just a bit under the weather

Suffered from a slight headache this morning (okay, it's a small hangover I admit) and so when this strangeness started I was a bit dazed. Could this really be happening?
Yes, yes it could. Those little white things you see in the photo above is ICE. It hailed in Toronto today on this nice, warm July afternoon.
Summer hail is really not so rare I guess in the recent years. I'm sure a meteorologist can give a perfect explaination, but it just makes no sense to me how ice can form when Toronto is having one of its hottest summers.

I have done something terrible...and I hope you do sympathize...I started on a new project while I was not even halfway complete my first sockie. (I'm so sorry! so sorry sockie!) The new project is heavy and woolly and I am having a blast with it since it is a fast knit on big needles. I will post about it when I have more to show. It is a pattern out of Melanie Falick's "Weekend Knitting" -- I absolutely adore this book, but now I am getting frustrated with the written instructions; they are simply not very clear. Just like the sock, I've had to rip this new project out twice already due to misreading written instructions.
Maybe I'm getting too spoiled on those Japanese step-by-step, no-nonsense instructions like this one:



Can it be more Japanese books? Yuppers...ex-Australian Kitty has come back from her travels in Japan and spoiled me further by bringing me two gorgeous J-craft books. Here are some visuals to whet your appetite:






More here.

I'm feeling a particular urge to make that beautiful handbag above. Maybe I'll ditch the woolly project and start on this one soon. Thanks so much Kit for the temptations and yes I will crochet your pretty dolly top very soon!