You can now follow me on knitsbynat.com.

It will be a bilingual site in English and French. Not all posts will be translated though.

Looking Forward to Opening Day in Baseball

Here I am watching Spring Training baseball, while knitting and drinking tea. I am so looking forward to the regular season. A great way to spend the afternoon. Right now it's a nice hot cup of tea but when the weather gets warmer it will be iced tea.

I am knitting a new neckwarmer with the stitch I used for the Beverly hat. I got the idea for a simple slim neckwarmer watching a lady at the bus stop one morning. She was wearing a simple stockinette neckwarmer and thought I could do that.

I caught Balou sleeping enjoying some sun. Love how hers paws are crossed.

This is her annoyed look since the sound of the camera woke her up.

How do you like to spend a lazy afternoon? Do you even have one or is it spent catching up on laundry, cleaning and such househols chores?

The Fun of Editing Photos for My Shop

I knit a whole lot of stuff the last few weeks. Took a whole bunch of photos of the items and now it's time to edit. I love to use Gimp to do this. Taking great photos of my knit items can sometimes be very hard with certain colours, no matter how much I play with lighting and such. I just love how I can tweak them with Gimp. I also love being able to crop and change the sizing on them.

Photo editing with Gimp.

It's a free software and great to work with. There is a learning curve just like most other photo editing softwares. I have however found this Gimp Bible that I'm hoping will let me in on some really great tips to editing photos even better. The user manual on their website is very useful and also some tutorials are available.

GIMP Bible

What are the photo editing softwares that you like to use?

Heat Wave Over Montreal

We are having a heat wave this week and the poor cats are just spread out wherever they can find a bit of a breeze.  Oddly enough they don't care much for the breeze coming from my fans!

Every summer when the heat picks up I keep thinking I should buy myself an air conditioner but then I never do. When I moved in over 20 years ago, there was an air conditioner in my living room. Sadly, whenever I turned it on it would blow a fuse. So, I asked my landlord to take it out but he couldn't since they threw away the window contour when they installed the air conditioner. I was stuck with it until the windows were finally changed 4 years ago.

I'm probably still not going to get one this year. Hey, maybe next year!

In spite of the heat wave I have spent most of my time knitting.  I am working on a new infinity scarf and thankfully I let it rest on my kitchen table while I knit. This way I don't have it heating up my body.

I have already finished one in mustard yellow and this is the cranberry red! I find it turned out really nice and so does my Mom! I tried it on and showed her on Skype. But then again don't mother's like everything we do?





Red knit infinity scarf

Taking Control of my Weekends

I hate when it's Monday morning and wonder where the weekend went. All the different errands and things I should have done but didn't. The lazing around when I actually had important things to do : take photos of finished works, finish the last few rows on a project, etc. 

Weekends are meant to be leisurely but I need to get work done for the Knits By Nat shop and the Knits By Nat Designs shop. Patterns are not going to magically write themselves.  Photos of my knit items are not going to be taken by themselves. And if I really mean it when I say I want Knits By Nat to be my main source of income then weekends have to be controlled better.

Actually it's more than "a" project right now that just needs a few rows to be part of the finished pile. I have quite a few projects started at work and needing to be finished like a few Beverly hats, some Stacey hats as well. I have quite a few scarves to finish so they can become Ready to Ship instead of Made to Order in my Etsy shop.

I was up and about early this morning, starting yet another Beverly Hat.  This time I am knitting it in a light grey yarn.  It should be finished later today while I watch some baseball on mlb.tv. 

Soft Grey Beverly Hat

Tomorrow should be the day I take photos of my finished items and add them to the shop.

Do you sometimes feel that weekends just pass you by?  That Mondays get here too quickly?

Will Winter Ever Leave?

Yesterday was Spring Equinox but looking outside it still feels like winter wants to stay a little bit longer.  Big, fluffy snowflakes were falling this afternoon.

Big fluffy snowflakes.

Back balcony snow falling.

 

 

 

Also, the temperatures will be going back down to -24ºC overnight and early morning.  It's been like this all winter.  Really, really cold temperatures that made it impossible for me to knit while waiting for the bus.  I think I was able to knit just about half a dozen times.

It was easier to knit waiting for the bus on the return home since I get to wait inside the métro station.  Thank goodness, as it was often behind schedule.

Home Sick with a Cold

Second day home from work with the cold.  I have been sick since Saturday night and can't wait for this cold to be over.  I have been sleeping so much and drinking lots of liquids but right now I'm just fed up with sleeping.  I don't feel much like knitting or anything else for that matter.

I have been eating a whole lot of soup though, which I love!  It's a very simple soup using dehydrated vegetables, chow mein noodles I found at Bulk Barn and black beans.

When everything is cooked I add some paste I found at the Asian Market.  It's instant Hot and Sour paste, so good!  It was the only one they had without any fish ingredients in it.

Early Morning Knitting

I have always loved knitting early in the morning when it's quiet.  I find it just starts a day well, not in the "I've been productive" way.  It's more about doing something relaxing before the workday starts.  Knitting is still a very relaxing pastime for me even though I knit a lot for the shop.

This morning I started knitting the new hat I created last week in taupe heather.  It's what I want to knit on my way to work and I always make sure I'm at the beginning of a project.  You never know when the métro will stop and don't want to run out of knitting project.  It happened once and I'm prepared now!  I also wanted to get past the needle change after the ribbed section so I wouldn't have to carry both needles in my bag.

Taupe heather knit hat

As usual, Balou was right beside me while I knit.  You can see she's on top of the laptop.  Now she's beside the laptop as I write this.  She's been sticking around me so much the last few weeks; it's funny and a pain at times.  When she stretches out and ends up either on top of the laptop or my mouse, a lot of funny things start happening!  Pop-ups!  Windows closing!

Here's what the finished new hat looks like.  This one was knit with burgundy yarn.

 

 

Burgundy knit hat side view

Burgundy knit hat back view

I'm thinking I will have to start giving names to the items I knit.  Calling it the "new hat" won't last long until I have another "new hat" in the works.  How do you go about choosing a name? 

Afghan Stitch Knitting

The last few weeks I have been working on a new cowl using the Scrap-Yarn Afghan Stitch Barbara G Walker has in her knitting book, "A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns".  Below is the stitch pattern. I don't do ssk but prefer to knit 2 together through back loop (k2tog tbl).

Multiple of 12 + 3 Colours A & B.

Cast on with Color A and k one row.

Row 1 (RS): With Color B, k1, ssk, *k9, slip 2, k1, p2sso; rep from *, end k9, k2tog, k1
Row 2: With Color B, p1, k1, *p1, k4, (k1, yo, k1) in next st, k4; rep from *, end p1, k1
Rows 3 and 4: With Color A, Rep Rows 1 and 2 

You just need to carry the yarns up as you knit.  There are many great tutorials on YouTube for this.

As you can see below I'm having fun mixing colours right now!

It is a lovely stitch that could also be used to knit a scarf although the wrong side is not as neat as the right side.  The number of stitches needed totally depends on the yarn you'll be using and how wide you want your scarf or cowl to be.  Knitting a few rows to see how it looks will be the best thing to do.

It's Easy Being Vegan and Sometimes It's Not

Go on any forum and you'll often find someone asking about how to be a vegan.  Some people will say it's easy and others will say they tried but found it too hard.  Some days I find it easy  and more of a hassle on other days.

If you look at the photo below; these are some of my favorite vegan products.  Missing from the photo are Daiya and Gardein products.  Just to be able to find these products I need to go to 4 different stores and 2 different online stores.  I just wish I could walk into one grocery store and buy all my stuff like most people.  Yes, I know I don't need to eat any of these products to be vegan but I love them!

Some of my favorite vegan products.

Also, companies that used to be cruelty-free are being bought by big corporations that do animal testing.  It can be discouraging at times, although never enough to stop being vegan.

And then there are days when I look at some yarns and wish I could find those colorways in non-animal fibers.  At times like this I remind myself why I became a vegan; animals are not here for my personal use. They are not here to feed me, clothe me, entertain me or test my products.

Some Fun Aspects of Being Bilingual

One of the fun things about being bilingual is how I think in both languages.   Earlier this year I saw an interview with the comedian Sugar Sammy and he mentioned how he thinks in English first and then translates to French. Depending on the subject I think in French and others I think in English.

Take knitting for example.  I taught myself how to knit using French books and one of them had the terms translated in various languages.  I was able to use it to work with English knitting magazines like Vogue Knitting. 

Although I started learning in French I have noticed I work more with the English terms except for counting.  The other day I was knitting the lace slouchy hat and realized I was counting my increases in French.  I thought it was just a one time thing but no; I count my rows and number of stitches in French.

Tha lace slouchy hat I was knitting.

Another funny aspect of being bilingual is when it comes to movies.  Don't tell me the French name of an American movie.  I wouldn't know which one you are talking about.

So, bilingual readers, what are some funny aspects you have from being bilingual?

Lunching with Gardein Beefless Burgers

Today's lunch was a sort of hamburger steak plate that I made using Gardein's beefless burgers.  I added mashed potatoes with some yellow and green beans on the side.  Mashed potatoes and Gardein burgers were topped with brown gravy.

Gardein beefless burgers with gravy

It's the second time I eat these beefless burgers and I liked them better today.  The first time I brought them to work so I ended up spreading some Maple Chipotle marinade on them and microwaing them.  They were okay but something was missing.

This time I sauted them in a pan and added some Montreal Steak spices by Club House.  That's what made them so much greater.  When I used to eat steak I would spice them up with a lot of Montreal Steak spices, I just loved the stuff!

This morning I spent some time knitting a few stitch patterns and I have found one that will be just perfect to knit an infinity scarf.  I just wasn't sure if I should go with the 2 knit stitch edge or a 1 knit stitch edge.  I think I prefer the 1 knit stitch edge.

Infinity scarf stitch pattern

You should be seeing the finished infinity scarf in my shop by next weekend.  I usually knit a lot during the week and do my photo sessions early Saturday and Sunday mornings when the lighting is just right in my living room.  Thank goodness my mannequin is always here and ready!

Hot Weather Supper - Greek Salad

It's been hot and humid this week which means I want simple meals especially for supper.  I don't feel like slaving over a hot stove at all.  I get home late from work and even weekends are lazy times.

For supper today I made a great Greek salad with a wonderful tofu we can buy here from Unisoya.

Unisoya tofu Greek Style

Making supper was really simple.  I just needed to cut the tofu in cubes, chop a tomato, some cucumber and onion; add Kalamata olives with a bit of lemon juice, olive oil and basil.  Ran out of oregano so added basil this time.  And voilà!  So delicious!

My Greek salad

What are some of your meals that you love to eat during hot weather?

Preparing for the Christmas in July Sale

As I mentioned earlier I will be participating in the Christmas in July event happening from July 11th to July 26th.  The event actually runs from July 11th to July 21st.  I'm extending it to coincide with what some people in Quebec celebrate; le Noël des campeurs.  It's the campers Christmas!

I have noticed that a lot of my listings expired this week and last week.  I must have listed a lot at the end of March, early April.  So, if you don't see something that used to be there I should eventually list it or drop me a note about it.

To prepare I have been knitting a lot of scarves and decided to get a picture of them all together.  Aren't they just lovely colours?

A whole bunch of cable and lace knit scarves.

Looking at all these scarves it makes me want to see actually how many colours and lengths I have knit this pattern.  I remember knitting a few with fringe as well.  I have started an album on my Facebook Page to document all the scarves.  It could be interesting to see.

Cable and Lace Scarves on my Knits By Nat Facebook Page.

Meeting Some Vegans From the Internet

Last night I finally met 2 vegans ( Dino and Steve) I have known since March 2006 when I joined the Vegan Freak Forums.  Yes, they are people I met on the Internet.  It's funny how people will tell you friends on the Internet are not "real" friends.  It's true, some of them will just be Internet acquaitances and I consider them as such, not friends.  But others you can tell that one day you will meet and have fun! 

Steve is studying to be a minister and has a blog entitled RANTINGSTEVE.

Dino is a cookbook author and has a blog called Alternative Vegan (just like his cookbook).  I have the cookbook and love his recipes but was really looking forward to actually tasting his cooking!  It was amazing!

On top of what's pictured below, he also made scallion pancakes and fried potatoes.  The lentil soup recipe is available in Alternative Vegan.

Lentil soup, daikon and baguette.

Veggies and pasta.

They came to Montreal to visit the city and Dino has fallen in love with it!  He was even talking of moving here!  Wouldn't it be just fun?

I also met some friends of theirs from New Jersey and others here in Montreal.  I know for my part I had a wonderful evening filled with great food and interesting conversation.

Just a Few Vacation Days Left

I have been on vacation close to 2 weeks, getting 2 extra days off for the St Jean Baptist and Canada Day. I must truthfully say I am enjoying the time away from work.

Last week I spent my time at my parents' in Magog.  My mother picked me up Saturday so I could bring the cats with me.  Lola hates it when I grab her to put her in the carrier but lately she calms down after I put her in.

As usual I had some knitting with me for the 1 1/2 hour car ride and as soon as I took it out my mother tells me to relax.  She doesn't get it that knitting for me is relaxing. Yes, I may knit a lot for Knits By Nat but the actual time doing the knitting is very relaxing.  I ended up knitting 5 hats during the week.  You can see them below; some still have ends to be woven in.

Knit Slouchy Hats.

I had an amazing time celebrating St Jean Baptist at my niece's new house.  I brought my vegan hot dogs, decided to try Unisoya's hot dogs but wasn't so thrilled with them.  I found them slightly too mushy.

I did some shopping with my sister, walking the entire mall from one end to the other and back.  Thank goodness we weren't at Carrefour Laval.  Now that's one crazy mall to walk!

I even went shopping at Costco with my nephew.  Didn't think I would find anything but came back with Gardein burgers, Unisoya tofu (my favorite), hummus, Kalamata olives (I think I'll have enough for a while) and Kikkoman soy sauce.

My Costco stash.

I also found these cute shoes at Addition-Elle, shopping for my mother but found something for moi!  I was thrilled to see they were all man-made materials.  They were on sale and had an extra 50% off.  Aren't they just cute?

Beige sandals.

I still have a couple of days left but they will be spent working on my Knits By Nat shop.  There's the Christmas in July event happening and I want to participate this year.  The other years I have been on vacation during the event with usually no Internet access.  Really looking forward to it this year!

Working the Crown on the Lace Beanie

I really love the lace beanie I started working on last weekend although the crown of the beanie has been bugging me all week.  There's just something about it I wish was different.  Friday I started knitting a beanie with some multicoloured brown yarn and kept thinking about how else I could knit the crown.

I know I didn't want the crown to look like my slouchy hat with distinct lines of decreases but wasn't sure how else I could knit it.  Saturday morning I was up at the crack of dawn and decided to do some knitting instead of just lazing around in bed.  I decided to try something and it has turned out beautifully.  You can see below the new crown of the lace beanie and I just love it.

Brown multicolour lace beanie.

I ended up knitting 2 more beanies over the weekend and absolutely love the way the crown looks.

Rose and multicoloured lace beanie.

I have bought some lovely yarn to knit more of them; it should be arriving this week.  I can't wait for it to come.  Just looking forward to knitting more lace beanies and adding them to the shop.

Lace Beanies

I have been working on these lace beanies lately.  I had to unravel and rework it because it was starting to look more like a slouchy hat than a beanie.  After a few tries I finally got the right amount of stitches and number of rows for the beanie look I wanted.

Isn't the finished one just cute?

Grape and red lace beanie

New Colours for the Lace Scarf

I have been knitting new colours for the lace scarf.  Below is the tangerine colour, so lovely and silky looking which you can't quite see in the photo.

Tangerine lace scarf in progress

I have already added in my Etsy shop the lace scarf in red and off-white.  The red is a really beautiful shade of dark red, no hint of Santa Claus red at all!

Red Lace Scarf

Off-White Lace Scarf

I have more yarn in my stash to knit a few more lace scarves and I am looking forward to knitting these colours, especially the emerald green!  It is such a beautiful green.  The lace stitch is such a simple one ( it's only 4 rows ) I can easily knit it on the métro going to work.

Emerald green, rose and celery green yarn.

The Knitting Pattern Shop is Open!

I have had so many requests for the patterns to my creations, especially the cozies, that I have opened up a knitting pattern shop.  It is called Knits By Nat Designs and right now there's only one pattern in it.  It's the pattern for the Sweet Violets Coffee Cup Cozy.

Sweet Violets Coffee Cup Cozy

Writing patterns is a lot more difficult than I imagined.  I keep wondering if I forgot something or if I'm putting in too much information.  I also intend to have the patterns available in French as well.  Now, I just need to post in my French blog.

This week I have renewed with an oldie but goodie lace creation I knit for my shop a few years back.  It's knit with a Little Arrowhead Lace but I find it makes such a lovely spring scarf.  They should be available in my shop soon.

Little Arrowhead Lace Scarf in the works