FO and a PACKAGE

FO - my hat is done!!!

Here it is - please ignore the person in the photo, the gurlz were asleep and unavailable for modeling.

Koolhaas, from IK Holiday Knits 2007

Malabrigo Worsted in ... purple - just over half the skein.

It fits me, Mom, and both the gurlz. I am thinking of trying it with a slightly thicker yarn and a needle size up. Or adding the additional 8 rows for the mens size. We will see.

I LOVE THIS PATTERN. It took me from Tuesday night until Saturday - when I wove in the ends. Would have been less, but I cabled wrong in two spots.

Denise of Nanaknits is the winner (cause she got it right away). Now I get to send her some yarn and other special stuff.

My Hot Cocoa Swap package arrived. My little buddy too - a fortune kitty, sporting cute medallions that match my new stitch markers.

There was Hot Cocoa - organic with no dairy included. Am thinking tomorrow night to drink some of that. 2 dark chocolate cadbury bars - one with nuts and one fruit and nuts. Only one is left. Dark Cadbury eggs - I may share with the gurlz, we will see. Marisol yarn - Miske, 100% baby Llama. This stuff is super soft and love the blue green colour. Stitch markers - beside the can of Cocoa - lovely cloisinne with a medallion or symbol on them. And of course the Blah Buster Buddy - a purple kittly with a sweet bright fish. Here is Madeline (named by big gurl) hanging out on the big table saw and surveying the renovation debris.

And here she is in my dirty front window, sitting on the super wide ledge. Around her neck there are two little medals (which likely mean something) and then there is her sweet little fish. Thank you Emily.

Have a great week.

Patience....

...is way overrated. It gets you nowhere. I have recieved the destash Malabrigo, but the others are still MIA.
My house is... well no further than on Thursday, and unfortunately (sorry Keith) the progress of the whole week was not really seen (only empty boxes of mud and cracks and screws covered). Not really extreme makeover speed. I'm not criticizing his work, it is precise and I know will be near perfect. It's just, we have been living in our bedrooms for 2 weeks now. Occasional extra time spent in the kitchen, but when you are upset with your 6 3/4 year old, sending her to her room doesn't have much bearing when that is the only place she can go - the landing halfway down was a timeout location, but doesn't work well when you need to get by.

I did work on organizing things in my bedroom/craftroom. I know where the majority of what I wanted to find is, and actually found what I was looking for - the camera, small skein of black angora for Hot Cocoa Buddy, other items for Hot Cocoa buddy, and all the skeins of yarn I thought I had (and a dozen or so more that I had conveniently forgotten).

I have some FO's to show too. One that was finished for SAM4 in December, but never made it to the post - it was my last FO of 2007. And the other - underneath the socks, was my Friday/Saturday project cause I needed a quick knit - I love my stoles and socks in progress, but they just don't give that instant gratification with long lasting results.
I'm pretty impressed with both. (long pause as I get the camera, hook it up and upload the picture to Flickr, then reload one of the pictures as I deleted it) I'm listening to Josh Groban right now, think of that as I go get the pics...

The socks are 'Toddler socks' from 2007 knitting calendar, in Skinny Duets, Cowgirl. Little gurl loves them. The washcloth is knit in SRK Cool spun cotton (from my SP11 spoiler). The stitch is called 'Textured Diamonds' and is from Simply Knitting' s December issue. (the ends have since been woven in) A 3rd FO is not pictured as it is for my Hot Cocoa Swap partner and I want her to see it first.

And the second picture, I owe Crystal an apology as this was my Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap "MAIN" package. I posted previously about the gorgeous mug and coffee I received from her. Due to being ill, she couldn't get everything to me in one swoop, so she sent this when she could. There were two skeins of Cascade 220 Superwash in a lovely green (finding them on Friday night reminded me to do this post); more coffee - lovely stuff had some this morning; chocolate dipped apricots; 2 chocolate santas (one didn't make the photo shoot); candy tree; adorabel snowface/flake ornament; a mermaid book for big gurl; and I think it was 'The Mitten' board book for the little gurl. Everything was greatly appreciated and the chocolate apricots were, well hoarded by me.

Life in the fast lane, raising children and home renovations

Well, I think I am totally back now. I was in Ottawa for training last week. I took the train as I refused to drive and the airport was really not that convenient. Lovely thing riding the train - they feed you and 'water you'. Hope to do it with the kids one day. I managed a visit to Yarn Forward for some small indulgences -all for my swap partner I swear - I'm only lying a little; and my wardrobe was enhanced with a coat, dress and sweater. Very lovely. I had a stopover in Toronto, so I took a streetcar to Lettuce Knit - lovely store with so much, but only bought (something for my swap partner) and something for me. As soon as I find what I bought and the camera, I may remember to take photos. also walked by parliament, drank with strange people in bars and ate some delicious food.
Raising children - what could I mean?!?!?! This is not difficult is it??? When they are both redheads like their mother and carry a number of traits from their fathers well, you get the picture. Due to the big gurl's temper, I may not get to go tobogganing on Sunday, skating on Saturday and to Florida in April. Whom is really being punished (we will not discuss the screen door that won the kick the wall, kick the locked door or possible harm child who has locked you out of the house lottery. I repeat that the child was not harmed. Some may say I should have, however, I have learned that when they are unreasonable, nothing really works. BUT i get a new screen door and I really hate the current one (now more than ever).
Home Renovations - they have taken a kleine bettja longer than expected. The current estimate is this coming Sunday - primed walls, painted ceiling and all construction materials gone. However there are a few issues...
1. The previous owner only took the carpet to the trim, so I have about a 1 inch gap on all interior walls. Since I hate the carpet, the whole new flooring issue has arisen and pricing of various floors is occurring. This will add at least 2 days.
2. Trim and paint have not been chosen. Due to item 1, there is some hemming and hawing going on about this.
3. My furniture no longer suits the rooms but is so big as to make it impossible to take it out and... therefore, what colour(s) to paint.
4. My eldest gurl does not handle changes well and has been acting up rather nastily, therefore we must hurry the timeframe along.
.....
In other news, my SOTS is 1/3 of the way into hint 7 (of 8) so, I cast on SOTS ii. It is about 1/4 of the way. The nephew's scarf was very well received and is loved, but someone always forgets to take pictures. I have a pair of Widdershins that are gusset increasing. My Dashing are going nowhere. I have at least 2 things to finish before the end of the month.
Can't find yarn to do one of those, however swore, that would not buy more after last Friday. I've lied before though.
And how are all of you?

Hot Cocoa Swap Topic #2

Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?
No. I knit whatever and am just happy to have something on the needles.
My knitting is my way of just escaping everything.

MMM Hot Cocoa Swap Questionnaire!!!

Cocoa:
1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk? Water? from home made recipe or store bought?, In a tea cup, or big mug?
I usually make store bought with water in a big mug 'cause I don't have the patience to wait for the milk or to mix my own. I love the gourmet store bought - especially the dark chocolate which is a little less sweet.
2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?
I prefer whipped cream, but fresh marshmallows are nice.
Yarn/Knitting/Crochet
1. What is your favorite type of yarn? In what colors?
My current favourite is worsted to chunky weight in either organic cottons or wool - superwash or not. I love blues and browns with green thrown in to complement my hair.
2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)?
I do both. Currently am knitting mainly, but often use crochet to start or finish.
3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new?
I love both dpn and circs in bamboo or addi. I would love to try some of the wood needles out there, but haven't found a good selection to choose from.
4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions?
I have a decent supply of stitch markers and stuff, but have admired some of the mini crochet hooks and needles for helping with dropped stitches and stuff. Also looking for a finer needle for seaming and end weaving - I think it's called a chibi?!? but mine works with worsted weight so not much good on my lace and socks.
5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)?
I'm looking for a project bag - one that just speaks to me. Sounds stupid I guess, but i want one that I can be sure my yarn is safe in - won't pop out on me or anything. I visualize it as almost like a separate compartment for the working ball of yarn with a little hole to let it out and then when in use, can stay inside, but stays safe when travelling. Saw one once with clear vinyl, but wasn't sure if I want everyone seeing my stuff.
6. What is your favorite 'quick knit/crochet' pattern (quick gratification)?
I love granny squares - little bit of colour changes, and voila pretty design. For knitting,may sound funny, but the toe of a sock - all that short rows or the magic cast on and voila - a sweet little pocket...hmm that gives me an idea for my stitch markers...
Miscellaneous
1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter?
I love playing with my gurlz in the snow (not to cold), curling up under a blanket near the wood stove(imaginary at my house but awesome over the holidays at my parents) and knitting in the evenings and lately my mornings involve coffee, but my afternoons or early evening - a lovely cup of hot chocolate or tea.
2. What is your favorite animal?
It's always been cats - especially tiger/leopard/lion KITTENS, but I am loving some of the sweet little dragons/frogs/turtles that are floating around out there. And a really sweet teddy animal of any kind - monkey, rabbit, puppy.
3. Do you get the 'winter blahs'?
YES!! Especially when it rains in January and everything is grey and wet, but you know that winter is not even close to being over yet.
4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs?
Hide with a video OR spend money slightly recklessly OR do something with my gurlz.
5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring?
A new front step/walkway and my own tulips and daffodils we planted this fall.
6. What are your favorite treats?
Chocolate - dark, or real fruit gummis
7. What is your favorite board game?
I prefer Yahtzee and card games, although Monopoly was always a hit in our house.
8. Do you have any children (furry or human)?
2 gurlz - 6.75 years and 2.25 years.
9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations you partner should know about?
I am allergic to strong perfumes, cats and feathers.