Oooh gifts!

Before I talk about the great package I received today, I will mention that I got the brand new Harry Potter book and that knitting will probably be set aside for a little while. I promise I won't post any spoiler on this blog, and I hope you guys will do the same.

So now, the gift. I got my last package from my Secret Pal, who happens to be Melanie. I am totally in love with everything she sent.



So what you see is yarn, fantastic organic chocolate (I already ate some!) and a fabulous-smelling soap.



The label says Huacaya Alpaca + Chiengora. Chiengora? Isn't that dog yarn? How cool! The only thing I'm worried about is that I'm allergic to dogs. I've been petting the yarn for a while now and I seem to be ok so I'm assuming either it's not really dog hair or I'm really allergic to dog's saliva and not the hair. Who knows. I have over 460 yards of it and I'd really like to make a shawl. I just need to find the perfect pattern (I accept suggestions).

Anyways. I hadn't planned on signing up for Secret Pal 11, but I just changed my mind. Sign-ups are up until July 31st, so visit this site if you want to play!

Oh I almost forgot to mention: I just cast on for another project : Coachella. I'll post WIP pics soon.

Roza!

I have a FO to present to you:



Pattern: Roza's socks, by Grumperina. Pattern in the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Knits.
Yarn: Fearless Fibers sock yarn, in the Raspberry colourway.
Needles: 2.25mm bamboo dpns

I LOVE THEM! They fit perfectly, they are incredibly soft and just perfect. I will definitely buy Fearless Fibers yarn again (and I still have a skein in green for another pair!)

Odie asked me in a comment if I had received my Knitpicks book order. Well the answer is yes! I got them on Wednesday but I wasn't home so I had to go and get them at the post office and I was finally able to do it today. I got Folk Socks and Knitting Vintage Socks (both by Nancy Bush) and the first volume of Vogue Knitting Stitchionary. I only looked at them a little bit but I think I'll really like them.

Sock a Month Knitalong 3 is coming to an end and I signed up for Sock a Month Knitalong 4, which starts in August. I didn't knit a sock every month during SAM3, unfortunately, but I still enjoyed it very much. I encourage every sock knitter to join!

Weekly WIP Report

This past week was fun because I finally finished Isabella (see last post for pics). That meant I could start a new project. But instead, I decided to work on the Kiri shawl.



I know this is supposed to be an easy pattern and all, but it's really kicking my ass. I had to frog quite a bit (thank God for lifelines!) when I realized a big boo-boo and now I'm on the fourth pattern repeat. And I keep making mistakes. But I will finish it, I promise.

I've also made quite a bit of progress on the ouch-my-fingers-hurt scarf:



I really like the colour, and even the fabric, but the yarn doesn't feel good in my hands. I think I'm working on it fast because I really want to start the Woven Trellis scarf and I don't want to have too many projects at once.

I didn't work on Roza's socks this past week so I didn't bother taking pics. I'm hoping I'll finally be able to go to a knitting meet-up this Wednesday (I haven't been since April!) and I'll bring them and work on them there.

I may, or may not, cast on for Coachella this week...

It seems like the whole knitting blogosphere has been hit by the Mystery Stole 3 bug. I will admit that I was tempted. But I didn't sign up and now it's too late. I regret it a little when I see all the WIPs on everyone's blog, but I really should try to finish Kiri before I try something like this. There will be a Mystery Stole 4 someday, right?

Fini!

I finished Isabella! Finally! I only have bad unflattering pics to post because I'm all alone and had to take them myself.





(Now if this picture doesn't convince me to go to the gym tomorrow, I don't know what will)

Specifics:

Pattern: Isabella from Knitty, size small
Yarn: Katia Mississippi 3 (not sure how much I used)
Needles: 2.25 mm circulars (and 3.0 mm dpns for the armholes)

I'm not 100% happy with it. It's not flattering. The seaming is so-so. But I'm happy it's finished.

I'm not sure what I'm going to start next. I actually want to work a bit on the Kiri shawl and I want to finish the pink scarf before I cast on for the Woven Trellis one so I may not start anything new for a while. We'll see.

I'm still waiting for my books from Knitpicks (they shipped on the 9th so I think I'll get them soon). But I found Maggie Righetti's Knitting in Plain English at Chapters yesterday and couldn't resist buying it (they usually never have it in stock when I go). I love the book so far.

Weekly WIP Report

Hey all! This is going to be a picture-less post because my batteries are dead, so no camera.

I finished all the knitting on Isabella. I seamed. I did the hem. And then I did the armholes. I picked up stitches, knit, did the eyelet row knit. I did the other side. And then I realized that the armholes are now wayyyy to small to fit my big arms. So I'll have to redo them and try to pick up more stitches maybe? Or bind off with bigger needles? The armholes were fine before I did the picot edging thing. Oh well. I'll tackle this tomorrow or later this week. I'm sure I'll find a way to fix this.

I didn't work much on Roza's socks because I really wanted to finish Isabella. I've just turned the heel on sock 2. I'll pick it back up this week and should finish it soon. (BTW, Melanie from Lotus Knits asked me what yarn I was using. It's superwash merino sock yarn by Fearless Fibers. I love the yarn, it's very, very soft and a dream to knit with.

I also cast on for a very simple ribbed scarf using some Bernat Masala acrylic that my mom gave me last Christmas (the scarf will be for her). I am NOT enjoying knitting with this yarn, but I love the colours and the fabric itself is soft enough. Oh and I realize that I DO have a picture, though it's much longer than that now:



See? Nice colours.

I kind of regret starting it though because I've since bought the yarn for the Woven Trellis scarf (yes Robyn, it's the one that I'm making!) and I'd rather be working on that, but I don't want to have too many projects on the needles. But I'll probably cast on for it soon because it will be my "knitting meet-ups" project (when I finally am able to go again).

If any of you don't know, Knitpicks is having a book sale : 40% on all books (as of tonight, Sunday, it was still going on. I don't know when it ends). I couldn't resist (especially with the strong Canadian dollar!) and I bought three books. Knitting Vintage Socks, Folk Socks and Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume 1 : Knit & Purl. I eventually want to own all three Stitchionary, but I figured I needed to show at least a little bit of self-control! ;) Now that I've ordered, I see so many more books I would have liked to order, but I know I'll be happy with the ones I've chosen.

I'm ending with a totally off topic post : I can finally watch the first season of Heroes! I've heard good things about the show but I couldn't watch it when it aired because I only had four channels (two in French, two in English) on my old TV. But the season will air soon on a French channel and I was sent the first five episodes on DVD (I should get the rest of the season soon). They're in French, and I hate watching dubbed TV, but it'll have to do. At least I'll be all caught up for season 2 (and I'll watch that one in English). I watched the first episode tonight and it was great!

Order of the Phoenix (Knitting spoilers only ;) )

I went to an advanced screening of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix this morning and I'm happy to say that I really like it! I wasn't sure I would, because book 5 is my least favourite so far (I find angry Harry annoying). But it was good.

I'm not going to say more because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. But I can say that Hermione has a beautiful sweater in one scene. White with fair isle on the yoke. And I'm sure we'll see Weasley twins scarves popping up on the Web in the near future (they receive them on Christmas. Arthur Weasley has a nice one too). Luna Lovegood had a nice sweater too. A blue one, with a texture similar to Thermal from Knitty.

You know you're obsessed with knitting when you notice the knits at the movies :)

So today is a good day, but yesterday was bad, so bad. So I figured I needed some cheering up. I went to my LYS to buy the new Knitscene and I also picked up some Berroco Ultra Alpaca:







I'll be using it to make the woven scarf, on the cover of last winter's Vogue Knitting (I think it was winter). It's going to be a beautiful scarf and I'll be able to wear it with hat of every colour!

Have a nice weekend everyone!

So close to an FO!

So I've been a little depressed lately because everytime I think things can't get any worst at work, something new happens to prove me wrong. I need a new job. But I digress.

At least knitting makes me happy, right? And I'm very proud to say that I finished the seaming on Isabella. Bo-ring! I'm not 100% happy with the seaming, but it's getting better with each sweater I make. No pic yet though, because I still have that picot edging thing to do. The good news is that the top fits well. The bad news is that I don't like the left side of the lace part. It looks weird, so much so that I first thought I had dropped a stitch and not realized it, but nope. Oh well. I'll post pictures when it's all done.

I'm really itching to move on to another project though. I want to work on the Kiri Shawl, but I also want to start something new. Thanks to Ravelry, I now have 21 projects in my queue, and the list will probably double by the time I start something ;) Wanna see?











That's a lot of knitting...

Weekly WIP Report

After a week off, I'm back with the Weekly WIP Report (after having drank way too much wine. Any spelling mistake must be forgiven. Thanks).

I have made great progress on my two favourite WIPs this week. First, Isabella.



The knitting is done, the shoulder seaming is done and one side seam is done. It looks like it will fit but I'm still unhappy with the seaming. I really need to find a seaming class or teacher because I really suck at it. I still have the picot edging left to do and I'll admit it scares me a little.



Roza's socks are going fantastically well. I finished sock number one and I'm about midleg on sock #2. The yarn is beautiful and soft and I want to buy many more skeins.

I'll also take this opportunity to admit that I'm totally addicted to Ravelry and that it made me add a million projects to my queue. Like the Endpaper mitts. I had seen them before but now I've seen more FOs and I really want to make them, even though my first attempt at fair isle didn't go too well. Also, in an attempt to destash a little, I've added Coachella and the Odessa hat to my queue. Will they ever make it to my needles, only time will tell.

Now, my goal is to finish both Isabella and Roza's socks this week (hey, it could happen!) and then move on to the Kiri shawl, a shrug and a pair of socks.

Now, the not-so-fun part...

I finished all the knitting part of Isabella. Now, my favourite part (or not): finishing! I have a very busy weekend ahead of me so I may not finish it in the next few days, but I'll try not to let it drag for months (like that blue cardigan thing that I may never seam and let it acquire urban legend myth-like fame). Pictures of Isabella will come for the weekly wip report on Sunday, whether it's finished or not (most likely, it won't be).

Also, Do asked me how long it took for me to get my Ravelry invite. I don't remember exactly when I signed up, but it must have taken at least a month (maybe 6 weeks) to get an invite. But it's totally worth it so go and sign up now if you haven't already! Oh and you mentionned inspiration? I suggest Craftster for that (and there are crochet and sewing sections that I'm sure you'll love too).

More inspiration? This cardigan. I'm in love.

Yesssss!!!!!

I finally got my Ravelry invite! It was SO worth the wait, I think I'll spend all night on it. I can't believe what a fantastic site these girls have created.

I just joined and I'm still feeling the place. My username there is, ta-da: Caroline! Not original, I know, but I like to use my real first name and it wasn't taken.

Oh and I know I haven't done a weekly wip report on Sunday, sorry about that. Both my boyfriend and I usually work on Sundays but it was Quebec Day so we had it off (and we have the next one off too because of Canada Day, how cool is that!) and we spent the whole day outside and at night I was too tired to write anything coherent. I'll make sure I do one next week. But if you really want an update, I can tell you that I finished the first Roza sock and started the second one, and I've made progress on the left front of Isabella.

In knitting news, the fall preview of Knitscene is online. I'm not crazy about any of the pattern though it's difficult to tell because the pics are so small. I guess I'll have to go to the yarn store to check the magazine out.

Oh and if you don't subscribe to Knitting Daily, you should (it's free)! They recently gave away the pattern for Tomato, a cute top available in Amy R. Singer's book No Sheep for You.

Contest and stuff

I LOVE 3-day weekends. I usually have Fridays and Saturdays off, but because tomorrow is Quebec Day, I also have Sunday off. Yay! I'm having a fabulous weekend so far. My boyfriend and I bought a couch yesterday. It was our biggest purchase together so far. I also took advantage of the fact that I was close to a H&M store to buy some clothes. I got some cute tops and a black with white polka dots headband. Cute.

Robyn mentionned a new contest held by Lotus Knitter. Thanks Robyn! For that contest we have to show our first FO or talk about the next project in my queue. I think I'll do both.



So this ugly weirdly shaped scarf (aka the itchiest scarf ever) was my first project. All garter stitch baby! Thank God I a)fell in love with the craft despite the bad material and b)got better. My second project was already much better I think :



I even chose a much softer acrylic ;)

The "What's next in your queue" is a tougher question. I'm working on two projects right now but I have a couple more on the needle that I'd like to finish before starting something new. That being said, I'm thinking of making this:



...because I have yarn that I think would work well with this pattern. And I need something like that for my office, where I'm always cold.

I will also cast on new socks when I'm done with Roza's socks, but your guess is as good as mine as to which ones I'll make. I can think of 4 patterns that I'd love to make right now. So we'll see.

Now, another contest. My Secret Pal hostess Shelby tagged her group with this meme:

The rules: Go to Wikipedia and type in your birthday month and day only. Then post 3 events, 2 births and one holiday that occurred on your birthday, then tag 5 friends.

DECEMBER 3

Events:
1917 - After nearly 20 years of planning and construction, the Quebec Bridge opens to traffic.
1970 - October Crisis: In Montreal, Quebec, kidnapped British Trade Commissioner James Cross is released by the Front de Libération du Québec terrorist group after being held hostage for 60 days. Police negotiate his release and in return the Canadian government grants five terrorists from the FLQ's Chenier Cell their request for safe passage to Cuba.
1997 - In Ottawa, Canada, representatives from 121 countries sign a treaty prohibiting manufacture and deployment of anti-personnel landmines. The United States, People's Republic of China, and Russia do not sign the treaty, however.

Births:
1948 - Ozzy Osbourne, English singer
1960 - Julianne Moore, American actress (love her)

Holiday:
International Day of the Basque language

I tag:

Deawn
Molly Ann
Michelle
Laura
Karine

Now I'm off at the gym for my new Super Workout class!

Weekly WIP Report

I haven't worked that much on Isabella this past week. But I'm happy to say that I'm almost done with the left front. I probably won't be finished by next week like I hoped I would, but that doesn't mean I won't try.



I neglected Isabella because I felt like working on the sock. I turned the heel! The sock looks pretty narrow on the pic but it stretches well enough to fit my big calves.

I realized that working on only a couple of projects at a time means that I'm always showing you the same WIPs. Sorry about that. But while more projects would mean more diverse WIP pics, it would also mean FO pics would come even less often. And I don't know about you guys, but I prefer to see FOs. So this is my goal : to finish Isabella in the next two weeks (I can do that) so I can show you a FO. And then I'll have new WIPs (or old ones that I'll pick up again) to show.

I must say that I've wound the alpaca my secret pal gave me into a ball. I have a few ideas for it. We'll see.

I also sort of want to make a very simple scarf for my mom. She gave me yarn last Christmas and hinted that she'd love a scarf made with it. Only problem is, it's acrylic and I know I won't LOVE working with it. But I know she'll love the scarf so I'll make her one.

*Tag* You're it!

I've been tagged!

Here's the deal: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

1. I hate umbrellas. I hate to carry them. I sometimes carry a small one in my bag but I'll only use it if it's raining really hard.

2. I've written two novels. Neither of them is good. Neither has been read by anyone but me.

3. My coworker told me I should watch Hell's Kitchen, so I did for the first time this week. It was the scariest thing I had ever seen (I'm slightly exaggerating here). Yet, I know for sure I'll watch again next week.

4. Up until the end of high school, I wanted to be a physical therapist and work for the Canadiens de Montréal. Then I took chemistry and physics and realized I'd have to keep on taking science classes to get there. So I changed my mind and studied literature instead.

5. My new ring tone is the Super Mario Bros theme and it makes me smile everytime my phone ring.

6. I like celebrity gossip too much for my own good.

7. I'm planning a parachute jump for this summer.

Now, who will I tag...

Kadi
Jo
Lee Ann
Véronik
Jennifer
Robyn
Mona

I'm sure you've all see that the new Knitty is out. What do you think? I personally don't like that many patterns. Coachella and Tangerine Twist are cute. And I like the socks. But none of the patterns will go on my to-do list. Oh well. You like some, you dislike some.

Tomorrow, I'm going shopping for yarn for my secret pal's last package. Will I get something for myself? I really shouldn't. But sometimes, yarn just calls your name. ;)

Weekly Week Report

It's now my favourite part of the week, the part when I realize I really am a slow knitter ;)

Seriously, I feel like I've progressed with my two regular WIPs this week. First, let me present you the pink sock:



A.K.A. Roza's sock. I have about 2-3 inches more to knit before I start the heel flap. Somehow, I doubt I'll finish them in time for the end of June, but we'll see.



I've also made some progress on Isabella. I'm now at the neckline, at the part where you work half the stitches. It's going pretty well. I was hoping I could finish it before going to my mom's on Friday, but that just won't happen. I know I won't have time to finish the knitting AND seam it. I could if I spent all my free time doing that, but I won't. I need me some Internet time :)

(I'm interrupting this blogging to mention that I currently have a bad case of the hiccups. It's very annoying.)

I'm sure you've all heard about the big Knitpicks sale. I hesitated a long time, and then I decided I should get me some yarn to make Tubey. I chose Andean Silk, and then I realized that the colours on sale weren't my favourite. I finally settled for Leaf. I put 10 balls in my "stash" (i.e. cart), I added two sock books. And then I decided not to order. I don't know why, I just wasn't sure anymore. And now I'm happy I didn't get the yarn because I find that I would prefer a Chocolate or Pool Tubey. Or something else entirely.

Since I can't make up my mind, I decided to try and find projects for the yarn I already have. I found a lace scarf pattern for the yarn my Secret Pal gave me (it'll be a mini-scarf, I'll just go for as long as I have yarn). And I found a shrug pattern in a past issue of Interweave Knits that would look good with the alpaca I got from a previous Secret Pal thing.

But that Knitpicks Andean Silk is still tempting. I have a colour card and I keep touching it. It's so damn soft. The sale lasts until Friday (if they don't sell everything by then) so who knows. I may change my mind again.

Chez Robyn

Kadi, Angela and I (not on the picture since I was taking it) went knitting at Robyn's house last night. We had a lovely evening and I was able to work quite a bit on my pink sock. Robyn has posted more pictures on her blog, if you want to see. I hate how I look on them though (don't I always?). Robyn, I actually stole the pic above from your blog because I'm too lazy to get my camera and transfer it myself ;)

While knitting, we watched So you think you can dance, which I had never watched before. It was... interesting, to say the least. Some good dancers on there. Some, not so good.

I've made good progress on Isabella. I'm almost done with the front. And I'll really try to seam right away so I can wear the damn top sometime this summer. Actually, I'm hoping to finish it sometime next week. Hey who knows? It could happen!

Funny thing is, I have no idea what I'll do next. I should probably pick the lace shawl back up. It's probably what I'll do. I'd also love to try another sweater, but I should probably try to make a couple of smaller projects first.I'll feel less guilty buying yarn for a sweater if I knit a couple of things from the stash first. Not to mention that I should probably wait and see if I can actually finish a sweater before committing to a new one...

Weekly WIP report

I'm keeping with my new tradition (can you say "new tradition"?) and posting a WIP report.



You can see where I am with Roza's socks (though they are NOT that bright in person) and Isabella.

I've mostly worked on Isabella this past week because I'm really looking forward to finishing it. Of course, after the knitting I'll need to seam it. Hopefully, it won't take me as long as the blue cardigan. God I hate seaming. I really should ask the owner of Effiloché if she gives finishing lessons. I want beautifully seamed sweaters dammit!

I'll leave you with a link to Mona's blog, where you will find the great new sock pattern that she designed. I think it'll be next on my sock list.

Summer goals

Skeins her way is having a great contest on her blog (thanks to Robyn for the heads up). We have to list our knitting goals for the summer. Here we go (summer=now until the end of August):

Main goals
-Knit three pairs of socks (or more)
-Finish Isabella
-Seam the damn blue cardigan!
-Pick the Kiri shawl (link to pdf) back up and hopefully finish it.

Ok so these were the goals I really really hope I can achieve. I also want to:

-Start another sweater (I have many projects in mind.)
-Make me a scarf (the woven scarf from a past issue of Vogue knitting would be nice) and a hat.

What are your summer goals? If you participate in the contest, make sure you mention you got the link from my blog. Thanks!

Weekly WIP report

I'm totally stealing this idea to do a weekly WIP report from Dim Sum Knitting. It should be a good way to make me update regularly. I tend to think that if I don't have FO pics to show, I don't have anything to blog about. But unfortunately, I don't finish things that often, so...

WIP report time!

I'm working on many projects, but these two are taking most of my free time. First, I don't know if you remember these knee socks:



Well they are no more. I frogged them when I realized my legs would never look good in them. If I ever lose weight, I'll make knee socks to reward myself. In the meantime, regular socks will do. Therefore, my Fearless Fiber sock yarn is being turned into:



Roza's socks, from the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Knits. I was just flipping through my mags, trying to find the perfect pattern for the yarn and when I saw them, I just had to cast on. I'm only at the cuff, as you can see, but I plan on starting the brioche stitch part tonight.

I'm also working on Isabella. Now this is a boring project to show off because I'm making it in black, so all you see on the picture is a black blob, but you can kind of spot the beginning of the lace part (follow the green arrow!):



This is a very simple project, even though I'm (finally!) at the more "complicated" part. But it's easy lace, really. I'm working with Katia Mississippi 3, which is a cotton/acrylic blend that I had in the stash.

So that's all for the WIP report.

Last Friday, my friend Dominique asked me if I wanted to go to Effiloché with her. I don't think I hesitated even for one second, especially since it's now so close to my appartment. Touching cashmere and silk is always a good way to spend a Friday afternoon, if you ask me. I did not buy these luxurious fibers, though. I have a little bit of self-control. I only got a few skeins of sock yarn.



Two skeins of Regia in green that I plan to use either for the Cablenet or the Bayerische socks. And a skein of Austermann Step, just because I love it.

Goodies!

Thank you Secret Pal! I got a great package yesterday. It had some incredibly soft alpaca that she spun herself! No one had ever spun yarn for me before. I have 174 yards of it and it's a pretty thin weight. If anyone has ideas for patterns, please share as I'm really looking forward to using it. I also got a cute little pouch with dragonflies on it as well as some delicious chocolate bars (I ate one of them already). :)

I also got in the mail a DVD with the Knitty Gritty episode featuring the Yarn Harlot from Robyn. Thanks again, I'll watch it tonight.

I'm back!

Oh how I've missed blogging! There were so many things I wanted to blog about these past few weeks. Like the time I ran into Deawn in Effiloché just as she was telling the owner she wished she could get naked and roll in the silk. Ah good times.

So I'm FINALLY at the new appartment and it's fabulous. I love love love love it! We have so much space (I need to take a pic of my yarn closet!) and the whole place is just beautiful and well located.

I haven't been knitting much these past few weeks though, but I did finish a pair of socks:



The yarn is Regia Cotton and I really like it for summer socks. I didn't use a pattern.

I've also been working on Isabella. I finished the back and I have, maybe, a third of the front done. I'll post pics as soon as I figure out a way to NOT make it look like a big black blob.

I really plan to get back into regular blogging as soon as I'm all set up here. Right now, my computer is not Internet-ready so I'm using the boyfriend's.

Oh and someone got on my blog by Googling the phrase "Fat legs". Funny. (and I do hate my sausage-legs).

Missing in Action

Just a little note to let you all know that I have not disappeared, but I have limited Internet access until I move on May 19 (actually, we'll have Internet on May 21).

But you should SEE the new appartment. It is so perfect I want to cry. We spent the whole day painting yesterday (yep, we spent that beautiful day inside). And today, I'll try to convince my body that it's not as sore as it feels so we can paint again.

I've been knitting a little less than usual. I finished knitting my April socks for the Sock-a-month knitalong at around 11pm on April 30, but I was at my boyfriend's and I didn't have a needle to graft the toe. So the socks aren't done yet (I keep forgetting to bring them back home). I guess my April sock will become my May sock. :) I'll post pics soon.

Food Post!

I'm taking a break from knitting to bring you this recipe that I tried tonight (a friend of mine gave it to me).


Mango couscous

1 cup couscous
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 garlic clove, minced
1 mango, peeled, pitted and cut into 1 inch cubes (about a cup)
1 jalapeno chili, seeds and ribes removed, finely chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1 ripe tomato, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup loosely packed small cilantro sprigs, chopped
1/2 cup loosely packed small parsley sprigs, chopped

Prepare the couscous according to the package directions. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Add the garlic, mango and jalapeno and sauté until the mango begins to color lightly. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, the couscous, raisins, tomato, lime juice, cilantro and parsley and toss to heat through. Season with salt.

Serve hot or at room temperature. Four servings.

Since I never exactly follow recipes, I made the following changes:
-I didn't use raisins (didn't have any)
-I used red bell peppers instead of jalapenos
-I used dry herbs instead of fresh ones
-I added chicken
-I estimated quantities for the herbs and lime juice

The result (sorry, I'm no food stylist):



It was pretty good, but next time I'll use more herbs and garlic.

Stash in boxes

I got a great gift from my Secret Pal a few days ago.



She gave me angora!!! I've never knit with angora before so I'm thrilled. I'm thinking of making mittens, what about you? I also got a cute card and some delicious chocolate. Thanks again, Secret Pal!

My Secret Pal hostess, Shelby asked us to post our stash. Well mine is very small:



This is the bulk of it and it fits in two baskets! I also have some more in there:



There's no eggs in that box, just some yarn and patterns. I'm moving in a little less than a month so I had to start packing. Of course, I left some things unpacked, like a couple of projects (I can't go almost a month without knitting). Here's my sock in progress:



Michelle asked me if I was using Trekking for these. It's actually Regia cotton. I'm loving the stripes and the yarn is really nice to work with. I recommend it.

Fat legs

I've been knitting and knitting and knitting on the knee socks and I'm almost done with the leg:



At that point I decided to try it on to see how high it goes. Uck. I realized that knee socks don't look good at all on fat calves. At least they don't on my calves. So I don't know what to do. I love the pattern so I may continue and just wear the socks under pants when it's really cold outside. Or I'll frog them and start regular socks.

I'm still not sure what I'll do so in the meantime... I cast on for another pair of socks.



Despite the fact that half of the month is over already, I still have hope of finishing a pair for the Sock a Month Knitalong. Will I succeed? Only time will tell.

I've also made progress on Isabella. I'm almost done with the back. I didn't take a pic cause you'd only see a black blob. I can't wait to start the front, it will be much more fun to knit.

Oh and in more personal news, we finally found an appartment! It's in a great neighborhood. Oh and it's a 10 minutes walk from Effiloché, which can be a good or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it :)

Today was not a good day

It's been a while already since I last updated so I will, even though I don't have anything exciting to share. I'm currently watching the hockey game and the Habs are losing 0-3. Dammit! They could have made the playoffs by winning tonight. Now Saturday will be the decisive game.

So, what have I been up to lately.

1. I've been sick with a cold.

2. I've been appartment hunting and I think I hate that even more than job hunting. Every appartment we like, 20+ other people like it to so we end up not getting it. Tonight I visited one that would have been absolutely perfect... until I realised that my washer and drier wouldn't fit in the designated space for it (it's made for a washer and drier that's one on top of the other).

3. I've been knitting! Unfortunately, I don't have anything to show you. I'm about halfway done with the back of Isabella, but even if I had my camera with me, it wouldn't make a good picture. I'm making it in black cotton.

I'm also making good progress on the Winding Cable Knee Socks but damn, they are taking a lot of my time! I thought I was almost done with the leg part but after rereading the pattern, I realized I had to make 1.5 more repeats of one of the charts. Eeep!

Today, I went to the bookstore and found the Yarn Harlot's new book. I was very happy. I'm in the mood for knitting humour.

Current favourite

My SP10 host Shelby asked participants to post their favourite WIP so here I go. I just started a couple of new projects and this one is my new favourite:



The pattern is the Winding Cable Socks, I got it when I subscribed to the KnitsNews newsletter. I love it because I'm using my new favourite sock yarn ever: superwash merino wool from Fearless Fibers. This one is the raspberry colourway. I liked it a lot when I saw it online, I loved it when I received the yarn and I want to marry it now that I've started knitting with it. It's the softest sock yarn I've ever used.

I've also recently cast on for Isabella with the black cotton I had in my mini-stash. I don't have a picture because I left it at my boyfriend's. I'm not sure I'll keep working on it anyways. I had to go down two needle sizes to get gauge, which means I have to use size 1 (2.5mm) needles. It looks like it'll take forever to finish.

I was supposed to go to a knitting meetup tonight but I ended up not being able to make it. I'm pretty bummed as the yarn faeries from Ariadne were supposed to bring some Lorna's Lace. I've never worked with that yarn and I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to resist. I guess my wallet is happy :)

Feet on fire!

I finished the Ripple Weave socks:



Pattern: Ripple Weave sock by Charlene Schurch, from the Fall 06 issue of Vogue Knitting.
Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino. Like I said, it was too busy for the pattern, but I still like the way it came out.
Needles: 2.75 mm bamboo DPNs. I usually use 2.25 mm for socks, but I wanted big fat ones. They're very comfy.

Next on the needles: a pair of socks with some Fearless Fibers yarn and (probably) Isabella from the latest issue of Knitty.

We wants it!

I went shopping for my Secret Pal and got the most gorgeous sock yarn. It's beautiful. The colours are fantastic. It's... perfect.

And now I want to keep it for myself.

But I won't. It's for my pal. She'll love it I'm sure. And I don't want to buy new yarn for me until I make two more pairs. *sigh*

Oh and I'm not going to tell you what it is or post pictures in case my Secret Pal sees my blog (who knows just who reads this thing).

Also, in case some of the Montreal knitters are interested: Effiloché stocks Colinette Jitterbug sock yarn (no, it's not what I got for the pal) and it looks BEAUTIFUL and is incredibly soft, but it's a bit pricey (25$). I'm sure I'll treat myself and buy a skein someday though.

Bleh blah bluh

I haven't been feeling well this week. Everyone is sick around me so I may have caught something. I don't know. I'm just *really* looking forward to the weekend (I'm going to my mom's, yay!)

I received an email from my Secret Pal (HELLO SECRET PAL!!!). She said "I hope you like alpaca". I have a feeling she'll be a great pal. ;)

I've been knitting quite a bit, mostly on the ripple weave socks:



(Colour is really bad on that pic). I can't wait till I'm done, especially since I'll try the Fearless Fiber yarn I ordered a while ago next.I'm almost decided on a pattern too.

I was looking through my sort-of-stash and I decided I needed to make something out of the cotton I have. I'm really liking Isabella. I may wait until I get the new Vogue knitting though. Have you seen the preview? There are cute things in there...

Ok. Now I'm off to start the seaming on the blue cardigan. Yes, I'm going to seam. It's time. I just hope I don't ruin the thing...

SP Questionnaire

I haven't participated to a Secret Pal exchange in a while so I'm very excited to be part of that one. Thanks to Robyn for her help with my registration.

So, here's the questionnaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love good ol' wool. Of course, I've also enjoyed cashmere the one time I used it ;) Like many people, I don't really care for scratchy acrylic.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Store? ;) Most of my DPNs are in a bag. My straight needles (that I pretty much never use) are in a sort of vase. I use mostly my interchangeable circular sets (Denise and Knitpicks) which are in their own cases.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for a few years now. Maybe three or four? I learned from books and the Internet. I'd say my skills are intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I don't! But I recently made a post on books I'd like to own (though I can now scratch the Book of finishing techniques from that list since I'll get it from Mona tomorrow).


5. What's your favorite scent?
Good question. I don't have a favourite, but I prefer fruity scents to flowery scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, yes, yes. I'm addicted to jujubes and jellybeans. And I love chocolate.


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Knitting is my hobby of choice. I want to learn to crochet someday. I don't spin but I'd like to learn.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love all kinds of music. Most of my current favourites are French-Canadian artists (you all really should check out Malajube, they're great). I also LOVE Tori Amos, Björk, Fiona Apple and other strong female artists. Other than that, hmmm, let me check my little iPod: Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand, FrouFrou, Beck, Garbage, Green Day, Metric, Mobile, Nirvana, No Doubt, Placebo, Radiohead, R.E.M, The Dresden Dolls, Weezer...

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love blue, red and pink. I rarely wear green (it doesn't look good on me) and yellow. Except on my feet. Any colour is good there.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live by myself and will move in with my boyfriend in the summer. Unfortunately, I'm very allergic to most pets so I have none.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, yes, yes and no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks! I also like hats. I'd love to knit more sweaters but my seaming skills leave a lot to be desired.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Socks :) I also just started a hat. I need to block and seam a cardigan. And I have a shawl UFO that I need to get back to.


14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course!


15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I much prefer circular needles. I love bamboo but I'm totally in love with my Knitpicks options set.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Sadly, no. It's on my list of things to get.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
It's my shawl and I started it in May. Every other object that I haven't finished have been frogged.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!


19. Is there anything that you collect?
Sock yarn ;) No, I don't even have that much. I try not to collect things cause I'm a big clutterer.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I'd like to get old issues of Interweave Knits. My oldest one is from Summer 2004. Patterns? Hmm. I've always wanted to make Rogue. I'd like to make the Simple Knitted Bodice as well as Flicka and Cherry from My fashionable Life. Oh and I also love many patterns from White Lies Design. I don't have a subscription to any knitting magazines. And yarn? Oh my. There are MANY brands I'd like to try. I've never used Socks that Rock, Koigu and Lorna's Lace, to name a few.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I want to try colour work. Actually, I've tried fair isle before but my knitting was too tight. I need to give it another try.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I'm a sock knitter. My feet are small, I wear a size 6.5 (that's in Canada, I don't know if it's different from other parts of the world).

23. When is your birthday?
December 3 (I'll turn 30 this year!!!)

****
Robyn mentionned a tattoo meme on her blog. Here's mine (sorry for the bad quality):



It's on my right shoulder blade. I had it done in 2001. I don't think I'll get a second one but if I did, it would probably be a fleur de lys.

Two socks on two circs

Finished!



I quite enjoyed finishing both socks at the same time, but I don't think I'll give up my DPNs anytime soon.

And I finished the socks just in time for the month of February for the Sock a Month Knitalong! (All the sock knitters who read this should join this KAL by the way!) :)

I want new books!

I've replaced startitis and the urge to buy yarn with the desire to acquire new books. Not that I need any of them, mind you.On my list of books I want:

Nancy Bush's Knitting vintage socks

The Knitter's book of finishing techniques

The 3 Vogue Stitchionaries

A Gathering of Lace

Favorite socks: 25 timeless designs from Interweave

I need to win the lottery.

New IK

I'm knittin' and knittin' but not finishin' anythin'...

And I've been fighting startitis again. I haven't started any new project, but boy do I have many on my list. I feel like I'm browsing patterns, blogs and knitting forums more than I've been knitting though.

I got the Spring 07 issue of Interweave Knits. Like many, I'm not in love with the new design, but after reading some posts on Knitter's Review, I gotta say it's not as bad as I expected. I think they did a good job with the pattern pages. I just wish it was still beside the main picture of the project. Oh well.

I'm in LOVE with Eunny Jang's entrelac socks. In love. Don't know when I'll attempt them (but I do know I'll make them without the tassels). I also like Grumperina's socks. I may make Veronik's dollar and a half cardigan, but I probably won't make the sides different (the difficulty would be choosing which side I like the best...)

As for everything else, I don't know. It's way too cold right now to be thinking about spring knits.

New things

I finally received my Options needles last week. I'm very happy. I haven't had a chance to try them yet (I have too many projects on the needles already) but I just know I'll love them. Thanks to the wonderful Karine, I'm now in the process of knitting two socks on two circulars and I'm using Knitpicks needles to do so. I LOVE them. Seriously, it's almost indecent to love needles so much. They are the best I've ever used.



I love the little case.

Re: two socks on two circs. It was very confusing at first and I'll admit I didn't have much fun knitting the first 3-4 rows. But now that I have about 3 inches done, I'm starting to like it. I don't think I'll give up the DPNs for good, but I'll definitely keep on using that method, especially for plain vanilla socks. I don't have pics of the socks in progress, unfortunately, since I left them at my boyfriend's.

I also got new yarn.



Iminloveiminloveiminlove! It's superwash (and supersoft) merino sock yarn from Fearless Fibers (I'm hoping the link will work as apparently the one in my last post doesn't. If you can't access the store, just google Fearless Fibers and it should get you there). I gotta say that the yarn is soft, the colours are fantastic and Deb (who runs the store) is a very nice person. It took a week for my yarn to get here (she's in the US, I'm in Canada). I'm very satisfied with this purchase. Oh and each skein 550 yards! My Fleece Artist skein is around 355 yards and I usually have a lot of leftovers (I have small feet). I think I may be able to get two pairs with each skein (I'll just knit the second pair toe up).

I have no FOs to show you but I do have two WIPs. First, the Ripple Weave socks are coming along nicely.



I'm loving the colours even more every time I pick the project up.

I also finally restarted working on the blue cardigan. I realized I made a mistake with the shaping of the two fronts so I'm reknitting them (the good news is that they're a quick knit and the cable keeps me from being bored).



The colours are totally wrong on this picture but I couldn't get a better pic so it'll have to do. I have 100000000 sweater patterns that I want to start so I better finish this soon.

A couple of replies

On my last post, Karine commented:

"I'll bring my socks tomorrow at the knit thing. If you attend too, I'll be more then happy to help you out. Trust me, it's a lot easier then you think. One caveat: three chicks I've taught how to knit have gotten pregnant. I know you can knit already but I don't know the consequences of just teaching a technique..."

Hmm. Maybe I wouldn't mind that... ;) Seriously, my boyfriend and I are just not there yet but I'm really looking forward to having a baby. Sorry I wasn't at the knitting thing last week but I'll try to go this week.

Another comment (this one was anonymous):

"I, too am making these socks and am having the darndest time with them! I keep losing stitches -- is this happening to you?"
So far it hasn't. Maybe because I'm using bamboo needles? It really helps with slippery yarn.

I'm really into a sock mood these days. I just don't feel like knitting anything else. I usually only have one pair at a time (I have other projects too, just one that is socks), but yesterday I decided to cast on for a pair using the Opal yarn I got from the girls at Ariadne because my sock in progress was (and still is) at my boyfriend's. I also ordered some new sock yarn from Fearless Fibers (click at your own risk, everything on that site looks fabulous). I'll tell you more about the yarn when it gets here.

I also finished something that is not a sock:



Pattern is Calorimetry, from Knitty and I used Noro, as you can probably guess. I figure it would be good to have something to protect my ears from the cold when my hair is up... and of course, after I finished knitting this, I decided to get my hair cut too short to wear it up! ;)

My order from Knitpicks has yet to arrive and I'm beginning to worry. I usually get my orders from them pretty quickly. It supposedly has been shipped on January 29th. Shouldn't it be here by now?