A Few Things...

Good morning Knitsters!

Atticus would like to let you know that today we're going to answer a few questions, let you in on my apartment secret, and honour my knitting teacher. A mixed bag.

Oh, hey! What would that be on my lap, by the way? Why, Amphora! She was brought out on the weekend, and is up to the armhole steeks. I was on a roll...

Which leads to our first question:

Marina asked how the Hifa 2 yarn compared with other 2-ply yarns such as AS' Hebridean or Jamieson's? Well, it's slightly thicker, "bouncier" and coarser. The colours are vibrant, however - I don't think I'd wear this next to my skin. It's much coarser, and now that the heat is on, I'm noticing that it irritates the delicate girly skin on my hands! Something that I don't have a problem with when using other 2-plys. I wonder if it's the way the wool is treated? Or is it the breed of sheep? Whereas I'd wear a Jamieson's or Hebridean next to my skin with no irritation, I can see this driving me batty.

But - it does knit up a beautiful fabric, let me tell you. I'm almost done the stranded part of Dalarna, I'll post a picture next time around.

I also had a question sent to me with one of my contest entries - what are the origins of my last name? Well, my ancestors were Basque, they came to New France (what Canada was known as then) in the early 1730's. They settled in present day Quebec, and the name eventually morphed in to the spelling it is today. I was born in Montreal, and raised a French Canadian, although I do not often get the opportunity to speak french here in english Toronto. There are quite a few ex-Montrealers at work, and we do speak french together when we can. And occasionally with my sister.

Neat-o.

If you scare easy...

Move on! Carrie K. told us a story on her blog last week about her encounter with the paranormal, and I thought I'd continue along that line - and tell you about my encounters. I say encounters, because I live right in it - my apartment is haunted, in my opinion.

I've been here for over 8 years now, and I noticed it on my very first night. Someone in my room, sitting on my bed. I didn't have any of the cats at the time. But, it's something I get regurlarly, the feeling that someone is sitting on the edge of my bed. I also have someone "tuck" me in occasionally as well - someone pushes the covers over my shoulders and neck. Not at all in a threatening or rough manner. It is as though someone were actually "tucking" me in. Oh, and the cats? They don't sleep on the bed, they never have. Not even Gandalf.

The cats also have an invisible friend who plays with them. Out of blue, they will "play" and grab at something in the air that isn't there. My stereo turns itself on on it's own, and I've had candles re-light themselves after they've been extinguished for awhile.

Once in a while, I'll hear what seems like distant voices. I remember the first time I heard it, I woke up thinking my neighbour's alarm clock had gone off. Only she had moved out the previous day, and there was no one in the apartment downstairs, or next door for that matter. I got up, and searched my entire apartment to see where it was coming from, and I could not find the source - not my TV, stereo, or alarm clock. There was nothing - and it was definitely coming from downstairs. Which was empty. I still hear it occasionally - it sounds like a distant conversation.

But, despite all of this - I'm not afraid. I don't feel threatened at all, or scared. And most of all - the cats aren't afraid. I think if they were bothered by it all, it would be a good sign to leave. This is an old house, in an old area of Toronto.

And last of all...

It's a bit of a sad time for me, Knitsters. My mother passed away 10 years ago, and although I remember her everytime I cast on a new stitch, I think of her most of all this time of year. She was my first knitting teacher - she taught me how to knit on a small pair of bright yellow 4mm needles, that I still have. I made a red garter stitch scarf! She was a very talented knitter, and I think of her when I work any new project.

I wish her life could have been longer, but things happen we have no control over. I know she can only be happier and at peace now, which comforts me.

I honour her with ever stitch I knit.