Central Park Hoodie - Final Decision

I've just decided to let it be: no zipper for this CPH. I love the yarn - Karaoke - with it's smooth gradations of silvery-grey and black. Very soft, and incredibly warm! I can't recall how many skeins it took, but I know it was less than the pattern called for. I find that happens with most patterns. Better more than less! There's nothing worse than searching for a yarn to finish a project (except maybe for dropping a load of stitches, or tinking back about 6 rows of twists and cables! and no, I've never had any of that happen to me before...)

Two Little Birds

For today: just a picture-post to display the lovely necklace I received in a swap with Flor from Portugal. It seems I get the nicest packages from people there! Another swap, happening at the same time and from the same country, contained a pair of earring that match. Cosmic!
Knitting will be posted soon, I promise (Steph!)

FO - Lady E

Here it is, my completed Lady E! I really love it. After the first round or two it started to get very repetitive and boring, but I'm very glad I finished it. Eight balls of Noro Silk Garden 208. The fringe is my favourite part.

At first I didn't care much for the reverse side, being a bit "unfinished" or "rustic" as the pattern warns, but now I think I prefer it to the front side.

While I won't be making another one of these any time soon, I can now at least say that I've conquered entrelac. (still not sure about the green on me, but it's my latest yarn colour phase.)

Merry Christmas from the Sanctuary!

Have a good one!

Shhh! It's a Christmas Present

It's almost done! My mom's Christmas present. I hope she likes it (I know she will). It's Fleece Artist Merino Sock yarn in the colourway Forest. I'm on the last chart, the end is near! Blocking will be magic (Christmas magic, if it's dry and wrapped on Christmas morning!)

Behold Lady E Blocking

I was just reading Eunny's blog re: How to Block any Shawl Part Deux, and she says that unless you live in a very humid climate, it should be blocked within a few hours. Certainly not the case here. I'm going to have to wait over a few days for this one. (and I said I'd never block on the floor!)

My Stash is Horrendously Bigger Than Yours

In various places and in multiple ways I have stockpiled away. I do have a method, and it really does make sense! The smaller wicker baskets contain scraps and ribbon yarn (because why did I buy it and what am I going to do with it?) The yellow-handled basket and it's companion plastic bag have the yarn I've been holding on to for ages in order to make a comfy purple/blue afghan.
The hope chest and other baskets are just full. :P They contain most of the stash, with the majority of the acrylics in the wicker baskets, and the WIPS and natural fibres in the chest.
Beat that, Stephanie! :)

Needle Case

I've finally gotten the courage to use the sewing machine, and here's the results: a case for all my knitting needles. While it's not the prettiest case, it does the job and the sheep are perfect for it. I love the colour too. I haven't decided yet how I'm going to keep it closed; maybe a ribbon or two. I still have to sew in the zipper for my Central Park Hoodie, so whenever I finally get around to that, maybe the case will get a closure!

Angry Ives

Way too funny, here is Ives beaking off while sitting on Butter's cage. Beneath him, right at the bottom, you can see Butters looking up at Ives and wondering what he's all angry about!

Birds in Flight

Here's a sampling of the pics I took of my boys this morning. All are Hilts but the close-up at the top. They look so cool in flight!

Swap Angel

Here's a little bear I made for a swap. The wings are just tin foil wrapped around a couple of cardboard cut-outs. I punched holes in the back of them and secured them on the bear with some white thread (to match the dress). I also made a little Santa outfit, but didn't take a pic before I sent it off. I hope my swapee likes it!

Heavier on the Canary, lighter on the Knits: an explanation

As you can see, I haven't been posting much knitting lately, and have resorted to cute canary pictures. These two items are what I'm putting forward as an explanation. I've been knitting too much to actually post anything :p
So, here is a chullo with a personally designed maple leaf fair isle pattern (made with black Lamb's Pride Worsted and some hand spun, hand painted stuff I picked up ages ago on eBay).
Also, you'll see my WIP of a Lady Eleanor, from Scarf Style. It's in Noro Silk Garden, 208 on 4.5mm needles. I'm approximately halfway through. Can't wait to finish this one and block it out! Entrelac was on my list of "to learn" for quite a while, and I'm glad I started this pattern because it truly isn't that difficult. (can't wait to attach the fringe, that's going to be amazing) :)

Tribute to Trigger

Here is my very favourite canary - Trigger. He died a while ago. These pictures feature him at his dopey best, first eyeing me with fear and a bit of irritation, then happily sitting with seed husks on his beak like usual! He was a filth-pig :p
Then we see him soaking wet, after one of his very few baths, then sitting on my keyboard, unsure what to make of the situation! (you can see a drawing I did of him while he was asleep in the background). Finally, one of the last pictures I took of him, sitting on his seed dish, staring over his shoulder as if to imply "what!? I'm trying to eat here!"

Inter-species face-off

Just a quick note today: Ives inspects one of the items I got in my most recent "Autumn" themed swap.

The First Installation of the Fine Feathered Fellows of the Canary Sanctuary!

It's about time to introduce my great birds!
Here you see the proud Mats: the epitome of canary-ism. Here we see him with slightly spikey head feathers following a bath.


And here is (what is most probably) Mats' brother Hilts. Yes, he is named after Hilts of the Great Escape. Thusly named because he tried to escape the box we brought him home in.
Hilts is most probably Mats' brother because they were bought at the same time from the same breeder. They "argue" between the cages too - chasing eachother and generally engaging in sibling rivalries!



Here is Butters (and yes, he's named after the South Park character). He's quite a loud-mouth, and the biggest bird here at the Sanctuary! He and the next canary are in love :) They tweet at eachother all day, and if they're separated for any length of time they plaintively cry for eachother.



Ives: the tough guy. He's also named after a Great Escape character. He's very orange - a fiery one through and through! Here we see Ives right after a bath, in full spikey-feather mode.



Here's Moore, taking a bath. When he made a visit to the vet, he was weighed. When the vet came back into the room with him, the vet said "Here's the little Fatso!" Hahaha, he went on a diet after that! He loves his baths, and has the oddest tweet you've ever heard.