Her Blog: The 8 Track Knitting Diva

stuff I totally want to make..

Her — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:50:33 -0400

Check out Danadoodle’s patterns!

Rosie

Her — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:31:54 -0400

Rosie is red

Rosie’s a poo

Give her a pat

And she’ll love you!

Rosie is now 8 weeks old and 3.8 kg. Our little Rosie is nothing like Winston. Unlike Winston, she is able to do stairs without the slightest bit of trouble. She leaps up and down them like she was born to do stairs! Rosie is very quiet in her crate. Rosie shows no fear at all around Winston. She jumps on his head, climbs all over him, hangs off his ears by her teeth or hangs from his beard! She bites his legs, his face, his back. She never really tires on our walks. She bounds on ahead as if to say, “Come on, you can do it! Just watch me!” Rosie pees on command, but is not getting the hang of housetraining after all. Winnie did housetrain in just 2 days with a few minor accidents and some on purposes here and there. Rosie takes Winston’s toys right out of his mouth and clambers into his crate right over top of him to lie down for a cuddle next to him. Wherever her big brother is, Rosie wants to be. Rosie knew “Come” the first day we got her. (Winston still doesn’t!) Rosie is learning to sit and to stay out of Winston’s food. Rosie is really really smart. We have to watch her constantly because she really figures everything out very quickly. Rosie doesn’t get into as much mischief as Winnie used to. Rosie is a barker. She growls, barks, sighs deeply and is 100 times more vocal than her big brother. Rosie stares intently into our eyes, like she’s trying to send us telepathic messages. It’s really strange. You’ll feel these little eyes following your every move and when you look down at her, there she is, staring you down. Rosie is a very intense little puppy. Rosie is not bothered by the cat’s hissing and flailing antics. Rosie backs away, never taking her eyes off the strange, four-legged creature that is clearly not a puppy. Rosie is instantly loved by all who meet her. Mommy gets sad because she’s afraid that everyone will forget about Winston who is a lovely 1–year old fuzzy lamb who brings us all joy :) Winnie is a protective big brother and this is where the two puppies are similar. Rosie is fiercely protective of her big brother. If someone else is holding Rosie, she will look around for her mommy. She is a little nervous that way. Winnie was always happy to go with other people – the nurses at the vet, the lady from camp, etc. Rosie is more cautious and keeps her eyes on me.

For now, she is very much the baby and very much a little girl. She is sugar and spice and everything nice. :)

I need your help!

Her — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:29:52 -0400

A few days ago, I stumbled across a really cute knitted poodle. I can’t find the pattern now for the life of me. It was knitted. It was really well made. It was a stuffed, pink poodle using an eyelash yarn for the fluffy parts.

I want that pattern so bad! I’ve searched through the usual suspects and still can’t find! I’ve tried my bookmarks and my downloads too. :( Very sad. HELP!

This one is more challenging...

Her — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:07:13 -0400

“I’m glad, I’m glad

To have, to have

A friend, a friend

Like……”

Blather

Her — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:42:12 -0400

“You remind me of the babe.”

“What babe?”

“The babe with the power.”

“What power?”

“The power of voodoo!”

“Who do?”

“Do what?”

“Remind me of the babe.”

…..if you love me, you know exactly what this is from! Ok, and if you’re around my age or Amber’s age….sheesh… or if you’re a 19 year old who had older sisters who were obsessed…..

New magazine alert!!

Her — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:15:20 -0400

I was in Chapter’s last night and saw Fons & Porter’s Love of Knitting. It’s nice actually and not super-expensive like some of my other favourite magazines!

We have some new great knitting books on the horizon this fall. Did you know?

Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines: Patterns, Stories, Pictures, True Confessions, Tricky Bits, Whole New Worlds, and Famililiar Ones, Too.

Free-range knitter: The yarn harlot writes again by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (I didn’t have to write the author’s name, did I?)

And one other that I can’t wait to get my hands on….

Knitted Lace of Estonia: Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions by Nancy Bush. A friend of mine consulted on this book. She is from Estonia and does the traditional lace knitting with the “nubs”. Hey, I should take a photo of my shawl she made! Ok, I’ll do that. Later :)

Some great ideas

Her — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:53:51 -0400

I have some great ideas for patterns that I’m working on.

1) I have to write out a pattern for my grocery bag holder. I’ve already made one on request!

2) Wonder Woman Onesie for a baby! I’m using a crocheted onesie pattern and turning it into Wonder Woman! I need to figure out a baby headband pattern too. Remind me to look into baby head sizes.

I will need:

sport weight yarn in red, blue and gold
white star buttons
some gold buttons (eagles would be nice)
J (5.5 mm) hook for 0–3 mos
Hmmm worsted weight might be better for bigger babies, no? I’ll mess around with it
gold ribbon

3) another original scarf by Her. I’m feeling the creative tingling again. Better put it to some good use!

1 will need:

white worsted weight yarn (MC)
blue worsted weight yarn (CC)
small amount of black and grey worsted weight (A,B)
small pieces of felt in gold, red, blue\
sewing needle and thread

4) Have to write out my horse christmas tree ornament!

Knitted Kangaroo

Her — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:18:34 -0400

Knitted Kangaroo

Her favourite quote of the day

Her — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:55:03 -0400

From the Princess Bride group on Ravelry:

“I feel like it’s my purpose in life to make people a) pee their pants and b) snort drinks through their nose.”

A new brand of yarn...Winston!

Her — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:18:06 -0400

I’ve always wanted to spin my pooch’s fur. Weird, ok maybe. Are dogs not our faithful servants? Should they not work to keep us warm? I’m thinking of warm little doggy fur mitts :) Read How to Make Dog Yarn at wikiHow.

Getting back in the saddle

Her — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:07:40 -0400

After a long hiatus of working through my grief over the loss of Bandit followed by the challenges of puppy rearing, I finally feel the desire to come back to my love of knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, crafting and the wonderful online communities like Ravelry :) I am rejoining the land of the living (crafting) with some links that I think fellow knitters will enjoy!

Remember our very awesome MagKnits and desperately sad it was to lose it? Guess what? I’ve found it :) If you’ve not already found it yourself, hop on over to Knotions Magazine. I already plan to knit Art Deco for my mother-in-law’s big antique buffet in her front entrance. It is perfect. Then of course, I must knit myself one for my dining room table.

Ok, so I found something else today called Twist Collective. While the patterns there are not free, it is a lovely site.

“The idea of Twist Collective came from our shared desire to bring talented designers and writers together, to give them a beautiful showcase for their work, and pay them fairly. After publication with Twist Collective, designers have the option of using the pattern as we produced it, photography and all. Meanwhile, writers have an explicit right to use their work here as the beginning of something bigger, if they like, or just to work out an idea in a publishing format that allows them their own voice.
Twist Collective will be published quarterly, send monthly newsletters updating subscribers with news and events, and the magazine’s blog will supplement issues with contributor and reader content, updates to the site, and other surprises.”

Then, if you haven’t already gone out and bought Vogue Knitting Fall 2008, then you should. There is a great focus on Canadian designers and Canadian Knitting Resources! YAY! I love it!

And, if you’ve never been to a Stitch N Pitch event, I have to tell you, you are actually missing out. For the 2009 event, be sure to bring any of your “don’t wants” from your stash. A yarn swap was set up and Allyson and I scored big!

Now Winston is barking and I have to walk him and I’m hungry and I need a nap…. But I will return. I have loads of photos to share….. phew. It is fun to be back though!

Bandit January 3, 2008

Her — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:08:11 -0500

Our dear, dear pooch died in our arms yesterday, January 3, 2008. We brought him in to the clinic that had been lovingly treating him for his lymphoma. It was with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we concluded that it was time for Bandit’s suffering to end. I can’t begin to tell you the pain his loss is causing us both. He was an absolutely wonderful, loving, gentle soul in the body of a sweet, soft, cuddly, warm dog.

Bandit had spent December 30, 31, January 1 and the better part of January 2 in the hospital. We knew we wanted to and had to bring him home to give him at least a night at home in his own bed with all of his own things around him and with us cuddling him and loving him. He was so happy to get into the truck and to come home. He just wanted to go right upstairs to bed. That dog loved his (our) bed. Denver seemed to know that this was the end of his journey and laid on the bed with him. We spent the morning together, lying in bed and cuddling. Bandit had decided he wanted to go for one last walk in the neighbourhood, so I put his coat on him and took him out. Ross came with us and we walked over to the school just down the street. Afterwards, we brought him home and bundled him up in blankets to warm him up. For Ross, the hardest part was getting into the truck to go. On our way to the clinic, we dropped by High Park to fulfill Ross’s last wish with Bandit. We had a lovely little walk in the park and took some last pictures with our beloved pooch.

In the clinic, the staff were all very sad to see that it was time for the suffering to end. They have a lovely family room there with couches and dim lighting. Bandit’s favourite nurse J.P. came in with a comforter and made a cozy bed. We brought Bandit’s favourite blankets with us too. We both laid on the floor, cradling him. Bandit went very peacefully and very quickly in our arms.

Many people have supported us, comforted us and prayed for us along this journey and for that we are deeply grateful. For me, now, comes the hard part - getting used to being without him. He filled our lives with so much joy and love and we are missing him terribly.

Bless you, poochy poo. Mommy misses you.

Dear Santa

Her — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:16:19 -0500

Dear Santa,

I realize it has been a very long time since you have received a letter from me. My how the times have changed since I can now email you and read your blog to keep up to date on the happenings at North Pole Inc. Glad the Elves strike is over. I hope you do go ahead and start your podcast next year. I’m looking forward to it. I also do not have my driver’s license. I don’t have my sleigh license either.

You’re probably wondering why a 30–something woman is writing a letter to you. Or maybe you’re used to that. I suspect you’ve been “around the block a few times” and have really seen it all, so I guess you’re really not that surprised.

I’m writing to you because I don’t know where else to turn. I only want one thing this Christmas. In fact, Bandit and I both want the same thing. We want his cancer to go into remission and for him to live a long happy life. So that’s it. The one gift I want for Christmas. I know it’s not an easy one, like the year I got my easy-bake oven, but what did you expect from a 30–something year old, anyway. I know you know how old I am, but there’s no need to post that here for all to see.

Ross says to take it easy on the fat content this Christmas. I was thinking of campaigning for rice cakes and skim milk for Santa, but perhaps you’re lactose intolerant, in which case, you could have that lactose-free milk. It’s actually quite good.

Have a safe flight :)

Love,

Amanda and Bandit

Another online knitting mag bites the dust

Her — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:16:44 -0500

Now we’ve lost for the love of yarn. Still, we have Knitty, MagKnits, The AntiCraft… not to mention Ravelry, Crochetville…

A new thing on Crochetville is online classes. I’m thinking of signing up for one or two. I think it’s such a great idea. It’s a great way to learn new techniques.

I’m currently working on:

- comfort shawl for a step-aunt (feather and fan pattern)

– scarf (gift) (my own design based on a stitch pattern I found)

– vest for me (beautiful kit from Mary Maxim)

– various cross stitch projects – Jennifer Aikman-Smith’s dragon ornament for one…

– afghan for nephew # 2

Want to start:

– comfort shawl for a lady I met at the CSNF

– comfort shawl for a woman I was talking to last night

– comfort shawl for me – I could use a little comfort myself right now

– hat for me, hat for Ross

– Christmas presents for family………

Please feel free to send me gifts of time. I sure could use it. I also need the housework and garden fairies to come and help me out. If you see them, would you kindly send them over?

Busy busy busy

Her — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:03:32 -0400

Busy busy busy around here and tired tired tired. And crocheting and knitting and more crocheting and knitting with some camping thrown in.

Bandit’s on my mind since we’ve discovered a lump in his neck - again. I’m alarmed. The man of the house is not. I’m crushed, actually. Please tell me it’s not the lymphoma kicking into action again… sigh… this is where I’m at. Please remember Bandit in your prayers. He’s young and full of love and still has lots of it to share.

It's like he knows...

Her — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 11:58:48 -0400

It’s like Bandit knows that after this lovely long weekend together, now I must return to work. We’ve had our walk, I’ve packed up my lunch and my bag and I’m just eating something before I go. Bandit is lying behind me – he came up the stairs and into the office quiet as a mouse and now he’s lying at my feet hoping that his sweet presence will make it unbearable for me to leave him for so long to go to work. I hate leaving him. AGH!

Purchase Leisure Arts Leaflets online

Her — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:54:35 -0400

Have you ever seen someone’s FO and wanted to make one for yourself only to discover that it was from a Leisure Arts Leaflet and then are unable to find it anywhere???!!! I have. It’s so frustrating. Today, over at the ‘ville, someone posted a new favourite link for me! You can purchase those Leisure Arts Leaflets online at LeisureArtsLibrary.com. Yay!

Tour For Kids 2007

Her — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:01:08 -0400

To see all the photos in order you can go to the Tour for Kids 2007 photo album. Enjoy!

Little Women

Her — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:54:53 -0400

Yesterday, while lying in bed on sick day # 2, I watched Little Women which was released in November 1933 with Katharine Hepburn as Jo. I love watching those oldies. Crocheted doilies, afghans, capelets and shawls decorated the set and the little women. I was trying to work on a little project for my soon-to-be-wed sister. A movie like that on a sick day is definitely comforting.

Half-Assed Knit Blog

Her — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:29:15 -0400

I love the Half-Assed Knit Blog. I love all of her projects! I can’t wait for her patterns!

Free knitting patterns

Her — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 12:12:59 -0400

Check out Prima. I have some of these on my to-do list, for sure!

The Channel Island Cast-On

Her — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:50:27 -0400

Here’s a cast on method that I had not heard of before. It’s strong and elastic-y making it good for socks and cuffs. It also has a picot-like edge.

The Channel Island Cast-On from Have a Yarn

Being a "tech-savvy" knitter can be exhausting and confusing

Her — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:27:51 -0400

Ok, so I’ve completed two new projects. Post to flickr? Post to blog? Log it on Ravelry (look for Her on Ravelry) and share in my groups? Post to all? Share on facebook? Post to Crochetville? Post to Craftster? Sell on etsy?

I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

Knitted espadrilles

Her — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:48:09 -0400

Floofle makes beautiful espadrilles! Check it out. Her pattern is free online.

Origin of the Afghan

Her — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:09:53 -0400

Just last week, someone asked me if I knew why we call afghans “Afghans”. She wondered what was the origin of the afghan. Well, surfing around today and not even looking for the answer, I found it. The Origin of the Afghan.

facebook

Her — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 09:43:16 -0400

ACK! Facebook is down? Now what will I do?

A comfortghan for a sweet lady

Her — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:59:12 -0400

Well, I'm working on another comfort shawl for Grandma C, but I must stop to make a comfortghan for a woman I know who is in the hospital in palliative care.

I've decided to use this Victorian Dream Square. I will have white coloured centres and probably shades of blues on the outside. I’ll have to look through my scraps. Actually, multi-coloured would be fun too. If anyone out there would like to make a square for charity, consider making this one and sending it to me to be part of this comfortghan. I’m easy enough to reach via mandalanda2000ATyahooDOTca.

You may mail your completed square to:

Bridgepoint Hospital
Patient Wellness Program
14 St. Matthews Rd., Room 1–227
Toronto, ON
M4M 2B5

Bandit playing in the hose

Her — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:37:28 -0400

This video was taken on Sat. June 16, 2007 in our backyard. Bandit's favourite thing is playing in the hose! What a cutie patootie!

Dear Auntie Helen

Her — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:37:43 -0400

I remember the first year we were married, we received a Christmas card and letter from you. You included a photo of you and Uncle Fred. I had never met you, since you lived so far away and you weren’t able to attend our wedding. I was so surprised and so touched to receive that letter. That began our correspondence over the next 11 years. You sent me photo of you when you graduated from university with your Bachelor’s Degree. I mailed you a card that I made myself. I had made a paper doll of you, complete with white curly hair and a grad gown and cap. I thought it was amazing that you went back to school later in life to complete your degree. Way to go! Over the years it was Christmas letters mostly, with some more thrown in for life events. Then came the internet. I remember how thrilled I was to receive that first email from you! We were giddy with excitement that we could send messages and photos to each other so easily. We were living in Etobicoke in our apt at the time when I received the first email from you. I jumped up from the desk in the office to run off and tell Ross the exciting news! Not many seniors that I know are interested in learning how to use a computer - nevermind email and the internet! I thought to myself, “What a neat lady!” When Uncle Fred passed away, my heart went right out to you and I did the only thing I could think of for you from a distance. I knitted you a comfort shawl. While I knitted it, I thought of you wrapped up snuggly in it. It kept me warm as it grew on my needles. As I told you in my letter when I sent it, I taught my niece (who was 3 at the time) how to knit. She actually knitted part way through a row on that shawl. She sat in my lap, tongue sticking out in concentration with those great big wooden 12 mm needles held firmly in her wee hands. I wish I had a picture of her doing that. She said, “This is fun, Auntie Amanda!” I think that was the best part of the shawl, really. Not that I made it for you, but that my niece worked on it too and gave it an extra-special touch. I wish I had sent you those photos. I will miss you, my great-aunt-in-law, my penpal, my friend. I will miss those letters at Christmas in the mail and miss receiving those emails out of the blue. My vision of you now is you with perfect eyesight, the lungs of a 20 year old, with your arm around Uncle Fred and that big sweet smile on your face. We love you, we miss you.

A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.
~Irish Blessing

and my favourite:

"Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there.
I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that swiftly blow.
I am the diamond glint
on newly fallen snow.
I am the sunlight
on ripened grain.
I am the soft and gentle autumn rain

When you wake from sleep in the early morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft, starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there.
I do not sleep."

~ Mary E. Frye ~

Help Red Tent Sisters

Her — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:49:45 -0400

The message below is from a friend of mine. Please read Amy's message below and help her and her sister in any way you can. Pass this on to anyone you think might be able to help.

Dear Friends,

As the sky breaks up and the rain falls around us, the earth seems to be mimicking the emotional upheaval my sister Kim and I are currently experiencing. Today, after over three months of paperwork and bank schinanagans, we were turned down for a business loan that our banker had led us to believe was a shoe-in. No options. No “let’s try something else”. That’s it. I am an “unemployed” mother, my sister an “unemployed” recent graduate, no assets except part of a house which we already borrowed against to allow me to stay home with my beautiful daughter Mattea for the last nine months, and to provide the “personal investment” of $40 000 that we have already put into the start-up of our business. No understanding or respect for the vision we have of creating a home for women to love their bodies, love their sexual selves, their reproductive selves, their sisterly, goddess selves.

In a cry for hope, we are reaching out to our fellow womankind to help us. We need $40 000 more to finish our start-up – to finish paying our contractors, to buy our merchandize, to buy our signage. We would not ask, if we didn’t know that so many of you are aching to help and yearning to be part of what we are creating. Women supporting women. Bodies loving bodies. Hearts reaching hearts. What can we offer you in return? Nothing and everything, depending how you look at it. Our public display of thanks, by placing your name on our website. Our eternal gratitude. Most importantly, a symbolic “ownership” in “Red Tent Sisters,” a business dedicated to serving women’s hearts, bodies and minds. We welcome your e-mails and phone calls; we cherish the opportunity to tell you about what we are doing. And, if you know of any other women who know us, or know of us, or would be supportive of our cause, please feel free to forward this e-mail to them. Please remember that even a small contribution, made by enough people, can help realize our dream; that is the power of the internet.

To help, please write to us at:

Red Tent Sisters

810 Danforth Ave.

Toronto, ON

M4J 1L6

416-463-8368 (business)

416-422-4221 (home)

Blessings,

Amy and Kim

Amy Sedgwick

O.T. Reg. (Ont.)