Summer Studio: Two

I am a little late in posting my Summer Studio tour but better late than never. Don't you think?

I finished the sweater at last. I sewed up the seams on the arms and went to put the zipper on only to realize that I didn't get the right zipper. I was too preoccupied with selecting the right color and length that I neglected to select a coat zipper. I live out of town so I won't get to the city today but I will get one next time.

I am not too pleased with the outcome. I made one error. One. And wouldn't you know it, it is on the front chest part. Figures. Also I think the sleeves could have been a little more loose. The neck seems too high and a bit small.

I loved the ease of the pattern though and I will make this one again. I'll just not decrease so much on the sleeve and I'll use bigger needles for a more relaxed fit. It is plenty long enough and there is a lot of stretch too it.

All in all, it turned out just okay for me. It was my first attempt at a sweater but definitely won't be my last.

Oh Canada!

Happy Birthday Canada. What a great country you are. Beauty. Majesty. Freedom.

I am unabashedly patriotic. I love my country!

The Calm Before the Storm

The weather here has been very unstable. Hot and humid. There is a eerie feeling in the air. I hold my breath and wait for the storm. Lots of lightening. I hear the sound of distant thunder. The birds become still and silent. They are waiting just like I am. Waiting for the rains and the winds.

This is exactly how I am feeling now. On the weekend we are having our Annual BBQ for Paul's side of the family. My side comes in August. We do it every year. I am thinking it is about our 7th or 8th year. We like to gift our families with a nice relaxing time and lots and lots of nourishing food. It is something I look forward to and yet somehow, something I dread. Just like a summer storm.
I feel nervous and uneasy. I am busy from morning until night planning, preparing, baking, cooking. Cleaning, preparing rooms, thinking. Thinking about what has to be done. Thinking about how it will go. Hoping for good weather not only for the golfers (mostly the men) but also for the women who stay back at the house to talk, drink wine and catch up.

It works out well. We all have loads of fun. The food usually turns out great, if I do say so myself. This BBQ will be bittersweet. Paul's sister, one of my dearest people, is moving across the country in just a few short weeks. One of his brother's health is in question. His other brother won't be there as there is some minor feud with yet another brother going on. His mother, who suffers from Dementia, will not be here either. So this may be the last time we all get together. They are all staying the night. I will be dead tired but it is so worth all the effort. It always is.

Its just this "meantime". The calm before the storm. I wait with bated breath.

Just because this little ragamuffin it too cute for words.

Summer Studio: One

Heather at beauty that moves is hosting a Summer Studio series on fridays. I have decided to join in.

The premise it to show each week what you are working on.

This week I am still working on Athena's spring sweater. Spring sweater, you read it right. Not spring 2011 but spring 2010.

I cast on this Elizabeth Zimmerman Tomten Jacket way back in February. I am a slow knitter, but not that slow. It is just that I am not one to sit still for long periods of time. If I only watched TV then it would have been done long long ago but as I write this it is still on the needles.

I will finish it this weekend. I will, I will, I will. I bought the zipper and matching thread. I have only half of the last sleeve to knit up. All I have to do then is stitch it together, put on the zipper and weave in the ends. Not a lot of work really, just couple of hours at best.

It is my first attempt at a sweater and it is going well. An easy modular jacket. I haven't decided what to do with the neck yet as I didn't make it with a hood. The end result should be up here really soon. Fingers crossed. I guess it will be Athena's Fall sweater. I just hope it is Fall 2010.