Flashing my needles at the public

Me: This Saturday I'm going downtown to a Knit in Public event.
Teen: Why? You knit in public every day.

She does have a point but off I went to Majors Hill Park with chair and sock yarn blanket in tow. I met up with a group of ladies and had a great number of laughs. This is a picture of my view from my knitting spot under the shade of a tree.


We have a number of Gothic style buildings in Ottawa which equals lots of opportunity for sock mojo. This is the back of the Connaught Building.

While I am content to knit in the seclusion, of my corner of the world, it did make me realize that I miss a regular knitting group.

However, driving for an hour, to get together with a knitting group seems like an awful waste of valuable knitting time. What a conundrum! I need to find something local.....

But this does bring to mind the fact about how much I knit at work. I told you all that I babysit a building but I didn't mention that there are people in this building who walk by me and see me knitting. Lately some of them are calling out numbers....."7 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 11" they sound suspiciously like shoe sizes. I think these people want socks. HAH!!!! I'll put it on my TO DO list just before the large man's sweater and the car cozy I've been asked for by these people.

A co-worker once gave me the "I can buy socks for next to nothing at Wal-Mart" spiel. (The nerve!!!!)
My reply? "That's because no one likes you enough to give you hand knit socks"

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The Red Coats are Coming!

Because I just can't get enough of horses or guys in uniform, DH and I took the kids to see the RCMP Musical Ride on Friday night. The evening started off with a demonstration of The Ottawa Police K-9 division.



I think that the dog really enjoys his work. The guy in the Michelin Man suit just happened to be an off duty officer who came to watch the Ride and was volun-told to help out with the demo.

Here comes the the highlight of the evening!



At the end of the performance, all the riders brought their horses along the fence and gave the audience a chance to pet the horses and talk with a member of the ride.

This is DD#2. She lives, eats, breaths and sleeps anything to do with horses. So out of all three kids, she was the most impressed. Here she is petting, Sheriff a 10 year old stallion.



This is Regan Douglas, Sheriff's rider. She is on the last year of her three year stint with the musical ride. I would have thought that after three years with the Musical Ride anything you did afterwards would be a let down. But no, next year Regan will learn how to dispose of bombs and blow things up, because there is not enough excitement in her life.



And last but not least, the sock. The sock enjoyed the performance so much that it didn't even mind when DS went on and on.....and on about horse poop and the ability of a horse to poop anywhere he felt like it.

Myself however: "enough about the horse poop already!"

The sock would also like to let you know that if you ever get to see the Musical Ride, be sure to see it from high up. You'll get an awesome view of the formations that is not possible from the regular bleachers.



Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

A local celebrity....coming soon

That's right folks, the Toronto area is losing a knitting celebrity, and Ottawa is getting her. Sally Melville is moving to the Ottawa area this summer. She is moving here to be closer to her daughter, with whom she has written a book.

She was in Ottawa this past weekend and came to the knitting guild meeting last night to give a talk. She is a very down to earth and funny woman. She is also brilliant. Here she is with my traveling sock....okay so I won't be traveling for awhile but she really liked it because the sock yarn has cashmere and what's not to like about that.

I took her "borders and buttonholes" class and all I can say is that I feel empowered. At one point she taught us how to do cool loops for buttons along a reverse stocking stitch border. Then something happened.....

My right brain went into high gear, the Heavens opened up, a choir of angel began to sing "Hallalujah".

"Ahhhhhh," I exclaimed, "I am working on a cardigan that this technique would be perfect for. The pattern call for attached I-cord and ties, but this is so much better."

When I got home, I pulled out the cardi-in-progress. My left brain the took over and told me that it wouldn't work. Stupid left brain.....it's always holding me back. Sally says that we shouldn't listen to our left brain and just go for it.

I'm listening to Sally.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

He Shoots, She Scores

This is what Ottawa does on a Saturday night. They go to a hockey game and cheer on the Senators. DH isn't one for a sporting event but when a friend phoned on Friday night and offered us tickets, I jumped at the chance. DH knew that he had no choice, so he agreed to go along.






We had good seats on the 200 level. After we dealt with the long line ups to get into the parking lot and the game started, even DH had to admit that he was enjoying himself. It was an exciting game, even the sock had fun.



The nice thing about working on a pair of plain dress socks for DH is that you can easily watch the game and get lots of knitting done. I am working with a llama/merino/nylon blend that I bought from a local rancher. I figured that after last Thursday, he deserved them. I had already started the socks and felt that it was time to get going on them after a year of procrastination.

It was a good game. A fan got hit in the face with a puck, two players got into a fight and they launched hotdogs into the stands. All in all, it was a very typical game. HOWEVER.....



See the score board?????
See the big screen on the score board????? (BTW it is on all four sides)

During a pause in the game the powers that be did some advertising for Dentyne Ice. They have something called the KISS CAM. They scan the stands looking for couples. If you see yourself on the big screen they ask that you turn to the person next to you and give them a kiss. Much to my surprise, yours truely and the sweater boy got caught on the KISS CAM.

So in the spirit of the moment, we puckered up and kissed.

I can't believe I did that.....

Do you understand what I did????

I kissed my DH on camera in front of 20,199 people.

Talk about a public display of affection.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn
The Fibreholic

Why I had Kids

Every year, corporate sponsors, shell out big bucks to support Winterlude. And I, for one, am glad that they do.

To celebrate all this snowy goodness we get her in the Ottawa area, the National Capital Commission puts on Winterlude. You can skate on the Rideau canal (the world's longest skating rink), watch a free concert, see the results of the international ice carving competition, enjoy some fine dining at a local restaurant (with special Winterlude deals, but what my kids like best is Snowflake Kingdom.

Giant slides are constructed out of snow and are then hosed down to make them super fast. We had a blast! Even DH handled the crowds and line ups quite well. We had a blast! Words can not describe how much fun we had...so on to the pictures.

In addition to the slides, there were shows. The teen is in love with 4 of the seven guys in this hip hop dance troup.



This is me, going down the tube slide with DS. I don't know who enjoyed it more.


This is just one of the snow sculptures displayed as part of the National competition.


To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Quebec winter carnival, there was a recreation of how settlers lived 400 years ago. BTW they didn't live in a fort made of snow. (Despite the abundance of this type of building material at this time of year.)



So when my kids get too old to enjoy something like this, I'll have to rent some kids. Because an old fart going down the slides, laughing all the way, without any kids, will really stand out.

P.S. Almost forgot to mention....95% of Winterlude is Free.:) Gotta like that!!!

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

Froggin' Socks

Last night I decided to work on my swap socks. Arrrggghhh I was at the right length, ready to decrease for the toe when I discovered that the foot of the sock was looking a little odd. So I counted. 1, 2, 3, 4,......39????? How did I get 8 extra stitches on the third needle???? I wish that I could show you what they looked like but pictures ruin surprises that and it's nice to keep photographic evidence of my embarrassments to a minimum. So I frogged about one inch.

Oh wait.. I know how this happened....looks like I can't tell DH Tink's cure for baldness and knit at the same time. BTW DH has a full head of hair...wink wink!

This weekend is full of wonderful things and I'm looking forward to it. Saturday we have a wedding to attend. It's a fancy affair that will probably turn into a wild and crazy event. We lent the groom to be our copy of My Big Fat Greek Wedding as a training aid. This event will likely take up all Saturday.

On Sunday we are taking the kids to something that will blow them away. The Canadian touring company of Phantom of the Opera is in Ottawa until Sept. 9th. DH and I are taking the kids and can't wait to see their reaction to a stage presentation as grandiose as this one. DH and I saw Phantom twice in Montreal about 15 years ago.

All three of the kids love the music to Phantom. My oldest even knows all the words (and even does the voices) to the soundtrack. We bought the movie a couple years ago and after the first time, seeing the movie, they played Phantom for about 2 weeks. It will be interesting to see how the stage production does to and for them.

ME: Hmmm I wonder if I should bring any knitting to work on while watching Phantom?

DH: I don't see why not? (yah gotta love this guy)

ME: I could work on a sock but I think that I should work on something a bit more fancy.

DH: You should bring Woolworth and get a picture of him watching the performance. (the man deserves another sweater just for suggesting this)

I don't know if Woolworth is able to sit still for Phantom. Maybe I'll appease him and take him to the wedding. If the wine flows freely enough, no one will notice his antics.

I told DH that he's taking me out tonight...not sure what we're doing but after yesterday, I deserve it. I took the kids school supply shopping. Need I say more? (If I do then you are obviously not a parent)

So until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic

Sept. 24

I live in the country....there I said it. It's quiet and not a lot happens except for vast amounts of knitting. So life isn't all that bad.

What I mean to say is that I'll never have amusing stories of wacky people I've met on the bus or subways. I live far out enough that I even have to drive to the nearest village. The nearest city is 40 minutes away but it doesn't have a wool shop. In the other direction for 50 minutes is Ottawa and it does have all a crafter could want. All my wacky people stories (other than those of my own family) will have to come from there.

So why do we live out here????? DH is part hermit and couldn't stand the thought of living in the burbs with neighbours close enough to hear you sneeze if your windows were open. The skies are dark, unlike the city, which make perfect stargazing opportunities for DH who is an amateur astronomer. So here we are......and this is what I see from my front deck. This year my neighbour is growing canola, next year who knows??? But so far nothing as exciting as pot plants between rows of corn. This guy owns the land on the other side of the road and lives north of us. You've already seen my neighbour's pig. They live just next door and own the property on the other side of our back fence. They have a son the same age as my DS. Since the boys treat the properties like one big back yard it stands to reason that some of her animals would as well.
Now you'll notice that not one of these chicks looks like mom. (DD apparently looks a bit like me though). One of my leghorns has gone free roaming (DH like to remind me that the word is feral and not fair isle). So I suspect that the brown chicken was forced to brood a few of my white chicken's egg. While the horse has never been in my back yard, Ruby will eagerly come to the back fence looking for a treat. Ruby is 9 and her son Blaine is 3 (not in the pix obviously). There is a plan to eventually ride them ......we'll wait and see.

I did go into Ottawa not long ago for a chance to do some shopping. At one stop I went to unlock my van and get back in. When I slid back the side door I did a double take. This wasn't my van, same make, model and colour but I don't have a baby seat and my van has only been that clean twice in the time I've owned it. I figured that the owners must have left it unlocked. I close the door, put my key in the lock and sure enough, my key locked and unlocked their doors. I wait around for a bit hoping the owners will show up so that I may inform them of my discovery...that and I'm dying to know if my key will fit in their ignition. Wait wait wait wait....forget it....but if I had found out who they were, at least I'd know who to call if ever I locked myself out of my van.

On that same trip, on the way home, I see some guy carrying a handmade sign. All I can read, as I drive by, is Sept. 24. So I guess that it is a case of we'll wait and see what that day brings. I hope it's a sale on some fabulous sock yarn.

Until next time,
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Visiting my own City

You've heard all the tourist ads...be a tourist in your own town...well this summer we've got to. If you are wondering why. check out what it costs to fly to Aus.

Yesterday we went to see the changing of the guard on Parliament Hill. This is done by the Governor General's Foot Guard. You can see their official website here.

The procession is headed up with the band followed by the rest of the guard. The Sock wanted to see what was going on.

While you can't really see it, behind all those furry hats, the parade square is lined with people. The show lasts for 30 minutes and my DD who has learnt drill in cadets decided to inform everyone around us what maneuvers they were doing whether we wanted to know or not. The changing of the guard is quite popular in Ottawa (I think that fact that it's free has something to do with it) so everyone was out that morning.

If you look very close....no closer I don't have a zoom feature on my camera....there is a brown spot in the grass. That is a gopher who appeared from no where and freaked out. It ran along the edge of the parade square in front of the spectators finally scaring one poor lady by running pass her. Parliament Hill is very close to the Byward Market so I think that the poor animal just wanted to go to some trendy cafe for brunch before picking up the concert tickets he won on the local radio station.

Not wanting to deal with the line-ups for tours of the Parliament buildings, we headed down the East side of the Hill to go to our next stop. Along the way we found The Famous Five. They are statue number 3. "These women won the "Persons" Case, a 1929 court ruling which legally declared women as persons under the British North America Act and made them eligible for appointment to the Canadian Senate." And as we're now legally declared persons, if we want to knit....we can....

On it was to the Royal Canadian Mint. BAH!!!! they had to take a vacation when DH does so the tour would consists of looking at machines just sitting there....doing NOTHING. What's the fun in that? Woolworth was hoping to get his picture taken with the solid gold brick in the gift shop. (they let you touch and try to lift it). But taking photos is not allowed and the big burly guard was not one to be crossed. So Woolworth had to be content with getting his face on an RCMP quarter.

Back to the car, then we're homeward bound. On the way we passed by the entrance to the National Gallery of Canada. There is oldest DD off to the side because she's too cool, DS trying to climb the spider's leg (another burly guard told him to get down) and this is what DH and second DD were looking at in the middle. A spider complete with egg sack. Okay that's enough of Ottawa for today....

Until next time,

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic