Built into the leg

In case you were wondering, updating my blog is what I do while I put off writing an essay.

Usually I just knit, but today I thought that's I'd try this instead. What is it about knitting socks? I love the yarn, the colours, the texture, the feel...the everything. They are the perfect traveling project and go with me every where. Among knitters, the traveling sock seems to be an icon, or a statement of "I was there."

In March 2010 I found myself on the journey of a lifetime. If you recall my unfinished blog entries, I travelled to New Zealand and Australia and of course I brought a socks to work on. For some strange reason I put them away and forgot about them until I started going through my stash of the more yummy yarns. Lo and behold....tadah!!!! My lovely Lorna's Laces socks.

It took me a few tries along with some ripping out to come up with a pattern to use with this yarn but on a trip to Sandbanks Provincial Park, it came to me. Here I am almost at the end of the second sock about an inch from starting the toe. A very exciting moment indeed. I should also mention that this sock yarn is as nice to work with as it is gorgeous.





But wait what is this???? A hidden treasure???? Nah...I just discovered that when using sock yarn that comes in 50g amounts, the leg of the sock makes a wonderful ball holder even when there is not much left. The ball is generally tucked up into the leg but is at the cuff for the picture.



Could anyone blame me for putting off essay writing when I have this temptation sitting next to me???? I can only resist so much for so long.....ohhhhhh is that Malabrigo Sock Yarn....no!!! MUST WRITE ESSAY.........just dont look at the Koigu.....oh no....I looked.....

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

There are times in life when I lack the words to describe how I feel. This is one of those times.

Tomorrow I will embark on a journey of discovery. I am going through the air, across the country and over the ocean. I am going by myself. Bringing someone with me would only defeat the purpose of the trip.

I want see new lands and meet new people. I want to breathe in the ocean air from the New Zealand side of the Pacific and listen to the music of her people. I want to embrace Australia as my own and feel her earth under my feet.

To experience all that travel has to offer and hear the stories of the people is something I long to do. So tomorrow I start down the road, hopefully to a better understanding of the world around me and possible of myself.

Pictures will be taken and socks will be knit. Friendships will be renewed and created. Memories that last a lifetime will be made.

And if I'm very lucky, when I get home, I won't find that the kids have taken over the house with DH cowering in a corner.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Celebrating the big 2-0-0

Here it is, the first day of 2010 and I have reached blog post 200. I can't believe that I've actually had 200 things to say....(you in the back...quit your snickering). I've shared bits and pieces of my life with you and still you keep coming back. I've let you in on my good days, my bad days and my embarrassing days. Hmmm maybe it's my posts about my public humiliation that keep you coming back. Or the returnees could be those looking for ways to hide various types of stash and hoping I have the answer. (Hint...that coke can on your bedside table isn't fooling anyone).

Here's to looking forward to spending time with all of you throughout the next 200 posts. As for the new year, there are those who would take the time today and reflect on last year as well as make their New Year's resolutions. I shall do neither. I am looking forward to the new year as I have planned many adventures for myself over the next 365 days.

The first is my trip. It will begin in New Zealand then on to Australia. Yes, I am just a touch crazy to be doing this but what a trip it will be. I'll get to visit friends and family, see new places, eat new foods, meet new people, take plenty of pictures and above all else, have the time of my life.

I have consulted travel books and websites for things to see and do. I have contacted friends to arrange times to visit. I have booked flights to bring me to and from this adventure. I have checked out multiple sites of places to stay and how to get around while I'm there. Now all I have to do is make some firm decisions and wait for my holiday to begin.

In case you don't recognize me, I'll be the giddy one bouncing off the walls.

Whatever your plans are for this year, be good to each other and to yourself. Dance like no one is watching, Love like you never have before and Knit like there is no tomorrow.

Until next time,
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Have Sheep, must Travel

Me: Woolworth what are you doing in my suitcase?
WW: I bought a book.

Me: OK, but what are you doing in my suitcase?

WW: I bought a book!

Me: I understand, you bought a book. But why did you get my suitcase out and why are you sitting in it?

WW: I have to go see Denise.

Me: Denise?

WW: I want her to sign my book.

Me:(clarity has come upon me) Oh I see. You do know that Denise lives very far away.

WW: That's okay. I have to ask her something very important.

Me: Why don't you ask me, it would save you a very long journey.

WW: No, it's something that I can only ask her.

Me: OK, but you'll have to wait a bit before I can get you and the book to her for the question and the signing.

WW: I can wait.

Me: I'm glad that you are showing such patience.

WW: So next week then?

Me: Not next week or even next month.

WW: So when?

Me: Before you know it.

WW: When is that?

Me: Forget what I said about you having patience. Why are you so anxious to meet Denise?

WW: Denise? I don't want to meet Denise. I want her to introduce me to LuLu.

Me: Lulu? This has just been about meeting Lulu?

WW: Yup.

Me: Figures!

Until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic

For those who know me

DH and I were at the movies a few weeks ago. There I was minding my own business watching the trailers, when what appears on the screen.

A trailer......for the movie: Australia.

DH: What do you think that it would take to keep you from seeing that movie?

Funny man!!

My only hope is that the movie and the accompanying tourism ad campaign don't make people flock to Australia to the point that prices skyrocket to the point that I'll never be able to afford to return.


In other movie news

Here's a movie for Jejune.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua


Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Shhhhh....it's a secret

I mailed this about a week ago. She will get it eventually. And just in case she decides that getting up several times a night, with a newborn, doesn't fill up her days and decides that she needs to do a bit of blog reading to occupy all that free time she has, I'll only give you a sneak preview. (Whew...I just realized that last sentence was quite a mouthful. But who cares about your grammar when you can knit beautiful sweaters)





Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Monday, Bloody Monday

It has taken me several days to write this post, but it is something that I need to do.

The people of Ottawa woke up this past Monday and either heard on the news or read in the newspaper about the death of Alicia Bateman.

She didn't die in an accident.

She didn't die after a long illness.

She didn't die of any natural causes.

She was murdered by her ex-fiance.

I don't have the heart to go into the details but you can read about the story here.

I met Alicia last year. She was a member of the Canadian contingent that went to a conference in Canberra last May. I got the chance to know her when she joined me for breakfast.

The funeral will be in Calgary and there will be a memorial for her at her workplace here in Ottawa. Since she worked at CSIS and I don't have the security clearance to get into the building, I am writing the post in tribute to Alicia.

Neighbours described her as cordial and someone who kept to herself. I would like to add something to that description.

Alicia was nice, friendly, intelligent, well thought of, fun loving and down to earth. We spoke of our adventures in Aus, the future, the difficulties of maintaining a long distant relationship, dogs and a few girly things.

You will be missed Alicia. Not because we were close friends and spent a lot of time together, but because the world needs more people like you. While the world may remember you only from your death, I promise to remember you from those days of your life in May 2007.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

One Year Ago Today......

......I started an adventure.

I just couldn't let this day go by without writing something about it.

I said goodbye to my kids as I put them on the school bus. I had my dad drive me to the airport and there I waited in the first of many queues.

I was in the air for about 23 hours, but it was worth every single minute. At the end of my trip I landed in a place that felt like home.

I miss everything about the place. I miss the accents, I miss being the one with a foreign accent. I miss the new foods I got to try. I miss getting pronunciation lessons from the guy at the front desk. I miss figuring out the bus schedules and just jumping on a bus to see what is at the end of the line. I miss the freedom of being able to explore a new place on my own, without having to worry about someone else's time table.

Maybe I just miss being on vacation.

I miss the atmosphere of the city. I miss the museums and galleries that I got to visit and I really miss all the ones I didn't. I miss all the one-on-one time I got to spend with DH. I miss all the artwork throughout the city. I miss the great prices on the locally made wool. I miss all the friendly people I met. I miss the local lingo and being confused as to what people were talking about. I miss seeing the sights of the local wildlife. I miss all the new experiences I encountered.

But most of all, I miss the friends I made.

Would I go to OZ again.....in a heartbeat!

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Ain't She Sweet

This was my Easter gift to myself. (Somebody forgot to get me chocolate...Ahem...no names but I do refer to him using initials.) Her name is Bluebelle and she is just the cutest thing. DH is just smitten with her. I have to laugh when I see him playing with her, he was so stand offish when I got my first bunny. Just in case any of you were counting, this brings the count to three as I have sold all the babies from my first litter.



For those of you not in the know. Her colour is classified as blue and her fur colour will not change or lighten up. Turns out that the breeder who sold me this bunny was in need of a torte male. And the last bunny left from my litter was exactly what she needed, so no money exchanged hands, just bunnies. Funny how life works out.

Tonight I write my final exam. I will then be qualified to do nothing except give anyone who cares to listen a list of the places in/reasons to visit Asia and Oceania. Since tourism is so subjective, giving the $2/ball sale at Cassidy's as a reson to visit Canberra would be a correct answer.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Look who is in the Dog House

About three years ago, I knit him a sweater.
It was a basic top down, raglan sleeve.
I knit it with this.

It is a cotton/acrylic blend. Not the greatest quality of yarn but he chose the colour as it reminded him of a sweater from The Matrix. He called it his Matrix sweater without the holes.

He used to wear it all the time.

That is, until he lost it.

You read that right. My 42 year old DH lost a sweater. I was planning on knitting him a sweater that I was going to copy from The Bourne Identity. I was going to make it out of a very yummy yarn (alpaca/silk/merino blend).

At least he does understand why I may never make him another sweater.

He thinks that he may have left it in Canberra. I wonder if Russell has a lost and found for items left behind by careless husbands. I was working on this sweater for him. But after this incident all work on this sweater has stopped........

Until next time
Yours in Yarn
The Fibreholic

When life gives you spare time

In between the laundry, dirty dishes, the vacuuming, trying to get kids to do homework, scrubbing toilets, pickling beets, making supper, getting the kids to the bus on time...I get to knit.....

It's not like I don't enjoy hanging out with my kids, it's just....you know. I recently told DH that there is no way I'd be able to home school. He agreed and said that he wouldn't be able to either. He'd come home at the end of the day and I'd call out..."I've strangled another one!"

I have a friend who tells people that knitting has saved her husband's life. At first they think that her knitting provides income for life saving medication or equipment. In reality, she will say, that if she didn't knit...she'd kill him.

So in the calmness of yesterday, during my spare time, I started on my Jane Ellison sweater. I've only slightly changed the pattern. The sleeves were going to be too loose for my taste so I knocked off a few stitches.I've worked on it a bit more since I took the photo....I am so going to like this sweater.

My own Jejune Day

It was more like a mini Jejune Day since my life isn't so stressful to deserve the full Jejune treatment. I went into Ottawa first thing in the morning and my first stop was The Canadian Bead Supply store. Here I got the findings I needed to make the stitch markers for my swap. I found some really nice beads at Michael's in the Ravenclaw book colours. I was pleased with that find. Since the beading store is right around the corner from a wool shop, I just had to go in and look around. I found a gorgeous Cleckheaton pattern in the discount bin for 99 cents. In some strange way, I wanted to have a Cleckheaton patron for the Cleckheaton wool I bought in Aus. Just doesn't seem right otherwise.

It was then on to Cotton Ginny's where I bought two tops for work. A tank top to go under a lacy Debbie Bliss design that I made for her visit last year, and a plain green shirt to go with my under used green pants.

I think that I've mentioned before about me and movies. While I would like to be noble and say that I pick Tuesdays, to have fun, to honour Jejune but that wouldn't quite be accurate. On Tuesdays I can see a movie for $8.95 and that includes a reg. pop and popcorn. Jejune, I honour you with my frugalness (which spell check tells me is not a word, but you get my meaning). I saw 3:10 to Yuma and I give it two thumbs WAY UP. Not only did it star Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, the story and charactor development was engaging. Definitely not a fluff piece nor was it a typical western movie. DH seem slightly dissapointed that it without him. Not to worry, said I, as I would gladly see it again.

I have discovered that I can knit a simple lace pattern at the movies. Surprised myself actually. That particular piece is still a WIP just like most of my knitting. Sigh.


Happy Belated Birthday Denise, I hope you had fun!

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Stop all WIPs, Jane Ellison is coming to town

All of my WIPs have been put on hold. This is not exactly something new . Thanks to falling in love with a new project and a bad case of startitis, this has happened before. This time I have a valid reason for not finishing what I have on the go. Jane Ellison is coming to Ottawa, so I have to make one of her designs.(It would be rude not to...that is what I keep telling myself). While she does a lot of design work with Noro Yarns, she is coming to promote the Mirasol project.

Jane has written a book with designs using all four yarns, all spun in Peru, that were developed for this project.

"The Mirasol Project is named after a young Quechua girl who, with her brother, tends 350 alpacas. Its aim is to fight poverty and encourage community development. As well as providing accommodation, meals and health-care, the boarding-house will be a centre where the children can develop personal, occupational and communication skills and study techniques in specialised after-school workshops."

I think that my swap socks will get some MAJOR mojo when being photographed with a famous designer.

Any one up for Killer Karaoke?

Saturday I went to a birthday party for a co-worker of DH. It was held at a pub three minutes from her place so she could walk home after consuming large quantities of alcohol. (Her words not mine.) Sigh.....there's something about attending parties where you don't know anyone......although there were highlights of the evening.

One woman talked about a friend having a delayed honeymoon. I mentioned that after 18 years, I'm still waiting for one, although my trip to Australia came close. Another told us about the etiquette course she took and we joked about the proper way to pass ketchup and eat fries (chips). This all brings us to something another party attendee said......are your ready for this????

TINA: I had an Australian boyfriend who told me once, when we were out to dinner, that he could teach me to eat properly, if I wanted.

You should have heard the gasps of horror from the woman at the table.

TINA: He quickly went to the EX category.

Another asked if I worked at Foreign Affairs as well (this is where DH works). I simply replied "No". If I had been Mad Mad, I would have replied " I am a conflict resolution negotiator specializing in crisis situations"

The booze and beer flowed freely and soon the karaoke started. This is the birthday girl, Carole and friend Steve. They are singing "Islands in the stream" by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Like I said, the booze and beer flowed freely.Here are a few of the people who came to help celebrate the occasion. DH is the guy in blue.Until next time (as our waitress said)
"Don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff....unless it's your own"

Yours in Yarn
The Fibreholic

S.E.X in Australia

Well... I thought that it was time to let everyone know just what I did/spent my money on during my two weeks in Canberra. DH goes off to his conference and I went shopping. As you can see, or maybe not, the vero has already been started into a scarf.....but since I needed the needles for something else....the scarf has been put on the back burner. One day I may fess up like George and admit to all my WIPs. Let's just say....there are many!!!Okay now I've got this bus thing down so I do some sightseeing the next day. But there is another Siren of wool calling me...so what could I do?????You'll notice that I've already started my sleeve......no....I meant swatch......Changing the subject.....after this batch.....here's what I bought, on DH's suggestion. It comes with a strap or I could use the handle on the end as there are wheels underneath. The bag folds down quite nicely so I'll be able to lay it flat in our suitcase the next time we travel. I was lucky enough to be in Canberra for one of the SnB meets where I was kindly invited to a tour of the city where I saw some of the sites. I, of course, helped out the local economy.

Check out that cone of white stuff. I bought it at an Op-Shop in Manuka for $1.00...just because. Now picture me on Mother's Day with about 10 hours of broken sleep in the last 48 hours (not a pretty sight) doing the burn test (it passed), doing the bleach test (it passed)....then I turned the cone over and you'll never guess what I saw.....A label from Bendigo Woolen Mills. Needless to say, I didn't bother with the felting test. Not content with only ready to knit wool, I crashed a meeting of....I mean... I visited the Canberra Weaver's and Spinner's guild.Taph took me out to see the sites. There wasn't a lot of stash enhancement opportunities, but I wouldn't have missed the trip for the world. Here's what I bought....

The Alpaca will feel nice on my toes this winter. DH will appreciate the no more cold feet being warmed up against his legs at night. All good things must come to an end.....vacations and yarn shopping.....my last day in Canberra DH and I headed over to Lincraft to spend the last of our Aussie $$$$ (less what we'd need to buy lunch the next day).

And much to my delight......guess what arrived in the mail.......mind you it did arrive at the 11th hour....but who cares....it still came..... My Bendigo order.....and it's all destined for the dye pot.....I ask you...could life get any better than this....

Living the good life, Until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic