I feel like I've been knitting like a madwoman this week, but making little progress. But I do have one finished sweater to unveil. I've been working on it since about mid February for a co-worker's dad who was just put into assisted living. He's a hearty old Scotsman and I hope he really loves the sweater I "un-vented" for him. Much of the technique was taken from EZ's Knitter's almanac, but I added a few personal touches.

It's modeled by Mr.Man, although he isn't quite as broad in the shoulders as the recipient so It looks a little ill fitting on him.

This was also my first adventure in steeking. I must say I'm enamored with the technique now that I've gotten over the utter sheer terror of cutting through 30 hours of knitting. I tried it on myself and I actually quite liked how the neckline fell on me. I may actually make myself one in the future. The front panels, and entire back are covered in the fish trap aran pattern noted in the almanac in January, and then I added some cables of my own. I did keep track of what I did so if you are interested I could e-mail the "pattern"once I get it typed into proper language instead of a bunch of scribbled charts and notes in my journal. This is sized for a 6 foot 2 190 pound man, but it could be sized down easily.
Now I'm plugging away on the hub's sweater that I began a few weeks ago. Wow..it really seems as though 2008 has become the year of the sweater for me.
I'll leave you with a really cool shot of the CN Tower at night from our trip last week. It was taken by my 7 year old, and he was quite proud of it.

Happy easter to all of you who celebrate.

4 Kids,a luxury hotel and chaos

OK so I haven't had time to post since I've been back in town. I had to go to work as soon as we got home, but the trip was somewhat successful. We went in hopes of having our consultation with my son's eye surgeon, and having a date set for his surgery, but she felt we should try a couple more things before resorting to surgery. I just hope we can deal with that before he starts school. I was a little disappointed that she didn't book the surgery right away, seeing as how we have to travel 4 hours every time we go see her. But I guess the doctor knows best right? At least I hope she does. Oh and if you were wondering whether or not it's a good idea to take 4 kids to Toronto for a quickie one night trip? Ummm....let's just say there will be babysitters involved next time. Stress times four. What were we thinking?

iN tORONTO, HAVING A BLAST UPDATE TONIGHT!

Headed for the T Dot

Well, mother nature has launched a massive viral attack on my body this week, so I've been bed-ridden for a couple of days. I did get a couple of sick days out of the deal though, so there was much bed-knitting going on. We're headed for Toronto next Tuesday for a long awaited appointment at sick kids for my youngest to see an eye specialist. Not such a fun reason to go to the T Dot but, I just might get a Romni and Lettuce Knit visit in before I come home. We plan to pack a few fun activities in for the kids as well. We've got the ROM on Tuesday afternoon, and the CN Tower in the evening. I've done both a few times but the kids have never been, so it should be fun.
I need to be feeling better by the time we leave or they won't let me in the hospital, so here's hoping the drugs put me out of my misery. Back to bed with some tea...night

Silence

There seems to be a silence amongst my bloglines subscriptions...everyone must be out enjoying the beautiful day(for those of you who are actually having one). Me...I just woke up from a night shift which involved tons of knitting, and watching season 4 of Nip Tuck. What a great show! I watched it the first season it came out, then lost my way for a couple of years. Last year I caught a few episodes, but I wanted to catch up on all of them, so I bought the box set. (I've already watched all the season 5 episodes to date). All I can say is WOW. Those writers know their stuff. I'm at the point with Mr.Man's sweater that he needs to try it on before I continue...the arms should be set aside soon, then it's blissful easy stockinette the rest of the way. Perfect Nip Tuck knitting. I have no new knitting photos, but I do have a sunrise from the windshield of the car last weekend as we were approaching Timmins. It was beautiful even though my camera couldn't quite catch it the way I could see it through the salty dirty windshield.

She Weaves Too!

I'm in lurve...


This is a really pic heavy post (just so ya know)
I have caught the bug. I finally sat down and figured out how to weave on my little loom I got for Christmas. As many a Canadian crafter know, Lewiscraft went out of business a little while ago, and my sister went to a clearance sale and found me this little loom that the sales woman said had been sitting in their back room for close to 20 years. She got it for 15 bucks! Can't beat that. (I've also had a Bergere loom for over a year now but had no instructions on how to use it). Just a small start, but it's so much fun! I had promised myself I'd learn to weave for quite some time,but I kept putting it aside because there really aren't alot of resources on how to begin weaving online(until now, but I'll get back to that in a minute). So, I just bit the bullet and followed step by step the instructions that came in the box. I think this little project may turn out to be a guitar strap for my wireless Guitar Hero guitar. Something has to be girly and pink in this house filled with boys. I'm finding the rhythm (once I found one) very relaxing. I can't wait to warp up the loom again and try some of my silk/cashmere from colourmart. I do have a couple of tension issues, but I think it will be ok in the end once I wash this baby.
There's also been lots of knitting going on. I'm almost done with the first campfire sock (it's been my bedside table knitting).


And...I cast on yet another sweater. For Mr.Man this time. He wanted a simple mock turtleneck raglan pullover, so that is what he shall get. I cast this on last night, and am about halfway to the dividing for the arm holes. It's going pretty quickly I think seeing as how it's being knit in Elann Alpaca Fina(colour is Tumbleweed) on 3.75 mm needles. I'm just winging this one using the EPS (Elizabeth Zimmermann's percentage system). I am writing down what I'm doing though so once I'm done I can write up a quick and dirty pattern if you'd like.



This sweater is super soft, although I'm a little concerned about the itchiness factor around the neckline.
Oh, and Mr. Greenjeans is getting it's button bands knit right now even though I haven't done the arms yet. It's a little snug right now since I made that stupid mistake with the cabled ribbing, but I think it will block out ok since it's 40% cotton (at least I hope it will). What are your thoughts on colour? I thought I might over dye it since the green was really "green" but after trying it on with my super dark jeans, I started to like it a little. I can't decide. The colour in these shots are actually showing the green much more muted than it actually is. It's truly a bight spring green (picture brand new greeny- yellow grass)

See that bonehead mistake? dumb arse that I am couldn't read the pattern.

So I'd love to hear what you think I should do about the colour. Should it stay or should it go?

* I'm really sorry about the lack of links, but I'll try to link everything up a little later today

Les peaux de lièvres

This is amazing! Each panel was knitted and then used to create this "music video". What patience that must have taken.

Been knitting lots of Socks

I'm headed on a road trip for son the second's hockey tournament so I've got some socks on the go to keep me occupied while I cheer him on. I had a total brainstorm while I was trying to figure out how the heck to take some sock pictures outside without totally dunking them in the snow. Did you know that hockey sticks make great holders for sock photos? Neither did I till I slapped the monster sock on it.














These are for Mr.Man who has monster size 12 feet. The yarn is from an indie dyer I have come to love Fearless Fibers ( I am totally into indie sock yarns these days) In the "Smoke" colour way. The man picked it out, and I am in love with this colour. One sock done, the other one is about 3 inches past the heel, so almost done. What's a girl to do when the socks are almost done? Cast on another one of course, but this time for my own little frozen tootsies.
It's been super cold, and snowing like crazy, so the hand knit socks have been in circulation. To top it off we're headed even further north to Timmins, where we can expect temperatures in the vicinity of -35 c all weekend. Frikin' cold. These are Black Bunny Fiber in the Campfire colour way. So smooshy! I love this base yarn. I can't wait to have these babies on my feet
Maybe the whole campfire colour will trick my feet into actually believing they are warm. In -35 I don't think there's anything that can actually really truly keep them warm, but hey, I can look warm right?
Speaking of Timmins, I found out that there is a yarn shop called Knit-Wits about 2 blocks from our hotel. I will definitely check that out when we have some down time. Have any of you been there before? I do know they carry one of my favorite locally spun wools from Belle Valee. I'll be grabbing some of that for sure. I hope all of you have a great weekend. Keep warm.

A Few New things

A few new knitterly items have made their way to my house this week, and I thought I'd share cause I have a few minutes before the Super bowl festivities start ( Go Patriots). The first is something I picked up at Canadian Tire * for about $19.99 in the bait and tackle section. It shall make my life bliss as I try to figure out the yardage of the hand spun on my bobbins. Every knitter/spinner needs one. It even clips to your belt so you can keep it handy. Who knew fishermen were so smart? I can even use it in the dark. SO COOL. It's made by Rapala and can count up to 1000 feet at a time.







Next up is some beautiful sock yarn I purchased from Blue-Hands Fibers I saw a little ad for them while I was trolling Ravelry, and decided to check her out. Stunning sock yarn, and just a peach to deal with.



Quick go buy her yarn. She's running dangerously low, but is suppposed to get some new stuff in her shop soon. I'm definitely looking forward to more of her yarny goodness. I'm so sorry I couldn't quite capture the true colours of this yarn, but the main colour is a salmony red, with browns and golds and a few spots of old rose pink. I'm so happy this is more of a girly colour, cause then The. Man won't beg me for this pair of socks to be knit for him. That Focaccia bread is destined for my dinner plate wit a little dollop of olive oil drizzled on my plate to dip into. Yumm...... Last but not least, I've gotta send you over to Necia's blog. She was my secret pal for SP7 , and I dyed and spun her some yarn for the exchange. She's

knitting it up into a gawjus (as she would say) Pi shawl in combination with some of her own hand spun. I can't wait to see how it turns out. It's like seeing a baby grow up...every skein of hand spun has it's own story...this story was especially for her, and I'm so pleased to see it become something so beautiful.

* Canadian Tire is a hardware and car servicing( and everything else home improvement or outdoorsey) institution in this country. Don't know what we'd do without them.

Bonehead

I made a total bonehead move...I was knitting away on the last 2 inches of Mr.Greensleeves body and noticed I had been working the body totally wrong the whole time. I did a cable repeat throughout without the 4 stitch stockinette panels in between. I guess I should have paid attention to the pattern. BONEHEAD. I think I'll block it out tonight and see how it looks and fits. As long as it fits I think I'll just leave it. I'll try to update with some pics tonight before I go to work.
To distract you I'll show you the felted bag I plan to needle felt tonight as well. I just need to find the perfect handles. Oh, and I'm toying with a little blog re-design. I was starting to find the green a little blinding. What do ya think?

Where I'm from

I was reading Kitkatknit and she mentioned the "famous people" from her area. Here's a huge list from my home town Ottawa, Ontario. Alot of these I knew about, but some I was unaware of
Interestin stuff!
This is a list of notable people from Ottawa, Ontario or who have lived in Ottawa:
Dan Aykroyd, actor, comedian (he went to high school with my dad/ same year)
Paul Anka, singer (is my highschool friend's godfather)
Margaret Atwood, writer
Derek R. Audette, artist, poet, musician
Eva Avila, 4th season Canadian Idol champion
James Baker, former NHLer

Billy Boucher, NHL hockey player
Fred Brathwaite, NHL hockey player
Rod Brind'Amour, NHL hockey player
Tom Cavanagh, actor
Keshia Chante, singer
King Clancy, hockey player, coach and referee
Sarah Chalke, actor

Adrienne Clarkson, former Governor General of Canada
Bruce Cockburn, Singer
Tom Cruise, actor (lived briefly in Ottawa)
Barry and Brian Cullen brothers and former NHLers from Ottawa
Ben Eager, NHL hockey player
Jeremy Gara, drummer for The Arcade Fire

Tom Green, comedian
Lorne Greene, actor
Elisabeth Harvor, novelist
Jessica Holmes, actor, comedian
Peter Jennings, journalist
Yousuf Karsh, portrait photographer

Rich Little, comedian
Steven MacLean, Astronaut
Peter Mansbridge, journalist
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands (sister of the queen)
Massari, R&B artist
Frank McGee, hockey player
Earl McRae, award-winning journalist
Alanis Morissette, singer/songwriter
Sandra Oh, actor
Jesse Palmer, NFL football player
Frank Patrick, hockey player and builder
Matthew Perry, actor
Simon Pulsifer, prolific contributor to Wikipedia

Nancy Greene Raine, olympic skier.
Kelly Rowan, actor.
Marc Savard, NHL hockey player.
Barbara Ann Scott, figure-skating Olympic gold-medalist of the 1940s.
Bruce Stuart, hockey player.
Linda Thom, olympic gold medallist.
Alex Trebek, game show host.
Rick Vaive, NHL hockey player.
Steve Yzerman, NHL hockey player. ( dated his brother in high school, they lives 2 blocks from me growing up)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Ottawa"
Categories: People from Ottawa Lists of Canadian people

Chin up it's almost done...

Two more days of work then I'll be able to get my crap together and post some proper photos of my finished CPH as well as a few other little things. It's been a crazy but very productive week. Work is throwing me a bunch of new projects, so I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Almost done...i just have to keep that chant in my head.

Ick...snow sucks

A quickie post cause I'm working a 16 hour day today, but I've found the camera..I've taken a few photos of craptastic quality, but Some photos are better than none right?
I need to pack a few small projects to take along with me today...it's going to be a long one.
We are getting hit with a bunch of snow today too. I really hate driving in it. The commute into town for work should be fun. OK I'll quit whining, and put up a few photos.

First up Central Park hoodie right before I seamed the arms in and seamed up the hood
Next up is the finished Koolhaas hat that is slightly smaller than I'd like but I'm hoping that a good blocking will fix that


And Henry, dear henry...when will you be cast off? Hopefully this week. This one is beautiful but tedious.
Catch you all on the flipside...maybe I will post from work tonight to try and wake myself up.


ETA * I'm still at work and barely awake...I may have had a moment of weakness and cast on a new project. But....I did finish the socks too. Details later.

If Cleanliness is next to Godliness, then where is my frickin' camera?

I've been finishing FO's like a madwoman the last couple of days. The CPH is done but for a zipper and my Koolhaas hat was cast off last night as well. Henry is 4 rows away from being done. But...I can't find the frickin' camera! it's been missing since New Years Day. That will teach me to organize my stuff...now I can't find anything. So in an attempt to distract you from the lack of FO photos, I'll show you some pretty pictures of Celtic icon blocking. It's already been given to the recipient, and she loved it, but I don't have a modeled shot yet...



I was really happy with the way the whole thing turned out. I even got the zipper in the first try! Thank heavens cause I was on a deadline. The sweater was delivered on Christmas eve at 9:00 pm.

This week I am attempting to clean my knitting slate a little so I can enjoy knitting again. WIP's just seem to make me feel pressured. Maybe if I cast on a little less and finished a little more I wouldn't feel this way.
Up for completion are:
*Henry (no problem)
*EZ's Norwegian mittens
*pair of socks (one is 98% done)
* felted bag that has been languishing a really long time in the basket (like a year and a half)
* a wisp scarf started in October that was going to be a Christmas gift, but never got there

If I can finish all of these things before January ends I'll feel like I have accomplished something

Here's a little pic of the carnage at Christmas . My Dad was having a blast checking out all the toys, and installing batteries.

If all goes well I'll find my camera and have a bunch of FO's to show you all.

A New Year

Today I have big plans...plans to get organized, plans to eat healthier (I'm going to try vegetarianism) and plans to have an even better family than I do now. I'm sure I won't succeed in everything I try this year, but I'm sure gonna try hard. I'd also like to renew my commitment to blogging. I'd really like to blog at least twice a week. I've had some health issues dealt with, and I've gotten some answers. So, now with the fresh New Year air blown back into me, I'm trying for a fresh start.
I hope all of you out there have a fantastic 2008. I plan to. My motto for this year, "Just let life happen".

I have cast-on-itis

You would think with Christmas coming, and all I have going on in my life, I would just hurry up and finish what I already have on the needles, but I JUST CANT HELP MYSELF. I've been inundated with fabulous pattern after pattern luring me in this week.
Here we have Henry :




453 stitches off the go man. I'm serious. You screw this up once you have a heck of a lot of ripping back to do (ask me how I know this).
But the pattern? SO MUCH FUN! Great TV knitting once you memorize the pattern. I do need to have the lights on for this one though. Every now and then it's a good idea to stop and check to make sure you haven't buggered up the pattern mid-way through the row.

I also cast on a pair of these:


Mittens from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's almanac. I adore these, and foresee a few pair in my future. These particular ones are going to an 11 year old girl as part of a Christmas charity hamper we are putting together at work for a needy family of 8. This girl is the oldest of 6 children, and I thought she deserved a special treat.
There are also mystery projects going on that I can't post about yet.
I still can't figure out where I caught this damn cast-on-itis.

My Turn

I am coming out of hiatus for this quick little post to let y'all know I am participating in this "pay it forward" campaign that I stumbled across from Norma's blog, which in turn led me to KT's blog. And voila...the chain of kindness and handmade pressies continues

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days. That is my promise. The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

Your turn now!

Oh and in case anyone was wondering, I'm still alive here chez Stickchicky, still dealing with some health issues, but still knitting. Here's proof:

Emerald Sweater(Knitty) made for my girl Annik..a very late birthday gift....

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Mitred Mittens # 1 of 2
My own handspun....


Smocked Baby coat from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby book made for a co-worker's neice

I've also got the Central Park Hoodie in full swing on the needles (just the arms to finish) and another little coat the same as above in a green color, as well as the Celtic Icon sweater(Fiona Ellis)sweater almost complete.. And of course there is much Christmas knitting going on, but most of it is top secret, so I can't post about it here.

Whew!.. that took a while to put together...till next time folks, I should return to blogging a little more regularily after the holidays (with maybe a little post or two in between). Till next time....

Hiatus

Even though it seems as if I have already been taking a hiatus, I think I will make this an official hiatus until I can get all of my health issues under control. I love my blog, but it is just one more thing on the list that I want to get done but never seems to happen. Send Healthy good vibes my way...i'll be back soon.

Fell Off The Planet

I know it seems as though I have just upped and fallen off the planet, but I assure you I haven't..I made promises to post in June that I didn't keep, and for that I'm really sorry. I do love my blog, and enjoy each of the comments left for me with each new post. I have just been having a really hard time with my health lately, and I really needed some TLC from the family. There are some major things going on right now that I'm not quite sure if I should discuss here or not, but in time I will share, lets just say that having people poke big needles in your head is not fun, and I don't want to set off any alarms until I have all of the information I need. My kids are great, my husband is wonderful, and I've been seeing a whole lot more of my mom lately which can never be a bad thing. I have done some knitting, and am working on a new sock pattern which I hope to have ready for the knitting vault soon, maybe I'll even try a Knitty submission who knows. I do have an FO pic for you graciously modeled by my 7 year old since the thing (made for my -1 size sister) wouldn't fit on my big toe:




Ribbed Lace Bolero By Kelly Maher of 10 Feet High
Yarn: 1 Ball Georga Wool( amazing 100% mercerized wool bought at Wal Mart)(about 200 yds)
Size 5 and 6 circular needles
Started Sept 1 , 1:00 am Finished Sept 1, 11 pm

I absolutely LOVED this pattern. It was a super quick knit (maybe 5 hours)
and this new yarn I discovered is TO DIE FOR!
I never thought I'd say this about a yarn purchased at Wal Mart, but I decided to give it a try, and I fell in love. It is super buttery soft, and shiny, and pretty colours, and ,and, a...I cannot explain my love for this yarn. Just try it you'll see.
I want to go and buy out their entire stock of this stuff, cause I can't for the life of me track down where it comes from, other than China, and we all know this would be a losing battle.
On a more serious note, my coffee swap pal still hasn't received her gift from me that was sent the first week of July(also for the second time). What is up with customs? have they gone and lost their minds? To top it off I have no way of finding the status out until it leaves customs. So Pal..if you're out there, I will pack ANOTHER beautiful, inspired, lovely, Canadian flavored coffee/yarny package for you and have it out before the end of the week. I am soo sorry.
On that note, I am off to the doctor's office, then to the LYS to find me some more pretty things to fill the box with. I'll try not to be a stranger.

Fuzzy Head

I really feel terrible that I haven't blogged for a long time. Once again...work is kicking my butt, and I've been dealing with some pretty major stuff on the health front. I have a huge post in my head, but I don't have access to my photos to back it up, so I'll try to do that tommorow night. I need to show you all the wonderful package my knitter's coffee swap pal sent to me, I need to show a progress photo of my Mystery Stole, a really cool handspun handknit argosy I'm knitting, and so..much..more. There is so much swirling in my brain, that I really do need to sit down and plan up an uber overdue post. I promise, by this weekend. I missed my blog!