K.I.P.

Knitting in Public? Ever done it? we're doing in on Saturday, September 22. 10 - 4. Where? Front of the shop, on the sidewalk. Why? To spread the love of knitting to all who pass by. Who? YOU! Come and join us!

Christmas - 124 days away!

Christmas Stockings. Need 'em. NOW! We've only got 124 more days to make these wonderful heirlooms. I'm making one for a baby, a mommy and a daddy! This is the stocking for a wee Baby - cute monogrammed "B" - ever so easy in a moss stitch - and in a chunky weight that means it will be done by dinner. As long as someone else makes dinner ... AND ... something about a partridge in a pear tree? Yup. Stay tuned. Going to be as cute as a bug in a rug!

Yarn Tasting!

Summer's a little quieter ... kinda good ... gives me time to think. And brainstorm with my friend Tina. So. Do i have an idea for you folks!!!!! Yarn Tasting! We are bringing in some lovely, delightful high end yarn, which name rhymes with Handmaiden. Okay, the name IS Handmaiden, from Fleece Artist. This is a new line for us in the shop, but like you, we have loved it for years. However, we want to introduce you to it here, at On The Lamb. And we want to entice those who have not met Handmaiden yet, into the wonderfully decadent world of luxury yarn. So. We're doing a YARN TASTING! (Well, why not, i say!) This will be a limited number of folks and we will do a wee wine tasting of sorts too. (well, we will have wine and we will taste it. Right?) Let me know your thoughts - i think we will have a ball and it's a great way to introduce you to this lovely yarn at no cost to yourself! Hmmm? Intrigued? Just waiting for the shipment and we'll set a date. T'will be evening to give our sisters in the work force a chance to join us Fun, eh?

What lessons can you take?

We do lessons all the time in the shop. Love them. But it has occurred to us that sometimes, in the shop lessons can be fraught with disturbances and interruptions. So here's something new (actually it's been going on awhile!) Work Shops in my Bright and Airy Studio, located in Sandford. Okay Folks - Look at this list and sign up now (for everything!) Current Workshops - prices do not includes taxes. All materials to be purchased from On The Lamb, 10% discount for class material (that's pretty good, eh?) July 22 & 29, 1-4: Toe Up Socks (Intermediate)- $89 plus materials Oct. 21, Nov. 4, 18: 1-4: Chunky Cable Vest (Intermediate) - $99 plus materials Sept. 17, 10 - 3: Dying your own wool (Beginner) Sept. 23, 1 - 4: Hats, Hats, Hats! (‘Medium’ Beginner) - $39 plus materials Oct. 7, 14, 28, 1 - 4: Beautiful Ladies Hoodie (‘Medium’ Beginner) - $99 plus materials Nov. 12, 1 - 4: Thrummed Mitts (‘advanced’ Beginner) - $49 plus materials

Yes. I know it's hot.

It's very hot. I was just reading the Yarn Harlot's blog and it's hot everywhere! So. 160 days 'til Christmas. 160 days 'til snow, sleet, slush. 160 days 'til scrapping off your windshield. 160 days 'til bundling up in coats. and hats. and mitts. 160 days 'til filling your car with windshield wiper fluid. 160 days 'til snow tires go on. Feel Better? I know what will help. Get going on those Christmas projects! (only 160 more days!)

Do you know ...

It's only 174 more days until Christmas? That's 174 more days to plan your Christmas knitting and decide who you will honour with your special handmade gift from the heart. 174 more days to buy your supplies and add to your stash because you have decided that ALL will benefit from the heartfelt gift of knitting. Oh, wait. Back to On The Lamb because you need one more pair of needles. Replan and restart. (only 174 more days.) Oh wait. Next size up. Rip out, restart. Now. Knit in earnest because it's only 174 more days. It's really not a lot of time, is it? Aren't you glad you have me to remind you? (i think it's 173 more days now.)

Happy Canada Day!

it's time for beer, and wine, and burgers and hotdogs. And sitting in the sun and not forgetting the sunscreen, and putting your feet up. And sinking into your most comfy lawn chair, in the shade, and ignoring your book 'cause you just really need to relax for a minute. And not thinking about work, or chores or elaborate meals. You need to recharge, reboot, relax. You can knit tomorrow.

A Memory Afghan ...

A very special group of dear friends, The Knitwits, volunteered to knit together and help ellen create this beautiful Christopher Memorial Afghan in memory of Christopher, ellen and Warren’s son and Taryn’s brother.. We chose calm, soothing colours accented with a perfect heart, to remember him with love. Many thanks to Muriel, Sondra, Carol, Donna, Junne, Carolynne, Jennifer, Sandra and Michelle. And ellen who knit the center piece, with all of her heart.

wellll .... look at who knits!

It's the Diamond Jubilee in England and perhaps what we are celebrating are 60 years of Queen Elizabeth knitting? Here's a vintage photo of the Queen and her sister Princess Margaret knitting socks for the troops during the war. Neat, eh? So. What are you knitting?

Spring time ...

I dunno, in the spring i get the yearning to finish projects. Maybe it's that whole spring cleaning thing. Maybe it's because i'm forcing myself not to take ANYMORE yarn home until my projects are done! So, let's see.

Finished the grey sweater - put a pretty pink bow on the back keyhole closure. Nice.
Finished the Pedicure socks - made a pair out of one skein of Koigu! WoHOOOOO!
Finished. No, started a pretty pink shawl for the spring.
Finished. No, started an adorable café aulait, turquoise heather and cream baby blanket.
Finished. No, started a wonderful cardi made from Hot Orange cotton.

Oh dear.

I'm really not very good at finishing. But i am VERY good at starting!

Nice to be good at something.

What are you good at?

.... well haven't we all been busy???

What have you been up to? I've finished a sweater (okay, it's was a kids sweater), finished an afghan (okay, it was chunky wool), organized my shop and my house ('cause my DD moved out and by the by, took a bunch of stuff! huh?) and organizing events for our wonderful shop.

The first Event up is Kate Atherley! Teacher, designer and writer has written a book called "Beyond Knit and Purl" and it's getting rave reviews. We've arranged for Miss Kate to come to On The Lamb on Thursday April 19th: 3:30 Continental knitting class and 7p.m. for presentation and Cheese and wine.

Have you always wanted to know all the "Dirty Little Secrets" that great knitters over the ages have learned to make their garments look even better? Do you want a book to help you become a better, more accomplished knitter?
This book is for you! This event is for you!

Class is $30 (limited to 10) , Presentation is $50 (which includes a copy of Kate's book, and Cheese and Wine) - buy them both and save $5.00. Reservations are required.

Special Draw for a great doorprize!

Tickets will go fast, and we can only hold with payment!

It is still winter ...

and i still love an evening with my knitting on my lap ... and Theo the puppy, and Sammy the cat and Purl the pug on the sofa behind my head, snoring and snorting.

It's a simple, like me.

DurhamRegion Article: Uxbridge students to pay forward random acts of kindness

DurhamRegion Article: Uxbridge students to pay forward random acts of kindness

Debbie Bliss Magazines are here!

New spring edition is out and i really like it! Lot's of shawls with beginner lace (now, don't get scared - lace is only yarn overs and knit togethers - you can do it!) and really cute kids clothes.

Pick one up before they are gone!

aaaaah Christmas ....

Come and gone again.

Interesting question posed by my daughter this year: "What was you favourite present to GIVE?"

Hmmmm. Mine were the headbands and hats i knit for my nieces and nephews and the books i picked out all by myself for darliing daughters BF.

Yup. What were your favourite presents to GIVE?

It's snowing ...

and that's better than rain, right? At least we can push snow to the side, lift it out of the way and slide over it.
Need we say that we can't do that with Rain?

AND we can dress for the snow! Sweaters, touques, hats, headbands, mitts, capes, cardigans, legwarmers, fingerless gloves. The world is your Oyster.

And the Oyster Shell is right here at On The Lamb.

(okay that was an awkward metaphor, but it kinda works!)

We've got what you need for any project, plus lots of notions to keep your projects in good order!

Come and see us! There's only 24 days, and 8 hours left 'til the Big Guy arrives! And he's expecting you to pull your own weight! Let's go! Let's knit!

My Monday ...

... went on my annual Christmas shopping trip with my Baby Girl, Sister-in-Law and her Mother-in-Law (MIL is 89 and out walked the three of us!) Pretty successful, shopping gettin' done!

Came home and finished the pattern for our headband that is displayed in our window for Christmas. (Are you seeing the patten?)

Wound yarn for a baby blanket; baby will be born just before Christmas (getting it?)

Just about to wind REALLY THICK RED yarn to make a CHRISTMAS stocking ....

You've got it now, right?

Christmas is coming and people love your handknit gifts.

And ... go!

pom pom update

tee hee hee!

It's Monday afternoon ...

and i'm making Pom Poms. Why? Hmmmmm ... stay tuned!

So what do you do on your day off?

A little gardening? A little housework? Make meals for the rest of the week? Walk the dog? Stack wood?

Beause that's what i did! Well, not exclusively, 'cause remember i made Pom Poms!

Looking forward to this evening when, sitting by the fire, sipping wine (or not 'cause i'm trying to loose weight!), and working out the BSJ pattern. Stay tuned for photos of the BSJ and our hard working Knit Wits that have been deciphering the pattern along with me...

What's BSJ? Okay. I'll tell you. Baby Surprise Jacket.

Yeah. It's a surprise all right.

Pictures on the way!

New Design for a new season!!!!

Yes, you'll notice that we have changed the look of our blog. Like it? Let me know if it's too busy!

New product has been arriving all the time.

We have lots and lots of varigated wool that has arrived - you asked for it! we got it!

We have lots of "thick and thins" - even a limited edition of Woolly Bully - very pretty!

We have lots of new notions, very funny coffee cups that have sayings such as "Don"t talk to me, i'm counting", and "Daily Fiber" and "Keep Calm, Carry Yarn! among my favourites!

We are so enjoying our new home on Brock Street - we see even more of you than before, and that's a good thing!

Now, don't forget - only 73 days, 11 hours, 57 minutes to Christmas.

Those socks won't knit themselves!