We have thrums

The thrummed mittens are progressing nicely again. This should be enough to finish the mitten. B has now claimed them. I don't believe there will be any hope that I'll get to wear them for snowblowing now.

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Of course, I couldn't visit a fibre dyer to buy just a one ounce batt of natural superwash merino. My visit to Jela's Fiber's yielded the following goodies too. Clockwise from the top: a 2 oz merino batt in light fall colors ( I plan to make it a fingering weight yarn to pair with a chocolate yarn for a pair of Anemoi's for someone special), 4 ounces merion/tencel/angelina blend in black and red, and 4 oz merino that reminds B of Campino candies.

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Must finish the secret knitting quickly so I can start spinning these lovelies!

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She Loves Wool

B has stolen my mittens. They are average polar fleece mittens that have faithfully kept my hands warm to -30 C since she was 5. They are still in great shape and apparently match her new winter coat. I missed them terribly on Thursday, especially the second time that day that the snowplow came by. I put on my thin fingering weight Bayerische mittens, and trudged out to start the snowblower. I knew I'd never get through the ridge of snow Mr. Plow left behind with only a shovel. But it was cold and blowing (yes it's still deep winter in northern Canada) and my hands were frozen in minutes. I decided since she hates wool, that thrummed mittens would be just the thing to keep my (and only my) hands warm.

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I went diving into my stash and came up with a couple of balls of brown worsted weight and some natural white merino roving. I thought there was enough roving to make a pair. Turns out it's more like a mitten and a half (I'm picking up more roving on Tuesday). These are so soft and warm and cozy and I can't wait to finish.

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There's only one problem. Apparently, now she loves wool.

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Very Pretty Yarn

I've finished spinning up my Silver Jade roving. I forgot to take any pictures of the process. Oops! Using my kitchen scale, I split the roving into three equal pieces and spun each one onto a separate bobbin. This was all done back in December (in between Christmas busyness!) I was pleased with how even my singles were and since I spun all the singles in the same week, they were quite consistant across the bobbins too. But of course I forgot to check my wpi, too. I've been wanting to do that when I spin, but keep forgetting. I plyed the singles Wednesday night, wound the skein and blocked it Thursday. And this moring it's dry and beautiful.

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Details:

Silver Jade 80% Merino/20% Silk roving

from Aurelia Wool & Weaving

300 yards, 100g heavy fingering / light sport weight

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I love it!

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Photographed for Posterity

During breakfast this morning, M discovered the biggest cornflake in his Frosted Flakes that he's ever seen. He wanted to keep it. I explained that it wouldn't last and that he should eat it instead. So he suggested we take a picture.

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I included my knitting gauge for scale. That's a two inch wide cornflake!
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Another Baby Koala

When I made Burp for B, she took him to church to entertain a little one she babysits. The little toddler loved the baby koala so much, B asked me to make one for her to give to her little friend on her 2nd birthday. So here is Matilda. B says her little friend can change the name if she wants to.

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Just as much fun to knit the second time, although I prefer the look with plastic safety eyes. The eyes look more alive somehow, but as this one is for someone under 3, embroidered eyes it is.

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Free Baby Koala Pattern by Raynor Gellatly

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It's the Season for Snow Crab

Two more little Opies have popped into existance. The smaller one was completed some time ago. And the large one has just been finished. I hope my little neice, who requested them, enjoys them.

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Please see the side bar if you'd like to knit up a few Opies of your own!
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Tea Shadows

I snapped this picture of B while she was sipping cranberry tea. A quiet moment before heading off to school for the day.
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James Bay Interclub 2009

We spent a fun weekend in Hearst for the Regional Competition. B skated amazingly and got a bronze medal for her free skate. Her team placed 4th for the team event. We had a great time with friends and enjoyed watching all the skaters compete. The Hearst Figure Skating club did a great job hosting this event.

M stayed in town with friends for the weekend. We missed him, but he had a way more fun time than if he'd come to the competition (hockey, tubing, snowmachine rides, building snow tunnels, etc). On Friday night, we were leaving the arena, and B stopped in the middle of the street in a panic and said "Where's M? Did Dad leave him in the arena?!" I love how she mothers him!

And the first of the FWSM is done. The second has about 1.5" knit. I love the way the cuff finishes off the mitten and it fits me wonderfully.

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