First FO of 2012

A week ago tomorrow Jim and I flew out to Washington state to visit with Ri. We then took Ri with us and went down to Oregon to visit M and B and their little one, JP. JP is nine months old yesterday and I haven't meet him in person until this past Saturday. It was good to visit a couple of our children in their own environments and to get out of town for a few days.

The first project into my carry-on was this scarf which I had started in November, then put aside until Christmas knitting was over with. I was determined to finish it and give it to one of the kids. Ri called dibs, so he got it. The pattern is the one row scarf pattern by the Yarn Harlot. I completed the scarf about an hour before dropping Ri off at the Ferry so he could complete his trip home.

Ri and M have put in requests for socks sometime this year. Don't know when that will be done, but it might just be Christmas 2012.

Well, off to get some more knitting and spinning done before returning to work next Monday.

Happy knitting and spinning.

New Old Yarn

I have to share pictures of the yarn I got from my Aunt Melanie. Remember the yarn for the BSJs which was from my grandma's stash? Well, I got that stash because Aunt Melanie took all the acrylic yarn and I got all the wool yarn. She took the acrylic because she was making baby toys at the time. When I spent the night at their house a week ago, we talked about the BSJs and the yarn. Aunt Melanie said she had some yarn for me. I thought it was more of Grandma's yarn. This was not yarn from Grandma.

While Uncle Gerry was in the Navy, they were stationed in Saudi Arbia during the 1980's. Aunt Melanie didn't have much to do so she spent quite a bit of time shopping. Well, during some rearranging she came upon these skiens of yarn which she bought there and knew she wouldn't use. I was the lucky receipient of said yarn!

The pink is Pinguin- fleur de laine made in Brazil with 182 yards. I don't know for sure what I will do with it, but I think it would make good colorwork mittens with some handspun that I have.

The purply brown is Jaeger 3 ply wool pure botany. They are six skiens of 25 grams each. I don't know the yardage, but will probably measure one skien out for a guestimation. Like the pink, I have no clue what I will do with it, but it is fun to imagine.

My sweater isn't blocked yet, so no pictures of that. It will happen sometime soon, I hope. It's back to work usual hours next week, so there is only this week to get some projects done and that is one of them.

This afternoon C and I are meeting ES in DC and heading to the National Geographic Museum. ES will spend the whole time in the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit I am sure, C will hurry and get through looking at everything and then want to go home. Me, I will take my time and enjoy! I'll let you know what we think of the exhibits.

In the meantime, happy knitting and spinning.

Where I've Been

The past two weeks have been spent spending some time with my sons, DILs, daughters and grandsons. I also got the chance to catch up with friends from Idaho Falls and Pocatello. I was able to attend the knitting groups that I had been going to in both locations. It was fun to catch up with everyone, but the best time was had spending time watching the babies play.

BEK is now a year and a half old! I spent five days watching him explore and play. We put puzzles together, put lots of plastic coins in the milk jug, played with cars and blocks, and had lots of snacks together. I will treasure the time I got to spend with him and his little brother, CJK. To be with E and Au was an added bonus.

The next five days were in Pocatello with J-b and K and their little one AEK. AEK is a happy baby and his daddy got him, at one day shy of three months, to stand tall on daddy's hand without holding onto anything. J-b had to have AEK do that then because Grandma had said I stood on my dad's palm at three months old. Both the older boys are turning into quite good young dads!


The second to the last night of my Idaho/Utah trip was spent in the house my mom used to live in in North Ogden. My aunt and uncle now live in the house and we spent Thursday night there. On Friday morning I got to watch the sun come out and shine on Ben Lomond. It has been at least ten years since I watched the sun come up on Ben Lomond and it is still a magnificent view and one I wouldn't get tired of. Although, I liked the view better when the swimming pool was there instead of the new grade school, it's still neat to see how the mountain changes as the sun gets to certain spots.

I also started and finished a sweater for myself while on this trip. I still have to block it and put the buttons on though. Maybe I can get that done this week, if I can stand to take it off. It's cold here now!!!! I also worked on a pair of sock which have been on the needles since about February of last year. I only have the ribbing to finish on the toe up socks that I started for myself after making socks for everyone as gifts at Christmas 2008.

Well off to get things done that weren't done while I was gone. Happy knitting and spinning.

BSJs and Grandkids

On Thanksgiving Day ES, C, and I got to fly West to meet our new grandsons/nephews and get reacquainted with the older grandson. It had been over a year since we had been to see the kids and it was good to be there for a week. This is a picture of all our grand kids with one mother, one father, and one aunt. The mother of the tyke in blue pants was out of the room while another aunt gave her a massage. I had one too and it was wonderful!!! Thanks AM!

Of course I couldn't go to visit without taking a knitted gift! I had to present these BSjs to the kids in person to tell them the story of the yarn and the sweaters. I couldn't just send them in the mail.
These two Baby Surprise Jackets, plus two and a half others, have been knit and waiting for delivery since the kids told me they were expecting. The yarn is ALL stash yarn, but not MY stash. It was my grandmother's stash yarn! When Grandma died my aunt took all of the acrylic yarn to make crocheted toys. I got all of the wool yarn, plus some of her knitting needles. I had used some of the yarn to make a wallaby for R, but there was a lot of yarn left over and in all different colors. Grandma at one time had made all of her posterity afghans, sweaters, jackets, and lots of other things. There is a lot of yarn to work with and even after making what I have so far, there is probably enough left to make at least three or four more BSJs. I hope the kids tell the grand kids about the sweaters someday----letting them know that the yarn was their great-great grandma and the sweater was made for them by their grandma. I think it is neat that Grandma gets to give something to her great-great grandsons and she isn't even with us anymore!

The orange BSJ is for AEK, the little one all in white (it was his baby blessing day) and the blue one is for BEK, the oldest grandson, and CJK his little brother, the one in the blue pants.

I get to have the pleasure of going to see the kids again in another two weeks and I have some knitting planned to take with me. Maybe a new sweater, seeing as how I now have a job where I don't have to wear a uniform and can expand my wardrobe. I have some handspun I've been eyeing and I think I have enough for a basic sweater.

In other news-----Christmas is less than two weeks away and I'm still not even close to being ready. There has been some Christmas knitting, but not as much as usual. There are some things that need to be blocked and gifted, then I can post about them here.

Until next time, Happy knitting and spinning.

Last Week - Chicago

ES and I were in Chicago last week. ES was presenting at the NFPA conference which was held at McCormick Place. I was able to spend the time wandering around, sightseeing, knitting, and doing whatever I wanted to do. I also listened to ES's presentation which went very well.

One of the fun things we did, along with ES's co-worker Mark, was attend the Chicago White Sox game on Tuesday night. It was c-o-l-d, 51 degrees at the start of the game, and I was glad that I had brought my knitting with me. It kept my knees and hands warm when the wind got blowing. Mark laughed when I brought the knitting out, ES just took it in stride. He told Mark, "she takes it everywhere."

On Tuesday afternoon, I went looking for a yarn store within walking distance of the hotel. There was one listed in the phone book, but when I got there it wasn't there anymore. So Wednesday morning I went looking for another store which was close to McCormick Place. I took the shuttle to the convention center and then spent some time walking around, Knitwerks didn't open until noon and I was down there at 10:30. Knitwerks was a fun little shop and I might have come home with some pretty yarn.

While walking around and waiting for Knitwerks to open, I happened upon a little park. I had a throughly good time looking at the gardens around an old house, watching a couple of men clean out the fountain and then watching the fountain, but the best thing was watching this dragonfly.
He was really well hidden in the foilage, but caught and kept my attention once I spotted him. I loved his black and blue wings. I think I ended up watching him and the surrounding area for about 15 minutes. I almost took out my knitting right there, but decided I was more interested in finding something to eat.

Wednesday night was spent at the outdoor concert at Millenium Park with ES and his mom. We took a picnic, got some popcorn, listened to the music, then wandered around Buckingham Fountain. After that, it was back to the hotel to pack and get ready to head home the next day.

Chicago was a fun interlude, now it's back to work and everyday life. I'm glad I got the break though, the stress has been getting to me and I needed the get away.

Happy knitting and spinning.

ES Goes to Latvia and Brings Me Back Fiber Related Gifts

I thought I would share some recent events with pictures. First off is the indigo plant that I bought at MS&W. Liz bought one also and shows a picture at the bottom of this post. My plant is doing very well out on the balcony and even has some little red buds forming. I've never grown indigo before, so I am enjoying this plant as I watch it grow. It amazed me at how fast it adjusted to the pot I put it in and the sun it is getting. It has grown quite a bit since I brought it home.

In other news and pictures: ES went to Latvia for a conference last week and he brought me presents. He brought me the nesting dolls. "C" got quite a smile on his face when he saw them and had a fun time pulling them all apart and setting them up. Yes, he is still a child at heart, even if he is almost 18 yrs old. The stacking doll is now sitting at a place of honor on the mantle waiting for little fingers to come play with it, or big fingers for that matter.


The second gift ES brought was this skein of single ply yarn. There are 340 grams in this skein which is pretty close to the color in my monitor. It is a grey/light brown color. I haven't figured out how many yards are in there yet, but know there is at least 600. This will make a really pretty shawl, maybe something from Victorian Lace Today. ES told the story, when he gave me the yarn, of buying the yarn. He said that the lady he bought it from was very definite about it being wool, a very good yarn and at a very good price. She did not want to sell him anything else but wool which worked well because ES wanted the wool. The little white spot in the center is actually the sticker that has the price and the weight. ES says he couldn't get across to the lady that he did know a little about yarn, because his wife was a spinner and a knitter and he has picked up some knowledge from that fact.

The last gift he brought me was this pair of hand knit lace socks in the large size. He says there were only two sizes there at the street market, small and large. I think ES did a very fine job of bringing back surprises from his trip to Latvia. He even brought back chocolate, but gave that to "C" which I don't think he has eaten yet, by the way.

ES's next trip is to Chicago and I get to go with him. Maybe I can find some suvienor yarn when we go there next month.

Until next time, Happy knitting and spinning.

Great Falls Pictures and Catching Up

This is "C" and I the day we went to Great Falls to wander around and do some spinning with Esther. You can read her account of the day here. My account of the day is here. I just didn't have my camera when I wrote that account and I had a few other things on my mind. So here are a couple of the pictures. They also show my hair when it was long. While I was in Idaho a couple of weeks ago I got it cut.

Here is not the most flattering of pictures, but it shows my hair shorter. I got to spend some much needed time with Master "B" while in Idaho. Here he is wearing an outfit that his daddy wore over 20 years ago. Yes, for my siblings, I do have some of Mom's tendencies to keep stuff! That little outfit was fun to see again and getting good use. Master "B" is now a little over 10 pounds and is such a cutie.


When I got home a week ago, I had a package in the mail. It was from Vicky and I couldn't imagine what was in there. I opened it to find my new favorite t-shirt in just the colors I like. This shirt has already seen a bit or wearing time. Thanks, Vicky, I love it! Vicky is a very talented lady.

My sweater for the NaKnitSweMo is coming along nicely. I'm still liking the way it is working up and the colors. I have found that my left thumb is hurting a little on the knitting of this sweater, so I have changed needles. I'm hoping this will work, but only time will tell.

I have the pictures of the two shawls I completed. That will be the next post. I got a couple of good pictures with "K" in her's and I have some of me in my shawl.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Sorry it's been so long

I can't believe it has been about three weeks from my last post. I have a lot of pictures to share of the wedding and the trip to IF. But those pictures are on the camera which is upstairs and you know--I'm lazy and don't want to go get it or I won't get this done today.

I started the November sweater challenge. I have a basic pattern that I am kind of following, but I have to make some changes and make the sweater my own. I am using the skein that Catherine sent me as an accent and I really like how it is turning out so far. The main color is some 100% Galway yarn color #106 that I have had in my stash for over four years. Yesterday, I almost bought some Lion brand wool yarn which is on sale at Michaels. But I talked myself out of it and am really glad that I did, because I like the way the yarn I have is coming out so far.

Even though the link is from 2006, I know there are quite a few people doing the challenge this year. I see a lot about it on the different blogs I read.

I haven't gotten as many socks done during the month of October as I had hoped to get done. I still have a number of socks to finish before very long. There are too many un-paired socks on the needles, to let it just drop. But, I am getting tired of socks, just to let you know.

I bought some fun yarn while in Idaho. It is yarn I have never heard of before, but then I am finding that I haven't heard of a lot of yarns. I'll get pictures in the daylight tomorrow and share with you then.

Ok, I think I'm done rambling now. I will get my act together and be a little more consistant with my posting from now until the end of the year. After that, who knows.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Don;t Enjoy the Day Too Much, Something Might Happen

On Wednesday night at knitters, people were talking about going to Great Falls. I thought "C" and I would enjoy that, so I said we would go. When we got to the "meet up" place no one was there who was going. Esther and her husband, David, had already left for Great Falls. So "C" and I headed on up there. We had a mini detour along the way. I took the I-66 instead of I-495, so we had to get off, turn around and retrace our route, taking the right turn instead of the wrong one. Esther and I had a good time sitting out by the visitor's center spinning and talking with the people asking questions. There were a number of people that wanted to know what we were doing and where we got our supplies. It was fun to share what we know!

This Great Falls is nothing like the other falls I am used to, like Yellowstone or the falls in Idaho Falls. "C" did say that the falls at Great Falls did kind of remind him of the Idaho Falls falls. We spent some time watching five kayaks as they played in the water under the falls. That was fun to watch. "C" got some pictures which I should have brought downstairs with me, but I didn't.

On the way home from Great Falls, I got a call from ES. He and "A-b" had had a roll-over. He said that and then his phone went dead. I didn't know whether they were ok or not. I couldn't get him and neither could "C". ES called about half an hour later to say they really were ok and it was their car that had rolled-over. ES had over corrected! He says "A-b" will need some stitches on his forehead and in his hand. ES is just shook up and his elbow hurts. Thank goodness they are ok. There was all kinds of thoughts going through my head when I couldn't get ES on the phone.

I have pictures to show of FOs. Although one is still drying and I only have a "blocking" pictures. Should have photos tomorrow or Wednesday morning before leaving for IF for "J-b" and "K's" wedding on Saturday and "A-g" and "G's" sealing on Thursday.

Happy knitting & spinning and tell someone close you love them!

Lazy Labor Day

This morning ES, C and I went to a run/walk that was put on by our ward. It was a fun way to go and enjoy the morning and get to know people in the neighborhood. The run/walk was held at the Sully Plantation. This is one area I would like to go back to and wander around without "C" and even ES, mainly because then I could spend as much time as I wanted without having to worry about them wanting to leave.


I also thought I would share the picture "C" took of himself. This was taken on our trip to Virginia and shows a portion of the plants we came out here with. All of the plants made it ok and seem to be doing well in their new home. Although one plant doesn't like the air conditioner and I have had to move it a couple of times hoping to find a place it does like. I think I found the place for it and we will see if it starts to grow again.

I finished the orange shawl. It isn't blocked yet, but it won't be long until it is. I also started the second shawl and we will see how it goes. So far so good, but I'm only into it by about 15 rows.

So far it has been a quiet day, but there is still this afternoon. We still have a lot of boxes to unpack!! And I hope to get some of them done today.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Tour Today

Just checking in and letting you know we are half-way to our new location.

Tonight we are in Pierre, SD. Last night it was Casper, WY. Tomorrow it will be with my sister and her family in Manakto, MN.

Today, "C" and I got to have a tour of the Brown Sheep Wool Company. Man, what a fun time. "C" even enjoyed the tour and was caught, by Sherry, looking into barrels and touching fiber. He didn't like the time I had spent in their shop, but we were only there for about an hour and a half, so he doesn't have much to complain about. He says I have t-o-o-o-o much yarn as it is. I say, 'we can never have too much Brown Sheep!' I will show pictures of all I bought when I am in Fairfax and have my own computer to use. There is quite a bit of fun stuff. I only bought what I could fit into the car and you have to remember it's f-u-l-l. Alan says I have a "fricken" jungle in there. I'll have pictures to share of that also. I hope the plants survive the trip.

Better go check on "C" who happens to be in the pool tonight.

More Heritage Trip

Last week at this time, "R" and I had stopped in Shelby, Montana. There wasn't much there, but the hotel was nice and the food at the gas station diner filled us up. It was a nice and relaxing evening.

You may be wondering, why is there a picture of two trees? There used to be three trees and this is what we would look for when we were getting close to my father's parent's place. If you "enbiggen" the picture, you will see an eagle in the top of the dead pine tree. He was such a beautiful bird and he had a beautiful view of the Mission Valley. The mountains are gorgeous, the Bison Range was busy, and the Mission on this day was quiet. There were a couple of other visitors, but no noise. Just us.

I think when we were growing up, we only went to the Mission a couple of times. One time sticks out in my mind, I think because Grandma and Grandpa had come with us, so it must have been a special trip into town to see the Mission specifically.

Now for this week: "Au" and I attended the fireworks display last night. We went down to the river about 8 pm, so I took my knitting with me. You know, I only have two weeks to finish a pair of socks for the sos08 bi-weekly drawing. I have to have an incentive to get all these socks knit! While there, the LYS owner sat behind us and made the comment that I was even knitting there. I said, "Of course, I can't just sit!"

It had been a busy day with lots to do and heat to match the 4th. I think I ended up with a little bit of heat-stroke, so spent some time knitting quietly with the fan blowing on me and a drink at my hand. I even took a nap!

I will have knitting and spinning to show you in this coming week. There may even be a package or two coming in the mail. Don't read that part, ES.

Happy knitting and spinning.

More Heritage trip

When "R" and I took his Heritage trip, I started as the driver on Saturday. "R" slept the first hour or so that we were driving. This first picture, of the mountains, was taken as I drove up the road from Missoula. The mountain was so pretty as we came up the hill into Arlee. I never got tired of the views as we drove, at least from what I remember this being more than 30 years ago. Man, that makes me sounds o-l-d.

We had to make the traditional stop at the Arlee Apiaries. I remember stopping to get their honey almost every trip to Montana that we made. I can't ever pass there on our heritage trips without stopping to buy honey. "C" said, when we got home, that I had sure bought a lot of honey. I told him, it wasn't all for us. On an interesting side note, a lady in the knitting group who meets at the LYS on Wednesday mornings, is the sister to the owner of the Arlee Apiaries. Her father has bees here in town, or just outside of town, and I have bought honey from him also.

One of the points of interest, and a measure to how close we were to grandma's house, was the windmill house. I remember when it first showed up. It was the big thing when we were little to be the first one to spot the windmill. We knew we were close! Only another six or so miles, but it seemed to take forever. Anita, don't know if you'll remember this place or not. It's at the bottom of the hill, before the Bison Range.

In all the pictures I took, there is quite a blue sky. No wonder Montana is called the Blue Sky Country. I took over one hundred pictures. Some of them from the moving car as "R" was driving. I won't share them all, but some of them have some fun memories attached and those will be the ones I share.

No new knitting to show. Although I do have about three or four projects that I am rotating through right now. There's a new baby in the neighborhood, not "Au's", that I am making the Mason Dixon bib from their book which knits up very quickly. The only drawback there is, I packed all my cotton yarn except for just enough to make the bib (I hope). I have a new pair of socks on the needles and a new baby sweater on the needles.

There has only been sporadic packing done. I will do quite a bit after tonight. I have worked the last couple of nights and will again tonight, so packing has been on the back-burner for the last couple of days.

Happy 4th of July, tomorrow. Enjoy those fireworks. I know I will!

Happy knitting & spinning.

No Orchids Today

When I got home from "R's" Heritage trip, I noticed that the orchids had dried up. I was disappointed, I really wanted to watch them bloom. Now I'll have to think of something else as a Tuesday post.

While we were gone, I took a lot of landscape/waterfall pictures. Most of them do not have "R" in them, but occasionally he is in one. We were at Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park and I said I wanted a picture. This is what he came up with. I can't believe how much he has grown in the last year. He still has the attitude at times, but over all he hasn't turned out too bad.

It was good to spend some time with just one child to find out what his plans are now and give him something to remember in the next few years. When we got home, the other two who have been on this trip wanted to know if we had gone some of the same places that they had gone. I try to make each trip unique to that individual child. No two trips are the same. We do things a little differently each time, even if we are visiting the same places.

On knitting news, I gave Emma her shawl yesterday. She was thrilled. She said she had never had anyone knit her anything before. I didn't get a picture, sorry. We got talking and it was really warm and then her son came to get her and I didn't get the opportunity to get a picture.

Here is our official first stop, Wagon Hammer Springs, just north of Salmon and before North Fork. As a child, on our trips north, this was always one of our stops, so I always stop with the boys here when we do this trip. Wagon Hammer is a natural spring on the side of the road. A sign just above the springs says the water from the tap has been tested and is good to drink, not sure on the water coming from the rock.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Two Pair Down with How Many to go

"R" did a lot of the driving on our Heritage trip, so I was able to complete a couple pairs of socks. I had some of each pair done before we even left, but it felt good to get them done. Started another pair after getting home last night. I haven't decided who these are going to yet, but they will be ready for gifting come Christmas.

"R" and I had a lot of fun on our trip. He was really goofy the first afternoon. He jammed out to his music and was very talkative that first day. He also talked quite a bit on Saturday, but Sunday he was very quiet. He was ready to be home to hang out with his friends. He wants to spend time with them before leaving for his dad's in three weeks.

I took quite a few pictures and will post them during the next week or so. I need to show them to a friend before I can download them to the computer. I don't want to print all of the pictures off, some of them are just important to me.

We saw a lot of deer with "R" almost hitting one on a blind corner. Instead of hitting it, we watched it (a fawn) bounce down the road in front of us. It was fun to watch. We also saw a couple of eagles, antelope, a moose, and a black bear. Lots of animals to see all in one trip.

Like I said, it was a fun trip and I hope one that "R" will remember, at least for a little while.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Another Finished Shawl

I was going to give you a modeled shot of the shawl I just completed, but my friend for whom it is for couldn't meet today. And the next available day to meet won't be for about two weeks. I wanted to show it off, but this picture will have to do. I used almost two skeins of Opal #2020. I think it will look nice on her and I can't wait till I can give it to her. There is enough of the yarn left that I can make a child's size pair of socks.



Here is the moving storage room today. It doesn't look much different than last week. But there are definitely more boxes in there. "C" and I went to the mobile home and got packed boxes from there. We came home with about seven boxes. I also packed five or so boxes from the computer/craft room today. That room, at least, is looking like I am getting something done.

I am sure "E" and "Au" will be glad to have them, the boxes, out of their 'place' now. Besides the room the boxes were in is the baby's room and they want to get it painted before the baby comes.

I have been busy working away on my SoS socks. I have two pair on the needles and one pair is about done. I am three inches up the cuff, from toe up, and would like to put another inch or so on each sock. The Ravelry group is really busy with posts of people already finishing many pairs of socks. I can knit fast, but not that fast. Besides, I'm still packing and planning "R" heritage trip which we are starting tomorrow after I get off work.

"R's" heritage trip is a memory lane trip for me. I take the newly graduated child and take him up where I used to spend my summers in Mission Valley Montana and Kalispell, Montana. We might even get into Glacier National Park this time. "J-b" didn't want to go to Glacier when we went three years ago. Just letting you know, I might not post until we get back sometime on Monday.

Happy knitting & spinning

Nowtlwonk Springs

The "Wool-Trek" was well worth the trip this year! We had a lot of fun. There were five of us who drove down from the Pocatello area and four who drove down from the Inkom area. Just about half of the people attending Jo and Fred's knit-in, spin-in, touching and feeling of wool and the ultimate in b-u-y-i-n-g of wool were from Idaho.

Before lunch, some of us went to look at the new lambs. I like this picture of Catherine taken by the pasture the lambs were in. The
ewe looking over her shoulder seems to be checking us out as much as we were checking them out.

There were two little black lambs in this pasture and this young girl really liked the one. But she, the girl, was kind of grossed out because the lamb was doing her "business" while the girl was looking at her. I just had to laugh!


After everyone had their fill of the wonderful lamb stew and pot-luck lunch, Fred told Cindy that she needed to go outside. So we all followed. Fred said Cindy had said in the past that she just wanted to roll around in the wool one day. Well, Saturday was the day! Fred pushed her into the "skirts" before the "Skirt Scramble" began, just so she could say that she had rolled around in the wool. Cindy even had a pose in the wool for us.

The "skirt scramble" is the last item on the agenda at most of the "wool-treks" I have attended. This is the time when Fred and Jo get to get rid of the "skirts".
The Knowlton's have beautiful fleeces and roving for sale. They even have some yarn spun and the skeins are for sale. But I think the funnest time of the day is watching everyone dive for the "skirts". It's raw and dirty, but s-o-o-o much fun to see what you can get and do with the "free" wool. Some of mine is right now soaking in the sink getting it's bath.

I told myself that this year that I would get everything washed before a week had gone past. It's a good thing I didn't buy a fleece! I indulged just a little and bought some roving, about a pound and a half of white and two bumps of a very dark brown. I think I have a project for the dark brown and it might be the next fiber on the Lendrum when I get the viscous spun.

On the knitting front, I have used all but about two yards of my silk challenge. I still need to put a boarder on the project. It's a good thing I have some fiber that was dyed at the same time as the silk challenge, so I can complete the boarder.

The Pi Shawl has been frogged and I am winding the yarn to start again. No, I didn't miscount or anything. I just liked it better on a larger needle size. It won't be too long until it's back to where you say it before.

Happy knitting & spinning.

No Real Knitting to Show, Just Pictures

Okay, knitting content is non-existent right now! I am s-t-i-l-l working on the silk challenge, but I think I am coming to the end of my yarn in just a few more repeats. So I should be done with this knit soon. But the unveiling will have to wait until the challenge is over the end of May. I like to enjoy the suspense of seeing everything all at once. It makes it easier that I am in IF and not in Poky with the other members of the guild.

I have been busy spinning the Copper Moose fiber. I now have three full bobbins and am ready to start the fourth in the morning. I like how this is spinning up. I find myself watching the color blends more often than not. Because of this it's taking longer to read the blogs on bloglines every morning. But the spinning is going faster. I also have gone back to spinning the viscose I bought at SOAR in 1996 which has been sitting on a bobbin for about six months. After spinning the silk, I find the viscose not quite so hard to deal with. I only bought an ounce and have about 1/3 of it spun so far. I am hoping to have it finished a week from now or thereabouts.

I thought I would leave you with one of my favorite pictures taken at the beginning of the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC. ES's pictures turned out much better. He spends more time setting up for the pictures than I do. But I think the Washington Monument is framed very nicely in this picture. It's also interesting to note the different colors at certain levels of the Monument.

I do have to mention that C made dinner tonight. It was a Birds-Eye bagged dinner, but it smelled s-o-o-o good coming into the house after work tonight. The boys also talked me into ice cream, but that wasn't hard. Ice cream was going to hit the "spot" tonight.

I'm really looking forward the the Wool-Trek this weekend. I need to put the bench seat in the van just in case we have more people wanting to go to Cornish.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Aren't Trips Fun

Seeing as how today was an on the go day a-l-l day, I thought I would show you a couple of pictures from our DC trip and the gardens at Colonial Williamsburg. This first picture is of a quilt that was done by a Smithsonian employee in their gallery there. (I think that if you click on the picture it will enlarge--I hope.) I thought the colors in the quilt were amazing and each of the blocks were so different. There were a number of things in this gallery that the boys and I liked. Some of the pictures are on ES's camera, so I can't share them with you.




The gardens at Colonial Williamsburg were so pretty. I loved the color of this Sweet William. I only wish I could grow them in my own garden, but for some reason they don't like me very much.

The tulips and daffodils were all out and made for some pretty colors. I was totally amazed at the vegetable garden. Things were growing so and they were already harvesting some things. The Master Gardener said that the peas would be coming on really soon and there were a few blossoms on the plants. I am looking forward to going back there and seeing the grounds in all different seasons.

Tomorrow, I might have knitting content to share. Can't guarantee it though, because I got a call tonight saying the other tech might not be there tomorrow. Her daughter is running a temp and not feeling well. It's a good thing the "wool trek" is this weekend!

Happy knitting & spinning.

M is Home from Bolivia

M came home from Bolivia yesterday. It is good to have her home, if even for just a little while. We had quite a few people over to welcome her home and have pizza and hear the stories she has to tell. It was fun. She brought lots of things home from Bolivia. I will get pictures of the Nativity she bought for her dad and post them, soon.

This is the shawl I made for M at Christmas time. I was afraid she wouldn't get it, so I didn't mail it. I blocked it on Monday night and I think it turned out pretty good. I think she liked it, but we'll see how often she uses it. She bought two ponchos in Bolivia which she says she wears frequently, so it might not be too hard to switch to a shawl.

I have been working on socks. I know I have completed three pairs since the first of the year, more than I have ever done in any one year since getting back into knitting many years ago. I have a number of pairs I would like to get done, they are on the list. It's just a matter of completing some other projects so I don't feel guilty working on the socks.

Happy knitting & spinning.