Life's a Stitch

Some days are like this, I know. The 22 yr old is teary after the pressures of being a nurse to a critically ill six pounder, scared to death that she would have to perform CPR on this little guy; the 20 yr old is overwhelmed with the decision to accept an eight month position 3000 mile away, requiring severing ties with the BF; and the 15 yr old has informed me in anger that I shouldn’t expect him home tonight. Deep down I know it’s just a threat, but even still. And one week till surgery. Calgon, take me away. Maybe when I get some time to knit my brain can put it all into perspective.

I survived the stink of dead mouse in the wall at home, and the scent of Chompers – Elina’s cat in Edmonton named for Dr. Phil’s cat, to arrive in Ottawa to a hotel suite that smelled like Raid. I made the mistake of complaining and they said they’d send some Febreze up to my room. Instead, they sprayed with the disinfectant that they use when a smoker defiles a nonsmoking room and my eyes haven’t stopped itching. In the relative scheme of things, it’s a minor complaint, but when the migraine started I requested a change of rooms. Should have done that right from the start.

Thinking more positively, this has been a trip of FO’s. First is the scarf that never ended, until now that is, Rachel’s Good Ole Cable Scarf knit in Fonty Alpaca from my stash. The second is another Shape It scarf from Sally Melville’s book in Fleece Artist’s Goldilocks. It was intended to be a shawl kit, but I think I’ll get two scarves out of it. Yes, that’s the lamp modelling it in my hotel room. Nice neck, eh?:

Tomorrow it’s back to the real world in Vancouver. Actually, that won’t start until I go to work on Monday. First, on Saturday, it’s a painting flowers in watercolour class with my students, daughter #2, a co-worker and a friend I met in a previous painting class, followed by Chuck’s Christmas party, always in November, at Harrison Hot Springs. This is a pretty good life, don’t you think? I’m not complaining.

Ever have one of those moments when, after the fact, you realize your heart is visibly pounding through your Philosopher’s Wool sweater? Using the Philosopher’s Wool sweater was a bit of artistic license, but I wanted to emphasize the fact that it was beating really hard. Here’s the story:

I’m at Elina’s apartment in Edmonton, which she shares with Jenny. E’s boyfriend is around a lot, but this afternoon E and BF were both at work and J was out. BF was due back sometime in the afternoon to pick me up to go where else? Shopping. So. I’m home alone watching Meet the Parents and knitting. The phone rings indicating someone is at the front door. E had told me to pick it up and press 9. I picked it up, asked who it was, and receiving no answer pressed 9. I unlocked the door for BF. I heard a knock at the door and thought it was strange that he was knocking. "Come in," I said, and he did. Only it wasn’t him, but a big burly rough looking guy who came in, locking the deadbolt behind him, taking up the entire doorway.

"Who are you?" says I.

"Does Jen live here?"

I thought it was strange since Jenny doesn’t usually go by Jen, and he really didn’t look like the kind of guy she hangs out with, but ever helpful even when terrified, I said yes.

"Who are you?" I repeat.

"Is Jen here?"

"What’s her last name?" What a stupid question to ask. Even though he was blocking the only way out I wasn’t that threatened, as he seemed genuinely confused.

"This isn’t the the right building is it?" says he.

"I don’t know," I said, "but you’re giving me a heart attack."

He truly felt badly, and left sheepishly, asking me politely not to call the police or anything. He left saying, "I can’t believe I just walked right into this building."

I promptly closed that door and deadbolted it behind him.

Looking back I realize what I did wrong in that situation, but I never felt panic. I wonder what he was thinking. I think it was a case of mutual shock.

My trip to Edmonton is winding up, but not without a trip to River City Yarns, Edmonton’s newest yarn pusher. They had lots of different stuff – Lili Chin yarn and patterns, two kinds of bamboo, a good selection of things I don’t usually see, but I ended up with some Noro silk garden for Sally Melville’s Shape it scarf and Baby Alpaca for a ribbed scarf:

 

On to Ottawa!

UPDATE (August 2006): I am adding this review of the Knit Picks Options set, which I’ve owned and used for the past month:

• Cables are very thin. Can be a good or bad thing.
• I’ve had two cable failures, where they pull out of the metal piece that attaches them to the needles. Knit Picks has been very good about replacing them, but knowing that it has happened to me twice, I wouldn’t use these needles for a complicated lace pattern. You don’t need the frustration of picking up dropped yarn overs.
• They are very sharp. Sharp enough to break the skin. Again, sharpness can be a good and bad thing.
• There is no way to attach cables to each other, like in the other sets. If you want long needles you have to purchase specific lengths.
• The size of the needle is not embossed onto the needles, requiring the use of a needle gauge to be sure you are using the correct size.
• They are as slippery as Addi’s.
• Options may be the nicest to knit with, but the Boye set is still the most reliable.

Original Post: Flying this week, I’ve had knitting needles on my mind. I mistakenly put a project into my carry on that contained addis and a cable needle. Not a problem, thank goodness, unless you’re flying through certain US airports.

I know I own too many needles: a set of straight bamboos given to me by a woman with MS who could no longer knit, plenty of Addi circulars, a Denise interchangeable set, a Boye Needlemaster set and too many miscellaneous needles to count. I’ve been asked which interchangeable set I prefer, so here’s my review:

Boye Needlemaster set:

• contains sizes 2-15
• a little rough in texture but good for slippery yarn
• sharp points
• stiff cables
• have never come apart when I’ve used them – the trick being to check their tightness each time before I start knitting
• haven’t been plagued by the yarn catching at the join as mentioned on other sites
• don’t really  like the join when adding additional cables to make a really long needle – stiff and awkward
• a great value when purchased with a Michael’s coupon
• needle colours occasionally interfere with yarn colours making the yarn difficult to see
• cables screw into needles
• makes that shoop shoop sound when knitting

Denise Interchangeables:

• needles are slightly flexible
• neutral needle colour
• are very quiet, no clicking sound, silent against each other
• sharp points
• comes in sizes 5-15
• very flexible cables that stay relatively flexible when more than one cable is joined together
• has come apart or even broken while knitting
• good warranty service – e-mail them and a new part is sent right away
• the case is similar to a video case and is not all that durable, especially when squished in suit cases when travelling
• although not always an issue anymore – airline security approved or is it just that they don’t show up on the x-ray machine?
• when joining cables to needles they click into place and the join feels a bit delicate. I have accidentally unclicked them pushing yarn along from the cable to the needle – be careful not to twist the needle when moving stitches along.

Which one would I recommend? If you can have only one set of interchangeables, and you can get a Michael’s coupon, I’d probably go for the Boye’s for the larger selection of needle sizes. And there you have it – my review of interchangeable knitting needles. Happy shopping.

P.S. Just found this link to Frugal Knittinghaus where the Boye’s are available for $59.95. Still not as good as Michael’s coupon price, but better than full price.

Update: Arrived in Edmonton and hit a yarn shop within three hours – Wool Revival. I found some Grignasco Top Print in a pretty desert sunset colourway.Here are the spoils, the photo is a bit washed out:

First off, thanks to Kimberly for her RAOK card Weds morning. A really cute Motown Thanksgiving turkey singing a version of "I Will Survive." The song was in my head all day.

I’m travelling to Ottawa for work over the next week, with a stop in Edmonton to see Elina, and after I return, will have five days left in the office before my surgery! Yikes. I’m looking forward to the month off, but not the reason for it. I’m having an ACL graft, and MCL repair and a cartilage clean-up. The worst part for me will be relinquishing control over Christmas.

I’ll be posting on the road next week in between visits to yarn shops. Anybody have any recommendations for Ottawa yarn shops near downtown? I can’t think of a better way to deal with the pre-op nerves.

Wish me luck with Air Canada’s new no free meal policy (as if you didn’t pay for the meals in your ticket price). Now you can pay the same price for a ticket and pay extra for a choice of a sandwich or pizza; exact change only. 

Last weekend I didn’t spend money on yarn, but I managed to part with a few bucks on these:

A few days after his attempt at knitting, Chuck asked me if there was some other yarn he could try. I figured he could handle the Moonlight Mohair and the shaped scarf form Sally Melville’s Knit Stitch book. Here’s how it went:

He: Can’t you just get it started for me?

I knit the first row.

He: Can you show me one more?

I knit the next row.

He: I didn’t quite get it, one more, please.

I knit the third row.

He: This knitting stuff is pretty relaxing, can you do a few more?

I did, and few minutes later was serenaded by his snoring. The pattern had grabbed me and I continued for awhile. The next morning:

He: How far did I get on my knitting last night?

About this far:

He: I did pretty well, huh?

And we knit and we shopped and that’s about it. An excellent girls’ weekend; the two students, Mari, my friend Lynn and me. We also watched the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants – the perfect chick flick for a girls’ weekend.

Shopping included an outfit for Chuck’s Christmas Party – hand picked by Mar. I wasn’t intending to buy one, fancy outfits are right up there with bathing suits, bras and shoes. My most hated activities. So, how did I end up with a bag from TJ Max containing a daughter approved fur collared silk sweater and black pants, tighter than I usually wear? Very unlike me, but I think OK.

Brought back memories of the time Lynn and I went south for our annual November girls’ weekend and I tried on so many horrendous outfits I ended up with a blister on my thigh from changing in and out of my jeans one too many times.

The knitting: lots thereof, starting with the herringbone rib scarf in Manos, adding a few more stripes to the leftover throw and lots of progress on the mystery Christmas gift. I hit a yarn shop and exercised self control. Not one penny spent there. Here’s the scarf, front and back:

Lynn finished her first scarf and Betty made progress on her first project. It, too, is a gift, so I can’t disclose what it is. A great time was had by all.

I was taken totally by surprise when Bryant posted earlier this week. I was reading my comments and thought "What’s going on here? I don’t remember a post called Uh-Oh." Commandeered indeed! That’s my kid. So here are the victims of my brain washing techniques: Betty from Germany, Carolina from Mexico, and that’s Grace attempting to flee from my evil influence. I’m taking the girls over the border this weekend to continue the process, and you know we’ll be hitting the yarn shops. Heh, heh, heh.

Hey everyone, it’s Bry, Li’s son…

And I am afraid that the family is going mad: Everyone has begun knitting! My mother shall now be dubbed the missionary of knitting. She is always converting her friends, family, friends children, etc, to this cult that you all refer to as "knitting". Even my exchange students are doing it. Who’s next, the dog?! I hope not. When my mom says she’s going to bed, I always catch her, not sleeping, but tittering away with those needles and yarn. I must admit her efforts do show, but this "luxurious throw" as she describes it a few posts back, is over the top. Is it a piece of art, or a furry beast. We could colour it blonde, leave it in a lump in the living room, and Grace will have a new twin/playmate!

Now it’s time for me to confess. I have knit in the past. I found it (dare I say) kinda cool, and a great way to get outta doing homework. 😛

If you haven’t knit before, run away now, for it’s highly addictive, and you family will complain about less quality time spent. 😉

-Bryant

PS: Mom, when you find this, don’t be too mad, it’s all in good fun 🙂

We had a record low number of trick or treaters this year – five in all. We live in a  very hilly community and the parents are known for driving their kids to where the houses are closer together and the roads are flat. I know of people who turn off their lights after 300 kids. Halloween started nicely, though, with a RAOK card from Liz.

I have caved and done the popular activity of googling my name followed by the word "needs:"

Li needs to read up on myths in education.

Li needs a lil edge.

Li needs to dip "his" hands into the painted element.

Li needs more kicking!

Li needs to give you a leftover throw update:

Giving in to the family’s threats of not going out in public with me if I wore my leftover shawl, I turned the project into a throw, necessitating the purchase of more yarn. Since this was supposed to be an economical project I put the following stipulation on the purchased part – it must be on sale. Those who know me know that I hate paying full price for anything and the hunt for the bargain is as fun as the purchase itself. So, between Michael’s coupons, last week’s sale at Hellen’s and a .99 basket at my LYS (that’s a first), the second photo shows the bought part of the project: