Friday 31 July 2015

Progress

The latest pair of socks is progressing well. There was a hint dropped when Mom saw them.


Also found some pink/green/gray yarn that is crying out to be made into baby booties. Maybe I'll shift focus this evening.


Thursday 30 July 2015

I Hate Shoes

I know, I know; not exactly something you expect to hear from a Western woman is it?

Nevertheless.

The reason I hate shoes is because they make my knees hurt. Yep, you read that right. When I wear "regular" shoes my knees will start hurting. A lot.

And hiking boots. Torture devices. Used to be I could barely able to walk after hiking for a couple hours in "normal" hiking boots.

So a few years ago I went looking for a solution.

Fist I found Vibram Five Fingers, and this was before they were cool. I ran into a slight problem with these unfortunately. You see, because the toes are separate I kept stubbing my toe on Soccer's leg. The poor dog is extremely insecure and INSISTS on walking too close to me. I was worried I was going to break a toe on his leg sometime. I still have a pair of Five Fingers, they're great water shoes. But I needed something with a closed toe area to protect my toes from my dog. Not many can say that.

So, back to the internet and I found Soft Star Shoes. These are awesome, they have a closed toe area to protect me from Soccer's insecurities, and they have models that look enough like "normal" shoes at first glance that no one will question them. But basically they're just a thin rubber sole with a bit of leather on top. Real leather too although they do have vegan options if that's your preference. I have a few pairs from them and I have even worn my Runamoc Dash's to job interviews.

At about the same time I found Russel Moccasins. These guys have been around for a long time hand making custom fit boots and shoes. They mostly market to hunters but I figure that if you can hunt in them you can certainly hike in them. At the time when I ordered my boots the minimalist sole options  were quite limited, although I see now they have a whole section of the website for it. I have even had my boots re-soled because I walked off the first soles. Hiking is no longer painful with my hand made custom fit hiking boots.

The moral of the story is: if you hurt find a solution.

Sunday 26 July 2015

Wheeeeee

It was party time at work this Saturday. There were fireworks. I left before the cops showed up.

Also did some practicing with Soccer; he's still struggling.

Knitting

So close to being done my UKBiL's socks. It's amazing how fast sport weight yarn knits up when you're making socks.


Monday 20 July 2015

Socks!

Loves socks. Hate wearing shoes - whole 'nother story.

First up, finished a pair for my sister in Scotland. The one who's expecting a baby; Wee Bairn for those keeping up with the class. Same yarn as the Father's Day Socks I made for my Dad. The colour in the picture is not very accurate, it's actually much darker. I figure new parents might need hand knits too.

Pattern: Improvised/general sock pattern
Yarn: Nova Sock Solid
Needle: 2.0mm


Second up, a pair for my almost-brother-in-law, that would be Wee Bairn's father. Apparently the secret to knitting socks faster is to use bigger yarn. Imagine it. These are being made with sport weight yarn. Only started them yesterday and had to spend quite a bit of time sorting out gauge before really starting since this is the first pair I've done with sport weight yarn. They're also a much looser drape than I usually do socks. I'm sure they'll be fine.


Friday 17 July 2015

Hat

Finished the baby hat. With the overalls, hat and booties all done in the same yarn does it count as a set?

Pattern: Shibui Baby hat and Socks by Helen Bingham
Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Socks FX
Needle: 2.25mm


Sunday 12 July 2015

Progress

Scent Hurdle tournament was cancelled yesterday due to thunder and lightening. Just as well as I forgot to write it down and didn't show up.

Did an on-line typing test just for shits and giggles. Turns out I type about 50 words per minute these days. Not too shabby really.

Knitting

Progress continues on the Ugly Christmas Sweater. It doesn't seem ugly enough to win any prizes but I suspect I'll manage to find a few places to wear it. Both sleeves are done and the body is progressing. Decided to make it a cardigan after all. Guess that means I'll need to find buttons for it.

Since that one will be a cardigan I started another sweater. This one will be a pullover. Blue this time, it's surprising how few blue things I knit for myself; especially considering that blue is my favorite colour. Was thinking of doing this in Moss Stitch but I think I'll change my mind and do just the cuffs in pattern, the increases and decreases just don't seem to work right when worked in the pattern. If I do decide to do an entire sweater in Moss Stitch I suspect it'll have to be done in pieces and sewed together. Not my favorite way to make a sweater. No pics yet.

Also started a baby hat with the last of the baby overalls leftover yarn. Anything left once this is done will go into the Granny Square Blanket. It's just one enormous granny square that I keep adding all the leftover bits of sock yarn too.

Reading

Been re-reading my way through Mercedes Lackey's stories about Tarma and Kethry. Always worth revisiting those two; they're a couple of the best characters she's ever created.

Also discovered a new (to me) TV show long since cancelled of course but the library has copies of the DVDs. Sanctuary it's called; saw Amanda Tapping's name on it and figured I had to try it. Enjoying it so far.

Tuesday 7 July 2015

Flu

Not feeling at all well today. We had an outdoor Scent Hurdle practice scheduled too and I had to miss it. Really sorry Ahab didn't get to try running outside. Next time.

Still managed a few rounds on my Ugly Christmas Sweater. Working on the sleeves still. I may change my mind yet and make it a pullover instead of a cardigan. Need to decide soon as the sleeves are almost finished.

Saturday 4 July 2015

I Made a Mouse

Again.

I was powerless in the face of all the cuteness. Knit the entire mouse during one episode of Doctor Who. OK, OK, it was a classic episode and so about 90 minutes long. Still not bad, eh?

Went up a needle size for this one as the stitches were a bit hard to work last time. Also noticed that you should not stuff your mouse too much otherwise it can be hard to get the butt stitches to close properly.

Pattern: Nose-up Catnip Mouse by Wendy D. Johnson
Yarn: 100% wool from Custom Woolen Mills
Stuffing: 100% polyester stuffing & catnip
Needle: 2.25mm
Gauge: not critical for a toy


Thursday 2 July 2015

Canada Day

was yesterday.

I totally never thought to post, but that's all OK because Stephanie summed it up beautifully.

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

And in French -

O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!

Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!

Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.

Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.


For the truly curious more information is here: http://pch.gc.ca/eng/1359402373291/1359402467746