Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Good news for Britain and Canada

At Wimbledon today the completion of the delayed match between Moya and Henman lived up to expectation and the two 30 somethings carried themselves to the match of the tournament so far. All of Britain cheered as Brave Tim finally took the match at 13-11 in the fifth. Apart from the sour note of a double fault to end the match, Moya was equally entertaining with his level of play and shot-making abilities. It restores my faith in sport when I see two men (actually MEN not boys) play to their top level while still behaving like gentlemen, giving each other their due.

Also good for me today was the advancement to the second round by Frank Dancevic of Canada. Other than the often overlooked outstanding career of Daniel Nestor (they even named one of the courts after him at the new facilities in York), Canada has had little to cheer about in the world of tennis. Dancevic got in as a lucky loser at the last minute before the tournament began and made a good showing today beating Stefan Koubek 6-2 6-4 6-2 way out on court 8 most likely in front of his coach, two guys and a dog. He'll be on a bigger court next round though as he meets the former top 5 Davide Nalbandian of Argentina. Nalbandian's play has not been stellar of late and this could be Dancevic's chance to take that next step at a grand slam. Good luck Frank.

Monday, June 25, 2007

The Rain, The Golden Boy and Brave Tim

The Championships of Wimbledon started today and like almost every year. The first day was rainy punctuated with short periods of play. From what the weather people are saying, they are expecting more of the same for tomorrow and I'm wondering if anyone is surprised.

As predictable as the rain, Roger Federer rolled through his first round match beating a Russian who's name I'll only bother to learn to spell or pronounce once he makes the top 20. Roger was sporting some nifty attire, Wimbledon white adorned with little bits of gold (like a gold swoosh on his headband) and he looked the part of a 4 straight champion.

The most exciting match of the day, by far, had to be called for darkness at some time after 9 pm London time. Tim Henman and Carlos Moya, two veteran's who've both seen more than their share of action are dead-locked at 5/5 in the fifth set. With Andy Murray out with a wrist injury Tim is Britain's only real hope this year and at 32 the British press have him downing the Geritol and pushing a walker. Wimbledon has no fifth set tie break so this match just might be enough to get me out of bed at 6 tomorrow morning to try to catch the end. I only wish I could be there sitting on Henman Hill with the rest of the peons.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Swinging Socks for swinging lovers



I am finishing socks right, left and centre right now. I think this is what's called a "roll" and I am definitely on it.

Here are socks for Daddy in Schaefer Anne in a plain top-down sock. He calls them his "spider-man" socks, I'm not quite sure why but it makes him happy.

Mine are from Interweave's Favorite Socks book, the very first pattern called "Retro Rib". They are knit in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in "Lakeview" colourway. I like them alot as they are ribbed and stay up better than any sock I've knit so far for myself.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Viva los Argentinos!

Argentina have another sports victory to celebrate as Angel Cabrera held his ground on Sunday to come from behind the leaders and win the US Open. Ending up at +5, Cabrera equalled the mark set at last years US Open at Winged foot by Geoff Ogilvy of Australia. This means back to back years of winners from some place other than the USA. Europe will have to wait another year for a US Open victory as will Mr. Tiger Woods who was unable to make up any ground on the final day and made only one birdie in his last round.

It seems that this years championship was more of the same for the USGA. The course was virtually unplayable with Kate Moss skinny fairways and concrete like greens leading to high scores all around and the champion more of a "survivor" than actual "winner".

Friday, June 15, 2007

Jimmy Chewbacca, Dog or Super Hero?


Another finished project that was a birthday present. My sister-in-law had a birthday this month so I made this kick-butt doggie sweater for her extremely tiny "Chewy". The pattern is from Interweave Knits summer '07. The yarn is double stranded Lamb's Pride worsted. Thanks to the sister-in-law for the great pics.

Endless Alpaca Silk Love



This is another birthday present for someone very special. This is the rectangle shawl from Blue Sky Patterns made out of the recommended Alpaca silk yarn in blue. It calls for 7 skeins but seeing as the recipient is on the taller side of average I went with 8 and it is generous and mucho luxurious. Hope she likes it.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Golf's US Open

So today saw the start of golf's 2007 US Open and it was more of the same. Fast greens, narrow fairways and really high scores. With less than a handful of people under par for the first round (which some pundits were saying was "the day to attack the course and post a low score") we are once again looking at a US Open with a potential final score that will be over par. Geoff Ogilvy's victory last year was more survival than winning and if he can hold steady there's no reason not to consider him a favourite.

Another annoyance coming out in this year's Open is the constant hourly reminder of Phil Mickelson's choke on the eighteenth green last year followed inevitably by remarks on the health of his wrist. I now know more about the medical condition of Phil's wrist than about my own body. Please leave it alone and follow some of the interesting new guys on the leader board. I'm leaning towards Faldo's young man, Dougherty. We'll see if he can hold his nerve over the next few days.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Nadal takes 3rd straight French Open

In 4 sets over the #1 ranked Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal maintained his undefeated streak on the terre batu of Roland Garros. The match was, at times, equally entertaining and disappointing as Federer showed glimpses of brilliance but served poorly and hit a multitude of forehand errors. Nadal, by comparison, was as steady as usual and has never lost at the French Open. That's right. Never. In three tries he's won the whole she-bang and whats more he just turned 21.

Still, the clay season is now over and in 2 weeks we'll be turning our attention to the hallowed fields of Wimbledon. Federer will, I'm sure, take a deep breath and realize that he now has a chance to make some more history of his own and try for a 5th straight major title on the grass.

Just as Nadal is better than even money on the clay, Federer is as close to a sure bet as you can find for the short season on grass.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Granny loves mohair


So this was, by far, the oldest UFO in my bag of work. It is finally done. It is a crochet granny "square" scarf made of Crystal Palace kid mohair (don't as me about the colourways, I lost the labels a long time ago. The pattern is a free one from Webcrochet designed by Kathy Merrick. It is made up of 69 motifs that are crocheted together one at a time as you go. I think it is beautiful and full of detail but man, it was a lot of work. BTW, if you want to see this one in person, go down to Make 1 Yarn studio in Calgary and take a gander, it'll be living there.

Federer vs. Nadal part deux

The rematch is on. Tomorrow morning (where I live) it will be the #1 vs. #2 tennis players in the world duking it out for the French Open title. What's on the line? Raphael Nadal is trying to win his third straight French Open and avenge his defeat (and the end of his clay match streak) 2 weeks ago at the hands of none other than his opponent.

On the other side of the net we have Roger (no last name necessary), he's trying to win his second major of the year, win the French Open for the first time finishing the career grand slam, achieve the Roger-slam (hold all 4 major title at once) as well as get half way to the biggest carrot of them all. The Grand Slam: holding all major titles in the SAME year.

My advice, if you are any where near a TV tomorrow, watch this match. It is history unfolding before our eyes.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Heavy Sweater and toque in June?!?


So SB is modelling a roll-brim toque and matching raglan sweater in Lorna's Laces Swirl Chunky "Pioneer" that had been living blissfully in my stash. This is a present for a special little boy we know who's birthday is just around the corner.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Mama made a brand new bag


Modeled by the ever-popular stink-butt, here is a finished felted granny square bag designed by Amy Swenson for a Crochet 101 class I just finished teaching. The yarn is Misti Merino and it took one trip in a pillow case in my front-loading washing machine. Stuff felts amazingly well. Stay tuned, Lucy's on a bit of a finishing kick right now.