Roxham Wool Gathering

I woke up early this morning to go to the annual Roxham Wool Gathering with Robyn, Mona and Janet (blogless, I think).



It was my first time going and I had a lovely time. But I was a little disappointed, there definitely wasn't that much wool. It was more like a craft fair with some wool than a wool gathering. But I love craft fairs so I was happy. And there was some wool:





(Robyn and Mona, looking at the wool)

There were knit rats:



And super cute hats:



There even were sheep!



And the most adorable dog (I heard someone say her name is Phoebe):



She's totally smiling at me isn't she?

I didn't buy any wool but I did get some roving for my Secret Pal. I don't think she reads my blog, but just in case, I won't post a picture. I also bought a bottle of wine (very good, I got to taste it beforehand).

So it was a nice day. And since I didn't spend much money, I have some to spend at Effiloché! But not now. I just bought a ball winder (yesssss, I finally have one) and I want to knit from the stash before I buy more. I'm not really on a yarn diet, but I do have yarn that I want to use so I really don't need any more. I would like to finish my current projects, knit a scarf for my boyfriend, the streakers shrug, the endpaper mitts and at least 3 pairs of socks before I buy anything new. Will I succeed? I doubt it, but I'll try!

More in my yarn closet, less in my wallet...

So I mentionned a few days ago that I've been buying more than usual lately. I'm not sure why, I just felt a strong desire to buy knitting stuff. Today, I got my order from Ariadne :



The booklet, Steppin' out, has 12 sock patterns from Veronik Avery and Mona Schmidt. I LOVE IT! There are 7 patterns out of the 12 that I want to add to my queue immediately.

I also bought my first Lorna's, in Mixed Berries:



It's so soft and beautiful, I want to use it as a pillow!

I also got some Reynolds Soft Sea Wool in Olive:



I totally love this colour.

But that's not all. Earlier this week, I went to Indigo and I bought this:



I am loving many designs in that book and I've already added the Aspen top-down sweater (that's the cover sweater), Beret Basque and the Latvian fingerless mitts to my queue.

Oh and did I mention that I'm buying a ball winder tomorrow? I need to stop spending and use the yarn I bought!

Weekly WIP Report

Hello all! Before I talk about the knitting stuff, let me tell you I've had a very painful weekend. Last Wednesday, I began to feel pain in my right shoulder. A few hours later, the pain went up to my neck and down to my arm. Thursday, the pain was still there. Friday too, worst than ever. Saturday, I finally decided to go see a doctor. It looks like it's a pinched nerve. He prescribed some pain killers and something that "relaxes" my muscles. Unfortunately, it also makes me want to sleep real bad. I can tell you work was no fun today!

Because of that, I knit a little bit less than usual (though I don't think the pain is knitting-related). But I still got some knitting done. I have close to 12 inches done on the second tube of the Woven Trellis scarf and my Shedir hat is a little bit bigger.

I also cast on for Marina Piccola and knit one full pattern repeat:



I'm using Fleece Artist merino (LOVE!!!). The pattern is great too, though I kept on making stupid mistakes at first. I really hope I can finish them before the end of the month, for the Sock a Month knitalong. We'll see.

I was tempted and now I'm tempting YOU!

I've been purchase-happy lately, despite the fact that I don't really need more sock yarn. I don't have a ton, far from it, but I have enough for the next 3-4 sock projects I have in mind and that should be enough for me (yeah right).

First, I joined Robyn's sock club for October. I had missed out in September, unfortunately. It includes yarn, stitch markers and a pattern. I hope I'll like it!

That same Robyn also posted a pic of the socks she's making for her husband and I really liked them. Very simple and classic. The pattern is from a booklet. I checked on Ravelry and they had a pic of another sock that I liked from that booklet. So I checked out the whole thing on Ariadne (because I knew they were carrying it) and I realized I liked most of the patterns. And they are all designed by Veronik Avery and Mona Schmidt. So I bought. And if I'm going to buy a sock pattern booklet, I'm going to buy sock yarn. Duh! I checked out the yarn the booklet called for (Reynold Soft Sea Wool). It looks beautiful and it's not very expensive. So I bought some in Olive. I would have bought more but I want to try it first. Finally, I bought my first skeins of Lorna's Lace. It's about time I try it. The colour is Mixed Berries (I had a really hard time choosing).

So yeah. Yummy yarn goodness is on my way (or not. I chose the pick-up option instead of delivery). And my Secret Pal emailed and said there's a package coming my way soon. Oooh goodies!

Weekly WIP Report

I'm doing the WIP Report one day late this week, because it was a three-day weekend and the blog needs a break too (haha, as if I didn't take enough breaks during the week... I'm just lazy).

I've been working on the same projects as last week, but the good news is: I finished the first tube of the Woven Trellis scarf!



Only 5 more to go...

I also worked a little bit on Shedir. I have 1.5 pattern repeat done.



That's it for this week. I'm hoping to have a new WIP to report on next week. I want to cast on for the Marina Piccola socks.

Summer Goals, Fall Goals

Last May, I made a list of knitting goals for the summer. Now that summer is almost over*, I think it's time to see how I fared.

*Yeah, I know that technically, summer ends on, or around, September 20, but in my mind, once you say goodbye to August, you say goodbye to summer. September is really a fall month.

So my main goals were:

Knit three pairs of socks (or more)
Well I finished two.Roza's socks and my mom's socks.

Finish Isabella
Done!

Seam the damn blue cardigan!
Blue cardigan? What blue cardigan?

Pick the Kiri shawl back up and hopefully finish it.
I did pick it back up but I definitely didn't finish it.

So I didn't reach all my goals, far from it, but I'm still happy with my summer knitting. I also started and finished a project that wasn't in my goals, Coachella.

Now I've set some goals for the fall. Let's see if I can reach them:

1. Woven Trellis scarf from Vogue Knitting (started)
2. Simple ribbed scarf for my boyfriend
3. Marina Picola socks for my sister
4. Shedir from Knitty (started)
5. Streakers shrug from Interweave Knits
6. Cablenet socks from Knitty

What are your fall knitting goals?

Weekly WIP Report

I gotta say, the Woven Trellis scarf is the ideal project to work on when you're watching TV. I am now done with the first season of Heroes (OMGbestshowever!) and I've been able to knit 63" of the first tube. Yay! Maybe I'll finish it this week... and then start little tube #2. *sigh* This is the scarf that never ends. It goes on and on, my friends...

So I wouldn't die of boredom, I cast on for a new project:



I am making Shedir from Knitty (you need to download the pdf available on this site to see the pattern). I'm using Rowan Felted Tweed. I'm in no rush to finish it, since (hopefully), I won't be needing a hat for a few months.

Answers to some knitting questions

My Secret Pal hostess, Robyn, asked us to answer these questions, so here I go:

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
The one I use the most is probably my tape measure so I'll say that.

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project?
I always take some knitting with me. Usually always a pair of socks, cause it's small and portable. The last time I travelled (I went to Paris and London last year), I had brought socks and a lace shawl. That lace shawl is Kiri and it's still not done.

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?
Germany, definitely. I was by myself and I felt so independant and strong.

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?
That's a very difficult question. I guess I'll say Knitting Rules! by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It's both funny and useful. And since I've read it, I've been able to knit socks without a pattern. Oh and I do own the book. If I had to choose one I don't own, it would be Fitted Knits, by Stefanie Japel. I really want to make the Back-to-School U-Neck Vest, I'm just not sure I want to buy the book just for that pattern.

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?
I listened to a knitting podcast a while ago and I have to admit that I found it pretty boring. I won't name it, because I don't remember which one it was anyways. ;) But I've listened to the last episode of Lime & Violet and I really enjoyed it so I'll probably continue listening to that one.

6. If you could only knit with 1 color for the rest of your life, what color would that be?
That would be impossible! Hmmm. I'll say blue, because there are so many beautiful shades of it...

7. If you were far into a project and then noticed a mistake near the beginning what would you do?
It depends. I'm not a perfectionnist, so if it was just a small mistake, I'd forget about it. But I've unravelled finished sleeves after noticing a mistake so I will start over if necessary.

8. Where is the most unsual spot you've ever knit?
Ha! I have knit on the stairmaster. It was not a positive experience and I found out that for me, knitting and exercise don't mix (unfortunately).

Socks off the needles

I finished my mom's socks!



Pattern: I didn't use one. I used a 3X1 rib on the leg and the top of the foot.
Yarn: Austermann Step. I love that yarn. It's very soft and the colours are great.
Needles: 2.25 mm bamboo dpns

They took me a while to knit because my mom's feet are so much bigger than mine. My next socks will be Kate Gilbert's beautiful Marina Piccola. They will probably be for my sister who thankfully has small feet like me!

Weekly WIP Report - Short and Sweet Edition

I've been working on two projects this week. I've made good progress on mom's socks:



I even managed to make them match, something I usually don't care much about.

Also, I've cast on for the Woven Trellis scarf:



*sigh* 23 inches done, 67 inches to go... and that's only for the first little tube (there are six total). The scarf is going to be so gorgeous and soft (seriously, I'm loving the yarn - Berroco Ultra Alpaca). But I'm not sure I'll finish it in time for winter ;)

25 cents sock blockers

I've been wanting sock blockers for a long time and I was looking at those beautiful wooden ones. They're fabulous but expensive. So I decided to make my own. I found a fantastic tutorial (gotta give credit where credit is due) and I made some tonight. I swear it took less than 10 minutes. I got placemats at 2 for 1$ at the dollar store and I can get two blockers with one placemat so each one cost me 25 cents. That's what I call a good deal.



(Sorry about the bad lighting on all the pics.) The first ones I made where great but I made the cuffs a little bit too short so I tried again.



These were perfect and so pretty, don't you think? Here's one modeling Roza's sock:

A little bit of yarn porn to start the day...

I went to my LYS, just because I felt like it and to see if I could find something for my Secret Pal. I did find something really lovely, but I can't show you in case she reads this.

I was also looking for yarn to knit a scarf for my boyfriend. I fell in love with this one, but I couldn't find the exact same colours of Noro Silk Garden. I could have opted for other colours, but they all seemed a bit too girly.

So I was looking at the (very soft) Misti Alpaca and then I noticed a sample (unfinished) scarf in the store. It was very simple (a 2X2 rib) but it was so beautiful and soft. So I decided to make one and bought the yarn:



I showed it to my boyfriend and he likes the colour. Plus, it goes well with the hat I made him two years ago.

I don't know when I'll cast on for the scarf. I just started the Woven Trellis one for myself. I have about 15" done on the first little tube. It's a very easy and boring knit, but it's a great project to work on while watching TV or a movie. And the yarn I'm using (Berroco Ultra Alpaca) is so soft!

No more yarn that hurts!

Here's another FO for you:



For some reason, I could not take a good picture of it (I feel like I say that for every picture I post here).

Pattern: I used the "pattern" that was on the ball band, but it's really just a 2X2 ribbed scarf with a fringe.
Yarn: Bernat Masala, a bulky acrylic.
Needles: Knitpicks options circular, size 10½ (6.5 mm)
Comment: Argh! I hated that yarn! My mom gave it to me last Christmas and hinted that she'd like it as a scarf and I was tired of seeing it in my stash so I cast on last month. But the yarn hurt my hands while I knit so I dubbed the scarf the Hurtful scarf. Ouch! That being said, I really like the colour and the scarf itself is pretty soft. I know my mom will like it.

I will probably start a new project soon. Probably the Woven Trellis scarf from last winter's Vogue Knitting. I expect a pretty boring knit but a beautiful scarf.

Two Years

Two years ago, I found out that the guy I had a crush on liked me back. My boyfriend and I started dating and things have been going well ever since. I've never had a relationship that was so fun and easy (and fight-less!) before.

I got beautiful flowers, as you can see. I love flowers.







Now, back to the knitting content with a Weekly WIP Report. Well I worked exclusively on Coachella for the first part of the week (see it finished, two posts down). I worked a little bit on Kiri, but I didn't make enough progress for it to show in a picture. But I did finish the first sock-for-mom:



I just love working with Austermann Step. I wish my mom had small feet like mine though. Her socks take much longer to knit!

Shut up, I'm counting has a contest where you can win books and yarn (see here). If you participate, please mention you got the link from my blog so I get an extra chance of winning. Thank you!

Michelle linked to the Lime and Violet Knitwar, which is a D&D-like little game, but for knitters. You get points and gold for each knitting/crocheting/spinning task you complete. I'm still just a Level 1 Fighter, but I'll go up in the ranks, I promise. Now I'm off to earn me a few points for posting in my blog... :)

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Sock yarn is always my favourite yarn to knit with (though I realize there are many different kind of sock yarns, as long as it's not acrylic, I'm ok). Wool-wise, I like merino the best. I hate acrylic, though I do have some that I'm trying to use.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Storing? They're all over the place! I really should come up with a better storing solution.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Kitting is all there is, unless you count cooking. I don't spin but I'd love 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)
These days, I listen mostly to French-Canadian artists. But I also like Tori Amos, Björk, Beck, Placebo, Radiohead and many more.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love blue and I love reds. I love earthy tones. I like yellow but I don't think I'd make me a whole yellow sweater ;). There aren't any colours I can't stand, though I tend not to wear green close to my face unless it's a very dark green. It makes me look sick.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I don't have any kids. I live with my boyfriend. I'm allergic to pretty much anything that has fur so no pets.

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, definitely. I could knit only socks for the rest of my life and I'd never get bored. I also love to knit hats because they're a very quick knit, but you can only have so many hats...

13. What are you knitting right now?
I'm making a plain ribbed pair of socks for my mother, and a ribbed scarf, also for my mom. I'm also trying to make progress on the Kiri shawl I started over a year ago. I'm itching to begin new projects but I want to at least finish the scarf before I do.

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

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I prefer circular, except for socks, for which I almost always use DPNs. I really like bamboo needles, but aluminum is good too. I'm not a fan of plastic, even though I like my Denise set.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Unfortunately, I don't.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
It's the Kiri shawl I mentionned above. I started it in May 2006. I also have a cardigan that I need to seam. I started it in August 2006.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Does sock yarn count?

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 do not subscribe to any mags, but I always get Interweave Knits and the fall and winter issues of Vogue Knitting as soon as they hit the shelves. The yarns I'm dying to knit with are pretty much all sock yarn (though I do like regular yarn too), mainly Socks that rock, Koigu, Lorna's Lace and many of the indie yarns. As for books, I love many of them but the ones I'm coveting the most are the Charlene Schurch sock books and one on Latvian mittens.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I want to try some colourwork. It's my goal for the next year.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I'm sure you can guess the answer to the first question ;) My shoes are a size 6.5 or 7 (I'm in Canada, I don't know if sizes are different elsewhere).

23. When is your birthday?
December 3. Turning 30 this year!

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I am on Ravelry and my username is Caroline.

I'm bringing sexy back...

I finished my sexy Coachella:





Pattern: Coachella from Knitty
Size: S
Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Micro
Needles:Two sets of circulars, size US6 and US8 (I used my Denise set)
Modifications: I chose not to do the short rows on the bust because a lot of people who did them said that the cleavage area went way too low. I didn't want that. I also added some ribbing at the bottom because I didn't want a rolled edge. And I added more increases for the hips (5 instead of 3) and probably could have added 2 more (I have big hips).

I'm very happy with it. It was quick and easy. Oh and no seaming. Yay!

I bought the new Vogue Knitting yesterday and I love it. It's the 25th anniversary edition and it's a beautiful issue. Of course, I don't like all the patterns (I dislike many of them in fact), but I love Veronik Avery and Debbie Bliss' "cover patterns" (there are a bunch of covers under the real cover). They also have a lot of interesting looking articles, though haven't had the chance to read them yet. There's one on "Fits that flatter" that I'll try to read today.

Now working on: socks for my mom, the masalat scarf that was put aside while I worked on Coachella and Kiri.

Weekly WIP Report

I am back with the Weekly WIP Report after taking a week off due to sheer laziness. For the past week, I've been pretty obsessed with Coachella.



You gotta love a top that doesn't require any seaming. I put it on scrap yarn and it looks like it will fit. I'm giving myself two weeks (max!) to finish it so I can wear it before summer turns into fall.

I also cast on for a new pair of socks.



No pattern, just a simple 3X1 rib on the leg and foot. They're going to be for my mom so I have to make them quite a bit bigger than when I make socks for myself. I'm using Austermann Step, which I love.

I had planned on making Cablenet as my next socks but I opted for a simple pair instead because I really want to complete a pair of socks for the first month of SAM4 and I'm not sure I'll be able to finish cabled socks in one month. But I do see Cablenet in my future.

Oh and have you seen the preview for the fall 2007 issue of Interweave Knits? It looks fabulous. I'm in love with the cover pattern.

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.