Grab Bag

Thank you everyone for the nice comments on my Oregon Vest. Yes, I'm very happy with it and myself. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I think my Dad's Fair Isle vest was harder to knit since the instructions were written for flat knitting and I converted them to in the round with steeks. Also, once the bottom leaves were done, the tree of life motif was very repetitious.

Especially for CC (who's got some beautiful pictures of her hand dyed yarn on her blog) here's a close up shot of the buttons:

I like that they are roughened glass, and the way the color blends from the yellow to the green. I used some sock reinforcement thread to sew them on. I thought that the added nylon thread would be a useful reinforcement.

I've got some new acquisitions to show you. One dear and dearly loved:

And one bargain:

The yarn is Schafer Anne purchased from the Loopy Ewe. Whew! The customer service you get from Sheri will blow you away. I changed my mind about my order, and Sheri accommodated me. There was a nice little handwritten note, some needle inventory cards, and some small samples of new sock yarns included in the package. The yarn was double wrapped, once in tissue and once in plastic. And the yarn itself! Well, I'm glad I ordered it and I must say I was this close to winding it up last night. The colors are rich, the yarn is soft and the mohair content makes it seem a bit sparkley, but in a natural way.

The book was purchased from the London Public Library's used book section strictly for inspiration. At $3, why not? I actually like this design:

Almost all the rest is just yucky, including one design that is guaranteed to get your son beat up what with the purple ducks on it. Sometimes it's fun to check out the fugly designs such as those on You Knit What - Part 2.

I just found out that Maia has posted her Banana Blossom Sock pattern! Geez Maia, if I had known nagging would get a dedication I would have spoke up. And all this time I've been just been patiently waiting for that pattern. I asked Maia to give me 5 interview questions to answer on my blog, so here goes:


M: If you could live in another time, when would you pick and why?
I think I'd like to live in rural Canada around the turn of the century, taking my inspiration from Anne of Green Gables. I loved reading those books as a girl and enjoyed the descriptions of handwork and cooking that were nestled inside. Of course, it's a romanticized view of the past, but I think I would enjoy the quieter pace of life and the tight-knit community.

M: Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
My first therapist. He turned my life around. I used to be an insecure, conflicted narcissist who had an opinion about everything and tried to help where she wasn't needed. Now I'm a secure person who knows how to keep her mouth shut now and again. I'm a work in progress still, but he was the catalyst that opened my heart.

M: Have you ever lived outside of Canada? If so, where. If not, where outside of Canada would you be interested in living?
No, and I can't imagine living anywhere else. Even going back in time, I'm still in Canada. I guess it's because I'm happy where I am.

M: Do you pick knitting projects or do they pick you?
Ordinarily, I'd say that I pick the knitting projects, but once in a while something bossy comes along, like red lace, or mittens that look like fish or a shawl that reminds me of a galaxy. Maybe I'm not listening to the still, quiet voice of those types of projects. I'd like to, because I really enjoy the process and the end result.

M: What is your favorite thing to do on a date night (just you and hubby and I'm only asking for PG13 details at most)?
Date night? I vaguely remember those. It's not the same thing as an appointment, is it? Seriously, between the children and the finances, we haven't had date nights in far to long. Thanks for reminding me Maia!