I didn’t run after him, stop him, and meet him… but he walked past me on his cell phone on Argyll Street (he was headed towards Oxford Street) in Central London. WOW. It was actually him… no mistaking that face and those teeth!

Onto other things… went Yarn Shopping in London today. Bought a few gifts and went to Knit Night at IKnit London.

We went to Carnaby Street (which had the Shakespeare’s Head pub & restaurant) and then to Kingly Court (pictured below) to All the Fun of the Fair. They have some nice hand-spun, hand-dyed yarns that I’d never heard of before. But they also have a lot of random stuff – knick-knacks, buttons, vintage patterns, knitted paper chain, knitted tool with belt, knitted food. The whole store was decked out in cupcakes and cookies and hot cross buns… all of the knitted variety. They are all fair trade and knitted for the shop for sale.

We went to Liberty’s (opposite direction from Andy on Argyll Street), who basically have a monopoly on Rowan Calmer. I was looking for a bright red for Chelle (she bought me some “going away yarn” that became my hot water bottle cosy) but none of the reds were bright enough. They were too orangey. And Cass – the browns were all… just blehey. The lighter one was kinda greeny and the darker one was too dark. Hmmm I’m not impressed with Rowan Calmer selection, athough the Rowan Handknit Cotton had a really nice brown. Unfortunately what I did buy, cannot be shown off here… as the recipients are definitely readers and could probably guess what was for them.

I adore Artesano Alpacas – Aran line… yuuuummmm…. *drools all over it* (can’t find a link). I wanted the blue one and the dark purple (I already have the light purple for my blanket)… and I found a new yarn line called “Sublime“…. omg is IS just that! Softsoftsoft. I fell in love with the Angora Merino, is it any wonder why it’s soft? Again, I was drawn to the purple! I still need a few hanks for my blanket’s yardage requirements.

While I’m on the topic of yarn, did you know that Rowan’s Tapestry is 30% soybean?! Crazy! (70% wool). I also discovered Cherry Tree Hill, not my kind of yarn (read: socks), but it came in some really vivid colours. It hit that bright red I was looking for, as well as this really gorgeous fushia and a turquoise as well.

Coming home we always have to go through King’s Cross:

Q: Do you subscribe to any magazines (knitting or otherwise)? Or do you prefer to purchase magazines at the newstand? Do you subscribe online to any knitting magazines/newsletters? What does a knitting magazine need to have to catch your fancy and get you to fork out that well-earned cash?

I don’t subscribe to any magazines at the moment. I sometimes purchase magazines, rarely knitting ones. The patterns just don’t draw me in. Although occasionally I really like Simply Knitting’s free gifts! hehe. The thing that bugs me about knitting magazines (and most craft magazines) is that I can’t flip through them (like I can with books at the bookstore). So I’m more inclined to purchase a book despite it costing more than a magazine, just because I can flip through beforehand and see if I really like it. I like to know that it’s worth my money. Right now I’m lusting over the Cables & Aran Stitch by from Harmony. I love stitch dictionaries! That’s why I bought “How to Knit” by Debbie Bliss.

You thought this was a knitblog didn’t you? Well to be honest, it never began as one… back in 2001… on a different blog/server/name. But when I started getting back into knitting properly… I think it was mid-2005, and then strongly in late-2006, the blog sort of converted. It was very organic.

So I know it’s been a looooong time since I’ve posted anything about knitting, so here is something: I’m working on a gift. {everyone groans and rolls their eyes} But I don’t think the recipient reads the blog, or if she does, she won’t know this is for her. So here is it:

Partway done… does it look like a Penguin? Before I put the wings on, it looked like a Snowman.

It’s from Jean Greenhowe’s Knitted Animals.

If you look at the arms in this photo of the pattern – the Penguin is supposed to have different wings. Now look up at the duck wings on the cover of the Pattern Book, Yep… I used duck arms on Penguin.

Ruth tagged me in this meme to help me get my Blogging Mojo back. I’m sorry I haven’t gotten around to it sooner Ruth, but it just started gnawing… “what if you don’t pick the right posts? You have posts going back to 2001… you better pick properly!” Can you tell I reeeally didn’t have any Blogging Mojo? To be fair on myself, some of those posts waay back when that I imported from DeadJournal were a little pathetic… no pictures, no capital letters, and often just quiz results. Here’s throwing caution to the wind! If you don’t like my choices, you do the meme… tag, you’re it if you want it!

MEME RULES:

Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you’ve written. But there is a catch:

• Link 1 must be about family.
• Link 2 must be about friends.
• Link 3 must be about yourself.
• Link 4 must be about something you love.
• Link 5 can be anything you choose.

Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least TWO of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better. Readers – don’t forget to read the archive posts and leave comments. (You can if you want to. No pressure.)

 My Links Are… drumroll please….

1. Family – being accepted into my BF’s family for Christmas (2006)
2. Friends – wishing my best girlfriend a happy birthday and reflecting on our friendships now that school is over.
3. Myself – announcement of the job I got for Pacific Rim Magazine 2007. (Also – the scholarship I received from the Editors’ Association of Canada for my position on PRM).
4. I Love… Craig. This was a lovely weekend (read: a bit mushy) from the summer.
5. Surprise = Henry! The bestest story ever. Henry + Knitting. Just Photos.

I just finished writing a letter to the girls I babysit (back in Vancouver). I left my email with them, and have sent cards for their birthdays, but I really wanted to write them a proper letter. My babysitter when I was little, Lisa, started to do this with my sister and I when she moved to San Diego to live with her husband. We still sometimes talk through email. I always looked forward to her letters, she always wrote at least 2 or 3 pages back, sometimes more!

So I wrote one to Emily and Gabrielle both, and hopefully they will reply separately, or if they reply together, I will have separate answers for each girl and can start writing individual letters back. It’s great that I can just ask a ton of questions and I’ll get them writing back!

Did I ever post this “goodbye collage” that they created for me? (Edit: Yes, because the pictures were already cropped and resized). (Edit #2: There was no original post. For some reason I cropped and resized this and never posted it. I swear, I’ve re-read all my November 2007 posts.)

My mom just forwarded this to me… For the Record: I hate forwards and for a while would rant whenever someone sent me one, but if it is super funny, I’ll enjoy it on occasion. And besides, I can’t yell at my mom for sending me one! What kind of daughter do you think I am?

The neighbours have cats — I see them around every so often. Tobey (aka Handsome) hasn’t been coming around as often, but today I saw two!!

This one I called Sweetie. She likes to hold her paw up like that, it’s the other one when she is standing. So cute! She is absolutely tiny too… maybe 6 – 8 months old.

She kept rolling over to scratch her back on the sidewalk. It’s just that she was a little bit camera shy because the first photo I accidently had the flash on and she doesn’t seem to like ANY noises.

This is Fluffy. I went outside to check if Sweetie was still there, and it was black and white… but when I called her over – she was Poofa (read: fluffy)!! My camera was still inside so I scooped her up (which both ladies liked) and ran inside going “Craaaig!!! I have a new snuggle friend!” He replied with, “Did you steal another cat?” To which I reply, “No. I’m just borrowing them for a snuggle. I know they can’t live here.”

Oops! I suppose as the host and main organizer of the UK Swap, it would sortakinda be a good idea actually do mine! Oh and if there is anyone from the swap visiting — they questionnaires are due on Monday January 28th! Warning: “home” or “Canada” refers to Vancouver, BC, Canada … where I was born, raised, and until recently, lived.

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?
Knit. Only. But I would looove to learn to crochet to “embellish” my knitted items!

What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project?
I’m terrible with big projects, or things that take too long. I don’t think I could handle a sweater, too many stitches, or socks because I’d get Second Sock Syndrome. I don’t often make the same thing twice either! I liked my hat, my hot water bottle cosy, felt clogs, toys.

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?
I love organic/dyed cotton by Blue Sky Alpacas. I love alpaca, llama, and anything squishy. I recently learned about a yarn here called Artegano Aran that I like too. I’ve never seen it before!

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?
I don’t knit socks so I prefer an aran/DK weight instead of a sock or lace weight. I’m not a big wool fan, or anything scratchy or itchy.

Do you do any other crafts?
I sew and make jewellery (earrings mainly). I would love to learn to quilt.

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?
Something easy with a simple stitch that can be picked up/put down.

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new?
Either my backpack in the other pouch from everything or the “laptop area” if it isn’t full… or my storage area for OTN projects are in my Grandma’s old knitting tote. It’s a long over the should bag and the opening snaps open/close with some sort of bendy metal rod things. It’s great and I get to feel close to my nanny when I use it.

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?
I’ve heard of some “Learn to Crochet” DVDs, but I’ve never seen them. I like the Aran and Cables stitch dictionary by Interweave Press and I’m considering buying it soon.

Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour? What is your least favourite colour?
Favourite is blue. Nearly all shades — not really pastel/baby. But navy, royal, sea, sky, all those blues I love. I don’t really have a “least favourite” but I prefer jewel colours and “colds” rather than “warms” (blood or ruby red is the exception)… so not so much orange/yellow. I really like purple now… totally growing on me! I’m knitting myself a blanket made of a variety of purple yarns. I just bought 2 hanks of Artesano Aran in purple. Yum. I still need a few more hanks to reach the yardage required for a blanket.

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?
I like orange and red smells. You know, mandarin, satsuma, fruit punch, strawberry, cranberry.

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)
I prefer a nice warm shower (with a good stream), and make my BF give me a massage (he always wants one in return). I really just like to sit down in my pyjamas with a good book and a cup of tea. Mmm pyjama bottoms and tea. I love to read! Book recommendations or sharing books is welcome (second hand is fine as long as they’re in a good condition).

What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.)
Cookies! (aka biscuits in the Queens English). I love McVities… we only get the digestives and chocolate covered ones, and occasionally hobnobs in Canada… we don’t seem to get as many varieties. I certainly can’t find the light digestives in Canada. I also love a gooood cuppa black tea! Yum… and tea toys.. hehe I’ve been eying those little counter-top things for your spoon when you’re done with it, they are adorable!

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Favourite mug/cup?
Tea. I’m an English Breakfast/Orange Pekoe kinda girl. I like good sized mugs (grande if you’re a Starbucks go-er), I have a number of Pooh Bear mugs that I really like, and a few “travel” genre mugs from different places I’ve been.

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts)
I like to watch re-runs of TV shows on DVD. Complicated I know, but I love CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (original Las Vegas one) and since I’ve seen every episode numerous times (except for the new season of course) I can easily watch my knitting and listen to the TV and glance up at my favourite parts. I have it so memorized that the episode can play in my head. I’ve started doing this with Gilmore Girls and I want the new Sex and the City shoebox to do it too!

Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK?
Currently in Greater London (Potters Bar), but in March we’re moving home to Manchester.

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?
I’m a Canadian born and raised (Vancouver, British Columbia), I moved to England to live with my boyfriend after we were long-distance for 2.5 years.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would love to visit the ENTIRE world! I want to go travelling all around Europe, across Canada and the USA, and then to a variety of other locations such as Egypt, China, Israel, Japan again, Thailand…. etc.

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)
Tea party all the way! Back in Vancouver my favourite place to go is high tea at The Secret Garden Teahouse. It’s absolutely delicious and

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)
Hmm I’d say traditional in my mannerisms and ideas and organised in my general lifestyle. I like to be prepared and it helps me stay calm to plan ahead. In terms of my clothing style… comfort all the way.

Final Part:

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?
I’m a vegetarian, but that shouldn’t be a big deal — I’m not vegan, I still eat dairy.

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?
Definitely email me if you have any questions!! I totally want to get to know you a bit better, even if I can’t find out who you are until you reveal yourself with the arrival of my package.

I have a cat back at home. His name is Henry. I also have a chinchilla, his name is Chico.

Chelle (a fellow knitter from Vancouver) is having her first contest! It’s a mini one to start out – just wager a guess as to what her secret knitting project is. Go give it a try!

What’s your favorite book that nobody else has heard of?

Definitely “The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle” by Avi. This was my favourite childhood book with a 13-year-old female heroine on a pirate ship! She starts out on the ship to cross to America in 1832 with another family, who do not show up. She becomes one of the crew and they eventually mutany against him, but during the voyage she is accused of murder, brought to trial (proceeded by the Captain) and found guilty. I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s absolutely perfect! There is mystery and intrigue and pirates who aren’t as “bad” as they seem. It’s an amazing young-adult novel.

This is the old cover (1995) that I was always used to… still want a copy like this. I probably borrowed it like 17 times from my Elementary School library.

It was recently re-released (2005 hardcover), but I feel that the new illustrated cover doesn’t have the same “classic” or “period” feeling that the other one does.

This is the original 1990 cover.