A Sheep In Wools' Clothing

Color on Color Recommences

After starting this beautiful scarf by Kathryn Alexander years ago, and halting due to frustrations of using the Paternayan yarn originally called for, I recently discovered the designer is selling hand dyed kits for the scarf, I immediately ordered the kit & started over on the project this month. I am in lve with this scarf, and intend to get a black winter jacket to set it off...

NH Shhep & Wool

Off to NH Sheep & Wool with Countryelvis4, Lulupac & nhsara layer today. Spending the weekend there & going to check out Icelandic lambs & maybe others. Let me know if you're going to be there too - meetups are good!

Little Perwinkles

Spunky Eclectic March 2011 club offering organic Merino wool in "Little periwinkles" colorway. Singles shown here will be Navajo plied for final yarn. I'm hoping fir a DK to worsted weight.

Nightmare

My singles from April 2011 Spunky Eclectic club "Nightmare" in BFL.

Zinnias are Spinning

"Zinnias" from the newest batt club offering from Enchanted Knoll. Base fiber a sark 85/15 BFL/silk bled with tussah silk similarly dyed (10%) plus sari silk. My version is bling-less (I let Josette surprise me). Loverly stuff to spin with great spring Mother's Day colors!

"Air" Spun Up

"Air". 50/50 Merino/Tencel. 571 yds. 2 ply. 17 WPI (light sport)

Malachite/Good Fortune

Enchanted Knoll Happy Hooves in 2 club colorways, plied together. "Good Fortune" & "Malachite". 614 yds. 14 WPI

Ring of Lace

Ring of Lace Wrap
Heartstrings
Zephyr wool silk laceweight
Needles size 3 & 10

SPA 2011

I've been attending NETA's SPA since the last year it was held at the Doubletree in Portland, ME.  Since that year, it has been held at the Hilton Garden Inn and the Harrasseeket Inn in Freeport.   The Hampton Inn runs a free shuttle from their hotel to the other two.  The vendor's room is at the HGI, the fashion show Saturday night at the Harrasseeket.  All the hotels open up conference rooms and lobbies for knitters and spinners (and their pelvic affiliates) to sit, chat and be in the company of understanding fiber addicts like themselves.  For those who aren't aware, there is no registration.  No fees.  No structure.  Just show up and enjoy the company of like minded fiber folk.

Some of the vendors are annual icons - Amy King of Spunky Eclectic, Dave of The Merlin Tree (Hitchiker, Hyacinth, etc), Jacqueline Fee, Kim Kaslow of The Woolen Rabbit, The Elegant Knitter at Goose Pond and others change each year, or intermittently are there.  

The HGI opens up the Town Hall building next door as a spinners' room.  One can see just about any sort of wheel made in that room, and most spinners welcome talking about their wheels, and are sometimes known to allow others to touch them and even spin on them.  

If one keeps their eyes open, Adrian Bizilia of Hello Yarn is always there (usually seen near Amy King's booth), Jesse of Ravelry (aka frecklegirl or Rav mom) is there (now preggers), Chris Morgan of Woolybuns (think angora rabbits and color genetics), Josette of Enchanted Knoll Farm and many many others can be found there.  And Dave always wears his kilts.... and is rumored to have fun nights with Scarlett, but they aren't talking ....

Abby Finds A Home

Last weekend, while at NETA's SPA 2011 in Freeport, ME I fell in   
love with a character named "Abby" made by the wonderfully talented women at Mountain Fiber Folk in Vermont.  

Some of the women make the clothing for these dolls out of vintage doilies, others wet felt things like vests and embellish them, others contribute animal fleece for hair, and Amy Felske is the doll sewer extraordinaire.   Her dolls have energy and life in them - Abby made friends all over the Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday!

Abby has wonderful details like a felted embellished vest, a tail, vintage lace doily overskirt, a Battenberg lace cap, a carved swan staff, a rusty key on her belt, Birkenstock shoes, and a basket of wool in her other hand.

The co-op members all knew the dolls by name, and said goodbye to her when I purchased her.  They even got me a box to put her in for the long ride home - her "car seat".  Then one of my SPA 2011 companions, NH Sara went to the freebie table, found some dark green yarn and knit Abby a blanket to keep her warm on the ride home as well.

Abby wears bloomers, covered by a dark screen gassamer skirt, then the vintage doily overskirt.  She sports a calico blouse and wet felted,
embellished vest.  Her tail is even adorned with ribbon.  Her platform is old barn board found inside the artist's own barn.  Soon, I hope to have some formal modeling pics of her that Amy took after her creation...  AND Amy created Abby especially for coming to SPA!

I've commissioned another creature from Amy - it will remain a secret until he arrives!

Samson Update

Samson is my Spanish mastiff, who is now close to three years old. He was born with birth defects in his leg, which has caused twisting and wrinkling of his long bones in a rear leg.  That has caused his kneecap to sublux to the side, and made him limp.

Over the past two years, Sam has had five surgeries on his leg to correct the issue.  His orthopedic specialist vet has worked hard to avoid having to do a hip replacement as the last resort to fix the leg, and with his fourth surgery, we were finally successful.  In December, he had to have some of the more recent hardware removed, as it was causing too much tissue reaction and swelling.

Each time he's had surgery, Sam gets off his feed.  As in he lost 15 lbs in a week after his fourth surgery, and it takes 2-3 months to get him back to eating well again.  He's been looking like a starving child from Biafra (shows how old I am), and I am surprised I haven't been questioned about neglect on him.  With the hardware removal, I asked the vet and her vet tech if they would change how they did his anesthesia to a method we use on humans who get bad post-operative nausea and vomiting.  They listened, I taught them how to do it, and Sam actually came home and ate TWO CANS of dog food that night.  Still a small helping compared to the 5-6 cups twice a day he normally eats, but a significant improvement over what he's done before after surgery.

Sam is back to running full speed, playing with the other dogs and his toys, and in general being a goofy puppy, and he now outweighs me.

Seyon Lodge Knitting Retreat 2011

Last year, a group of 16 knitters and spinners rented out the Seyon Lodge (Vermont State park) for
a weekend of knitting and spinning in the snow, trees and quietude.  The lodge is state run by Vermont, and rents out for incredibly reasonable rates.  The innkeeper, JessieMae and her assistant Emmet, are fabulous and very accommodating chefs.  Their lodge granola is to die for, and I am told (I am gluten free so I can't speak for these) that the scones and muffins are top notch as well.

The fireboxes are kept well stocked with split wood for the fireplace.  Bedrooms aplenty are there, with everything from queen beds to futons and bunks, all with quilts on them.  The lodge rents out snowshoes, and they groom trails for sledding,
snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.  We all bring snacks, tea and wine or whatever suits, and share or not - it's all relaxed and comfortable.

Charlton always gives some classes on Saturday - this year his topic was socks and he even had a booklet printed up to go with his classes.  We all came away with autographed copies of his booklet!
 One knitter, Lynne, a Vermont science teacher in the middle schools, is making a tradition of bringing a huge cone of chenille which she winds into cakes of yarn.  Everyone there can take one or more cakes home with them...

Both years, we've had a total of 16 people (the max for the lodge), and this year about half of us were returnees from last year.  We come from all walks of life, span several decades of ages, and have vastly varying years of knitting expertise and we all share and are united through fiber...  I'm looking forward to next year already.

Mittens Still, Again, and Love

I am still in love with knitting mittens and enhancing my mitten supply at the house.  I made several pairs of Maine Morning Mitts last year before Christmas, and during the winter worked on Holly & Poinsettia mittens as well as Fiddlehead Mittens.

I made Musica wristers for DD (she is a music ed/violin major and heads up the UMO marching band's tuba section) and also Entomology Mittens for the household.  In short, I now need to make a smallish Shaker style peg board, such as they stored chairs, and use it to display what I am coming to view as my art mittens....There are some very talented mitten designers out there!  Thank you, ladies!

The most recent pair are the Parhelion Mittens I am making as a friend's 

 
birthday present.  They are made from Noro Kureyon sock yarn, splitting the skein into two balls, each starting at a different point in the color sequence.  Use one ball for Color A and the other ball for color B.  Simple.  Incredible colorplay, with all the hard work done by the color folks at Noro.

 

I've also worked on some lace projects.  I'll try to get some glamour shots of those and get them uploaded as well.

 

And yes, I've lost 72 lbs., feel great, sleep better than I have in years, and my kids have a hard time keeping up with me.  My Hemoglobin A1C is below 6 now!  And my medications are greatly decreased, along with their cost!

SPA 2010

It has been a very long time between postings. I decided not to post rather than go through unsettled, potentially negative stuff.

Robyne & I are on our third annual trek to SPA. I just had major belly surgery (everything is fine but a big surgery) so Robyne is my chauffeur & personal nurse for the weekend.

This is evidence that I actually sunthis weekend. Bamboo merino form Portland Fiber Gallery. It willbecome an ear wRmer for DD to wear in pep band (she's tuba section leader). School colors are sky blue & black, mascot black bears. I planto knit black bear paw prints into it.

Twenty Questions Meme

Twenty Questions

This one I've been reading on others' blogs and enjoyed, so I'm joining in.

1.Explain what ended your last relationship?

Domestic violence and emotional abuse.

2. When was the last time you shaved?

Last time I had a doctor's appointment.

3. What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m.

Walking Samson with his lead and sling (poor pup is still badly gimpy from his third right rear leg surgery)

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?

Frogging a sweater to be re-knit in a smaller size (yay!)

5. Some things you are excited about?

Being a healthier weight, with more steady downward progress, getting more actively physically and being healthier.

6. What is your favorite flavor of JELL-O?

Can't remember when I last partook.

7. Your prom night, what do you remember about it?

I campaigned for a environmental tract of land instead of spending money on the prom (yes, I was one of THOSE).

8. Do you have any famous ancestors?

My ancestors were on the Boston Witch trial jury, and wrote letters opposing the judgements, but had no choice given the judge's instructions.

9. Last thing received in the mail?

Goodies from Paradise Fibers.

10. How many different beverages have you had today?

Water, tea and pink lemonade.

11. Do you ever leave messages on people’s answering machine?

Rarely.

12. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?

With a melanoma history and Irish fluorescent white skin, I rarely venture there.

13. Any plans for Friday night?

Fiber, Season Three of Dexter and Samson.

14. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?

NA

15. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns?

No..

16. Do you re-use towels after you shower?

Yes.  

17. Describe your keychain(s)?

A two parter - mailbox key on one side, car on the other.

18. Where do you keep your change?

In the bottom of my bag.

19. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?

Over a decade ago (and not missed).

20. What kind of winter coat do you own?

A Berber fleece jacket or an insulated barn jacket.

Domestic violence and emotional abuse.

2. When was the last time you shaved?

Last time I had a doctor's appointment.

3. What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m.

Walking Samson with his lead and sling (poor pup is still badly gimpy from his third right rear leg surgery)

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?

Frogging a sweater to be re-knit in a smaller size (yay!)

5. Some things you are excited about?

Being a healthier weight, with more steady downward progress, getting more actively physically and being healthier.

6. What is your favorite flavor of JELL-O?

Can't remember when I last partook.

7. Your prom night, what do you remember about it?

I campaigned for a environmental tract of land instead of spending money on the prom (yes, I was one of THOSE).

8. Do you have any famous ancestors?

My ancestors were on the Boston Witch trial jury, and wrote letters opposing the judgements, but had no choice given the judge's instructions.

9. Last thing received in the mail?

Goodies from Paradise Fibers.

10. How many different beverages have you had today?

Water, tea and pink lemonade.

11. Do you ever leave messages on people’s answering machine?

Rarely.

12. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?

With a melanoma history and Irish fluorescent white skin, I rarely venture there.

13. Any plans for Friday night?

Fiber, Season Three of Dexter and Samson.

14. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?

NA

15. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns?

No..

16. Do you re-use towels after you shower?

Yes.  

17. Describe your keychain(s)?

A two parter - mailbox key on one side, car on the other.

18. Where do you keep your change?

In the bottom of my bag.

19. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?

Over a decade ago (and not missed).

20. What kind of winter coat do you own?

A Berber fleece jacket or an insulated barn jacket.