Weekend Three

This past weekend on the Saturday, May 8, Bev and I drove to Toronto for the Knitters' Frolic.

This is the 13th year and we have gone for several of them and have seen it grow by leaps and bounds. Held at The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, there is lots of space for the vendors and classes. Wish the parking lot was bigger but we were able to get a spot in the far back corner of the lot. Funny thing was that Joan and her husband pulled into the next spot to come free about 3 cars over from us. He came along to get ideas for when they do shows and Joan was there to shop and see the yarn and maybe to get some ideas. Think I have their priorities right.

I must admit that I was very focused on what I wanted to see and didn't plan to buy very much. Didn't buy as much as I was interested in but, of course, it is way more than what my children think I should have bought. They do not understand the concept of "stash" and the satisfaction of having the yarn or books even if they are not used immediately.

Will show one of the yarns I did buy.
This is a gorgeous silk yarn with the dye name of "sand". Colours are much more subtle when holding it. Plan to make a circular shawl for one of the grandchildren to have for their children. Already have the yarn for 2, maybe 3, of the 4 shawls I'll need. Might even get 9 more done for my Sister's grandchildren. Two do have theirs.

At the show Bev and I shared an order of sushi made with brown rice and so very fresh and delicious. Also had a cup of lemon ginger tea which was just perfect to take the edge off our hunger. A lovely lady from the North York Knitting Guild sat with us and we had a lovely talk about many yarn related topics.

Bev and I headed out then to the North York Ikea store for a "proper" meal. Had a delicious meal of stuffed salmon and nice wander through part of the store. It made a nice break and was something we hadn't done for a very long time.

Started on our way home and did very well getting in the right lanes and such for the 401 at a very busy time of day. Since I don't do it often, I naturally found it somewhat stressful and tiring so we decided to stop in Kitchener for gas and something sweet. Went into the Pioneer Barbeque for dessert but ended up with a pulled chicken sandwich before. My dessert was a raspberry custard pie with an inch of topping. (The rhubarb was sold out.) Very much worth stopping for. And got my gas nearby as the headwinds driving home were so bad I wasn't going to risk going too much further even with the guage showing I had a quarter of a tank. It turned out that the gas was 3 cents cheaper there than at my closest home station so that was a nice bonus.

Sunday, Mother's Day, I was on my own as Son left early in the morning for Northern Manitoba for a few days work. Turns out the place required a $5.00 boat trip out to an island. Not your usual form of travel to work. Eldest was out west and due home today or tomorrow and Youngest lives by Toronto and busy with her own family. Had seen them all two weekends ago so certainly didn't expect to see them today. I did get phone calls from all three though.

I have been making the shawls mentioned in the first Weekend post and have nearly run out of yarn for one of them. Had bought the yarn in Port Huron a year or two ago but hadn't gotten enough. Finally remembered that I had seen it at Mary Maxim's in Paris a few months ago and a check on-line shows it in their catalogue. It was a bright sunny cold day and very pleasant to drive with everything so green and fresh looking. Had a nice drive on the 401 and the 403, got the yarn I need to finish the shawl, and then had a nice meal at Kel's across the road from Mary Maxim's. (Love stopping in there - good food, good prices and nice staff.)

Came home on Hwy 2 so an even "quieter" drive. Treated myself to some ginger from Picards in Woodstock and soup from Tim Horton's for supper. Have watched a web-televised show featuring a blogger I enjoy reading. Knit several more rows on my Peacock Shawl and typed out several posts.

Feeling very satisfied with the weekend. Have London Guild Monday night, missing K-W Guild Tuesday night and supper out Wednesday night, swimming Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, so a fairly busy week. Hopefully can fit in lots of knitting and I can get some pictures of my progress.

Hope your week going well.

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Halloween Knitting

Had a delightful weekend.

Started Friday with taken a Board Member from the Condo where I work to Len's Mills so she could buy some yarn. Always a nice start to any day. Especially since I didn't spend any money, had lunch bought for me, and did something nice for someone else. She will be making 6 or 8 sweaters this fall -- 2 children and the rest are for adults. Does much more knitting than I am just now!

Worked my afternoon which went well with no problems and visits from some that come down for the Friday coffee hour. The ladies are very nice and some are knitters and/or quilters so lots to talk about.

Went to Little Red Mitten that evening by myself as Bev was busy. That is when I bought some yarn which hopefully will be used up by Christmas.

Not real tired so headed for Brampton to the youngest. Trip was steady traffic but no slow downs or stops before I get off. Must admit it was nice to get there though and pretty well head straight to bed.

Went to Mandy's hockey game. Had one weird goal that should never have happened but she played especially well in the third period. Her team lost but mainly because they didn't score any goals and were hardly ever having good chances. Do enjoy seeing her the grandchildren's games.

She had better things to do so didn't join Jess and I on our yarn crawl. Went down to Mississauga to Linda's Craftique where I had never been before. Was nice to see the shop and had some yarns I hadn't seen before. Had a table where 4 could sit easily to knit and chat. (Makes me appreciate the Little Red Mitten even more as they have one room dedicated for groups and classes. Get 15 in easily.) Found some lovely graded blue shaded yarn for socks for Jess as that is what she really wanted to do this weekend -- start socks for herself.

Then up to Streetsville (a small town in the middle of Mississauga) as any yarn crawl has to include good food. Went to The Robinson Bray House and had a lovely meal and scones, of course.

Just across the street and around the corner is Ruti's Needlebed Shop where we checked out the sale and regular priced yarn. For some reason, Jess not too interested in the quilt material -- yet. The other project she was interested in was a circular baby shawl and I spotted some King Cole "Soft As Silk" yarn which I love for baby shawls but which has been discontinued. It was a lovely aqua colour and has the sheen from silk and is machine washable. She got to take the whole bag home but I get any she doesn't use. (Maybe by that time I will have cleared out some of the yarn that I have now. Just don't be foolish enough to hold your breath!)

Got her started on both projects and must say she did amazing. Not a lot of repeat questions, learned to look at her knitting and learn what she had to do next. Made some mistakes but identified them quickly and was able to correct them by herself for the main part. Was very impressed by how much she did learn without any frustration. She is doing two socks on two circulars from the toe up and using very small needles. She learned the magic loop method for the baby shawl so she doesn't have to have two circulars. She knows two types of increase and the difference in appearance. Likes quick results so the socks will require a lot of dedication but with the two projects she should be able to keep interested in both. I think she is going to be a very good knitter and one who goes beyond the very basics.

That evening she got to hand out goodies for most of the evening while Mandy and her friend went out. Mandy had a great pirate costume. The weekend before Mandy and Jess had carved pumpkins and I wish I had my camera. They had some great ones including one with a puck halfway in for an eye.

Sunday Alex came home from visiting the girlfriend at her University for a party. From the sounds of it he had a great time. Was quite tired out for his hockey game which they also lost. Such a different game from the Rep teams he used to play on! But it is the level and commitment he wanted to make so glad to see him enjoying himself.

Drove home right after in heavy but steady traffic. By that point I really needed my own bed! Should have been energized by all the wool and knitting on the weekend but haven't done much myself. Have started my own index of the yarn I have and getting a better idea of what can go and what I want to keep. Now just have to get it out of the front room before the Son comes home!

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