Because Boring Socks Are Not An Option

Winter around here is about 4 months too long. Since we have snow from November to April, usually, winter wears out its welcome in about mid-January. The best way to cope, I think, is bright accessories.

These are my new boot socks.

The yarn is by TurtlePurl, in New Brunswick, and the colourway is Angry Birds. I knit them in a sort of spiral rib, K6 YO K2Tog. It makes an interesting pattern in the striped yarn.

The socks are suppose to be identical twins, because of the way the yarn is dyed. They look pretty good.

However, I forgot to take notes, when making the first sock and I seem to be off by about one round.

Which ends up as 3 rounds at the tip of the sock. Whoops.

They are lovely warm socks (despite the eyelets). I took the pictures and then had to take them off.  On this lovely fall day, they got too warm within 5 minutes of putting them on.

I think I have enough yarn left over to make another pair, by adding some solid black yarn.

My Retreat Projects

I saved my projects for a separate post, since one was a present, and I didn't want it seen until I gave it to the recepient.

First is the Gerbera Bag from Blue Calla Patterns. 

It is a nice sized wrist bag, with a lot of details I don't normally expect from a free pattern.

Here is a closer shot, taken after a final press (at home) and with some bag bling attached.

I also made a little cat pouch. Cheryl challenged me, quite awhile ago, to try making a pattern for this and make the pouch.

It's not bad, but the pattern still needs a bit of work. I have added a carabiner to the loop on the side, so I can hang it from my knitting bag handle, to hold the little things that get lost in the bottom.

Cheryl, the over achiever, showed her perfect pouches, here.


And, speaking of purrfect:

Hamish, and Fergus, napping.

A Halloween Re-Treat

I spent Halloween at a retreat with 11 other friendly ladies. There were lots of laughs, lots of sewing, and lots of stories.

I think some pictures tell it all.

Kathryn's Bowties, made from her Dad's ties.

Lynn and Joan, with their matching wall hangings.

Doreen, with her wall hanging.

Anita's tablerunner.

And her matching wall hanging.

I lost track of who made this one. Finishes were coming fast and furious by Saturday afternoon.

Judy's bright lap quilt.

Margaret's Work-in-Progress

Another one by Doreen.

There were lots of others, but I managed to miss photographing them.
Thanks, Ladies, it was lots of fun.

Packing

What could be better then a day spent quilting with friends who have the same addiction? Well, that is easy, TWO days!

I go with a bunch of friends, this weekend, for a quilt retreat. All our meals are provided and we get housekeeping services, so we can spend 2 blissful days, sewing, stitching, telling stories and admiring the finishes.

I got smart this time, and I am preparing my projects ahead, instead of throwing a bunch of fabric in a suitcase and hoping for the best.

I have cut and interfaced all the pieces for a Gerbera Wristlet. This is a free pattern from Blue Calla Patterns. Although the pattern is free, it is an astonishing 29 pages long! I think this is a great way to try a designer I have never tried before, to see if I like the instructions. There is nothing worse then spending $10 or more on a pattern that is poorly written.  I am liking this pattern, so far.

The pattern called for 2 pieces of fabric, a half metre each. I have used 2 fat quarters and some scraps. These pieces already have their inferfacing fused to the back. I discovered that fusing interfacing with an iron I don't know can lead to less then the desired result. Since interfacing seems to grow when it is fused, I have been trimming all the pieces first, so my waste basket overflows.

I think I need to do something about that.

Next to be prepped will be the Two-Timing Tote.  This was a sew along in the summer, which I gathered the supplies for, from my stash, but I didn't get started.

And, for my spare time, I have packed the supplies to make 6 pillowcases.

In case you were wondering, the kittens have been named.

From left to right, we have Angus, Fergus, and Hamish. Here they are with their new best friend.

It kind of spoils his tough guy image!

Elections and Socks

I spent Monday, hanging out in a local church, aiding the democratic process. Canada had an election, and I was a Poll Clerk. I heard a lot about how old fashioned the process was, and it is. Of course, no one has yet to develop one that is as secure as the process we use. Take two people, who don't know each other, place them at a table, and have each of them watch the other to make sure everything is done properly. Each of us have our own job, but we are each trained to do either job. We keep each other honest and there is no doubt of the secrecy or security of the poll. It is rather beautiful in its simplicity.

I love the election process. I think I have worked at 12 elections now. I love seeing young people cast their first vote. I love helping elderly people vote. My favourite is helping new Canadians vote for the first time. Many have come from countries where they couldn't vote. The smiles on their faces as they put their ballots in the box is wonderful. It makes me feel like I have a small part in making history.

Of course, some elections, there are long periods when we have nothing to do, so I take my knitting. That was not the case in this election. We were busy until the Blue Jays game started! However, I did get a bit of knitting done at the poll and more done yesterday, as I recovered.

My election socks.

I actually only got as far as the white stripe at the poll. This is the Turtlepurl yarn, I bought in Moncton.

On the weekend, I knit a pair of baby socks, because I could.

They are knit in My First Regia, using Kate Atherly's Baby Sock Pattern. I added a garter twist to the cuff.

Today, Feist, Royce, and Sterling went back to the shelter, to start their journey to adoption. They have been replaced by three tiny orange guys.

No names yet, but I expect they will be lots of fun.

Knitting Update

I haven't stepped into my sewing room since I got back from Moncton, but I have been knitting.

I have the first sleeve about half done, on Kindling. It is coming nicely.

I travelled with socks and I am trying to finish the pair. The second sock was just past the cuff when I left home.

These are SKYP socks. Pattern can be found here.
The rib has a very nice pattern to it.

I started these in the spring, and they got put on hold. With a bit of effort, I can probably finish them tonight. They will be going to the Christmas pile. It is a bit empty at the moment, so I need to get going.

Last night, we had Thanksgiving dinner, and Feist was helping with the after dinner cleanup.

"I'll be out in a minute, after I make sure there is cat hair on all the tea towels!"

An Eastern Adventure

I flew on Mr. Porter's Airline, to deliver my quilt from last week. It was a quick visit, with some fun thrown in.

On Saturday, my grandkittens were in a fashion show.

Don't they look excited about being in their Halloween costumes?

The weather was beautiful on Sunday, so we went Geocaching.

You can score a cache find if you manage to get a picture of the Tidal Bore coming in, with your GPS in the picture. The last time I was in Moncton, I missed the picture by about 5 minutes. This time, I got it.

The tidal bore is that light brown line, in the river, near the top of the picture.

I had the opportunity to have coffee with one of my quilting heroes, Karen Neary. I have made 3 of her patterns and she has made me love paper piecing (instead of fearing it).


Of course, I couldn't come home without some New Brunswick yarn.

Turtlepurl Yarns are dyed in Hillsborough, NB. I bought this skein at Cricket Cove in Moncton. The colourway is called Angry Birds.

It was a fun weekend. Now I am home, and back to my usual routine.