Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Interesting? Sure. Progress? Ehn...

Go ahead. Ask me why I have pictures of hair stuff (as opposed to knitting stuff...).

1. I have nothing to show that is remotely interesting. Just progress on...stuff. You know. Long suffering WIPs.

I had planned on a showing you something new, but it hasn't arrived yet. (Oh wait, I do have sock stuff...wait for it.)
2. I'm pretty pleased with it.
Well, I actually won this stuff! Cool! I submitted a hair question (duh) to a magazine, and they chose my question as the "Question of the Month". It had something to do with long curly hair in the summer going haywire. And, I won all the stuff they recommended in the answer they provided.

Winning stuff? I could get used to it.



(Pardon the blurry picture.)

And here's another non-knitting related picture. Just to make sure no one mistook it for a snake (gross gross gross), I made sure to include the velcro attachment. Wondering what it is?
It's the lock from my bike. It may have cost close to $50, and it may be a bit heavier than most, but it probably prevented my bike from being stolen this past Saturday. I had stopped into the grocery store, and because the store (for some INSANE reason) got rid of their bike racks, I was forced to lock my bike to a metal bench in the front of the store. The front. In between two entrances. High traffic. At 9:30 in the morning.
I was in the store no more than 15 minutes, and when I came back, this is was what I saw. I'm just glad they didn't manage to cut through the cable. They just managed to dent the lock...
This is similar to the lock I have - http://www.cyclepath.ca/products/item495.htm., one that I will be purchasing again.
*sigh*
And other than that, it's been fairly quiet here.


Mae is just plain pooped after a Sunday watching the "Mad Men" marathon with Mom.

Gandalf is also just plain pooped after a Sunday watching the "Mad Men" marathon with Mom.

Atticus is just plain pooped of the rain on Sunday, and didn't see most of the "Mad Men" marathon. He was hiding from the rain most of the day.


So, do these look weird? I think I'm going to have to rip them down to the ankle and start over with fewer stitches. It's really looking pretty big already, and the lace will only stretch out further. And I have small feet and bones, so this will sag considerably.

Lately, my sock skills have been less than...well, just less. :D

Oh! And I also wanted to mention!

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on Columbia's dye issue. I think I will leave it as is. Once I have it on outdoors, with a scarf and mitts and other fall/winter stuff, the colour difference will hopefully fade into the background. Anne from She Ewe Knits contacted Jamieson's for me to let them know about the problem, and they will be sending me another skein of the Traditional Aran. Actually, they were going to send me a skein of whatever I wanted, but this fit the bill for me. Good customer service is always a good thing in my books, and I'm pleased at how this turned out. Thanks Anne!

Monday, July 07, 2008

Don't Adjust Your Monitors.

So, there's good news, and not so good news.
Socks!

This is the start of the Summer of Socks '08 pattern, created by Wendy. I'm using some Henry's Attic sock yarn that was dyed 'specially for me by Chris (awww!). Because of the mesh pattern, it kind of looks a bit twisted, but it's such a pretty pattern, and is perfect in pink. What you can't see is the total mess I made of the heel...so it's a good thing no one will see that part. The heel flap is going much better.

Hearts Tunic!

The back, completed. A very simple, and very quick knit. I just love this shade of red, although it doesn't photograph well. Or, it could just be me.

And I have an FO! Wheeeee!


Columbia! All done and blocked. And tried on - no modelled shot as it's a wee bit too warm for that. It fits beautifully, although the sleeves are a bit long (but that's always the case with sleeves...).

I knit it using Jamieson's Aran yarn, 9.5 skeins of Chartreuse, using size 5mm needles. Columbia is from AS' "American Portraits".

However. Here's the bad-ish news:

Don't adjust your monitors! Do you see what I see?? No need to be polite, you can say it.

"Brigitte, what is that off-colour section at the bottom, starting at the hem??"

Why - that would be the one skein that, even though all from the same dye lot - is lighter than every other skein. The only one out of ten.

Yes, I cried. Yes, I swore.

*sigh* I still love it, and am pleased with the way it turned out. Except for that one area that sticks out like a sore thumb... A really bashed up, bruised and mangled thumb.


It will be an outdoor sweater.


"Forget about it! Do the meme instead! While I lie here."

From my lovely friend Carrie K. -

Rules: You must answer the questions using only one word.



1. Where is your cell phone? Um...
2. Your significant other? Um...
3. Your hair? Long
4. Your mother? *sniff*
5. Your father? Absent
6. Your favorite thing? Yarn
7. Your dream last night? None
8. Your favorite drink? Mojitos (what?)
9. Your dream/goal? India
10. The room you’re in? Quiet...
11. Your hobby? Knitting (duh...)
12. Your fear? Snakes
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Travelling
14. What you’re not? Itchy
15. Muffins? Gluten-free
16. One of your wish list items? Maid
17. Where you grew up? Ottawa
18. The last thing you did? Sleep
19. What are you wearing? Jammies
20. Favorite gadget? MP3
21. Your pets? Funny
22. Your computer? Black
23. Your mood? Upbeat!
24. Missing someone? Yes
25. Your car? None!
26. Something you’re not wearing? Watch
27. Favorite store? Um...
28. Like someone? Heehee!
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? Morning
31. Last time you cried? ...Columbia...



"Well, if you're really that bummed about Columbia, you could always pass it on to us. You know. To lounge on and stuff. Just sayin'."