then I just tried to match the knit pieces as best I could as I went along. With only the sleeves to go, I find myself a little stuck. A comfortable armhole is the key to a sweater you'll want to wear all the time...to one you might even call your *favourite* lets just hope the reading I've been doing on how to make a successful sleeve cap come in handy & it fits her. Even if it doesn't, she's sassy enough to pull off even the illest fitting sweater...my goal here though, is to make the *illest* sweater. period.

ttc...viva....yrt....and me.

I was like Little Orphan Annie, except with better hair & not a red dress but a H&M skirt I made 2 sizes bigger (thank goodness full skirts are in! all that pleated awesome fabric to let out & make into chubby girl clothes. Or "Strong woman" clothes, as the new friend I met today kept referring to me as.

New friend? His name started with an 'A'. I got onto the Viva line after 2 seperate subway rides & one stop later there was a huge accident. The bus driver told me to get off because we weren't going anywhere. She pointed to some random place across the way (the 'way' being Keele street - a pretty big street) I got off the bus (I was the only passenger) & wandered over to where she had pointed. I saw no bus. Not even a bus stop.

I stood there, garment bag over my arm..my cardigan feeling too heavy for the muggy weather, my shoes giving me pretty wicked blisters since it was my first time wearing them sockless. I had *no* idea where I was or what direction I needed to go. This guy said something to me about how big the accident was & I wearily said "I don't even know where I AM!". He offered to drive me to York University which was where I needed to catch the next bus to get to my interview.

I've never, ever hitched a ride with a stranger & I took the sign that I got no creepy vibes from him as a good one. Ironically enough Just last night I watched the episode of Degrassi Junior High where Wheels hitchhikes to find his dad in Port Hope & gets picked up by a pervert who tries to feel his thighs beneath his acid washed jeans.
"If he tries anything," I thought "I'll just jump out of the car & immediately pick up a giant rock to throw at him. Hopefully he throws my World Famous backpack out of the car before he takes off." Because that's just like it happened in Degrassi.

But he didn't. He was just a kind human being doing something nice for someone in need. My ride cost less than a cab would have & the only fare I had to pay was humouring him while he told me how much he loved a 'strong woman' like me. Did I have a boyfriend? Kids? Any single friends who are also 'strong women?'

Save for that small glitch in my public transit knitting marathon, I knit there & back pretty steadily & this is how far I got...


I'm at the heel flap! I'm crazy in love with how this sock is striping! I totally nailed the interview but unfortunately I think the commute really would be just way too much. -sigh-

moving on....casting on....rambling on....

I'm getting ready to go on a big public transit ride to an interview I hope I do well with. The commute to this job would be about an hour & a half per day - but to put it into light - I'd rather spend lots of time getting to & from a job I enjoy than spend 8 1/2 hours at a job that makes me cry in the supply closet & infront of innocent customers who just need help finding a book.

On the bright side, the long subway & bus ride means lots of knitting will get done. Here's what I have done so far on the new socks I'm knitting (for my sister....for christmas! look how on top of things I'm trying to be this year!)


Lets see how much I get done today while I'm making my way to.....dun dun dun.... BEYOND THE TTC LINE!

rocking on the 3rd.

There's a little something cooking up inside my head & when the time is right I will unleash it. But not yet. But it has something to do with me sharing secrets. Not dirty secrets....although some may be *knitty* gritty.

But secrets like how I totally made these slippers:


I cleaned my whole sewing room (although it still probably looks messy to an outsider eye) and I'm extremely happy to announce the missing dpns have been found.

Where were they?

Oh....you know....where everyone keeps their needles - in an accordian file folder - in the section with all my old zine stuff. (They fell in there. And for some reason - some really crazy reason, I thought "Hey! Maybe I should check to see if they're in there!" And they were! And now everyone can sleep well tonight knowing that it's alright....I found my needles.)

oh snap!

About 2 months ago as I was doing my version of tidying up my knitting basket I came across a brittany needle. Size 4.0mm. Totally snapped in half. It was hard to tell that it was broken since the knitting was still on the needle & masked the damage - but the limp way the swatch I had been working on hung down suggested there was definitely something wrong.

I wish I could take a picture & show you - because this post would be way more dynamic but since our telephone/internet seems to work only when it wants to, I cannot.

In any case, I e-mailed them since they have a 5 year guarantee on their needles & hooks. I heard from them today saying they were shipping a new needle out to me right away.

I write this entry mostly as a record of when I requested the replacement needle. Hopefully it will arrive soon.

In other needle news -
MISSING: 2 size 2 dpns. Last seen performing a kitchener stitch. Lost somewhere between my living room & my sewing room.

Saw-haw-haw-haw-hawkssss!

I did it! I did it! I freaking knit a pair of socks! I knit one! And then I knit the other one! I knit them both!

I have to say - at the start of this knitting project I was all "size 1 needles? WHAT?" "fingering yarn is so teeny! WHAT!?" But I plugged on & I even experienced the thrill I've heard other knitters get when they get to the turning of the heel! I looked forward to getting to the second sock so I could do it again!
Using the DG Confetti Self striping yarn probably helped me get through it since I was super excited to watch the stripes develop. (Nevermind that a snarky co-worker of mine, upon seeing the self striping remarked "Isn't that cheating? Isn't that like painting with a tree shaped brush?" Yeah, don't worry - I took care of that fool in the alley after work. PAH-PAOW!

The socks are for Gord & hopefully they don't spark the dreaded "Boyfriend sweater curse!"
dun dun dunnn!

what the what?

I've been a busy little crafting bee - I really, truly have. But troubles at home mean I'm unable to update my blog with pictures of stuff I've actually made.
Our phone is busted.
We switched service providers in the fall & there have been tons of trouble ever since -now it's affecting our internet & I'm stuck with nothing.

But this morning, after a bunch of exasperated sighs I think I talked them into giving us a break on our next bill. That doesn't help me when I'm desperate to show everyone my very first pair of knit socks and the progress I've made on Susannah's Shrug, and a picture of me wearing my brand new Erica Weiner Necklace (I got the scissors necklace - they really open & close!)

No, that's when credit on our next bill or sending a technician to our house on Saturday really does nothing to help me now - when I want to show you pictures!

It does, however, open the door for me to do some nerdy knitting book reviews. I'll most likely be unemployed in the upcoming weeks so I've been stocking up on books while I still have the luxury of buying them at a discount.

Knitting Nature by Nora Gaughan is one hot piece of knitting action. I'm sure that when I go to knit one of the delicious patterns from this that I'll find most of the pages stuck together. it's that great. The book is divided up into sections of patterns inspired by nature. Hexagons, spirals, waves, etc. The photography is stunning & the text is so clearly written I'm sure an experienced beginner would be able to get through some of these patterns.







Mason-Dixon Knitting by Kaye Gardiner and Ann Meador Shayne is an incredibly high priced book that has the most beautiful little treasures inside that you soon forget you paid so much for it. (well, it was easy for me to forget since I sort of got it for free...but seriously, I'd pay good money for this! even almost full price!) I've been a big fan of their blog for a long time now & was thrilled at the news that a book was being released. Knit Log cabin quilt? Yes! spiraly rug? Yes *please!* hilarious stories of why they thought to knit a lacy window covering? And how! Delightful! These woman have a zest for life, love their craft, and encourage you to forge your own way in the world of knitting & crafting & I wish everyone had a little of their spirit in them.



Home by Debbie Bliss is sitting on my bookshelf, waiting to be cracked into & the pages marked with stickies simply because the key to my heart lays within the well worn pattern of the bedsheets of my youth - the blanket on the cover of the book is it *exactly* & I want to knit it in giant panels that will cover every single wall in my apartment. Besides the awesome blanket pattern there's a bunch of other lovely things in here & Debbie Bliss is kind of like the Fannie Farmer of knitting - so you can't really go wrong.






and lastly but not leastly...
Knitting Rules! by Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee.
Is it possible to have a totally platonic knitting crush on someone? Is it possible to wonder what they're doing throughout the day.....? Because Ever since I found her blog & then especially after I read her Yarn Harlot Book I've been giving major mad props to Stephanie. I even once heard myself give a Reading Rainbow style review to a customer. And Knitting Rules! Is no different - jammed with tips & techniques and hilarious knitting stories I have this on my bedside table & I want to start a Stephanie Pearl-McPhee fanclub. I want to make a film adaptation of her blog! of her books! I want to be her for Halloween!

Jewel encrusted sweater puppies

When it's a princess' birthday she deserves only the very best. And if that princess has a blog named jewelencrustedpuppy then she deserves something like these:

check out these puppies!

I cut out the hugest pictures of diamonds I could find....did the same with little beagle puppy photos - glued them onto cardstock, covered it all in packing tape & re-cut them. I finished them off by putting earring bits on em & voila!

rocks everyone can enjoy!!

trapped in the closet.....

The other night I was telling Gord about R. Kelly's awesomely epic video 'Trapped in the Closet'. Deciding it needed to be seen to be believed we sat infront of my slow little computer last night & watched all 12 chapters on youtube.com. It took a cool hour and a half. And worth every minute.

Today it is raining & I can think of nothing more I'd like than to be sitting in my living room, knitting & watching it *again*. This morning I even went back to the website & watched some of his other videos - my favourite being 'wind up'.

It got me thinking though - I wouldn't mind being trapped in my closet for a while - the sewing room closet needs a lot of organizing & as part of 'use what I have' month (which I may extend to May!!...yeeee-oinks!) I really should sift through all of it & make little bags & creatures & sundresses & quilts out of it all. I've also decided that this year will be a 100% handcrafted holiday for me. If you are on my christmas list your gift will be born of my blood, sweat & tears....and of my mistakes because I sometmes do things when I'm perhaps a little ... lets say 'out of sorts.'

And to be sure this post is at least a little relevant:

Check out this mega gigantic rug!!


more of it can be found here.
if you click on the little flock of sheep on the right hand side you can see more photos & they will blow your mind. honest.

What does R. Kelly have to do with a giant rug knit from the wool of 18 sheep? There's probably some way to connect it.

on little cat feet!

Spring has sprung & not a moment too soon have I finished my spring jacket - I *love* it. It's made of a lightweight wool with brown piping - and chocolate brown lining. I haven't perfected bound buttonholes yet though - so the buttons I bought are a smidge too big but I bought new ones that are a little smaller.

Here she is before I finished the facing & the hem but it turned out really nicely & I'm thinking I should make myself a bunch of spring jackets. You know.....be one of those people with lots of nice jackets..... the same people who have multiple pairs of eyeglasses & give off an air of put-togetherness that people with only one pair of glasses can never have.

Yeah....one of those people.

ugg-y goodness.

Contrary to what my posts may have you believe, I actually *DO* still craft. I've been knitting like crazy & for a couple of weeks now I've started to feel the pain of legions of knitters who work & work but have nothing to show for it. Until now. I finally have a completed project to post & I couldn't be more tickled with them!





Baby Uggs!


The pattern was really easy to follow & a pretty fast knit and best of all, it's available for free from here.

I'm going to start knitting only for babies since everything is extra cute & small & therefore quick to knit up.

will work for food.

It's sad to realize I spend 42.5 hours a week doing something that brings me no joy. Although, this morning a woman came in with her 4 month old Pug & let me hold it. That made things better for a bit.

About a week ago I had my first job interview in a long time - an icebreaking interview for a job that I would have ben thrilled to be hired for. A job in the *industry* a job where I would *learn*. The owner extolled the virtues of her staff to me in the interview & my eyes could hardly keep in the tears of jealousy. A boss that actually *appreciates* her staff? Sign me up!

I didn't get the job. But I've been sending my resume out to any job that sounds even remotely better than the one I'm currently withering away in.

I did, however, put together this modest little website with the help of the bbfe!, and it's really made me realize that I *do* have the talent to do more with my day that organize invoices & ring through newspapers & be belittled by a boss I no longer respect.