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December 02, 2006
Souvenirs de Toronto
Great Scott, over two weeks since my last post? This simply will not do.
The first wool shop (or 'yarn store', as local vernacular would have it) we visited was the Alterknit Cafe, which had been open just a few weeks. Tracey, our gracious hostess, is a friend of the owner but, motherhood being what it is, made her first visit with us. It seemed like a lovely place to sit and knit for a while, extremely spacious, and with many good things to eat and drink. I umm'ed and ahh'ed and eventually left with only two skeins of Noro Kureyon in two different shades of neutrals, which didn't last long before being turned into a striped rib scarf. I've made a couple of Joelle Hoverson's mistake-rib Noro scarves in my time, and it's impossible not to be delighted with the way the colours transition. My mother-in-law is threatening to take up knitting again, and she's visiting for Christmas. I think two skeins of Noro and some nice needles is the perfect way to rediscover the love of the thing.
(Speaking of the beautiful striping qualities of Noro, have you seen this beauty? This makes me want to drop everything else and make one in these neutral shades, with blue like the glimpsed flash of a bird's wing feathers. Thanks to Rachel for the alert.)
The next day Mr Raitte gallantly attended me as I went in search of, first, Lettuce Knit, and then Romni. Lettuce Knit will need no introduction to anyone who reads knitters who blog, passing as it has into legend. It is a darling little place. I had dearly hoped to find some of that famous Socks That Rock yarn but alas they were sold out. I consoled myself with a copy of The Opinionated Knitter and some gorgeous hazelnut Gems Opal sock yarn. Those solid Pomatomi had wormed their ways into my heart and taken residence.
Finally, Romni, the only one of these yarn purveyors I had visited before. Enough Lang Soft Shetland for a whole sweater - Zimmerman's saddle-shouldered, to be precise. It knit up in no time and required just enough thought for the jet-lagged mind. This also represents my first ever sweater knit entirely in the round. The picture is very grey - decent daylight has fled English shores and won't be back again til spring.
Sorry again for the extended break. Check back soon, because I'll have the Flicca pattern for you and also a new free sock pattern - super-quick, perfect for gift socks if, like me, you've relented on the whole Christmas knitting issue and are questioning your sanity.
Posted by Amelia at December 2, 2006 08:17 PM
Comments
Arrrggghhh! I need that sock pattern - like - yesterday! I was sooooo sure that this was going to be the year of No Christmas Knitting. But what is a knitting to do when her mother-in-law puts in a request for house-socks for the knitter's father-in-law?
Posted by: Anne at December 2, 2006 10:34 PM
Good to have you back, Anna! Love your souvenirs, be it in their written or fiber(-y) incarnations. Me, I seem to have bitten off more than I could chew Christmas knitting-wise. But, much to my surprise, I am getting there, so maybe another last minute project is doable. If it's one of your designs, it will be reserved for someone very special, though.
Take care,
Viv
xxx
Posted by: Viv at December 2, 2006 11:42 PM
Yay! A quick sock pattern! This year, everyone in my family has asked for handknit socks. I can't wait to see yours!
Posted by: Laura at December 3, 2006 01:16 AM
Nice to see you back. Wow you really did get around my fair city!
Posted by: Leslie at December 3, 2006 01:59 AM
Welcome back! I love the way you use greys - it's one of my staples and it's great to see all your grey knits!!
Posted by: Kae at December 3, 2006 02:45 AM
So glad you had a wonderful trip :) I'm very jealous of your yarn shop escapades and look forward to seeing your finished socks!
Posted by: emily elizabeth at December 3, 2006 03:19 AM
Amazing! You take two weeks away from the blog and have a whole sweater, plus a scarf and a trip to Toranto to show for it. I can take a month off and not finish a pair of socks. I'm still trying to make headway on Sarcelle.
Posted by: Leah at December 3, 2006 06:05 AM
I'm not a total moron. That should be "a trip to Toronto" ;-P
Posted by: Leah at December 3, 2006 06:08 AM
What a beautiful way to curb my Noro lust; I see a colorful scarf in my future! Thanks!
Posted by: Dava at December 3, 2006 09:39 PM
Great to see you back! I have been coming to your page a couple of times a day to see if the pattern was up....how obsessive I must be ;) your hols look fab
Posted by: Cairi at December 3, 2006 11:45 PM
My first bump into Romni Wools was on an adventure onto Queen Street West and it overwhelmed me with all it's yarn toppled onto the floors and the never ending colours and textures and fibres and did you get to the basement?! Madness! Well, I'm glad you were able to check the Toronto spots while you were there despite the unfortunate terms of the visit.
Posted by: Miss Twiss at December 4, 2006 04:42 AM
What a great thing that you got to go have fun in Toronto... did you know that Socks That Rock has a website where you can sign up (if you do it soon) for next year's mail-order club? Then you will be assured of the latest yarns without disappointing searches. But of course when yarn shopping, it's the quest as much as the results!
Posted by: Birdsong at December 5, 2006 11:50 PM