Creativ Festival Goodness

The Creativ Festival was many weekends ago (I know, extra-slow blogger. I try). I went on a Saturday, which is unusual for me. I usually go on a Thursday or Friday night to avoid fabric-snatching old ladies, but I took 2 classes. The first was on machine knitting, which was very good. Makes me want to get a decent knitting machine, but I think I will master the $2-garage-sale Classic Bond first. The second class was continental knitting (I'm a right-handed thrower, like most in these parts). It takes a while to get the tension sorted out, but once you do, knitting is a breeze. Purling, however, leaves something to be desired.

As for the "show" itself: almost no knitting stuff. As usual, quilter's stuff was out in full force. So I loaded up on quilting and sewing stuff, and only got 3 knitting-related items: Addi Turbos (for $12 from Headwaters Wool) and 2 magazines.

OOOOHHHH!! And I was under budget to boot!

A little Gauging Snafu

First off, I want to say that Tool at the Molson Ampitheatre last Saturday was AWESOME!! If any of you get a chance to see them live, TAKE IT!!

On to the snafu...
When I first saw the Gatsby Girl Pullover in the Fall 2006 Interweave knits, I knew I had to knit it.

So I bought the yarn (a substitute, too poor for Rowan), got out my needles (3.5 mm) and set out to gauge this sucker. The pattern says 28 sts and 36 rows = 4" on larger (3.5 mm) needles. So I cast on about 30 sts and knit a few rows in stockinette stitich.

WAY to few stitches per inch.

So I tried 3.25 mm. Same result. As 3.25 was my smallest single point needles, I went to the Headwater Wool site to look into getting some smaller Addi straights. I decided to look at my LYS instead because Headwater doesn't carry quarter sizes (at least on their website they don't). The Addi straights there were too pricey, so I went to Wal-Mart and got Boye 2.75mm.

Still too few stitches per inch.

Then I took a good look at the pattern and realized something: the pattern only has a small stockinette section at the bottom of the pullover. The rest is mostly rib stitch (k1, p1).

So again with the 3.5 mm, using the right stitch. In the end, the right needle size was 3.75 (another trip to Wally's for some Boye's).

So the moral of the story is: Read the pattern first! (Especially if the stitch type isn't clearly stated in the gauge section).

Now if only I can make this pullover in less than a year....

...And nobody lost an eye!

But someone picked up extra stitches (10!) making a scarf, but we won't talk about it. After all, it was the yarn, not the six Coors light! But I digress...

Last Friday, I hung out with drunken knitters (because, you know, sober knitters are WAAAAY too normal!). When I told a certain redhead, he said "Someone's gonna lose an eye." No eyes or other body parts were lost, but fun was had! And I have 2 pictures to prove it.

Here is one of Sophie's super-neat skeleton, chillaxing in a sock designed and made by rocketbride. Look for it (hopefully, fingers crossed) in a knitty near you (if she can find a suitable photographer).NOTE: Sock pattern does not include skeleton.

Here is another awesome pic. Yours truly forgot her tape measure (and this is before the drinking started!) and I had to borrow one. Sophie's tape measure came with a few extras...

There's an arm-warmer and a few other objects I can't identify. Oh, and if you look closely, you can actually see the tape measure.

Good times, good times. I think I'll do it again next month!

Times they are A-Changing.....

New Year, New life. Including new boyfriend, which may shock some of you.

Truth be told, there were three things that were keeping me in my old relationship: Love, fear, and obligation. I think that towards the end, there was way more fear and a ton more obligation than there was love. And there was a bit of resentment thrown in for good measure. I mean, here I am at 27 and I kinda feel like I squandered my youth. And I ain't getting any younger. I just settled down to young because I was extremely afraid of ending up alone. Now I am alone (well at least living alone) and it isn't so bad. I am trying new things, and I intend to move back to Toronto by June 1st. Woohoo!

In other news: I am current destashing books, yarn and fabric on ebay. Just search for user madhatress.

So, if anyone know of an apartment available in the West end of Toronto, let me know!

CSNF Goodness

Long time no post!

So I went to the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival last Thursday afternoon. Lots of quilting cotton goodness, with some yarn goodness on the side. My poor VISA is still in recovery...

I enjoyed the show, but I found that most yarn crafters (knitters, etc) did not because of the lack of knitting wares. There was a crap load of scrapbooking stuff, which is weird cause it is a NEEDLEWORK festival. Not that there is anything wrong with scrapbooking....

Anyway, now I got MORE crafting stuff to pack! Good thing I bought a lot of bins this weekend!

In other crafting news, after I get moved I will start posting picks of my WIPs and FOs for all you crafters out there.

Movin' on up

So we got a place in Georgetown. Nice 2 bedroom, basically half of a house. Recently renovated, nice looking. A little more then I wanted to spend, but after seeing a "cheap" apartment in Acton, I was scared straight!

If anyone has a washer/dryer for sale, let me know!

It is almost Thanksgiving! This year I get 2 dinners, one at BF's aunt, one with the 'rents. As usually I will be making 4 pumpkin pies (2 for each shindig). I'll do the first two tonight. Mmm...pumpkin pie....

Only one week to the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival! I am going to doff half a day and go early this year.

Note to the weenie (and any other flyers "scared" of knitting needles): The damn things are DULL anyway! I mean, you would need a sledge hammer to break any skin, and I think you would bend the needle first anyway! And beside, and knitter worth their salt would not give up a needle to a terrorist!

Some people's kids....

The Hunt is on...

I hate looking for a place to live. Usually most places are either a) uber-expensive or b) cheap but crap. There are very few that are just right, but they get snapped up fast. I'd better make some Mad Money fast, so I can get a house! Wish me luck in the hunt!

Hey knitters! Dial this number for support: 1-877-SOS-KNIT (toll free in Canada and the US)

MW Reunion

Woot! My old high school is having a 20 year reunion (Note: It's 20 years since the school has been around, not my 20 year class reunion! I'm a young'in!) I'm not sure if I am going yet, as it is 30 bones, and I'm not so sure about the "Home-grown" talent thing.... I will have to consult with other people I know and see if anyone else will be there.

Fav quote: "i am behind in a self-paced program" -david payumo

HAHA! Wonder what ever happened to him?

I have a blog!

Guess I have crossed over to the dark side....