Well, I just did a hit-and-run (kind of a knit-and-run, except that only some knitting got done) trip to Vancouver.  I thought I’d share some things with y’all over the next few posts.

As you may know, it rains in Vancouver.  A LOT.  Here’s a pic of the plane’s final descent:

Shot out of the window of the plane.  For some reason I always get seated over the wings.   All of that dark grey around the engine is cloud . . . raincloud.  Raincloud that is busy raining on Vancouver, which you can’t see because of all the cloud.

Although it was a very quick trip, there was a little time for yarn (there’s always time for yarn!).  As my mom and I were driving through White Rock, this popped up on my side of the car:

Note the raindrops on the windshield.  The store is called Knitopia, and I didn’t get to go inside.

Also spotted in White Rock:

Apparently, this used to be a pedestrian walkway over the highway.  Now it is a stairway to nowhere.  Here’s a close-up:

It’s hard to read, but the sign says “sidewalk closed” . . . I think that’s a bit of an understatment.

I did get to go inside of Urban Yarns on 10th ave. in Vancouver proper, which I would totally recommend.  Great atmosphere, lots of great yarn and a little fireplace and couch at the back of the shop to take the chill off the rainy weather.

I also went inside of Birkeland Bros. Wool, which is a great resource for spinners, felters and knitters.  My stepmother ordered some wool batting for a quilt.  If you peer into the back, they have the biggest drum carder you’ve ever seen.  And, on the pavement outside of their store, is this:

A bit hard to see  (’cause it was raining), but that’s their logo, etched into the cement.  Love it.

And just to prove that there WAS knitting:

Blurry, but proof, right?  You’ll have to be patient to see the final product, but the yarn I’m using is the Opal Feelings Colourway 1705.  It is so much fun to knit with! I swear, no-one has ever stared at me so much as when I’m knitting with this stuff–not even when I was knitting a zebra.

I love vintage clothing. I have a small, but slowly growing collection. But I don’t feel like I wear vintage enough on a daily basis. I also would love to knit vintage patterns, but find that most are written in a strange language that makes very little sense to me, and therefore i get frustrated and just move on.

Now, I’m in luck, and I couldn’t be happier.

Reynolds has re-introduced 3 vintage patterns from their archive. The pattern writing has been updated, and is easy to read and follow. The colour palette has been refreshed and updated. My personal favourite is this fair-isle turtleneck sweater with a fabulous skirt. (It’s actually mine, but that’s another story for another time).

I really like this cardi too, the colour scheme, pattern and great buttons make me want to add it to my collection. And that lady in the lower left corner looks pretty saucy too.

This stained glass looking slip stitch cardi i think is awesome. I love the shorter sleeves and the bright colours peeking through that great blue. I feel like I could totally strike a pose like the ladies in the bottom right corner.

Fresh enough for today, and distinctly vintage, these three garments would be a great addition even if you don’t want to look like Mary Tyler Moore on a regular basis. These three patterns are available in one booklet, and sells for $8.00. Check it out.

Sometimes one can go overboard with the old knitting thing. Although it would take a perverse and evil will of unparalleled proportions to come up with this:

Blargh!

I don’t like acrylic at the best of times, and this is not the best of times.

I’m sure that whatever condition produces this kind of hyperuglyknittia as a side effect is now well controlled with modern medications. Then again, they had Valium when this picture was taken, so I believe there was some medical negligance going on.

Then again, everyone is smiling . . . enablers, all of them!

The baby and the poor cocker spaniel both make me simultaneously sad and giggly, but my favourite is the cat. Lets have another look at that:

“How dare you laugh! I will kill you all, puny humans . . . as soon as I figure out how to get this scarf off”

Check out Veronik Avery’s blog, as she has finished the Hundertwasser Silver Spiral for her Father In-Law. They look lovely! Check ‘em out!

You can also see a gallery of them here.
If you have finished some Hundertwasser Socks? Let us know and we’ll feature them!