Category: sweaters

Thankful Tuesday

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Putting my thoughts out there in a podcast must be more anxiety inducing than I expected. I went to bed early and woke in the middle of the night. That hasn’t happened in a while.

I never thought I would be saying this, but I’m thankful that it’s budget week at work. Numbers are so solid and reassuring. And I’m always thankful for my job, which I enjoy as much as I appreciate.

So I am up in the wee hours of the AM, steeping some nutritious and relaxing tea and contemplating my Weekender progress.

I’m not at all sure about it. The sleeve seems too narrow, I have started the cuff but now it looks too short, and I gave up on the fussy and (in my mind) completely unnecessary Kitchener stitch bind off. I’m hoping this is one of those designs that looks better on. I can always make an extra long ribbing at the cuff. This design is forgiving that way.

I haven’t started Vanishing Fleece by Clara Parkes, but if I’m in for a long night, I may as well get started. Or, I think I will catch up my blog reading first. Yay!

Sunshine and Seaspray

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We went back to Louisbourg today to hike the Lighthouse Trail. I wore my wool so I was plenty warm, although the sun was out.

We hiked the trail to Gun Landing Cove and then headed back.

I especially enjoyed the ruins of the old battery and original lighthouse.

I have been knitting in the car, and was surprised by how much gold is in my green Weekender sweater.

I still like it.

We went to a wonderful concert at the Highland Arts Theater in Sydney on Wednesday night. I fell in love with another band, Beolach, and bought another cd. I found a video to share with you, although it’s from 2014.

We had an interesting conversation with Bob’s Uncle Basil about the difference between traditional Scottish music in Scotland versus Nova Scotia, and how Scottish music has evolved in Scotland but in Nova Scotia it is still in the old style. When Scottish students want to learn the old style, they come to Cape Breton.

I did notice a marked difference between the Scottish bands and the Nova Scotian bands. I love the blending of different influences in Kinnaris Quintet, and I love the traditional fiddle and pipes in Beolach. They even danced during their set. I love it all!

Another concert tonight, and a matinee tomorrow afternoon. Our time here is really flying!

Happy Thanksgiversary!

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Yesterday was Canadian Thanksgiving and also our 7th wedding anniversary! We hiked Middle Head, a bit of the Cabot Trail near Ingonish, then had a lovely dinner with Bob’s folks.

After that we went to another Celtic Colours concert and I found a new to me band that I really like, Kinnaris Quintet. I bought the CD. That’s how much I liked them.

The drive to the trail was an hour and a half there and then back again, so I knit several rounds on my Weekender.

Today we’re taking it easy. No hikes today, just a few errands and knitting and movies and leftovers.

The Good News

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We’ve been in and out of airports all day, but the good news is I checked out a knitting mystery from the library, A Dark and Stormy Knit.

It’s full of knitting (duh) and mystery (uh yeah) and puns! It also has fiber art and knitting graffiti! It’s the perfect vacation read.

When we got to Newark I found I had twisted my knitting on Weekender. The good news is I had an hour to tink back two rounds and fix it. When I got to Halifax I realized my center ridges weren’t right but the good news is I had several hours to eat a delicious meal (local cod cakes and a glass of Nova Scotia white wine) and then pull out two stitches back to the mistake and fix them. (I couldn’t find the correct knitting slang for this, but while looking for it, I did find this hilarious guide to knitting slang. My non-knitting loved ones will thank me.)

We have another hour before boarding our flight to Sydney, but the good news is the leaves are already in full autumnal glory here, b(oy)ize. And I’m not just talking about that red maple leaf, eh?

Sock It To Me Monday

Posted on Posted in socks, sweaters, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged 14 Comments

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Looks like I might be making the same pair of socks again! Well, I have loved these socks, so maybe that’s not a bad thing. I’ll add a twisted rib cuff to the new ones to make them unique. I did knit a few rows on this. I think I should take it on vacation with me in case I need some variety in my knitting.

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Check out my Weekender, ready to join the round! I really love this green. I’m looking forward to wearing it.

I’m wearing my handmade jeans today and I have to say they are very comfortable. I’m “sew” glad I made them. 😀

Woe is Meee Tra La La

Posted on Posted in knitting, life, sweaters, yarnTagged , , , 12 Comments

I wore my Cumulus Blouse yesterday and it is pilling a little. I’m going to use my sweater shaver on it. Maybe once I wash it a few times it will settle down.

On a happier note…

My last orchid flower is hanging on for dear life. Let go, beautiful blossom! Fall is here and it’s time to rest!

Summer lasted so long this tomato thinks it’s a pumpkin. I helped it along with a sharpie. You do you, little pumpkin tomato!

My older children think it’s funny to close their eyes in photos. I might have taught them that. This was from family movie night when we watched Great Pumpkin and Hocus Pocus. Snuggly.

Selfie of the week. My hair is growing and I went back to my old skin care regimen. My skin won’t tolerate anything else.

Today I’m going to cast on my Weekender! I had planned to do it last night but I didn’t realize I was going to need three different needle sizes and scrap yarn. I went to the studio twice to collect things yesterday and still didn’t have everything I needed, and finally gave up. Today is the day!

Shimmering Silver Lady

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Mildlygranola has me convinced to make a Weekender by Andrea Mowry with her. I admit to flirting with the idea of this pattern, but I never committed. I am ready.

Do you remember this yarn? It’s Scout by Kelbourne Woolens. The gauge is spot on for me for Weekender since I’m a loose knitter. And I have almost enough of the green to make it! I only need one skein. I do have enough of the silver, and I do love me a silver sweater which matches my silvery hair making me swan about like a shimmering silver lady (hence the title of this blog.)

But greeeeeen… deep verdant earthy evergreen.

I only need one skein. I’m going to go to my local yarn shop tomorrow to see if she has one more skein of this. If she doesn’t, I’ll probably cry. But maybe I’ll find it on the internet.

I considered waiting until our trip to Nova Scotia in case there was some special yarn there I would like to buy, but realized I don’t want to lug home a sweater quantity of yarn. Maybe one or two skeins of something special!

I’m still waiting on the new zipper for my jeans. Today I serged the edges on all the pieces and did some top stitching. I’m taking great care with these as I want them to fit well, and I’d like to be able to take them in and let them out as needed.

I lost another 5 pounds, making it 18 pounds total. My old jeans fit more comfortably now and I’m ready to take the larger sizes down to the basement. I save my old jeans since my weight fluctuates so much.

I’m almost finished with Lilac Heather Cumulus Blouse.

How is your Sunday going? I cleaned the bathroom, the stove, and my car interior today, but I’m still having a good day. 😁

A Good Button Down

Posted on Posted in sweaters, what makes me tick, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged 6 Comments

Hello. I have worked very hard today and I am currently relaxing on our hammock in one of my favorite shirts. There is nothing quite like a good button down, is there? When I saw this one at the thrift store, it reminded me of my youth. I wouldn’t call myself preppy, but I would call myself eclectic which includes occasional forays into preppiness.

My pleated shirt pattern came in the mail, and I hope to make myself a new favorite button down soon.

I ordered new Halloween decorations this year. These are fair trade, and made complete with pumpkin chai scented candles. This is a big deal for me. I haven’t bought decorations in years.

It’s very possible I could finish this sweater before I leave for Nova Scotia! Sleeve Island here I come!

La Chemise

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Look at that sleeve happening! I was afraid I might run out of yarn so I ordered another skein from Cestari. Luckily they still have this dye lot.

I’m really enjoying Traditional Danish Sweaters and this Aastrup Sweater is my favorite pattern in the book. Of course I would extend the body. Thanks to quiteayarnblog for mentioning this book on her blog.

Bob’s birthday is tomorrow and I’ve already given him his present, a Pendleton wool flannel shirt in the MacLean Tartan. It’s itchy, though, so we’ll see if he wears it. I found it used on Poshmark so not a big deal if he doesn’t.

Are you glad it’s Friday? I’m glad it’s Friday.