Author Archives: Rachel

Decisions

After a lot of thought and too much knitting on an iffy project, I almost reached a decision. I am quite sure my Pas de Valse really wants to be a Sabbatical!

Pas de Valse that doesn't want to be,,,

Pas de Valse that doesn't want to be,,,

Now I know why I hesitated and didn’t cut the yarn when I reached the shoulders but instead, used the thread from the center of the cake,,,

After delaying the grafting of those shoulders for awhile,  I swatched for Sabbatical and I think the yarn* will work well for it. I started a sleeve and will know more in a few days.

At least Pas de Valse brought this lovely into my life:

I love the color and the softness of the yarn

A hand knitted Jewel of a cowl

Do you wonder how? As I browsed Ravelry to find finished Pas de Valses I came across Bridgy and in her projects I found two such beauties, I checked the pattern: sev[en]circle and immediately fell in love. It was one of those instances when you have to cast on NOW, so I did.

My first idea was to knit it in my most favorite Koigu KPPPM – big mistake – all the colors seem to get lost in the folding circles. This Koigu certainly wants to be a hat or something. I then tried it in another Koigu – still not right.  Lucky for me,  my third choice of yarn proved to be a winning one: a lovely skein of sock yarn made of merino/cashmere/nylon I bought from  Mathieu the dyer at a small event in Port Hope, Ontario last November.  The real color is quite different (our current weather is not very photo friendly). It is more subdued and really lovely, I will try to take better photos when the weather will permit.

I know this cowl is only the first of quite a few such jewels that will come off my needles sooner or later.

* Oh and no , I didn’t forget to talk about the yarn I use for my cardigan, I want you to be very curious about it,,,  I promise to tell you all about this yarn soon!

Winter Wonders

Did you ever walk on water?

I did, today or actually it was yesterday as it is after midnight now:

Walking towards the fishermen, Lake Simcoe, January 17, 2010

Walking towards the fishermen, Lake Simcoe, January 17, 2010

Yes I am standing on frozen water, so weird!

Yes I am standing on frozen water, so weird!

Walking on water made me happy

Walking on water made me happy

Fishermen in their fishing hut coming back to shore

Fishermen in their fishing hut coming back to shore

I never thought Joe will manage to convince me to walk on one of those frozen lakes, but after seeing the trucks parking on it and all the snowmobiles cruising all  over it, I decided it must be safe,,,  I am glad I decided to be brave, it was quite a unique experience.

It is a pity I didn’t bring my knitting with me but I didn’t have a sock anyway!


A Serious Question

I want to know who invented row by row knitting instructions for clothes? Did this person never hear of measurements (preferably in centimeters pretty please!).

I really would like to know who this person is, I want to go find her/him and give him/her a piece of my mind!

But now, the stubborn me is in command, I shall finish this cardigan and pretty soon too. Even if it will kill me!

To help me achieve this, I will concentrate on little things that amuse me:

Aren't they cute?

Aren't they cute?

Maybe, if I find out who the above mentioned person is, I will send him/her one of those cute snails. Yes, it is one  of those measuring tapes he/she obviously didn’t encounter.

You think this will do the trick?

Happy knitting everybody!