I've been admonished for my lack of posts of late... sowwy! I am still knitting...no spinning lately. I actually went out to take some updated pictures today, only to find out that my camera batteries need charging! Ok, so I'm not too on top of things. Anyyhow, first grape arbor shawl is stalled, as I am working on the second. I really like the drape, color, and clarity of the second shawl. Will post a pic when I get it.
Went by Chez Casuelle again today...had to look at the Cherry Tree Hill rovings...YUM! Ok, so it's not THE softest roving, but it's pretty nice anyhow. And the colors are MUCH more vibrant than they appear on her page. Picked up a bag of the Jewel Tones potluck. I was also very intrigued by their misc felting bags. They consist of a total of about 6 oz of fiber in all sorts of different colors and shades. It was enough to make me want to 1) Take up Needle Felting, or 2) Spin a wicked funky multi-color yarn!
On my way home, I just happened to see the signs for the Lakeridge Winery Craft Fair and remembered that THAT was why we didn't see Melody this morning...so, dropped by to chat with Melody and Barry for a bit. Even better, I had already spent all of my actual cash that I had...so I couldn't stray to the Kettle Korn booth! Woo Hoo!
Off to work on the shawl, but will charge batteries and try to get you some pictures perhaps tomorrow.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Finger Lakes Fiber Festival
The 12th Annual Finger Lakes Fiber Festival is coming up quick!
What's this you say?
When I took up spinning last year, I discovered that there is an Annual Fiber Festival held in Hemlock, NY!
And this is relevant how?
I grew up about 20 miles from Hemlock, and in fact, the Kindergarten I went to was actually located in the old school in the heart of downtown Hemlock!
So, you guessed it...I'm going home for a visit, and even better, I'M GOING TO A FIBER FESTIVAL!! This will actually be my very first! Can't wait till they post the class and demo schedules so I can sign up for my classes. BTW, if you happen to be reading this, follow the link, and notice that the class time schedules are up, LET ME KNOW, Please! I definitely don't want to miss out!
What's this you say?
When I took up spinning last year, I discovered that there is an Annual Fiber Festival held in Hemlock, NY!
And this is relevant how?
I grew up about 20 miles from Hemlock, and in fact, the Kindergarten I went to was actually located in the old school in the heart of downtown Hemlock!
So, you guessed it...I'm going home for a visit, and even better, I'M GOING TO A FIBER FESTIVAL!! This will actually be my very first! Can't wait till they post the class and demo schedules so I can sign up for my classes. BTW, if you happen to be reading this, follow the link, and notice that the class time schedules are up, LET ME KNOW, Please! I definitely don't want to miss out!
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Warning-This Applies To Yarn As Well!!
I seem to be acquiring all sorts of interesting anecdotes this week! From the Hurricane Knitters list:
Chemical Warning A recent study indicated that fabric gives off certain Pheromones that actually hypnotize women and cause them to purchase unreasonable amounts. When stored in large quantities in enclosed spaces, the Pheromones (in the fabric) causes memory loss and induces the nesting syndrome (similar to the one squirrels have before the onset of winter i.e. storing food). Therefore perpetuating their species and not having a population loss due to their kind being cut into pieces and mixed with others. Sound tests have also revealed that these fabrics emit a very high pitched sound, heard only by a select few, a breed of women known as “quilters”. When played backwards on an LP, the sounds are heard as chants, “buy me, cut me and sew me”. In order to overcome the so called “feeding frenzy effect” that these fabrics cause, one must wear a face mask when entering a storage facility and use ear plugs to avoid being pulled into their grip. One must laugh, however, at the sight of customers in a quilt fabric store, with WWII army gas masks and headphones! Studies have also indicated that aliens have inhabited the earth, helping to spread the effects that these fabrics have on the human population. They are call QUILT FABRIC STORE CLERKS. It’s also been experienced that these same Pheromones cause a pathological need to hide these fabric purchases when taken home (or at least blend them into the existing stash), and when asked by significant other if the fabric is new, the reply is “I’ve had it for awhile.” Author unknown
Chemical Warning A recent study indicated that fabric gives off certain Pheromones that actually hypnotize women and cause them to purchase unreasonable amounts. When stored in large quantities in enclosed spaces, the Pheromones (in the fabric) causes memory loss and induces the nesting syndrome (similar to the one squirrels have before the onset of winter i.e. storing food). Therefore perpetuating their species and not having a population loss due to their kind being cut into pieces and mixed with others. Sound tests have also revealed that these fabrics emit a very high pitched sound, heard only by a select few, a breed of women known as “quilters”. When played backwards on an LP, the sounds are heard as chants, “buy me, cut me and sew me”. In order to overcome the so called “feeding frenzy effect” that these fabrics cause, one must wear a face mask when entering a storage facility and use ear plugs to avoid being pulled into their grip. One must laugh, however, at the sight of customers in a quilt fabric store, with WWII army gas masks and headphones! Studies have also indicated that aliens have inhabited the earth, helping to spread the effects that these fabrics have on the human population. They are call QUILT FABRIC STORE CLERKS. It’s also been experienced that these same Pheromones cause a pathological need to hide these fabric purchases when taken home (or at least blend them into the existing stash), and when asked by significant other if the fabric is new, the reply is “I’ve had it for awhile.” Author unknown
Word of the Day - Bedizen
Subject: bedizen: M-W's Word of the Day
The Word of the Day for June 6 is:
bedizen \bih-DYE-zen\ verb
: to dress or adorn gaudily
Example sentence:
"Adorned by minarets and spires and bedizened by more than a million lights, Coney Island embodied what has been called the 'architecture of exhilaration.'" (Blaine Harden, _New York Times_, August 28, 1999)
Did you know? "Bedizen" doesn't have the flashy history you might expect -- its roots lie in the rather quiet art of spinning thread. In times past, the spinning process began with the placement of fibers (such as flax) on an implement called a "distaff"; the fibers were then drawn out from the distaff and twisted into thread. "Bedizen" descends from the verb "disen," which meant "to dress a distaff with flax" and which came to English by way of Middle Dutch. The spelling of "disen" eventually became "dizen," and its meaning expanded to cover the "dressing up" of things other than distaffs. In the mid-17th century, English speakers began using "bedizen" with the same meaning.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
World Wide Knitting In Public Day
We talked quite a bit today about World Wide Knitting In Public Day
Here's the link to the Orlando meeting! I said that I thought the meeting time was from 1pm-3pm - It's NOT! The meeting time is from 10am-12noon!! Be sure to follow the link above for all the details!
Here's the link to the Orlando meeting! I said that I thought the meeting time was from 1pm-3pm - It's NOT! The meeting time is from 10am-12noon!! Be sure to follow the link above for all the details!
Fiber Fanatics all right....wow!
Would you STEAL to get yarn? This article is making the rounds...and I had several thoughts on it....
First, I was SADLY DISSAPPOINTED that they didn't actually show more of the yarns in their video clip!! I mean hello?? You're talking about $13,000 worth of yarn...I'm sure the general public has no idea whatsoever what that means! So, show us some of this glorious stuff...heck, if nothing more it'd be great advertising for the stores that have been wronged!
Second, I was thinking... "Of course, theft is wrong....but ya know, some small part of my brain sympathizes with the thieves!" Yes, I know, I know, it's not an approved means of Stashology... *sigh*
Ok, so there was a third thought going through my brain as I was watching them throw around the word skein every other sentence or so... On Friday I was headed out to lunch with my 3 co-workers - all of whom are male (we have another woman starting on Monday then we'll actually have a full team!!). The subject of weekend plans came up, and I mentioned knitting of course. I also ended up talking about last weekend's field trip. So, as I'm telling them about this fabulous yarn store Chez Casuelle, I was throwing in big words like skein and describing the process of hand painting yarn, etc. At the end of the brief chat, my boss was so impressed with himself, since he can now say intelligent things like "Oh, what a beautiful skein of hand painted yarn!" I have to give them credit though...it's easy for a company to espouse Diversity and all, but it's pretty unique to have three men actually take two minutes to let me talk about yarn, and not only that, but to ask intelligent questions and actually take an interest! There is always an awareness level that I have when talking with yarn muggles that my audience is only likely to remain attentive for a very specific short period of time...
Oh, back to the field trip last weekend...I've been meaning to tell you all more about it, but, well...just haven't had a chance to give it the time I'd like to. I met up with Helen and Cindi at 9ish, and we headed for Mt. Dora to meet up with the Longwood contingent (Michelle and Orna). Our first stop was DreamStitchers in Mt. Dora. They had a lovely selection of various needlepoint and embroidery patterns, kits, and fibers. I kept it light there...knowing that the next stop was the BIG one!
Did pick up a Teresa Wentzler cross-stitch pattern- The Minstrel. I've ALWAYS wanted one of her patterns, and the opportunity presented itself... Also purchased a GREAT reference book on Huck Embroidery patterns - I had seen this book previously in a friend's stash, but there's nothing like having your own copy! The two hanks of Pearl Cotton are also a purchase with Huck in mind. And, well, they're hand painted, which is a BIG draw for me...
On the way to DreamStitchers, we did drop by the site of Knit n Needle Nook on Main Street, just to see if she'd be open. This store is the stuff legends are made of...not in the high quality / trendiness of it's yarns, but more in the sheer quantity / AGE of it's yarns! You want something that hasn't been manufactured for ten years? There's a good chance they'll have it! Sadly the store was not open, and a note on the door indicated that illness was the cause. I hope she gets better and is able to re-open.
For lunch, we had reservations at The Gables in Historic Downtown Mt. Dora. Parking was a bit of a nightmare, but we all enjoyed a nice little walk from the Marina area. Lunch was fabulous - light, inexpensive...and of course we shared the first set of purchases for the day around the table!
After lunch we all headed out to ChezCasuelle in Historic Downtown Leesburg.
We had a few fits and starts trying to actually find it, but eventually we did. A very unassuming store front (she didn't even have her sign yet!) on a side street off the main drag, but there wasn't a ton of activity in the area, so parking was pretty easy right on the street. Inside it was a simple old building with Marble floors and walls lined with yarn! The decor of the room was very toned down, which helped the amazing yarns to pop off the shelves! Carla has amassed a large collection of absolutely gorgeous hand painted yarns! With the help of an opening Month in-store discount she was offering, I was
able to pick up a couple skeins of beautiful yarn and still stay within my pre-determined budget for the trip! I also got to see A Gathering of Lace and really look at it for the first time...it's now on my Wishlist :) Definitely a successful trip! Oh, and I had the realization once we arrived...that it's only about 40 minutes from my apartment to her store! This makes ChezCasuelle my closest local yarn store!! Be afraid, be very afraid...
First, I was SADLY DISSAPPOINTED that they didn't actually show more of the yarns in their video clip!! I mean hello?? You're talking about $13,000 worth of yarn...I'm sure the general public has no idea whatsoever what that means! So, show us some of this glorious stuff...heck, if nothing more it'd be great advertising for the stores that have been wronged!
Second, I was thinking... "Of course, theft is wrong....but ya know, some small part of my brain sympathizes with the thieves!" Yes, I know, I know, it's not an approved means of Stashology... *sigh*
Ok, so there was a third thought going through my brain as I was watching them throw around the word skein every other sentence or so... On Friday I was headed out to lunch with my 3 co-workers - all of whom are male (we have another woman starting on Monday then we'll actually have a full team!!). The subject of weekend plans came up, and I mentioned knitting of course. I also ended up talking about last weekend's field trip. So, as I'm telling them about this fabulous yarn store Chez Casuelle, I was throwing in big words like skein and describing the process of hand painting yarn, etc. At the end of the brief chat, my boss was so impressed with himself, since he can now say intelligent things like "Oh, what a beautiful skein of hand painted yarn!" I have to give them credit though...it's easy for a company to espouse Diversity and all, but it's pretty unique to have three men actually take two minutes to let me talk about yarn, and not only that, but to ask intelligent questions and actually take an interest! There is always an awareness level that I have when talking with yarn muggles that my audience is only likely to remain attentive for a very specific short period of time...
Oh, back to the field trip last weekend...I've been meaning to tell you all more about it, but, well...just haven't had a chance to give it the time I'd like to. I met up with Helen and Cindi at 9ish, and we headed for Mt. Dora to meet up with the Longwood contingent (Michelle and Orna). Our first stop was DreamStitchers in Mt. Dora. They had a lovely selection of various needlepoint and embroidery patterns, kits, and fibers. I kept it light there...knowing that the next stop was the BIG one!
Did pick up a Teresa Wentzler cross-stitch pattern- The Minstrel. I've ALWAYS wanted one of her patterns, and the opportunity presented itself... Also purchased a GREAT reference book on Huck Embroidery patterns - I had seen this book previously in a friend's stash, but there's nothing like having your own copy! The two hanks of Pearl Cotton are also a purchase with Huck in mind. And, well, they're hand painted, which is a BIG draw for me...
On the way to DreamStitchers, we did drop by the site of Knit n Needle Nook on Main Street, just to see if she'd be open. This store is the stuff legends are made of...not in the high quality / trendiness of it's yarns, but more in the sheer quantity / AGE of it's yarns! You want something that hasn't been manufactured for ten years? There's a good chance they'll have it! Sadly the store was not open, and a note on the door indicated that illness was the cause. I hope she gets better and is able to re-open.
For lunch, we had reservations at The Gables in Historic Downtown Mt. Dora. Parking was a bit of a nightmare, but we all enjoyed a nice little walk from the Marina area. Lunch was fabulous - light, inexpensive...and of course we shared the first set of purchases for the day around the table!
After lunch we all headed out to ChezCasuelle in Historic Downtown Leesburg.
We had a few fits and starts trying to actually find it, but eventually we did. A very unassuming store front (she didn't even have her sign yet!) on a side street off the main drag, but there wasn't a ton of activity in the area, so parking was pretty easy right on the street. Inside it was a simple old building with Marble floors and walls lined with yarn! The decor of the room was very toned down, which helped the amazing yarns to pop off the shelves! Carla has amassed a large collection of absolutely gorgeous hand painted yarns! With the help of an opening Month in-store discount she was offering, I was
able to pick up a couple skeins of beautiful yarn and still stay within my pre-determined budget for the trip! I also got to see A Gathering of Lace and really look at it for the first time...it's now on my Wishlist :) Definitely a successful trip! Oh, and I had the realization once we arrived...that it's only about 40 minutes from my apartment to her store! This makes ChezCasuelle my closest local yarn store!! Be afraid, be very afraid...
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Victory!!
Finished up the sampler clutch today...it looks GREAT!! This really is the same basic pattern that Pam wrote, it's just adapted a bit, rearranged a bit,
and so forth! You can see the great yarn over detail in the front view. The back view is a little simpler, consisting of the initial garter and stockinette sections. I added the I-cord just to finish it off!
I'll be posting the updated instructions on several of the Yahoo groups once I get them completed. If you are not a member of one of the groups that I post them to, and you'd like a copy, let me know and I'll forward the word file.
and so forth! You can see the great yarn over detail in the front view. The back view is a little simpler, consisting of the initial garter and stockinette sections. I added the I-cord just to finish it off! I'll be posting the updated instructions on several of the Yahoo groups once I get them completed. If you are not a member of one of the groups that I post them to, and you'd like a copy, let me know and I'll forward the word file.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Insanity!
What a crazy week! Got to meet up with an online friend for lunch on Monday - had a great time getting to talk and spend time together. That was the end of my peaceful week. Since Tuesday I worked over 37 hours - yep, in just 4 days...
Anyhow, that's over. Have gotten a few rows of shawl done here and there while waiting on files to download. Tonight I took up a new project. At the OAKs group tomorrow, we're expecting a new knitter (she dropped in last week and said she'd be back). Therefore, she is in need of a pattern to get started with. Another knitter had previously developed a sampler that teaches lots of great knitting skills. Tonight I knit the sampler, to see how it was written, and what it turned into. I think I've figured out how to make the sampler into a small hand purse! It will need a couple of minor changes, but they won't alter the fundamental learnings of the piece. Will confer with a couple of other people tomorrow, then re-write the pattern, and perhaps test it out on our newbie!
I'll let you know how it goes, and perhaps knit a full scale sample soon!
Anyhow, that's over. Have gotten a few rows of shawl done here and there while waiting on files to download. Tonight I took up a new project. At the OAKs group tomorrow, we're expecting a new knitter (she dropped in last week and said she'd be back). Therefore, she is in need of a pattern to get started with. Another knitter had previously developed a sampler that teaches lots of great knitting skills. Tonight I knit the sampler, to see how it was written, and what it turned into. I think I've figured out how to make the sampler into a small hand purse! It will need a couple of minor changes, but they won't alter the fundamental learnings of the piece. Will confer with a couple of other people tomorrow, then re-write the pattern, and perhaps test it out on our newbie!
I'll let you know how it goes, and perhaps knit a full scale sample soon!
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