The Best Days Ever

The house has been a hub of activity the last few days. Toni, Pearl and Mike...Many times, many favours ......from seaming to label sewing and printing and knitting I think we have it all covered. Oh, except for the wall and the hangtags...and all the children's sweaters...

It will happen....Day 4 of detox completed has me feeling better than I have in ages. My brain feels sharper, creativity more fluid. I highly recommend this two week torture to everyone....hey, no one likes to suffer alone.

Today was all about felting and I should have some results to post soon, but in the meantime, here's something I made while at the theatre last night. I'm sorry if anyone thinks it's rude to crochet at live theatre, ......but I need my culture boost and have a show deadline!

With now having every cable channel in the universe at my disposal the knitting is even more late night than usual. There are some great movies to knit to at 3AM. Really.

Drowning in Batts

So many things to knit, so little time, but I find now that whenever I am feeling a bit overwhelmed that cranking the drum carder just clears my mind. Today I received what can only be considered pounds of lincoln locks...It's outstanding to see 5-7 inches of curly cues in every colour in the rainbow...

I have a pound of white locks, several smaller bags of magenta, purples, pinks, blues....and my absolute favourite....a natural charcoal. To die for. I am expecting some merino in slate grey any day now and can hardly wait to see what fun I will have with it..

Oh yes, I think I will post a batt a day and it's inspiration up until Circle Craft and then it will be all show news.

So here's today's batt. Tea Roses

John and I are on the 2nd day of a 2 week detox. We thought it might be a nice idea to suffer together and yet, we are both chipper, alert, euphoric and really enjoying some home cooked meals after all the restauranting in Whistler all summer. It definitely took it's toll on us energy wise and it's been a long time since I've given myself and my liver such a nice present.

TMI----I know, but this weird sense of calm and well being is not usual for me. I like things at a more frantic pace.

Oh, and I have knit and crocheted some very adorable things (if I say so myself).

"Batt'ing a Thousand.....

.....in terms of inspiration I am at my apex. Everything I see can be translated and blended on the drum carder. Things I would have never thought possible before.....For example, please enjoy this photo of my cat.

She is the most amazing colours. Brown, grey, caramel, cream, taupe...a little bit of everything. She is beautifully blended.....

Something like this.....I added a bit of glitz (just for personality).. I am thrilled with the outcome and it spun up like a dream into this.. I started thinking willow branches, then pussy willows

This is plied with Kid Silk Haze and the pussy willows are felted merino. Time stopped for me today as it all fell into place.

I feel like I already made my money back on the drum carder. Being able to translate colour so delicately is something new for me, but something I'm meant to do. If you are interested in the yarn, or the hat, please let me know. I would be thrilled for the excuse to make them both again.

New Toys

If you told me a year ago, or six months ago that I needed a deli scale for my house, I would have called you crazy. I would have assumed you thought I ate inhuman amounts of lunch meat. In other words...it just wouldn't happen.

And now, I am the proud mama of this grand dame. This baby is huge. No more trying to stuff rovings, fleece and batts into something that is meant to weight 50 grams of boiled turkey breast. Isn't she a beauty? I call her Mildred after the woman who might have worked the Kresge's lunch counter that many years ago.

Now I don't have to do math.... And the batts are not crushed and displayed in their full loveliness. Please enjoy Whistler White.

This is a lovely blend of merino, camel, wensleydale, corriedale, glitz and wensleydale locks. It spun like a dream and I plied it with a kid mohair - silk blend.

So lovely, that I had to crochet it into a hat immediately....not this one coming up, but something equally fun. Who knew my spinning inspiration could be reignited by a deli scale....Thanks Pearl.

Grapes of Wrath

Spinning is a great way to break the routine of the serious knitting and seaming. Anything to change things up a bit as I am getting into the home stretch. The new wool is spinning up beautifully and the colours....well see for yourself.

The deep wine tones in the batt range from a deep red to a true purple and just about everything in between. I threw in a small bit of lavender and then decided to make that the pop of the piece. I plied this with an incredible wool/kid mohair blend that gives it the most amazing haze.

Yarn stats.

70 yards
160 grams
thick, thin spin
suggested needle size 8mm.

It was almost too much for the kiwi to take....and just to make sure that it is a perfect yarn for you all, I've decided to test knit it myself. Okay, I realize that this is a bit greedy of me, but you want your yarn perfect, don't you?


It's a full house this morning and a road trip to Dressew. Best get some housework done. At least clear a path to the door that is free of wool, roving, batts, knitting, fabric and WIPs.

Knit and spin yourself silly today. I sense it's going to be that kind of day.

Asleep at the Wheel....

... .or my version of sleep knitting. I realize that I have created a very tight schedule for myself. But with the help of friends, it's all coming together. So why I fell asleep last night while knitting is a mystery to me. Even more puzzling is the fact that John let me sleep with the needles and half done work in my lap even more so.....

until I found out he fell asleep at his computer with work he brought home from the company as well. Two workaholics in once household does not a balanced life make.

In case anyone is wondering what I have been up to, I have taken PluckyFluff to heart and fallen in love with the translucent yarn technique. It is a bit awkward to spin but the results are tantamount to spinning a cloud.

You start with a core yarn (which thanks to Joan's donation) I have been fortunate enough to use silk as a core. It has such luster and strength that it is perfect for this task. The fleece itself is carded wensleydale, merino and camel. The goal in spinning is to actually see the core thread through the clouds.

Crochet just seemed like a better option for the finished wool. Something that would be a bit more open and airy. This is a very warm yarn, but surprisingly light.

And now back to the mess and hand. This is what I fell asleep on last night.
So, just a bit of untangling, a PST filing and a nice hot bath and sleeping in my bed. What a novel concept!

If an apple a day, keeps the doctor away......

I think these people will live forever.

The start of the Festival is exciting and mystifying... I haven't seen line up this long for the Rolling Stones.


Within hours on the first day, several varietals and tasting times were sold out. The enthusiasm for the simple apple is staggering.

I missed getting the photos of the sticky faces and fingers enjoying caramel apples, pie, chips and all things apple-like.

I was able to spend the two days with Claire vending next to me. I enjoy her work immensely. I also found out this weekend that she feels the same way about paper that I feel about wool!

Although rain and cloud was predicted, we didn't get either. There is something about this festival that makes it poor weather immune. I am so glad. The last thing I need right now is a hundred apple hats drying in the basement.

I felt the love. I soaked up the sunshine. I was able to take it all in. Friends stopped by --Toni, thank you for the Americano, I savoured it all morning. It was nice to see Holli, who is extremely busy teaching right now, but managed to get Devon out to enjoy the day.

The best part of the day when it was all over the 2nd day. The tents were gone, the crush of people had left and the botanical gardens were returned to normal. Relatively undisturbed by the massive human interference of the event.

And even better than this (if it can get any better). My tent is put away for the season. No more outdoor shows until May 2009. Now that's something to celebrate...I think I'll have an apple.

Pssst.....I am so in LOVE

with this...........

This is the thing I have been pining for and dreaming about. It's all mine....mine, mine, mine.
My Louet drum carder. Isn't she sexy? Here is my first batt (which I had to tackle about 5 minutes out of the box.....

Still on the carder....Soon to be this.

I am so in love. I am romantically attached. I want to dedicate poems to its' loveliness and make sure that it is always caressed with the most luscious fibre.

Side profile of same batt...

Does anyone have a cigarette?

I want to not attach so much importance to this "thing"...but she is special...She changes everything. She makes the sun shine brighter and I shall call her Aisha.

At the end of the first day I am the proud mama to this wall of batts..No they are not for sale. They will all be spun and knit by me. I cannot let them go.....

And some sexy close ups...


Believe it or not, I actually have to return to the knitting.....Not happy...want to be with my new romance...Will she wait for me....?

Who Goes There?

Knock, knock, who's there?....Oh, Canada Post maam, but you must not be home so we'll just leave you this note and have you trek over to the post office to carry pounds of yarn in a big giant cardboard box down Granville Street.

Now what the frack...? How can I watch them come to my house, not knock on the door, say they did and leave me a note....Next they will ring my doorbell and I will run outside to step on the bag of flaming poo. I mean really....don't say I wasn't home when I was staring at the top of your head writing a note...

'Nuf said.

What comes in the mail is wondrous and beautiful....orgasmic fibre.... I am really starting to receive supplies in abundance. Now if I can just find the time to process them all. Yes, I occasionally buy commercial yarn...I can't spin it all.


Pearl and I foraged for supplied today and I found some amazing shell buttons as well which work with just about everything I have recently made. Yippee.

Oh, and on top of everything I have purchased, spun, will spin, Pearl let me have this little gem today...Some experimental carding of her own...I promise to do you proud girl. It's so soft, it makes me want to put on my jammies and use it as my new pillow.

Joan is coming over tomorrow...Toni is coming over tomorrow, stuff is happening folks. Joan and I are having a project work morning and she is bringing her current WIP's over to my place. It will keep us both motivated for these last days of inventory building.

One last picture ...me. .....This was probably my last carefree day of the season. On the way to the top of Blackcombe with my peeps, not a care in the world.It's Wednesday, right? I am losing track of the days (daze) but at least I am still able to tell morning from night. I haven't pulled the marathon knit in at least a week.

Treating Myself

What does every knitter, crocheter spinner gal want to add to their Christmas list? A drum carder of course. I have been coveting this handy tool at every opportunity ---worshops, Birkeland Bros, in Spinners Mag ---just everywhere. It was actually the most recent edition of Spinners in an article about drum carding that just left me drooling.

I have been schlepping back and forth to Whistler for the entire season....sleeping in hotels, living la vida crafta and ended the season with a bang....why not treat myself? So this morning, before getting dressed, I was online, digging out a credit card and splurging like I just won the lottery.

On top of that, I would now require a substantial amount of fibre to play with and placed those orders as well. Life is suweet...so now I just get to sit back, whip out the sticks, work on my Circle Craft inventory and wait for the postal service to start delivering all my goodies.

A year ago, I didn't think I'd ever be spinning, now I am all up in the fibre. I don't know how it happened, or why really. I'm just grateful.

Unplugged......

I forgot my laptop when we left for Whistler on Friday afternoon. I'm glad. Edgewater Lodge is on Green Lake in Whistler. We stayed there for four days over the last Farmer's Market of the season. It was spectacular. Peaceful, restful, an oasis of calm in the chaotic Turkey sale weekend that was going on around us....near us and almost over top of us.

Lesson One...Do not stand between a man and a pair of ski bindings that are on sale. You will be trampled to death.

Every night this is the view I was lucky enough to knit to, sitting in the window ledge. One morning I was held captive by the fog moving across the water. I had never seen anything like it. We walked and hiked around the lake. John found a new dog best friend and the games of fetch became more and more complicated. We picked wildflowers for the room, lit candles and I even did a tarot reading (which I have not done in ages). I never find a place quiet enough to do it. I'm almost sorry to say this, but it was magical.

This was the first time over the entire season (included 3 stays at the Fairmont) that I did not want to check out....I was knitting with a view until 10:59am.....

We had no rain during the two days of the sale which was amazing for business. Unfortunately, the rain couldn't hold off any longer so we had to include it in our Monday hiking.....We were almost dry by the time we made it back to Vancouver.

There are a few locals I would like to thank for making our summer so enjoyable.

May, Al, Janice and Dick----Your place is amazing. I told you I will be camping in your yard at least once or twice over the winter! Sorry. I know your address.

Jan.....your company, our yarn chats, your inspirational aerial feats. I enjoyed every weekend you stopped in the booth. More than that, John loved his visit with Dagger. (forgive my spelling) and I am still looking forward to spinning his fur.

Diane....thank you for our yarn chats and taking a risk on the Monkey wool. Thank you for introducing me to the Friday night knitting group at the Fairmont. I think knitting in a bar is cool. I'll make it up there one of these weekends soon.

Cat.....thanks for your kindness and support over the season. You helped make the market a terrific experience for me.

Exploring the Wool

I love merino, I could knit with it forever, all day and all night...(and sometimes I do). I love the lanolin, the sheen, the cool comfort that it offers. I love using it in my children's designs and am always confident that it will be next to skin soft and last a really long time.

For the last few months, I have continually reknit to replenish my existing stock. There hasn't been much time to work on other designs, or spin or really delve into anything new.

Spun on a silk core thread these little puffs of angora, mohair and silk just cradle the core. Not translucent like PluckFluffs delightful yarn, but a bit more dense. I am so satisfied and look forward to coming home in a few days to spin some more.

Headed out to Whistler tomorrow for the last weekend of the market. If you haven't experienced the Turkey Sale before -----do it....There will be amazing deals on ski equipment and of course the market over 2 days ---and, yes, it MAY NOT rain.

Thirty days to Circle Craft and counting. And the craft gods responded kindly by making my cold only last 24 hours. Blessings and gratitude....just keep me healthy until December!

Spinning Like a Dervish

I finally dropped my needles yesterday in favour of some much needed spinning time. Wheel at the ready. I spun like a mad woman...I really haven't explored any of the techniques I learned in my PluckyFluff workshop...Of course Toni had to come over and fix the wheel first. Yes, I broke it again. I'm so hard on these things....working out issues???

After 9 skeins I had to call it quits...Other life issues were calling, but damn it felt good...Like dinner with an old friend. The inventory is progressing nicely. And I even got my hats shipped out in time for the photo shoot ahead of the deadline. I'm pleased because today it all came to a screeching halt.....

Welcome to my autumn cold from hell. How can a simple cold impede inventory building, you ask....Well, the amount of time spent using Kleenex, disposing of Kleenex and the 200 times I have had to wash my hands, the knitting is definitely not up to par..

If there is a device that actually drains your nasal passages into a convenient container while I continue to knit, please let me know. In the meantime I have treated myself to the cadillac of kleenex (triple ply with aloe and vitamin E)...My nose feels like raw meat.

I'd Like to Thank the Academy.....

Plugging away on this little blog has been wonderfully cathartic for me. I never hopped on the bandwagon earlier because it was just too much for me to take on. It creates expectations. You can't just plop in and then disappear, or at least I thought you couldn't so I didn't want to take it on until I was ready. It's been a blast. And then to have

Daniele you were too sweet to do this. If you have a chance to check out her blog, please do. I met Daniele through Plurk, then Ravelry....and does the cyber connection get deeper...hmm....I'm sure we will cross paths again through another on line connection.

So now I have to pick 4 blogs that I follow and enjoy....Hard to pick so I'll say in no particular order...

Sam of KnitQuest (she writes for Lime and Violet and has her own blog.) I love her observations, her knitterly skills, her humour and her finding the time to knit between work, kids and errands.

Knitting on Impulse Lovely photographs of Whistler, stories and a wonderful colourful collection of yarns. A soothing read.

Pluckyfluff --Lexi's writing style is part cowgirl, renegade..definitely a woman who marches to her own tune. I took a workshop with her recently, she writes as she is. Frank and funny.

Holli Yeoh ---I wish she wrote more, but when she writes, it's a lovely slice of life as a knitwear designer in Vancouver.

Well I have to get my photo shoot hats shipped tomorrow so I best get back to work....It was a fab day of spinning, stretching my spinning legs and then spinning some more.