ooooooooo!

Had a day off yesterday.

Cast on for a sherpa hat. After 2" i discovered i'd twisted the stitches while joining in the round. Ripped it out.

Cast on for a simple scarf - carrying 2 strands. Discovered that i'd dropped one of the strands close to the cast on row and was now about 6" on. Ripped it out.

Waste of a day off!

Just thought you'd like to know that you're not the only one behind in Christmas knitting!

Christmas Is Coming!

We're coming down to the wire - 9 more days till the big guy comes ... but On The Lamb is well stocked with wonderful yarns for your last minute gifts. You've got enough time to whip up a pair of socks! Or the very Beautiful Baby Alpaca Shrug (I'm on my 4th - sssshhhhhh) Scarves are immensly popular and quick to do. Fingerless gloves or a Cowl - very hot this time of year. Not sure you want to knit? How about one of our cutie patootie tea pots in whimsical designs? And speaking of tea - i think it's time.

Really stuck? You can always get a gift certificate - perfect fit every time!

Or, Hey! Do like i do. Wrap up the wool, pattern and needles with an IOU for the finished project in the new year! (not even kidding. Sorry mom, Jacqueline, Lindsay and Taryn!)

All the shops in the Tin Mill are bursting at the seams with alternate gifts, and the downtown of Uxbridge is a beaut!! Drive by in the evening when the lights are on the trees and the shop windows are dressed to the nines! Oh, and if Rutledge's clock chimes and the Library Tower's bell's play "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" - well, it's just like a Norman Rockwell painting!

I hope i see you all before Christmas - but if not - have a very very happy one!

.... and it's so lush, you'll want to roll in it!

What could be that lush? We have Recycled Himilayian Sari Silk and Sari Ribbon again. The colours are rich and gorgeous and the texture is going to make a scarf very happy. Or the collar of a jacket and maybe the cuffs! Or an evening bag. I've even seen it done up real swell with mohair in a sweater. Quantities are limited folks, gett'em while they're here!

Also, ever so lush and plus h is Colinette Iona - 70% wool, 15% silk and 15% kid mohair

- oooooo, so soft. And the ball band has a hat pattern on it! Free! (but if that hat is too big, i have another pattern just perfect for ladies!) And so i took a picture of me with the hat on - not so pretty. Don't look at the face, avert your eyes. Just look at the hat!

And just because, here's a picture of our (finally) finished fireplace with the ever so cute t-

pots on the mantle.

Back Again!

We've had a little blip, but all is well but we need to remember somethings:

It's not the length of your life, it's the depth and the width (Emmerson)

Hug your kids every single day... for they are lent to you.

More later guys - and i mean more! New yarns, new bags, new pins, and dare i say it! New Fireplace that is finally finished (almost) and is stunning!!!!!!

... and just because we always need to have new stuff ....

.... we now have a line of greeting cards. Handmade-ish (you know, on the printer and stuff - but i drew the pictures myself! and knit the little sweaters too!)

We have cutie patootie cards for babies, in fact we have one with Cutie Patootie on it! Cute cards for girls and baby boys. Lots of cards that you can included with gifts.

Come have a look. For $4.99, you can' beat it!

Christmas Stocking Class - oh, come on - you know you want to!

Sooooo, you've always wanted to make socks? Would love to knit on 4 needles but you are a little nervous about those wee tiny 2.25mm? And THEN, you have to knit a second one?

Here's an idea; how about a Christmas stocking? I just knit the cutest little Christmas stockings! I used Recycle Himalyan Sari Silk blended with Mulberry/Merino. Add a little fuzz on the top and ... Voila!

Of course you can always use traditional wools to make traditional stockings like green and cream lopi ....

BUT, how about thinking outside the box: how about one in ribbon? Multi-coloured wool from Chile? some wool/silk from Wales? baby Alpaca, cotton/mohair blend?

You don't need to knit green, white and red; how about cream and tweed for the country lovers; black and white and silver for the urbanites, hot pink/lime green for kids, red and orange - Wow!

AND, with Christmas stockings - you only have to knit one!!! (right Carol?)

You Don't need to read ....

We had our second Purls and Prose last night. For the uninitiated, that's On The Lamb's bookclub! We meet the second Tuesday night of the month at 7:30. Wine optional. Reading optional. Knitting optional. Coming - not optional.

We were seven last night; 2 read the book recently (only one was any good at retrieving facts, thanks Carol!), 1 read the book a couple of years ago, 2 no reads but saw the movie, 1 no read and had no intention of doing so! WHO CARES? We had fun!

Thanks to Lynn for the Hors and Lynn and Carol for the wine. Altogether, a very pleasant way to spend the evening.

(Did you hear me? I said, Altogether ... sorry, old Monty Python bit ...)

gobble, gobble, gobble!

I don't know about your Turkey day, but ours was great! We went apple picking; who knew that this was the last weekend of apple picking? I guess there really is a season, afterall - they were kinda 'picked' over, as it were. So really, it was just a nice walk with three dogs and lots o'family. But not Warren. He stayed home to baste.

And that brings us to the feast! TaDaDa DAAAAAA!

Big dinner at our house; seems to me that it took all four of us to get everything prepared and table set, and dust bunnies vacuumed up! AND it was my first foray into the world of Brining. It's the only way to go. Especially if you have an extra 24 hours to prepare your feast!!!! And don't we all? But i will be planning for it from now on - best turkey e-v-e-r!

Now. Do you know what else Thanksgiving is? It's just 74 days away from Christmas! Yes it is!

Don't groan! Oh, was that your residual "man, i should have pushed myself away from the table one turkey leg ago" groan? Sorry. Groan away.

BUT - Santa's on his way - and ... that ... means ... you really gotta start knitting those gifts! Maybe even a stocking - i'm working on a Christmas stocking right now that is breathtaking!!!!! How about a chunky scarf in a really simple pattern? You still have time to make a sweater for your loved ones (or start it again, as in my case! - tension. REEEAAALLLLYYY important. 'nuff said)

Christmas morning without hand knit gifts - now, that something to groan about!

Purl's and Prose OR The Knittary Litterary!!!

It's time for our second meeting!

When: this coming Tuesday, October 13th, 7:30.

Where: On The Lamb

The Book: The Other Bolyn Girl

Why: Because you'll have fun and enjoy meeting other wacky crazy knitters, just like yourself!

Bring Knitting. Bring Wine. Bring your sense of humour!

Oh.

And bring the book.

Something else New & Fun!

You know what else is fun? Draws!

So i decided (i get to do that, 'cause i'm the Captain of Indusrtry of this here space) that we will have a Draw-a-Month. First day of every month, or the closest business day to it! Different stuff all the time, probably a fair amount of wool though, don't you think? Different amounts. Different dollar values. All for you.

How do you enter? Come in to the shop and fill out a ballot. The trick is you must leave me your email address. Why? 'Cause that's how i'll inform you of your win! Why? Not enough time to call! And we'll put the winners on the blog and other places too.

Fun? You bet! Come in soon and fill in a ballot!

holy cow! We've just been abuzzin'!

Do you ever have one of those weeks (or two) where you absolutely cannot believe how quickly the time has passed? Me too!

This week has been very exciting! Just look! I mean really, just look! Wendy finished her sock! What's special about this sock is that it has a 'short-row, wrap and turn' heel and a star toe. All new techniques for Wendy and the Sock Semi-Summit Class. And at one point, i wasn't sure if they were going to go for it or run away!

But Wendy's sock is beeeuuuutiful and this picture proves it can be done!

Be brave, my sweet ladies! Success is just ahead!

(drum roll)

LOOK. AT. THIS. Is this not the very picture of cozy, comfy and warm? Yes, you got it right. It's our new fireplace and comfy chairs. They are just waiting for you! (and by the way, that's my great-great grandmother's afghan on the chair - cool, huh?)

And just to make you laugh - Look at Purly! i bought a Pug Stuffed Toy when we were in Vermont. He was sort of our mascot. I brought him home and introduced him to Purl. And well, the picture is a little blurry because i was laughing so hard ...

WOW!

Yarn Crawls are fun!!!! They really are!

We had an amazing day! Lot's of new faces and wonderful old faces. Well. Not really old faces ... you know what i mean...

Thanks for all your support! And i hope you had fun too!!!

It's tomorrow! It's tomorrow!!!!

I'm flying around this shop, making sure that everything is priced, everything is tidy, everything is presented as well i can.

Why?

Because, tomorrow you're coming to the Best Darn Yarn Crawl in Durham!!!!!!

20% off all regularly priced stock - 50% of all Aero and Susan Bates metal needles - 50% off some beauty yarns. AND surprise bags! $7.00 only and some have a value of over $50!!!!!

Come early, come often!

See you here!

What are you doin' Saturday? CRAWLING!!!

It's gonna be a doozie! This will be our 5th and best so far. Five shops are participating and we will all have different sales and promotions.

On The Lamb will have:

20% off all regularly priced stock including new deliveries!

50% discount on all Aero and Susan Bates METAL needles.

AND 50% off some fab yarns.

AND a couple of Draws too!

Just to entice you further: Lisa is opening The Passionate Cook's Essentials on Saturday (sneak preview!), a wonderful kitchen and gourmet supply shop (located in my old space, just across the hall), and of course we have Tin Mill upstairs for a wonderful lunch (reservations recommended) and the Tin Cup Cappuccino Bar just down the street, for a casual 'panini-y' type lunch.

Ahem - did i mention that i will have free coffee? And Lisa will have 'tasters' of her fab antipasto ... i'm just sayin' ...

However, since the fireplace guy's wife went into labour yesterday - no fireplace 'til next week. (You know, she HAD nine months to have that baby - kidding. No really, i am ...) BUT we have a lovely drawing of it on the wall and two beautiful leather chairs in which you can rest your weary bones!

Hope to see you here!

Saturday's Yarn Crawl!!!!

Vermont - the green state (reeeeaallyyyyyy!)

okay - i told you it ain't flat. And the shops were 'unusual'. And that we had a ball. Did i tell you we ate our way through the state? Really wonderful restaurants that we found in out of the way places; like Tiny Thai. We found that one whilst looking for Muriel who had 'wandered away.' She doesn't think she did and in the long run, it doesn't matter because we found Tiny Thai. It was tiny, it was Thai and it was delicious!!!! Aaaannnnndddd of course, Bellini's in New Hampshire.

And we saw covered bridges; this one looked about to fall over! No Meryl Streep or that guy with the creepy turkey neck anywhere!

And then, on the last day, Mom took a turn for the worse and spent the night in Cornwall Hotel Dieu, which is not a fancy hotel but a hospital. The nurses and doctores were so great, i told them i would put them in my blog! Good news is that Mom's on the mend. And we're on the search for a doctor who will monitor medications! Any ideas?

Next year, ladies - Rhinebeck and Upper New York State!

I hear it's flat.

YARN CRAWL IN DURHAM!!!!

It's time for our Durham Region Bi-Annual yarn crawl.

The date is October 3rd. Four or five shops participating ... great discounts, specials and draws at each shop!

Be there! It's the best thing since sliced bread!!!!!!

This is your first notice ... there will be more!

Dying to Dye Workshop

People were dying to know what we were doing! We died laughing! Live free or die! (that one's for you Lynne!)

We came, we dyed, we laughed, we had fun!

If you didn't get a chance to enroll in the dying workshop - please keep it in mind for the Spring. We had a lot of fun, great weather, a little bit of instruction in colour theory and the results ... well, you can see for yourself!

Donna, Gerri, Elaine, Marion, Lynne and Junne did a fabulous job - once they got over their fear of colour!

We'll do it again - just got to wait for Spring!

WOW! Vermont Ain't Flat!

Yup - that's what they say. Vermont ain't flat. And it ain't. And the roads ain't straight either. The road into Smugglers Notch, where we stayed, had a segment that was 10 minutes of switchback turns, s-turns and 180 degree turns, around huge rocks the size of your car!!!!

We had a great time - the yarn shops and towns had a different flavour from last years trip to New Hampshire and Maine. Have you ever gone into a yarn shop/fruit and veggie stand? Or yarn shop/picture framing/tourist geegaws? No? Then go to Vermont!!!!!

And i'm painting my house, so i was keen to see all the colour combinations; anyone for a purple house with taupe trim? More pics later...

A recipe ...

I know ... that's a little weird for this blog. BUT, we had a meeting of the Vermont Gang; the group that are going on a yarn crawl to Vermont on Sunday. And they liked my Orzo. And thought you all might like it too. Sooooo, here's the recipe.

Now first of all, Orzo, which is pasta shaped like rice, cooks like Risotto. You need lots of fluid and you need to keep stirring. Also, the pasta takes on the flavour of what you cook it with, otherwise, it's kind 'flat', so you need chicken stock or wine.

Okay, here goes:

500g of Orzo

2.5 cups chicken stock

1 cup white wine

1/2 cup melted butter

5 minced garlic cloves

2 cups parmasean cheese grated

10 or 15 torn Fresh Basil leaves

Freshly ground black pepper

6 tomatoes, diced.

First:

Bring liquid to a boil; add the Orzo. Start stirring.

When it's done, about 12 minutes (taste for al dente) you probably won't have any liquid left, just very creamy Orzo. (if you see the Orzo running dry, throw in some more white wine.)

Next:

Melt 1/2 cup butter in a large sauce pan, add and brown gently 5 minced garlic cloves (or more if you like)

Now:

Add Orzo to the sauce pan and stir to cover with butter and garlic.

Add 2 cups Parmasean Cheese (grated)

Add 6 tomatoes, diced.

Tear 10 or 15 Basil leaves and add.

Grind black ground pepper over top.

Give it a good stir. Flip out into a bowl. Decorate with some fresh basil.

Let me know what you think. We all really liked it. Mom thought that if you tossed in some cooked shrimp, you would have a meal in a bowl. Or even cooked chicken!

TADA!

Purl's and Prose OR The Knittary Litterary!!!

It was our first meeting last night of Purls and Prose;

the bookclub with the wool shop in mind!

We meet here at 7:30 p.m., on the first Tuesday of each month. Just bring your knitting and your opinion! No registration required, no cost, and no holds barred!!!!! (also no teach)

We took a few photo's but there's nothing quite like being here. Not everyone liked the book, not everyone read the book. But everyone enjoyed the experience!

We had champagne and chocolates to celebrate our very first gathering (thanks again Carolynne!); we had a few lovely snackers on the table (thanks Lynn and Carolynne!) and plenty of laughter!

Join us next time; you'll meet new friends and expand your mind at the same time. Now, what's wrong with that?

Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 13th, 7:30 p.m. The book is The Other Boleyn Girl - i will be ordering from Shelly at Blue Heron - let me know if you need a copy.

... just sink your hands into this...

Ahem.

A picture is worth a thousand words ... okay, a few words.

4 new shades of Baby Alpaca Sport.

To make this wonderful Shrug.

That is all.

Our First Knitterary Literarry meeting!

It's almost here! Our first very own "Lit-TER-a-TURE EVE-en-ing"

Tuesday, September 8th - 7:30 p.m. Here at On The Lamb (53 Toronto St. N, Lower Level.)

Uh Huh! It's Purls & Prose - the first Knitterary Litterary meeting!

Book is The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood. Good read, and semi autobiographical!

It will be very informal, lots of laughing, and meeting your new best friends! All are welcome. We'll run until about 9 or when we run out of things to say!

No Cost/No teach. So it's fun for me too! Hope to see you here!

Yessssssssss! It's here!

ok - not quite yet.

But i'm getting antsy,

and it's not scheduled to go in until September 28,

so i made one,

on the wall,

with Chalk.

i know.

nice, huh?

Sigh...

p.s. It's a fireplace. Oh. You knew. Right.

Soooooo ..... did you want to know what huge amounts of wool look like!

It came.

From Berroco.

133 pounds.

Beautiful.

Sock wool.

Vintage Wool.

Peruvia.

Ultra Alpaca.

I have no room.

Where will it go?

Teeexxxture! Funnnn! and WWOOOWWW!

Remember i told you yesterday that this fall is all about texture? I just unpacked some amazingggggg wools/acrylics. We're talking large needles, easy patterns and projects finished in one night! These wool/arylic blends are wonderful and they're from Italy, my home town, in case you didn't know! The pattern support is really cool and funky and the scarves you can whip up - i'm not even kidding! Gor-geee-ous.

Spazzola, by Naturally, is a very elegant wool/acrylic/poly blend that has exciting, unexpected and rapid changes in volume. Remember those scarves from a couple of years ago? Eyelash yarn, polyester junk? Think those scarves "all-grown-up-and-moved-to-New York!" The colours of black, taupe, cream and silver are everything the well-dressed woman would want in a scarf. Knit on 12 mm needles, you'll do one a night. I know, because i did. Took about 3.5 hours and i stopped for dinner. It was just a burger, but i stopped! Please come and see the sample in the shop.

Now, Bocciolo, by Filature Di Crosa (very well respected name in yarn) is Fun, Fun, Fun! It's a bit wild and woolly with rapid increases in volume as well, in popular and also wild and funky colours: black/grey, cream/taupe, teal/navy and my fav, purple/hot pink with just a little lime green! Wohoooooo! Scarves, hats, touques, mitts! Funky oversized vests. Wild felted slippers! Go for it!

And for those who want the youngest ones in our lives, or ourselves, to be wrapped in super soft organic cotton - LOOK at the wonderful shades: peapod, rice pudding, maize, laundry, bone and scrumble. So soft, so gentle, so laid back. Can't you just see a baby blanket made out of squares with each of these colours? I can and i don't even have babies. (Well i do, but they are 23 and 27... unless you count Purl, but she ain't gettin' ahold of this stuff!) Just wondering, what colour do YOU think scrumble is?

Come see. And try not to get bowled over by the 133 lbs of wool arriving shortly from Berroco ... wonder what's coming? Oh, my goodness! guess what just came in? ....... Help! i've been overcome, surrounded and drowning in wool! But ooooooh, isn't it all just so lovely? I need MORE space!!!!!!

PS ummmm, did anyone notice the lovely pictures, and the beautiful backgrounds? Yup. I just thought that up. Just went outside and set up piles and wool and took pictures. Just came to me. Just like that. Hmmmmmmm...

... it's been so long!!!!!

Hey! I've missed you guys - it's been awhile since an update! Sorry 'bout that ...

What have i been doing? Buying wool. Putting away wool. Moving cabinets to make room for wool. Buying wool. Canceling wool 'cause i bought too much. Putting wool away in tiny, tiny places 'cause there's no room for wool. And while i have been blogging, this arrived! More wool! And 133 pounds is arriving tomorrow from Uxbridge, MASS. Ay yi yi!

Our regular KnitWits, who meet each Thursday, spent today in a special endeavour. One of my wonderful customers, Cynthia, knits up 12" blocks for me. By the dozens. And dozens. And my Mumma (god bless her!) stitches them together into either baby blankets or lap throws. We ultimately give them to the IODE ladies (Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Emire - hardly British, huh?) who make sure that the blankets and throws get where they are needed.

Today, Mumma brought the blocks in, and she and Carol stitched a baby's blanket together. Now, Carol doesn't know it, but while she was stitching with Mumma, i snuck about 35 squares into her car. Now she's going to be making the blankets! (just kidding, but i think we'll make this a monthly endeavour - take some of the heat off of Mumma!) Those are Donna's hands in the lower right of the picture - she was helping too!

I told you last week about Isis, the wonderfully soft drapey yarn that arrived. I've been sloughing away at the Pomegranate Cardigan in the Isis Book and thought you'd like to see a little progress. Aren't those chevrons at the waist to dye-for? They also appear on the cuffs and the collar. And all you need are 4 skeins! I know!

This year ladies, and gents ... it's all about texture, here at On The Lamb! Stay tuned to 'feel' good. You're really going to know all about tactile sensations. It'll be a bumpy ride.

Ok - that's enough texture metaphors - watch this blog for more!

oops... i did it again ...

ooops ... i did it again ... What you ask? Re-ordered (for the third time!) Namaste Knitting Bags. And moved-everything-around-the-shop! (If you say it fast, it doesn't hurt as much!)

Why? Welllll, i had to.

You see, i don't think i left enough room in the corner for the fireplace (yes! Fireplace!), and we KNOW how wonderful a fireplace would be and we DON'T want the fireplace man to get here and say "There's not enough room."

So i had to move a cabinet. I moved it over near the teaching table and then i put the all the socks yarn in it. In order to put the sock cabinet there, i needed to move a library cabinet, which for awhile was hanging around in the middle of the floor. (i haven't yet found a home for it ... ) At the same time, we moved the DK weight over to where the Chunky was and the Chunky and the Worsted to where the socks were, and then the Lopi cupboard from up-high to down-low, beside where the fireplace is going to be. Where there is now enough room.

AND now i have to find room for 4 more Zuma bags and Buddy cases. Which are selling like hotcakes. And a place for the Library cabinet ...

See. oops ... i did it again ... just not like Britney ...

And i'm winding, and winding and winding...

Isis. Iona. Giotto.

I love these yarns from Colinette. Really i do. I think the colours are amazing and the textures are terrific. It has great pattern support and the patterns are forward thinking with modern details like Chevron borders and feminine shaping.

But i hate how they ship it - the "put up" as they say in the biz. They tie 9 hanks together with the 10th and stuff it in to a plastic bag. Then i shake them out, undo them and wind them up into skeins.

I know. You don't feel sorry for me at all. Afterall, i'm doing what i love and like i said, the fibers are amazing.

It's just that i have 145 to do. (sniff) And it's nice out. (sniff) And i want to go and play in the pool. (sniff) (what a whiner!)

Come and see them - once i get them wound, they will be works of art - i just wish the 'put up' was different.

It's new - it's Isis!

Isis was a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. She was worshiped as the ideal mother, wife, matron of nature and magic.

It's called Isis; this stuff is like magic and will keep you warm, just like your mother's arms. (get it? See how i did that? Little segue for you ... that stuff's not easy to do, you know ... as my previous blog clearly illustrated ... sorry 'bout that one!)

I love the watercolour transparency of this yarn. It's 100% Viscose so it has a wonderful drape. It feels like Chenille and knits up on 7mm needles. I'm knitting a romantic looking cardigan with Chevron borders that only takes 4 hanks. It's knit in the round and divides for sleeves. Very easy, 2 row repeat patten on the border of cuffs, waist and collar.

Won't be long before

it's in the shop!

There is very good pattern support for ISIS, especially for those fans of shawls (gotta remember that this little heat wave won't last - won't be long before we're into fall weather!) Lots of flowy, showy shawls.

I even love the names: Raphael, Toscana, Gauguin, Sahara. How romantic, eh?

Well, judge for yourself ... huh? huh?

beautiful ... (sigh)

Boobies, boobies everywhere!

See Lynn.

See Lynn knit.

See Lynn knit for charity.

See Lynn knit SEVEN Knitted Knockers in one week!

See Lynn going to a good place!

Yeah Lynn!

... and you've lost your tape measure again!

Did you ever think about the Golden Ratio ... and how does it relate to knitting? (go on - you do!) Artists, designers, painters, plastic surgeons, mathematicians all know about the Golden Ratio. It is said that the pyramids were built using this ratio. And now Knitters are in the game too!

Simply put, the distance from one portion of your body to another is in direct proportion to another. For example: measure the width of your mouth at rest, then measure the width of your nose, the ratio on an attractive face will be...1.618. All the ratios on your body will be ... 1.618. If you were ... perfect. Mine are 1.4287. I'm not so perfect.

Leonardo da Vinci's drawings of the human body emphasised its proportion. The ratio of the following distances is the Golden Ratio: (foot to navel) : (navel to head). Get it?

However, did old Leo ever know that the distance from the tip of your thumb to the first joint is approximately 1"? Did he realize that the distance from your palm to the tip of your center finger is approximately 4"? Did he see that the span of your hand, with the fingers spread very wide, from the tip of your thumb to the tip of your center finger is approximately 7"? Huh? Did he? This is very handy when knitting socks.

Why to tell you this? How many times have you been caught without your tape measure? See? ... just a little bit of knowledge ... and just in case you wanted to take this further ...

The mathematics of the golden ratio and of the Fibonacci sequence are intimately interconnected. The Fibonacci sequence is:

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987, …

The closed-form expression (known as Binet's formula, even though it was already known by Abraham de Moivre) for the Fibonacci sequence involves the golden ratio:

Disclaimer: Of course, inner beauty is more important than external beauty... yeah, and i'm a six foot blond with a swan-like neck and a voice like Barbra Streisand!

The smell of paint is in the air!

... and things they are achangin'!

My new neighbour is moving in - well, she's painting anyway! Very exciting! Lovely colours, lovely shop, lovely lady. You'll meet her, i'm certain. Taryn already calls her Lisa Kitchen; her shop will be called The Passionate Cook's Essentials; lots of good gadgets, gifty's, books and lessons. Yes! Lessons. In conjunction with Don's Tin Mill, Lisa will be offering Cooking Lessons. How fun!

So. Now when you come to visit ON THE LAMB, you will also see the latest in kitchen stuff, buy some wonderful jewellery and have a spectacular lunch. And if the spa lady is there, maybe have a pedicure.

Really. Is there any reason to go anywhere else?

Theeeyyy'reee Baaacckkk!

Namaste Bags are back in stock!

The last delivery sold out in two weeks. So avoid hesitation. Be deliberate. Get in here and get your handsome Namaste!

And my light honours yours.

Our very own Sock Semi-Summit!

figurative: sum•mit - the highest attainable level of achievement.

No pressure there.

Perhaps some of you follow the Yarn Harlot's blog? Well, she is hilarious, very well known internationally (which is great for a Toronto gal) and she is planning a Sock Summit in Portland Oregon this weekend. 3000 people applied for something like 500 spots. Wildly popular.

Remember the definition of summit (at the top of the page?) Uh, huh. No pressure.

So we are planning our very own SOCK SEMI-SUMMIT! You know. Just below the summit. Because to call ourselves the Summit is putting a lot of pressure on ourselves and who needs that? So while we will aspire for excellence, we'll settle for damn-fine.

There's limited space, but the SOCK SEMI-SUMMIT! begins Friday September 4, at 10:30. We will meet for 4 Fridays: dates are September 4, 11, 25 (i know, we skipped a week) and October 2, always at 10:30. The cost is $75.00 (includes taxes), instruction, pattern, wool and needles. AND coffee! And unlimited exposure to ellen if you need it to clear up foggy issues.

And if you are diligent and practice lots, you'll have at least one damn-fine sock done.

You need to reserve your spot, and we don't consider you registered until you've paid.

I just can't help it .... and i can't stop!

Diamond Yarns is a distributor that i use quite extensively. They not only carry their own Luxury yarn (think Mulberry Merino!), but also several imported lines like Debbie Bliss, Louisa Harding and Colinette.

My Diamond rep just left. Before she arrived, i had steeled myself to ONLY order the Colinette yarn. Afterall, that's why she was coming. We made the appointment for ONLY Colinette Yarn. And i was ONLY going to order 1 more line to add to the wonderful Ribbon Giotto already on hand (to which i will be adding 5 more colours, arriving first of September which will make 10 colours of that little beauty.)

I ordered 3 lines. In 5 colours each. And then i ordered wonderful Malabrigio sock yarn, 100% wool with a hand so soft your eyes will close in ectasy. Mine did. And a whole bunch of pattern books (there is a cardi in the IONA book - mmmmmmm)

And she's going to call me with more details about 2 more lines.

I just can't help it ... and i can't stop.

There should be a group for Yarn Buyers like me. We could call it CYBA - Canadian Yarn Buyers Anonymous. I would just say "Sorry, i can't join you for lunch, i have a CYBA meeting this afternoon."

But it probably shouldn't be anonymous - we need all the help we can get.

I wish i could stop.

Aaaaah August...

On this hot, humid, stinky day, it appears summer has arrived.

August 4th.

I'm knitting sweaters for the fall, planning for Christmas, receiving heavy winter yarns, moving cottons up to the attic, pouring over patterns so i can recommend quickies for Christmas gifts.

And then this. August 4th. Hot. Humid. Stinky.

Oh, wait. Is THIS global warming?

Wonderful, crisp and 'green' too!

No, it's not a salad! It's our terrific ON THE LAMB 100% natural cotton carrier bag that will make you feel so virtuous about shopping! You can slip veggies and a carton of milk quite easily inside.

They just arrived, and i have to say they are really handsome! MUCH nicer that those bags you get from very large grocery stores and dollar stores.

AND they will tell everyone that you have the good taste to buy your yarn at ON THE LAMB!

Only $9.99 while supplies last. (if you spend over $250.00, i'll give you the bag for free!)

Purl's of wisdom (get it???)

We've created a cutie-patotie Needle-size Reminder for your purse. It folds up to about 2.75" square, can slide in your wallet and has a place where you can note what needle sizes you have at home! No more duplicates!

Although, i think everyone should have 4 sets of circular Addi's, size 6mm. Yup.

We also included a tiny little measure, and some rules of knitting. Here are a few:

1. It's knitting, not brain surgery. If you ade a mistake, we can fix it.

2. Ensure your knitting bag is well stocked with chocolate and liquor.

3. Crap in, crap out. You use crappy yarn to make your project, your project will look crappy.

Pick yours up next time you are in!

(p.s. hi Carol)

Next Project Girls!

Just what we need for our "Change of Life" Project... yes?

Namaste and Holy Mackerel!

(which is kind of like saying holy holy!)

Last Friday (or Thursday .... hmmmm?) i received 10 knitting bags from Namaste and 5 notions cases, in many delightful colours. One week later, I have 3 knitting bags and one notions case left.

NAMASTE! Can you hear me? Send more! Quick!

Reordering this afternoon - if there is anything in particular you would like ...

and, namaste.

oh no! Leaks!

oh no! my beautiful new place ... leaks. I have a big leak in my ceiling! Never mind. Don will fix it. Don fixes everything! He's my hero - and my landlord.

I hope this will not be the first time Don can't fix something.

"Well, i just can't think about that right now; As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me! I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again! No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill! As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again! "

Sorry. That was a little over the top.

I'm sure Don will fix it.

Fiddle de dee

Just in case you thought you were the only one!

JUST in case you thought you were the only one who had several UFO's (unfinished objects to the uninitiated), i thought i would bring you up-to-date on what's revolving around my knitting chair, or rather my knitting nest, as Taryn calls it. I'm gonna take a picture one of these days!

Christmas Socks for Christopher - cuff done on one.

Baby Sweater for display in shop - back done and most of one sleeve

Summer "T" that i'm TEACHING - back done, 1/4 of front (thank goodness it has short sleeves!)

Dominican Shawl in Giotto - cast on, oops, pulled off. Gotta start again.

Debbie Bliss Shawl - stalled.

Christmas stocking - demo to be done to teach. Not done. Yarn selected.

Dying to Dye workshop - gotta prepare the jigs for Socks and get one dyed. Not. Right. Now.

Diamond's Famous Sweater - not on the needles yet.

Leaf and Vine Scarf - not on the needles yet.

Master Knitters Course - got 8 sections out of 30 done.

In my mind, in order to be a KNITTER, one must have many projects started, many in the mind and many not on the needles yet.

I have heard of people who actually begin a project, execute it, finish it, BLOCK IT. And wear it. Hmmmm. What a concept.

One can but dream...

oooohhhhhhh - what could it be? NAMASTE?

I just love it when the Canada Post lady comes in - even if i do have to pay her exhorbitant rates for duty and customs. I just don't care (well, i kinda do, but...) Look what she brings! New Stuff! What could it be? Is it yarn? Is it notions? OH MY GOODNESS, is it from Namaste?

Wow! The newest shipment of Namaste bags have arrived! The quintessential knitting bag in two sizes, notions caddy and mini project clutch! As always, they are lovely!

This year we have brought in the Hermosa, the largest knitting bag they have ever made, in three colours, eggplant, saddle and black and it retails for $84.99.

The Zuma, a new shape and a bag i could quite easily use for a dinner engagement (not that have i have dinner engagements, just wanted to say it). We have Zuma in three colours, olive, eggplant and peacock at $74.99 with a fourth (lime green) due to arrive in August.

Something else new: Cali Clutch - folds in half with clasps at both ends. Unfold it and there are several places to store your needles. The Cali Clutch at $39.99 is available in olive, saddle and turquoise. And the most exciting of all - the Buddy Case! A hardcover case with a magnetic board inside so your wool needles will never fall out again! We have buddy cases in peacock, lime, olive, eggplant and saddle at $19.99.

And remember their motto: "Leather is hard to clean; this isn't."

These knitting bags didn't last long in the shop last year; come early and come often!

And Namaste.

Sorry, can't help it. I gotta go. I wanna go.

Unfortunately ON THE LAMB will be closed on Saturday July 25th.

You see, i only have one Aunt left hanging around and it's her 80th birthday on Saturday. And she's my favourite Aunt (i know, but she calls me her favourite niece and i'm her only niece!) And her and my uncle have been so supportive of ON THE LAMB (almost as much as my mom.)

And it's her birthday on Saturday.

So you see. I gotta go. I wanna go.

But unfortunately, that means ON THE LAMB will be closed on Saturday July 25th.

All will return to normal on Tuesday July 28th.

Happy Birthday Aunty Shirley!

Super Ten on Super Sale!

Taryn has balked. She doesn't want to move anything more upstairs. She's also curious that every time she comes to the shop, it's time to move some stuff upstairs. Hmmmmmmm, i'm a little surprised.

SO. In order to make room for the new stuff that is on it's way - Super Ten is on sale! 8 fab colours, dk weight, 230m per skein, 100% mercerized Cotton. The good stuff. Regularly $11.99.

Now $6.99!

Won't last long - and won't be repeated!

Woohoo - i love this Roomba!

Let's face it. I don't have time to clean. I don't like to clean. And i don't have time to clean. And i don't like it.

So it was with elation that i accepted Carolynne's offer to loan me her Roomba! Have you seen these little gaffers? They are round robots, about 12" in diameter, that go round and round your home (or your "room") and vacuum up all the dust and pieces of wool and bits of paper. It just goes and goes until it's done. And then it goes back to it's "docking" station, and i didn't even have to get it a beer.

My life is complete.

What was that?

oh my goodness - who's up for it? I say we could do telephone poles? Signs for shops. Come'on! How cute is this?

... it's official!

It's official - the new place is wonderful! It's calm, dignified and 'grown-up'! AND we have telephones, thanks to Compton Cable. I don't want to name the other place that couldn't/wouldn't help but their name rhymes with shell. Never mind, no negativity!

I just have two baskets left to unpack. Next week i begin to move cottons upstairs and heavy yarns start to be delivered! OOOHHHH! I can hardly wait!

I finished my Giotto cardi - well, almost. Have a look! Just in case someone is checking and is going to try and catch me out, the fronts have extensions that provide the collars. And those little things that look like Knitted Knockers are sleeves.

AND it's blocked. All things must be blocked. Blocking is good. Do not fear blocking! Are you hypnotized yet? Have i brainwashed you into blocking all your work? (except ribbing and some novelty yarns.)

Hope to see you soon at the New Home of On The Lamb!!!!

The first space was too big, the second space was too small. This space is JUST RIGHT!

Just like Goldilocks - The first space was too big, the second space was too small but this one is juuussstttt right! (thanks Connie for the reference - too funny!)

We've been a little quiet for the past week because we've been organizing and packing and shuffling stuff and packing! We originally decided to pack on Friday July 10th and move on Saturday July 11th. I had the brawny men all lined up to move us.

This is the Darling Daughter packing her little heart out! We stopped for lunch for about 20 minutes and then kept going! I had to - she can be mean when she's crossed! (very determined little thing - i wonder where she got that from?)

BUT, the 'organizing-queen' also known as Taryn, waved her magic wand and TADA - the empty, cavernous, warehouse-like

space was beginning to be transformed. I had painted the walls a couple of days beforehand (actually DH put the second coat of paint on and got the slat wall reinstalled - actually my nephew and my brother-in-law helped move the slat wall - then they all went

upstairs for a beer - does anyone else notice the inconsistency in efforts here - and rewards!!!???)

But NO ONE gets in the way of the 'Organizing-Queen'! We were moved in by 6 p.m. on Friday. ALL OF IT. TARYN AND ME AND MOM ONLY. TADA. US ONLY. NO BRAWNY MEN. (has the parade started yet? 'cause my arm is getting tired from patting myself and my team on the back!)

We do have a few remaining issues - like Bell for the internet (Booooo) and Compton for the telephone (Yeahhhhh!). Those systems are rudimentary at best - i think we have a cable running across the hall just now. But Compton will fix that. I'm certain of it.So we just put the finishing touches on the shop on Saturday and Sunday. Of course the space no longer feels empty, cavernous or warehouse-like - we managed to fill the up the area quite nicely.

I am so pleased with the results - please come and see for yourself!

- ellen

Head Wool Gatherer

Beautiful Colinette Ribbon!

This is the lovliest, most elegant, delightful ribbon i've seen in a long time. It comes to us from Colinette, a wool house in Wales. You will be seeing a lot more of this kind of quality! I've already started a little cropped cardi for demo in the shop. It has a squishy soft hand, and the rayon allows for a lovely drape. The composition is cotton, rayon and nylon. This means that it won't be overwhelmingly hot when layered.

Please drop in and see - it's a beauty!

Remember last week i was knitting the wonderful Shrug, made from Baby Alpaca? It's done and up for show! It only takes 4 skeins and looks wonderful on everyone!

The 2 x 2 ribbing around the waist hugs your curves, or makes curves where there weren't any! It looks especially pretty with one of Bijoux's Sparklies pinning it together. I have five colours - the coral is my fav - with five more new fall colors arriving in September. It really does give you maximum impact for minimum effort. Consider making several for Christmas gifts.

Gotta go now and watch the drywall compound dry across the hall!

I'm so excited ... and i just can't hide it ...

i'm about to lose control and .... i can't remember the rest of the words.

I'm watching Daniel drywall my new shop! And the new paint is sitting just waiting to be spread around. And i've done my floorplan for the zillionth time. And the flooring has been picked (again!) and the fireplace ... well, you saw the picture of the fireplace!

Deep breath ... more tomorrow on the most beeoootiful ribbon yarn i've ever seen!!!

A Fireplace!

Don and i went and bought this beauty today! Okay - it doesn't look like much just now, but wait until the weather turns cold and you can warm yourself in front of it. Uh huh. Then we'll see.

KnitLit or the On The Lamb Knitterary Literary Society or ....

New things all the time - that's us! So it's time to have an open evening at On The Lamb.

There are more than enough Stitch n' Bitch groups (and isn't that title kind of derogatory?) So, we are going to have a KnitLit Night. It's a no cost, no teach, drop in and chat night. Of course, we would always be available to handle any purchases, should you wish it so.

Here are the details:

3rd Wednesday of each month, at 7:30 you are invited to come to On The Lamb, sit, knit and chat about a book! Fun eh? The first date is September 16. The first book is The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood.

We won't always be reading 'knitting' books, but i thought it would be a good place to start. Following books will be picked by all of us! Once a month. No homework. No intensity. No insanity.

Only one rule will apply: respect for others opinions. (But isn't that life, anyway?)

Oh, and we kinda need a name ... throw them out there! Let's be original and creative!

Please come - meet some new people who share an interest in knitting and in books.

ellen

Head Wool Gatherer and Literary Hound

... what's new you ask????

Just look at this "Wondershawl", modeled (and knit!) by our very own Wendy Lee. It's the shawl pattern from the front of the Debbie Bliss summer magazine and knit in Prima. Prima is a bamboo blend and drapes beautifully. All The Chicks with Sticks are knitting this shawl - what a lovely summer project!

And just when you thought we weren't thinking about colder weather, i assure you that On The Lamb is (almost) always thinking one season ahead. SO!

Here's a little beauty knit up on 8mm needles using 4 skeins of Baby Alpaca Sport (SOOOOOO soft) $15.99 a skein, and a very easy pattern. This is half of the shrug; i had a whole one done, brought it in last Friday as a model and it sold it Friday afternoon. So, again i knit. Have a look when you come in ... if it's still here!

And if the summer time is just the time to improve your skills, we have the complete selection of Lucy Neatby DVD's. Most are over 2 hours and cover such topics as Knitting Essentials 1 & 2, Sock Techniques 1 & 2, Knitting Gems 1, 2, 3 & 4, Double Knitting, Finesse Your Knitting 1 & 2, Intarsia Untangled 1 & 2. There are a total of 13 in the series and they retail for $29.00. Great for a little gift for the devoted, and not so devoted knitters!

PS I don't know why the first paragraph is green and in bold ... any ideas? Not that Wendy and her "Wondershawl" aren't terribly important ... i honestly don't know what i did!

Later guys!

Dying to try Dying!!!!!!

This is it! It's the "Dying to Dye" workshop that was postponed from the spring 'cause it was too cold, and also postponed from the summer 'cause we're moving!

So now it's a fall Workshop! Yeah!!!!! 

Saturday, September 12

10:30 - 3

On The Lamb

53 Toronto St. N., Lower Level, Uxbridge

905-852-1944 or purl@onthelamb.ca

$95 - payable upon registration

Price includes 4 types of Yarn, including sock yarn which we will Jacquard Dye on a jig, Dye and stuff required to make the magic happen, and a Picnic Lunch catered by Don Andrews, Tin Mill.

You will bring: 12 foam brushes, 6 pairs of surgical plastic gloves, 4 Wide Mouthed Mason Jars and clothes you don't mind getting messed up!

Full Details can be found on our website - www.onthelamb.ca. 

Please sign up early - the seats are going fast. You will not be considered registered until we receive full payment. If you do sign up - please remember to bring the suggested items.

It's going to be so fun!