New Sweater

This summer we went to the beach, which seemed like a good time to start a new sweater. I found Gyda (Ravelry Link) and thought it looked like fun. I have to admit I’m a little “meh” about this sweater. I’m just not loving it. However, I seem to keep pushing on. I’m using the silky wool – after finishing slinky ribs I reallized I really like that yarn, so in my predictable manner, went and got some more.

I was drawn to the cable detail, and had a lot of fun knitting the waist band:

The back is complete, and I’m working my way up the front right now. Here’s a progress shot of the back:

I think I’m going to like it once it’s done. I am a little concerned about the fit. But for now I’ll keep plugging along.

Slinky Ribs: Complete

I finished the Slinky Ribs earlier this year. I’m pleased with the sweater, but am still looking for the best way to wear it. As a style it’s a bit outside my comfort zone, but I do like it.

And for kicks, here’s a picture of our wacky cat, Calvin. He likes to hang over the edge of the stairs:

Booking Through Thursday: 10/01/09 Edition

I haven’t done this for a few weeks. The questions have been interesting, but I haven’t had any “smart” answers. This one called my name, and as I answer it I think it will explain why I haven’t felt drawn to answer the recent questions.
So this week’s question is “Two-thirds of Brits have lied about reading books they haven’t. Have you? Why? What book?”
I have to say no. If the question were “are you tempted?” I’d have to say, but more than anything fear of being caught keeps me honest. There are many classics I haven’t read, and I hope to, but there are times that I have to say “nope, never read that one.” I must admit, I may have committed the sin of ommission – I’ve been tempted to do the 100 book list, but have held off for fear of looking less well read.

For the time being I read mostly mystery series. I read to relax, and I tend to fall asleep with a book, so anything too deep is a little much.

Having found CraftLit, I’ve found myself catching up on some of the classics. I also enjoy it as the host, Heather, does a wonderful job of discussing the book. I always enjoyed literature classes, and I miss the interaction and hearing others’ thoughts. I’m sure I’d really enjoy a book club.

Phew, that’s a long answer to a short question! I’m looking forward to reading others.

Booking Through Thursday (a day late)

Just found this fun weekly meme Booking Through Thursday, and thought it would be fun to join (and give me a little post kick in the bum to boot).

Which do you prefer? The rules were quick answers. More detail to come.
Reading something frivolous? Or something serious? Frivolous
Paperbacks? Or hardcovers? Hardcover
Fiction? Or Nonfiction? Fiction
Poetry? Or Prose? Prose
Biographies? Or Autobiographies? Biographies
History? Or Historical Fiction? Historical Fiction
Series? Or Stand-alones? Series
Classics? Or best-sellers? Classics
Lurid, fruity prose? Or straight-forward, basic prose? Straight-forward
Plots? Or Stream-of-Consciousness? Plots
Long books? Or Short? Long
Illustrated? Or Non-illustrated? non-illustrated
Borrowed? Or Owned? Borrowed
New? Or Used? Used

Mass Sheep & Wool!

So, E & I decided to head up today with my Mother in Law who wanted to get some roving for needlefelting Santa Heads. It’s always good to have a purpose for visiting. My goal was to visit Spunky Eclectic and Foxfire Fibers as well as every other vendor there. I haven’t taken pictures of my purchases, but I took a few while we were there.

Within 10 minutes of arrival E was holding a baby angora:

And asking if we could take it home.

We saw plenty of sheep:

E was quite partial to the shetland lambs:

Again I was asked if we could bring one home. They were incredibly cute:

The answer was still no. Fortunately the breeder of these particular lambs was not interested in selling.

E also tried her hand at spinning. She waited very patiently to try it out. She listened and learned about staple length:

And tried it out:

I picked up a couple more bobbins for my wheel, so she could work on that and she got a drop spindle of her own.

All in all a fun day!

Fiber Festivals

So, I’m a bit late to the posting. I’ve been knitting on my slinky rib sweater, but haven’t taken a good progress shot. In the meantime a few weeks ago, I decided on the spur of the moment to go down to the Hudson Valley Fiber Farm Shearing Day. An hour and a half ride on the spur of the moment.

I’m really glad I did. There have been plenty of pictures and stories written, and I don’t have much to add. I was excited to see my friend from work, Joan, there. The neat thing about Joan is where there’s fiber I usually see her. She had introduced me to the Fiber Farm a while ago. I didn’t buy a share this time around, but I’m not ruling it out in the future.

I also got to meet a couple of people whose blogs I read. I have to admit to being somewhat shy about speaking up, but I’m glad I did. I spent a lovely time with Jessica (of Summer of Socks and so much more) watching the adorable angora kids playing. I also said hi to Deb and her Mom, but didn’t get to meet Chappy this time around.

The kids were adorable. Here’s one shot I liked:

I loved the little guy who figured out where the center of the action was:

I did find something to bring home that wouldn’t eat much (although Calvin wanted to make sure himself):

I am going to go the The Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair this weekend. What I may bring home, I don’t know.

A baby surprise – jacket

So, a while ago I found out that a friend of mine at work was expecting her second child. They were going to wait to find out whether the baby was a boy or girl – making it a surprise. I’d wanted to do an Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Jacket for a while, but hadn’t had the right opportunity. This seemed like the perfect opportunity! I thought purples and bright colors would work well for a boy or girl – Eliza had a multi colored sweater that was mostly purple that I thought looked good on her, and would have worked for a boy as well, so I dipped into my stash and used some Cherry Tree Hill Superwash Merino.

Somehow I managed to lose all the pictures I’m sure I took. I think I dumped them off the memory card as I thought I’d uploaded them to the computer. But I hadn’t. Fortunately, Amber was willing to share some pictures.

I love the different buttons.

I also made a little hat to go with it:

At the beginning March, this lovely little boy joined the world. I’m so pleased that the sweater fits – I have to admit when I finished it I couldn’t beleive anyone could be that tiny.

Isn’t he the cutest little guy?

Tag! I’ve never done this before!

Imagine my surprise when I discovered a comment from Torchsinger, tagging me! I’ve never done this before, but I’m game.

The Rules: Rules are posted at the beginning. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people and posts their names. Then the player goes to each of the “named” people’s blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. If you’ve been tagged, you do the same, letting the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer. They, in turn, answer the following questions. Here we go!

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
Ten years ago I was in the middle of my next to last class for my MBA and looking forward to completing it. I was working as a marketing manager for a global manufacturing company and not knitting very much due to my busy work and school schedule.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today? (Well, I have more than five, but I’ll stop there.)

Prepare spreadsheets for information distribution
Share lead information with sales
Check on daughter’s camps
RSVP for a birthday party
Prepare for upcoming meetings

3. Snacks I enjoy:
nachos, popcorn, salty crunchy things, baby carrots m&m’s (not necessarily in that order)

4. Places I’ve lived:
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Tennessee, Iowa, New York

5. Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Pay off the house and pay for the rest of the work to be done. Buy a new car. Maybe even two. Sock a lot away for my daughter’s education, invest, probably wouldn’t quit my job, but would sure stress a lot less about it, help everyone who’s ever helped us out in any way I can.

Now I’m supposed to tag 5 more people. However, I’ve never been good at numbers So, here I go: Kim, Mandella UK, Mitchypoo, Amber, and YeaIKnit.

I do have knitting to share, but will save it for another post.

Happy Halloween!

A new sock club!

I’ve been intrigued by the numerous sock clubs on-line for a while now. However due to budge constraints, I haven’t joined any. Well, this one caught my eye. Wool ‘n Word is starting a sock club with yarn from my area. I love the idea of supporting local artists (I love supporting those from far away too), so I think I’m going to find a way to join this one.