England 3

One of the first fun sights were these two sheep. They were munching on the May trees along the tow path. On an aside thought, we thought the May trees were spirea, because the blooms and scent were very familiar. The next thing you knew those two were running towards us and then ducking into their pasture through a hole in the fencing/shrubbery.

I think one of the most enjoyable things for me on this trip was the abundance of sheep here along the canal. I took MANY pictures of the sheep and the wool along the way. After all, what better for a spinner than to be around all that wool. I wonder what breed these two were? They almost look like Suffolk, but I'm not sure.

Happy knitting and spinning.

England 2

We are off!!!!! My sister, B, at the tiller with my aunt standing watch. B's first move was to steer us into some willows. Luckily the gentleman giving her steering lessons was still on board and got us out of said willows. All of us had the chance to spend some time steering the boat during our week on the canal. There wasn't enough room for all four of us to be up where the tiller was, but we took turns being outside and spending some time down below.


Last night at knit night someone asked what the inside of the boat looked like. The first one is looking up three steps heading out of the living quarters and the second shot is from the same spot looking into the living space. This is the kitchen area. See it is almost like a camp trailer.
There were quite a few boats that we saw in our travels that you could tell were used quite frequently. In fact, we spent a little travel time with a couple who are out on their boat every long weekend they can get.

Whenever we would tell someone (a cab driver, a tour guide, a store clerk, or someone we met at church) that we were on the long-boats, they always said they so wanted to do that. We got a ride back to the boat one Sunday night after some sightseeing and gave a tour of the boat to the two women who graciously picked us up from said sightseeing and took us back to the boat.

The link for the tiller talks about canal boating, maybe something I should have read before going on this trip.

Check in tomorrow to see what picture I put up. Happy knitting and spinning.

Things I've Never Done

I have never flown over any ocean before, but at the end of last month I was able to spend some time in England with my mom, her sister (my aunt) and one of my sisters. I have never spent any length of time on a boat especially one that you sleep on, but got the chance to do this also. I also had never ridden on a train, but got the chance to do that two times while there.

Now that I finally have the pictures off the camera, I can share some of the fun things we saw and did. The first picture is the narrow long-boat where we spent the first seven days of our trip. This boat worked out really well for us. It is made for six people, but with there only being four of us it gave us all a little room and not too crowded. This boat reminded me a lot of a camp trailer and the times my parents used to take us camping while we were growing up. We started from Market Harborough and meandered down the canal for a few days and then returned. We then spent the next four days in and around London. I won't show you all the pictures--I took 636!!--but a few of my favorites will work there way onto here.

I did take some knitting along and will show you at the end of this narration what I worked on. It's now almost done. I'm working on the bind off.

Happy knitting and spinning.

I'm Not Lost Yet

It has been way too long since posting here. I really should get my act together and make a posting schedule.

I have been busy knitting, spinning, visiting with friends, visiting some museums and just relaxing, well besides doing my day job. About ten days ago, I went into DC. I haven't been there in about six months and thought I should go. I really wanted to see the Coral Reef before the display was taken down. This is only one of the many pictures I took that day. I have a few friends who crocheted some items to include here and thought I should see it completed. While I was there I met Jennifer Lindsay, who was the program coordinator for this project. It was interesting to talk with her and find out some of what was involved with this project. She said that Nature's Yarns had an outstanding representation in the reef.

I also went to the Renwick Gallery where I looked at some paintings, fiber arts pieces, and took a nap in the room where they have their video loop going. Yes, it had been a long day and it was after lunch with my husband. I was tired and full! Next time I go downtown, I probably shouldn't wait six months to go.

I have also been doing some knitting. We have two new grand-babies due soon. There has been baby knitting going on. But I also had the chance to make a wonderful scarf for my friend Vicky. I really enjoyed this project. It is Brooke's Column of Leaves (Ravelry link). The charts were easy to read and the knitting moved along really easily. I spun the yarn from some Polworth roving I got from Misty Mountain Farm when I went there with Sue some time this past early fall. I think I need to make me one of these scarfs, it's not like I don't have the yarn sitting around here to do so.

Soon I will be able to show what I have been making for the babies, but I don't want to spoil the surprise for the new baby's parents. When the packages are in the possession of the parents, I'll post pictures.

Happy knitting and spinning!

Ten Non-Knitting Blogs

Today's topic is 10 Favorite Non-Knitting Blogs. This is one I can do even if I might not have ten.

1. Buffaloz Photography Tips. I really like learning how to improve my photography, even if it feels like it isn't helping.
2. What's a Hot Dish. This is my sister's food blog. She tells the best stories and has some pretty good recipes too.
   
3. The Nesting Place. She has some wonderful home decorating ideas.
4. Kerrific Online. It's my daughter-in-laws new place.
5. Photos By Lisa. I really like her pictures and she is a wonderful person.
6. Picture Potpourri. Another of Lisa's blogs. I could look at her pictures all day!
7. Prudence Pennywise. She has some really great recipes and she breaks down the costs for them too.
8. The Things Life Brings. This is another private family blog, but I love to hear about the updates of my kids and grandkids.
   
9. Ben and Melissa's Grand Adventures. Another family blog. Sometimes it's the only way we know what's going on.
10. A Year of Slow Cooking. I am always looking for crock-pot recipes especially when I don't get home until quite late.

I could have ended with many more, but a few of those were other family/private blogs. This was a fun topic this week. I love my knitting blogs, but sometimes I really need a break from them.

What are your favorite non-knitting blogs? Happy knitting and spinning.

Two More Shawls

This first shawl in today's update is the Sun Ray Shawl (Ravelry link) by Elann. The shawl ended up being longer than wider for me, but I think it worked out okay for a throw around the shoulders kind of wrap. This was sent to M for Christmas and I haven't heard back whether she likes it or not.

The second shawl is the Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark. I used beads instead of the nupps and really like how it turned out. Am- really liked it also. She called me the evening when she received it and thanked me which I greatly appreciated .
There are two photos of the Swallowtail, one so you can see the beads and the second to see the overall effect. I will definitely make this shawl again!

The picture of the last scarf/shawl I made for Christmas seems to have gone missing. Kar, if you would have 'bug' take a picture and send it, I would appreciate it.

I'm off to enjoy my last weekend of vacation with my knitting needles and spinning wheels. Enjoy. Happy knitting and spinning.

Two Christmas Shawl/Scarves

I can't find where I saved the rest of the pictures of the ear-flap hats I did for the boys for Christmas, so instead you get the shawls or scarves I did for the girls. The shawls were all done with hand spun yarn. I don't remember all of the patterns, maybe I should get organized with where I put all that information. I do know that the light colored one is a lacy baktus. I did put beads along the increase edge, but didn't get a picture of those.


I don't remember which pattern I used on the darker shawl/scarf, but hope the daughter it was sent for enjoys it. I haven't heard from her whether she likes it or not. I have heard from one of the other girls saying she really likes her's. You get pictures of the others in the not too distant future.

I have really enjoyed having the past two weeks off of work. I have gotten some yarn plied (pictures to come), I've worked on spinning up some fiber that has been on the Hitchiker since October, I'm finishing up some knitting projects and just today I've gotten all my hand spun sweaters washed. I have really gotten my fiber fix during the past ten days!

I'll leave you with a picture of two of the hats in action. These two hats have gotten a lot of use lately!

Happy knitting and spinning.