Thursday, July 13, 2017

Train troubles

I haven't had any luck with the train this week. First, on Monday, the train in was cancelled because of malfunctioning doors. I could have waited for the GO bus, but then I would have missed other connections, making my commute even longer than it already is (2.5 hours one way). So I came home and lost out on some good train knitting time.

Tuesday, Dave drove me into work, and I took the train home. All was well until I got off my first train to wait for my second train in Aldershot. (It's a very silly thing that I have to take two trains on the same train line. The trains generally  run every 15 minutes, but only half of them stop at the station I get on at. The other half are express trains and pass right on by. But only the express trains service Hamilton, my home stop. So I have to get on a non-express train, take it to the end of its line, then wait for the next express train... for only ONE more stop.)  I stood, waiting on the platform in the hot sun, and as 20 minutes ticked by (it's usually only a 10 minute wait), I realized something was wrong.

The express train was held up in Port Credit due to a police investigation. (Sadly, this usually means someone has jumped in front of a train, but I haven't been able to find any more info on the incident). It was going to be at least 40 minutes - maybe more, before it finally made its way through.

Thankfully, I wasn't stranded. GO buses run from Aldershot to Hamilton every half an hour. Of course, that put my city bus connections off, and my 2.5 hour commute became a 3.25 hour commute... but hey... I'm a knitter!
 And so this is a very long winded way of telling you that the first Exhibition sock is done.
On the foot you can see how the lace pattern opens up. Easy, lacy columns create a neat, staggered pattern in a striping yarn.
Several of you asked about the yarn... it is a self-striper. Its our Barn Cat and the colourway is Sock it to your Monkey. It's one of Mom's creations (and we do it with a pink stripe and a blue stripe too). I've been bugging her to make some more for the shop, and as soon as she does, I'll let you know.

In the mean time, I've got to get the second sock started. And get moving on the Fair entries. July is already almost half over!

11 comments:

Araignee said...

I thought that was her monkey yarn. I love it!

Delighted Hands said...

Beautiful yarn........great sock; I love the way the lace jogs the color!
Too bad about the commute, it can be misery but it produced a great knitting opportunity!

Cat Lover said...

Too bad about all the train troubles! But your Exhibition sock looks wonderful.
Have a good day!
Robin

chrisknits said...

Yes please! I want a skein. It would make awesome baby hats. I love the jagged line the pattern makes. Sorry your commute went awry!

Vera said...

That sure is a long commute!! and those socks are great - love the colors with the pop of red.

The Well Fed Wheel said...

Yikes...that's a long commute! Good thing you had knitting with. Love the yarn and the sock.

kathy b said...

Sock it to your Monkey is the perfect name. You make the most of your commutes that's for sure Val

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh .... I can't IMAGINE all that hassle with the transit. But, it looks like you put your time to very good use.

Eastside Cats said...

Oh my gosh, I just finished the book, "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins! Guess this book was a big deal when it came out, but I just fell over it while searching for audiobooks to listen to for my commute. It came to mind, while reading your post about traveling by train!

Mereknits said...

What a mess, and I was mad that I was driving for an extra 30 minutes because of a bad storm. That made my trip home an hour and a half, but I had my audiobook on and I was safe so no more grumbling by me.

Rachelle said...

I love how the pattern staggers the stripes.