Jo Knits!

We're off to TO!

Here we go, we are off to Toronto! There's a party happening on saturday and I got my invite just like everyone else. Didn't think this was really going to happen until an hour ago when we FINALLY booked a room in this cute B&B found online. You see I have been searching online since monday for a hotel room available in Toronto but nooooooooo! Most big hotels in the city are booked, even the Days Inn with it's 538 rooms we stayed at last time was completely packed. That's ok I got a room with a jacuzzi, who am I to complain? teehee! I'm going to be the calmest gal on saturday night's Knit Wit book launch party. Gonna spend the afternoon in the jacuzzi with tons of Mister Bubbles. ;)

We are driving through the night and I get to visit a few yarn shops tomorrow (friday) and spend the day in yarn heaven. I was going to keep this a complete surprise until I got there saturday night but then there's only one person who would be surprised. LOL! I think it'll be more fun to spend the day in TO with a friend and finally get to yarn shop with V.

Gotta go pack to an hour long nap and off we go, see you in TO!

hugs, have a safe weekend and people on the 401, please drive safely.

World on Fire

World on Fire is a video which features Sarah McLachlan, the song is inspired by the WTC 9-11 events. The video is not your average high budget glitzy music video, still it is one of the most beautiful videos I have ever watched.

Yesterday in a totally different subject I realised that I too, can make a difference. So it was just an email I sent to a company but still I received a response to it and I felt like someone had listened to little ol'me.

Yesterday I worked in a book/cd store and noticed something odd. When buying books, be sure to check the prices as they seem to often have different prices for the same book. The most obvious one was a book at 92$ and the one right behind it was 16$ both most differences were 5$. Also if you ever check for Salsa cd's you will notice many have sexy covers. Here I was zapping away counting the cds and all I was seeing were sexy covers and then I started a childrens international music section. LOL! Quite weird.

Haven't knitted much in the past two days, I feel like I'm slowing down! LOL! I think I know now why I had stopped working on the Top Secret sweater, the boucle-type yarn isn't all that fun to knit with. I WILL keep at it though as I have a body and sleeve done already that's like more than half done, right? . It's starting to get chilly out and I am more motivated to knit than ever. I CAN knit sweaters and this is so exciting, I want to knit 10! LOL! Ok, well we will see now won't we but it is very invigorating to feel like I'm winning the battle over my knitting. I used to feel like the knitting was better than me but hey, I'm the one doing those stitches after all. So I am now the boss of my stitching and I shall start venturing a bit more than just your average beginner's patterns from now on.

Also I got quite the ego booster last week and was referred to as a knitting expert/master knitter. ROFL! Don't worry I was hanging out in a newbie knitting forum but still I did realise that I can't be a newbie for ever. That yes, I have learned a thing or two about knitting in the last two years. Ok, happy dance~*~ I am finally getting what Veronik has been telling me. See I am growing as a knitter. LOL!

hugs,

Raglan2!

Lucas now has his own mommy-knitted sweater, lucky boy! :) Finished it saturday morning, just in time to hold the promise I had made to him. He was to get his sweater before the next time I would be working which was yesterday. Now it's my turn, I will most likely start my very own sweater, I thought I had 9 balls of Noro Kureyon left but it seems that I have 8. I have a hat to rip out so that's a ball there and then I'll swatch (well actually I will start knitting a sleeve) and hope for the best. I will be using the Rosedale United pattern as a guide but will not knit the intersia square. Basically I will be knitting a raglan sweater, it will be fun to knit for myself and already I am dreaming of a few more projects to start for me.

Clapotis, I really want to try and knit that scarf, it's too fancy for me but it looks fun to purposely drop stitches. LOL! I'll try to see if I have anything in my stash to at least attempt a scarf, wonder if it would look nice in natural yarn. I'm curious as to what Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb yarn feels like though, anyone care to send me an inch or two? ROFLOL! Mfall/winter coat is white and blue so I'm not sure if the natural wool I have would look nice, then again, it would be hard for me to koolaid dye it really nicely enough to knit a Clapotis after.

Last night I worked a bit on a long lost project that I had started last year I believe. It's funny 'cause I have been thinking alot of the person that designed the Top Secret sweater as I am knitting it. I miss mamakate's blogging so much as well as Kathy's too. I felt like they were friends and I miss reading what they are up too. Did Kathy go up to her cabin this summer, is Kate still knitting for others with short time limits to send in her projects. I miss seeing what they are knitting, designing and talking about.

People come and go in the blogging world and it's silly how you start feeling like you know them after reading their thoughts for a few months. Can you blame me, those two were so friendly, also, they came and commented on my blog, designed great patterns for Knitty and they are Canadians! LOL! ;)

hugs,

Renovation

It's a mess in our household, more so in the bathroom. Renovations are taking place and we've been discovering more things as we go. Found a penny! WOOHOO! But most importantly we found out that in a matter in a few weeks the toilet was about to fall into the basement. LOL! Something was leaked the the bathroom's floor was about the crumble. Problem is the one day job we had planned is now turning into a few days of work.

Lucas is loving all this pounding and gets to help as much as he can. Let me tell you that using that hammer sure gets out my frustrations! I guess I've been bottling up things as Lucas had a hard time getting his hammer back. LOL!

I haven't knitted yesterday so the sweater isn't done for Lucas yet. Will work on it today, should be done before I go to sleep tonight. Skating lessons tonight so I'll have an hour to knit there. LOL!

Have a safe weekend, oh and when you shut off the main water in your house DO let others know before that have soap in there hands! Had to wash of with bottled water. LOL!

Up and down.

-The good, we received a pair of nearly new black ice skates for Lucas last night at the ice rink.
-The bad, had to frog most of a complete sleeve because I was totally off in my row count.
-The ugly, had an 'incident' with the daycare's psycho/shrink person, she decided to that I had a problem with one of the daycare providers. I was not and she didn't take that she was wrong too well. I HATE how there's always some 'incident' like that happening at the daycare and mostly always have... I go to give a chance to Lucas to play with other kids while I knit at the mommy & coffee meeting and crafting class. It aggravates me each time I go but it's free and I try not to expect much from them. I might not have a Ph.D but I am a good mom to my kids and do not take well anyone who assumes I am not trying my best. They made me so mad yesterday that I'm rethinking of going there, I might just send Lucas on the full days they have 2 times a month. I can always knit home and do some nicer crafts here.

Anyway, I am done knitting both sleeves and the body on the sweater for Lucas. I even went crazy with a little added stripe on the sleeves. LOL! I am knitting quickly to get this new project done to finally start something for myself. teehee! I can't wait and hope it will go as well as the shirt I've done for the kids. :)

Last night was the kids 1st skating lesson of the season, lucky Zoe got the same teen coach as last year, she was BEAMING!!! It's alot because of her coach if she advanced so quickly in the skating levels last year. She adores her coach and loved seeing her each week. It's also her coach that helped Zoe win her gold medal at the Montreal Games last april, she helped Zoe learn her 50 seconds number within a week. I couldn't be happier as I know my girl will have a great time with her coach.

Lucas is NOT with the toddlers this year and that is quite a surprise. He was in a small 3 skaters group and that suits him pretty well. He looks so tiny being only 3.5yo with two other preschoolers. He might not skate as quickly, he sure gets bonus points for giving his best the whole 60 minutes to lessons are. Not once did he not participate in an activity during the lesson, he skated around and played the full hour while many other of the younger kids cry and go out of the ice before the time is up. I'm so proud of him, he gives it his 100% and he LOVES skating. What can you ask more? :)

hugs,

Busy days!

before making it to the rink
ooh who's this? could it be.... ME?
Oh to be young, to be 3 and to be free... on the ice! It's figure skating season for our little ones and for the next months expect cute pics of my young future olympic dreamers. :) We brought the kids to the ice rink to quick start their memory as to how to skate again. LOL! Sure they practiced a bit this summer with their very own Fisher Price rollerblades but that's nothing like falling on the ice to remember how cold it is. teehee! Oh the joys of seeing Zoe's knees in every shades of blues, purples and blacks but not to worry, she ADORES skating and learned quickly to not fall as much. Lucas safely wears knee and shoulder pads under his warm clothes. He even demands them to be safe too, gotta love my little softy boy.

Well... someone almost complained to me how Lucas's sweater wasn't done yet. (YES, this IS a joke, she said the total opposite! I am just kidding) So today I want to prove her wrong and knit as much as I can. See, reverse psychology does work, even on adults. Even though I won't have much time to knit I am so eager to have a second sweater completed it's crazy. I am loving to knit right now and wished I could knit in my sleep too.

Today is a busy day, Lucas and I have a planned schooling time this morning. This afternoon I go to my crafting class with my mom, will get Zoe from school and go back to crafting class. Then it's back to the rink for a little skating, it does us all good, alot warmer to skate than just sit in the non-heated bench area. Wednesday morning is mommy & coffee time where I get more time to knit and finally must bring back those library books on that exact afternoon. Oye, I'm tired just typing this out and the day's brouhaha hasn't even started yet. That night will be the 1st skating lesson and it'll be so much fun for the kids. I couldn't be happier for them knowing how eager they will be by tomorrow.

Zoe's eating her morning oatmeal (big girls eat big heart breakfast's you know!) ;) Gotta run to school and then I get to have coffee and have for learning with Lucas for a while. Let's hope this cold that my boy is sharing with me won't slow us down, no time for that. LOL!

Wishing you all a great happy day. :)

Raglan!

Who feels like singing with me? You all know the Dora the Explorer song, right? We did it, we did it, we did it, yeah!

What's all this about? Zoe's sweater is now complete, done, fini! :) All yarn ends threaded (what a pain since I don't really know how) and she's ready to wear it to school. I am SO proud I could bust with happiness. Went shopping yesterday and Lucas chose his own sweater color in a charcoal grey. He is really proud that this is going to be HIS sweater made with HIS yarn. Gotta love seeing the kids excited over the knitting I do for them. :) Since I had such success with this pattern, I'm just going to stick with it and use it again. Best to not jinx it and keep working with a pattern I understand. LOL!

I am feeling a tad jealous though and I just might knit something for myself after. I have enough Noro Kureyon left from my shopping spree in Toronto last year. I am scared than an adult size sweater would be alot for me to work on. I know it's silly but I am afraid of bigger projects. There is the Top Secret sweater I started months ago and at least it's already got part of the body and a sleeve knitted. LOL!

I surrender!

I surrender, let me out!
Oh the things you learn when making a new project... Casting off or binding off in a streeeeeeeeeetchy way isn't easy, let me confirm that to anyone who wants to hear! Zoe's sweater has been done with only the last row to deal with. Already I have grafted the underarms but it's the neck part that is driving me crazy. All evening I have tried and tried and tried on Zoe her finished sweater. It wouldn't fit so ripping out the cast off row time after time and starting over again.

Here are some new binding off ways I have learned after trying the regular easy cast off 3 times using bigger needles each time.
There's the suspended bind off, the icelandic kind, EZ's sewn cast off, tubular cast off.

Off to go rip out the row again. I want to start knitting the 2nd sweater for Lucas TODAY! :)

Still here,

What a weird week. Since tuesday I have been mostly frogging my new knitting project. All excited I started a very special project right before tuesday night's meetup. The meetup was alot of fun, many new knitters and it is fun to think that we will mostly likely see them again. We went to a Second Cup coffee shop to meet & knit, so many people came in and commented how fun it was to see people knitting. Some envyied us not knowing how and some thought it was so cool and amost immediately wanted to join us. That night many were saying to each other happy new year and I couldn't figure out why, I was thinking these people are so odd... Well that's until I saw someone's blog Rosh Hashanah, which I'm presuming is that new year celebration I was hearing about. Not my fault if I don't much about jewish celebrations. I did feel silly thought thinking people were loosing their minds of tuesday though. LOL! ;)

So at the meetup I was knitting happily at this new project, even knitted a complete ball of yarn in that evening. So I was going along so well it was a breeze knitting this. Oh the joys of bulky yarn, also it was the feel of it, really nice of the hands. That evening was fun too, everything was going perfectly. Well.... that's until I started working on a sleeve. ACK! What!? Why would I be working on a sleeve, could this be? Could I really be working on knitting a sweater!? Oh dear... did I just say that? So the saga of the sleeve is that it didn't fit so I checked out the body I had knitted and sure enough my gauge was off by 2 stitches per four inches. UGH! I frogged everything and started over, went up a size in the needles and was ready to start on a sleeve this time. Not too long after that I knew I was still off and ripped out the whole thing to only start again right away changing to a bigger size in the pattern.

Now the length of the arm is super long, this shirt is for Zoe so she better grow longer arms soon. I am 3 inches away from starting the body, which is my favorite part on this project, I find those sleeves pretty boring to do. Especially since there are increases every few rows and I tend to forget. So here's my knitting tip of the day. On increasing rows I use a coil-less pin to mark that row and then it's really easy to count the rows up to the next increase. I always forget to use a counter so this method is easy. :) Hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have a finished project. I am proud of myself for not quitting after all that frogging, I usually do after having to frog only once. LOL!

Next up... a raglan sweater for Lucas! :)

Have a lovely weekend.

magic bus + meetup!

For the longest time wednesdays were my stressed out mornings. Why? Because I was going to a mommy & coffee group 'thing' and each week I mostly go to knit. So each week I tried to come in with the greatest new project to basically show off to other moms that knitting is so much fun. LOL! They have looked at me weird when I knitted a backpack to be felted, couldn't believe I was purposely knitting it so big, they didn't blink when I'd come in to knit a soaker to cover cloth diapers.

Now the moms, I don't try to impress anymore. Though each tuesday night I frantically look through all my stash to see what work-in-progress or new project I should bring to the next morning meeting. Today I am going through this process again but for a different reason, it's the meetup tonight, it's always exciting to go meet new knitters but this time I'm a tad more stressed out about it. It's silly of course and I never really get to knit at meetups 'cause I end up talking to much. ROFL! Starting a new project would be fun though, it seems I always want to start new projects to show others, not much for my very own self. As we know I don't knit to wear stuff, I knit because I like to knit. It exasperates my good friend V. LOL! I need to start knitting only something I really LOVE and then WEAR the end product!!! Which means I better start knitting myself a cool sweater and stop thinking that others need more than me. Sure I'd love to knit some sweaters for the kids but sweaters.... UGH! They take so long to knit. LOL!

I don't want to knit hats forever though.... shhhhh! Don't tell V. but I'm pretty tired of knitting hats I don't even wear.... Oh just the big dilema I'm in today.

p/s: The magic bus still hasn't landed or that mysterious room hasn't opened it's doors yet. Time to knit a voodoo doll? (Yes, this is a coded message! LOL!)

Work

Worked for the 1st time in 6 weeks last night. It was an inventory for a supermarket, sure it went well and I realized that in the eyes of our team leader, Carl and I are now considiered old pro's. This is fun as we got to count "fun" stuff, items that are usually counted by assistant team leaders aka gray shirts or people that have been with the company a few years. I mostly counted alone yesterday, which I love! Just give me a section and I'll count it all without having to politely talk to anyone! LOL! So I got to count wine and soft drinks which are easy and Carl counted most of the center displays in the alleys. He did quite a job on the displays as he had to take them all out for a good count. Let's just say the store's night crew was probably hating him when we left. ;)

I didn't knit much in the last week as having Carl at work just isn't knitting conductive. It's been hard seeing him not go to work and he is now looking into a new job. It's the perpetual circle all over again. I do know that next month inventories should be more often so oth him and I will up our availabilities at work. I like this job where you never do the same thing from one day to the next. Yesterday morning another team was working at a Louis Vuitton boutique, those are the kind of places where you can't even touch the items. The store sellers will handle them for you, I think it's best too, who would want to see finger marks on a ten thousand dollar skirt. LOL!

So that's it about my lovely job as an inventory 'specialist'. Now if only I could get the inspiration to get back to knitting that would be even better. I can't seem to get out of this 'funk', I don't have any exciting knitting project I am eager to start. Well.... anyone know of a good yarn substitute for Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb? LOL! I can't be the only Clapotis lover, not that I'd actually wear a scarf but hey I knit to knit, I don't really wear the items I knit. What crazy person does that make me?

1-2-3 anniversary!

1 year ago I created my own dot com addy which is the one you are at right now.
2 years ago I taught myself to knit on this very day
3 years ago I woke up and turn the tv to learn about the WTC tragedies

Last night as I was working on installing this new template, I thanked my lucky stars. I tucked the kids with their blankets and blew them kisses even though they were already asleep. I was thankfull that I had them close to me, that I have someone to hug before I go to bed tonight. September 11 has forever changed our perception of the world, life, violence.

20 years ago Celine Dion was singing for peace to the Pope in Montreal. Violence is now more present in our lives than ever.

Well hope you like the fresh new template, still some things to work at but the blogroll link does work. Wishing everyone a peacefull 9/11/04 day.

2nd anniversary Knitty!

The newest issue of Knitty is up! Our favorite free pattern source is 2 years old, already 9 issues of this mag have been published. It is always so much fun to look through the whole issue all at once. It's like getting a new catalog or magazine and just reading through it all in one sitting. That's how I am, I don't buy many magazines as I read through them in an hour or two and then I'm done with it.

I started knitting just as Knitty started and it has motivated me to learn more so I could knit some of the gorgeous patterns offered. Knitty also helped in making new friends, some were the designers of patterns others were knitting the same patterns as I. My first knit-alongs were based on patterns from Knitty. Now we also have a book that is soon to come out from all the Knitty success, how neat is that? Starting from a dream that someone had and shared with others to provide hip young fun patterns for free and now a book! :) I couldn't be more proud to see many of the designers are Canadian, with all the American knitting magazines out there it's fun to see that there are knitters in Canada too.

Happy Birthday Knitty! You have inspired me to keep knitting with the past issues and I hope to be inspired by the patterns for a very long time too. Now off to read *my* new issue.

hugs,

School mom

Last night was the very first parent/teacher meeting. It was nice but I noticed how few parents came to the school meeting about 25% of student parents. Yes, I know many were busy or whatever but it was still surprising. This school is the same school I went to from grade 1 to 6. The secretary used to work in a high school I attended and one of the daycare workers was working when I was in school. In the kindergarden class about 75% of the parents showed up.

The teacher did a nice little round up of what the year would be like, she explained to us the goals and her discipline rules. It was really nice to know how her class works. Also it helped answer a few of our questions. Being the ever so curious person I am I stayed after the meeting to ask a few more questions and also was eager to know how Zoe was doing in class. WELL... she adores Zoe and can't believe how sweet she is (good girl!). Zoe is a very curious girl (wonder where she gets that?) and very enthousiast about coming to learn at school. She laughed when I said how Zoe was bummed that she still couldn't read after the 1st week of school in kindergarden. ;)

We ended up talking at least a half-hour with the teacher and it was really nice. Carl talked to her too and she told us how her father was a trucker just like Carl was/is. So we talked more about plenty of things and I just got a good sense that my kid is in good hands. This teacher loves her job just as much as we love our kids, what more can you ask for? So this morning I left the teacher a little note and my mom was reading it and thought it would such a nice note. Hey, can I help it that I want my kid to be liked by the teacher?

I am working on a knitting pattern. GASP!!! Oh my goodness, Veronik BREATHE!!! I know isn't this a shock or what? LOL! Not gonna say more for now but it is a small project, don't you go thinking it's a sweater or something.

Drumming along

Yesterday was our car day, we went all over town for a few special activities. First up we went to the outside marker to buy sheep's wool from someone we found about over the internet. I have the fleece of a sheep, how weird is that!? LOL! Luckily they handed over the info on getting it cleaned, carded and whatnot. Sadly I don't spin, do I need one more hobby? This would be so fun to try spinning on but it is best that leave that to the pro's. ;) The wool is amazingly soft and.... sure smells like the farm. LOL!

After the market we all went to the drumming event that is held every sunday. Oh the fun I had there just listening to the drums. People were dancing along to the african rhythms it was beautiful. I truely identified myself to this kind of thing. I am no hippy just not your conventional ~Jo~ either. ;) I am way to self-conscious to just let go and dance in front of people, I NEVER dance actually except alone. So today while the kids were playing outside with daddy I was dancing throughout the whole house reminescing about yesterday. I know it's crazy and really should let this fear of being judged go 'cause I had a great workout dancing all morning. LOL! The kids loved their drumming experience and it was fun checking out the little merchants selling drums, hemp goods, sarongs, etc.

We checked the drums a few times around, compared prices but one stood out more than others. One guy was actually fabricating a drum right on the spot, that is what made me take more interest in what he was selling . If you click on the picture of my little drummer boy you'll see what I ended up getting.

Well after a fun filled afternoon and our breakfast pretty far behind it was time for a snack. We stopped by one of Montreal's famous bagel shops. Yes, in the city we take pride in knowing we make the greatest bagels. They say New York bagels are good.... until they've tasted Montreal bagels. LOL! So we bought our supplies with cream cheese and drove to a gorgeous park by the water. You could see the north shore from where we were sitting and munching. It was a spendid day and the kids got plenty of running around done in the park. I just love big open green spaces and that's why I love when we can have the car. We drive to some of the most amazing places that walking too is just not thinkable.

Another weekend is over, Zoe's gotta be to school bright and early and the new routine sets in once again.

Relax and knit

Our lives are like rollercoasters, we always say that you never know what to expect from one second to the next. Some days I don't post because I know it wouldn't be a nice post to read, I felt like my world was crashing 2 days ago. Yet today is a lovely day, the sun is out, the kids are happy and Carl is finally home for a few days. The kids have been playing alot outside and having fun together, I'm guessing they both missed each other this week.

This is a picture to prove that I have been knitting. Lucas is looking ADORABLE in the pants, you have no idea how proud I am right now. Of course I feel like smacking myself and wonder why oh why, haven't I made him knitted shorts before!? I was really afraid he was going to say the yarn is rough but luckily he didn't. I had to repeat to him twice to take them off so I could knit the legs! LOL! I'm trying something new too, knitting 2 legs on 2 circs. I could do magic loop but that would mean transferring the 270+stitches off of the addis onto something else. ACK!

It's a lovely day and we are off to enjoy the car we have for the day. The high point of *MY* day will be enjoying the drumming event this afternoon. Montreal TamTam on Mount-Royal is a weekly drum, dance and percussion extravaganza. Everyone is welcomed to join in with their drums, can dance their worries away and simply have a good ol'time. It'll be fun! :) Yesterday the kids played drums using empty bottles of pop and chopsticks, as crazy as it sounds it made for cute music. LOL! There was a wedding reception at a neighbors house and the kids playing drums sorta helped camouflage the saxophone playing at the reception. teehee!

Well off to a lovely day outside.

School survival.

We survived! ;) Zoe did fabulous on this first week of school and I never did shed a tear. I am proud to see my daughter excited about school, she is feeling so important to do something special each day. Her teacher told the kids that today was a party so you can bet Zoe wore her nicest dress and was almost running to school. :) Lucas is loving the transition too, we did alot more things together since we are just busy with him. I'm slowly getting used to this running around, getting ready on time in the morning, remembering what time she needs to be picked up. Obsessing over the time and constantly checking my watch, I fear I'll not make it on time. Lucas is a happy kid when he plays with his toys, at the park. We played our first board games together at the library and he cracked me up so many times, such a funny boy. He often asks for Zoe though, where is she!? but loves going to get his BIG sister at school! :heart

I found that I get to knit alot though. So I started a new project, knitted pants for Lucas. YES! It's a crazy idea but why not? I am also slowly knitting a few rows on the orange blanket. The thrum sock has been put aside, I doubt I will find the motivation to keep at it. Oh well, next time I see something thrummed for sale, I'll just buy it, there is alot of work in those and now I realise it. As for the pants, I screwed up the short rows and kept on knitting, maybe I should frog back maybe not as Lucas moves around alot. LOL! People won't notice the screw up if he runs around fast enough! ;)

Have a great long weekend, woohoo 3 days of no routine, this will be greatly appreciated. :)