This is a knitting blog, right?

Two posts in one week, what's wrong with me? Now that I have a working computer again, I just can't help myself! You don't realize how dependant you are on the internet (and a virus-free computer) until you don't have it anymore!

So I finished to socks that I was working on during the yarn crawl...I really love them. They are a little tight on the leg, that is to say they're hard to get on and off. Kind of like the Jaywalkers if they're done a bit too tight. I kind of don't care though. I still love them!

I've been working quite a bit on the Print O' the Wave stole too...This is just a little section. I'm still working on the border, but I'm realizing I'm not going to have enough yarn. I'm on the last side and I have barely enough for another couple of repeats... I guess I'll just have to put it on hold and order more when I'm back in the States. I'm a patient girl, I guess I can wait!

Finally, part two

Ok, here we go. I have not had a working computer, that is to say a computer without a crippling virus, to use here in Toronto this entire time. I've been wanting to post but just haven't been able to. This post would have been up a long time ago if it weren't for that. Ok, enough with the excuses...

Here's a picture post all about the zoo...

This is the main pavilion that I work in.

These are just three of the nine orangutans that live in the pavilion.
I sort of can't handle how cute the babies are!

These are the Sumatran tigers. The two smaller ones were just babies the last time I was at the zoo which was in March. They're just a *bit* bigger now!
This is Asha. She's an Indian hornbill and she lives in the keeper room. She's blind and we use her as an outreach animal for disabled children.

These are two of our Indian rhinos, Indira and Shakira. They have been out in their yard for three weeks while the contractors have been working on their indoor pens. Naturally there was a mountain of crap to clean up... let's just say my pants have seen better days...
There's a mini pavilion where they keep some birds and butterflies.

These are only a few of the animals, I guess I'm just showing the highlights here. Hope you enjoyed them!

Finally!

Here's the post you've all been waiting for. I finally have the capability to post pictures (only because I'm back home for the weekend... sigh) so I decided now would be a good time to fill you in on my adventures.

First and foremost... it seems my appearance on the Yarn Harlot's blog has made me pseudo-famous... that is to say, famous by association! Stephanie is one of the funniest women I've ever met and she really did a great job with including everyone and being interested in everyone. Not an easy task when there were well over 20 of us.

Let me start at the beginning though. I went to the book signing downtown. Keep in mind, this is the first time I've travelled to Toronto on my own, and definitely the first time I've driven in a large city on my own. I'm quite proud to say, I didn't get lost or frazzeled in any way and I found my way to and from the signing just fine! I even arrived with lots of time to spare. This worked out to my advantage because I ended up being seated in the second row!
If you saw how many people showed up, you'd understand why being in the second row was such an amazing thing. There were people everywhere. I think she drew the biggest crowd for any book signing at this store.

Let me just tell you, she was funnier than most stand-up comedians I've seen. True, her humor may not be universal, after all, how funny would knitting jokes be to someone interested in say politics or underwater basketweaving? The humor just might be lost on them.

Anyway, I met an awesome knitter, Danielle, while I was there. She and I went to the afterparty where she convinced me to go on the yarn crawl the next day. I'm so glad she did!

We started at The Naked Sheep at around 11am.This is a cute little yarn shop on Queen Street. I did end up making a purchase there, but I think I'll hold off on showing you the haul until I'm done.

Next we went to Americo.This was definitely a unique shop. Everything in it was handspun yarn from Argentina (I think it was Argentina at least). I thought it was all very beautiful, but I don't think I'd shop there regularly because if I want handspun, well, I spin it myself!As you can see, the inside was very nice and the knitters were everywhere taking pictures (like myself!)

Moving on... Next we went to Romni Wools.... Oh...My....God.... I really can't explain this yarn shop in words.... I must let the wall of Rowan speak for me.Keep in mind that this is just one wall.... there were many, many walls and several rooms, all packed to the gills with yarn. It was overwhelming and wonderful all at the same time!

After quite a while, the knitters were rounded up and we headed to Lettuce Knit to take a break in Kensington Market for lunch. This by far, is the cutest yarn shop I've ever seen.They set up chairs for us to take a break and knit outside. We definitely needed a break at this point. I think we were high on wool fumes by then so some fresh air did us some good.

Our final stop on this journey was Alterknit, the cafe/yarn shop. Brilliant!This is where we all wound down. Drank some coffee or tea in my case, chatted, fondled more yarn and said our goodbyes. Before leaving though, Stephanie modeled the sock I finished that day.... on her hand... why not?If you're wondering, her shirt said Wool Pig. Gotta love it.

So the haul... it was not as large as most, after all, I am not making any money at the moment so I had to keep my senses about me.There are two balls of Rowan Country which is destined to be a thin scarf or hat. Four balls of angora, on sale at Romni for $5.00 a ball! Sweet! Two skeins of Nature's Palette for some socks, and the other two things are self explanatory.

There you have it. Now you have the yarn crawl from my perspective. Perhaps before I leave this weekend to go back up to Toronto I'll post again, only this time there'll be less yarn and more animals!