And still more Knitting

At the shop I am organizing an Cable Afghan Knit a Long. All the cable patterns have flower names so I am doing my squares in greens and carnation peach.

This is the first square. Rose Garden.




I have almost finshed my Berroco Comfort short row bag. It is all together and blocked but it really needs a lining.

I think that the colours may be hard to match so it may be a while.


I do like the colour combo though.



I am almost comleted my Pullover from Weekend Knitting by Teva Durham. Instead of cashmere I used Patagonia Nature cotton.
It will be a great summer warmer!

I just love the colours in this yarn



Don't you?

More details about this project are on Ravelry where I am martianknit.

My Weekend Away

On Saturday I put Vickie in charge of Kniterary and I went on a trip to see my sister in eastern Ontario.

The drive was really good. Clear highways et al..

On Sunday we went first to the Textile Museum in Almonte. Not much there but a Cross Stitch display and a cute little store. They have bigger displays when it gets warmer because half the building is not heated. I will have to go back in the summer I think. Beside the museum are condos that have been built in the manufacturing part of the mill. I so want to buy one there but I am sure they are very pricey!

Later in the day we went around the corner of my sister's place in Oxford Mills to Hollyhock Alpacas.

Hollyhock Hill Alpacas
Quality breeding stock, breeding, fiber and products. Visit us soon, to learn more about these amazing animals - their history, their care, and their luxurious fiber. We are located in Kemptville, Ontario 613-258-4806

Phone:613-258-4806
Fax:
Street address:1920 County Rd. 18
City:Kemptville, Ontario, Canada



I am in love with Alpacas!


This guy is the main male in the group. Because of his grey coat alot of the offspring also have grey. Apparently it is not a very usual colour.

Isn't she a little beauty? Such a pretty face and happy eyes. The owner told my sister and me all the names but I no longer remember them. This sweety I remember is 2 years old.




Can you tell it was raining? This lady has the messy hair to show it!

The males and females are kept separate but close to each other. Almost all of the females are pregnant from their June breeding. The gestation time is 11 1/2 months so I'll be back in May or June to see all the wee babies!

This male seems to be wondering what we are doing there.

These ladies are hoping to get some of the food the farmer was giving to the males. He did share with them later.

Apparently Alpacas love to eat but don't need that much food. The 10 or so males only eat 1/2 a bale of hay a day (which Brian said was a very little amount). Did you know that Alpacas make really good therapy animals too? They are so calm, so seemingly accepting.

Today we went into Ottawa and saw a small exhibit by Bobbie Burgers who does incredible Acrylic paintings of flowers.

Then we wandered around for a bit during this first Family Day Holiday in Ontario.

Once done we headed back to Oxford Mills where I gathered all my stuff and prepared to return to reality at home.

Highways were still good thankfully. Busier but accident free.

And now to knit.

Practice makes Perfect

I have been busy knitting. As always my needles are never empty.

The latest on the needles is the Fiona Ellis scarf Practice Makes Perfect. The yarn that it was originally done in for her book Inspired Cables is no longer available so I decided to try it in Estelle's Alpaca Cashmere Tweed. I am not sure I like it. The yarn is just not luxurious enough for this particular pattern. I like the yarn well enough but just not for this pattern.



So I decided to try it in Debbie Bliss Alpaca silk Aran. Much Much better. Also more expensive. The silk adds the necessary sheen and the drape is going to be fab. The picture is not great and I haven't got much done but I can tell already.

Right now I am knitting the DB scarf by copying what I have done on the Estelle scarf. I forgot the pattern at the store. I am going to have to pop by today to get it.



All this knitting of the scarf is taking me away from what I really need to finish! Betty! It is almost there. I am assembling. I need to put aside the scarf for today and focus. The client is picking it up on Tuesday. I will be so glad to see it leave the store. Betty and I will be breaking up after a long tormentuous relationship. Whew.


Also done recently was felted hearts. Small and fun and quick.

The bag below is done in Berocco's Love It. I improvised the pattern all the way and now have the task of writing up the pattern. It took 2 balls and will make a great beach bag.

Soon Kniterary is starting a cable Afghan knit a long. Below is the first square. The cable is In the Rose Garden. We will be doing 9 12" squares and then assembling them in fall just in time for cold weather.

Recent personal events include my 51st birthday. How did I ever get this old?

The children started their second semester at highschool. Both have math this semester.

It is closing in on a year since I purchased Kniterary and a few big changes are on the horizon! Exciting changes! I can't wait to tell you about it but I must not for now!