So I guess this is good bye for now

I got a sad email today.  One of my favorite Indie Dyers, Springtree Road,  is closing up shop.  She selling off the rest of the dyed skeins that she has from her Etsy shop [Springree Road].  I wish that I could buy some of them.

I guess this good-bye for now but I hope to see her yarns again in the future.

Year of Projects: Week 18

Something is finished :)

A mark of a True Canadian; Tim Horton's Cup to display with the mittens

It still needs a bit of neatening up by I consider it finito! And just in time for this cold fall weather. I still need the matching hat but we'll see when that gets on the needles.

The Daybreak shawl is coming along very well. I am loving it more and more woh every stitch and it's taking longer and longer to do it with every stitch. I will finish it very soon.

I can't take a decent full picture because I can't stretch it out properly without it coming off the needles. Every time I look at it, I really want to knit a sweater with the Chris grey colourway. Next year I'll do it.

On Friday, I got a new book: Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitter's Almanac. I was wanting to find which of her books had the percentage system for sweaters and I found it in this book, along with the Pi Shawl pattern which I have been interested in trying out.  I'm thinking that the Pi Shawl can be another 1 year project as in we start it next year.  If anyone is interested in doing an informal KAL for it, let me know.

On said Friday, I also purchased another skein of yarn.  This time it was the Anzula Squishy, which I had purchased the last time I went to Handknit Yarn Studios in Hamilton.  This time, I got the colourway Ducky which immediately reminded me of Phineas and Ferb's Ducky Momo. 

This one is destined to be a pair of socks, specifically the Circe socks from the sock club.  I am actually starting to feel the urge to knit another pair of socks; actually 2 pairs since I also want to knit the Vamp socks in the Sweet Georgia Cashluxe Fine in Blood Orange from the previous shipment.  It's been awhile since I've felt this but I have to free up some needles or cheat and buy another pair of 1US DPNs.  I guess the next thing to finish the Istanbul socks so the needles are available again.

I don't remember if I mentioned this last week but the youngest brother, Thaniel, asked for a scarf for his birthday.  I didn't want to make the same one for him as I did for RJ so went ona  hunt and lucky for me, in the same book by Stephen West that had the Chadwick, there was the Meadowbrook Scarf; a very manly looking scarf (because something tells me the soon to be 11-year old would not appreciate a shawl, no matter how manly the colours would be.

I'm going for an all acrylic scarf, just like RJ's scarf since I need to see how well they'll take care of it first.  I had better get started on it real soon since I have exactly 1 month to do it.  Good thing it won't be as long as the one in the picture.

YEAR OF PROJECTS / 26 PAIR PLUNGE

Is it considered bad form?

I have had the Bex socks on the needles for the past year. I finally picked it up this week, determined to make some progress on it. Someone had suggested to weigh the finished sock to see if I had enough to finish the second sock. Alas, I did not. So my question was if it would be bad form to just salvage the yarn and knit the socks in a different yarn.  Keep in mind these socks are for someone else (from before my pledge of not knitting socks for other people who's foot size was not mine).

I discussed it with the recipient and they were okay with getting a different pair of socks. Bonus as far as I'm concerned. I still don't know what yarn I'm going to use yet.

With yesterday's issue of how to finish the Flip Top mittens, I made another trip to the Handknit Yarn Studios (I love that place). The main goal was to get blocking needles and/or wires. There were none to be found since their supplier is out of stock :*( and since I was in a yarn shop, I had to look around at the merchandise.

I ended up getting the required DPNs, a new skein of yarn (which was kindly caked for me) and my first Elizabeth Zimmerman book.

I am excited for this book for 2 reasons: 1) the pi shawl - I saw a knit-a-long for it and it intrigued me

2) the basic sweater construction

The yarn is from Anzula Luxury Fibers Squishy in the Ducky colourway. It's my second skein skein from this dyer. This one is destined to be socks, I think the Circe pattern for the sock club, for me of course.

I so wanted to but I couldn't

I am making wonderful progress on the Daybreak Shawl. I think I'm getting close to the end.

Of course I want to make another one, like all of my recent projects.  I did notice a mistake I made a few rows back. The line went off centre but I'm hoping that no one will really notice it unless they're looking closely.

I had the opportunity to go back home yesterday and exchange some clothes plus pick up some extra knitting. I decided on the flip top mittens, the Bex socks and the Shapely Boyfriend cardigan. I also wanted to bring the yarn for the Chadwick and get started on it. Much to my dismay, one of the skeins was not caked so there was no point of taking it with me since I didn't have time to cake it and there was no swift where I am right now.

I want to have another FO for this weekend so I'm going to continue to work on th Daybreak Shawl and watching Little House on the Prarie. 

I also decided to continue working on the Flip Top mittens. As much as I wanted those done before Sunday, I forgot to check my directions before I left my house. To do the flip top portion of the flip top mittens, a smaller size of DPNs are required. The only needles I currently have with me are the ones on projects and none of them are the correct size. This may warrant another trip to Handknit Yarn Studios since I am in the area.

I am happy though that these are almost done. I've had them on the needles since April.

Year of Projects: Week 17

No finished objects this week but that's okay. It was another busy week of travelling throughout Toronto. Again. And still no employment.

Anywho, I blocked a shawl for the first time this week and was able to finally give my mother the Earth and Sky Shawl.

I think her sisters were more excited about it than she was. Here's to hoping she doesn't just throw it in the washer and dryer or else no more scarf for her :(

Instead of the general finish for the Flip Top mittens I had wanted for this week, I casted on for the Daybreak shawl.

I have already decided to give this one away to the lady I consider my Hamilton mom. Besides, she is always looking for something to cover her shoulders with so a shawl should be perfect.

Inspiration can hit from anywhere

I had another job interview today and because was almost downtown, I went back to The Purple Purl to go and see what they had for carrying knitting projects.

While I was there perusing the merchandise, I noticed the sweater of one of the ladies who worked there. Remember me and the want for a boat neck sweater? She was wearing one and it was knitted and since I was in a knitting store, I had to ask "Did you knit your sweater or did you buy it?" 

With a smile on her face, she directed me to Ravelry and even showed me the fingering weight yarn she used (a dark blue yarn from Spüd and Chloe). It's called Folded by VeeraVälimäki.  I loved the pattern and immediately determined that it would work nicely for the Chris Grey Tanis yarn I wanted to knit with.

However, as I was walking down the street to the bus stop and started looking at the shawl I was knitting, I remembered that I was already using grey.  And that Shapely Boyfriend cardigan that still isn't finished?  That's grey too.  And a good amount of dresses and skirts and store bought cover up, they're grey.  I love the colour but I think I may need to start hunting down another colour to knit this in.  And perhaps if I like the pattern enough, go back and knit another one in Chris Grey.

Hater-ation is high - Part II

I have been intrigued by a mystery pattern on Ravelry however, I don't like paying for something online and not at the very least being able to see what it's supposed to be like in the end.  It's not like you can return it if you don't like it.  I realized today that the Mystery Knit-a-long was finished and I could now see the finished product.

Let's just say it was an interesting finished product.  I'm happy that I didn't do it because I know I wouldn't wear it and no one around me would wear it either.  My mistake was that I decided to look at the commentary.

The commentary was shocking to say the least.  It was downright rude and disgusting at times.  I have become used to (sadly) this kind of commentary about sequels in a movie franchise, television shows and video games.

It's safe to assume that not everyone likes everything all the time but I have never understood the loathing that some people spew for things, especially for such an inconsequential matters.  Most of the time, these people are in the minority but are yelling the loudest.  Frankly in most spheres, it starts to tell me that their opinion no longer matters.  I'm pretty sure that I have reached to the point on certain forums that when I see So&So posting, I don't even read it and it is dismissed, even if they do have something valuable to say in that specific post.

It would be much better if people gave constructive criticism as to why they didn't like something it would make their opinion valid.  It shows that there is a reason and that they took the time to analyze what's in front of them and understand what it's about before determining that they don't like it. 

Thankfully there were others who had done the knit-a-long who came to the designers defence and kept me thinking that maybe not everyone in the world is insane and kindness still exists online.

Okay, my rant on these commenters are coming to an end.  Please people. just because you're on the internet doesn't mean that you shouldn't think before you type

Hater-ation is high

This whole entry came to mind with regards to something I saw on Ravelry but after what has happened this evening, I'm feeling it myself.

Let me give you a history, for those who have not been following my blog since the beginning of this year.  I am out of work and have been out of work for a year and a half.  I am tired of it.  I can't seem to get a full time job or even a part time job.  I can't seem to get an office job or a retail job, despite the fact I have almost 10 years of retail experience.  It's always an asset according to the person who's interviewing me and my resume is a great show of that.  However most of the time, I get no reply as to if I am employed.  It's only been for the last few interview that I have gotten a reply for.  They were both to the negative and I'm not happy about that but at least it shows that someone is on the other side, actually showing the decency to care and give me a response.

I personally don't think I'm asking for much.  I just want a job.  It can even be part time and for minimum wage.  At this time of year, it should be ridiculously easy due to the holidays coming up and every retail store known to man is looking for seasonal part time help.  This does not seem to be the case for me and I am trying hard not to start "drinking the hater-ade" but it's not easy.  There are times I really want to get in their face and ask "Why am I not good enough to work in your rinkydink company?"  "Is it because you didn't think you'd get a black person walking in when you saw my name on the resume?"  "Is it because I don't conform to the image you want to present to your customers because I'm short and fat?"  "Is it because my natural hair doesn't look professional enough?"

Most of my "hater-ation" is directed at myself more than anyone else or maybe it would be considered a lot of self-doubt. I keep thinking that I''m never going to make it on my own and that my mother will have to support me for the rest of my life and that's very depressing.  I don't want to be dependent on someone else.  I want to be able to make it on my own.

I do have one option right now and part time employment in Toronto will not be beneficial in the long run.  I just have to be a lot more aggressive with what I want to do and be on someone's back like a pitchairee (which is some kind of Jamaican bird that I have not seen nor heard of from anyone else other than Jamaicans but they are supposed to be very annoying birds).  It would involve me moving an hour away and putting more pressure on my oldest brother to take care of my mother.  She's going to have to start depending on him like she would depend on me and step up his game in this current house.  I am hoping that by the end of this endeavor, I'll be better off and employed within 2 years.

What makes it hard is that I know my mother doesn't want me to go, or at least not under these circumstances.  I'm pretty sure she wants me never to leave unless I am moving out to start a new family with a husband.  The prospect on that is low and finding Mr. Right is not my primary concern.  I really want a chance to go at it on my own and be independent.  On my own with my own place and space. 

I'll do the Ravelry and hater-ation that I had planned to do originally in it's own entry.

For the love of Chris Grey!

What do you do when you find a colourway that you like so much? Plan to get enough for a sweater's worth.

I started the Daybreak Shawl without finishing a project. Let's forget about that now. The main colour is the Tanis yarn in Chris Grey. At first it seems like a plain, light grey. 

When I started knitting with it, it transformed into a cloudy sky with all these highs and lows. I love it and now I want to find a pattern to use it with. Possibly that boat neck sweater I was looking for. Good thing Tanis does the same colour in a variety of yarn weights.

Year of Projects: Week 16

Another week has passed.  I wanted to have another FO (and believe me, I was trying) and I did it!  I finished my Earth & Night Sky Shawl and I love it.

 Thank you to cousin B1 for modelling it for me.

I loved it so much, that I'm giving it away for a good cause.

Yesterday was my mother's 60th birthday and she went all out on a schindig.  It turned out really nice.  She had me going to stores to pick things up (like her rose gold Guess watch that was still at the store), lighters and taking trips to Downtown Toronto.  Not to mention physically making things for the party.

This is when the good cause came up.  I'm giving the shawl to my mother for her birthday.  I still have to block it so it will be bigger.  That's the part I am trying to work out but I will find a way.

Otherwise this week, I worked on the Flip Top mittens.  I was trying to have it finished for this update, but as I said before, there was no time but I have made good progress on it.  It should be finished this week, or at least the mitten part.  There's also the thumb plus opening the mittens up to make them convertible.

I spent a good amount of this week visiting different LYS's around me.  I managed to make it to 3 locations; The Purple Purl, Romni Wools and Handknit Yarn Studio.  I made it to the weekend with 3 new skeins of wool plus a set of fixed circular needles; all for two shawls by Stephen West.

I've decided that these two yarns will work well for the Daybreak Shawl (that's Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label in Chris Grey and Turtlepurl Yarns Stripped Turtle Toes in Dream Room).  This one will be the next project, once I finish at least one more WIP.

The Pagewood Farm Glacier Glacier Bay in Cape Cod Cranberry and Anzula Squishy in Maple, is set aside for the Chadwick (which I have not purchased as of yet because I can't decide if I should buy the book or just the pattern,).

Forgot to mention that I finally got a picture of my brother RJ with his new hat and scarf.  His mother hid it well from him to the point that on the night of his birthday, he still didn't have his gift.  The next morning at church, he gave me running hug wearing his hat and scarf that he refused to take off almost the entire day.

Yes, he's learning to play the bass since the drums and the piano are not enough for him.

My youngest brother Nathaniel has now put in a request for a scarf for his birthday.  Not necessarily a hat but he does want a scarf.  The kid barely ever asks for anything so I can't really say no to him.  Time to go and look up another pattern or something of the sort to make with acrylic yarns in the colour of Reese's Pieces...I may just have some more Brava yarn in a bulky weight though...oh the possibilities.

YEAR OF PROJECTS / 26 PAIR PLUNGE

"So Tired" - Animal from the Electric Teeth

I didn't get to do as much as I wanted to this week knitting wise. I has hoped to have finished knitting my convertible gloves and it didn't happen. And I can honestly say it was not due to laziness.

I went to bed late last night, doing some stuff for my mom's party. I woke up early this morning because I had to pick up my aunt and her son from the airport. By the time we came back to the house and they got some food, I was back on the road to get to Hamilton. 

I did manage to get to Handknit Yarn Studios. I love the fact that they remember me when I've only been there twice. She remembered my name and the fact that I want to move to Hamilton. I purchased another skein of yarn, with a purpose mind you. It's going to be paired with the October/November burgundy yarn to make the Chadwick shawl.

And to think now I have a list of shawls that I want to make:

- Daybreak

- Chadwick

- Rockafeller (no yarn for this one yet)

And since I am so tired, I am going to bed before midnight, rarity that it is.

Nostalgia is amazing

I am currently standing inside an Old Navy, waiting to participate in a job fair.

Now here's the history. I worked for this company for 6 years already (2001-2007). I loved working there but where I was, there were no opportunities for full time. I got a full time job, with benefits and a higher pay. So I left.

But here I am again, hoping to get hired again. They brought back the bouncy balls for $0.25. I made sure to buy two to bring back for cousin B2 who would always insist on getting one every time she came to visit her Old Navy family (aka: the mannequins).

I started feeling the urge to colour block and size the shelves and racks.  Their interview process was different...or at least different from the last time.  They actually made it fun, as opposed to just sitting in a back room on fold out chairs.  I was out of there by 3pm. 

I treated myself to a kids cone of ice cream from Baskin Robins (Gold Medal Ribbon is the favourite by far) and got on another street car.  Yarn store or Kensington Market? Yarn Store won again.  This time I went to Romni Wools and picked up the circular needles I was looking for; 4US, 47" from Knitters Pride.  I now have a dedicated circular needles for my shawls.

I was also contemplating purchasing the Karbonz DPNs as well but at $18+ a set, it was not for me, or at least not right now.  I went looking through their fingering weight yarn.  I will definitely be going back there again.  It's like a nice looking yarn warehouse so there was bound to be yarn that The Purple Purl doesn't carry.  I saw this one that looks like it has some really long colour transitions that seems like it would do very well in for colour work.

One thing I know right now, if I get a job in Downtown Toronto, I will never be able to come back home with money.  I'll be at either The Purple Purl or Romni Wools all the time.

It felt wonderful

Yesterday, I was happy. I got a check in the mail and I didn't feel so broke. I was able to catch up with some bills. It worked out even better for today. I had a second interview with a company I am excited to work for. The interview went well and if I get hired, I'd start in just under 2 weeks.

After the interview, I ate lunch and then got on the street car. For me, getting on the street car in Toronto only leads to 2 possible places; Kensington Market off of Spadina (I used to go there every Thursday with my mom as a kid) or a trip to a yarn store. Today, it led me The Purple Purl. I love this LYS. It's quaint and as far as I'm concerned, it caters to my pickiness.

I went in for circular needles and a skein of yarn. They didn't have the circular needles in the length I needed BUT of course they had the yarn. I left with 2 skeins.

Tanis Fiber Arts Blue in Chris Grey

Turtlepurl Yarns Striped Turtle Toes in Dream Room

I've already used Tanis before and I love it, especially the colour choices.  I have never even heard of Turtlepurl Yarns however they had a basket of knitted swatches and I immediately was intrigued. I was already imagining colourful stripped socks but these skeins already have a destination.

I could not decide which book I was going to get by Stephen West and I was unwilling to purchase the Chadwick if I was going to later purchase the book. So I ended up downloading the Daybreak Shawl (subtly influenced by The Purple Purl hosting a KAL for it and being far to late to start and finish by October 15th). That is what I purchased these skeins for.

I would like to finish a couple of projects before I start it though.

Well Mona has learned something new

I am already at the point of binding off the Earth & Sky Shawl. The bindoff on the pattern is not one I've ever used before but I am liking the finished result. I don't know if it's because it's after garter stitch or not. I am wanting this to be my go to bindoff. I really like the finished appearance.

30 mins later...

It is finished! I still have to block the Earth & Night Sky Shawl but I have finished he knitting and the weaving in of ends.

Not necessarily the best picture and definitely not what will be used in Ravelry but I am happy!

I already want to do another shawl but I want to finish another project first before I go casting on another project, especially when they tell you to cast on 440 sts.

Year of Projects: Week 15

Guess what?  I can finally use this again!

I finally finished the Ladder to the Sky Socks and I still have a good amount of the yarn left over.  I'll weigh it tomorrow and see what can be done with the remains.  I'm feeling a quick stint on the Blankie is in order.

So that's one FO.  I have another one as well for this week.  I finished the birthday gifts for my brother RJ.  I don't have a picture of him wearing them yet since I kinda threw it in the car after he got out of it without his knowledge and I think his mother hid it even further in the car so he doesn't open it until his birthday on Friday.

So that's two FO's (and three in the last 2 weeks).  I have been working diligently on the Earth and Sky Shawl and I am still loving it.  I was debating on Friday what size to do.  I finally decided on the small and that means I have just a few more rows to do and then block the darn thing.  I have never blocked anything other than socks and that's rare as it is.  It should be finished this week.

I am still loving the colour choice and as much as I say I want to make another once, I want to do another Stephen West shawl pattern soon.  I think I had Chadwick next on my list.  I just have to actually acquire the pattern and I'm sure I have enough yarn in my stash, starting with the new skein I got for the sock club.  I've already determined it's not going towards socks.

YEAR OF PROJECTS/26 PAIR PLUNGE

Maybe a Large?

I somehow got myself thoroughly confused while knitting the Earth & Sky shawl. I am about 5 rows away from finishing a small size version which is cute and all but I'm looking at the yarn I have left over in the box.

I'm still going to have a lot of yarn left over if I just do the medium, much less a small. If I do make a medium, I am sure to have enough yarn left over to make a pair of short socks with the Inkwell yarn.

I'm already rethinking what I just rethought...

MEDIUM SHAWL = enough inkwell yarn to make short socks

LARGE SHAWL = enough inkwell yarn to make a few squares on the sock Blankie.

I just need another skein of this yarn.

An hour later, after analyzing other Earth & Sky shawls on Ravelry...

I think a small might be enough. I wanted it to be enough to go around my neck, just a bit bigger than a kerchief. I also forgot about how much bigger it will be when I block it (still figuring how to do that without any blocking mats or money to get any). I guess this shawl will be finished much quicker than anticipated and that's not a bad thing.

SMALL SHAWL = a pair of short socks + many squares for the Blankie

It's kind of soothing

I never thought that I would make so much progress on the Earth & Night a Sky shawl in a week. It has quickly become my go to destressing project. I realized this last night when my grandfather came home last night and I completely understood how my step-mother felt when he lived with her.

My solution? Finish making my hot chocolate, put my headphones back on, went back to The 4400 on Netflix, and picked up my shawl.

I'm about to make it to a size small but I think I'm going to continue to a medium. No pictures of it today though but it is looking lovely. I'm just starting to wonder if my needles are long enough.

It feels like my day got a little better

I got a call about a job interview yesterday. I got up with time to spare, got myself ready, used 1 of my last 4 bus tokens and went to downtown. I arrived at my destination early, as expected. I talked with a supervisor, or manager and was told the previous interview was going longer than expected. That's okay. I walked around the store, looking at the merchandise and mentally shopping for new clothes. By 3:30 (the appointment was for 3:00), the supervisor (or manager) asked if we could reschedule for tomorrow since the interviewer's shift would finish before I could do a proper interview. I felt like I wasted my day. I wasted a bus token to go there and I'd be wasting another one to go back home, leaving me with only 2 bus tokens which I would have to use the next day to go back and hopefully not have the same thing happen.

I tried to make the best of it and rescheduled for tomorrow evening. I went to the Apple Store to get my headphones replaced (I love the automatic 1-year warranty on their products). I dropped off my résumé at a shoe store. I made sure to take note of what other stores were hiring and I will be applying online for them tonight. So the day didn't seem completely wasted.

And then I came home and B2 told me I have mail and since she was sure I was yarn, she put it in my room. I have got these kids trained well. I had a smile only face when I opened up the package.

It's from the Cookie Sock Club and this month, the yarn is by Pagewood Farm and the colourway is Cape Cod Cranberry. This is the first time that a yarn has been new to me. It's 100% Merino Superwash and I like the colour but I have never knit socks without there being nylon in it. The last skein that was sent without nylon is still sitting in a ziploc bag on my bookshelf. I'm thinking that this skein can be put towards another Stephen West shawl.