The reality of our move to the UAE is sinking in and eliciting various feelings: from excited most of the time to doubtful that all organization can be done in the time left. This made me look back into my last big move 20 years ago and wondering if I had those emotions before. I can remember the excitement, but not the worries so much. Most likely because I was moving towards a future with my husband in a city I fell in love with and a plan to resume work in my profession. This move we will be delving into the unknown:  a very different country and culture (even though not so visible during a short visit) and no decisive plans for my work future. Not setting out with a definite plan is new to me and an interesting experience. Let’s see where it will take me.

While the temperatures in Abu Dhabi are rising towards 30C Vancouver is still relatively cool which does not stop our spring flowers from sprouting everywhere. I love this time of year when the cherry blossoms are out and the first magnolia trees are starting to bloom.

Forsythia

magnolia

Cherry trees Oppenheimer park

The sun today was so deceptive: luring many people to shed their coats to walk in short-sleeves and shorts: in 5-10 C! I am quite happy about this as I can continue to use my warm hand-knit sweaters and cardigans a little longer before they will all go into storage.

Knitting continues to keep my mind focussed and in the moment when too many things are going through my head at once. The mystery KAL-shawl for my friend Uta has been finished and looks beautiful. The mohair-merino lace yarn knit up into a lightweight and airy piece of art that adds a little warmth to the shoulders. It currently measures about 60 cm by 120 cm and I plan to block it to 60 cm x 140 cm to open up the patterns. Pictures will be posted later in the year once the KAL is underway.

“Stacks” cowl, pattern by Liisa Niemienen

cowl before blocking

“Stacks” by Liisa Nieminen

The small cowl, named “Stacks“, I started to practice my more efficient knitting has been finished as well and I just treated myself to cast on for the “Kunterbunt” striped scrap-yarn hat today. Knowing that I will take a day-long (yarn-) spinning class at Fibreswest in Cloverdale this weekend I did not feel like sitting down at my Majacraft wheel and started to spin with my little Louet Victoria travel wheel instead. What a difference! The small travel wheel is much lighter and feels more wobbly when I spin on it.  The brake, controlling the uptake, is difficult to adjust in very small increments and takes me a while to fiddle with before I can spin a continuous and even thread. May be, I need to change the thread on the knob that sets the tension on the break or replace the entire knob as it does not stay well in its chosen position. Still, I started with my azure blue pulled sari silk fibre. What a great colour! And best of all: no more reds, purples or pinks.

“Kunterbunt” hat

Pulled sari silk

Next week will see me travelling with my Louet spinning wheel and I hope I can still bring it on the plane as a carry-on. It is small enough to fit hand-luggage sizing – sort of – and I really don’t entrust it to the baggage handlers. The plan is to have it with me to spin some yarn while my husband is at work. It could work in an air-conditioned room. Another novelty will be writing my blog on a tablet instead of my home computer. I am curious to see if I can do it while on the road.

Cheers, Maike.