Returning to well-rounded life

I went with some friends last night to the opening of La Biennale de Montréal, first at the École Bourget and then at the Parisian Laundry. (I especially liked the installation by Graeme Patterson at the Parisian Laundry.) I felt like I was reintroducing yet one more neglected element back into my life -- like sewing, reading for fun, and spending time out in the city, looking at art is something I used to do but dropped while doing coursework.

That's been the theme of this week, actually. For example, I went to my knitting group on Wednesday, for the first time since ... January? I had lots of fun, sitting outside, getting plenty of compliments on my Monkey-in-progress, and catching up with lots of the local knitters I've missed in the last few months.

I also went to a fabric store the other day and bought everything I'll need to make a new dress. I already had the fabric -- 3 yards of cherry-print Cool Cords -- which I'd bought thinking I'd make the dress version of Simplicity 3835 (the same pattern I used for the top in my last post), but having made the top I decided to look for a new dress pattern. I finally chose Simplicity 4116 -- I'm thinking I'll make view B, but without the tie at the neck. It looks very classic to me, with the little retro touch of the Peter Pan collar, and I think it will be flattering (depending on my sewing skills, of course). I also bought some cotton jersey in a light olive colour for another BBW top, because I do like it, but I think it would work better in a fabric with a little stretch.

Something else that is part of "normal" life for me is road trips, and Bill and I will be heading up to Quebec City on Sunday. I've been there two or three times before, but the last time was 14 or 15 years ago (!). So we're going to drive up there (it's about three hours away) and just hang out and walk around. I'm really looking forward to it. So I'll be back on Monday or Tuesday with some pretty pictures. Have a good weekend!

Built by Brainy

Hmmmm...


I made this top yesterday. It felt absolutely luxurious, spending the day sewing! I used a Built By Wendy pattern (Simplicity 3835) and an old vin-tahge sheet from V. Village. It was fun and easy to sew, which is exactly what I was looking for since I haven't sewn much in a while.


I don't know if it's the fabric or the elastic, but I'm a little afraid that if I actually wear this shirt I'll end up being the answer to a question I never want to hear, like: "Who's that girl in the peasant blouse?"

I have no such reservations about yesterday's second sewing project, though. I'm very sweet on my new headband.


I used Heather Bailey's free pattern -- PDF: Hooray for Headbands -- and some thrifted fabric. I really love it, and I'd like to make another one with a large-print fabric.

Somehow, this headband is really comfortable, and it doesn't threaten to pop off my head. There's a little strip of elastic at the back, under the ties. I'm going to get a haircut later this week, so I can't be sure I'll still have headband-hair, but if I do, I'm definitely making more of these. It's a great way to wear a little bit of a nice print, and the pattern is simple and straightforward. It's not easy to photograph your own head, though -- I tried a few times before enlisting Bill's help. I do really like one of the shots I took; it doesn't really show off the headband, but it shows you that I was outside with my little buddy:

Do you love the Monkey or do you love me?*

Time to start something new, whether to mark the beginning of my summer or because of time spent recently at Ravelry. (If you haven't heard of Ravelry yet, frecklegirl Jess explains the site here.) Last night at 10 p.m., I chose a skein of Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 -- from my four-skein stash of precious sock yarns -- that I bought about two years ago at The Needle Emporium (before F.A. had actual colourways). I then enlisted Bill's help in winding the skein into a ball, since he's so talented that he is able to hold a skein and watch a hockey game. (Go, Sens, go!)

Then, to choose a pattern. I wanted something textured, and interesting, but not cabled or holey. I picked Tropicana and cast on, but my fingers were aching after only one round of increases (of a total 66 sts., I'd have to knit into the front and back of 36 sts. every 4 rounds!!), and that just didn't bode well. Too bad -- I think it's a great-looking sock.

Next, I felt the pull of the wonderful world of Cookie A., and settled on Monkey. I cast on and knit the twisted ribbing and three pattern repeats.


There are many, many versions of these socks online, and I always liked them but never loved them -- until seeing them blocked by Gleek. Yep, blocking is magic. This stitch pattern just looks weird and puffy when left alone; it needs to be stretched out, and then it's awesome. (Vanessa pointed this out, too -- check out the difference.)

* You don't have to choose. It's just a George Michael song.

Touristy T-shirt shop on rue St-Paul, Old Montreal.

Reading material

Thanks so much for all of your lovely comments. I'm very excited at the prospect of finally getting to focus on my own work -- even though I'm not sure exactly what that will be. So, yeah, it's not like I get to sit back and rest for the summer -- next step: comprehensive exams -- but I'll have a little more control over the pace and content of things. And I definitely have plans to spend more time doing fun things like knitting, sewing, and reading things I don't have to read. And look -- part of my celebratory thrift shopping the other day included book gathering!


(Now that I look at this stack of books, I wonder how many other people would be looking forward to doing some recreational reading on murder, Degrassi, murder, and knitting. Anyone else? or just me?) From top to bottom: Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, from Value Village; Growing Up Degrassi from the library; The Last Dance: Murder in Canada and Feminism and the Politics of Difference from a used bookstore (J. Westcott Books, at the recommendation of The Daily Protagitron); Under the Bridge: The True Story of the Murder of Reena Virk from that corner of the Faubourg that sells discounted new books; and The Friday Night Knitting Club, sent by the publisher to be "reviewed."

Below the books is evidence of mid-paper-writing shopping: brand-new fabric destined for kitchen curtains and a new dress. And to the left, celebration Twizzlers -- which clearly resemble last week's package of paper-writing Twizzlers, and are equally necessary.

Why so blue?

Believe me, I'm not the least bit blue. In fact, I'm thrilled -- I'm officially done my Ph.D. coursework! Papers have been written and submitted, and there will be no more courses for me. To celebrate, I went shopping, and I happened to bring home a bagfull of thrift-store blues:


A nice little Pyrex dish with a blue rooster on each end, two pretty pillowcases with blue roses, and seven-and-a-half 50g balls of 100% DK-weight wool -- for a grand total of $8. I was happy to find one ball band in with the wool, which identifies this stuff as "Lambs Wool de Georges Picaud," made in France. The label also says "Decatie a maille douce," which I don't understand. (Anyone? Anyone?) It's really worth clicking on the photo above to see the little cut-out lamb heads on the label. There's no info on yardage or gauge, but I think this wool has a future as a Blustery vest -- and look how nice it looks all wound into balls:


Huge score!