Jo Knits!

What knitting?

Recently we went to the Jean-Talon market, I find this market a bit mystical. Everyone knows about it and everyone wants to shop there, yet, once I'm there I'm not all that amazed. We usually go only once a year because it is way too far to just go at a drop of a hat. The 'ambiance' is great but I hate having the 'shop' from one stand to the next to see who has the best prices. There is quite a difference in pricing from one place to the other, which is why you have to walk the whole thing to get the best prices. The experience is still fun but it made me appreciate way more the local market we have. There's only one fresh produce place and they have the best prices. lol!

So after the market fun, we walk to Jarry Park and had a little impromptu picnic. We had bread, soft cheese and 'paté' to munch on, a great variety of fruits and veggies and we spent a great time by the 'lake' in that park. I love discovering new parks with the kids, they each have a different feel to them. The kids love nature, so it is easy to walk with them in a tree filled place. We are actually planning to visit a new park soon, just to have a sense of 'vacation'. lol!

Meet my new project, the diagonal shell stitch afghan! It took quite some patience before getting to what the picture is showing. At first I was doing another diagonal pattern that involved a single crochet stitch but even after three hook changes I was still getting a stiff fabric. Lucas said that he didn't want to sleep with a stiff blanket, sure enough, I had to change pattern. Once I found the shell stitch which uses double crochet stitch it's been smooth sailing ever since. I now have great admiration for people who can crochet afghan after afghan.

This is quite an undertaking but boy is it fun, also quite quick and I'm not used to crochet at all. In the picture, the 1st three stripes on the bottom are the equivalent of half the width's size that the blanket will be. This will have to be a home project as soon enough it will be to big to bring along. I am SO proud of myself though, I am making my son a blanket and that was one of my dream projects since forever. Zoe wants a blanket made out of small single crochet squares. Now that's going to be a 'forever' project, the squares are less than 4inch wide. Oy! Perhaps I can find another diagonal patter she'd like, teehee!

Summer time

I finally finished a project, well half a project. Finally I didn't finish anything really, now did I? Knitting one sock still feels like an accomplishment though. The yarn is Trekking XXL in color 100, I have liked this color forever and finally got around to buying a ball. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if I bought another in the same color, it just SO lovely. These socks will NOT match but that's not the reason why I love it so. LOL! As an adult how often do you wear socks that don't match? I remember growing up having a collection of Keds shoes and wearing mismatched shoes during the summer. Oh and I thought I was so cool doing so too! With these socks, I tried Lucy Neatby's tip for the heel. Instead of doing a slip 1, knit 1 row and then a purl one, you knit a row and then slip 1, purl 1 on the next. It goes much more with the purling flow to do so. Also I tried out the knit grafting, it's almost mindless, which kitchener never was to me.

Another new project, which is hugely influenced by Ravelry, yet again, is the adult sized Elizabeth Zimmermann february baby sweater aka february lady sweater. The sweater is not my style but I really wanted to knit it so I'm knitting it for someone else, sneaky no!? This could easily be a 1 to 2 weeks knitting worth sweater, very easy and quick to knit, especially on US9/5,5mm needles.

See I do still knit, actually I haven't spun in the last two weeks.

Be warned, next post only kids pictures... or not. Perhaps I'll take a month.. or two off from blogging. I'm not sure but right now, I'm feeling so done with it all. Luckily, my mom made me realize that I do not owe anyone when it comes to blogging. Since I fear the kids father reads this instead of actually communicating with his kids, I just feel odd giving him any info's about them. This too shall pass!

Life is good?

Seven days after my birthday, my real gift came. Well first, I was treated to a fabulous 1$ breakfast at Ikea with the charming company of my 3 year old non-nephew and his mom. I get to go to said store about twice a year, one of them is usually near my birthday as this is what I ask a friend each year. A ride to Ikea makes me a very happy person! I was gifted my purchases which was totally unexpected and brought home some swedish delicacies for the whole family. Did you know, you now have to purchase your plastic bags for a nickel each if you forgot to bring shopping bags? I LOVE that idea! Luckily I had already planned on getting one of their huge blue bags to tote my stuff home. We use those bags a lot in the house.

As I came back from a fun morning of shopping, the postal truck slowed down towards my house. I quickly ran across the street to greet the very nice mailman who smiled. He wasn't sure if he had recognized me from the other side of the street. The mailman only brings packages so I see him less often but he's always awaited with a great big smile. I almost kissed him, I tell ya, I was THAT excited about getting this lovely Golding Fiber Tools box from him. Can I just say that ordering from Tom Golding is just the best, I received personal emails from him and it feels great to deal with the creator of these charming spindles. :)

Of course I had to give my 0.5 once Purpleheart Fleur a spin to see if we would get along! Just to give you an idea, 0.5 once is the weight of 5 pennies, yes, I did weigh that to compare. LOL! Well it is perrrfect, the spindle is so light, it spins a long time and I don't have to park it before it stops spinning. It also has a long pause before spinning backwards, just long enough for you to realise it's about to change directions. You know all the hype about Golding spindles? Well, it's all true! The craftsmanship of the spindle is superb, I feel like I am spinning with the Cadillac of spindles. Right now I am convinced that the tool you choose to spin with can make you a better spinner. Sure I did good yarn with my toy wheel spindle but now I am making niiice yarn! It's pure genuine love, it was my birthday, I deserved it and it's just going to get better with practice. I LOVE my spindle!

Then Saturday was my spinning class, it's the 102 session and I can't wait to use up the practice fibers we received in class. Leslie is a great teacher and she brought back some fiber surprises from Ottawa for me. We love Ottawa, remember!? The 3-ply sample skein from the class includes rambouillet, blue faced leicester, alpaca, silk, corriedale (I believe that's what the batt was made of!?), mohair locks, coopworth and black diamond bamboo. Well I 'think' that's all the fibers we tried out, the class was very informative and of course, FUN!

Life is good... well, if you avoid half of what my life is, sure... it's good!