A Month of Birthdays

My birthday has come and gone along with my anniversary. It was marked by me getting up for work and then driving into Ottawa for dinner and a movie with DH. Not very exciting....yes I know. But it was one of those big fat ugly birthdays that a woman doesn't want to acknowledge and breaks out in hives at the mere mention of the number. I really just wanted to get the day over and done with, so I could go back to bed and pretend that the day never happened.

But what I can't play pretend about is a lack of a gift from DH. Yes you read that correctly, he didn't get me anything. I didn't even get a cake.

Fortunately, I covered him, once again. Last Saturday, while he and the kids were watching the Buskers Festival, I was at Knit-Knackers buying something for myself.



Eleven 100g skeins of Louet Gems Merino light worsted weight in cherry red for a price that I could not pass up. I did get the DPNs sets that were the original reason I went to the store. So the yarn was just a bonus. Happy Birthday to me!!!

Actually, if truth be told I also went there to give Emily (the nice gal who works there) her gift. It's her birthday today. She is a wonderful person despite the fact she knits socks on DPNs that look like broom handles.



Look carefully, it's my first happy clappy. What a fun scarf to knit and unravel, so much so I think that I've almost changed my mind about scarf knitting. It's made with Lullaby by Berroco that I got from my stash. Yah gotta like that.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

We interrupt these cables

I've been busy with cables for the past little while. I've got a cabled sweater for my niece and the must have cardi, for me, on the go.

Cables, cables and more cables....I adore cables.

But then one day it hit me. I want to knit some lace. And not just any lace. I want to knit lace that is intricate and mind boggling but most importantly....challenging.

I decided to start by finishing this half done scarf from the UFO pile. It is a simple garter stitch lace pattern made with a purple alpaca blend. I now want to bring it up a notch. I've got the book Victorian Lace and I'm going for it.

However, in the mean time, I've got this scarf.



I won't wear it and I have no idea why I bought this gorgeous ball of fibre in a royal purple colour. I like purple, but have nothing to go with it. So it looks like I'll tuck this number, after it's blocked, into the Christmas gift stash.

Now all I have to do is find a purple lovin', scarf wearin', alpaca adorin' person to give this to. Any suggestions????

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Cannibalism and other fun things to try

Ok.....Now that I have your attention :)

Remember my lack of patience with the whole mile long scarf thing? See here for the latest photographic evidence of my self inflicted insanity. Not wanting to prolong my suffering and drive myself around the bend I came to a decision today. Let's face it...I need my last nerve for dealing with my kids.

I decided to use the yarn to make socks instead. Because I don't want to make the scarf nervous, I started at the other end, of the skein. I don't want it to see me coming. Otherwise it might get scared and head for the bottom of the UFO pile. I'm also doing this so if I fall and hit my head, take leave of my senses and go back to the sock/scarf, I'll have a way out. I can always continue to work on the scarf while in recovery from the awful accident. I guess that it doesn't count as true cannibalism as the scarf isn't a finished object. But since I would probably never actually finish it...this is close enough.

And now for something completely different....
My friend Taph has decided to do the Seven Things Spring challenge. For some strange reason, I decided to put my hand up and join in. I think mainly it's because the crap around this place is starting to pile up. The Seven Things Project was started by Earthchick back in '06. It all boils down to being content with less stuff.

It's not like I have a lot of stuff myself, but with three kids...stuff tends to accumulate. I want to be pickier about the stuff that comes into the house. I want my kids to get rid of the knock-down-drag-out-carpet-chewing temper tantrums when they want something.

I want them to be able to see their bedroom floors.....oh wait....picking up their stuff is a whole different challenge.

I've already got a bag of yarn up for grabs.....Let's not get excited and start emailing me for first dibs. There is a reason why it's going.....my tastes have become more refined and the stuff is .......well you know. The yarn will go up on freecycle today. There is about 30 balls in the bag so count them gone......

Since last Saturday, all I've bought for my own use was a pair of Trak pants and two bras. So what if it's a lame start, it is still a start. On Saturday my seven things week starts over so I'll aim higher than just getting rid of crap yarn.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn, (nice yarn that is)
The Fibreholic

A glutton for punishment

I will readily admit it....I have NO patience for scarves. I've been working on a Harry Potter scarf for my oldest kid since the fourth movie came out. I keep it in the car to work on when I'm bored for the project I did bring along for the road trip. You know, out of sight.....out of mind.

So what do you think I went and did.....ARRRGGGGHHHH...I've started a new scarf!!!!

It is currently 25"/63 cm long. It is a fingering weight merino/silk blend that I dyed myself and knit on 4mm needles in a lovely lace pattern. Very nice to work with BUT after spending hours on the scarf I discovered this.........

I have 70 grams left of the ball......from the 100g ball ......Enough to make a grown woman cry......WAAAAAAA!!!! Why do I do this to myself????WHY, WHY, WHY???????

It is another stinky hot day.....tomorrow they promise rain and if it happens I'm going to go outside and enjoy every single rain drop.

Movie News......wouldn't you know it....another movie will be released in August that was out last May in Aus. Becoming Jane......I didn't see it as it was a scheduling thing, DH and I ended up seeing Half Nelson instead. So there....Australia isn't always the last on the list.

SOCK SWAP NEWS

I've got my sock swap partner in the Hogwarts sock swap. She's from Ravenclaw. I dyed 50g in a gorgeous blue. The other 50g were dyed using black food colouring.....didn't turn out so well.....I think it turned out to be the colour of the cadaver in my biology text book. Maybe I'll break down and buy a ball of light grey sock wool to make the socks with, I'm sure that my swap partner will be grateful.

On the other hand, I think that I'll design a new sock pattern just for the occasion......

With the possibilities being endless I say.....

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic