sweetgeorgia

Top 5 for 2006? No.

Vancouver received a most gorgeous snowfall this past weekend. Outside our house, the snow is still a thick layer of fluffy, clean white goodness. It’s made us eager to get up the mountain and go snowboarding… The cold outdoors makes this a perfect time to sit inside, snuggle under your handknit or handwoven blanket and reflect.

For the past two years, I’ve made this list of Top 5 for the year — here are [2005](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2005/12/top-5-for-2005/) and [2004](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2004/12/top-5-for-2004/). This year, I want to do something different. I have four questions here…

1. How was 2006 for you?
2. What was the highlight of your year?
3. What did you want to accomplish that you didn’t get to?
4. What are you planning for 2007?

I would love to hear *your* responses. They don’t have to be about knitting or spinning or weaving… we’re talking about you and all that comes with it — yarn or otherwise! __Post me your answers in the comments by Friday, December 1 at midnight PST and I’ll randomly draw someone to receive yarn (2 skeins of Superwash Sock) or fibre (a 100g braid of BFL)…__ your pick.

Over the past year, so many overwhelmingly challenging yet positive things happened to me that I couldn’t just reflect on my fibre-y activities. So here are my responses:

####How was 2006 for you?
Productive. Passionate. Undeniably life-changing.

####What was the highlight of your year?
Meeting [Patrick Green and Paula Simmons](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2006/02/where-carders-come-from/)? Yeah, that was awesome. Weaving on [my own, beautiful floor loom](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2006/07/upstairs-downstairs/)? Yeah, also amazing. Having my handdyed yarns available at the newest local yarn shop, [three bags full](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2006/08/my-bags-are-full/)? Like a dream! And meeting the force of nature that is Michelle Whipplinger… also fantastic, but my highlight was…

…absolutely, positively the [surf trip to Tofino](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2006/08/gone-surfing/) this summer. There is no other experience in my life that has made me feel this strong and empowered… nothing like it. I don’t believe being a surfer has anything to do with your skill, your clothes, your gear, or even your attitude. I believe it has everything to do with being on the water, listening to the waves fall, feeling the relentless force of the ocean and then craving that same feeling every moment of your life. Even if it’s just spending a session bobbing in the saltwater… it’s worth it.

Spending those four days with close friends and away from the city really made me question the way we spend our time, our money, our resources. We, as in ‘Rich and I’, but also as in ‘our society’. That experience was quickly followed by [a natural dye workshop at Maiwa](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2006/09/reconsidering-natural/) where the owner, Charllotte, talked about dyeing in India without the need for external energy sources. It’s so hot there, the water is always warm and the sun cooks and sets the natural dyes. The concept of energy-free, synthetic-free dyeing is marinating with me now… actually lots of new thoughts are marinating with me now.

####What did you want to accomplish that you didn’t get to?
Oh, I’ve been dying to finish my [naturally-dyed, handspun and handwoven Gotland blanket](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/tag/gotland/). That is something I would love to see completed. To wrap myself in cochineal and logwood… like a hug from nature, itself. An option now to finish it quicker is to use a millspun warp that I just dye up so that I don’t have to spin all the yardage for both warp and weft… but somehow that feels like cutting corners. So, I’m determined to persevere and create every last inch of this blanket.

####What are you planning for 2007?
Changes.

Angel at my feet

Somehow, I managed to finish a pair of socks this week. Now that I’ve finished them, I also notice that somehow, I managed to goof one of the heels.

Anyway.

I have finished socks!! Here are the finished Jaywalkers in “Angel”…

####The best thing about turning 30… Contest

So, with this post I have the rare completed object… and the FIRST EVER sweetgeorgia blog contest! That’s right. That’s like two for one. Lucky you.

In the spirit of my upcoming birthday, I’m hosting a little contest and the prize will be either 2 skeins of superwash sock yarn or a braid of BFL fibre — your choice! You choose the colourway and I’ll dye it for you. All you need to do is leave me a comment starting with “The best thing about turning 30 is…”. The contest will close at midnight on Wednesday, July 19th (i.e. 11:59:59 PM) and we’ll randomly draw the winner.

Happy thoughts, people. Send happy thoughts. =)

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?