photo by Christopher Hawkins

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Warning:  only the knitters and those who are acquainted with the TV programme, The X-Factor will comprehend this of this post.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending the evening with two knitting friends, kneehigh and teaandcakes. There is something to be said about yarn fumes and its side effects. Between the laughter and giggles, one can view the X-Factor’s personalities from a knitter’s perspective:

• Louis Walshcloth
  
• Simon Cowl
• Cheryl Colesy (as in a teacosy…)
• Danni Mi Toque (Mi Toque? A toque is what the Canadians call a winter hat)
• DerMitten O’Leary

I credit these two enablers for giving me the idea for the next competition, The DKC X-Factor Challenge

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Sunday reading…, originally uploaded by chicwithstix.

Subject material matches the weather today… cool, dull, grey, and rainy. I wish the wind could blow all this away. Oh well, back to the books.

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This is work…, originally uploaded by chicwithstix.

Time is of essence and my assignment is due next week…

A passing comment such as, “Have you been out to Stephanie’s new yarn shop, yet?” ; generated more text message and email discussions, than you can count, as we coordinated our schedules and finalised our  fibre field trip.

How does one describe the rush of adrenaline and excitement as three Ravelry friends hop into a car on a Saturday morning, and drive into the mountains of Co. Wicklow to spend a few hours in Stephanie’s Yarn Room.

What a lovely yarn room it is!!! I must say, The Yarn Room is definitely a shop to visit.

Located in Ashford, Co. Wicklow, this LYS is cheery, cosy and friendly, it speaks for itself. From the artist mosaic sign on the storefront to the comfy couch in the shop where the friendly and chatty customers are working on their projects, family bonding, as a mother and her son are learning how to knit and of course, the friendly and smiling face of the shop’s proprietor, Stephanie.

I finally got to meet Nic, one of my “Ravelry friends”, it was also nice to see pumpkinknits and I immediately recognised her husband since he was , wearing one of projects she had been working on when I first meet her a couple of years ago. I am sorry to say, that I did not get the names of the lovely ladies were were sitting with in the shop and I wish I got a photo of the beautiful sweater coat that she was knitting.

Teaandcakes and I had a go at Ashford’s knitting loom,

and yes…I want one for Christmas (hint to the Spouse). Teaandcakes is convinced that weaving is the best way to use up your stash and I honestly and truly believe her.

kneehigh brought along some yummy cookies and we all enjoyed it as Stephanie put the kettle on for an afternoon tea at the Yarn Room.

What’s a fibre field trip to the Yarn Room without bringing your knitting along?

sitting on this comfy couch…

and enjoying the sights….

I recently learned that a group of owls is called a parliament. Therefore, the KAL initiated on the This is Knit’s Ravelry discussion forum can be defined as a group of knitters knitting an Owls sweater (or an adaptation of the pattern) by Kate Davies.

I have swatched…

I have casted on and ribbed…

I am now at the back waist shapings…

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The end of autumn…, originally uploaded by chicwithstix.

The days are shorter and temperatures are cooler…

A Happy Thanksgiving Day to family and friends in Canada.

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Sunday reading…, originally uploaded by chicwithstix.

No research textbooks this afternoon…

You know you are getting older when items you vividly remember from the past is labelled vintage…

metallica: stitch holder, knitting needles & crochet hooks…

afghans: who knew that my mom’s crocheted afghan from the 1970’s is the hottest item to have

very chic and Chanel: my search is over for the perfect handknitted Chanel suit