sweetgeorgia

explorTAIWANESE

Did you know that May is not only “eat local” month, but it’s also “Asian Heritage Month” in Canada? [explorASIAN 2006](http://www.explorasian.org/) is a month-long celebration of Asian Canadian arts and culture in the Lower Mainland. Chisako’s “Kasuri” weaving show that I mentioned a few days ago is part of the [explorASIAN event schedule](http://www.explorasian.org/explorasian2006_schedule.html). My father, [Shyh-Charng Lo](http://www.shyhcharnglo.com), is participating in a joint exhibition called ["explorTAIWANESE"](http://www.explorasian.org/eventdocs/explorTAIWANESE_Roundhouse.html), opening at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown next Tuesday, May 23.

_Here are all the details…_

Roundhouse Community Centre
181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
May 23 – June 3, 2006, 9:30 am – 9:30 pm

Explore the work of Fu-chin Hu, a Taiwanese traveler, and Shyh-Charng Lo, a Taiwanese Vancouverite shown together in this exquisite joint art exhibition.

Come and see their beautiful interpretations of Vancouver scenery expressed through oil paintings. Get insight into the artists’ inspirations at the dialogue between two artists.

* Opening reception: May 23, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
* Artists’ talk: June 1, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
* Closing reception: June 2, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The show is being run in conjunction with the explorINDONESIAN exhibition. The Indonesian exhibit will also have a special display of Kain Nusantara (Indonesian Traditional Textiles) which should be interesting too.

If you are interested, come on down next Tuesday and say hello!

Easy Friday.

[Carin at Bumble Bee Knits](http://bumblebeeknits.blogspot.com/) tagged me for this meme and has made my Friday post so easy. Thanks Carin! Check out her [nearly done "Deli" cardi...](http://bumblebeeknits.blogspot.com/2006/01/almost-there.html) _so pretty!_

####Four jobs you have had in your life:
1. Pharmacist at London Drugs for three years.
2. Photocopy girl at the [UBC AMS CopyRight](http://www.ams.ubc.ca/content.cfm?ID=57) photocopy shop _(I made awesome photocopies, ate chili cheese dogs and listened to [The Smiths](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smiths) all day. Best. (university) Job. Ever.)_.
3. “Normal Job” Dodger. The summer when I turned 15, I started a business doing sewing and alterations.
4. Seamstress for a “costume” shop in New Westminster.

####Four (random) movies you could watch over and over:
1. [Fight Club](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137523/)
2. [Infernal Affairs 1, 2 and 3](http://www.infernalaffairs.com/)
3. [Harry Potter](http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/)
4. [Hero](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299977/) (the one with Jet Li/Tony Leung/Maggie Cheung)

####Four places you have lived:
1. Vancouver (a house in Kitsilano when I was born)
2. Toronto (an apartment downtown when I was 4 years old)
3. Toronto (a house in North York, until I was in grade 7)
4. Vancouver (the same house in Kitsilano, except it’s ours now)

####Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. [Buffy](http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/)
2. [The O.C.](http://www.fox.com/oc/)
3. [Angel](http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/angel/index.shtml)
4. [Battlestar Galactica](http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/)

####Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice)
2. Paris
3. Japan
4. New Orleans

####Four websites you visit (almost) daily:
1. [Knitter's Review](http://www.knittersreview.com)
2. [Bloglines](http://www.bloglines.com/) this counts for 315 other feeds
3. [Epicurious.com](http://www.epicurious.com)
4. Again, Bloglines should count for more than one, eh?

####Four of your favorite foods:
1. Cheese in all shapes, sizes and colours
2. [Za Jiang Mein](http://chaxiubao.typepad.com/chaxiubao/2005/03/who_moved_my_ja.html)
3. [Blue Brie and Proscuitto Baguette sandwiches](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/2004/10/perfect_tomato.html) and Masala-spiced Carrot soup at [Finch's Caf?©](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/2004/11/knitting_over_l.html) (get thee to Pender & Homer).
4. That [Trumpet Royal Mushroom Risotto](http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/dining/dineout.details.php?id=58) with sidestripe shrimp, spinach, and lemon parmesan broth that I had at C Restaurant last Sunday, by way of [Dine Out Vancouver](http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/dining/dineout.php)

####Four places you would rather be right now:
1. Somewhere beachy
2. Drinking my morning coffee in Paris
3. Sleeping in my bed
4. Spinning at home, by the window

####Four Bloggers you are tagging
1. [Jasmin at Worsted Witch](http://www.worstedwitch.com/)
2. [Erin at Knitting RN](http://knittingrn.blogspot.com/)
3. [Logan at That Logan Chick](http://thatloganchick.blogspot.com/)
4. [Kim at The Woolen Rabbit](http://thewoolenrabbit.typepad.com/thewoolenrabbit/)

Top 5 for 2005

Ugh. I am behind on work, behind on holiday shopping and Christmas baking? Don’t. Even. Ask. I think I need an extra week to fit in holidays stuff. And now, all I can think about is January!

Last year, I set some [knitting resolutions](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2004/12/top-5-for-2004.html) and I managed 3/5ths of it! Finishing up the TKGA Master Knitter thing has fallen by the wayside — their Cast On magazine is a drag and just plain uninspiring. Or that could be my excuse because I just didn’t want to write a report on blocking. And knitting up the stash? Hello?

Here are my 2005 notes:

####Top Five for 2005

1. __New (to Me) Technique:__ I learned to [knit socks](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/knitting/socks/) this year. Best. Knitting. Ever. They are fun, relatively fast — almost like large pattern swatches. Almost.
2. __Favourite FO:__ Of course, it’s [Birch](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/2005/09/birch.html). I may just make another one.
3. __Favourite KAL:__ My favourite KAL is actually one that I haven’t joined. It’s the [Crossed in Translation KAL](http://www.januaryone.com/archives/2005/11/crossed_in_tran_1.php) that Cara is hosting — what a wonderful use for a KAL — actually helping each other with the translation of a gorgeous Japanese pattern. Oh dear. I just noticed that it doesn’t start until January 1st. I may just have to clear my schedule for this…
4. __Favourite Shop:__ Unabashedly [my own](http://sweetgeorgia.etsy.com/), of course! Last year at this time, a shop of my own hadn’t even crossed my mind. Life is crazy I tell you. But if I were to pick anything else, I’d say [Lettuce Knit](http://www.lettuceknit.com/). I can’t get this little shop out of my mind. It is the most adorable half-lot in Kensington Market in Toronto. It’s painted bright green and the whole shop is only a little bigger than my bathroom. I didn’t actually buy anything when I was there last Fall, but this year my brother visited the shop and brought me back a [bag full of Fleece Artist roving](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/2005/09/tis_freaking_do.html). And now, they carry spinning wheels and other accoutrements. Plus, [Cosmic Pluto](http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/?p=429) is even dyeing silk hankies for sale in store.
5. __Favourite Tool:__ [Schacht Dizzy Yarn Gauge](http://www.schachtspindle.com/Products/Spinning/spinning_accessories.htm). It’s a diz. It’s a wraps-per-inch tool. It matches my wheel. I love it.

####Knitting & Spinning Resolutions for 2006

1. __Starmore.__ I’m looking forward to finishing my first Alice Starmore design, [St. Brigid](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/knitting/knit_st_brigid/), next year. Beautiful purple yarn, beautiful cables. Should be enough to keep me interested.
2. __Big time handspun project.__ I bought 8 oz. of [Ashland Bay Merino](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/2005/05/roving_roving_r.html) in May that I have been spinning finely ever since. I just plied up the last of it last night, so I’m looking forward to knitting this up into one of my first _feature-length_ projects. This may become a shawl…
3. __Spinning low-twist singles.__ The more I spin, the finer I get. I want to develop a full range of ability to spin whatever I want, whenever I want… starting with worsted-weight low-twist singles.
4. __More Steeking!__ Yeah, I loved that [Baby Norgi](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/knitting/knit_baby_norgi/) project. It gave me confidence to cut my knitting however I liked. _Empowered, am I._ I have a beautiful [Meg Swansen Fair Isle Cardigan](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/knitting/knit_fair_isle_cardigan/) on the needles right now — and it’s waiting for me to switch to my new [Holz & Stein Ebony circs](http://www.dasstrickforum.de/)… Can’t wait to have some time to spend with this lovely sweater.
5. __Design by me, for me.__ Ok, again with the knitting up the stash. I’ve bought several packs of Filatura di Crosa Zara that stress me out. They literally stress me out. I’ve spent a year looking for a nice, interesting DK-weight pattern that I can knit using these yarns and just haven’t found anything I like. So this will be a meditative, relaxing activity, no?

Meeeem.

Mmm, fun…a meme! I just got tagged by [cosmicpluto](http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/)…

####What is your all-time favourite yarn to knit with?
Ok, I had to give this some thought… there are so many yarns that are soft, silky, squishable and generally nice, but not many yarns give me that _”oh my god”_ feeling like Rowan’s Kid Silk Haze. It comes in amazingly brilliant jewel colours and knits up into a beautifully soft, silky and light but warm fabric.

####Your favourite needles?
Abso-positively Addis. I know Addi Turbos are expensive, but I love the slip they give. I just buy a few here and there and have a pretty complete set now. Denise Interchangeable needles are great too since I’m completely safe taking them on airplane trips… they give you a great feeling of security… OMG, they are like the Volvo’s of knitting needles.

####The worst thing you’ve ever knit?
Oh, yes. The worst thing I ever knit was very positively the ["Very Cherry"](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/2004/09/another_fo_very.html) top that I knit last year. Ok, first, it’s knit in Colinette Point 5 which costs something insane. Then whenever I put it on, I look like I’ve immediately gained 30 pounds. Umm… so I never wear it. I’m thinking to frog it and make a hat and scarf set now!

####Your most favourite knit pattern? (maybe you don’t like wearing it…but it was the most fun to knit)
Definitely [Birch](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/2005/09/birch.html). Sharon Miller is a genius. I know, it’s an easy-peasy lace pattern but it’s a simple pattern that makes a beautiful product. I was always excited to do a little knitting on Birch. Love it.

####Most valuable knitting technique?
[Cabling without a cable needle!](http://wendyknits.net/knit/cablelesson.htm) And like cosmicpluto, laddering down to fix mistakes — very useful!

####Best knit book or magazine?
[Interweave Knits](http://www.interweave.com/knit/) is a fabulous magazine — not just sweater patterns, but full of all sorts of ideas, tips and techniques. Best knit book… I have a lot of lovely knit books in my library, but one eludes me — [Principles of Knitting by June Hiatt](http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=june+hiatt&y=0&x=0) — you know, the one that goes for $300 on ebay? Yeah, that one is good.

####Your favorite knit-a-long?
Like I said, [I suck at knitting along](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/2005/09/i_suck_at_knitt.html).

####Your favorite knitblogs?
Oh dear, this is hard. I seriously have about 200 blogs that I read… quickly. I definitely always read [Wendy](http://www.wendyknits.net), [Melinda](http://www.purlwise.com), [June](http://www.twosheep.com/blog/), [Diana](http://www.streetsandyos.com/) and [Adrian](http://www.helloyarn.com/wp/). But here are a few that you may or may not have seen before:

* [Mustaa villaa](http://mustaavillaa.blogspot.com/) (means “black wool” in Finnish). She takes beautiful photos and writes her blog in both Finnish and English!
* [Knitting Iris](http://knittingiris.typepad.com/knitting_iris/). She is building a fibre studio (“dream room”) of her own right now and does a lot of natural dyeing.
* [Saartje Knits](http://www.saartjeknits.nl/). A knitter from the Netherlands knits beautiful fairisle.
* [Torsades](http://torsades.canalblog.com/). This blog is in French, but if you don’t read French, it’s still worth it to go see her great photographs.
* [Dulces!](http://dulces.xholdfastx.com/). She’s not posting too much right now since she’s in the middle of a big move, but see her archives for some gorgeous dyeing, spinning and felting!

####Your favorite knitwear designer?
_I love them all!_ Ok, not really. I love [Sharon Miller](http://www.heirloom-knitting.co.uk/), for sure. And I’ve been stalking [Alice Starmore](http://www.virtualyarns.com/default.asp) for some time now. Oh, and of course, [Kim Hargreaves](http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk), who also just released her new ["Evergreen" collection](http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk/acatalog/Evergreen_Collection.html) (beware the Rowan Big Wool).

####The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)
Not exactly a glamorous item, I wear my [Ribby Cardi](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/archives/knitting/ribby_cardi/index.html) quite often. I think the fact that it’s a zip up cardigan makes it really versatile, warm and comfortable. Something easy to throw on. Hmm, maybe that’s why I’m stalling on making “Rogue”… deciding on the zip or plain version?

####Tag time!
Hmm, don’t anybody feel obligated, but I’m tagging [Mari at marirob](http://marirob.blogspot.com/), [Marie at Brooklyn Handspun](http://bklynhandspunyarn.blogspot.com/) and [Rebekkah at bowerbird knits](http://bowerbirdknits.blogspot.com/). I’d love to see what these knitting/spinning bloggers say!

Once More With Feeling

This Thursday, I’ll be at… the [Buffy Singalong!](http://www.cinemuerte.com/horror-film-festival/cinemuerte-schedule.html#buffy).

The [Cinemuerte Film Festival](http://www.cinemuerte.com/) is being held at the Pacific Cinematheque in Vancouver this week. They are showing filmes like “Creep”, “Class of 1984″ (apparently inspired some scenes in “Fight Club”), a Japanese “nunsploitation” film called “School of the Holy Beast”, “Night of the Living Dorks” — a zombie movie, “The Thing” and more…

For Buffy, lighters and fangs and dancing bunnies are included in the price. If you go for the Exploitation All-Nighter, you get all-you-can-eat cereal. I _love_ October.