Hello from Canada!

Yarn storming Ottawa style

After many months planning and excitement we have finally arrived in Ottawa. One week into our month long trip and we are relaxed and settling into Canadian life. The climate is certainly different to home, but I think we have acclimatised now. Rule for dressing – if you think you are wearing sufficient layers, put and extra one on! My leg warmers have had a daily outing and my Lacy Bakkus scarf is worn for most of the time. I have also adapted the Dragon Gauntlets from Inside Crochet Issue 5 to make arm warmers. I hadn’t noticed how difficult it can be to get jumpers and cardigans in the UK with a full length sleeve until now, so the arm warmers bridge the gap nicely. I used some left over organic merino from my Easyknits Cable Guy Tank Top.

I have brought my interchangeable cable set with me and already found two yarns shops. I have completed a chunky seed stitch cowl in Misti Alpaca Handpaint, and have started a 3-ply shawl.

We have chosen to visit in February to coincide with Ottawa’s Winterlude Festival. So far we have seen ice carving, snow sculptures, giant ice slides and been ice skating on the amazing Rideau Canal, a 7.8km long ice rink in the winter. Having been a keen skater in my teens, but unfortunately not having had much chance to skate for a decade, this has been a real treat. I have also been tutored in the art of sledging by a 6 year old which has been the most fun I’ve had in ages, albeit exhausting!

We are lucky enough to be staying with friends and their children for the majority of our trip, so we’ve been privy to local knowledge of good sledging spots, etc. Being fed and housed together with transport and advice cannot be underrated on a trip like this and we are hugely grateful. As a token of thanks I came with knitted and crocheted gifts. The adults received knitted scarves and the children have crocheted baby bears inspired by Amigurami Two. The baby panda has been an instant hit with a certain 3 year old who will not go anywhere without him!

We spent a day visiting the Canadian War Museum here in Ottawa, and there was a surprising amount of crochet and knitting. Queen Victoria herself crocheted this scarf as a reward for the recipients' miltary service, and wives and school children knitted socks for the soldiers during the war whilst they were away.

More Canada knitting news next time!