Knitting in Kazakhstan

Here is some of the knitting I did during my 9 weeks in the small town of Uralsk, Kazakhstan.

I usually visited my son at the Baby House for 90 minutes a day. But there were no visits on Sundays or on holidays. And then around the half way point of the 9 weeks, a flu epidemic in town meant my visits were down to 20 minutes a day. After shopping for daily groceries, my next biggest time spender was knitting. I did know prior to traveling the challenges of life during the bonding period and I brought TONS of knitting projects.

First finished was my cowl.

Pattern: Honey Cowl by Madelinetosh
Yarn: 2 skeins of Madelinetosh Vintage in Oxblood
Needles: can't remember what needles I used
Started: October 10th, 2010

Finished: November 19th, 2o1o

I actually started this project before I left for Kazakhstan. I thought that this would be a great cowl to use in Kazakhstan. I always wear a headband, but for the cold that is normal in Uralsk, I figured that I could wrap this cowl over my head for extra warmth. This was an extremely easy cowl and I have had TONS of positive comments regarding it.

Next was this shawl.

Pattern: Willow by Vicky Harding

Yarn: 2 skeins of Noro King
Needles: 4 mm
Started: November 24th, 2010

Finished: December 9th, 2o1o

I loved this pattern, it was really nice to knit. I gave this shawl to Louisa as a thank you for all her help during my first 2 weeks in Uralsk. Louisa, her husband and son were in Uralsk when I arrived. We actually work for the same school board, and the most amazing thing is our sons were in same room at the baby house (there were about 10 different rooms at the baby house).

I actually was contacted by one of the editors of YarnForever, where I found the pattern, asking me to send a photo of the shawl being worn so they could put it into the magazine. However, by that time the shawl was already back in Canada. At least it was nice to be asked.

I made this as a Christmas gift.

Pattern: 5 by 5 Basket Weave
Yarn: 2 skeins of Bernat Softee Chunky Twist
Needles: 6 mm
Started: December 17th, 2010

Finished: December 22nd, 2010

I got 2 balls of yarn at last summer's Stitch and Pitch, well technically my sister got one ball but she's not a knitter. At the last minute I tossed the yarn into my luggage. I made this little stroller blanket for Alexis. I had the joy of sharing Christmas day with Alexis and her mother Kendra. December 25th isn't Christmas day in Kazakhstan, so it was a normal business day. We ate frozen pizza and I had my first mixed salad in 6 weeks. It was a lovely day.

Unfortunately Uralsk was much colder than I could have even imagined. Day time temperature could be in the minus 25 Celcius range and that doesn't count the constant wind. I needed something extra to keep my head warm. Oh and I did find a really neat yarn store on Christmas Eve. So I went yarn shopping on Christmas Day.

Pattern: Brambles Beret by Amanda Muscha

Yarn: 3 skeins of cekpet yenexa in Black
Needles: 3.75 mm and 3.5 mm
Started: December 30th, 2010

Finished: January 2nd, 2o11

The first yarn I bought at the store in Uralsk was sock yarn, so I went back and bought this yarn. Unlike our stores in North America, at this store you had to ask for the yarn to be handed to you. I practiced saying black in Russian on the walk to the store. I'm knitting a pair of socks in the first yarn now, that is the sock that I did 8 rows of during the first 2 months home.

I brought about 3 pairs of half finished socks with the patterns, however I some how didn't photocopy the parts of patterns that I needed for all three pairs of socks. Complete fail.

Luckily I brought other complete patterns and yarn to make socks of myself. I made a pair in Monkey without Purl. I don't have a picture I'll have to post about them later.

I did make these socks though.

Pattern: b16-26 Socks in Fabel by Drops Design

Yarn: 1 skein of Drops Fabel
Needles: 2.75 mm
Started: January 5th, 2011

Finished: January 6th, 2011

I knit these baby socks for Jody's little boy Lucas. Jody met her son on December 31st, but wasn't able to start bonding until the 7th of January. Our coordinator told Jody she needed warmer socks for Lucas rather than the cotton socks she had brought from home. I loved knitting these little socks.

I also knit this shawl while I was there.

Pattern: EZ 100th Anniversary Gull Wings Half-Circle Shawl by Mwaa Knits

Yarn: 6 skeins of Diamond Yarn Luxury Collection Milky Way
Needles: can't remember what needles I used
Started: December 20th, 2010

Finished: January 8th, 2o11