A Lust for Cable

Ok, Can't get my mind off this pattern: I really want to make this using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. It's going to be a very soft sweater. Maybe if I cast on today, I can finish this by the time the kids leave for college in 18 years.

My awesome Secret Pal

Here's what my wonderful secret pal sent me:

She sent me the most softest yarn that I have ever petted. Blue Sky Alpacas Alpacas & Silk in the most exquisite shade. It's a very pale pink which goes very nicely with the yarn texture. Along with this skein is also a 10 1/2 needle and a pattern to make my very own lace scarf. I had never knitted lace before because I have always been intimidated by the small needles, so my pal got me to started off on a pattern that can be knitted on a larger needle. I have to admit, it doesn't seem that scary anymore *smile*. I can't wait to cast on! I think I would have to forsaken all other projects so I can play with this yarn. It's like she read my mind! I have been drooling over this yarn for a VERY long time and now I finally get to play with it! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

This yarn also comes in it's very own project bag. A satin, peach pouch that's perfect for me to tote it to work.
She also got my 2 munchkins a gift too. Aliana already begged me to read her the new book for bedtime tonight.

Last but not least - the coolest gadget every made!!! What a genius my pal is to come up with this:

a crochet hook key chain! How clever is that? I am forever dropping stitches when I knit that it's a wonder I ever finished anything, but with this handy, dandy key chain, I will always have a crochet hook. What a great idea! She should totally patent this idea!

My pal had put so much thought into this and I totally appreciate it! I was already tearing into the chocolate while I was reading her letter until I realize that it was suppose to be a reward for each repeats of the pattern. Oh well......*laugh* now I have more excuse to buy more chocolate!

A Package!

After a long and staggering day at the office, I came home at 8pm today to find a lovely package from my fabulous secret pal waiting for me! It's about 10 pm right now and I can't locate my camera so I would haveto wait and show it off tomorrow. *yawn*

I think I'll go to bed and take my new yarn with me to pet it! My husband will definitely think I leaped off the edge of the sane world.

Cherry Pickin'

Over the last few days, I've been obsessing about my kids not having any hats for the winter. Of course, they have about 5 hats each in their closet but none that was knitted by me. So off I went to dig in my stash and to find some cute patterns. I knitted this out of Itty-Bitty hat book and loved it, it was really fun to knit.

The pattern called for cotton but I wanted it to be a bit warm so I used good ol' sheep's wool.

Also, I found this cute little pattern on Ravelry for a backpack. I downloaded last Friday and hoping to cast on soon using the cheapest yarn I can find since my 2 toddler will probably drag it everywhere with them.

The finished product

When I had purchased the Dream in Color Tulip kit last Saturday, I was so excited that I casted on the very next day on the trip to Vancouver. I had used the knit pick needles to knit it and of course, I took the whole stinking binder with me through security. Needless to say, it took more than 2 security guards to approve of me taking several impaling objects on the plane.

I knitted the first half on the way there and knitted the rest of it on the way back. Here it is:

For the sleeves, it had called for US 7 DPN which I didn't have on me so I bought some at Urban Yarns in Vancouver. They are Crystal Palace Daisey needles which is made out of Resin. It feels like plastic to me but it a really great needles. I couldn't believe it but it was so flexible and so smooth that my stitches just glide along beautifully. I also love the whymsically colors that it comes in and I think I would need to get a few more sets in different sizes. Of course, after I put an order for the new Knit Pick Harmany needles. Is that a dream set or what?

Back home again....

What a week! I don't think I want to see another airport for a very long time! I started my business trip in Vancouver. What a gorgeous city. Here's the view from my seat:

Since this was the first leg of the 3 city tour, my energy and enthusiasm was high. Of course, instead of buying another city "shot glass" as a souvenir, I decided that I would need souvenir yarns. So, first stop is Urban Yarn in Vancouver:

I had dragged my colleague with me and she ended up buying a mitten kit. Yeh! Another converter! I also walked out with this:
Then it was off to Edmonton. What a great little city. I didn't know that they have the largest shopping mall in North America. They have several hundreds of store, but sadly, no yarn shop. Go figure! My secret pal recommended the River City Yarn shop in downtown. Of course, I can't pass that up. I went there with 3 other "non-knitting" colleague and decided to wait in the car. It must have been in a record since I was in and out of there in 7 minutes flat. I got this:

and this:

Not bad, for under 10 min, huh?

Then in Calgary, I hit 2 stores, Make 1 Yarn Studio. This little shop as a bit of warehouse feel.

While I was there, they had just received a bunch of Lorna's Lace shipment. There was a few die-hard knitter rummaging through them. I was quite good and only bought this:

Last but not least, I ended up at Pudding Yarns not too far from downtown Calgary. It was a cute little shop that carries a lot of the British names, even Roosters.

Since this was my last stop, I was dead tired but I still made out with a small purchase of this:

Now I'm home and finally sleeping in my own bed. My next business trip isn't until the end of October and I will be in Chicago for a whole week. Better start saving up!

Tulips in September

Today was the Knitter's fair in Waterloo/Kitchener, ON. I got up at the crack of dawn to meet my friend there and do a little shopping. I didn't even bother combing my hair, put on makeup or even wear anything matching. Basically, I had to get out of the house before any of my 2 munchkins wake up, otherwise I could never leave.
The fair was jam packed with over 50 vendors. Basically, it was like having 50 yarn shops crammed into one roof (a knitter's dream come true). Over the last year, I was a bit of a yarn hoard and had collected a huge stash of some really quality yarns already. So coming to a fair like this, I can afford to be a bit more discriminating. My friend, on the other hand, was very overwhelmed.


Believe it or not, I almost walked out of there empty-handed since the stuff there wasn't anything different then the everyday things that LYS carries. Then........ just when I was about to walk out..... I saw this from the corner of my eyes:
The Dreams in Color Tulip kit from Unwinded Yarn Shop! Ever since the Harlot blogged about this, I have been on the hunt for it. However, there's always about 2 month waiting list for it. Then, here it was... just sitting there, over 20 kits made up. Oh happy, happy, joy, joy!!!! Of course, now I also have to buy some nice stitch markers to go along with it
Over all, it was an awesome buy! I now have to pack since I will be heading over to the west coast for my business trip tomorrow morning. I haven't even started to organize myself yet. Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary all in one week! It's going to be a doozy!

Now, which project to take?

Labour Day Weekend

This labour weekend has been a whirlwind of apple picking, ribfest, birthday party and home improvement. Can one fit anymore activities into a 3 day weekend?


My hubby has been busy all weekend re-doing our front stair stoops (demolishing it, and repaving it) Also, we went apple picking at Chudleighs. It's a yearly thing that hopefully will turn into a family fall tradition. This is our 3rd year doing it and Aliana looks forward to it every year. This time, Arison spent the day in the backpack.



I also got some knitting done. I started the Monkey Socks. Actually it was started last week on Cherry Tree hill Socks yarn but I messed it up so badly that the whole thing had to be frogged. So, for a fresh start, I switched yarns and now using Fleece Artist Merino Socks. I found that the color is a bit too busy for this pattern but I'm happily knitting along.

Also, I'm making some good headway with Arison's sweater. I only pick it up when I'm watching TV since I consider this pattern to be pretty much idiot proof. Of course, I also suffer from severe Knitting ADD and started the Saartje's Booties on a cotton yarn. Can't say I like it very much though. I think I would have to try it with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.