Author: Mylene Lacroix

I haven’t had a lot of time to blog since I’ve been back.  I’ve been so busy with work and getting things in order at the house (got back on Monday and only unpacked on Thursday) that I almost haven’t had time to knit!!! OMG!

The trip was fantastic.  We saw a lot of interesting things.  (See pics bellow.)  I also made a new friend.  Her name is Suzanne and it turns out that she knits too.  Double OMG.  I still think she thought I was crazy ‘cause I knit everywhere. Since when does that bother me?  No everyone is as enthusiastic about knitting as I am.

Before leaving, I had Scott wind up one of my balls of Noros for my travelling socks.  I was going to bring my knitting on the plane but decided against it at the last minute.  What if they had made me ditch my bamboo dpn’s when I went through security?  I would have been seriously peed off and would have had nothing to knit with when I got to Panama.  

So, instead, I started reading Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitter’s Almanac.  I finished it on the plane on the way back. Then I picked up Knitting Workshop and finished that yesterday. 

I think my favorite part of our trip was, aside from how nice and warm it was, the indigenous tribe, Embera, we visited. They were too cool. Find facts about them here. 

The Panama Canal tour was a little (ok, a lot) disappointing.  We didn’t see any of the locks, the command centre, a museum or anything.  We went out on a boat on the lake (Miraflores Lake) that feeds the Canal and looked for wildlife. We saw some monkeys which was pretty cool.  They said we would see some crocodiles (or alligators, I can’t remember which is which) and some sloths.  No luck.  The whole tour was ok but, not what I was hoping.  I wanted to see the locks.  We only saw Miraflores Locks from the bus.  If only we had stopped at a lookout or something so I could get a decent picture.

We also didn’t go into Panama City except to hit a craft shop (big one) after our Canal tour.  It appears to be very bustling there.  Aside from the obvious difference in the condition of the roads and the cars, the City looked much like a large city would here with traffic lights and lots of people.  If I ever go back, I’ll explore more of the City and its historical portion.  I figured Jacob would be bored stiff at that.

The resort and beach were great.  The service was a little different than in El Salvador last year.  Our room also had an adjoining room with some loud French “mature” people.  They didn’t bother me at all except for one night when they decided to invite another “mature” French couple to gather in their room.  Man, were they loud!  Woke me up four times.  The fourth time, I went knocking.  I’m not usually that confrontational but, I just couldn’t handle it anymore. Jacob slept through the whole thing.

I also learned a valuable lesson on this trip: always travel with an alarm clock!!!  I slept awful all week because I had no idea what time it was.

I got most of my pair of socks done. I only have the toe left on the second.  Like I said though, I haven’t had much time to knit.  I haven’t touched them since the bus ride to the airport in Panama.

I’ve been working rather on Brian’s mittens. If I wait too long, he won’t need them anymore!  Should finish them off tomorrow.

What shall I make now?

In 48 hours, Jacob and I will be 40 minutes away from landing in Panama. 

Today, I couldn’t sleep.  I got up early and packed as much as I could.  I’m almost ready.

I’m working on these:

I had some yarn left over from the baby blanket so, I decided to make these for my friend Brian.  He even wants a string… like we had when we were kids.

I wound up a “galette” of Noro for the trip.  I tend to knit socks on vacation.  It’s a thing.

I have one night shift and a half night shift left and I’ll be en route to Panama!  Woohoo.

I finished the blanket… finally.

It feels like I’ve been working on this blanket forever.

Here it is:

TOTALLY glad it’s over.  I’ll quickly finish my Wurm scarf and give it to Sharon.

I think I might make a pair of mittens for Brian, finally.  He asked me for Christmas but… tough noogies.

I’ll work on my accreditation this week.  I think I’ll do the mittens for my end project.

Maybe I’ll start some socks so that I have something to work on for the trip.

Leaving for PANAMA in one week!!!!  I’ll be on the plain at this time next Monday.

As mentioned in my last few posts, I’ve started working on my Knitting Accreditation, Level 1.  I’ve made one sample square so far (total piece of cake) and already, the literature is prompting me to start thinking about my end-of-level project for submission.  I tell you, this has proven a lot harder than I initially thought.  I have a million things I want to knit, as evidenced by my Ravelry queue… which is now up to 70 (ok, not really close to a million but, you get the drift). 

I’ve spent hours and hours looking for that perfect project.  I thought I found one.  I even had the yarn in my stash!  Bonus!  I proceeded to ask the Head of the whole Program and she said it wasn’t challenging enough for me.  BUGGER!  I guess that means she’s seen my “project portfolio” as depicted in my Ravelry profile. 

True – after that christening gown, it’s difficult to find projects that’s “challenging”.  I’m noexpert but, that freakin’ dress was hard man!!!!  In level 1 of the KAP (knitting accreditation program), there is no lace and no cables.  That only leaves simple color work – i.e. stripes.  Seriously….. SNOOZE. 

What the hell am I supposed to do? 

On another note, my Noah’s Arc Blanket is coming along.  I did most of the turtle last night.  I have his feet and tail left. 

OK, it’s taking forever.  The only thing that keeps me going is that when I’m done, I won’t have to work on it anymore.

What will I make next.  I’m thinking of the Fiddlehead Mittens.  Aren’t they gorgeous???

I even love these colors.  I think I’ll copy these colors.  Love them!

Knitting circle tonight.  I feel like it’s been forever.