Off The Grid NeedleArts

Also? She knits and has a crafty stash that almost rivals my own – I’ve been tempted to steal some of her gorgeous fabric when she wasn’t looking. I feel pretty lucky to have gotten to know her while she lived here, and I hope that we’ll keep in touch. Like true introverts, our favourite visits usually happen through texting so I think our chances are good.

Good luck in Houston, Michelle. When I’m finished my Topiary, it’ll remind me of you. If you haven’t finished yours yet, you can mail it to me and I’ll finish it for you 😉

I’ve been planning a very special project for a special birthday for my mum. She’s 65 this year and it’s time I make her something big. Something that will take some time and thought, careful execution of stitches, and a pattern that she will enjoy looking at for years to come. If I put all of that work into it, and she didn’t really love it? Well, that would be not good for everyone involved. So, I involved her in the process, and we had fun choosing the pattern. I did choose the yarn, but I ran it by her and it received a thumbs up.

It’s another Brooklyn Tweed pattern, Umaro – seriously – does that man come out with a pattern that I don’t love? If the stars align, I’ll cast on later today. After I finish this:

It’s mocking me. Soooooooo close, but those little holes are so small it always takes longer than you think.. I also need to finish this:

Another important gift that was actually given last year incomplete. It needs finishing ASAP, and I’m this close. It’s a simple feather and fan recipe done on teeny tiny needles with teeny tiny yarn, but I hope will please Adrienne and make her think of me when she wears it.

Topiary is ticking along, my helper watched carefully.

Landmark’s Iris almost has the black outlining complete, I’d love to finish this one up in the next few weeks.

Now that I’m home again, it’s time to pay attention to a few other WIP’s. This is a LHN design – “12 Days of Christmas” and is a fairly easy stitch with the words taking shape satisfyingly quick. I like the lord a leapin’, but the french hen seems to be sitting on top of the swan which is a little weird…..

Last night after a pretty spectacular sunset , the wind picked up around 11pm. We are on a small island out in Georgian Bay, and the weather greatly affects our ability to get back to the mainland, so I have become an Environment Canada junkie. My in-laws who also have a place here needed to get to town today, and left around 8:30am. I received a text an hour later saying they had arrived safely but that the crossing had been one of the bumpiest trips they’ve had in a long time. The temperature is starting to drop, so the woodstove going and the dogs are camped out on the couches off of the chilly floors.

My son arrived home last night with what seemed like a stomach flu – of course – when I can’t be there to help, these things happen! This morning John tells me he seems to be back to normal and the children have gone off to school as usual.

Today is knitting day – I’ve got a Brooklyn Tweed pattern on the go – “Topiary“. I’m using the recommended wool and it’s gorgeous. It’s a well written charted pattern and so far has been a pleasure.

We arrived on Saturday and spent a lovely weekend together with perfect weather. Now, they’ve left and it’s quiet. I can hear the birds, a snoring dog and nothing else. My son cried when they left, and I will admit there was a huge piece of me that wanted to shout, “Wait! I’ll come home with you – I”m sorry, what was I thinking?” Though I also knew that they would be just fine without me, and so would I without them (not for too long).

Now I have a pot of espresso and a project to work on. I’m trying to finish this for my daughter and it’s been on the frame far too long. It’s “Iris” a design by Landmark Designs, from the stained glass series. Tomorrow, I knit. After I call the kids of course.

Thank you John, you’re the best.

xo

This is my view for part of the year. Hopefully as this blog progresses, my photography skills will improve. Knitting, stitching and an ever present cup of coffee keep me company while I spend time with my family.

I’ve needed a place to record my projects, both finished and in progress. So many years have gone by without even a picture of many of them. I am a serial starter, and definitely have met few crafts that I didn’t want to dive into with enthusiasm.