Birthday wishes, travels and fun...

It has been a while since I've had the chance to post. Lots has happened since Melissa's guest blog (which was fabulous...music and all). Lets get right to the meat of it.

Yes, I turned 40 this past week. My husband whisked me off to Edmonton where I had the pleasure of perusing River City Yarns. Cynthia, co-owner of the fabulous little shop in the heart of Edmonton, was kind enough to tour me around her wares, allow me to pet the softest cashmere and silk and even wind my purchases. I had to commemorate the event in pictures...

Here we see the entrance to the wonderful world of wool...

Next, after a few hours of perusing and petting, Cynthia is winding my hanks of Trekking Handart and Alpaca sock weight...

This is the ultimate corner of downtown Edmonton for any yarn enthusiast.

Today was back to business with the gals at knitting group. A bit of a surprise was brought to me. I must send much thanks, love and gratitude to the caring nature of the many new freinds I have become to depend upon each and every Sunday. Jan, Gale, Melissa, Mary, Jordan, Leanne, Alison (who was absent today, but will be back soon we hope), Pam and Kristen. I was surprised by a DQ icecream cake (an inspiration of Gale's caring heart), with a knitting sheep on its face, a new stitch dictionary (many thanks to a dear friend Jan) as well as a hank of "ornamental" yarn that, as I was told, just SCREAMED Bonnie on the shelf and begged to be gifted (so Melissa noted...:) ).


New sock knitters are being born each and ever time we meet. Here are samples of Leanne's expert stitching. She is becoming quite a sock maker...

Although these were being worked upon a few weeks, they still deserve mention. Kristin is back to the stuffed animal jag and is stitching up little kritters like crazy.

Jan was kind enough to bring in her electric contraption that she's adapted to splitting cotton. She demonstrated how regular weight handicrafter cotton becomes sock wieght in no time flat. This is pure genius!

We all know that the joy of knitting must be spread (for who can resist the urge to share the disease?) Certainly not Pam, who brought along her gentlemanly friend and began to teach him the tricks and arts of knit and purl. I do hope we see Kevin back again...

Melissa has been hard at it once again. She constructed the child's version of the Mother's Day Sock Pattern with Regia Bamboo sock yarn It is beautiful and Acadia will even wear them as the yarn is softer than the pot scrubber type Patons Kroy.

Just a note of business to finish off for this week:

Our next Knit and Knatter is Saskatoon Knitting Circle on the Move, where we endeavour to spread our love of all things yarn to the more remote areas of Saskatchewan. First up is Outlook, SK at CJs Java Joint (located just behind the BMO). Please let us know, via the yahoo group email listing, if you are interested in coming or need a ride with one of the others. Gale would like to meet any one that is going in her car at the Confederation mall at about noon. You can email her at rai dot cara at gmail dot com to make further arrangements.

Jan is stopping my house at around 1 pm and we shall meet the rest of the gang in outlook around 2pm. I have room for one more body. If you are interested please email me (zink dot bonnie at gmail dot com)

Don't forget to join us next Sunday as well...same time; same place as always.

Lets start with a little knitting music...

Maestro?



What an array of topics for such a small group today. Conspicuously absent were Mary, Alison, Bonnie and many others. It was really nice to see those of us who did manage to make it today. We talked about everything from mice infested apartments to Phantom of the Opera. It appears we have become a group that is bent on turning everyone we know into sock knitters. Jordan was definitely feeling the pressure today as Kristen actually cast on her first pair of socks. We assured him that everyone who said that knitting socks was difficult was lying. Would one of us please send the poor guy a copy of the basic sock recipe so we can get him started?

Leanne brought two mismatched pair of anklets. She is quickly becoming quite the little sock knitter.

















Jordan once again graced us with his smile and housing stories while continuing his garter stitch scarf. I think he is getting quite the hang of it, but he would like to perfect the garter stitch before moving on to such complicated projects as a sock.

Gale was there working on what I believe was a Regia sock and she had Pam with her, still plugging away on her felted book cover. The poor girl kept measuring it but had 16 inches of stockinette stitch to get through. The black hole of large stockinette projects has come early for her.

Speaking of black holes in projects. Jan noticed today that her baby blue sweater is going to be really long. I think she is pretty close to finishing the piece she is working on. It will be a lovely color on her when we get to see it finished.

We have added a new crafty knitting related obsession to the group as Gale brought one of her DPN holders with her. It seems as if she might prefer the one that Jan bought from knitpicks, but I think these ones are going to be all kinds of great customizable fun.














I thought they were really cute, so I made sure to try one when I got home. Of course I had bought so many beads during the stitch marker/bracelet craze of February 2008.

So I thought that maybe I would embellish mine a little bit. Unfortunately, I had a blond moment and only managed to bead one side.















These things are going to catch on like wildfire.

Amid all the naughty divorce party planning, phantoms, and mice, I managed to get a project done between giggle fits. Behold the candied zebra socks. These are done in the pot scrubber type Patons Kroy in the Tutti Fruitti colorway that Kristen so graciously passed on to me. I am going to put them through the wash with some fabric softener so that my daughter will wear them. I think they turned out really cute.















We have agreed that next weekend is not cancelled for those of us who are unable to spend time with our children or our mothers, so those of you who are able to come out, we would love to see you. Those of you who are unable to join us, have a very Happy and restful Mother's Day.

Next Knit and Knatter

Sunday May 11, 2008

2 pm

MacKenzie Cole's Coffee

Saskatoon, SK

Why hello there, my friends. I imagine a number of you have been wondering where the updates are and why they are late. Well things have been hopping around here again. House cleaning, family and a yarn sale have been keeping me busy and what a sale it was!!!!

First things first, though. Last week at our meeting we had a great time. We ended up forming our own mini sock camp. (As most of you surely know the Yarn Harlot herself attended an enjoyable sock camp). Although ours was much smaller in nature than that, we still had a great time. This was unplanned, unorganized and unpredictable. It was a fluke that all of us ended up working up our own socks, products of our own inspirations. Here is Alison's collection of socks and hand dyed yarn (stay tuned for Alison's Rules to Wining and Dying to be posted very soon)...

Leanne, began stitching on her very first sock and, through the expert tutelage of both Alison and Melissa, she made it past the ribbing. Here's hoping she brings a finished pair for show and tell soon.

Melissa showed her scarf in progress...My So Called Scarf:

We welcomed Judy back to the group. She brought a spectacular show and tell. An Elizabeth Zimmerman shawl created from much patience and the most softest fibre you could get your hands on. Thank you, Judy, for bringing this along. You've inspired us all.

I continued to stitch on a beautiful "diamond" sock that was created by a Ravelry friend of mine, Phyll. She multisized the Mother's Day Trio pattern to fit Mom's and daughters and toddlers. It is fast, easy and quite beautiful. The Diamond / lace has a lot of stretch. I'm well into completed the second of the practice pair and anxiously await my Elann order to arrive so that I can cast on some more. I'm still anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Knitpicks order as well (more sock yarn and the Socks on 2 Circs by Cat Bordhi as well as the Cables Untangled book). All good things come to those who wait, and waiting I am :)

Others in the group brought along their socks as well: Gale stitched away on her Regia Bamboo pair; Jan speedily stitched upon her own socks; and we all happily discussed (and I think) many a world issue...okay maybe we just solved some of our own sock related issues, but the leap can be validated. Knitters, sock knitters, can indeed solve the world issues. We can apply our trade to charity work. We can spread the joy of knitterly items wherever we need to and thusly provide fund raising or warm woolies to those in need. Which leads me to the other idea. Melissa, inspired by World Wide Knit in Public Day, thought our little group might band together and create a fund raiser of some sort. This idea is still in the planning stages and we invite you to bring your ideas on what to do, who to support and how to go about to the next meet up.

Now, the sale, oh the sale. The Wool Emporium (here is Saskatoon) welcomed us knitters to its annual Spring Sale. Many good deals were had. Yarn fumes lulled us all into a transe and we petted and inhaled and imagined our way to the till and left the store with great deals and soft yarns and new inspirations. And now to show you my finds...

First up, is the shiny new ball winder! I figured since I was buying yarn in hank form this just might be a useful buy. The first to be wound was a hank of alpaca/merino/wool sock yarn in a natural hue. My plan is to start whipping up flip top mitts to get the Xmas gift giving stash a good head start.

Next up is the same blend of yarn, as yet unwound, but dyed in a beautiful multi colour that contains purples, pinks and corals. I can't wait to get started on this yarn.

And, of course, how could one resist restocking the Bamboo supply?

Finally, I grabbed a skein of the Regia Bamboo blend sock yarn in a nice purpley / pinkey somewhat tweedie print.

What does success mean to you?

How do we measure success? I've discovered along life's journey that success is defined differently by different people who revise that definition once again should conditions and situations change. Over the past year I believe (and I hope you'll agree by the end of this post) that the success achieved by the growth of Saskatoon Knitting Circle is quite spectacular.

I first began the group with one other knitter (Gale). We would meet for coffee quite regularly and bring along our knitterly items and chat and laugh and eventually bonded over sticks and string. Two lovers of yarn meeting over coffee. We enjoyed our meetings so much, we couldn't help but spread the joy. Hence we embarked on a quest during the summer of 2007 to spread the disease...err...love of knitting to everyone we knew.

Soon Gale's Mom, Barb, joined us and then an epiphany happened...why not use the internet to bring more knitters into our fold? Others have done it...there's even been a book or two written on it...so why not us? A group of like minded individuals meeting over coffee stitching and laughing and sharing. What's not to love. We had a plan and put it into motion.

First we created our Yahoo Group, The Saskatoon Knitting Circle, and the knitters began to come. It seemed that each week Gale and I were notified of another knitter joining our circle and in no time at all our group of two numbered five and then ten and now up towards twelve or fifteen knitters all meeting to lament, to show, to tell, to sip, to laugh and to share.

Once the Yahoo Group was formed, where we share a number of quips and "quoibbles", patterns, ask advice and share the happenings in our world (and, of course, meeting times and other details) we discovered the wonderful world of Facebook (find us under The Saskatoon Knitting Circle in the groups). Another light went off...why not form a group there and see what happens. Well, what happened is that our numbers keep growing and we are loving it.

We have moved from needed a quiet corner table for two or three knitters into actually having to book the back room space of MacKenzie Coles Coffee and now considering other venues across the city that offer just a bit more room to house us all. Facebook has been amazing. It has been key in reaching one of my own personal goals...to have an all inclusive and representative group of knitters.

What does inclusive and representative mean to me? Well we have researchers, gas jockeys, baristas, administrative personell, Mom's, teenagers, children, those possessing skills beyond my comprehension who hold Commerce and Accounting degrees. It truly is a diverse and eclectic mix of individuals with one thing in common...a love of yarn, a yearn to stitch and a need to do it in public. So what was missing? Why, a male knitter, of course!

Success was finally achieved last week when a gentle, talented, and handsome young man joined us. He was truly interested in learning the craft. His grandmother always knit. His past girlfriends knit. He had even attended other knitterly gatherings (as purely a social thing). Needless to say the knitting bug grabbed him and now our friendly computer guru turned knitter is a regular.

So is this success? I think so. Considering my initial motivation was to make some new friends in a new city (just a few mind you) and I can now boast well over ten new additions to my friendship circle I truly am a believer in success. With a little string, some sharp pointy sticks and a bit of effort my circle has widened, my world is even more blessed and I have a place to be every Sunday at 2 pm. We welcome all knitters to join in our fun...we just love to share.

As a treat and a reward for getting this far, let me share with you some our recently finished objects:

First up is Kristen's beautiful crocheted pull over made for her niece:

Next, Kristen showed off another finished project...she's truly becoming an expert:

Finally, our local yarn dyeing expert, Mary, showed off her latest creation. They remind me of a child's crayon box (the darker more brilliant ball in the front) and of Easter / spring (the lighter more demure hank in the back of the ball):

So there you have it, folks. Until next time...

Back with friends...

Sadly I've not exactly been a regular attendee at our weekly S'n'B's. In fact, there is only one member who has NEVER missed a meet up since her first attendance...this is Jan. Jan is beautiful person who is extremely talented at bringing out the best in yarn and people. She always brings a project or two, a number of patterns and a never ending supply of information to share. Jan has brightened all our inspirations and, as one of the recipients of her pattern sharing ways I can attest to this, has certainly broadened our knitterly horizons. Yay, Jan...here's to many more Sunday afternoons with Jan and her talent.

Speaking of talent, Jan decided to show off her hand dyed yarn...


Many creations were being brandied about this past Sunday. It truly never ceases to amaze me the amount of talent that exists within our small circle.

Kristen was back crocheting up a storm...Jeanette continues to learn the intracies of stitching and has become quite accomplished. Whatever will she cast on next? Will she return to some socks she frogged...Will she continue experience the black hole of knitting with the stockinette cotton baby blanket...Will she embark on the adventure that is sweater knitting and colour work...Will she return her attentions to the knitted teddy bear that slumbers in the bottom of her knitting bag? The possibilities are endless and she has committed to continuing to join us and try her hand at each.



Pam joined us again to continue stitching up her scarf. The scarf lives with Gale as Pam professes there is no more room in her room for extra curricular activities such as knitting. She saves this activity for getting together with the rest of us. Knit on Pam...

Speaking of Gale...she acquired a different brand of bamboo sock yarn and spent the afternoon swatching away to determine her gauge and will soon be whipping up bamboo socks like nobodies business.

Melissa and Mary joined us. Although, they were preoccupied with an argument between Melissa and the BSJ (with Mary mediating), Melissa still found time to stitch a round or two on her sock.
Melissa has a newfound addiction to KnitPick's Felici sock yarn. It comes in many beautiful colourways and is a joy to work with (according to Melissa :) ) ...

On a more whimsical note...our newest knitter (who let it be known that her family owns a coffee shop with lots of room for knitters...hmmm...can you see the possibilities here?) was busy stitching up sushi. Yes, you read me right, sushi. The sushi will adorn her sister's coffee table when they are all complete...what will knitters create next?

And now the centre piece of conversations around many a knitting group's circle. The Yarn Harlot's new book arrived in my mail box. Many of us have read it, loved it, will read it over and over again. It is a wonderful combination of truth and wisdom and humour that truly speaks to the heart and soul of any knitter. The humourous adaptations of many an adage are wrapped in truth to spin a yarn of delight that tickles all our fancies. If you haven't received yours, then I urge you to run (and run now) to your local book store and pick it up. It is worth the effort and the time it will take away from your knitting to read this little gem.

One more update...I finally returned my attentions to my confused cardigan. It is actually been released from the black hole of knitting and started to grow in length and beginning to look like a sweater! I am quite enjoying the top down approach.

Traveling in style? What self respecting traveler wouldn't pack her knitting???? Here is my travel case ready to go and filled with all sorts of knitterly notions - including the Harmonies, a few projects, extra yarn (whatever would I do if I happened to finish two sweaters and a few pairs of socks before I even got to Brooks?). Always be prepared is what I say. The trip was wonderful, even though I wasn't able to get any LYS's. I knitted my heart out as my husband took care of the driving. It was a wonderful Easter trip.

Four weeks worth of Knitting...even with TAKE on active duty!

Four weeks worth of knitting, what does it get you? Well it results in a finished Titania top. I originally began this project in honour of Shakespeare's birthday (April 23, 1564) and endeavoured to complete it by April 23. Success!

It began like this:


And as time went on it began to take shape. Eventually I ended up with the thrill of being "done." "Done?" Well, not quite. There was still the seeming and endless end tucking to be accomplished. I hate these tasks as they are mundane, time consuming and not nearly as exciting as the knitting itself. However, in order to end up with a finished object they must be done. But in the interest of avoiding the ever dreadful hearding of the dust bunnies and the quashing of thier revolution...seeming and end tucking did I. On went the soap operas and coffee being poured I accomplished these tasks in a few hours and ended up like this...


April 4, 2008 - I seemed away until my brain felt like it would go into a mush like state. It did not seem to end (punn intended here). Young and the Restless kept me company. Avoidance is bliss. I validated my putting off of the major house clean (in preparation for the arrival of family and friends for my husband's 40th birthday celebration) with the need to complete the task at hand. It wasn't all that terrible, after all it was still knitting related.

By noon I had the seems the done and had to put it away to continue preparing for the birthday celebration. Even though my mother-in-law, a knitter as well, would surely understand my avoidance of house work in honour of a completed project, it would not do to have everyone walk into a house hold disaster. I admit it...I knit more than I clean and I'm totally okay with that.

The birthday celebrations went ahead, the house was cleaned and laundry was done. All the partiers took their leave and I sat and end tucked, again until my mind was numbed with the montony. At last the end were tucked and the top went into the Miele washer (on hand wash, of course). 38 minutes later she was set for the magical blocking experience!
Titania is now resting upon my deep freeze, drying into place. She is ready and willing to adorn me with her beauty. After all, she is named after the Queen of the Fairies herself! This pattern was inspired by the words of the Bard who describes Titania's boudoir thusly...

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.

The lace work reminds me of a Titania wardrobe. It is flirty, airy and delicate but strong, endearing and ever lasting. I can hardly wait to put this beauty on. Here's hoping she's dry in time for S'n'B Show and Tell.

Happy stitching everyone :)

An Interesting Perspective

Several weeks have passed since I've been able to attend an S'n'B. I miss my knitterly cohorts and the interesting perspectives they have on the universe and the worlds from where they hail. We have a new yarn enthusiast who crochets creations at a speedy rate. We have a scientific researcher who can almost stitch a BSJ in her sleep. We have a retiree whose unique perspective on children keeps us all in stitches. We have an administrative professional whose love of the macabre adds a dash of spice to our conversations. There is the fine arts graduate who enthusiastically stitches up shrunken heads and has formed a connection with our resident computer guru, whose love of unique items has led her to create a (are you ready for this) a knitted version of a dissected frog that reminds us all of Grade 11 Biology class. Yes, our little group has certainly grown and the perspective each member brings only adds to our world view and fuels our creative energies. I've missed the chats, the friendship and the knitterly connections.

Perspectives are an entity unto themselves. Whether we are mired in a work-a-day world or free to indulge our own creative fantastical notions, we all have a perspective. Many of them differ. Some issues give us pause, while they excite others. Yet other issues can bind us together in like opinions. But often, our perspectives are unique on many topics and issues prevailing in our world. The only similarity, it seems, is that we all do have a perspective and an opinion no matter what the topic. However, and this is the one valuable lesson I've gleaned since beginning our weekly knit and knatter, the one thing that binds us all and gives us a sense of communal collectivity is that we all enjoy playing with sharp pointy sticks and string and we certainly know how to use them.

As with all communities, we have a set of rules to follow; a culture that dictates what our norms are; a hierarchy of talents and skills; and the provision of an environment where we can all excel, learn, and share. The rules are simple: we drink coffee, tea or our beverage of choice; we discuss what's on everyone's needles; and we stitch. The norms formerly mentioned include the necessitated need to spread our disease love of our craft to others; sharing our knowledge amongst each other; and always being there to lend a helping hand when needed (although the latter may change if there is a yarn sale that we all attend…go figure). The latter is almost self-explanatory: we meet where ever we have space and our creative juices exude and meld and enhance one another and cultivate our inspirations (although many of these inspired moments remain within the group. Oh sure they may get cast on, but are quickly set aside to finish up other UFOs or delve into the next project that takes our fancy).

Now that I've let you view a snapshot of the whims that whirl around within my brain, I'll move onto other more knitterly things. So what's on my needles, you ask? I'm still working on Titania. She is coming along nicely and I'm very impressed with both the yarn and the pattern. Hopefully I'll have a picture for you in the near future, as I've just completed one half of the last sleeve…then it is onto seeming (and we all know just how much fun that its, don't we?).

So what's on everyone else's needles these days?

Time off for Good Behaviour…

Happy Easter to all! The last few weeks have been a whirlwind indeed. We had company in between taking turns incubating and entertaining a few nasty flu bugs. Family and friends have been popping by to view the new oven (gotta love KitchenAid!). And the weather has finally warmed and snow has melted so the draw to venture out into the sunshine has certainly been strong. However, this does not mean that knitterly pursuits have been put on hold. Even though, Jeanette and I missed the last Saskatoon Knitting Circle's gathering, we certainly have been keeping busy.

When the flu bug hits and takes hold we barely have energy to accomplish life's obligations. But I always find the energy to pick up the needles and cast on. As always, I've a few projects on the go. My favourite and proudest endeavour is below: A spring time beauty entitled Titania, designed by Elizabeth Klett. I chose to knit with Lion Brand's Cotton Ease in the colour Lake. So this:

Turned into this:

Which, I'm desperately hoping, will turn into something resembling this:

Elizabeth is an up and coming knitwear designer who takes her cue from the words of Shakespeare himself. This lacy cotton top is named for the queen of the fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Her boudoir is described in these lines: "I know a bank where the wild thyme blows / Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows / Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine / With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine." Elizabeth definitely captured some of this magic and poetry in the design, which incorporates a simple scalloped lace pattern and a more challenging twisted vine pattern. The elbow-length sleeves are slightly flared, and the front piece incorporates a V-neck, making this top both pretty and easy to wear.

The front is now complete and the back is on the needles as we speak! I am very excited to complete this garment and aim to do just that by the time the Bard's birthday roles around (April 23).

Now onto other news: The Easter celebratory weekend is on the horizon. As many of you know, our little group of knitters has met EVERY Sunday since we all began to come together. This week, however, we will not be meeting due to the Easter Holiday. Mackenzie Coles is closing its doors and other venues just do not appeal to us. Therefore, it was decided that we would take a break from stitching in public. We will meet again on March 30, 2008 (same time and place). Here's hoping everyone enjoys their holiday.

I, for one, still plan to stitch. We will be spending 5 hours in the car on the way to visit my sister in Brooks, Alberta. Rest assured I will have the needles at the ready and hopefully complete the back of Titania by the time I reach my sister's door. The biggest question is: Have I packed enough knitting to keep me occupied. Let us see: 5 hours there (check, Titania ought to do it); two days of Easter and Family celebrations (well, Titania may be complete by this time…I ought to look around for another project…socks maybe); 5 hours back home (that decides it, I also need to pack extra yarn, the full set of Harmonies and some project books…for who can tell when inspiration strikes???) I just hope my knitting bag is big enough to hold it all

Now for the oven: It is a True Convection oven made by KitchenAid (check out link for full specs and particulars). I have been baking up a storm. I spent two full days baking (I only knit a few rows) when it first arrived. The oven is shiny, has beautiful sing song "I'm done" chimes, has a user friendly convection conversion setting, an auto light that illuminates the gleaming inside when the door is open, is equipped with an auto shut off option and self cleaning. Okay, am I wrong here, or does this appliance come with more benefits than a husband? Oh yes, I almost forgot, it has blinky lights and a touch pad…much fun will be had. I love my new oven.

Well folks that is it for now. Until next we meet, happy stitching.

Next Knit and Knatter

Sunday March 30, 2008

2 pm

MacKenzie Cole's Coffee

Saskatoon, SK

For more information you can email me at zink.bonnie@gmail.com

New encounters...

Meeting up with Knitterly friends was a most exciting event today. Much stitching was had, new friends were made, finished projects were shown off, and we even had to disband early due to another group of coffee lovers invading our stitching corner.

To those of you who were unable to join us today, and you know who you are, you were missed. However, we brought in a new round of stitchers. This is an official welcome to Trisha, Leanne and Jennifer...a few new gals with as much a love of all things yarn as we have. Yes, I'm glad to announce that our little group is growing fast and we filled out the back room of MacKenzie Coles quite nicely. As I mentioned we needed to break up a bit early today due to another group of coffee lovers having booked the room. We have, however, cured this issue in the future as the room is now reserved for us every Sunday between 2pm and 5pm. I'm so excited that we actually NEED to book space for our growing little circle.b

Jennifer, a computer lover as well as an eclectic knitter, was working on a knitterly version of a dissected frog. Yes, you read right (no need to re-read)...a dissected frog. She is a self pronounced knitteress of all things strange and wild. (I'm quite excited to eavesdrop on the conversation between Jennifer, Gale and Alison - when she returns to us. It should be a fairly interesting bit as Jennifer was keen on viewing Alison's Shrunken Head purse...)


And here is a preview, just for you Jennifer, of Alison's Shrunken Head purse:


PS: Alison, bring it along with you when next we meet...

Leanne kept her hands busy creating a pair of beautiful yellow baby booties. They were adorned with a ruffle cuff and are sure to please the recipient.

Trisha, enjoyed passing her love of crochet onto Summer (Jan's Granddaughter). Summer's relationship with knitting is currently on a time out. However, she seemed to enjoying the hooking until it bored her - we shall keep trying to infect her with our disease.

And, a big welcome to Nadia. Nadia was working on a pair of felted mittens. She wore her knitted socks and has plans to expand her repetoire of knitterly experience into a pair of slippers.

We had a great time getting to know the new gals in our group and truly hope they shall return.

Jan remained dedicated to finishing the shawl that was begun months ago. Last week it grew and this week Jan stitched speedily on finishing the last cuff. Here is hoping that next week she will model it for us.



We welcomed back our sunshine, both inside and out. Welcome back Pam. She brought some beautiful show and tell and spread her infectious giggle throughout the group. Pam has been busy crocheting up hats and scarves for her loved ones. Those pictured below are to adorn her lovely little niece:



Jeanette attained a record today. She actually stayed and stitched for about 2 hours! She made great progress on a baby blanket that is to be gifted to a very good family friend recently had twins. The Hoodie Baby Blanket is stitched from Lion Brand's Cotton Ease (50% cotton and 50% acrylic), which makes it wonderfully machine washable and absorbent at the same time.

Gale has made great progress for she busied herself seaming her Hoodie / Bunny Hug made of Homespun. We are looking forward to her modeling the completed item next week.

We even had a brief visit with Melissa and Acadia, sans stitching. You see, Melissa has suffered a knitting related accident that is keeping her from knitting. It would appear that knitting can be dangerous, my friends, as Melissa's sprained thumb is proof of. Her vigorous technique has left her knitting-less. We all offer her our heart felt empathy. Melissa commiserated with me over the mis-adventure of the book, the car and the credit card :) She so totally gets it ! You can look into all Melissa's adventures over here.

Now for me, what have I been up to? Baking for one in the new KitchenAid Convection oven!! Yes, it arrived and is well loved and used. While out and arranging for its delivery last week, I found myself mere blocks from McNally Robinson. The car, being possessed by some knitterly entity, forced me into the parking lot of the book store. What was I to do? Just sit there and wait for it to get the notion to become mobile once again? Well, that didn't seem right. Into the book store I go.

Where do I find myself, but in the knitterly book section. What do I find there? Why, a new knitterly book to add to my collection of course!!!! I left the store with Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Sock Book. An interesting compilation of history, technique and design that is a wonderful addition to my library (all the other books have welcomed her with open arms and no complaints can be heard from the library shelves). I was excited to see a contest connected to this publication: The Ultimate Sock Contest. Since the deadline is March 15, I have my doubts if I'll have the time to put in an entry :( However, I cannot wait to see what sort of creations the knitterly sock maids of the world come up with.

PS: I take no responsibility for being forced into the situation that lead to the buying of this book. For, as you all know, the Knitting Goddess works in mysterious ways and who are we to question her ultimate wisdom and direction? That could prove dangerous, as we all know.

On the project front: The Confused Cardigan is still in the works but the Jaywalkers are nearing completion. I am on the final few rows of the toe and hope to be wearing them next week!


Until next week, my friends...Happy Stitching :)