Team Canada

Let's get appropriate

2007-02-09T09:23:00.000-05:00

We've created a new home for the folks who drink. and knit. Once a month in Toronto.

We figure it's more appropriate to maintain this space as a National Knitters' Olympic effort space.

I will be sending all members an invitation to join the new drunken knitters blog today: Come and visit - www.knitdrinktink.blogspot.com

I wanna rock!

2007-02-02T15:41:00.000-05:00

Well maybe rolling would be more my style.

The next "Knitting in the Dick" night is on February 9th. Help get through the February hump by making it the biggest knitting get together this year!

As per usual come after 5:00 pm and stay till 2:00am - remember the folks at the pub. *love* us.

j

The benefits of being regular.

2007-01-11T12:12:00.000-05:00

I just talked to the awesome folks at the Spotted Dick. Two awesome things happened:

a) I said that The Knitters would be coming by tomorrow night. The house manager said "Oh good - we'll be expecting you! We missed you last month." You guys hear that? They missed us last month! They like us they really really like us.

b) It's pretty cool that we're known simply as The Knitters. It makes me feel like we're a gang - can't wait to see the action packed movie about us one day.

It's nice being known as regulars.

Cleaning up House

2007-01-07T12:33:00.000-05:00

Hey Folks;

I see everyone is in the throes of new years blogging clean up. Please email me personally at jen_hendriks at hotmail dot com to get removed from the listing. Also, it's a bummer to see the only posting action on the blog are removal request. We'll miss all y'all!

Please include your member name and the email address you used when you signed up (Sherri I don't know who you are to remove you).

On another much more amusing note - this week brings the second Friday of the month!! The knitters will be coagulating (Yeah I said it) at the Spotted Dick this Friday night starting after work and going to closing.

I'm thinking that it would be nice to have a charity component - I love me my new years resolutions - How does Dulaan fit for everyone? I'll collect the hats etc at our drunken knitter "meetings" and mail boxes as they get filled.

Can you dig it?

Removal from Group

2007-01-05T19:58:00.000-05:00

Please remove me from the blog ... I'm having blogger issues with my own blog and am trying to resolve them by eliminating myself from all other blogs.

Thanks. :)

Please remove me

2007-01-02T14:46:00.000-05:00

Remove me to please, house cleaning is starting asap & I want to clean up the house & the blog.
Thanks!

2007-01-01T16:40:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year, all you Team Canada Knitters! Hope that your New Year is filled with fun, wool (and wool alternatives!), and song.

I've been knitting like crazy, mostly preemie items, and making up the patterns from Elizabeth Zimmerman's work, and a lot of practice. I am going to join the 'Knit from my stash' challenge from Wendy Knits (shop owners, of course, are all weeping copiously...).

Two questions: when and where is the next Team Canada meeting? And how do I add a button to my blog? (new version or old version....)

Boppingbeth

boppingbeth@rogers.com
blog: Knitting in the fast lane: http://boppingbeth.blogspot.com/

Hello!

2006-12-30T11:56:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone, 2 things, uno, is anyone knitting along with the world junior hockey championship? Duo, could I get deleted from the blog for a couple of hours so that I can change to the new and improved (...) blogger?

Thanks
K in mtl who wishes she could have gone out karaoke-ing with the TO knitters.

Knitaoke!

2006-12-18T15:50:00.000-05:00

Shout out to all you groovy knitters who made it out to Spirit's on Saturday night! Good on ya! Happy ho ho and all that other shmooo.....

Festive Invite

2006-12-17T00:09:00.000-05:00

Hello my fellow Drunken Knitters. Hope you all had a lovely time singing your hearts out. Sorry I couldn't make it.

I'd like to invite you all to my family's festive occasion. We've decided to do an "at home" style affair this year on Saturday December 30th. Basically, this means we'll be receiving from about 2 until about 10. There will be snacks, soup, drink and hopefully many friends. Please drop by for some holiday cheer. Kids, spouses and knitting are all most welcome. Really, come if you can. We live in the St. Clair/Dufferin area.
Email me for specific address deets: yvetteL33(at)hotmail(dot)com.
Copied from my blog.

Remind the hoardes!

2006-12-14T09:48:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to remind all you beautiful drinking knitters (I'm looking at you David) that the official meeting of the Mickey Mouse....er drinking knitters is happening on SATURDAY, December 16th.

It feels a lot like blasphemy but the knitters have voted [raucously] in favour of a special sort of kniting bender - that of the karaoke variety at Spirit's Bar and Grill. Folks can start congregating around 8:00pm but if you need to be late feel free - we'll just be happy to see you at all.

Singing is NOT required but gently encouraged. Personally, the last time I got up and karaoked it was Working 9 to 5 and unlike Jessica Simpson - I hit all the lines...with dignity yo!

So come on out for the last knit in public drinking event of the year. I'm looking at you and you and you! Don't make me come out and get you.

Sounds like we wanna RAWK!

2006-11-24T10:14:00.000-05:00

December 16th, Spirit's Bar and Grill.....say around 8:00pm?

Sandi would you be cool to let them know that there will be around 20 - 30 knitters there for food, drinks and karaoke?

Excellent news folks - see you there!

scheduling around the big knitty holiday

2006-11-18T15:52:00.000-05:00

as one who can't make it out on the second friday of december (having had the bad manners to birth my only child on that date), can i propose one of two options?

december 1, really far away from busy season
december 15, to take our mind off the busy season

any one else have a thought on this?

Here batter batter batter...

2006-11-10T10:16:00.000-05:00

The next drunken knitters knight is scheduled to drop on November 10th.

It would seem that November 10th isn't a date a lot of really great events have happened on (a la Wikipedia) so I feel we must work to overcompensate and bring the fun!

- 1940 - Walt Disney begins serving as an informer for the Los Angeles office of the FBI; his job is to report back information on Hollywood "subversives".
- 1969 - National Educational Television (the predecessor to the Public Broadcasting Service) in the United States debuts the children's television program Sesame Street.
- 1970 - Soviet Lunar probe Lunokhod 1 launched.
- 1975 - The 729-foot-long freighter SS Edmund Fitzgerald sinks during a storm on Lake Superior, killing all 29 crew on board.
- 2004 - Mozilla Firefox is released.

This was the best of what they gave me. Yeesh, some grisly events have their home on this date...

buttons!

2006-11-05T09:31:00.000-05:00

I had the fever for some buttons, maybe because I'll be missing the next two meet-ups. The second one means, "Hail! We who are about to unravel, salute you!"

cross-posted from my knittin' blog

Found!

2006-10-17T09:55:00.000-04:00

As Yvette, Sarah & I were, um, closing the bar on friday we came across the following left behind on the tables:

This great old-skool Chibi with these needles in it.

And these point protectors too:

So drop me a line if one of these belongs to you and we can figure out how to get them back to you. (My email address is notanartist.blog@gmail.com)

Back on track

2006-10-13T14:40:00.000-04:00

October 13th is the second Friday of October!

Be there or be squarey!

interesting opportunity

2006-10-05T14:13:00.000-04:00

one of my co-workers here at bat masterson high has a friend with sheep. said friend occasionally needs to unload fleece when shearing becomes necessary. i don't spin (or as mel calls it, the work of our people), so i was wondering if there was any interest in raw fleece?

i can forward questions through my friend, if you have specific enquiries. and though i don't do TWoOP, i kind of dig the idea of getting a big ol' bag of fleece at work, making my office reek of lamb, and then handing it over in a bar, like some 80's stereotype of a russian spy.

anyone wanna enable me? gmail questions to rocketbride.

Nuit Blanche Knitathon at the Knit Cafe

2006-09-29T20:25:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Jen's blog I just found out there's a knitathon happening at the Knit Cafe tomorrow night. I've never been to the Knit Cafe and would love to go - anyone interested? Don't want to make the trek down from North York all the way to Queen W if I'm not going to know anyone there...

paging jacquie b...

2006-09-18T18:45:00.000-04:00

sorry to clutter up the main page, but if jacquie could email me, i'd much appreciate it. i went all over her websites like athelete's foot, and i couldn't find an email. my gmail is rocketbride. thanks!

Everybody's working for the weekend!

2006-09-14T15:51:00.000-04:00

Hey Folks - Tomorrow night is on at the Spotted Dick.

There are reso's for 12-16 knitters so get your game on!

I'll be entertaining the matriarch of my clan who has a last minute appt in the city but i will think of you imbibing at LEAST one beer for me per person.

Smooches.

The votes are in!

2006-09-08T16:21:00.000-04:00

Knitters love to drink!

So this weeks event will be a go as per usual and for the sake of enablement we'll have another one on Sept. 15th.

Mostly because I'm pulling rank and can't go this week - a month without Aleta is a month an impossibility.

Take your pick Knitters!

Calling All Drunken Knitters!

2006-09-05T20:42:00.000-04:00

Hey lovers...of wool and such.

I'm with Aleta in that the 15th works better for me than this week but we know that the 15th does not work for at least one amongst us...poor Amy with her knitting related travel (woopsy - did the sarcasm leak out? sorry ;c)

Leave a comment! If this Friday works for y'all I'll let the Dick know..

yeah i said it.

block off

2006-09-02T15:01:00.000-04:00

Today I went to the hardware store and bought a big ol' sheet of 1" thick pink polystyrene insulation. This is, of course, too damn much to fit in the car, so now I have two sheets.

Would anybody like the other half? It's about 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and you can make a pretty decent blocking board out of it. I'm giving it away if anyone wants to take it home with them.

Snakes! Plane!

2006-08-17T14:28:00.000-04:00

This Friday, we will follow Queen Denny of the serpents to a showing of THE FILM. 7:30 pm, Friday, Aug 18th, at The Beach theatre -- Queen St E, at Kingston Rd. Get your tickets in advance (they'll sell them early), meet at the pub across the street [it's called Murphy's Law] at, say 6pm, have a pint and a nibble, maybe, and then go over together. Everyone in?

If we have enough bodies, I'll book a table. We could meet at the pub earlier, if anyone wants to. What say you?

an early plea

2006-08-15T14:44:00.000-04:00

since the second friday is the 8th next month, how do we all feel about moving it to the 15th, a week farther away from the sucking vortex that is labour day? (and by sucking, i mean it every way you can think of. sucking vacuum, sucking vortex, man this sucks, etc.)

plus, one more week to finish our lace wings shawls. we can have a fashion show!

Drinking! Knitting!

2006-08-11T13:11:00.000-04:00

Calling all Drinking Knitters/Kniterati etc.

I've called the Dick and they are expecting us between 5:00 and 6:00 (I had to give them a time)

I'll see all y'all there a little after 8:00pm when I'm done work.

don't forget to bring the swappable stash if you're into that sort of thing!

Jen

shake yer money makers

2006-08-08T19:49:00.000-04:00

ok, i've been procrastinating this announcement, but...

tomorrow is my birthday.

most of you knitterati haven't known me long enought to realize this, but my birthday = dancing. so! the knitters dance. at least, this one will.

date: monday, august 14 (yeah, monday. suck it up)
place: the dance cave (upstairs from lee's palace on bloor st.)
what: alternative retro. so, lots of stuff from the "spirit of radio" days at cfny, plus other stuff that they played when i was in highschool that shouldn't be in a retro night except that i heard it's 2006 and when did they let THAT happen?
why: dj shannon is a brilliant retro dj. when she's on, her mix is amazing. we booked her to play my wedding. enough said.
when: dancing at 10. dinner before? who's innerested?

eta: i forgot to mention that dancing is cheap as free. no cover. and free water.

A Proposal

2006-08-05T14:26:00.000-04:00

I have been around a few discussions about changing the name of our Toronto pub gatherings from 'Team Canada' (which really, refers to the entire country's team of Olympic Knitters) to a more appropriate and local name. My favourites so far are:

Drunken Knitters -- for obvious reasons

and

The Kniterati -- from Aleta's recent blog entry

So I propose that people suggest new names here in comments, and we can discuss/vote at the next drunken knitting night!

Kicking it old school!

2006-08-01T10:53:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder that the Drinking Knitters are coagulating on August 11th at the Spotted Dick for a reprise of the interpretive dance: Opal in Guiness.

Bring any yarn that you might want to swap for other yarn. Or don't - it's up to you!

Although it's days like today that make me happy that our locale is inside and air conditioned - it is simply redonkulous out there today.

Smooches!

Attention Sock Knitters

2006-07-30T10:56:00.000-04:00

Attention all those who knit socks. The following link will take you to the ultimate sock war of 2006. Although I have yet to knit my first pair of socks I may indeed have to join this ring. Deadline is September 8th, 2006. It has been started by a gal in the UK, and is open to all knitters worldwide. Check it out!

Swap Anyone?

2006-07-20T01:46:00.000-04:00

So, last Friday, I was talking to Sandi and said that I thought a knitting swap would be such a great idea. She said to post it on this site. Then, I'm reading Amy's blog this evening and I see this:

"Meanwhile, Steph had a good idea that I want to roll out bigger. Let's turn the Toronto Drunken Knitters' Nights into swap nights as well. So if you have knitting stuff that you will never use -- books, yarn, needles, whatever -- bring it! We'll swap each month. If someone wants to take this up and actually organize it, that's cool with me. I just think it'll be a nice way to recycle with no pressure.

Next night (they're always the 2nd Friday of the month) is August 11th, at the Spotted Dick. See you there!"

Coincidence? I think not!
I am all over this idea. I have several single skeins that would like a loving home. What about you guys? In?
Comments please.

"awesome is the new awful"

2006-07-17T13:46:00.000-04:00

At the risk of invoking Not An Artist's giggles, Friday was awesome. (Yeah I said it. I also use 'Dude!' as an all-purpose comment-starter.)

Will the 11th be our next meet? (That's two days after my 30th birthday; I may still be suffering from the delusion that everything is about me.) A friend wants to know.

Anyone else for karaoke or dancing in the meantime?

Toronto Knit Night Pics!

2006-07-16T19:24:00.000-04:00

(Click to embiggen the pics)

First things first though: did anyone forget these sunglasses at the bar? They were the only thing left on the table when we closed the place. Leave a comment or drop me an email and I'll do my best to get them back to you; otherwise I'll be forced to prance around the city in my illicit found shades.

This is actually from last month's meet up: Yvette & Aleta model some Dulaan hats!

Yvette & Sandy are clearly pretty pleased with Yvette's first ever sock.

What did the blue mitten say to the rainbow sock?

Steph's rainbow socks were only one of the amazing finished projects she brought to show off. Check out the luscious koigu shawl below!

Friday's Work

2006-07-15T22:39:00.000-04:00

Rather than post the usual boring photos of drunken knitters around a table, (for those photos, see my blog) I tried to take arty shots of the drunken knitters' work. Thanks to Michelle for the photography advice.

My favourite shot: Kelly's cool sparkly yarn cake, from which she is madly knitting in the background.
Stephanie's beautiful, gorgeous, stunning Charlotte's Web shawl. The power of the Koigu is such that after I danced around wearing it, the men at the next table were throwing themselves at my feet and offering their undying love.
Amy working away on something small and orange with her beautiful new barkcloth bag. Notice that the yarn and bag match! Now that's co-ordination.
Still life of my sock in progress with specs and beer. Hey, there's Sarah, working with her green yarn. Hi Sarah!

Darling Dears!

2006-07-04T15:39:00.000-04:00

I'm baaaaack! just pulling myself out of the vacation coma;

The next drinking night is up for July 14th....let's discuss shaking up the location at that time - face to face so that we can make a decision right then and there!

Bring your calendars!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Next Gathering

2006-07-03T13:35:00.000-04:00

According to Amy's blog sidebar, it's Fri. July 14 at the Spotted Dick.

Next Drunken Knit Night?

2006-06-22T20:54:00.000-04:00

When's the next one - July 14th or 21st?

package sent!

2006-06-17T18:06:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone!

The Dulaan Box got sent off this afternoon, crammed tight with knitterly goodness. The clerk asked me how much it was worth, and I couldn't think of anything other than "nothing" and "priceless."

I was in such a flurry when I arrived with all my cargo that I don't know who put in stuff. All I know is that it was all wonderful. Thanks to everyone who put something in to keep my pompom hat company on the long journey to Arizona!

The Spotted Dick, June 2006

2006-06-17T17:28:00.000-04:00

We had a drinking/knitting event last night at the Spotted Dick on Bloor St. just east of Yonge.
Lots of knitters attended and, as usual, it was a success and everyone had a great time. How many times do you get to hear this in a pub "darning needle, anyone?"

Jen and Denny were among the first ones to arrive to the drinking fest.

And here I am with the fabulous Jean, who tried to help me with the three-needle bind-off but proved that drinking and knitting is fun, but could result in bind-off misfortunes.

By the way, the pattern for the Hooded Pullover by Blue Sky Alpacas has a few mistakes, it annoys me that I paid $9.00 for the pattern and I still have to think because it doesn't make sense. I just found the corrections but it is too late. I had to think and adapt the pattern.

It's not easy to count rows when you've been drinking, but we're expert knitting-drinkers, so we have it all figured out.

Lesson learned: The three needle bind-off should be done on the WRONG side, or you will get the seams outside. It will look weird. No, really.Now I will have to undo the three-needle bind off and do it again.

BRING! IT! ON!

2006-06-16T15:02:00.000-04:00

Hey Folks;

The next occurrence of The Great Meeting of the Drinking Knitters (emphasis mine) is scheduled to erupt on June 16th at the Spotted Dick!

Looking forward to the satisfying night of knitterly love!

xo

Jen

Dulaan Co-ordination

2006-06-06T09:57:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Jen has graciously invited me in as an honourary member of Team Canada. (Does this mean I'm a mascot? Do I need to wear antennae?)

I had an idea for the upcoming knit at night Team Canada gather. Since a number of us are contributing to the Dulaan project, I thought it might be neat to pool our Dulaan contributions (and do a bit of a show n' tell also). Not only will this be FUN, but we can also save postage as it'll cost $6-12 to send a package to Flagstaff even without the weight of the contributions. Even if only two of us go in together on postage, we'll save money!

Anyway, I wanted to post this to the group to see what people thought. I'll happily organize this effort (collect stuff, bring inventory sheet(s), tape up the box, take it to the post office, whatever), or I'm also happy to let someone more well-known take the reigns. (Since I'm relatively new to this scene, people may not want to trust me with their stamp money. I understand where they're coming from. (Although how fast would I go to Hell for bilking Dulaan knitters out of postage and the kids out of their hand-knitted garments? Answer: So Very Fast.))

Can I get some commentary so I know roughly what size box to bring?

Cheers! Aleta

Next Duke night is now next Dick night

2006-05-12T12:11:00.000-04:00

Sandi Purl suggested it, it's in a perfect location and they're willing to have us. :-)
The Spotted Dick, May 12th, 5:30.

The only catch might be paying. She's suggested that a cheque per table is fine with the server, but we're all pretty used to the paying individually at the electronic till thingy. That may be possible, and we'll discuss it with the server. But just keep in mind that this is a fact-finding night, to see if we like the place and if they like us. She knows we're coming and will have seats together for all of us, which is the big thing. Reservation is made.

Everyone is welcome, whether you've come before or not. And we have a very special surprise for this next knitnight, too. You'll have to come out to see what it is [unless you were there last week, when we talked about it already]. Spread the word!

dinna ye fergit!

2006-05-11T13:45:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow night [Friday], 5:30 pm, The Spotted Dick, on Bloor, just east of Yonge St.

See you tomorrow!

Hey Coach

2006-04-27T09:06:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure who to ask about this, but can someone please take me off the list? I'll be back for the next Games, though! And hope to drop in on a pub night after the summer. Thanks!

Knitter's Frolic Meetup

2006-04-21T13:18:00.000-04:00

So as most people said they'll be there/available around noon, how about we meet by the entrance to the "Knitter's Cafe" at around that time? I'll be wearing a denim jacket, probably my red beaded pendant bag as well, and you can see a pic of me on my blog (except I'll have better-looking hair tomorrow, eek). And if you spot me wandering around the vendors before noon, feel free to come up and poke me.

DKC Knitter's Frolic

2006-04-17T16:15:00.000-04:00

Anyone else planning to do to the DKC's Knitter's Frolic? (I'm assuming it's open to non-members as there's no mention otherwise on the website). If other people are going, do you want to meet up for a little while? I'll probably be there for a couple hours in late morning/early afternoon, before I do a bit of a yarn crawl around Toronto. So many knitting stores I haven't visited yet, so many fibers to fondle...

Lost and found

2006-04-09T10:37:00.000-04:00

Nice seeing everyone on Friday night! I was there to the end, and when we were leaving we saw a black scarf that someone left behind. So if anyone lost a black scarf that night, contact me because I have it!

Next Duke night...

2006-04-07T17:47:00.000-04:00

Next Team Canada night at the Duke --
Friday, April 7, 5:30-onwards

[normally the 2nd Friday of the month, but since that's a big holiday weekend up here, we've bumped it a week back. hope to see everyone there!]

Amy & Jen

Updated: The last KNO (Knit Night Out) involved a round of Jamieson deliciousness from the bar! They loves their knitters...

[coming? RSVP in the comments, please. :-)]

Can I get my name removed?

2006-04-04T12:43:00.000-04:00

No worries - I'll be signing up for 2008 games in Beijing.

Thanks.

Mohair Anyone?

2006-03-30T12:59:00.000-05:00

Perhaps somebody can find a use for this yarn? I recycled a thrift store sweater with a specific project in mind. Then, the yarn turned out to be unsuitable and I don't know what to do with it. Any takers?
It is 36% polyester, 36% mohair, and 28% acrylic. It has been soaked in a mild detergent/vinegar solution and rinsed repeatedly - very clean. It is very bulky and a double strand, half mauve, half off-white. There are about 500 yards.
I can bring it to Duke night if anyone wants it. Just leave a comment.

Socks In The City

2006-03-24T11:38:00.000-05:00

drum roll, please......finally, i finished my first pair of socks! yabba dabba done!
a little loose and slightly slouchy, i love'em just the same. check it out --> here.

Variegated Jaywalker Socks

2006-03-22T17:30:00.000-05:00

Someone was asking what Jaywalkers look like with variegated yarn so I've posted pictures of my socks-in-progress on my knitblog. I'm using Regia Canadian Colours and I quite like how they're turning out. Finally, something I enjoy using variegated yarn for!

...And considering the randomness of the colour placement on the socks, why do I now want to call them the Drunken Jaywalkers? ;-)

Yay!

2006-03-21T22:02:00.000-05:00

I'm a little late (research paper, ugh...) but I received my absolutely gorgeous prize of the splendiferous embroidered silk bag, of which I am completely in love with! I am now a stylish girl-about-campus!

This was unbelievable fun, and I've already got a pattern picked out for the next olympics! ;) Thanks so much to Kelly and Jen and Amy and everybody who made this a blast!

Help!

2006-03-19T01:01:00.000-05:00

I'd like to remove my name from the list of team members, seeing I've never posted (and have, in fact, not read the blog). I don't really feel I'm contributing (well duh!) but I don't know how to exit quietly, which is what I was planning on doing in the first place.

Would the owner of the blog please remove me as a participant? This is not through any conflict or animosity, I'm just too busy to even schedule sleep into my life right now and would like to remove one thing from my plate.

Thanks!

Huzzah!

2006-03-15T19:16:00.000-05:00

I received my prize of the KnitOne knitting bag and it is lovely! Thank you so much. I've already loaded it up with a portable project and next time I'm out a travelling my knitting will go in style!

Huge thank you's to Kelly, Jen, Amy, and everyone else in the Team Canada gang. It was awesome! And hey, seeing as the next winter olympics are in my backyard and I can't wait to have y'all over for beer and wings, oh, and knitting of course.

Lovers in a Dangerous time...

2006-03-15T16:17:00.000-05:00

What a great song - I have no idea why it popped into my head as I went to write this post.

The first blanket was completed last Friday at the Duke due to the dedication of Joyce, Lou Lou, Jean Anne and Drea. There are still more blankets to come!

I would have posted the picture of the beautiful blanket but my life got hijacked by real estate....more news to come!

Anyone Else Sick?

2006-03-13T23:49:00.000-05:00

I see that amyknitty is ill post Duke night. I, also, have fallen prey to a nasty evil bug. Anyone else?

Blanket Duty

2006-03-12T19:29:00.000-05:00

Joyce-
I finished the trim on the blanket...... I haven't woven any ends in yet.... I'll see how I feel tonight!
send me an e-mail (dicochrane at sympatico dot ca) and we can arrange for me to get it back to you!

Team Canada will not die!

2006-03-10T13:22:00.000-05:00

Now that the games are over:

Keep Team Canada alive and well!

Let's meet the 2nd Friday every month at the Duke for some crazed amusement, beverage consumption and KNITTING.
Jerseys optional. Let's keep the spirit alive!

First post-olympic meeting: Friday, March 10, 5:30-onwards

Amy & Jen

[coming? RSVP in the comments, please. :-)]

Circ SOS for Team Canada members at the Duke tonight

2006-03-10T13:11:00.000-05:00

Don't forget...tonight is Duke night! See you there at 5:30 or soon afterwards [cause you know how they are about giving out our tables if we're not there on time]. But our official reservation [thanks, Jen!] is for 6pm.

Also, if anyone who's coming tonight has a really long circ, size US8/5mm, that I could borrow for a week or so, I'd be most grateful. Long, like 40" or longer. I'll either return it to you at the next Duke night or mail it to you, whichever you wish. The Denise combo is proving to be problematic for my moebius.

Both my favorite LYSs don't have such an animal for sale. I checked! What the heck is wrong with this town? :-)

finally a picture

2006-03-08T15:05:00.000-05:00

from my blog
i got it finished in the week after the olympics (note to self: if you are going to knit two sleeves at the same time, starting from both ends WILL give you a big ball of boucle knots!!!)
i'm happy with it..
just thought i'd finally post a picture

Better late than never...

2006-03-07T23:54:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to post a belated picture of my finished Knitting Olympics project. The hockey motif is a tribute to all the support I received from Team Canada.

OK. That was fun. What's next?

Linus Blanket Update?

2006-03-07T23:29:00.000-05:00

Whatever happened with this project? Did Joyce slink away and sew all those squares together herself?
I was totally digging fun with squares. Shall we continue?

And Now For Something Completely Different...

2006-03-06T13:31:00.000-05:00

So now that the Knitting Olympics are over and the pressure's off, what are people knitting? Or did you burn out and are taking a break?

I'm back working on a couple projects, namely the Shawl That Would Not Die for a friend and the lace sampler scarf made from Kid Seta. I'm also charging through a pair of Jaywalker socks using Regia Canadian Colours; I never expected these to be as fast a knit as they are, and I love how the zigzags are showing off the variegated yarn.

So what do you guys have on the needles?

I TOTALLY would have won the gold, if only I'd been willing to drop out of grad school

2006-03-04T21:51:00.000-05:00

Just wondering. . . will there be a Knitting World Cup of Soccer? Or am I just a glutton for punishment?

Finished for Knitting Olympics

2006-03-03T15:58:00.000-05:00

Hi,
Here are photos of before and after on my sweater.

And the winners are!

2006-03-01T23:20:00.000-05:00

Oh man are you guys lucky! We decided since we all strove to beat our best that everyone who was a member ofTeam Canada by the Olympic closing ceremonies was eligible to win a prize.

I've emailed all the winners to get their mailing address once I get those then I can arrange shipping.

The winners are (drum rolll please):

Of the gift bag generously donated to us by Lettuce Knit - Karlie S!

Of the beautiful Knit One bag that was generously donated by Knitty.com - Tammy of Beentsy fame!

Of the spectacular silk embroidered bag also donated by Knitty: Quirkly!!

Of the beautiful Fiona Ellis book, Inspired Cable Knits also donated by Knitty - Kelly F!

To help with the continued conversion of muggles to knitters: The Art of Knitting DVD for Cynthia C!

The gift certificate from Make One Yarn Studio in Calgary goes to: Lorraine!

And the grand prize of the Afgan Kit with a market value of $200.00 from the Needle Emporium is FIBRESNOB!!!!

All About Knitting Afghan Kit by Naturally-- as featured in Family Circle Easy
Knitting Magazine

All winners have been emailed! Congratulations!!!!!

Prizes

2006-02-28T13:53:00.000-05:00

Okay... I'm impatient... when do we find out who won the awesome prizes? Pleeeeaze!

Yarn sale

2006-02-28T12:58:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd let you know:

The LewisCraft store in the Don Mills Centre (Toronto) is closing so they are having a sale. Everythig in the store is now 30% off - including needles (mostly Susan Bates), yarn (lots of Kroy sock, other Patons stuff) and pattern books.....and the other less important non-knitting stuff.

sniff Will I ever see my knit buddies again?

2006-02-28T10:49:00.000-05:00

Someone was asking me at the closing ceremonies whether we'd all see each otehr again...

Fear not - if you go to knitting.meetup.com you'll find lots of different stitch'n'bitch meetups - just type in where you are and you can find one that's local. I've found one that I'm so happy to join, yay!

Finished...

2006-02-28T09:29:00.000-05:00

I did finish my sock on Saturday and then finished an extra project (another Team Canada Hat) on Sunday morning, but the computer was down and I couldn't post. I took pictures as I watched the Olympics and I will post those as soon as I can get the software up and running.
Congratulations to everyone on their great efforts. It feels good to be a part of something so big!
Go Canada!

My lonely sock

2006-02-28T08:19:00.000-05:00

Pics of my KO project are finally posted on my blog at www.norskybear.blogspot.com

Done

2006-02-27T22:59:00.000-05:00

I finished Friday night at 1AM. It is only 7 repeat not the ten, that the pattern called for. But that is what the person wanted and there is still some wool to spare. Wondering if I used the wrong size needles but it looks fabulous. It also will not be blocked because the person thinks that would make it too big. He likes it and
The balloons did make the journey to the closing ceremony. They were almost kidnapped (you know who you were). They were lovingly fondled by one and all.

Wool: Handmaiden 4ply cashmere
Pattern: Interlocking Balloons from Scarf Style
Start: February 10 Finished February 24.

Thank you Stephanie for challenge if it wasn't for the Olympics I think I would have thrown this one into the stash. As the ladies at SNB at Lettuce Knit will atest it wasn't the easiest pattern for me to do.

2006-02-27T17:50:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to everyone who won a Gold with their projects!

I, unfortunately, did not complete my shawl, but will continue on until it is finished.

Finished, but somehow short of the mark.

2006-02-27T13:07:00.000-05:00

I've completed my Olympic project but am unhappy to announce technical difficulties. If you are planning on knitting the Langsjal from Three-Cornered and Long Shawls, please be advised that you will probably require 1000 - 1200 yds to complete the project.

It all started so well, I cast on at Madrona knitting with friends. It is now obvious to me that I should have taken the spilled wine as a sign to join Team Merlot. Oblivious, I knit on. Here I am on February 16th.

I am becoming suspicious as time goes by and my ball of yarn is dwindling alarmingly fast. I chalk it up to codeine-induced hallucinations and reassure myself that everything will work out fine. Here is my progress by February 20th.

I am forced to face the music very shortly afterwards and realize that I have only completed 16 of 28 repeats of the centre but a little judicious weighing has me knitting the opposing border and grafting. The remaining yarn - about 10 metres. I now have a very pretty, very wide, short scarf.

I'll try for an in-use photo tonight. (post copied from my blog)

limping to the finish line...

2006-02-27T12:31:00.000-05:00

more like vomiting to the finish line...
i hate to admit it...but i'm out.
i have now been blessed with a migraine, which means i won't get the last seam woven in and a picture posted by 2pm...
i was so close
(weeping into a pile of what's left of my giant ball of yarn)
i had a blast...i laughed, i cried

i gimped along...i have a button to share that my hubby made...
details on my blog.

so, i won't get a prize....
i had a lot of fun---i shared the spirit of the knitting olympics with everyone i've talked to in the past two weeks. some have looked at me like I was a nutcase. some have just smiled. some have joked about buying me the harlots' book.
you guys have all amazed me. the projects you have created/donated/finished are AMAZING.

see ya in 2008 (p.s. my sister-in-law will actually be IN those olympics...watch for her...visit her website...buy her book..another shameless plug but she is first place in the world right now!!)
take care.
yeah team canada!!!

2006-02-27T12:17:00.000-05:00

Here I am at the closing ceremonies with my Olympic Sweater (holding the "flame" no less). Does it still count as a Gold if I finished while still at the pub even though the real flame had long gone out? In my defense, I have to say that I would have finished before getting to the bar if it wasn't for a last minute cry for help from my sister who was too ill to handle her four year old daughter's Birthday bowling party. Let me tell you, it is physically impossible to sew up a sweater (or really, do anything else) while keeping 9 kids under the age of 10 from smashing their fingers on the ball returner!

Also, thanks to everyone who gave me squares yesterday. We are going to have some fabulous blankets! I now have 27 squares and am expecting a few more in the mail this week. With all that and the 40-50 Jenn keeps threatening me with, I think we'll have enough for at least 4-5 blankets.

WAY TO GO TEAM CANADA!

(thanks to Kelly, Jenn, Amy and Stephanie for, well, everything and to Erin for the picture)

What a blast!

2006-02-27T11:38:00.000-05:00

Closing ceremonies in Toronto was a lot of fun yesterday! (and I made it back to Guelph safe and sound, woohoo! only thought I was lost twice....)
It's been so much fun following the olympic progress of Team Canada - kind of felt like I was meeting celebreties yesterday! :D

I'm sitting in class wearing my shawl right now :) Lots of people recognizing it as my Olympic project (didn't have class last week... probably a big part of WHY I finished on time!) and have heard several mentions of media coverage from people! (couple people saw the G&M article, some people heard mention of the knitting olympics on CBC..)
Really quite the thing we had going here :) I'm already looking forward to the next olympics, and imaging what kind of challenge I could give myself in 2 years...

Congrats to all our gold medalists, all our almost gold medalists, and everyone who took up the challenge and gave it a go! :)

Thanks for playing...

2006-02-27T11:05:00.000-05:00

I didn't win a gold medal, as my second sock performed a double takeout on my attempts at its cuff. I finally got past it to the simpler cable pattern (never thought I would ever call cables simple) and I am well on my way to finishing it, but having started over at 4:30 pm on Saturday, there was no way to complete my project in time. At least I got one beautiful sock completed.

Looking forward to my next opportunity at Olympic redemption, I tweaked Anny's husband code to create a new countdown timer for the 2008 Knitting Olympics. Feel free to copy the code below and paste it in the appropriate place in your header over the old code. Also remember to change the title of the timer in your sidebar or wherever you may have placed it.

// closing ceremonies were 8pm, Feb 26 2006 Torino time (+1GMT)
// So, in UTC/GMT that's 7pm, 19
var timeOpening = Date.UTC(2006,1,26,19,00,00);

// opening ceremonies start 8pm, Aug 8 2008 Beijing time (+8GMT)
// So, in UTC/GMT that's 12pm, 12
var timeClosing = Date.UTC(2008,7,8,12,00,00);

Thanks for all of the support and enthusiasm during the past two weeks. I have never had so much fun knitting!

Lars

Finished!!!

2006-02-27T10:42:00.000-05:00

It's the day after the flame went out but as of 30 minutes ago I wove in the last seam of my Rogue and it's all done!

I did it!! First sock and first magic loop.

2006-02-27T09:32:00.000-05:00

Thank you stephanie for such a wonderful idea. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.

Wishful hoping

2006-02-27T08:45:00.000-05:00

I just noticed that when I put the sleeves on the circ needle, I twisted some of the stitches. Is there anyway to fix this without laddering? I know it's a stab in the dark but I have only been knitting for 18 months and I hope that some of you 'seasoned' knitters might know.

Thanks

woot!!

2006-02-27T07:55:00.000-05:00

Finished! yay!!!

I set a pre-closing cerimonies goal for myself to finish because I thought I was going to be seeing the recipient of the socks on Saturday, so I worked my little heart out Friday night while my dear dear boyfriend (who had driven in from Peterborough to visit for the weekend) sat and cheered me on.

Anyways, the gloves were finished a week ago Friday, so that's where the socks came in. I'm happy to say that I've not only finished my Olympic goal of my gloves, but also the added goal of socks (my first pair ever) and a few squares for Project Linus. All in all I feel pretty good.

It was awesome to knit along with everyone, hopefully we can do it again in another 2 years!

Go Team Canada!!

At last!

2006-02-27T07:53:00.000-05:00

My Knitting Olympics total: I finished three UFOs--the hat for Asif, the afghan for Joe, and this...the hated sock that I've had on the needles for months. Months.

Of course, this picture was taken with my cellphone at the Team Canada Closing Ceremonies--pictures of which can be found here and here.

Even though I never got near the second sock (I'm going to cast it on tonight for fear of never doing it at all), I do have a tremendous feeling of accomplishment. Many thanks to Stephanie for proposing this initiative, to Amy and Jen for their support and good times, to everyone who donated the terrific prizes, to the bars/grills/restaurants who hosted us, and to all the participants from coast to coast and around the world. Congratulations to everyone--and let's do this again in 2008!

2006-02-27T03:10:00.000-05:00

I finished! I have a new appreciation for people who knit these sweaters on a regular basis. I am also glad that the Winter Olympics are every four years and that I have a great deal of time before I start to knit the Vancouver sweater for 2010. Congrats to everyone who finished their projects and Thank you to everyone who had a hand in organizing this. I never would have tackled this if Stephanie hadn't thrown down the gauntlet back in January.

I did it!!

2006-02-27T01:14:00.000-05:00

Look, I finished! And not a moment too soon. Despite a few set-backs and a knitting injury I managed to finish on time. Woo hoo!! I would like to thank Sarah for encouraging me to participate in these Olympics, and for all her encouragement and support.
Good work Team Canada (knitting and otherwise)! See you in 2008...

GOLD MEDAL!

2006-02-27T00:56:00.000-05:00

A lot of you will have seen these at the pub tonight, but here are all three scarves :) (Please excuse the way I look, this was taken partway through the evening *g*) Thanks for taking the pic Wannietta!

DNF

2006-02-27T00:52:00.000-05:00

I pretty well had the equivalent of some of the freestyle aerial skiiers: I got off to a promising start but it all went horribly wrong shortly after take-off.
The first sock is done up to the heel flap. I couldn't work the heel (I just typed hell. Coincidence? I think not). I thought that I might be able to go to a LYS and get some coaching so I cast on the second sock so I could work them at the same time. However I couldn't get the cast-on right and totally lost whatever momentum I had and ended up in a crumpled heap on the floor, needles and yarn strewn about.
Loved all the stuff I saw at the Closing Ceremonies get-together. You guys are awesome knitters. Back to training camp for me!

See you in Vancouver!

http://misadventureswithneedles.blogspot.com

Not finished, But still smiling...

2006-02-27T00:30:00.000-05:00

Hi, some of you might know I struggled with the Bella Paquita pattern, and I just couldn't understand and work with the graphs. So I made the Raglan Lace Shell from Elann.com instead. But I changed my mind too late in the game to finish it.

Hopefully, I can at least get a bronze for effort. Here is me wearing what I have made so far:

Emms :)

Unsure of medal standing....

2006-02-27T00:28:00.000-05:00

I finished three of 4 for the challenge, so is that three gold and a DNF or no gold, but maybe a gold star for effort? LOL. I have no clue.

First off the blocks was Stor rund dug, started from scratch, and first to cross the line

Second to finish was Jaywalker socks, started from the heel turn on both socks.

Third to finish was the flirty ruffles shawl started from part way in, still need to check that starting point.

The one that got away was the Unst stole, I only managed a small amount on that, but I did get the body finished, and started on the edging. The needle marks my starting point on the body.

I've shot the River Rapids!

2006-02-26T23:46:00.000-05:00

My River Rapids socks in Claudia's Handpainted yarns in "Plumlicious"... are finally done.

They're a tad big, but... I love them. YEAH! I finished!

Victory!

2006-02-26T23:19:00.000-05:00

I finished my (highly modified) Kepler Saturday night. I don't have any pictures of me wearing the finished olympic triumph yet, I'll get some on my blog tomorrow.

Here's a picture of the almost done sweater on Friday.

I decided against doing the waist cable (extra bulk and horizontal lines at the hip are probably not so flattering). I did lots of other modifications too. I knit the whole thing in the round, and changed it to a raglan. It might be equal parts Kepler and Hourglass sweater at this point. Either way, I'm very happy with it.

Calgary Closing Ceremonies Update

2006-02-26T23:09:00.000-05:00

Decision 2006: Hold the Calgary Party Next Week

(Cross-posted at the Make One Yarn Blog).

As of yesterday, it became painfully clear that the probability of having electricity (i.e., lights) and a bathroom in place for Sunday's Closing Ceremonies, had dwindled down to near-zero.

I had a few emails and comments on the subject, and folks definitely leaned to having the party, in the not-yet-open-store, next Sunday night, March 5.

In the meantime, be sure to post your completed Olympian feats here to be eligible for one of the great prizes! Make One Yarn Studio has donated a $75 Gift Certificate, good for in-store or online shopping.

She shoots-she scores!

2006-02-26T23:08:00.000-05:00

I bound off the last stitch of the body of Forecast a few minutes after the Olympic flag was handed over to Mayor Sullivan for the 2010 games, during the live broadcast around a quarter to 1, PST. There was a hairy bit there, when I realized I needed to wind up a new ball of yarn a mere four rows from finish, but I did it. Gold!

Congrats to everyone! And thanks to all the movers and shakers who put this shindig together.

I thought it would be the end of me.

2006-02-26T22:39:00.000-05:00

DONE! The hourglass sweater. This was my first sweater and possibly my last (see previous postings) It's been a challenge but that's what the olympics are for... right?

Finished socks

2006-02-26T22:14:00.000-05:00

Finally finished my Pippi Kneestocking socks today - grafted the second toe around noon so just a bit under the wire. Its my first pair of finished socks other than some worsted weight ones I did to learn how to do socks, and I tried to make another pair with sock yarn but never finished two :) I'm pretty happy with the results other than a few minor issues. The first sock has some small gusset holes, but after reading tips on the net how to avoid that, improved the performance on the second sock. But while the first sock feels warm and cozy, the second sock feels sloppy/too big. I can't believe how much my tension changed between the first and second sock - it appears much looser. So I'm not sure whether to rip the second sock back to the heel and reknit with slighter smaller needles (or just a tighter grip), live with them as is, or whether to throw caution to the wind and put sock #2 in the dryer. Thoughts?

A Satisfying Finish

2006-02-26T21:31:00.000-05:00

She got off to a slow start folks, two days late after a weekend purchasing sock yarn for her sock pal. It's a wonder that she cast on at all, after that disappointing start.

She persevered and not only cast on, but completed the portion of the project that she aimed for while facing many challenges.
What challenges you ask?! Well, first sore joints - there were more than a few nights of heat pads and anti-inflammatories with the fluctuating weather in South Western Ontario.
There was also the challenge of counting to six consistently that seemed to plague her throughout this project.
But don't forget there was also the challenge of her high strung dog that would not give her a moments peace, as well as her months of hard work of trying to re-establish a social life for herself after a horrendous break up. All of that work could not be set aside lightly.

Over all, this was her first large piece of lace work, and she did a good job. The colours are fabulous, and although she found working with the silk chenille to be a bit tricksy, she crossed the finish line with style.

I think she's going to say a few works here . . . .

. . . First and foremost, a great big THANK YOU to Steph aka Yarn Harlott, for inspiring so many, and bringing out our Olympic spirit in the process. Congratulations to my fellow knitters that have achieved their goals!! Hip, hip, HOARY!!!

I Win I Win!

2006-02-26T20:56:00.001-05:00

That's Denny and me at the closing ceremonies. It also serves as proof of my finished Olympic project.

This was such a fun time. Thanks everyone!

Aha! The finish line!

2006-02-26T20:56:00.000-05:00

For a while there, I thought I was going to be like those 14 Canadians who ended up in fourth place, but the blanket is done! Apologies for not making it to the closing ceremonies in Toronto, but the travel time (I'm only in Burlington) would have caused me not to finish in time. Yes, it was that close. In fact, it was inspiring to think as I was struggling to finish that last row of triangles that there were probably 100s if not 1000s of people doing exactly the same thing at the same time!

Apologies for the camera, the blanket is actually white - I blame our lighting. Here's a closeup of the edging:

And for an idea of scale:

Just kidding - that's my five-month-old daughter's new running shoe.

The only thing I am slightly disappointed about is that the edging on the left and right side is a bit too ruffly. If I do the pattern again, I will probably pick up less stitches than suggested. Of course, I should have noticed this earlier - the measurements of the blanket on the pattern are square, yet they tell you to pick up more stitches on the left and right side than on the top and bottom. Hm...

Congrats to all that competed!

~Carrie~