Long Weekend

It's the August long-weekend here in Saskatchewan & I'm taking advantage of the nice weather to go camping with some friends :) But I'm not neglecting my knitting, have no fear. I have "Sparkle, Sparkle" & "Anchors & Ropes #2" all ready to go with me :)
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend & gets lots of knitting time!
TTFN

No, I Haven't Forgotten about Knitting

With all my GBS challenge posts, some of you (if there are any) might be concerned about my knitting progress. Have no fears; I'm knitting like a demon over here.
My "Dragon Wing" (Patti Winters, Knitty First Fall 2011) is on hold after completing the right wing. I've decided to get some birthday pressies done before completing it. That may seem odd but there ya go lol
Two of the gift recipients may be reading these words so I'm going to be mean & refer you to Rav ;) Heehee. The first project I've started I entitled "Sparkle, Sparkle" and it's almost to the halfway point. Lovely pattern & yarn. The yarn is Lion Brand "Vanna's Glamour", very soft with a twist of sparkle through it.
I may have to put this one up a bit to have it done in time but there's a fella I'm thinking needs a hat. And what hat would be better than my own "Anchors & Ropes"? None! lol (Shameless plug!!! Go look at it! lol)
Next up, check my queue & you'll find a pattern entitled "Dianna". Doesn't that look cool? I think it'll look neat in the yarn I've chosen.
Haven't chosen yarn or pattern for Mom's pressie yet. Thinking I may skip her knit gift this year just because of time constraints. I'll be taking 2 dance classes this fall plus work & I'm toying with ideas for a new design, possibly more lace. Stay tuned!
That's all the time I've got this morning. Got to get ready for work!
TTFN

30 Days of GBS Challenge: Days 15 - 26

Day 15 - A song you prefer live: Besides all of them?!?! Ummm, "Mari-Mac" because they always insist on the audience getting involved.
Day 16 - Favourite Itunes sessions song: I don't have iTunes so I haven't heard any of these.
Day 17 - A song that is "yours": Easy one!!! "Fast As I Can" I am a fool; I admit it freely.
Day 18 - Favorite cover song: "End of the World as We Know it" because I love how fast Alan can sing those lines!!
Day 19 - A favorite acoustic version: the "living room" version of "Sea of No Cares'
Day 20 - A song that reminds you of someone: Hmmm... this may seem odd but "Old Black Rum" reminds me of my friend Heather. That's actually the ringtone for her on my cellphone!! lol
Day 21 - A song you would like to know how to play: I'd like to actually be able to play an instrument lol Hmmm, "Dear Home Town" would be appropriate I think.
Day 22 - A song to cheer you up: Any of them, other than the noted tear-jerkers!! Ah, specifically though... ok, I never fail to smile when I hear "Ordinary Day" no matter my mood. I often hum it at work to keep calm lol
Day 23 - A song that makes you dance: This is on the list twice lol And there are so many great ones! What to choose? What to choose? What to choose?... The song I'm listening to right now!!  "Jack Hinks" lol Great song for bopping about :)
Day 24 - A song to sing in the shower: Not that I sing in the shower, mind you... but if I did I would most likely be singing "French Perfume"
Day 25 - A song that makes you laugh.: Oooh, so many to choose from... latest gut-buster though "Hit the Ground & Run"
Day 26 - A song that reminds you of somewhere: "Dear Hometown" 'nuff said

Had got a little behind here but all caught up now :) There is no video for French Perfume on youtube that has the b'ys singing :( It's on the "Sea of No Cares" album. Enjoy.

Pyewacket: a shawl

This is a top-down shawl in a sort-of half-circle shape. There is a minute amount of lace in the pattern. The pattern is written line by line to preserve the mystery of when and where Pyewacket appears. Pyewacket is the cat in the movie "Bell, Book and Candle" starring James Stewart & Kim Novack.

Materials:

2 balls of Opal Hundertwasser sock yarn (original knit in color 1434)

or

2 balls of Schoppel Wolle Zauberball sock yarn (I used color 1536)

4.5mm circular needle or size needed to get gauge

Gauge:

5sts = 1" (unblocked)

Abbreviations:

W&T (wrap & turn)- bring yarn forward, between the needles. slip next st, return yarn back between the needles. turn work. slip st to right needle. work row as described in pattern.

M1 (make1)- an increase. In the case of this pattern, using right needle, pick up strand between just worked and next st, front to back. Knit this st as it lies. DO NOT Twist this st!!

SSK (slip, slip, knit)- a right leaning decrease. There are several ways to work this abbreviation. The method I used is this: slip next st knit-wise to right needle. slip next st knit-wise to right needle. wrap yarn around right needle as if to knit and lift the 2 slipped sts off the right needle. This looks much more complicated than it is.

Pattern:

Cast on 25 sts. Knit 2 rows.

**Next Row: K23, W&T. K to end.

K21, W&T. K to end.

K19, W&T. K to end.

K17, W&T. K to end.

K15, W&T. K to end.

K13, W&T. K to end.

K11, W&T. K to end.

K9, W&T. K to end.

K7, W&T. K to end.

K5, W&T. K to end.

K3, W&T. K to end.

K1, W&T. K to end.

K25, turn. K to end.

Repeat from ** five times more. (6 wedges total), but on final repeat, DO NOT knit back. Instead cast off 25, keeping last st on the needle. Rotate the piece and pick-up & P 1st for each ridge around the outside of the half-circle. [77sts]

Row 1 (right side): Sl1, K2, M1, K10, *M1, K1, M1, K12; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K10, M1, K3. [89sts]

Row 2 & all even rows: Sl1, K2, P to last 3 sts: K3.

Row 3: Sl1, K2, M1, K12, *M1, K1, M1, K14; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K2, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, SSK, K7, M1, K1, M1, K12, M1, K3. [101sts]

Row 5: Sl1, K2, M1, K14, *M1, K1, M1, K16; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K2, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, SSK, K7, M1, K1, M1, K14, M1, K3. [113sts]

Row 7: Sl1, K2, M1, K16, *M1, K1, M1, K18; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K5, yo, K3tog, yo, K10, M1, K1, M1, K16, M1, K3. [125sts]

Row 9: Sl1, K2, M1, K18, *M1, K1, M1, K20; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K18, M1, K3. [137sts]

Row 11: Sl1, K2, M1, (yo, K2tog) x10, *M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x11; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x5, K2, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, SSK, K1, (yo, K2tog) x2, M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x10, M1, K3. [149sts]

Row 13: Sl1, K2, M1, K22, *M1, K1, M1, K24; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K12, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, SSK, K5, M1, K1, M1, K22, M1, K3. [161sts]

Row 15: Sl1, K2, M1, K24, *M1, K1, M1, K26; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K15, yo, K3tog, yo, K8, M1, K1, M1, K24, M1, K3. [173sts]

Row 17: Sl1, K2, M1, K26, *M1, K1, M1, K28; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K26, M1, K3. [185sts]

Row 19: Sl1, K2, M1, K28, *M1, K1, M1, K30; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K25, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, SSK, M1, K1, M1, K28, M1, K3. [197sts]

Row 21: Sl1, K2, M1, (yo, K2tog) x15, *M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x16; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, (yo, k2tog) x12, K1, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, SSK, M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x15, M1, K3. [209sts]

Row 23: Sl1, K2, M1, K32, *M1, K1, M1, K34; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K28, yo, K3tog, yo, K3, M1, K1, M1, K32, M1, K3. [221sts]

Row 25: Sl1, K2, M1, K34, *M1, K1, M1, K36; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K34, M1, K3. [233sts]

Row 27: Sl1, K2, M1, K36, *M1, K1, M1, K38; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, SSK, K31, M1, K3. [245sts]

Row 29: Sl1, K2, M1, K38, *M1, K1, M1, K40; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, SSK, K31, M1, K3. [257sts]

Row 31: Sl1, K2, M1, (yo, K2tog) x20, *M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x21; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K3, yo, K3tog, yo, K2, (yo, K2tog) x16, M1, K3. [269sts]

Row 33: Sl1, K2, M1, K42, *M1, K1, M1, K44; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K42, M1, K3. [281sts]

Row 35: Sl1, K2, M1, K44, *M1, K1, M1, K46; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K12, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, SSK, K27, M1, K3. [293sts]

Row 37: Sl1, K2, M1, K46. *M1, K1, M1, K48; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K12, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, SSK, K27, M1, K3. [305sts]

Row 39: Sl1, K2, M1, K48, *M1, K1, M1, K50; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K15, yo, K3tog, yo, K30, M1, K3. [317sts]

Row 41: Sl1, K2, M1, (yo, K2tog) x25, *M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x26; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x7, K8, (yo, K2tog) x14, M1, K3. [329sts]

Row 43: Sl1, K2, M1, K52, *M1, K1, M1, K54; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K52, M1, K3. [341sts]

Row 45: Sl1, K2, M1, K54, *M1, K1, M1, K56; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K54, M1, K3. [353sts]

Row 47: Sl1, K2, M1, K56, M1, K1, M1, K3, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, SSK, K50, *M1, K1, M1, K58; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K56, M1, K3. [365sts]

Row 49: Sl1, K2, M1, K58, M1, K1, M1, K3, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, SSK, K50, *M1, K1, M1, K58; repeat from * 2 times more; M1, K1, M1, K58, M1, K3. [377sts]

Row 51: Sl1, K2, M1, (yo, K2tog) x30, M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x2, K2, yo K3tog, (yo, K2tog) x26, *M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x31; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x30, M1, K3. [389sts]

Row 53: Sl1, K2, M1, K62, *M1, K1, M1, K64; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K62, M1, K3. [401sts]

Row 55: Sl1, K2, M1, K64, M1, K1, M1, K3, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, SSK, K58, *M1, K1, M1, K66; repeat from * 2 more times: M1, K1, M1, K64, M1, K3. [413sts]

Row 57: Sl1, K2, M1, K66, M1, K1, M1, K3, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, SSK, K58, *M1, K1, M1, K68; repeat from * 2 more times: M1, K1, M1, K66, M1, K3. [425sts]

Row 59: Sl1, K2, M1, K68, M1, K1, M1, K3, K2tog, yo, K3tog, yo, SSK, K62, *M1, K1, M1, K70; repeat from * 2 more times: M1, K1, M1, K68, M1, K3. [437sts]

Row 61: Sl1, K2, M1, (yo, K2tog) x35, M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x2, yo, SSK, K5, (K2tog, yo) x30, K2tog, *M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x 36; repeat from * 2 more times: M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x35, M1, K3. [449sts]

Row 63: Sl1, K2, M1, K72, *M1, K1, M1, K74; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K72, M1, K3. [461sts]

Row 65: Sl1, K2, M1, K74, M1, K1, M1, K3, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, SSK, K68, *M1, K1, M1, K76; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K74, M1, K3. [473sts]

Row 67: Sl1, K2, M1, K76, M1, K1, M1, K3, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, SSK, K70, *M1, K1, M1, K78; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K76, M1, K3. [485sts]

Row 69: Sl1, K2, M1, K78, M1, K1, M1, K3, K2tog, yo, K3tog, yo, SSK, K72, *M1, K1, M1, K80; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K78, M1, K3. [497sts]

Row 71: Sl1, K2, M1, (yo, K2tog) x 40, M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x3, K5, (K2tog, yo) x35, K2tog, *M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x41; repeat from * 2 times: M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x40, M1, K3. [509sts]

Row 73: Sl1, K2, M1, K82, *M1, K1, M1, K84; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K82, M1, K3. [521sts]

Row 75: Sl1, K2, M1, K84, *M1, K1, M1, K86; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K84, M1, K3. [533sts]

Row 77: Sl1, K2, M1, K86, M1, K1, M1, K3, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, SSK, K80, *M1, K1, M1, K88; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K86, M1, K3. [545sts]

Row 79: Sl1, K2, M1, K88, M1, K1, M1, K3, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, SSK, K80, *M1, K1, M1, K90; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, K88, M1, K3. [557sts]

Row 81: Sl1, K2, M1, (yo, K2tog) x45, M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x2, K2, yo, K3tog, yo, K3, (yo, K2tog) x40, *M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x46; repeat from * 2 times more: M1, K1, M1, (yo, K2tog) x45, M1, K3. [569sts]

Row 83: Sl1, K2, M1, K92, * M1, K1, M1, K94; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K92, M1, K3. [581sts]

Row 85: Sl1, K2, M1, K94, *M1, K1, M1, K96; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K94, M1, K3. [593sts]

Row 87: Sl1, K2, M1, K96, *M1, K1, M1, K98; repeat from * 3 times more: M1, K1, M1, K96, M1, K3. [605sts]

Row 88: Sl1, K2, P to last 3 sts: K3.

The shawl is complete, but do not break the yarn.

Edging:

CO 3 sts using the working yarn. The edging will match the edges of the shawl.

Right side rows: K2, SSK the last edging st together with the next shawl st.

Wrong side rows: K3.

When you come to the corners, to have the edge lay flat I advise working some extra rows on the edging. When the next shawl st is a st you’ve worked M1s on both sides of: work a right side row without joining. Work the wrong side row as normal. Work the next right side row as usual (joining the corner st) & the wrong side as well. Work another right side row without joining. Work the wrong side row as usual. Continue joining shawl sts & edging sts until you reach the next corner st and repeat as above.

Block the shawl using pins &/or wires as you normally would. Make sure to stretch it out to open up Pyewacket’s appearances. There are several good tutorials on shawl blocking both on Ravelry & on youtube. I don’t have a favorite to suggest so have a look at a number if you’ve never blocked a lace-ish piece.

I hope you enjoyed the knitting of it and will enjoy the wearing of it. Please leave comments here on the blog or drop me a line on Ravelry; I love comments. And this is the first shawl pattern I’m offering so any advice is more than welcome.

Sile

30 Days of GBS: Days 11, 12 & 13

And the challenge continues :) Have been good about putting my picks on fb both on my wall & in the note I created, but have gotten a couple days behind over here. Oh well. Be sure to check the girls' picks over at greatbigseaoffans as well.

Day11: song that calms you- fairly easy pick: "Let It Go" I think it speaks for itself.

Day 12 - Favorite music video: This was hard to narrow down!! I have always loved the video for "Lukey" but then I found the video for "Captain Kidd" with all the family members playing & singing along with the b'ys... Sorry "Lukey", ya've been replaced.

Day 13 - Favorite live song from Great Big Dvd: But I love the entire dvd!!! There's nothing like the b'ys live in concert *grumble grumble grumble* Ok, since I agreed to the challenge I must pick. "Excursion Around the Bay", one of the few songs that Darrell originally did the lead vocal for. And live, in concert with audience participation it's just more fun :)

And that catches me up to today with 43 mins left in the day lol :)

30 Days of GBS: Day 10

Day 10 is: song that makes you dance. And while much of what the b'ys play is either jig or reel based and I can totally dance to it, there is one song that comes instantly to mind. "Little Beggarman" is the unlisted track on "Play". Why this song above the others? Because a few years back, me & 3 of my dance classmates, and awesome friends, used this song to dance our "Steppin' Out" reel for our school's "Rock Recital". Everytime I hear it now, I think of me, Sionan, Heather & Nat on stage together: good times :)

30 Days of GBS: Day 9

A song that makes you cry. Is there another song as sad as "Safe Upon the Shore"? I don't think so.

30 Days of GBS: Day 8

Day8 is favorite song from "Fortune's Favour". This was actually an easy choice: I wore out a song on the first cd I bought lol. That song is "Straight to Hell". Love it. "Oh Yeah" is the theme song to Republic of Doyle (awesome show!!!) & "Dance Dance" is the first song on this album I learnt all the words to. But its "StH" that has captured my days when I want to flip everyone off & do what I want instead of what I should.
TTFN

30 Days of GBS: Days 5, 6 & 7

A little behind on updating ;) Big shocker, I know lol. Here's the next few days answers:

Day5: favorite song from "Hard & the Easy"- This is such an awesome album :) Not a bad song in the lot. How to choose my favorite... At the concert in November of 2008, Alan was talking about the lake here in Regina & the dog he'd found (he wrote a FTR about the whole adventure) and amidst some teasing from Sean the lead in for a certain song was slipped in. I was one of the first people out of their seat. The song? "Charlie Horse". Love it!!

Day6: favorite song from "Safe Upon the Shore"- The 'new' album ;) So many different sounds on this one :) Love it!! But my heart belongs to the album's finale piece: "Don't Wanna Go Home"It's jazzy. It's bluesy. Fabulous. Also love "Road to Ruin".

Day7: favorite song from "Turn"- turning back the clock a bit ;) Another album that's hard to choose from; aren't they all? lol Ok, my 'favorite' song from this album has got to be "Can't Stop Falling". It just seems to describe everything just so. Perfect.

That's all for this update. Remember: if you love Great Big Sea, check out the blog http://greatbigseaoffans.blogspot.com
TTFN

30 Days of Great Big Sea: a fun challenge

My good friends over at http://greatbigseaoffans.blogspot.com came up with something fun for the month of July to honor our favorite band. I've decided to keep track here as well as on Facebook. We started on July 1, so here's where we're at:

Day1: first song you ever heard- "Great Big Sea"! lol The first song on the first album. A very dear friend had it on cassette in the fall of '93! lol

Day2: your favorite song- Tough one!!!! I'll say "Goin' Up" :) It always makes me sing along and smile :)

Day3: least favorite song- Another tough one!! Hmmm.... I confess: I usually skip "Trois Navires de Ble" because I don't have a clue what's going on in it! I guess that makes it my least favorite. Which is a shame because it's such a pretty tune

Day4: favorite song from "Something Beautiful*" - Such a great album, makes it hard to pick!! But the songs I listen to the most are "Let It Go" & "Sally Anne". I can't narrow it further than that!

It's quite fun :) And it's a challenge to think of all the different albums & the songs you like from each one. Thanks, ladies :) greatbigseaoffans is moderated by Karina, Krista & Sara and they're wonderful :) Check out the blog as they always seem to have something going on over there; I have them listed in my sidebar as well :)
That's it for today!
TTFN