Procrastiknits

Old Knitter Learns New Trick...

2009-11-20T09:37:00.008-05:00

Wow...the magic loop (that daunting method that I have been reading about but afraid to try) is sooo easy and it works so well! I am very pleased with myself this morning. Knitting "Bella's Mitts" with Peruvian Highland Wool on my very favourite, Knitpicks needles. What fun!

Also on my double points, I have these mitts which are turning out very nicely:

This pattern is from Nancy Bush's "Folk Knitting in Estonia" Beautiful patterns in there.

Alot of lace knitting going on.....

2007-03-25T14:19:00.000-04:00

Since my last post (um...Dec06) there has been much knitting, much tinking, and many ufo's delegated to the "bottomoftheknittingbasket". You can tell, now, how apt the name of this blog really is. I have accomplished next to nothing over this prime knitting winter and have posted even less about it. BUT...you should see what my daughter has done. She is an accomplished lace knitter! Just have a look :) Modelling today is 'Lovey Louise" whom I purchased from the evil E-bay (the -store -I= absolutely- love- that - became- a- horrible-addiction- that- I -readily- admit- to- and- is- proven-to- be- an- actual- addiction-that-I-have-definately-overcome-because-I-haven't-
bought-any-fat-quarters-for-at-least-2months)

This is Icarus, from Interweave Knits (my favourite knitting magazine) You can tell from the picture, it is a nice large shawl. Bobbie knit this start to finish in only 3 weeks! What an accomplishment.
And the beautiful, rich, deep red Swallowtail shawl, also from Interweave. Doesn't Louise look lovely? Then we have 2 fantastic stoles that have been worn over and over this winter! Beautifully done , hunny! You should be so proud. I am. :)

I'm still here......

2006-10-10T19:42:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since March! Where did the summer go......I know I spent most of it in my garden. As soon as the sun gave off a hint of warmth this spring, I couldn't stay inside. I put my needles away, my unfinished projects got thrown into UFO pile(it's almost as big as my pile of ironing) and the last 6 months were spent outside in the garden for the most part. Pictures to follow. My project this summer was my pergola, which, next summer will give us a lovely sitting area with surrounding gardens and maybe even
a fish pond!

Here it is finished! Last month I added a small garden at the front in memory of my Mom. It's been a year and I still think of her every day.

I have yet to set the patio stones...don't think I'll have time before it gets cold.......'cause now, I'm tired. Time to settle onto the couch, pick up my needles and knit, knit, knit. (I'm really, really, really considering getting a spinning wheel too) So many things to do.
Each season, something new.
Seeds to sow, weeds to pull.
Wood to cut, stone to set.
Knit, spin and dye the yarn.
And of course, I really must make a quilt this year! (hmmmm....I started off rhyming, but, oh well, poetry was never my strength.)

Less talk, more action.....

2006-03-19T15:27:00.001-05:00

If I spent half as much time knittin' & updating, as I do reading other knittin' blogs and lookin' at patterns and yarns........I might possibly have way more finished objects and way, way more pictures of said FO's. So have a look!

This is "London Beanie" for Aaron's 23rd b-day....which is a couple weeks past. It's done...(well, I need to sew in the ends!) Too bad it's too small. I will have to gift it too someone else. Must remember to remind myself.

My foreose shawl, which is coming along very slowly (currently have to tink back a couple of rows to find a couple of missing stitches) obviously, I have missed a yo (or 2)?

Must be alone with this one, no distractions, except for Miss Kitty of course. Wouldn't be knittin' without her help. Some one else told me I should be using a life line. That person is right of course. But did I listen? Guess not!

And then there's socks! I've never knitted socks before. Mum used to do them all the time, and when the heel or toe wore out she would simply darn them. We got a lot of life out of them. She did them in pairs, but as you can see.......I've been doing one of each pattern. . I will try to finish one more of each pattern so I can have 2 useable pairs. lol

We have been dying sock yarn as well, which is really alot of fun, but at the same time a little frustrating getting the colours right. Until its dried and skeined, you really don't know what you're gonna get, but I know practise will make perfect. And our first few skeins are gorgeous. Just dyeing to be knit.

Great fun! I have to add a pic of Lou's shawl that she's been working on. She, very unshelfishly, is helping me to use of up stash of "shadow" from Knitpicks (so I can buy more..).

I think she's on her second hank. It looks small here but I will post when it is finished and blocked. Gorgeous hunny!

What's really funny? When I mentioned to Lou I was gonna post, she said " Really Mum, you're so funny, you've got so many things you're working on and I'm just doing this shawl."

Well hunny. Did you forget about these:

I won't mention any other UFO that might be in the corner beside the couch.

Yup.....Like Mum, like daughter. But we do have a great time! ;)

I didn't quite finish Crumpets in time. I did knit furiously on the last day of the Olympics and really, only have a few rows left to do. She will be done. Fortunately, I think I will find the time......some day soon!

Let the games begin....

2006-02-11T08:34:00.000-05:00

I did it! I cast on for Crumpets as scheduled. Twice, actually. Firstly, plain cast on. Then I thought, well, it's supposed to be challenging so do the picot cast on. Took a little longer but I am pleased with the results. I am using Endless Summer Sonata fromhttp://elann.com One of my favourite haunts! Most of my stash comes from there. Also, the pattern uses two different (easy) cable stitches, so a further challenge for me is to do them without a cable needle. A very slow process for me on the first try as the kittys were close, making me very nervous. They were ready to pounce on my yarn! Luckily, the chicken flavoured treats thrown about the kitchen kept them at bay!
So here she is:

I Will Not Procrastinate. I will Perservere. I will finish this project in the alloted 16 days. (one down, 15 to go)

(Quality of the photo has no is not representative of the quality of the knitting) I hope!

I am an OLYMPIAN!

2006-02-05T10:57:00.000-05:00

It's decided! I will join the 2500+ knitters of the YarnHarlots Olympics. The challenge for me will not be the actual pattern, but actually finishing "Crumpets" in the alloted time. (Well, no, it will be actually finishing something that I started)
So pretty! I will look nice hanging on the wall in the stash room, until a little someone comes along and can wear it. I'll wait!

When the power's out, there's always knitting...

2006-02-05T09:18:00.000-05:00

Well, it seems winter has arrived at last. Unfortunate 'cause I was really enjoying the mild weather and easy drives to work. No hydro last night, so I knit for awhile by candlelight. So brave, if I do say so myself, as my work is a lace Faroese Shawl. On inspection this morning, I seem to have done allright with it (even after the 3 glasses of wine, thanks hunny it was delicious). So all's good, the power is back on, I can make coffee. Now I just have to get Miss Kitty off the pattern!

She's been very playful this morning and wanting my undivided attention. Too wet and cold to play outside! Must find the catnip mouse to divert her attention away from the shawl! And then I can get on with it. :)

So much accomplished.....

2006-02-03T19:33:00.000-05:00

It's been so long since I shared any of our work from the past few months. Time has gotten away from me. Imagine, it's February already. Only 10 more months till December and Christmas wll be upon us again! Good thing I've started my shopping!

You absolutely must see the mohair my daughter has spun and wound. Mohair was not the easiest fibre to work with, very slippery and I do recall hearing a few oaths coming from the direction of the wheel as it was being spun. But now it's done!

It's absolutely scrumptious. Soft, squeezable and knits up beautifully. Mac, Sheila and wee Angus there in the background would agree!. What to do with 178 yds of beautiful mohair yarn. Any suggestions?

Another project that is "not quite done" is this lovely pair of gloves that were supposed to be done for Christmas for someone special. This special person is obviously very patient...will they be done for her Birthday in March? Or.....will they be under the tree next Christmas? One never knows. If the knitter in question is anything like me.....I can see it may be awhile (at the bottom of the pile with poor "Betty"). i believe procrastination is genetic.

They really are very beautiful and I do admire the knitter for taking on such a challenge! Good work hunny! Perhaps there will be time between now and December to knit another whole pair?

OHHHH....MY...GOOODDDD!

2006-01-29T18:50:00.000-05:00

Bobbie has just told me it's been at least 3 months since I have put anything new (or of interest) in my blog. Talk about procrastination......!!!!! Something to come soon. I promise. I have actually completed a few knit objects. Of course, "Betty" is still sitting in the bottom of my basket...unfinished. Oops.
Well, I can't help it! I don't how I'm supposed to keep up. So many thinks to do. So little time....

a UFO in my closet!

2005-10-31T19:35:00.000-05:00

An autumn day, what to do? Of course, it's so obvious. I should move our bedroom into the guest bedroom as it's so much cosier. And, of course, I've been planning to do it for a while, so today is the day. So pack up one room and move it into the other. Easier said than done. I've got the beds moved around with bedding on the one that matters, so at least I we have a spot to sleep. As for all of the other stuff....well that's going to take a while. The thing is, the closet in the guest room holds a lot of treasure. I found a whole box of mother's day cards and pictures done by my kids when they were in grade school. Oh my goodness, the time has flown by.

The wupachas took a few minutes to look over again, it's been years since I've read of their adventures. One of the treasures I uncovered was an unfinished Lopi sweater that I started a few years ago, put away to be finished at a later date, and then completely forgot about. It's the whole "oh yeah, I forgot I had that" syndrome each time I open a closet door and delve in the depths. But the lost is found and of course, it must be finished! So I shall untangle the yarn and start to finish it.....maybe tomorrow.

Because of course, now that Bobbie has finished her gorgeous lacey scarf....I feel I must have one myself. It is sooo soft and of course, I'm certain I have something in my stash that is worthy of the knit.

And then there's this beautiful handspun that I rescued from Bobbies bin of "it's not worthy to sell". I think it's going to knit up into a very warm hat for me, me, me. Thanks hunny, I really love the colours. I'll do it proud. Maybe I'll start on it......tomorrow. Yes, it will have to be tomorrow because of course, Betty is still waiting in the wings and she was supposed to be first!
Where is the knitting fairy when I need her. So much yarn, so many patterns, so little time.

So, ya think ya have self-control?

2005-10-20T19:14:00.000-04:00

My daughter had a lovely surprise when she got home today! Her Kidsilk Haze and Rowan Felted Tweed arrived all the way from the UK. And what beautiful colours. River and Salina are going to be knit up with the yarns. She was second guessing the colour of the Tweed after ordering, as there was also a gorgeous red for sale on E-bay.
After jealously watching her drool over her purchases (I admit, I did some fondling myself), I suggested she go ahead and order the red!
Her response......?" I have some self-control, Mum"
!!!!!!! Who's kid is this? Hunny, how can you possibly not get the red after feeling the texture of "dragon". It's scrumpious. Could it be, you wouldn't know what to turn it into? How about:

This in red

Or either of these? Notice Elfin, knit in felted Tweed with the SilkHaze trim? Would be so stylish in red with grey trim. Classic.

And you know, hunny, red is your colour.

Not that I'm trying to force you to buy the red. I know you have self-control.

I on the other hand....do not!

I love the red!

I must have the red.

Damn this yarn diet. I slipped up with it last week by ordering my own supply of Felted Tweed in "corn", so I must control myself. I will learn self-control. Maybe I'll work on that, starting tomorrow.

This is not about knitting....

2005-10-19T19:10:00.000-04:00

It is about the lack of it. And the lack of posting. Since I have done neither the past few days.....thought I would show off some gratuitious pet pictures.

Miss Kitty: Queen of the household and by the look she's giving me here, certainly not enjoying the papparazzi interupting her nap(taken on the front porch, where she lives all summer). She was adopted into the family.......I'm not sure how long ago. Feels like she's always been here.
Teddy: Our 11 year old Jack Russell who still acts like a puppy when he's out for his daily walk. Guards the house by day, and warms my feet by night. He is too cool!
Leo: Rescued when she was just a little wisp of a kitten, by my son, Jeff, while he was living and working in Brantford. She was adopted by our family when Jeff found working shifts was not giving him enough time to care for her. She is spastic! So, of course, compliments the rest of the us.

And this little girl is Chewy: My granddogger who is one year old. She's true to her name(everyone keeps their shoes up high) and guards Jeff's house and ours as we work our shifts. Can't really tell from the picture but she's weighing in at about 100lbs now. A lean, drooling hugging machine. She's so cute....when she's not chewing my new sandals, or Bobbie's new shoes or the new hardcover Tom Clancy book that Jamie just bought....Doh!

And we are all missing Arnie. Our dear little black schnauzer, who wasn't with us for a very long time, but left his footprints on our hearts , for all time. :)

Betty is back.....

2005-10-16T08:05:00.000-04:00

That's always the way. When I have to frog a knit, it takes me forever to get back to it. But, here she is back to the point where she was frogged for all the ghastly mistakes. I must say, she's looking better that ever. I will start the decreases for the armholes today! Although, I have had my eye on a lovely sweater from Bobbie's new Rowan book that would be such an easy knit to break the tedium of Betty's stitch. But I will continue on her before I start another project. I promised myself I would. So I must.

And I will.

My family, my garden

2005-10-15T17:56:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking lately of what is most important in my life. During difficult times, these thoughts always seem to be foremost. Day to day stresses seem to become trivial. My garden is my therapy. Feeling the earth between my hands, planting beautiful flowers, is time well spent and food for my soul, allowing me time to just work and not think at all.

Knitting is therapy as well. Creating something useful and beautiful with just two sticks and some yarn. Just last week, my daughter and I spent an evening with my niece, Amy. We taught her to knit. The look on her face when she realized she was actually knitting, is something I will never forget. She was so excited and proud. And so we carry on, mothers, daughters and now granddaughters sitting with sticks and yarn, creating useful and beautiful sweaters, mittens, scarves and of course, slippers.

When my mom was young, knitting and sewing was taught to all young girls in school starting in kindergarten. Each day, their accomplishments were carefully stowed away in shoeboxes to be brought out the next school day, to begin again. My mother brought her sewing box with her when she came to Canada and used it to keep her treasures safe. I remember when I was small, she used to let me go through the box and look at all the things she kept in it. A jar of buttons (which in itself I could poke through for hours), darning needles, small trinkets and costume jewellery. The thing I remember loving the most in the box, was my Mom's crocheted gloves she made to wear on her wedding day. Now the box has been passed on to me and in it I keep my Mom's precious gloves, yellowed and a little bit torn from a small girl playing with them, but ever as beautiful as the day they were made. And here they are.

My daughter, my mother .......

2005-09-26T21:25:00.000-04:00

My daughter spins, and she knits. Her interest in the arts started me picking up my needles again. I knit alot when my children were small.....mittens, sweaters, they wore everything I made for them. I think Bobbie still has a pair of mittens from when she was little. My Mom taught me when I was about 6 I think. And I taught Bobbie when she was about the same age. I had so many beautiful purple potholders! Remember, Hunny?
Every Christmas for the last...since I can remember, my Mom knit a pair of the coziest slippers for each and every one of us. We will all miss that. I miss her. When Bobbie got her spinning wheel last Christmas, it was like going back in time for Mom. She couldn't believe there was interest anymore in spinning your own yarn. When she was growing up, it was a necessity! She was awed at the colours and softness of the fibres Bobbie uses. So there we are, full circle. What's old is new again. And isn't it fun! Wish you could sit and knit with us Mom. On the front porch, in the back garden, or on our cozy couch with the kitties helping out. We'll think of you always. I'll never be able to knit as fast as you. My goodness your fingers would fly! :)

Mothers and Daughters

We're daughters and mothers

Not so long ago.

We give and take

And take and give

Along time's endless row.

Love is passed

And love received

To be passed on again:

A precious heirloom

Twice, twice blessed,

A spiritual cardigan.

I'll put it on

And treasure it,

The me I have received,

And when the roles

Reverse again,

I'll have what I most need.

So may our love

Go on and on,

A hundred thousand years;

Mothers and daughters,

Daughters and mothers,

Through joys and other tears.

I knew I should've checked the sizing...

2005-09-19T12:50:00.000-04:00

Darn...Betty has been frogged, and I was so close to completing the back. I told myself I didn't like the way the increases looked. I told myself it looked a little to large. The gauge worked out perfectly(I really did take the time to check before I started). I've gone from the medium down to the extra small. Ah well, begin again.

Note to self: If it doesn't look right, stop and have another look .
Ok.. I'll remember that and start fresh.....maybe I'll do that tomorrow. Perhaps my daughter could have her dream Austin sittin' on my needles as I go, directing the stitches. Yeah, Baby!
hehehehehe, you're hysterical Bobbie! :)

My current project is Betty

2005-09-18T15:16:00.000-04:00

For the past few weeks I have been knitting up Betty from Rowan's Knitting #38. I'm using Peruvian Highland wool on 3.75mm needles. She's certainly not a quick knit! Almost done the back. I will post a pic when she's done. There, now that I've put that in print, I'll have to finish won't I? I'll work on it some more.....tomorrow.

2005-09-18T13:16:00.000-04:00

My daughter says I have too much yarn...I will knit it all some day. My daughter says my stash is very unorganized.....I will organize it someday. I'm going to build a craft room for all my stuff.....I'll get to that someday. My daughter says I have too many knitting projects on the go. So much yarn.....soo many patterns.......sooo little time.
This is a project I actually finished ( and it really didn't take long...4 weeks). I'm not sure why the colour in the closeup is so different from the entire scarf. I should read the manual that came with my camera....maybe I'll do that tomorrow. Ene's Scarf was a quick knit. Quick that is, after casting on the 300 some stitches to start. I knit it with Peruvian Baby Silk from Elann. Soooo soft. It was the yarn itself that inspired me to finish the scarf. Maybe that's the secret? Maybe, I need to keep buying yarn and patterns until I find the exact yarn to knit up the exact pattern and then I will have another finished project! Ok....I'll start looking at that....maybe tomorrow.