Closing Ceremonies.

The Olympics are officially coming to an end. Canada has won more Gold medals than ever before. The Canadian Women’s Hockey team made me cry when Wickenheiser received her medal. It’s been an emotional and exciting two weeks. I am so glad it’s almost at a close so that the 2010 Paralympic Games can begin. We were at the medal ceremony on Tuesday night (congrats Ashleigh McIvor – GOLD in SkiCross), which was our last taste of an Olympic event – wow, can Canadians belt out the anthem!

I am a little sad, however, that the Ravelympics are almost at a close since I am not sure I am totally happy with my finished project: the Shetland Triangle. It’s being made for a dear friend who is getting married this summer. I wanted to knit something special for her that she could wear when she has to be a little dressed up for wedding prep stuff (she’s a bit of a Tom-boy).

On Etsy, I found Saffron Dyeworks. DeAnna does beautiful hand-dyed yarns that are literally to “dye” for. I fell in love. I was looking for a teal since my friend looks amazing in rich teals. I found this gem, bought it and waited! It came very quickly and I decided to wait for the Olympics to cast-on.

After 8 pattern repeats, which is what the pattern recommends, it was too short. I added a 9th pattern repeat and then did the edging. I am still not sure it is “long” enough. The 4.00mm circs that I used meant that I have a tighter knit and I think I would be happier with it if I had knit it on 5.00mm circs (which, I might add, was my instinct and I ignored it!).

I used the cast off from the Swallowtail Shawl (another Evelyn Clark pattern) that creates a gorgeous edge. It’s stretchy too and I like the definition of the scallop points that this cast off gives. Following a good soak, this shawlette got a good block with pins. I found the blocking wires weren’t able to give me the stretch that I needed. I may wash and block again before I gift it to further define the points but I will wait and see.

Overall, I would have added another 2 pattern repeats if it had been for me but since it is going to someone who is not used to wearing something like this, I am going to leave it and hope that she just really enjoys it! So, as the Olympics close, I hope you are happy with your Ravelympics projects as well :)

~r.

Year One.

I started blogging here on February 20, 2009. It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year already. Thank you to my readers and to those who leave comments. I really appreciate the readership. At the beginning of the year, I was a self-proclaimed non-blogger after poorly maintaining my original blog but I have come to really enjoy this outlet. I refer to it as my "fibre journal” now and it has been a source of comfort for me to chat about my projects and show off the photos. What is even more satisfying are the supportive comments that you have shared. As always, ravelry is a source of inspiration but coming here, writing and posting, has also become a source of inspiration for me because it is my very own.

So, thank you. And here is to Year 2. Cheers!

~r.

it’s official. it’s here.

Our city has been invaded. The torch is light. The athletes are here. The Auzzies have left up the Fitting Kangaroo (yay!). It is crazy every where we go. And the energy is infectious. I have commenced, like a good little knitter, on my Olympic knitting and hope to have something to show you at the end of next week.

Until then, GO CANADA GO!

~r.

little dudes.

We are getting a dog. We have been waiting for about a year but we are now Golden Retriever owners: Last night we were able to go see them. We had a chance to hold a couple of them and talk for a long time with our breeder, who has been amazing.

The litter is eleven puppies worth but one of these 4 little dudes is ours. There were 7 girls and 4 boys. The light boy second in from the right is Head Boy and will probably be kept for breeding, so we are thinking that one of the 3 darker ones is ours! FIDO commercial, here I come :)

Meet Head Girl. She’s the biggest girl in the litter (~4lbs now), gorgeous and smelled like puppy. Just lovely. They are 4 weeks old currently and we have an opportunity to visit again in 2 weeks. They come home in March, which is literally just around the corner! Time to puppy-proof :)

~r.

Quiet. and solace.

After a hectic start to the January semester, we were able to get out of the city this past weekend to a gorgeous, quiet, reflective place. How I would love to be back in the mountains.

It felt like home. I think we should go back …

~r.