November 27, 2011

Aftermath

Here's hoping that everyone enjoyed their holiday, no matter how you spent it.  The weather where I was couldn't have been better; cool and sunny - almost warm, considering how close I was to Canada.

I got a chance to talk with family members I haven't seen in a while, and learned something that made me happy.  Several years ago I made a poncho for my Aunt Joan (at her request, I might add).  I can't remember the colorway, but I used the Baby Loop yarn and it turned out pretty good.  Fast forward to Thanksgiving Day and she told me that she had gotten all the use out of the poncho and put it in an auction to support breast cancer - and got $75 for it.  Well bust my buttons, I was tickled beyond reason!

She said the ladies at the auction knew the value of a hand knit item and paid top dollar for it, but the part that had me pleased beyond reason is the fact that the shawl will be enjoyed by someone else and the money will support a really good cause.  I hope the next person that gets it uses it and, if it lasts long enough to get passed on again, then that would be icing on the cake.

Next, I finished the Holden Shawl - except for the blocking.  I'm pleased with it and I think my mother will love it.  The part that makes the shawl, in my opinion, is the picot edge.  It's a pain to do, but it makes such a pretty effect.


I'll have better pictures of the shawl after blocking.

While on my mini vacation I also started the Hootenanny Socks.


The instructions are imprecise and her numbers don't exactly add up starting with the heel flap, but if you know how to make socks and the theory of working the heel, you should be fine.  I'm using Heritage Sock Yarn (Cascade) that I bought at Knitty City and this yarn is perfect for summer weight socks.  Almost feels like cotton, but softer.

Now that Thanksgiving is done, it's time to get with the holiday knitting.  There, it's out there - as much as I wanted to keep it to myself.

Yes, I'm going to get something done between now and Christmas.  I've decided to take the pressure off myself by not declaring who will get and who won't since I always (and I mean always) fall short of the mark.  This year I'm going to make what I make and that will be the end of it.  No pressure.  Maybe.

November 21, 2011

Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving holiday is this week and I have so much to be thankful for, not the least of which is my knitting circle of friends.

This weekend we had a potluck dinner at the library and Junior (who is a staunch advocate of the knitting circle and especially of the NY Sheep & Wool Festival aka Rhinebeck).  He showed up at the potluck wearing the 2 year sweater that his wife made him.  Wow!


It only took his wife, Maria, 2 years to finish and it was well worth the wait!  Doesn't he look stunning?!  What's more, he brought his pineapple upside down cake which is world famous and a circle favorite. Thank you, Junior for showing up all decked out (and for the cake).

And right there, between chicken and baked ziti, Yvonne finished her Hello Kitty hat!


Isn't it adorable?  It's even cuter in person.  I'm all for finished objects - even if it's not one of mine. Some lucky little girl is going to be very, very happy and very cute too.

I'm only 5 rows away from finishing my Holden Shawlette.  All I have to do is tink back three rows, then go forward for 5.  It's such an easy little shawl and it's pretty too.  It's a holiday gift and probably one of the few I will finish between now and the due date.  Pictures to come.

What's next?  Well, I'm leaving town on Wednesday to spend time with the family in Wayland, NY.  It's been a while since the family got together - we all live so far apart, so I'm expecting the usual family things: good food, lots of laughter and some quality together time.  It'll be wonderful.

In case I don't make it back in time, Happy Thanksgiving to all.

November 13, 2011

Heap O Green

This is a fly by blog for Tracey aka Anonymous T.  I know you think I've been slacking on my Holden shawl, but I have been working on it.

My brain must be muddled because for every 4 rows I knit, I have to rip back 3.  Oy!  At any rate, progress is being made.
 
Tonight, however, is a bust because I've been watching (geek alert) The Lord of the Rings.  Turns out I can't watch the movie and read the chart at the same time!  Duh!

Anyway, here's the heap:


P.S.  Thanks to Shameka for mentioning that blogging from my phone was possible and to Sojourn Knitter for making me do it.

November 09, 2011

Learned A Few Things

I learned that if you don't know how to buy fleece, then you should meet someone who does know.  I bought a small bag of fleece at Rhinebeck and figured it would be good 'learning' fleece since it was such a small amount:



I washed a handful of it without really separating locks and got:


What the heck?!  The staple length is just over an inch and I'm sure is came from the sheep's (pardon me) ass.  Is this fiber the 'skirt'?   I think so.  Now I know what second cut means.  It smelled like I don't know what (I expected that), it was greasy (I expected that, too) and it was disappointing (I didn't expect that).

Live and learn.  Since this is throw away fiber, I separated the locks for the rest of the batch, put it in the lingerie bag and sent it to soak.  I'll have pictures of it if I ever spin it - which I will attempt, because that was the point.

I also learned that I like making socks, but I'm no match for the folks knitting with the Tour de Sock on Ravelry.  Oy!  The first pair of socks for the contest was Calable (available on Ravelry only) and instead of concentrating on the socks, I went to SOAR.  No regrets.

It was a 'no-brainer' that I would knit on the overnight train to New Hampshire.  Yep.  I worked a 10 hour day that day, got no sleep before departing and got to the train station at 1:00 a.m.  Was there a chance in HECK that I was going to stay awake for the ride?  Nope.

Ultimately, four weeks later, I finished sock pattern #1:


To have finished at all was a miracle, and I like the socks (don't love them).  Too much work, too little time.

Needless to say, I'm out of the contest, but I wouldn't have made the socks otherwise.  The  money I paid to join the Tour de Sock is going to Doctors Without Borders so it's not a total loss.  Thank goodness.

I also learned that Sock Pixie has given up the Sock Pixie blog and is now The Color Alchemist.  She's been dyeing fiber with natural ingredients and getting the prettiest results.  I would recommend that you go to her old blog to see why she's starting a new blog.  My best to you and your family, Caroline!

Lastly, I learned where Sticks and Strings in Scarsdale, NY is located - thank you Nicole and Joanne!  If I ever dreamed of opening a yarn shop it would be that place.  It's bright, filled with yummy yarns and patterns and the store owner was delightful.  Their web page is under construction right now, but if you're ever in the area (45 Spencer Place, Scarsdale) you should drop in.

Until next time ...