Sunday, July 17, 2011

Repetitiousness

I have wanted to design lace for a long time.


The problem is that I am not a person who naturally adheres to repetitions. My mind starts to wander after repeating something a few times. I start planning modifications to the plan. Re planning the plan . Then adding more change to the plan. In the end I may have something that is really wonderful but completely impossible to reproduce or to document.



This is not a bad thing if I am making a custom or art piece. I want my custom pieces to be unique.


It is not a bad trait to have in life most of the time...except I cannot get down the routine of taking medications. Yup....pills are often forgotten. Thankfully missing them is not lethal! I'd better figure this out before I get much older I think!


Back to lace....no not yet...If you have read my blogs before you are aware that I tend to ramble. This propensity for rambling I attribute to the lack of a strong planning gene. I start off in one direction and that reminds me of something else ...and so on. Please forgive me.


Now..Back to lace.


So I am not a real fan of knitting lace. Not because it is difficult but because in general I do not stick to a pattern. In most items I am adding my own touches changing the basic shape etc....but with lace a huge mess can be created. There is no taking another person's hard work and randomly altering the pattern...The result is never ever ever good...to my knowledge anyways.


Time for picture.....
So...The lace designing started with the above shawlette that Tara wanted me to make for her. (Really simple. Basic neck down triangle with a spine. Using Berroco Origami and Cascade Ultra Pima). Once at the end bit I wanted to add a bit of fancy so just made up this 6 row, 6 stitch lace pattern. And, I liked it. So ideas for an all over design started forming.


Enter blue Pima. What you see in the photo is the result after about 5 or 6 times of going into the frog pond. I like it now. I like that it is a repeat design that does not look like a repeat design at first. I has to be looked at carefully to see the flow. To me it looks like the ripples wind makes on the surface of water. I was able to hide the center spine as well which adds to the all over flow.

So now the issue is... I have to finish the sample.


I know the design will work for someone who has a modicum of desire to stick to the plan and the ability to focus for long periods of time.
But I have to finish the first draft. I keep wanting to add changes and then getting unfocussed and forgetting where I am in the pattern that I have written.


Have I mentioned I am not a fan of knitting lace. I will get better at designing lace but I want my own personal knitter who will understand how my brain works and love following a plan. A very repetitious plan.




Isn't this the prettiest repetition of eggs?

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Sunny Days



A wonderful Canada Day weekend has come and gone.






Sun and heat and the beach and relaxation. A visit from Canadian geese.




Boating and water skiing (not by me!)




And to top it off a beautiful sunset over Georgian Bay.










Saturday, June 04, 2011

So... It is raining...yet again..



It is said that if you live in Canada you always have something to talk about.


The weather.

Our weather is ever changing and slightly unpredictable

Today it was predicted to be sunny with cloudy periods. Hmm....


The above photo was taken at 11 AM. hmmmm....


Thunderstorms. Rain. Cool. What we like to have in April. NOT JUNE.


I suppose the good side is that everything is lovely and green. And, you can't spend time in the garden so you can knit as much as you want to!!!


Edited to add: AND NOW...it's 3:15PM!













Thursday, May 26, 2011

Patrick Goes to Prom




With Hailey.




Where does the time go?




Saturday, April 23, 2011

Easter Weekend

I actually see sun shining on the road! I should be outside but here I am filling you in about life to date.

Yesterday was Good Friday so the shop was closed. A good thing too because Jim, Patrick and I went to Belleville and brought Rhea home for the summer. Yes! The college year is over! It is loverly having her close by again. Hopefully she will find summer employment! Keeping my fingers crossed for her.

Today the shop ( Kniterary) is open. I will be getting to knitting a commission soon. I got 6 inches in and then realized I had cast on 20 too many stitches....fricker bricker......SO...frogged and restarted using stitch markers to help with the counting issue!


I have been working on flower brooches with Tara for Tarmina Designs. A little bit of rug hooking and a little bit of beading and we have these lovelys.








We are stocking up for the Mother's Day weekend Studio Tour. They will make great Mother's Day gifts!



I have been working on some tea cozies for the same tour as well but they are not at a photographable stage yet!






It is now 12:30 PM. I am hungry. Going to get a bagel!



Thursday, April 14, 2011

Three Things I love Thursday

Really Big Buttons.

Really Big Coffee with a muffin.
Really Big Pine Cones

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Me in my new hat


Me in my new hat
Originally uploaded by martianknit.

I think I finally found a hat that I love!
It looks reasonably good on me and does not constrict my big brain!

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Bead Club Fun




Last night was Bead Club. I enjoy bead club. Even when I am tired!

We had fun playing with chiffon and tulle and candles.

OOOO.... fire!

I made this funky flower.

More are on their way!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

And it is Snowing Again...

I think this winter will be long remembered as "The Winter that Would not Stop."

Yes that is the view from the shop this Wednesday March 23rd at 4:25 PM. A tad depressing isn't it.....Sigh....

I am going to take a moment to look at colourful yarn....




Ahhhhhh.... Debbie Bliss Angel......Mohair and silk...mmmmmm......


.......


Oh! Hi!


Busy weeks have been happening for me these past few. Working the storefront, dealing with lawyers, knitting an inspiration, teaching, visiting family and planning an art show in the shop, etc., etc.....


The storefront continues to get busier which is oh so amazing but means that I have less time to do the non-sales jobs of running a business . So that means those jobs leak into the rest of my life.


I have promised myself to act on inspiration when it happens so I have been taking most spare moments to go forward on my current piece. It should be ready to put in the art show this coming Saturday. You will get a photo of it then. For now here is another piece that will be in the show.

Tara and I continue to develop our line of items to teach and sell as well. This Saturday there is a fundraising for Girls Inc. which we have a table at. Tara is also teaching a class. I am in the shop with the prep. for our opening of the show but will get to help with table set up on Friday evening.

I will now go and grab the vest (yes my project is that) and continue to embellish while trying to ignore the white cold crap falling from the sky and imagine spring greenery...

Till next time!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Lazy Knitter


Too lazy was I...to get up and find my cable needle.
Thankfully the pen and camera were right beside me!
And...
Aren' t you glad I wasn't too lazy to blog about it?

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

An Owl and 3 Bunzillys!





Some fun on another cold and snowy day!

Monday, March 07, 2011

What Be the Cause?



The word


Because


has been running through my brain since the ride home from Belleville last night.

(We dropped number 1 child back at school after a week sort of at home).





Not sure why. It is just there.


Because Why?





I am restless...? I am finding creating difficult...? I have cabin fever.....?


Because the trees are still bare.


Because it is still cold outside.


Because I want summer.


Because because because.....



Because every day life keeps happening?
That being said.....I need to pay some bills and do some house work.
Because.





Monday, February 28, 2011

The End of February


Yesterday we had a beautiful late winter snowfall. The weather was warmish so the snow was heavy and clung to all the trees in a very marshmallow way.
I enjoyed my walk with my wee Kessie. Yet didn't enjoy the filth that gathered on her underside! The dirty dog days are upon us I fear.
Ah well....I am needing Spring weather so much it is not much of a hardship!

I spent some of the weekend working on my Cloisonne sweater. I may add another layer of lace at the bottom in the brown because I think I want it to be a bit longer. Loving it though. Love love love knitting with Berocco Ultra Alpaca! It is difficult to resist burying my face in the softness on a regular basis.


If I get it done before summer (here's hoping)....(My heart skipped a beat with the idea of summer!)...it will be my Spring sweater.
Enjoy your last day of February and, if you live in the north, start taking stock of your spring clothes.
Oscar watched last night...... Colin Firth is a funny man! Yea for The Kings Speech!


Thursday, February 24, 2011

Bunzillys!

The Bunzillys are getting all dolled up!
Tara and I are having so much fun creating the first of our Forest Morsels!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Bunny Sknit


Your Spontaneous Drivel
Is assaulting our silence
You sit there and Snivel
Seeking our alliance
And
All we can think
is
SHUT UP
SHUT UP
SHUT UP!
by: Martina Munroe

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Sponteneity



“The essence of pleasure is spontaneity”


Right now I am laughing at myself because I am being so un-spontanious about writing about Sponteneity.

I am not a natural sponteneity-ite! I have had to learn how to enjoy and participate in spur of the moment activities.


I have been thinking about Sponteneity because a friend of mine who is a mother of 2 young children was lamenting at the loss of her freedom to be so. Children do change you. Much more so if you are a person who is used to making last minute decisions about things.

You can't just go out for the evening or go on a trip. Planning is an essential!

Book the time, book the babysitter, plan for the funds to both do what you want and pay for child care. Or, take the children with you. Which entails all sorts of planning and organizing!


I found that children increased my ability to be spontaneous. I learned to go with the flow and enjoy the moment. To sing and dance just because! To laugh without reserve. To be part of a game because it is there. These are things I learned from my children. In turn this ability has transferred over to my creative and, dare I say, social pursuits.


So to my friend I say "Yes sponteneity still can exist while raising children" It exists in very different ways than it can when without the encumbrance of the responsibilies of raising a family. It is smaller and more immediate. And, on so many levels, so much more fulfilling.


If the essence of pleasure is sponteneity then it is something we should plan to practice every day.

I know I do. And I enjoy a well planned day!



Thursday, February 17, 2011

Thursday Thought


Master concentration, master anything.


This is the truth isn't it? Especially in _______________. (fill in the blank)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy V-Day!

Another Amazing Canadian Artist for your Melody Monday!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

I Need to Lie Down.

It has been a while since I have posted any knitting content. Not because I am not knitting because I am ALWAYS knitting. But, because....I am knitting and running a shop and being a semi present Mother and Wife. And reading and beading and taking nutrition classes and furtively thinking about cleaning and giving input on the main bathroom redec.

Don't know about you. I need to lie down now.

At the moment I am waiting for my 11 o'clock Thursday student to arrive so I will have to pause in my post very soon.

What have I been knitting? Yes, I heard you ask.

I have been working on the Cloisonne Jacket from Interweave Knits. I am only doing it........




and I am back again.....


I am only knitting the Cloisonne during the evenings at home because of the colour work that is involved. It is not that difficult but there is no repeated row in the pattern so I can't do it from memory. I find it hard to even watch the TV at the same time.



I have gotten a bit further than in the photo but alas I have not taken a photo yet...Soon I promise!


I spent a good part of the weekend knitting eggs to be embellished with beads. I knit them with Noro Silk Garden and got a wonderful array of colours from the one 50 gram ball.


Then I started knitting Bunny Nuggets....





I am loving this tiny knitting!

I have also knit 2 1/2 socks,
a sweater for Bruce (which his wife ripped out...so needs to be reknit)(le sigh), a shawl, a scarf, a few cowls....several hearts (I still need to knit more of them)... Ah yes...I do have a photo of the hearts .


Happy Valentine's Day!