The Yarn Harlot is in Trouble

Sometimes I wish that more people other than just my friends and family read my blog. Then I read Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's latest entry and I realize that it may not be worth the trouble. She's got an unbelievable troll right now - saying horrible things and even threatening her, because she thinks that because Steph is a patriotic Canadian that she's making anti-american statements. This chick is obviously unbalanced, but it's a pretty damn scary situation, the things she's saying. So if you're a knitter, head to the Yarn Harlot's site, read up on the insanity, then add some encouragement to the 1500+ posts that are there. I'm in there somewhere. I've never posted on her site, all the years I've read it, but man oh man, after reading what she's been going through for the past month, I just had to.

Die Socken von Bayern!

Bavarian socks to those of you who sprecht nicht Deutsch! The pattern calls for 5 chart repeats, which I have done, but I think I may do one more. It's only 11 rows and I like my socken just a wee bit mehr hoch. I made sure to cast on fairly loosely in case I wanted them higher without shaping. I hate it when I cast on socks too tightly. Did that for my Dad's Christmas socks once. Bad. Very bad.

My new favourite socks

1 chart complete for the Bavarian socks and I love, love, love them. The pattern seemed a bit difficult at first, but once you get going it's no problem at all. I'm hoping they'll keep my awake today - I didn't sleep well last night (surprise, surprise) but I really don't want to take a nap today - too much to do!

Another project!!

Went to my first Knit Night at the new yarn shop, Knitting Three Together. Lovely ladies, great conversation. I picked up a Zauberball! Just gorgeous German sock wool, slightly variegated. Because I have that new book and all. So when I got home I flipped through the patterns in the book for one that would suit. I couldn't make up my mind between the ZigZag cabled socks, the Bavarian cabled socks or the Estonian cabled socks. (Catching the pattern? I had already decided on cables, I think the yarn will be amazing in cables.) I thought I'd have to put the names in a hat and pick one, when a flash of brilliance struck, as it does so often. German sock wool needs German sock pattern! So Bavarian it is. Starting as soon as I'm done here. I love new knitting patterns. It's just like new school supplies in September.

Oops! I did it again!

Why do we knitters do this to ourselves? Six million projects on the go, another billion or so in the queue, and we go and buy another knitting book. But not just any book. The Ultimate Sock Book. The history section alone in this book is worth the price, never mind the patterns and the stitch library!! Can't wait to start something.

And this would be why no knitting was done tonight

I gave Rosebud her first bath. It was not appreciated. She kept trying to escape the tub, then she went nuts afterwards and attacked everything not nailed down. And she kept wiping out on the floor because her paws were wet and so were her ears, which she slides on all the time anyway! Then she was all cranky and depressed at the affront to her person (?) so she insisted on attention all night. And she weighs a ton, so when Rosebud wants attention, Rosebud gets attention!
Plus side, Monday night is my tv night - tvo on all night long, and now it's my geeky historian boyfriend Simon Schama on pbs. So she can put her 200lb head in my lap while I watch tv.
I went to the new yarn shop in town yesterday, Knitting Three Together, and picked up some new 2 1/4mm needles (kertzer, bamboo, lovely!) except the lady gave me 2 1/2, so I had to exchange them today. They seem ever so fragile! I'll have to make sure, like glasses, ipods and cell phones, that they are never put anywhere near to where a Basset hound who has discovered counter cruising can get! Unfamiliar with counter cruising? Click here for a pro captured on camera!

1 down, 1 started!

Finished the cabled double-buttoned jacket! Well, it still needs buttons, but I haven't been able to find any that I like. I'll hunt again this weekend. It's quite small on me, but at the rate I'm dropping the pounds, it will fit this winter!


And I've started my new project - a Cabled Vent Jacket from Debbie Bliss' winter 2008 magazine. I'm doing it in dark purple Ultra Alpaca Light, which is an absolute dream to work with. I started on a sleeve so I'll have a feeling of accomplishment - sleeves are easy peasy.

Happy Canada Day Everyone!

Isn't it great to live in the most awesome country in the world? I thought I'd pass on a few things for you to watch, read and enjoy, about just that. The fact that we are awesome!




A selection of the Yarn Harlot's traditional Canada Day posts: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.


Enjoy!