Yarn Bits

Paper Work

The dreaded end of the month paper work and reckoning took place the past couple of days, so we're good for another month.  Accounts are balanced and records seem to be correct.  Thank goodness for Quick Books software.  Even within this accounting program I seem to be able to mess things up.  Don usually runs for cover and becomes scarce when I announce I'm going to try and reconcile my business account.

I have been working away on my sock knitting project.  The heel is turned and I'm just working on decreasing for the toe and I'll have finished my first sock.  Pictures soon.  At that point I want to try one knit with our new 3/5 Tencel.  I picked up a very informative sock knitting book today from Romni Wools when we made a delivery there this morning.  More on that next time.

The only downer today was a parking ticket for $60. when Don was parked waiting for me as I delivered an order of chenille scarves to the Guild Shop on Cumberland in Toronto.  He apparently was parked too close to a crosswalk--who knew.  And to think we could have parked in an underground lot for $14., but thought that was too much.  As it turned out, I think not.  Guess what our choice will be another time.  I might even just send off the order through the post.

Beginnings and Endings

Today has it all.  The end of the chenille scarf orders is ready for delivery later this week.  M y sock knitting project is at the critical stage of turning a heel, which I have not done before.  It is coming with me tonight as Don and I are off for our very first babysitting adventure.  I'm thinking I'll have plenty of time to experiment with this new skill.  I have instructions and have been told to just follow along and it will all work out.  I also have a new 2/16 tencel warp ready to dress the loom for 6 woven shibori scarves.  The warp is 15 yd. and the sett will be 24 epi.  I really love working with the 2/16 tencel.  It is a lovely light weight when woven up.

Wish me luck with the sock project and the grandma thing tonight.  I had better succeed in that task or we won't be asked to stay with Cole again.   

Victoria & Albert Museum

Perhaps you have been lucky enough to have visited the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, England.  I have not visited the physical building, but have had a long and enjoyable virtual visit.  www.vam.ac.uk

What a large and fascinating site. Go to "Things to Do" on their home page and visit the "World Beach Project".  Something to think about the next time you are on a beach. What other collections do you have that could be substituted for the pebbles??  I thought of my button collection which is already somewhat sorted according to colour, but not size.  This may be a good exercise of an afternoon and who knows where is might lead.  Visit the textile area of the museum and you will find a very interesting blog by Sue Lawty, artist in residence at the V & A. You can also create your own textile design which is fun.  Here is the design I came up with.  You can watch a video of jaquard weaving. There is an exhibit at the moment called "Out of the Ordinary--Spectacular Craft" which is definitely worth a look see. Have fun with this virtual visit.

Interesting Visits

Just a few interesting sites I've found of late.  The first one I found through the Online Weavers' Guild.  It is a business which sells all kinds of wire for all sorts of purposes.  www.wires.co.uk  You can order little kits which knit up into wire jewellery.  There is a particular one that I might order.  It is a cuff, knit with a frilly-type edge.  I think the kit idea is a great way to get some experience using the wire.  I'm thinking I could use it with my little "Weave-It" and make small wire squares that could be joined later, reminiscent of chain mail. The second site is www.downtownknitcollective.ca  which is the home for the Toronto knitting guild.  They have monthly meetings which I haven't been able to attend yet, but at some point I hope to get there.  They also host quite a large annual knitting show at the Japanese Cultural Centre in Toronto.  Yarns Plus is considering getting involved if they will have us.  Have a look at their links.  There is a project called "The Streetknit Project" which collects warm winter clothing to help the homeless make it through our cold winter season.  I know I have several knit scarves that I have experimented with just hanging around.  I'm sure woven pieces would be accepted also.  Perhap you could have a look around your studios and see what you might find to contribute.

Knitting in the Round

I have been a bit delinquent again, but I was busy with the Moose Show for the past few days.  However, we're back in the studio again and life can return to its usual routine.  Perhaps I'll even get to the blog more often.

A few posts ago I talked about trying to knit with 4 double-pointed needles so that I could then try sock knitting.  I have finished the leg warmers I was working on for practice knitting in the round.  Now I have been sampling with our 3/5 handpainted tencel to work out a gauge and needle size because, eventually, I want to knit socks with the tencel yarn. I used U.S. #2 or 2.75 bamboo needles-double pointed and if I'm measuring correctly, I'm getting 8 stitches to the inch and about 10 rows of stocking stitch to an inch.  The tension looks good to me with this yarn and this size needle, if anything the needle size could go down a bit more.  The plan is to go back to heavier yarn and try a 'real' sock with heel and toe and if that works out, I'll try a tencel sock.  No promises as to exactly when all this might happen.  It really depends on how much television I watch in the next little while  because that is my knitting time.

Don't forget that all the images within the text of the posts can be enlarged with a click of your mouse.

Weave It

You may or may not be familiar with these little gadgets.  I found this particular "Weave It" many years ago, in a lot at an auction that Don and I attended.  It has sat in my desk drawer since then.  I have never felt compelled to use it at all. Today, while reading bits of the correspondence from the online weavers' guild, that I talked about a few posts ago, a site was recommended.  Off I went exploring this site  www.eloomanation.com  Who could have imagined what can be done on this little frame loom?  It only measures 4"x4", but some absolutely amazing pieces have been made using squares woven on this wee beast.  You will find the history of the various types of 'weave-its' and downloads of instructional booklets for each of them on this site as well and there is a blog related to the "Weave It"  http://eloomanator.eloomanation.com   This blog will also take you places you have never been before.  It has patterns and each one is well illustrated. There is a brand still being produced in the U.S. if all this information has interested you in trying it out. I intend to move my little guy into the living room near the sofa.  I think it would make a great activity while watching T.V. at the end of the day. I will certainly have to get back to this site and take more time reading the ton of information that is there. I'll post the squares I create, but first I have to finish the leg warmers I was knitting.  One of them is done and the other is well on its way.  Of course, there is also an order for scarves to finish and I should weave some for the studio.  If only we didn't need to sleep, just imagine what we could accomplish!

Catching Up

I have been absent from blogging for a few days now.  Life does get a little hectic from time to time.  This time of year is the very busiest for Yarns Plus and for myself and Woven Works.  Yet another show is looming.  Josette and I have been busy preparing for the Moose Show which is held in the Barbara Frum Atrium at the CBC building.  It is a lovely setting and a superb showing of the very finest in craft and art.  There is no admission charged.  It opens this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and runs through until Saturday at 5:00 p.m.  Check out the website for more details www.mooseshow.com  The newest development regarding this show is that beginning in '08, the Ontario Crafts Council will be partnering with the Moose Show and changing the name to "The Ontario Crafts Council Show" and relocating to a larger venue.  www.craft.on.ca  It is an exciting development and should allow for growth and the possibility of reaching a wider and appreciative audience for the artists involved.  I'll take pictures of this year's show and keep you posted.  Tomorrow is setup day.  Wish us luck.

Workshop Offerings

Josette and I have several exciting workshops offered beginning this month.  They will be held at our studio in the Distillery District. www.thedistillerydistrict.com One of our invited textile artists, Maureen Harding, is offering three different felting workshops--Nuno Felt Scarf, Exploring Felting Fibres & Techniques and Funky Silk Lap Scarf.  Check out her website to see the amazing kind of work she does  www.dreamspinfibres.ca  I am doing a dye workshop titled "Dye a Rainbow".  You will be dyeing your own yarns to use as you wish, whether it be for a knitting, crocheting or a weaving project.  Josette is offering several varied workshops ranging from beading, to block printing, to drop spindle spinning and even a little pattern drafting-drafting your own collar patterns.  She is always available for private lessons as well. For more details about any of these workshops just call 416-898 -0918 or e-mail us at info@mariejosette.com 

Carnegie Gallery

I spent a large part of today exploring Dundas, Ontario, just outside of Hamilton.  Don was attending a meeting of the TH&B Railway Historical Society which was meeting at the Dundas Historical Museum.  Railroading is his passion. I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to spend a few hours in the village, actually Don's home town.  I visited the Carnegie Gallery and discovered an intriguing exhibit entitled, "Out of the Past...Into the Future", New Works from Old Treasures.  The artists each took their inspiration from an object of their choice from the Dundas Historical Museum. Both the inspirational artifact and the new art piece were displayed.  Many art media were represented in the show.  Many of you would know Lucy Slykerman, who had a beautiful silk dyed, printed piece.  Congratulations, Lucy!!  You would enjoy a visit to her website  www.lucyslykerman.ca  Another artist that caught my interest, Renate Min-oo, worked in both textiles and clay, sometimes separately and sometimes she combined the two media.  www.renate.ca  If you can, try and find time to visit this exhibition.  I'm sure you'll come away with some stimulating ideas.

Fall Inspiration

I managed a short walk today to mail a couple of letters and took along my digital camera.  The colours of Fall are so warm and comforting which seems a bit strange as the season itself is heralding in cold and discomfort, at least in my mind.  I'll share some of the photos I took, along with an image I developed while playing in Photoshop.