Excuse My Pride.

My dad, as faithful readers know, turned 90 this June. He wears his hair in a pony tail, loves red wine, good cigars and Dixie Land Jazz. He treats himself to several 24/7 days of that music each spring when he goes to New Orleans for the jazz Festival.



Often, on a Saturday, he takes the train to Toronto to hear some music. You can find him at the Rex on Queen, the C'est What on Front or Grossman's on Spadina, listening to his favourite bands.


Last week while here at the trailer, son Charlie, at work in Hearst, received an email from 'Grandpa Jack' that said to tell me to read this article http://www.tillsonburgnews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2682470 from the local newpaper.


Way to go, Dad! While your family might be quite active, we'll never beat the hours you've spent at the gym. That slow loss is a great goal, though.

A Yellow Summer Sweater

This past spring, my local yarn store - Purrsonally Yours in Meaford - had a first-ever sale. I picked up some bright yellow cotton denim for a short sleeved summer sweater

It was just one of three summer garments I intended to make in the summer of 2010. Intended, but really thought I would be lucky to get even one knit. Past experience has taught me that I suffer from 'my eyes are bigger than my stomach' syndrome when it comes to actually getting the knitting done.

But this year, my needles are flying. Even with the extra sock knitting I've done.

I made the vest, then the 'Eyelet Cardigan' and now - look how far along I am with the yellow sweater.

Not knowing for sure if I have enough yarn, I started the sleeves with waste yarn.Once the body is complete, I'll divide the remaining yarn in half and knit each sleeve until I run out of yarn. I only want short sleeves anyway, so hopefully will have enough.

The style is an EZ raglan. Based on a swatch-free guess that I would knit to the exact ball band gauge of 22 sts/4", I cast on 200 stitches. Increasing 4 stitches - 2 at each side seam - every two inches, I ended up with 220 stitches. I knit for 11 1/2 inches to the armhole then put 8% of stitches on hold for the underarms. That's what Elizabeth said to do. I'm in the last half of the upper body right now and am incorporating a few white rows here and there to help the yellow last through the sleeves.

It will be a nice addition to my summer wardrobe and the last summer knit of 2010. Then back to the good stuff. Wool.

Elizabeth's Back

Yes, indeed! Elizabeth's back. Taking a brief EZ break from the small needles and fine yarn of socks, I decided to make the Snail Hat. It's a hat I have never previously made but one that's been on my EZ list of 2010.

Mine is made with a cake of Briggs & Little 5 strand unspun - commonly used for thrumming or Cowichan-like sweaters. It is thick - about 2 stitches to the inch with 7.5 mm needles - and soft. Perfect for this hat.

The hat is a quick knit. It doesn't take long to figure out the math Elizabeth used and how to make those purl strips spiral towards the top.

But is it a hat that I would wear?? Not so sure. A hat that I will even keep? Not so sure. Does it look as good on me as it does modeled in The Opinionated Knitter? Definitely not. Sorry to say.

Fred is my first model

Then the arm of the 'balanceur' - porch swing in English.

The math works. The pattern works. The yarn works. But style??? Lacking a little something, I think.