Booty Haul

My Yarn Pirate Booty Club package arrived today!!

I was getting a little nervous because it's been over 2 weeks since it was mailed out, but I guess I have Canada Post to thank for that! This is my first sock club, and I haven't been disappointed. I chose this club because first of all, Yarn Pirate rocks. And secondly, she was only charging for the yarn, and not for a whole whack of "extras". Georgia did sneak in a cute button and cinnamon-smelling soap, which she generously paid for herself.

Now for the yarn itself...right away I could appreciate the beauty of the colours. But if I had seen this yarn in the store, I don't think I would have picked it for myself. Then I did a bit of Google-ing and found this awesome pic, and now I'm in love with this yarn.

Got lots of knitting done yesterday. Here's an updated Bayerische pic:

More to come tomorrow!

Back To Normal

It's so nice to be back to normal. The craziness of camp is over. Saturday we spent the day cleaning up the church property, and Sunday was our opening service in the new chapel.

Today, was just spent the day at home doing normal things...dishes, laundry, and knitting! I picked up my Bayerische socks again. My Sockapalooza recipient knitted those for her recipient, and I was supposed to knit them with her (so that we could give each other encouraging support), but I let that slip.

I mailed off her socks and goodies today:



I love shopping for gifts for people. I got her some Lorna's Laces in Ravenswood (I was considering using that yarn in the beginning), Misti Alpaca lace, Drops alpaca, some sheep napkins, Chibi darning needles, some stickers and Godiva hot chocolate.

No plans for tomorrow, so tonight I'm going to stay up real late and watch Battlestar Galactica Season 2.5 I just rented, and plug away at those socks.

Blessed Day

Today has been such a wonderfully, blessed day for so many reasons. It was the final day of our successful bible camp. I can't believe how quickly the week has flown by. Just a few weeks ago, we weren't even sure we were going to have a camp, but we prayed that if it was His will, then it would all come together. And it did!! Everything worked out perfectly.

I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord wanted me to be a part of this camp, especially on this day. July 27th was my due date, if I hadn't had my miscarriage last January. I really wanted to get pregnant again before this date, and as each month went by, I was getting a little down. But I've since learned how selfish it is for me to look at what I don't have, and how futile life can be when I don't have complete faith in His plan for me. Every day I have to remind myself to see the incredible blessings God has given me. Whether I have another child or not, it doesn't matter. I'm so thankful for all that I have. Today was so happy, being surrounded by all the amazing children of our church. Praise God.

First Day of Camp!

We survived our first day of camp!

Check out that crocheted soccer ball bag! I whipped that up last night.

All the kids had a great time. After about 20 minutes, all the kids 6 years old and under abandoned the soccer field and drifted over to the playground. I guess they didn't have the patience or coordination to do soccer drills. Oh well!

The best part of the day was lunch!!

I have no pictures from the afternoon session. It was completely chaotic. I am exhausted...only 4 more days to go!

Vesper Socks

Yarn: Vesper Socks in Love Stinks

Pattern: Speedway

I love this pattern so much. I'm desperately trying to resist casting on another pair. I love how it can be knitted on 4 needles, which make it seem faster. The second and second to last stitch on each needle is a M1B, which eliminates ladders. I love the chevron and I love the twisted rib.

Instead, I'm casting on for a pair of Monkeys. Everyone has knitted Monkeys, so I gotta see what's all the fuss about. I also got a few of my own patterns in the works.

Knitting is going to be quite restricted this coming week. Tomorrow we start Vacation Bible School / Soccer camp. Soccer in the morning, then lunch, then Bible camp in the afternoon. I'm in charge of all the crafts, so I've been cutting and pasting all week to get ready. This is our first year having this camp, and we're expecting close to 50 kids. Wish us luck!

Thank you, Tammy!

Tammy and I did a little Kool-Aid swap for colours we couldn't find in our local stores. I sent her blue and green, and she sent me yellow and pink:





But she is such a sweetie and sent me this as well:

Thank you Tammy! You're the best!

Sockapalooza Completed

The Sockapalooza socks are all done:



Yarn: Trekking XXL colour #104

Pattern: Rhodie Gus(pdf) by Kirsten Kapur

I really like these socks, and will definitely have to knit myself a pair some day. I love the little cable running down the sides of the foot. The only modification was that I added an extra purl stitch on one side of the cable, so that there is a purl on both sides.

It's Coming!

I can't believe I forgot to post about this, but I joined my first sock club a while ago:



I found out the first month was shipped today!

Sock Surgury

This is how I'll spend my Saturday:

I knit up the whole foot yesterday, while watching Justice League cartoons with the kids. I guess I was concentrating too much on the shows, because when I was getting ready to start the toe, I noticed a messed up cable 2 inches down.

You know, those Justice League shows are just like soap operas for kids. Hawk Girl was with Green Lantern, but now he's with some other superhero. Then he saw the future, and he had a son with Hawk Girl, so now he's all conflicted. Green Arrow didn't want to join the Justice League, but then Black Canary caught his eye, so he's in. Huntress is dating Question. Wonder Woman likes Batman, but Batman is too busy being broody to care. And Flash just flirts with everybody. Hmmm...perhaps I should limit my kid's viewing time.

New Pattern Blog

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Everyday has been so beautiful, and we've just been so busy enjoying the weather. By the time the kids go to bed and I have "me" time, I'm too pooped to knit.

I finally put together a separate blog for my patterns:

Miknits Patterns

I have about three new sock patterns charted, but I just haven't had the time to knit them up yet.

To update my knitting: I'm on the gusset of the second Sockapalooza sock, I'm on the heel of the first Bayerische, I still have the second Vesper Speedway sock to knit, and I'm a quarter done the Picovoli top. The Indigo Ripples skirt has been fixed; I'm just waiting to find somebody to help me take a picture.

"To Save Time, Check Gauge"

Indigo Ripples was finished this week-end. I love it! Its very cute and comfortable. I knit the smallest size. If I had luscious, womanly curves, I'd be wearing this skirt today, but alas, I have the hips and bum of a ten year old boy. The skirt is too big. Even after being machine washed and dried. Sigh. You know that line designers put at the beginning of their patterns: "To save time, check gauge."? I always skip over that line.



Thank goodness this can be easily fixed.

Rowan Bamboo Tape: the most expensive, impulsive yarn purchase I've ever made. The second I felt it's cool, glossy softness in my hands, I could not resist. But...it's spell over me is starting to wear off, now that I've knitted a tiny swatch. I remember now why I don't buy tape yarn. The uneven stitches doesn't go well with my analness. This yarn is going to become a simple, Picovoli tee, because I could only afford eight balls. With luck and prayer, I will come to appreciate uneven stitches, and this project will become the most loved (and most expensive) tee in my wardrobe.

Rhodie Gus

My new Sockapalooza socks are coming along very nicely. It's hard to see from the photo, but there is a large chevron that runs down the front and back of the sock. On either side of the chevron are thin panels of seed stitch, then along the sides of the sock are cute little cables.

On another note, I'm four rows from finishing the Indigo Ripples skirt, and have run out of yarn. Got to make a trip to Michaels!

Happy Fourth of July to all my American friends!!

Fireworks!

We had such a fun, full day yesterday. Kathy asked how do we usually celebrate Canada's Day. Usually we attend our local event, which is held in a beautiful 10-acre park right across the street. It's your usual kind of fair with games, rides, concerts, displays, and tons of food! Unfortunately we weren't able to go this year; we went to church instead. Afterwards, we visited some friends that just had a baby. We had dinner out, then came home and waited for fireworks at 10pm. Again, they were held at the park across the street, which is so great! We didn't actually go into the park though. There were hundreds of people there, and big crowds make me very irritable. We just put out a blanket on the lawn on our side of the street, and still had an incredible view of the fireworks show.

These pictures did not come out very well. They were taken on the "fireworks" setting on my camera, but as you can see, there was some kind of shutter delay. I don't know anything about cameras, so if anyone has tips on taking fireworks pictures, please let me know. I think the orange picture kinda looks like a jellyfish! Next year I'd like to take the kids down to Ontario Place, where they have a way bigger fireworks show over Lake Ontario.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!