All packed up

My hubby and I are hitting the road at 5am to begin our 12 hour trek to Ottawa. I'm very excited to go back up to Ottawa. It seems it's been too long. We used to live there so still have friends up there. Two of our friends are getting married on Saturday so that's the highlight of the trip.

My knitting is all packed. Clothes are still in the dryer but at least I have my priorities straight.

I'm bringing 5 projects:

1. Toe up socks
   
   


2. Montego Bay scarf
   
   


3. Sweet Pea socks
   
   


4. Cabled Footies
   
   
5. Vneck Vest
   
   

Also threw in an extra ball of sock yarn and some handspun I'm planning to make a scarf with.



I think I'm as excited about the 12 hours of knitting each way as I am about actually getting there.

Better go finish my packing and get to bed. Have great week everyone and hopefully when I get back I'll have a bunch of FOs to show.

Message for My Secret Pal

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR MY SECRET PAL

The email address I have for you is not working. Can you please email me? I did receive your ecard, thanks!

SP11 Questionaire

I'm taking the plunge again and joining Secret Pal 11. I skipped Secret Pal 10, but after enjoying SP9 so much I really missed it. For those of you who aren't in SP11, feel free to read ahead or skip this post.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Love alpaca and of course silk! Wool is always good too. Don't like acrylic.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I use a fantastic case from Lantern moon that was given to me by my pal in SP9. It doesn't work well for travelling though because I house all my needles in it instead of using it for traveling. I could use an on the road needle case of some sort.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting since I was 5 years old and that has been 26 years (do the math for my age). I would consider myself advanced but with a ton more to learn!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Not currently. But I do have favorites in Etsy which are definitely a wish list!

5. What's your favorite scent?

Vanilla

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate with nuts too!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I love to spin! Just started this year but it's great. I've also just recently tried dying fiber and yarn and really liked that too. I also quilt a bit, make cards and scrapbook (but not lately).

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I live blues, rock and jazz. I don't have a favorite really. I can play MP3s on my phone and computer.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like all colors but I'm more attracted to earth tones than floresent colors. I love pink and brown; green is good too. Yellow looks horrible on me, but I don't mind the color itself.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I'm married with 2 dogs. Kozmo, a 10 year old husky/collie mix and Clancy, a 2 year old shepard/collie mix.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves - yes; hats - not much; mittens - yes; ponchos - no. Shawls - yes.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Socks of course

13. What are you knitting right now?

2 pairs of socks, felted clogs, designing a pattern for a vest, lace Adamas shawl, Montego Bay scarf.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes, very much so.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I use them all. They all have a place in my knitting. I tend torwards bamboo over plastic though.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yes I do, thank goodness.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

4 months. I tend to frog or throw out UFOs if they aren't going to get finished.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Yarn

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I'm just trying my first toe up sock and I'd also like to learn knitting socks on 2 circulars. Skeeks also intrigue and scare me.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes I knit socks. I take ladies size 8. My foot is 9.5 inches from heel to toe and about 9.5 inches around at the widest place on my foot.

23. When is your birthday?

October 20th... It will fall during this SP exchange!

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Yes I am. My ID is byTanya and I love Ravelry.

The Yarn Harlot

There is no other title to put on this post other than "THE Yarn Harlot"!

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee visited Halifax on Tuesday for a book signing. Luckily, she planned her visit during the week of my vacation so of course I was going to make the trip down (probably work wouldn't have stopped me anyway). It was so very worth it. She is hilarious. For those wondering what her 'talk' is like, think of a stand up comic with the topic of knitting and keeping it mostly clean. That's what it was like. She talked for about 2 hours and then signed everyone's book that wanted it signed. I of course got my book signed too, and as an extra surprise, she asked me to sign the pattern I was giving her! That's a first for me :)

Here is Stephanie signing Line's book.



Here is CJ and I in the ballroom of the Lord Nelson hotel where the event took place.


And these are my friends Manon and Dorin. They left work early to drive down from Moncton and then head back after the event. Dedicated knitting fans!


Stephanie only had a short visit in Halifax so did not get to any of the local yarn shops. I on the other hand made it to 2 of them, one twice!

First there was the Tangled Skein in Dartmouth. If you have not visited this shop I highly recommend making a trip there. The owner is very nice and helpful and I think I could have chatted with her all day long! Plus, there is a great assortmant of yarns in a pleasant and quaint shop.

Next was LK Yarns. This one is in the Hydrostone Market in Halifax. I really like the Hydrostone Market place. The stores are in very old buildings and the shops are very eclectic. We visited them all and had a fantastic lunch at an Italian restaurant there as well (name escapes me now). Lunches are fabulous in Halifax. On Wednesday, I went with CJ and her very gratious Mom to Janes on the Common's . What a sweet spot!

Spinning up candy

I love spinning fleece, especially fleece that I dyed.






I think I'm in love