Wednesday 3 December 2008

The Difficult Month

I can't believe that November has gone by with TeamKnit postless! Please forgive us, this has been a really hectic month for all sorts of non-knitting related business. First, I signed up for Nanowrimo. Tragically, it did not go very well- my crooked landlord, who has always been the kind of person you would typically cross the street to avoid, has been doing his best to get me to move out of my apartment (which I've only lived in for two years!) so he can raise the rent by hundreds of dollars when getting a new tenant in. In Ontario, Canada, this is completely illegal- there are fixed annual rent increases allowed, but when a tenant vacates, you are free to charge whatever you like when negotiating a new rental contract. It's been a really difficult situation, and the result was that I spent most of November looking for new digs. As I'm sure you either know first hand or can imagine, looking at the adverts, calling places up, staggering appointments with enough time apart so that I can get from one part of the city to the other, and then the amount of really awful places for rent in the city.... well, it's depressing. And time-sucking. And subsequently, not much writing or knitting has been taking place. I keep trying to remind myself that sometimes a big change feels like a crises but is actually for the better, and then when G and I signed the lease for our new place last week.... well, let's just say it makes all the nuttiness of November worth it. For one thing, I'll be moving out of a basement apartment and into a lovely second floor with big bay windows! Finally, some decent light for knitting photos. And yes, this was definitely something I was considering when checking out new places. Priorities, people! December is going to be filled with harried packing, because I actually move into the new place in the middle of the month! And of course, I have Christmas knitting to do....So, some pics of what I'm working on: first up, is the River Forest Gansey from Handknit Holidays, which I'm knitting for my dear friend Paul. And since it's absolutely huge, I've been doing a lot of reading while knitting it. Skrilla Knits suggested these handy little things, and I was happy to try my hand at them: Bookweights! Check out the great little pig fabric: I love it! it works really well, and is filled with popping corn kernels. It was a snap to make, and is now indispensable. And this, although currently nothing more than skeins of yarn, will be a bulky mini cardi for my friend Monica. She saw me wearing my black bulky cardi one night, and asked if I'd make her one. It's a pretty quick knit, so I'm hoping it'll knit itself in no time. And for reasons I can't explain, this hat is taking me forever:The pattern is a modified Marigold. I'm aiming to have a slouchy version a la Eliza's gorgeous version. And since it's been ages, since I posted, here's a shot of my darling kittens doing what they do best. Sleeping, and getting into trouble:

20 comments:

Adriana said...

I hear you about the stresses of apartment hunting. We did it this summer but only had one day in which to look. The week leading up to that day was one of the most stressful of my life! Miraculously we were able to find a place. Apartment hunting in Toronto is hard! I'm so glad you were able to find a new home that makes you happy :)

Mari said...

I so need one of those book weights! what a great idea. i usually use the remote or another book.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your new apartment! I'm sure you'll enjoy all that sunlight as opposed to living in a basement apartment. Remember, everything happens for a reason.

Your kitties are precious. I hope you have a great Christmas and an awesome New Year.

Clumsy Knitter said...

Boo. :( Too bad about having to move in the middle of December, but hopefully your new place will be 10 times what the old place was. Best of luck!

Teresa said...

I'm sorry to hear your apt. issues, but glad of your new palce - 2nd floor with bay windows! Very cool.

Have a good move!

Anonymous said...

oh, man, i am so making one of those book weights! maybe tonight! how have i managed just using my knees up until now?! congrats on the new apartment! everything you're making looks fantastic....

Melody said...

For some reason I can't see your pictures. I know whatever you make is good. So sorry things went bad for you. It worked out and you now have a better place that's great. I didn't do well with NaNoWriMo either. I have decided to keep working on my book idea though.

jennifer said...

That sweater is looking great! And I too need to make me one of those books weights.

Having just moved to a second floor apartment from a basement suite (literally 2 days ago), I can officially tell you from experience that you're gonna love it!!!

Jeanette said...

You're so dedicated to knit friends sweaters for Christmas... I can barely even crank out hats, cowls, and the occasional super bulky garment.

Sounds like you're better off without your landlord. Anyone who's being shiesty like that isn't a great person to be renting from in the first place... and it sounds like your new apartment is much better. Can't wait to see hectic move-in photos!

Good luck with the move. Middle of December is always the worst time to move.. ask me how I know.. ;)

Anonymous said...

Awww, sounds stressful! Good luck on the move. It will be such a weight off once you're in the new place.

Anonymous said...

Cute kitties!

Hope the move goes well.

the Lady said...

What a fabulous idea for the book weights! I need to go make one right now. Sorry about your landlord, that really sucks, but at least you're getting a better place out of the deal. Hopefully he'll get his just desserts some time...

Aesderina said...

WOW. I was wondering where you guys went! But I'm glad you found a good place! Best things always come when you least expect it! :)

I tagged you on my blog! Hope you have time to fill it out with all the packing and christmas stuff:)

Anonymous said...

All the best on your new digs! I'm glad the stress of the old place is over, and hope the kitties are very happy! PS Ambitious Christmas knits--very inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Good luck on the new place! Moving is a drag, but it feels sooo nice when it's all over! :)d

yoel said...

I love that book weight! What a great gift idea for a reader!

So sorry to hear about your apt woes...Hope you can settle in and get cozy before the holidays

Anonymous said...

It's great to see a new post from you!! Don't scare me about the apartment shopping...I'll be doing that sometime next year, and while I'm looking forward to moving to a new place...I'm not looking forward to the hard work of locating said place.

Is that a wrapped Christmas present in the last pic? If so...WOW, I'm impressed.

Ella said...

Ugh. I hate moving. But hooray for new digs! And a bay window! YUMMMMM.

Congrats and good luck with the move!

Hilary said...

Ugh, looking for places to move into, then going through the move are two of the most stressful activities one can go through. But hooray for bay windows! Good luck with it all -- hopefully you'll still find time for knitting!

Unknown said...

best of luck moving.. i hear your apartment woes. the DBf and I had a terrible apartment that was charging far too much. we finally sucked it up and bought, right before the housing market bottomed out. and i couldn't be happier. if toronto apartment hunting is anything like big city life in the states, then i definitely feel you. (i live close to philly)