Have I really knit five of these? Let me check my archives. #4 was the narrower silk garden variety. I recently considered frogging #3 to use the yarn in weaving, as the rayon metallic has proved too drapey for the clap. It hangs like a limp rag around my neck. #2 was a gift, not…

In continuation of the last post, it got me thinking. When did you consider yourself a good knitter? I think for me it was after I finished my first Charlotte's Web shawl. Is it when someone asks you to make something for them? Or when you're approached to teach others a specific technique? I know one…

UFO : knitting : : incomplete : painting assignment Analogies, do you remember them? Readers from the US will recall SAT's and GRE's. Those from Canada, the anti-standardized test country, might have learned about them in English class. I get to sit on the fence as very soon, I'll have lived in Canada for as…

Realized that in the commotion of the holidays, C's detached retina, grant deadline month at work, I forgot to post a finished project: You can tell it's been awhile because of the sun. Remember? I live in a rain forest. Pattern: Pretty Thing by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. adding repeats for more length. Yarn: Design Club Duo Silk…

Mr C is keeping his record up – four emergency surgeries in eight years. To date the detached retinas are winning. Better that than that open heart surgery I suppose. Perhaps we should consider getting off of this train. But how? Time for some comfort food. How about homemade pizza? Let's look on the bright side.…

After two years on my Kromski rigid heddle loom, the Starry Night scarf has been sprung. It had deep gouges where the loom's cords had caused pressure on the fabric, but nothing a short soak couldn't delete. Had to keep it brief, though, as this yarn bled like crazy. As soon as I noticed the…

That old question: if you were stranded on a deserted isle, what yarn would you like to have with you? In years past I would have answered Koigu Painter's Palette Merino or Noro Silk Garden. It's time for those two to move aside. In 2013 my new deserted island yarn is Madelinetosh Pashmina. 75% merino, 15%…

I believe it. Research shows that curry is addictive. Soon I'll have to check myself into that Seattle treatment center that advertises addiction therapy in ten days with a couple of two day follow ups. On our Greek cruise they had a section of the lunch buffet dedicated to Indian food and I was there…

We are a family with a creative bent, hence the general condition of my house. We have accumulated stashes of yarn, watercolour supplies, oil pastels by the hundred, rough turned wooden bowls, and the spoils of my recent silver smithing/beading adventure. As I write this M and C are experimenting with encaustic painting and the…

Another low key Christmas. All the kids home, three by birth, one by marriage plus their first baby, what joy. Once again, the nativity and the ceramic Christmas tree, all that we need to remind us of the meaning of the holiday. Some unlikely characters in our particular scene, but all with meaning.  I remember…