Wednesday, February 25, 2009

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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Saturday, February 21, 2009

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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Friday, February 20, 2009

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
300 yards, 100g heavy fingering / light sport weight
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I love it!
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Thursday, February 19, 2009

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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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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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Monday, February 16, 2009

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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Tuesday, February 3, 2009

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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Monday, February 2, 2009

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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