Neutron Dance

I went down the rabbit hole.

No willingly mind you - typically autumn ratchets up dramatically from the more genteel summer pace. This year has been a bit more challenging than most. The harvest has been challenging since that magnificent September gave way to a wet October. The winemakers say aromatic whites will be great - Bordeaux reds...jury's still out. These are the vintages that separate the men from the boys. Where a skilled winemaker is the "make or break" element.



Speaking of elements -the boys started college and Twin A has a pretty heavy load of sciences and maths. He's studying the environment. I was a science major (back in the day) so I've been dusting off my Chem 100...aka killer chem skills in an attempt to help him out. When I took that damn course I said to myself "Self: you will never use this on the job." Little did I know it would come in handy as a parent. Perhaps the most important aspect of a good education is that it helps your offspring obtain...a good education.



We finally got a break in the weather to get the new roof on. Here are the before and after shots (it looks much better under a sunny sky). I love the way it looks. It's amazing how 12 men arriving at 8:20 am can create such a mess yet leave the place spotless by 5:00 pm.







On the knitting side, finishing Bijou has made me eager to complete Roam and Cobblestone Pullover. Roam is done except for the zipper and side seams so look for that FO soon. Cobblestone body and sleeves are done, I just need to join them and start on the fun part - the yoke. I've started going to a local "knit night" at a cafe downtown. To have a straightforward project to work on - I've hauled out an old UFO Manhattan by Jane Ellison. I have completed one front and have started the back.


In the midst of the Autumn chaos, I did run away for a few hours to the Toronto Knitting Guild October meeting. This guild boasts Fiona Ellis, Robin Melanson and Barbara Gregory as members and this particular meeting was a fashion show featuring sweaters from The Twist Collective. These garments are even more beautiful in person and while I want to make them all - the Vine Yoke Cardigan, Pas de Valse and Maire are calling to me. I'm in the mood for some cables and lace. Maire should be a good fit for some Louisa Harding Kashmir DK I have in stash. It's a pale aqua colour. The hallmark of the Twist patterns is the unique construction each pattern employs. Kate Gilbert moderated the fashion show via Skype from Montreal while Fiona Ellis introduced the designs in Toronto. It was quite fitting that a magazine the owes its premise to technology conducted a fashion show using it. I did treat myself to a few skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in the colourway "Cookie's Deep Dark Secret" to make The Vine Yoke Cardigan. I have Dream in Colour stashed but in larger quantities so I don't want to waste it on a project requiring less. At least that's my story.

With a little luck - I'll be able to show you a completed Roam soon.

That is - once I get through my midterm exams.

Yarn, Over.

The next time I lecture my kids about the virtue of not completing projects at the last minute, I fully expect a bolt of lightening to strike me down. I finished Bijou on Saturday morning on the way to the Five Counties competition. I had stayed up until 1:00am the night before completing the crochet edging and darning in a few ends.

I really love her. Much more than most projects I complete at first. I typically need some time apart from items I've been so involved with for so long to forget where all the little mistakes are and to adjust to the reality of the item - rather than the fantasy. Since this project was intended to be a creative collaboration with a friend, combining the two hand spun yarns (mine and Hope's) was my way of expressing that theme.

Here are the project details:

Pattern: Bijou by Marnie MacLean Winter 2008 Twist Collective

Yarn: My friend's hand spun sport weight in a hand paint combined with my 2 ply lace weight in an indigo blue by Tactile Fiber Arts.

• The pattern is a joy to knit. Done in the round with waist shaping and bust darts made with short rows.


• The lace is not complicated and makes a nice fabric that's not too sheer.
• The flutter sleeves are a feminine touch and the construction of the sleeves was a lot of fun.

I wore Bijou to work today with a denim skirt and it looked nice for the office yet would be perfect for a special dinner out too. She got a lot of attention at the competition but alas - no prizes. That's OK -the "F.O. glow" is seeing me through.

No Pressure

If this were a baseball game, it would be the top of the ninth with the game tied. I have 12 days (actually 11 since we can't count the day of the fair) to finish Bijou. The theme is friendship and collaboration. The project - Bijou by Marnie McClean using my handspun in an indigo blue merino/tencel roving from Tactile Fiber Arts and my friend's handspun in a handpaint. The event is the Five Counties Guild competition coming up in a couple of weeks.

The lace section was a bugger but once I got it through my thick skull, it went quickly. The star pattern gives quite a bit of coverage so it won't be as sheer as I thought it would. Just two sleeves, a bit of crochet finish around the neck, some buttons and she'll be ready for the competition. This is one pretty pattern!

Here is Judy modeling Bijou in process.

Judy has a great body so the brilliant shaping Marnie's incorporated into this design really show well on the dress form.

I'm also a short-row shoulder convert after seeing how nicely these worked up.

I know I've squawked frequently about the cost of the Twist patterns but they are very detailed and well worth the money. (There - I've said it).

After Bijou, Cobblestone and Roam are on deck for finishing so stay tuned for an "FOpalooza"

Twist and Shout

The first anniversary edition of Twist Collective launched today. Yowza! Wowza! and any other "owza" that comes to mind. Talk about hitting it out of the park! I must say, When Twist first launched, I wasn't sure how an online knitting magazine would appeal to my senses. After all, getting that publication in my hands and sitting back with a nice glass of wine to turn the pages had become a ritual. I can say that the inaugural issue was beautiful and for the most part, the other issues this year have delivered too. The photography is enticing and the patterns are beautifully laid out. I like buying patterns online however - buying more than one or two at a time becomes a costly exercise. Therein lies the problem with the Fall 2009 issue of Twist.

I want EVERY freaking pattern in the darn thing.

When the sneak peeks were released a couple of weeks ago - I fell hard for the Low Tide Ripples pullover. I have in stash some Ivy Brambles merino super wash in a beautiful lilac colourway called Aster. Now that the issue's been released, I also really want: Ysolda Teague's Vine Yoke Cardigan. This is gorgeous and that Karabella Soft Tweed I have that was intended for the Sunrise Circle Jacket (I've long since gotten over wanting to make that) could be beautiful in this design!!!! Given the wine-centric focus of this blog, I think a "Vine Yoke sweater" is a must. Audrey in Unst won't be at the top of my queue right now but that photography is brilliant! The red sweater against the blue brick wall...stunning. Mimico rocks and I love the shades of blue. Cottage Garden is another favourite and so is Paula. My Lisa Souza Baby Alpaca silk in the Mother of Pearl colourway may work for this. Loreli would look wonderful in that Silky Malibrigo I have stashed. Papineau is drool worthy and I'm itching to try the new St. Denis yarn. Twigs and Leaves cardigan maybe would work for something in stash. I love the rustic look and the leather tie. Last but not least, Marnie McClean's Pas de Valse really shows its stuff in the thumbnail images sporting different ways to wear this cardigan. I love it but can I stand that much stockinette???

Speaking of Marnie McClean, I have some pictures of Bijou which is her design from the Winter 2009 issue of Twist. I'm making this out of a strand of my friend Hope's hand spun hand paint (say that 10 times real fast) and a strand of my lace weight. Here is Judy modeling the body thus far. The shaping is wonderful. It's the first time I've used short rows to create bust darts and I'm a convert! The only thing with hand painted yarn is that short row shaping creates a wee bit of pooling. I don't think it detracts from the design here. In fact, I think it creates a wider band right where I'd like to look slim so I'm quite happy. I will now begin the lace portion of the yoke so the fun begins!!! Stay tuned ladies and gents - I'm on a deadline with this one so time is of the essence.

So thank you Twist for an issue that will be spoken about with the same reverence as Rowan 10 and 20. I want them all but I can't buy them all at once. Damn! At $7.00 per pattern, only serious contenders will make the cut.

My son overheard me looking at the issue this morning. As I looked at each design I swore under my breath because it became clear to me that I was loving them all. When he asked what was wrong I tried to explain why liking them all upset me. "Honey, what if you walked into a video game store and EVERY game there was great and you wanted it? That's what this feels like to me". "No problem," he countered. "I would buy the one I wanted first and then get the others one by one. I would assume they would still be there when I wanted them."

Ah, it sucks when the student surpasses the teacher doesn't it? Thanks Grasshopper.

Fantasy Island
Forgive my infrequent posting to this blog...my trusty computer was fried by a lightening strike mid July and then I left for my yearly sojourn to visit my dad on Vancouver Island. In addition to looking forward to spending time with my father, BC has been basking in the sun regularly this summer whilst we here in Ontario have been enduring a summer that sucks beyond all reason. I was also extremely excited to be meeting up with two dear "comrades in yarns" on Salt Spring Island. We had planned a day of visiting with each other and haunting fibre shops - specifically Treenway Silks and Jane Stafford's studio.


On the appointed day, my father deposited me on foot at the ferry dock to revel in the sunbathed deck during the 20 minute voyage to Salt Spring. As I gazed over the railing at my destination - I felt the pull of the three things I was longing to see.

I had just treated myself to the Kowloon cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio. This pattern is a treat and working on it during the ferry ride was a pleasure. Gail picked me up at the ferry and we trekked over to the other ferry dock to collect Mel who'd come in from Vancouver. We had a lovely morning visiting over lattes and then located Treenway Silks. I was set on acquiring a beautiful silk scarf kit for weaving in blacks and ivories and they did have it in stock. We stopped for some lunch in town (it was a scorching hot day!) and then set off for Jane Stafford's weaving studio. We arrived about 2 hours before closing but Jane had stepped out to take a friend of hers to the ferry. Thank goodness we had Gail with us who whipped out her ace negotiating skills and convinced the woman minding the shop to let us in to "browse". Kid meet candy store! Looms in every corner and beautiful cottons, bamboos (looks just like silk) and books and toys galore. Since we took so long browsing, it happened that Jane arrived back from her errand and we spent another hour or so picking her (very substantial) brain about weaving. My bucket list includes going back to her studio for a workshop! What a wealth of information she is. I bought the yarns to make this Huck lace scarf from an old issue of Handwoven.


After a lovely dinner and glass or two of wine, it was time to take the ferry back to the island. We enlisted a fellow traveler to take a picture of the three of us. The ride back was wonderful complete with warm summer breezes, twinkling stars and beautiful scenery.




The rest of the trip was just as wonderful. We fished and caught some Spring Salmon. Nothing tastes like salmon cooked the day it's caught! I had a lovely Pinot Noir with it.



I did some knitting on the Kowloon cardigan and bought some beautiful Czech glass buttons in Victoria with a rose shade to complement the berry coloured Flaxen yarn. I'll post more about this project later. I'm loving it.



Before we could turn around twice it was time to go back to reality - and the rainy weather. My thought is to haul out these beautiful yarns, cook a piece of that lovely salmon and turn on the Ott light to approximate the BC sun the next time the dreary weather gets me down. Just maybe I can re create a little piece of my wonderful trip.

New sheep on the block

I love marketing. I admit it - the art of product story-telling amuses the shit out of me. I guess that's why I love my job (all the wine not withstanding).

When I saw the new Spud and Chloe line at Needle Emporium, my inner marketer stood up and cheered. At last - some innovation.

Spud and Chloe is a sub brand of the Blue Sky Alpacas parent brand. (Note to self - never choose a company name that defines you in too narrow a sector). By creating the Spud and Chloe brand, they can now launch "non Alpaca" fibres to their heart's content. The logo is cheeky and whimsical. I'm a sucker for red-headed girls who like sheep.

The patterns are packaged like sewing patterns on one large 11 x 17 inch sheet which folds into a paper sleeve. I wasn't sure I'd like this format but it's great for making a copy to mark up and carry around with you. I always wrestle with the Rowan books when I make copies for my knitting bag. There's even a section to make notes.

The designs strike a nice balance between classic and cheeky. My personal favourites are this bulky weight cardigan which may nicely fit with some Adrianne Vittadini Mimi I have in stash. Also, this hooded vest is very cute but my favourite is this wave pullover in shades of brown, burnt orange, teal and lime green. I must confess...I bought the yarn for this one.

The yarns are also classic with a twist. The fingering weight yarn is called "Fine" and is a merino/silk blend that is super wash. It's very soft and the Wave pullover I bought uses it. The Aran weight is called "Sweater" and is a wool/cotton blend and the bulky weight is dubbed "Outer" and is also a wool/cotton blend.

The patterns are stored in a cool branded filing box with dividers that are labelled according to the yarn it uses. Nice touch marketing department!!!!

I'm guessing BSA is targeting those younger knitters who have made their umpteenth novelty scarf and are ready for garments. I think the patterns will have broader appeal though this little cardigan feels young to me (though I do love it). Julie is having a store sample made of it in different colours so once I see it in the flesh - I may feel differently.

Is Spud and Chloe all gimmick/no substance? I don't think so at all. This is where the industry needs to go. Give us great, easy to care for yarns with innovative pattern support and you'll "have us at hello".

Down the Rabbit Hole


I have an FO to announce! My first woven article (a scarf) is complete. As I blogged about earlier, this was a project that I completely underestimated. I thought it looked easy but in fact, it was a multicoloured, multi-fibre warp with fairly complex tie-ups and treadling. I just really liked the picture and since I've developed an affection for Tolani scarves, I'm all about trying to create my own similar effect.


Project Name: Turned M's and O's Scarf
Designer: Emilie Pritchard
Source: Handwoven Magazine November/December 2004 issue
Materials: 8/2 mercerized cotton black, teal and tan, chenille in natural, warp
10/2 pearl cotton white for the weft.
From: Camilla Valley



I ended up cutting off the first 20 inches I wove because I was missing a few threads from one of the sections and it was thinner than the rest. I still had the threads hanging off the back of the loom so I was able to do some re-threading and tie on again to get the pattern correct.



I had a brief heart attack when after cutting off the erroneous piece I realized that "loom waste" included tieing on and getting started again but fortunately, my guild mentor who helped me measure the warp had given me an extra yard or so. Whew - lesson learned.


The true beauty of the piece comes when you wash it and those straight panels of pattern shift around and make the oval shapes. The fabric really softened up too.


I admit it - I'm smitten with this new hobby. I'm so glad I got the 8 shaft Baby Wolf too!


I wrote to Schacht to ask a technical question last week and gushed at how much I was enjoying the loom.


They wrote back a lovely explanation to my question with the following opening line


"Welcome weaver!"