Wednesday, December 31, 2003

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Gott Nytt År!

Bonne année

Gutes Neues Jahr

May you all be healthy and happy in 2004

Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Worked like crazy on the ribby pullover yesterday. Probably overdid it as my left arm is hurting today. I desperately want to finish this for a couple of reasons.
#1 I am fed up with knitting all this rib. It really does a number on my wrists for some reason.
#2 I am in design mode. Want to design a dog sweater. No idea what is making me want to do this, but I will see if I can. It might take a week..it might take a few months. It might be knitted or I might crochet for the first time in over a year. Lots of "mights".

Christmas was really tiring. I am not used to cooking 3 full meals a day. The in-laws expect cooked breakfast, lunch and supper. I seemed to do nothing else. Ron bought me a dishwasher for Xmas but the cabinet we are putting it in still hasn't arrived from Ikea. It was shipped on Dec 6th so I am getting worried. The dishwasher would have certainly saved me even more time in the kitchen.

We bought Jesse a little keyboard for Christmas. He loves it. That boy is so musical. Grandpa played the accordion and Jesse was bashing away on the keyboard. It was too cute!

Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Season's Greetings to you all!

Wishing everybody a safe holiday.

Saturday, December 20, 2003

Got up this morning and decided I needed a change. Pulled may hair around and thought, "CUT IT!".
Now I am not one that likes going to the hairdressers. I have had long or longish hair nearly all my life and I "taught" boyfriends and husbands (yes there have been more than one) to trim it. So I asked DH if he thought he could cut it how I wanted. He agreed to give it a go. Well I have to say that he did great. So I went from long hair halfway down my back, to hair neatly cut above my shoulders. It hangs really well. I love it and people keep commenting on how nice it looks. Amazing!

Ribby Pullover is now all on one big circular. I just managed to slip all the stitches onto one needle before Jesse woke from his nap. When he has gone to bed for the night, I will get back to it. I found this much ribbing to be really hard on my wrists for some reason. Maybe the yarn was a tad stiff so that wouldn't have helped.

Everybody ready for Christmas? Me neither. Feels like I am going down with a cold too. I had a bad cold last Xmas. Jesse had one the year before.

Thursday, December 18, 2003

Gosh was it THAT long since I entered something in the blog. Oops.

We put the tree up on Sunday. Jesse was napping. Got the camcorder and digital camera ready for when he woke. He walked into the living room and literally jumped with glee. He skipped around, he sang. He was so cute that I couldn't hold back the tears....and that was the end of the photographs. All night he just sat next to the tree. Wanted mommy to sit there all night too :-) Christmas has a new meaning now that Jesse is old enough to get involved.

On the knitting front - nearly at the end of the 2nd sleeve of the ribby pullover. Then I have to attach sleeves to body and knit the yoke.
Once I have finished this, I plan on making some felted slippers (Fiber Trends patterns) and a bag. Not sure which bag pattern to use yet. I don't want anything big and bulky. Just need something to hold my wallet and credit cards.

Inlaws are coming for Christmas. Been reading Terri's KnitBlog and now am living in fear of the mother-in-law.

Monday, December 08, 2003

Hubby flew north to Inuvik this morning. Must be dark nearly all day up there. And colder than here...and we are hovering around -25c. BRRR
He is gone all week. I can tell that Jesse has worked out that Daddy has gone away as he is acting up already. "I will survive" - not that I have much choice, of course.

Managed to knit a few rows on my Ribby Pullover. Haven't knitted for days as my right wrist was really hurting. Too much time on the computer last week. Worked on my website a lot. It didn't help with the Google thing but at least I felt like I was doing something.

Want to thank Brooks for letting me sell her lovely Zipple Hat pattern. It is awesome. If you haven't checked it out yet, please do. (Support Brooks and help solve her bandwidth problem).
Zipple Hat

Thursday, December 04, 2003

Just wanted to thank so many of your for your wonderful emails and messages. Most businesses are still are affected by the Google search engine problem. No idea if it will ever go back to how it was. Most of us are trying to find other ways to get our businesses noticed. Sadly we don't all have the huge advertising dollars of the big companies. Thankfully I had built up quite a customer base so I am not totally down and out. Will work hard in other directions now.

Things got put into perspective this week. My Dad's wife emailed me to say Dad had fallen out of bed and fractured his hip. He is 74. Not a good age to do something like that. He had to have a plate inserted and can't walk well at all. I feel out of touch as I am in Canada and Dad is in England. It took 8 days for anybody to tell me. My sister didn't even bother emailing me!!!!!!!

Then I read a friend's blog and cried over her brother's cancer worries. Things like this are awful. You can't help. You don't even know if you are saying the right words. You can't hug the friend as they live on the other side of Canada.

So while my business problems are a worry, they are not anything like my Dad's problems or the problems of my friend's brother. I have my health. I have my son.



Thursday, November 27, 2003

Well things haven't picked up on the Google/business front. Many small businesses have been affected. Most of us noticed that other search engines are showing much more normal results still. So if you are looking for a good, non filtered, unbiased search engine, here are some.

Altavista
All The Web

Was just swapping emails with a competitor in the USA. She is almost out of business and hasn't seen an order in over a week. What a sad time for the "little man".

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Despondent Jackie alert!

Google has just about put me out of business by filtering certain searches for businesses. Last week a search for Crochet Hooks put my little business at #1. Now you can't find me. A search on Crochet Patterns had me at the top of page 3 (pretty good). You can't find me in the top 800 now. Basically Google has done this to generate revenue it seems. I am not a big enough business to pay huge amounts for advertising. I did go on their Google Adwords but it is costing so much and not bringing in any customers. They click, I get charged but nobody buys. I can't afford it for more than a day or so more.

To say that I am depressed is an understatement. I have worked my butt off building up Karp Styles from nothing. It has taken 4 years to get where I am. I was doing OK. Not a big business by any means. Not a high earner. I have worked until 2am some nights. Now it seems to have been taken away by one search engine. Isn't it sad that they have so much power?

You can see the filter in action. Do a search on CROCHET HOOKS. Karp Styles is not there. (I may appear in the sponsored paid ads on the side that are costing me an arm and a leg for nothing). Now do a search on CROCHET HOOKS -googlegoo . Voila! Jackie's business appears again. The -googlegoo takes the filter away. So many small businesses like mine have been affected by this. I had just bought in thousands of dollars of stock ready for Christmas.
Now our family income has been cut in half.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas Google!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2003

This morning was FUN! We braved the snow and slippery roads and headed off to Tree House. Tree House is a group for parents and kids. It is a fairly new group. We have a Tumbling Tots morning every Tuesday in the Pentecostal Church. Nice big room for the kids to let off all that energy. You SOOOOO need somewhere like that when it is -30 and they can't play outside. Anyway, today we had a party. We were celebrating World Children's Day or International Day of the Child. The reason that I am not sure which is a 2 year old who distracted me :) Shannon (who runs the group) played guitar and we all sang kids songs. Hey what do you know? The words are different in England. So Mommy Jackie was singing one version and the Canadian Moms are singing a different one. It was funny. Then we had a puppet show. Jesse decided he couldn't live without seeing how the puppets were being worked of course. He can't sit still for a minute anyway. Then we had Gingerbread men and snacks. It was a nice morning. I badly needed to get out of the office and house. I have felt like a prisoner lately. That is often I how feel at the beginning of winter. As soon as we get out on the snowmobile, I start to enjoy winter. Not quite enough snow coverage yet...but if it keeps up, as it has all day, we will have enough.

On the knitting front. I am throwing caution to the wind. Began knitting Bonne Marie's Ribby Sweater. Although it is made flat, I have decided to try to make it in the round. So far, so good. Touch Wood. Fingers crossed. etc etc. I am trying to use up some stash so this is being made with RH yarn (don't all groan at once) in a nice dark blue fleck. Will try to take an "in progress" photo later.

Wednesday, November 12, 2003

Was hoping to update the blog this morning but I think the pre-Christmas rush started this week. I have been packaging orders non-stop all day. OK I did stop to put a joint of beef in the oven.

Big thank you to Missa for the button that she kindly made me. It is perfect.



Finished the 2nd flap cap. This one is for Hubby. Made in black fleck chunk yarn. It is from my stash from years gone by. Can't say what it is other than it is Patons.



Not sure what to start knitting now. I have a few ideas but I look at the patterns and find something about them that I don't like. It is normally the seams that put me off. If I wasn't so tired, I would think about making them on circs and then separating for the front and back at the armholes. But I am just pooped tonight.

Tuesday, November 11, 2003





A Poem for Remembrance Day



"The inquisitive mind of a child"



Why are they selling poppies, Mummy?

Selling poppies in town today.

The poppies, child, are flowers of love.

For the men who marched away.



But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy?

Why not a beautiful rose?

Because my child, men fought and died

In the fields where the poppies grow.



But why are the poppies so red, Mummy?

Why are the poppies so red?

Red is the colour of blood, my child.

The blood that our soldiers shed.



The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy.

Why does it have to be black?

Black, my child, is the symbol of grief.

For the men who never came back.



But why, Mummy are you crying so?

Your tears are giving you pain.

My tears are my fears for you my child.

For the world is forgetting again.



Author Unknown

Thursday, November 06, 2003

Finished this project so fast that I never even had time to mention that I had started it. The pattern is Little Flap Cap by Cabin Fever. It is sized for kids but I used chunky yarn and a 6mm circular. It fits me perfectly.

Click for larger pic


Just started another for hubby. This one is in black.

Wednesday, November 05, 2003

Bonfire Night - Guy Fawkes - Nov 5th



Remember, remember the fifth of November,

Gunpowder treason and plot.

We see no reason

Why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot!



One British tradition that I miss (and I don't miss many) is Bonfire Night. Nov 5th meant fireworks, bonfires and making a "guy". A 'guy" is a dummy that we make to put on the bonfire. I used to make him out of my Dad's old clothes and stuff him with fallen leaves. Then we would take him around the streets chanting " Penny for the Guy". And people would give us money. Of course the "guy" represents Guy Fawkes who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. Bonfires were lit all over London when the people leant that the King had been saved from this fate. Hence the fact that we light bonfires on this day still. Our "Guy" would be placed on top of the bonfire and burnt. Then the fireworks began. Read more about the Gunpowder Plot and Bonfire Night





Saturday, November 01, 2003

Halloween was cold! Tried to clear the drive and paths of snow and 10 minutes later, we had another dump of the stuff. Well at least I got some exercise!!!!

Jesse was a dalmatian. He wouldn't bark though. He pretended he was a monster. After the first house, he got the hang of carrying his bucket and looking cute. Of course the cuter he looked, the more candy he got. Not a dumb kid by any means. He was very polite and remembered to say "thank you!" to everybody.


Click for Larger Photo


Finished Jesse's 2nd Top Down Raglan sweater. He wanted to wear it today and keeps saying "Nice, Nice". It is RH Kid's in Crayon colour. Perfect for a kid that adores and suits bright colours.


Click for Larger Photo


It is -13c (9F) today. I need to find another knitting project to do as I sure don't feel like going outside too much. And to think it will reach around -40 eventually. Not looking forward to it one bit.

Tuesday, October 28, 2003

This is what we awoke to this morning. Jesse giggled in delight. He is crazy about snow. Shame that he is still sick or I would wrap him up and let him play in the yard.


Click for larger pic


"Walking in a Winter Wonderland....."



The 2nd Top Down Raglan is coming along well. On the 2nd sleeve now. I was sidetracked watching Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion. I found it very emotional. Tears kept messing up my glasses. In the end I just watched it and put down my knitting. If that happened today, it would be horrendous, but I kept thinking how much worse it must have been back then. They didn't have the luxury of the medical system and technology that we are SOOOO fortunate to have. Communications were slower. People must have suffered so badly.

Monday, October 27, 2003

Jesse's "Top Down Raglan" was finished on Friday but I never had chance to take a pic before now. He is a wriggler so this was the best picture out of the bunch. The pattern was very simple and it knitted up really fast. I like it so much that I am making #2. This time I am using Kid's Red Heart in Crayon colour. He loves bright colours.


Top Down Raglan - click for larger pic


DH took a pic of the carving that he brought back from Iqaluit. The base is soapstone and I think the birds are bone. It is only a few inches across.


Click for larger


Thursday, October 23, 2003

A Fond Farewell


October 24, 2003 - Concorde will make her last flight


Celebrate Concorde


To say that I am sad is an understatement. Before I left England, home for most of my life was about 15 minutes drive from Heathrow Airport. My Dad worked for a company that supplied safety equipment to many planes including Concorde. I worked for the same company in my late teens. Concorde was special. Concorde was the plane that would make the traffic come to a halt on the Ring Road at Heathrow. Sadly, as I have not lived in England for 14 years, I have only caught glimpses of her when I landed at Heathrow on trips back to the UK. My dream has always been to fly on her and that is probably the only dream that I will never realise. I expect that there will be a huge turnout at the airport to bid her farewell. Wish I could be there........


Concorde

Monday, October 20, 2003

Dull, dreary, drizzle outside. Reminds me of my homeland...England. Just thankful that we don't live in the SW of BC. Unbelievable amount of rain over the past few days. And I heard that more is on its way. My thoughts are with you guys.


Hubby came back from his trip to Iqaluit, Nunavut. He brought yet another cold home with him (along with a cute soapstone carving that I will try to photograph tomorrow). That is 2 colds for him in 7 weeks and it will be 3 for me if this sore throat gets worse. I have never had that many colds in one year, let alone 7 weeks.


Jesse's "top down raglan" is coming along fast. I forgot that kid's items are speedy knits. Been years since I knitted any. Well actually the last kid's garment that I knitted was for my nephew who is now 30!!! That was knitted when he was around 8 months, I think. I crocheted a few things for Jesse but this is the first knitted one. We had far too many Gymboree, Gap and Old Navy tops to wear out first. (I am addicted to buying wonderful kid's clothing - and I hate buying clothes for myself.)

Thursday, October 16, 2003

Here is my version of Sonnet. As hubby is away right now, there is nobody to take a decent photo of me wearing it. I don't think a 2 year old would get more than my legs :-)



Click for more information


The cardigan looks heavy but DGB Tweed yarn is very light even though it uses a 4 1/2mm needle.


Now onto my next project. Off to the basement to dive into my stash and see if I have some yarn to make a sweater for Jesse. The pattern will be the Kid's Basic Top Down Raglan from Ann Norling.

Tuesday, October 14, 2003

The knitting part of Sonnet is completed. Now comes the part that I don't like - the seams. At least there are no side seams. Just shoulder and sleeves. Hope the buttons will look OK. Went to the local so called "craft" store for buttons and they wanted roughly $15 for 6. These were basic, nothing special buttons - not gold plated!!!!!!!! So I went to the thrift store to see if they had any. Found some toggles, some wooden buttons and some gold ones. When I have sewn it together, I will see which buttons look best.


Hubby is away on the other side of the Canadian Arctic all week. Kids must know to act up the minute that dad goes away, don't you think?? Jesse is sure having a bad bout of terrible twos this week. We went to to the new play-group this morning which seemed to help burn off some of that energy. He is one of those 100 miles per hour kids at the best of times. This week he is 1000 miles per hour. Thank God for nap time.

Thursday, October 02, 2003

Took my camera with me on our daily walk today. It was another amazing Fall day in Hay River. 64F - I stripped down to a sleeveless t-shirt and I was still feeling the heat


Jesse on the Trail - clik for bigger

Jesse jumping from a rock on the Kiwanis Nature Trail


Fall on the Hay River- click for larger version

Fall on the Hay River - taken from the nature trail about 250 yards from my home.


On the knitting front - Jackie made a boo boo. Finished the body of Sonnet and noticed that I had two different widths on the front. I had knitted 16 rows after casting on after the last armhole. I should have knitted 26. DUH! So I frogged back to the error. Oh well at least I noticed before I was wearing it :-)

Wednesday, October 01, 2003

The weather has been gorgeous here. Most of my free time in the day has been spent walking the trail by the river. Jesse is totally amazed watching the leaves fall from the trees. Then he discovered that they crunch when you jump on them. He picked up yellow leaves and put them in his basket. He added cones that he spotted along our route. A new world opened up for him this week. It was wonderful to be a part of that.


Been managing a few rows of Sonnet each evening. Not as much as I would like as I have had endless deliveries of patterns this week. Am just about to start knitting the buttonhole part - that is the very last part of the body. Then onto the sleeves. Must check if the correction to the pattern has been added to Knitty. I think I will probably make the child's version Haiku for Jesse's little girlfriend, Meg. She would look so cute wearing that...well she looks cute anyway so I should say "cuter".

Monday, September 22, 2003

Grabbed a few minutes to knit a few more rows of Sonnet this weekend. We were out digging up the potatoes and clearing the rest of the garden so that ate into my already short knitting time. This is what Sonnet looks like so far. I am just starting the back section. It is such a nice pattern to follow. Very straight forward. Great pattern Kristi!

Click for larger photo

The front and back sections are really the same height...I didn't straighten it properly before I took the photo.

Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Cast on for Sonnet last night. Realised early on that the cardigan would be far too long on me...being short as I am. I reconfigured the figures and started again. Have about 3 inches of garter stitch done.


The yarn that I am using for Sonnet is pictured below. It is DGB Tweed and I am not sure if it is available in many parts. I got it from the company that makes DGB Confetti sock yarn. DGB Tweed comes in big balls of 250g. The colour is a nice burgundy. It 56% wool, 35% acrylic 5% Viscose. I also have the same yarn in grape and am looking for something really nice to make with that.


Click for Larger Photo



My garden was totally destroyed by the snow and now cold temps. Need to dig the spuds this weekend and then clear it all. So sad to see my string beans gone. I do love those.

Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Hoh hum. We had snow this morning. It was just about 1/2 inch but that was more than I anticipated (like NONE). So much for our Indian Summer.....


Did about 3 inches of my new project. Kept looking at the new Knitty patterns. Think I am going to ditch the new cardigan already. I am so in love with Sonnet and I think I am going to HAVE to make it RIGHT NOW. My fingers are itching. Off to do a swatch if Jesse will let me knit. The monkey runs off with the yarn and it gets to be pointless trying to knit. Terrible twos don't last forever - so I keep reminding myself.

Monday, September 15, 2003

We had a wind chill of -10c today. BRRRR. Tonight I saw the first tiny flakes of snow. Yes it really is only September 15. We don't normally see snow until Oct.


My next knitting project is going to be something of a mystery. Not only for you but for me too. I have begun a cardigan based loosely on Sitcom Chic. So far I have changed the ribbing to garter stitch. I will also be changing the neckline (hopefully as I am far from being an accomplished knitter). I am using Stahl Bandolino in Aubergine.



On a really sad note. My friend's husband died last week. He was just 38.He died of Colon Cancer. Emma had just given birth to their 2nd child in May.
As the ad on TV says "Don't die of Embarrassment!" Get checked! You can find more information on this website.

Friday, September 12, 2003

We were away for a week being shopaholics in Edmonton. If anybody from Ikea reads this...what were you thinking when you planned the new store???? You shop downstairs and have to pay at the checkouts to go upstairs to finish your buying???? I then wanted to buy Jesse some bedding. The quilt covers were upstairs and the quilts themselves were downstairs!! Upp och ner, upp och ner. Jag blev trött väldigt fort. AND you raised the height for accepting children in the play area. I was SOOOO looking forward to dropping Jesse off and he was about 6 inches too small.

Bitch over!


Finished the cross-over sweater last night and hope to have pics up today or, at worse, sometime this weekend. I LOVE it. It fits perfectly and is so me. It took me so long to sew it together though. If I made another I would knit the sleeves in the round and most of the body too. Anything to avoid my awful sewing.



What to knit next?

The cardigan at bottom left in this photo ?

The sleeves are just knitted to a longer length than normal. I would finish them shorter. Not a fan of long sleeves. 3/4 length suit me well. The cardigan is knit in the round too. Yes, that means I don't have to sew Yipeee. I think the way they photographed this cardigan makes it look so shabby.



Or this from Jo Sharp's Holiday Island Collection ?



And I am sure I will find more before long....



Later that day........


With the aid of a mirror and my handy dandy digital camera (been watching Blues Clues too often), I have a picture of the cross-over sweater ready.


click for larger photo

Tuesday, August 26, 2003

I am totally in love.

Heather - Item #125

Has anybody made this and, if so, how hard was it? I am not an expert by any means but I don't mind a good challenge.



Fall has almost arrived here. Temperatures are down to around 4 or 5c at night. My peas are turning yellow already. Wouldn't mind but I haven't even picked any beans yet. Our growing season is sooooo short up here.



Has anybody been Mars watching? Saw it the other night with an almost full moon to the left of it. And two nights ago we had the most amazing display of Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Was like a symphony in the sky.



Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Front of the cross-over sweater is finished.



I am about halfway through the back now (just started the ribbing). It has been hard to find time to knit lately. Either nice weather so I want to be outside,or Jesse doesn't want to nap for long, or too much work to do.

Jesse (2 years) has a girlfriend (Meg - nearly 2). He wants to spend most evenings with her lately. Meg is the one at the back. Georgia (4) is on the left and my little man Jesse is on the right.



He has always shown more interest in girls *�*

Saturday, August 16, 2003

The river valley is thick with sweet smelling smoke. I wondered if the latest forest fire had been put out, Checked Forestry's website and I guess the fire it still buring.
Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development - Forest Fire Situation Report
Had problems with my blog and blogger so there have not been any updates lately. Hopefully this will post.



The cross-over sweater front is now on one needle. Left and right sides are knitted together onto one needle just under the bust. Then k3, p1 starts. I know - Jackie is NOT a ribbing fan but I love this sweater so much that I will really, really try.



Another scorcher here today 24C/75F already. I think we will be over 31c again today. Shouldn't complain as we will probably get snow in about 6 or 7 weeks (and I am deadly serious). A forest fire was pretty close to us yesterday. I noticed the smoke when I was waiting for DH's plane to land at the little airport here. The water bombers were on it within minutes and it seems to be out. Sure hope so.

Tuesday, August 12, 2003

Finally Chickami is finished - after having frogged it due to baggy armholes. I made the straight version with wide straps. It matches the first Sitcom Chic cardigan that I made. Very easy pattern to follow. Straightforward design. I would highly recommend it.



Now I plan to make a start on the Cross-Over Sweater. I just read the first part of the instruction. It is knitted from the neck down. Should be interesting. Using Stahl Bandolino in Turquoise.

Sunday, August 03, 2003

Disaster struck. Chickami was about 85% finished and I realised that it was going to be far too big around the armholes. I often have problems with clothing in that area. So I am going to get out my yarn winder and undo all my work ...big sobs



Friday, August 01, 2003

Water bombers are taking off over my house. What a noise! We have a forest fire near the settlement of Enterprise which is 20 minutes drive from here. The storm crashed by at lunchtime and we had a feeling it would start fires. Had hoped it would cool the air. No such luck. Still 84f or 29c.



On another note, a delivery of yarn just arrived with Elann Sonata in shades of purples. Ooh, nice colours. Thinking about another BoatNeck shell or Chickami for that.

Tuesday, July 29, 2003

Here is a photo of the Boatneck shell made with Butterfly Super 10 yarn.



I was melting while wearing it and those pants. Rushed back in to get my little shorts on.
The dog in the photo is my baby Itsy, a Shiba Inu dog.

Monday, July 28, 2003

Another really hot day in Hay River. We really need some rain up here.
Boatneck shell is finished. It looks nice (will try to post pics tomorrow). I am never happy when I need to sew knitted pieces together. It never looks good enough to me. Maybe that is what I love circular knitting so much.

Just cast on Chickami and have the ribbing done. As some people know, ribbing is not my favourite thing to do.

Sunday, July 27, 2003

BoatNeck Shell is almost finished. I am just picking up stitches around the neck. So just that and the armholes to do. I am really excited about how it looks.



Bonne Marie at Chicknits did me a HUGE favour....well, not me personally but any larger chested female. She has come up with a wide strapped version of Chickami. As soon as I saw it, I was determined to add it to my WIMs. Paid my money and got my pattern. I will make it to match the first Sitcom Chic that I made. Already have the yarn.

Friday, July 25, 2003

My order of yarn just arrived. Canada Post must have been moving as it was only shipped on Monday. That is fast considering my location. I love the colours. They are perfect for me.



It has been quite hot here so I haven't made that much progress with the BoatNeck shell. I am determined to leave the new yarn in the box until that has been finished.

Tuesday, July 22, 2003

Finished the back of the Boatneck Shell today. I think it will fit just fine. Had a feeling it might be too long for me but perhaps not.

Sunday, July 20, 2003

Ordered some yarn to make Lucy Lu and also this cross-over sweater.
Turquoise for the cross-over and Eggplant for Lucy Lu. Delivery depends on the looming Canada Post strike of course. If that happens, my business is going to come to a grinding halt along with many others. Sure doesn't seem fair to me....especially when I have to practically teach the workers here about their own shipping methods and how to calculate them. GRRRRRR

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

Started the BoatNeck Shell from www.chicknits.com
Coming along nicely. I think it might be a tad larger than the pattern states. That is good because I think I need another inch or so.

Found a definite WIM yesterday (thanks to Paula).
Lucy Lu
I just ***have*** to make that. I have some country blue yarn here that will be prefect.

Another hot day here so I must get the orders done. Then out in the yard with Jesse.


Tuesday, July 15, 2003

Here is the photo of the Sitcom Chic.



Made with Butterfly Super 10 colour 3923 (Mauve).
The front edges are already starting to roll again so I really need to get some ribbon.
The sleeves were knit on a circular using the Magic Loop method.
Too chicken to show my face as I look as tired as I feel.

Sitcom Chic #2 is finished. Just need to press it to see if I can stop the rolling. I doubt if I can get grosgrain ribbon in this tiny town so I can't really try that. The first Sitcom Chic that I made didn't roll....but it wasn't made with the same yarn either. Will try to post a pic of the latest FO as soon as I can.

Anybody know if there is a knit-along for Chicknits Boatneck Shell? I joined the KnitAlong group on Yahoo but nobody seems to be doing this pattern at the moment.


Monday, July 14, 2003

Finally managed to get the main part of Sitcom Chic #2 finished last night. Just need to do the front bands and neck. That will probably happen this afternoon/evening as it is raining today. If work allows me of course. Also did a few rounds of Slip A Colour hat. I think I should have used a larger needle than the pattern stated. The slip stitches are too tight so the pattern is not showing up clearly at all. Ummm....Shall I start again?


Sunday, July 13, 2003

Never managed a stitch of knitting this weekend. DH began to rehearse with a local band on Friday night. Then they did a gig at the Heritage Center last night. They were great! Jesse didn't even notice Daddy on stage though. He was too busy eating fruit.


Friday, July 11, 2003

It is another scorching day out there. I am sitting in my office trying to get the orders done so that I can get out of here. I am melting.

Did do a few more rows of knitting last night. Ran out of yarn and had to wind another ball of Super 10. Just found that Jesse's Little Tikes table legs make a great yarn holder. Fits the hanks of Super 10 perfectly.

Thursday, July 10, 2003

I would like to do some more rows of knitting but it is so hot. Must be about 27c tonight. The flies are horrendous outside so I don't really want to be out there either.
Managed to get a few more rows knitted on Sitcom Chic #2. Using Butterfly Super 10 Cotton yarn in a lovely deep mauve shade. Sure hope this yarn washes nicely.

I keep looking at the tiger print Skacel Trampoline sock yarn.
Tiger Print trampoline
It is calling me to get it on needles. I am trying to be good and only have 2 projects on the go at once.



Wednesday, July 09, 2003

Never thought that I would be doing this, but here goes.