Funny cuz Stitches West came and went in a flash! Someone (
DISCO, perhaps?) had commented that it seems like none of us are blogging much these days. I think she's right. Not like I don't want to-there is always something I could be yabbering about! And always something knitting-related!
I took a trip over to TwitterLand and have now gotten quite lazy in sharing things long-hand. Twitter is instant gratification in quick little blurbs. And yet there is always a full story behind every tweet. And a full story behind every knitting project, skein of yarn, bump of fiber!
So much to share and so little time to divide between sharing, doing all the things I love to do and doing all the things that are necessary to be able to do the things I love!
So enough about the time issue that all of us seem to have! How about we just talk fun, fiber stuff?
First off, Stitches was, as always, an event I was so excited about and looking forward to with great anticipation! For one, I would be reunited with Cockeye and Susan the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Sockateers Extroidanaire together with IrishGirlieKnits as SW Team Blue Moon! The longer I have knit, the more knitting community events I have gone to and being part of these knitterly events you meet...MORE KNITTERS! The community continues to grow and my knitterly circle expands, Consequently, these events become a huge reunion of sorts and a home school week for many of us!
IrishGirlieKnits, Cockeyed, EttaMae-love these gals!
My usual partner in crime, Nartian, spent time with us there and we were able to catch up with the wonderful, sweet, "Colorplay Fibers" Linda Welch. This year, PicoAccuardi Dyeworks came to Stitches West, which was a special treat for me! Deb Accuardi had set up a Pre-Sock Summit luncheon that I had the honor of being a part of, which is how I first met her. Her partner, Stevanie Pico, had been dying for Abundant Yarns at the time, which is how I first became acquainted with her. I finally got to really meet and spend time with Stevanie, as well as with their super-girl TerBear. I actually first met Teri at the Sock Summit lunch, as well, and we even went shopping together that day! Really a wonderful crew to hang with! And helping them was PurlsWannaHaveFun, Marisol. She is an amazing knitter, kind, enthusiastic and always rearing to go! So much fun!
So...Speaking of Cockeyed, she just launched her new line of knit designs-Stitches of My Life and has posted some beautiful patterns at
her site! Below, is
"Patricia", her first release and offered for
FREE on Ravelry!
I've already purchased "Faye" and will be knitting it with the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Gaia that I purchased at Stitches West. KnittingGolfer and I are thinking it would be fun to do a spin/KAL for Ida. We shall see if we can get that together!
And speaking of Knittinggolfer and new designs-she, too, has launched a pattern line: Stepping Stone Fiber Creations! She has a lovely "Bright Spot" scarf pattern available for free
HERE!
I actually started her Northampton Beat Socks and am LOVING this pattern! The cuff knit up so quickly, it is working well with my handpainted Socks that Rock, and it is rich with texture and variation while maintaining an easy-to-remember sequence.
Funny, cuz it's been about 4 months since my last post and I always think about how slow and unproductive I am with my knitting and spinning. Since it has been so long, it's fun that I have to chose from several items to share! Makes me feel productive, if nothing else!
In addition to knitting two Patricia cowls, I had knit a cowl for my cousin's birthday...
and even gotten several small bumps of roving spun, including some Blue Faced Leischester from A Verb for Keeping Warm in "Coraline". Truly lovely! A nice, warm, coral pink color!
On December 23, my cousin's daughter turned 21. I wanted to make her something special since I never know what to get the 'youngin's' for gifts! I asked if she wanted me to make her something and she told me she really wanted a headband. I asked what colors she liked and she enthusiastically told me how she LOVES mustard!
I ask you: what, really, IS mustard?!
I'm happy to report that I had some bare yarn in my stash and decided I should dye some mustard yarn, since I had none in my stash! How clever I am not to go buy more yarn! After test-dying several swatches, this is what I came up with...
So *which* shade of "mustard" is mustard? French's yellow? Spicy Brown? Honey Mustard?
I decided that the Spicy Brown was closest to what would make me happy, so I went for it! My first attempt was pretty close, but I didn't mix enough 'mustard' to dye the whole skein. In attempting to remix more, it was a bit more sunny yellow-orangey than I was shooting for, but all in all, I got a 'mustard' I felt I could live with. Here's what I ended up with...
More to share, but I'll close for now with these last two goodies to share!
A very special pair of socks from Buried in Fibre! She is the most amazing, talented woman and she gifted me with these socks! My one and only handmade socks not knit by me, FOR me! What an absolute treat! And if that weren't enough, she included a spindle, handspun yarn (SO GORGEOUS!) and a batt! Pure Heaven and major spoiling! Many, many thanks to my dear bud, Lara! I'll have to try and get pics of the rest of the gifties next time, but for now...the socks!
Last, look who joined our family in November?
SassyMan has always been a major dog lover and after losing his dog back when Lil Emp was a bit over a year, a new dog was well overdue. He searched around for a dog and found Ricky. Being an 8 year old dog with a bit of anxiety, he was a difficult placement. And when we went to see him, he looked a bit raggedy with an area above his brow shaved. He'd gotten nipped by a kennel mate and had to have the area cleaned out. SassyMan was pretty much decided that Ricky was THE dog; HIS dog! Admittedly, SassyMan seems to have a good sense about him, as Ricky has been fine and adjusted quite well. He's adjusted quite well and we are his forever family!
