2008 - Happy New Year!

Of course I must start with knitting. I knitted the slipper socks the day before flying. I realized that 1) it is England, damp and cold, 2) I have no room in my luggage for proper slippers. So I whipped these up and they were absolutely perfect. They even washed and dried (in the dryer mind you) perfectly.

The first photo shows what I was able to accomplish while travelling. The orange socks were started on the flight to England and mostly done. So I finished those up pretty quickly and started the second warm socks for me. Those went quickly as well. Then I spent most evenings when we were not out, working on the pink ones (Canal du Midi). The blue/brown ones I worked on the flight home from the UK. I never did get to work on the Tyrolean Stockings (only cast on), and now I must discipline myself to finish at least one of these 2 pairs before getting too involved in another.

Now I must journal my trip. Feel free to ignore this part as I am just going to ramble on and on as this is my journal afterall :-)

Dec. 16th

• Awoke at 4am, no snow yet, whew! 4:30am Gwyn says "it's snowing" bugger! By 5am we were on the road to the airport and driving was terrible. The plow convoys were out on the Mass Pike. Logan airport was closed, but the airline decided to board everyone anyway, "just in case there is an opening". The winds were blowing the snow back on the runway as fast as it was cleared. And when the airport did open, the plane had to be de-iced first, which took an hour! The rest of the journey was uneventful and the girls were fabulous travelers. We arrived 3 hours late and by the time we got to Winchester it was mid-night.

Dec 17th

• A day to acclimate. Slept in late, went for long, bitter cold walk around town and stopped for pizza. The girls needed something familiar. The only problem was: Sarah and Grandad had separated from us. They did more walking and got to see the round table, but they missed out on Pizza Express. But to make up for it, Grandad went shopping and picked up a pizza, which we put in the oven for Sarah, this made her happy enough.

Dec 18th

• A day to ice skate at the Winchester Cathedral. This was Great Fun! And we kept warmer while skating. Unfortunately I don't have any photos of this day, it's all on video only.

Dec 19th

• A visit to Aunt Marion and Uncle Ken's farm. Fed the horses carrots and simply had a nice time. The girls were very well behaved as we adults chatted away. I think what kept them happy (besides feeding the horses) was eating up all the yummy shortbread.

Dec 20th

• Busy day! In the morning we went on a steam train. Just like in the Polar Express (only this was the Watercress Line). We were early enough to get some coffee and hot chocolate, which was perfect to keep us warm until the train heated up a bit. Then the children got a soft drink, while the adults got some wine and a minced pie (the pie was 3 times as big as the cup of wine, but it was the thought that counts!). The journey was quite enjoyable and of course Santa came through and gave all the children a gift. Too cute!


• Later that day we went to see a Pantomime of Jack in the Beanstalk. This was a cultural experience. The girls loved it and found it all "knee slapping" funny. We had ice-cream during the intermission, and all enjoyed ourselves immensly.

Dec 21st

• Another train ride, this one to Waterloo station in London. From here we took our first London Cab to the Tower of London. Spent time sightseeing here. Quite interesting and the girls were enthralled with the Armory as well as the beheading block.


• From here we walked to Oxygen Insurance on Lime Street to Auntie Sian's place of employ. It was nice to meet some of her collegues.


• We then had to bring Grandad back to Waterloo. We were staying for the weekend in London at a friend of Sian's Flat. It was perfect (except that we couldn't quite figure out the shower).
• Today Gwyn arrived from the US. He missed out on the lovely Sushi we all had for dinner that evening.


• We also went to check out Sian's flat in Holland Park. Which is quite lovely, but due to the smaller space and construction going on underneath her, we were fortunate to be able to stay at Ian's flat.

Dec 22nd

• We went to see the "Tutankhamun and The Golden Age of the Pharoahs" exhibit at The O2. Wow! What a cool place and a fabulous exhibit. The girls really enjoyed it as well.


• Now this is funny, before the exhibit we went for breakfast and the girls really really really wanted pancakes. Well, I guess you just don't get pancakes in the UK, so they had to settle for hot chocolate (which by the way they had ALOT of on our trip) and toast.


• From here we went on a water taxi which was really quite interesting.


• Tonight was pizza again. But it was great fun as we met up with some friends, chatted the night away and had champagne along with our pizza. Even the girls had a friend to chat with, Elizabeth.

Dec 23rd

• A most magical day! We went to the Royal Opera House in London for the ballet performaces of Les Patineurs and the Tales of Beatrix Potter. Absolutely fabulous! Enjoyed that tremendously.


• From here we went for an Indian Curry. Which was quite enjoyable!

Dec 24th

• Back to Waterloo Station to board a train for Winchester, and Christmas Eve celebrations!!!!!!!! Including the children's service at the Winchester Cathedral, with lots of lovely angels, shepherds, kings etc. Thanks to Sian the girls could participate too, wearing their golden halos. Just too bad they didn't fit in the luggage to bring back home. At least they'll be there for next time.

Dec 25th

• Ahhhh. What a nice day. The never empty glass of Champagne, little angels passing out gifts, family, nibbley bits, food and more food, and of course more and more drink. A lovely day for all.

Dec 26th

• Boxing day. Another family day of relaxation, food and drink. A late afternoon party ensued, and the fireworks were displayed after dark.

Dec 27th

• A hang over (surprisingly the only one this holiday and not too bad either). A relaxing day, as it was our last. Went to the library to access the internet and check-in on our flights. Then stopped at The Old Vine in Cathedral Close for a couple of pints of Real English beer!

Dec 28th

• Early to rise and off to the airport. No problems on the return flight; and as always: "nice to be home".

The Joy of Giving.....

Thank you a friend to knit with, I needed that reminder to just calm down and enjoy the season. I am stressed about gifts, stressed about packing, stressed about making my flight at 8am Sunday morning with a NorEaster scheduled to pummel us through the night. But I really should remember : Peace, Love and Joy!

And this made me remember Karate night. My girls LOVE to give gifts! And they enjoy giving candy. Like we all need more candy at Christmas (ha ha ha). Karate night, the girls brought a gift bag for their Sensei and a bag for his assistant Corrinne. They adore Corrinne. Well, I snuck into the bag a $10 bill (no biggie) BUT she just lit up with delight. Her smile, cheer and thankfulness was worth much more than that ten dollar bill. So I would like to add to Peace, Love and Joy.......Giving. Giving feels soooo good, definately better than receiving.

So I am going to take all these warm and fuzzy feelings on the plane to the UK. I am going to miss you all (as my in-laws still don't have internet access) and will catch up when I return in 2 weeks.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to all!

Cast-on Two Cuffs on One Magic Loop - Tutorial

I have been away from documentation for a long time so I am not confident in my writing abilities, but let me give this a whirl.

1) Get your Yarn and Needles Ready! I like to use a 40 inch circular needle, although a slightly shorter needle (such as 32") works as well.

2) Cast on all your stitches for the first sock (mitt, sleeve etc) on one needle. Let's call this Needle A.

3) Pushing those stitches back off the needle you will count exactly half of those stitches. Then pull the loop through the halfway point. Now you have half of the stitches on each needle. This is where you would join in the round if you were only knitting one sock. Let's now cast on the second set of stitches.

4) Cast on only half the stitches for the second sock onto Needle A.

5) Slip (as if to purl) those stitches from Needle A to Needle B .

6) Now your leading strand is at the back of Needle B (rather than at the tip). Continue to cast on the second half of your stitches on Needle A.

Here is One stitch cast on Needle A.

Here are 5 stitches cast on.

Here are all stitches cast on, half on each needle.

7) Join in the round, remembering not to twist your stitches. At this point, you can refer to more information on Magic Loop knitting. There is a You Tube by Knit Witch you can refer to as well.

8) Remember to swap leading yarn when you reach the second sock. Otherwise you will attach the 2 socks together, or learn how to tink. I've done it, I know.

I hope this is a useful tool. All comments are welcome.

Fetching Gifts

I really enjoyed making the Fetching Fingerless Gloves. They go so quickly and I have a few knit gifts to give. If only I had time to "make just one more". lol I just feel that every woman on my list must have a pair of these, but alas, I have run out of time. [please excuse the blurry photo, as I am in a hurry this week]

Pair on the left for Sister-in-law, Black pair for Mother-in-law, and bobled cuff for Ballet teacher.

Patterns: Fetching by Cheryl Niamath, And Bobbles from Kyla pattern by Monika Steinbauer.

Yarn: Green - Rowan Cashsoft DK, Black - Rowan recycled unknown

Needles: US6 Harmony Wood 40" Magic loop.

Ooooouch!

I have spent all morning chopping the one inch thick ice on the walkway and driveway with the hopes to get the car out. I got about 1/4 of the walkway done when my hands started cramping up. So I quit that and started the drive. I have 1/2 the turn around and 2 small tire paths cleared and my hands are really hurting now. The sun is so low this time of year that there is constant moving shadow from the house next door on the drive. And it is an upgrade from the garage to the top. Now, if I could only get to the top, then it is clear enough to park the car there overnight. But the lower part is so solid frozen I can't even put a dent in it. OK, now that I have resigned my self to being house bound today,,,,my hands are almost too cramped to type, I don't think I'll be able to work a pair of needles. LOL, is this what they call "murphy's law"?
Now where is that warm tea! :-)

Blue Tweed Cardigan Done

I LOVE this sweater. Came out just right. Cozy, snuggly, warm and layerable. Just need to figure out how to tack down the bottom of the zipper. There is a heavy plastic on the zip and I can't get a needle through it. And I'm afraid to break a needle on the machine trying...but I will try later anyway. Just had to get this photographed ASAP. I think this will be a FAV and will be worn and worn and worn. It is already slated as the sweater of the trip to the UK coming up.

Pattern: Used ideas from various patterns, but basically "winged" it.

Yarn: Rowan Yarkshire Tweed Chunky (bought 8 balls but only used 6)

Needles: US11 for body and US9 for cuffs and collar. (Denise interchangeables)

Construction: Top Down Raglan to fit.

For the Zipper installation I referred to this tutorial. But the "key" is to wash, block and baste together the two halves before placing and pinning the zipper for installation.

Toasty Warm Winter Socks

For Catherine:

These whipped up real quickly. I love the striping. It is a lovely yarn.

Pattern: Toe Up Socks by Iris Schreier (received pattern upon yarn purchase)

Yarn: Artyarns Handpaint Stripes

100% Luxury Merino Wool (wonderfully soft)

Needles: 40" circular US 5 Harmony wood needles.

Construction: Worked toe up, one sock at a time.
Ribbing is k2xp1 (36st around)

First sock toe was started with 8 stitches around, I round this too pointy and used 12 stitches on the second sock. Much better.

Even on the internet it can be a "Small World afterall"

I was searching for tutorials on the net for sewing in a zipper on a knitted sweater. I stumbled here, which then made me curious to learn more about this blog. So I went to the home page: Getting Stitched on the Farm, and saw that she is having a book launch. So of course I want a chance to win some yarn, and sent off an e-mail. Then as I read more I found that she grew up in Northern NJ (as did I) and now resides in MA (as do I). Pretty cool Eh? Oops the "Eh" is a left over from my time in Canada :-).

Go on over and check out the book launch. The book is Kristin Knits.

Photo sharing time...

I love this log cabin quilt. I made this well before my twins were born. But because I hand stitch my quilts it takes a long time. I used to love the cold winters in Ottawa Canada (I lived there for 4 years before my girls were born) only to sit in the evenings with a quilt draped over me. My Honey and I would watch a film while I hand stitched the quilt. Next I had children and then I found knitting ... the rest is history. Well, I have decided that this quilt is going on the bed, pin basted and all!

And speaking of beds....my twin girls can sometimes be so very different! Catherine likes (or so she says) her bed a mess, but Sarah loves to "set up" her bed every morning. Pooh Bear, Pup and all. Too sweet, I love them!

Doll Sweaters

A question was asked of me, "where did I get the pattern" for the doll sweaters. Well, I am going to make a long answer to that question. I always start at KnittingFool.com for the Simple Worked-From-The-Top Raglan Pullover Pattern Calculated by the Percentage Method . I use the guage as listed on the ball band, or if using a smaller needle, do a swatch. Then measure the dolls chest, and punch in the numbers. This will give a basic sweater. Then I modify the sweater from there. Things like an open front for a cardigan and color changes. One thing to keep in mind is that you want to make it easy for the child to get the sweater over the dolls head. So one can make the colar opening a bit bigger, or keep it open for about an inch before joining in the round and later add a button or two. Or simply make sure to use a stretchy cast-on.

You can basically do anything with a small sweater, copy from a picture or from a full size sweater you have made for yourself. My Mom has a few good books where ideas have come from. The heart pattern came from a book by Charlene Schurch called Knits for Girls & Dolls. She also recently purchased Matching Knits for Girls & Dolls by Eileen Adler.

It really is simple, quick and fun! And of course, the doll doesn't care if there are mistakes, so I rarely frog, and I use these opportunities to learn more about knit patterns in general.

I have also used up left over yarn from many things like socks. In this picture you can see the sweater and shorts from left over sock yarn from Pat. The shorts are a bit too short, lol, but I really did run out of yarn on them! I practiced my first cabling on those shorts!

Hope that answers your question Paulettel. :-)