Designated Knitters

Stitches West 2009 - Market Day ONE

2009-03-08T22:29:00.001-07:00

HPIM0684, originally uploaded by legolizzy.

I don't even know where to how to begin! We have an AMAZING time at Stitches West 2009. It was EVERYTHING and MORE!!

Within the first hour of shopping, I went to Creatively Dyed's booth and went crazy at her $3 table! Here is the cache from that one visit.

It was just the beginning.. I will post more.. much, much more!!

Rainy Day at the Ocean

2009-02-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

So what do you do on Day 3 of a Stormy Presidents Day Weekend? How about go out to the Ocean? Doran Park, Bodega Bay, one of my most favorite places in the world! Yes, that is exactly what we did. We packed up the girls and the dogs and headed out.

We had a GREAT time! Just was we arrived, it rained like crazy.. I had the girls hide under the blankets to try and stay dry. The dogs didn't care, they enjoyed the rain.

The rest of our time was wonderful, the rain cleared out the people, so we had the beach to ourselves. We saw a beautiful rainbow and had fun in the sand.

Just as we arrived home, it started to hail! See our lawn.. amazing!

Baby News!

2009-02-15T15:17:00.000-08:00

I have the best NEWS! Asa and Ashley are expecting a baby!! I could not be more excited....

Clearly this has inspired me.. as I cast on Friday night and just now finished a baby hat! The pattern is super cute and very simple...

I used Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino purchased at Balls & Skeins in Sebastopol. The pattern is Sweet Pea by Chris de Longpre www.knittingatknoon.com also purchased at Balls & Skeins.

I am going to cast on the Sacque just as soon as I finish this post. There is nothing like the news of a new baby on it's way to inspire baby knitting! Oh.. what fun!!!

Tamami- Where are you and all your lovely homespun?

2009-02-02T22:58:00.000-08:00

Hi Friend, I will speak for the world, WE MISS YOU! Your lovely homespun, the fiber you are preparing to spin.. and of course your beautiful finished objects.

Please post! Share .... Missing you! Liz

Another Ann Norling #54 Spiral Rib Hat by Song Palmese

2009-02-01T14:02:00.000-08:00

I made this one Ann Norling #54 Spiral Rib Hat by Song Palmese using a very lovely with Mirasol Yarn Miski- off white... probably the softest fiber on earth! The hat is sooooo pretty I want to keep it for myself.. but I this one is slated for Ashley.

As you may notice, I made a mistake part way on the hat which gave it a different look.. a longer faux cable look, I think it is pretty anyway! The hat took about 1 1/2 skein - so I have a little left over which I will use when I create my next miski project.

I was thinking I should make fingerless mitts, but I think the yarn is too soft and might end up piling, so maybe a scarf or cowl. Of course that would require another trip to Balls & Skeins for more, right? Of course, I could just shop at Lizzy's Stash... where I have a lovely light purple Miski just waiting to become something lovely.

I really recommend the Ann Norling pattern, easy to knit up and easy to make variations, intentional or not.

Hats, Hats, Hats.. Can't get enough! ;-)Liz

Turtleneck Shrug Scarf - FINISHED!

2009-02-01T13:39:00.001-08:00

Remember this post back in Feb 2007?

http://designatedknitters.blogspot.com/2007/02/turtleneck-shrug-scarf.html

Well, guess what folks.... my longest standing unfinished project is
D-O-N-E! DONE! Yes, it is TRUE.. the Turtleneck Shrug Scarf is FINISHED...

Perfect, it is not. And really, when would a person ever really wear one? As I tried it on, I think.. humm.. I should make a tank top of the same yarn to go with it... nah! I think I just might chalk it up to a lesson learned. Sometimes knitted items just don't turn out as expected.. that doesn't mean we need to keep it, or try and make it better.

Here are some up close photos... no distant photos because again, it really doesn't make sense...

Maybe if I wore it as a scarf? Nope, don't that that works either... now I am contemplating ripping it and reusing the yarn.. except that it doesn't rip well because the fibers are too fluffy... It might just end up as a puppet... or I am thinking about felting it, it might work better for Nicole... I will let you know what I end up doing.. in the meanwhile, FO folks FO! ;-)Liz

Hats for Da'Boys - Christmas in February?

2009-02-01T10:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I had this bright idea that I would knit hats for Da'Boys. Four boys. Aren't they handsome boys? YES! They are!

If you will remember, I already posted about the pattern. The Boy Hat in a post a few weeks ago called -Mad Hatter

Well, I have made great progress. I have completed 3 of the four hats.. and the last one I am just about at the decrease. Oh and about those decreases, I am getting pretty good at my SSK, if I don't say so myself! So it looks like we will have Christmas in February this year!

I used Cascade Heathers for two of the four hats and Cascade 220 for one (Balls & Skeins). LOVED IT! I believe the pattern and this fiber is a perfect match!

I also used a Hemp Wool for one of the hats - the black one in the middle (Stitches West 2008, Hemp for Knitting). I really loved the feel of the fiber and enjoyed knitting that one up. If I was to do it again, I would use a smaller needle to have a tighter looking fabric. I used an 8 and really I think a 7 or maybe even a 6 would have been great. The pattern has enough give that I would probably not need to increase the cast on or if I did not by much. If you have never knitted with Hemp or Hemp Wool, I VERY much recommend it. I think once you do, you will forever be in love with the fiber! Without a doubt, I will be visiting the Hemp booth at Stitches West 2009!

And now for something totally unrelated... Nicole got a hold of Sean's motorcycle helmet the other night... I think she just might have a little "hat" fetish too?

Whatcha look'n at Mamma? The funny thing is the helmet was so heavy she had a hard time walking around with her head up straight, yet, she didn't want to take it off. Our little biker girl!Got me to thinking that I just might need to find a helmet hat pattern... oh my! More hats? Makes me want to jump up and down from the joy! Off to Ravelry in search of a new pattern or three! You can check out my pattern queue anytime.. See you online! ;-)Liz

Cure for a Hang Over?

2009-01-31T22:08:00.001-08:00

Needless to say, I woke up this morning with a raging hang over! Wine and I do not mix! So, I started my morning slowly, got my hair cut & colored.. best haircut and color I have had in years and years.. that made me happy.. despite my upset tummy and pounding head - oh yes, and the parking ticket for an expired meter!

So, what is a girl to do? How about visit her Local Yarn Shop? Yep! Just a few doors down from my new hairdresser is the LYS Castaway (castawayyarn.com) - visiting was a must!

The shop is lovely! Open, bright and full of wonderful fibers. The selection is amazing and the feeling of the shop the same. I left with a little bag of cheer - also known as blue sky alpacas Organic Cotton - 2 skeins in hot hot hot pink (color 617) and two in an off white (color 80). The shop owner had them right at the front of the shop, I was taken the second my eyes spotted them.

I also left with a class schedule .. I think it would do me good to take a class or drop in on Knit night.

Tonight I checked for ideas of what to knit up with my new stash item, and found wonderful FO's, seems this is a pretty popular fiber! I must have great taste! ;-) I am thinking of knitting up a hat using the Cloche du Bois pattern on Ravelry. You know how much I love hats and a crochet flower, I am head over heals!

So, to summarize... best cure for a hang over? Visit your LYS and pick up the prettiest fiber you can find, then cruise Ravelry and pick out the perfect pattern! Yep. That's my story and I am sticking to it...

Oh.. and sorry Erin for the drunk dialing! You were a good sport.. and sorry for inviting you to all these crazy groups on Rav... I was in the zone! - oh yeah, and had WAY too much WINE! I shouldn't be left home alone! ;-)

Taking comfort in Ravelry & Happy Thoughts of Stitches 2009!

2009-01-30T23:25:00.000-08:00

Here I am... up to my ears in my "to do list". To do.. everything... and I am overwhelmed and feel like a complete failure at all of it.. so where am I on a Friday night with a glass of wine? .. cruising Ravelry.com .... adding patterns... adding myself to new groups... finding comfort in the companionship of Ravelry.com!

What does that mean really? I guess if it was lunch time, I would take a trip to my LYS for a quick fix... or do a little online shopping at work.. but instead.. I find a sort of comfort and companionship in looking at the various groups.. and the recently posted finished objects (FO's), recently posted stash... it somehow makes me feel better.. I feel connected.. to fellow knitters, yarn enthusiest... to my friends...

It is a place of safety and comfort.. and enjoyment.. I love thinking about the pretty things that others have created.. that maybe someday I can create... it is just such a wonderful place to be...

THANK YOU RAVELRY.COM for giving me somewhere to be on an evening when I feel unsure and overwhelmed!

Meanwhile... I am in the middle of finsihing my last Christmas gift.. yet another Boyfriend Hat.. this time in Cascade Heathers - Green.. it is quite lovely actually.. I even made a mistake somehow along the way.. but it looks great anyway! So I decided to not rip.. but just keep going.. I mean, really do we need to rip every mistake? Can't it be part of the process.. and look good anyway.. you know what? In this case it does.. so I am moving foreward...

Happy Thoughts...

Here is a pic of Erin and I from Stiches West 2008 last year.. we were wet from the rain but happy from the day at the market... when I see us, it makes me happy and for tonight.. that is exactly what I need.. a good thing.. wouldn't you say?
I can't wait for Stitches 2009! Classes, market, girlfriend time... yarn, bags, tools, new friends.. again, it is a time away from our real life.. a place where we can share in our special passion for yarn, knitting, and everything fiber related.... counting the days..

HAPPY THOUGHTS TO ALL!!!

Being Quiet

2009-01-13T15:21:00.000-08:00

Funny thing. I haven't felt much like talking. Lucky for me Liz fills in the blog for me.

Work has been stressful, and I've been plagued by this vague feeling of not doing things right. Both at work and home. That's not very comforting. Maybe this is the reason for my inward grunting.

One thing that's going well Celtic Cable Neckwarmer with my handspun camel.

This is an instant gratification project, as far as any cable projects go. This goes to my mom, if I can part with it.

What I should do is to spin. It does me good, always.

Mad Hatter!

2009-01-09T22:01:00.000-08:00

I am MAD for hats these days.. I can't seem to get enough of them. I seek out and find hat patterns, find yarn that would make the perfect hat.. and yes, as strange as it sounds.. actually cast on and knit hats!

I have a new pattern I am MAD for.. a very simple yet, may I say, PERFECT hat pattern. The pattern knits up very quickly and the finish project looks great. Here is a link to the blog.. it is a free pattern. I found it on Ravelry (of course!)

http://limulusknits.blogspot.com/2007/11/boy-hat.html

So far I have knit it using some Cascade Heathered yarn, in a Camo brown/green color. And I did another in a Black Hemp/Wool mix (I just have to weave in the ends - I will post again because there are some noteworthy comments about the use of this lovely yarn and the pattern).

Let's talk about my finished project. I used Cascade 220 Heathers - brown. It is sort of a CAMO look, brown but hints of green along the way. I think it turned out GREAT!

The only issue I really had wit this has was on the decreases. You can't really see the problems from the pictures - so the good news is no one else will notice them .. aside from me! I will try not to get too picky when I see him wearing it! I am doing something wrong with my SSK - so my thought is I will watch a video on knittinghelp.com and keep making hats until I have a perfect SSK!

I say, if you want to make a great hat for a boy or a man or heck even for yourself - do it trying this pattern!

Happy Hat & Fingerless Mittens

2009-01-03T16:10:00.000-08:00

Have you ever picked a yarn that well... just made you feel happy when you saw it, touched it? Yet, it isn't really something you would expect to invoke such emotions? This is how I felt about this lovely little lime green - The Alpaca Yarn Co., Snuggle, #6878 Pucker AKA HAPPY GREEN, GREEN, GREEN! It doesn't make sense, I know. And I didn't just buy 1 skein, no, I bought like 4! On two different trips to my LYS Balls & Skeins in Sebastopol.

It was just one of those things. Then also unlike me, I cast on straight away, that very night. I asked my 7 year old daughter if she liked the yarn and she said she LOVED IT! Well, that was all it took. That yarn never even hit my stash. I found the perfect pattern, my new favorite hat pattern because I can use whatever yarn I happen to have in hand - paired with whatever size needles and wah-la.. I have a recipe for a great looking, pretty hat! The pattern is from Ann Norling #54 Spiral Rib Hat by Song Palmese and again I love it!

Now, all of you who know me, I take a very very long time to complete a project. I only have 1 project going at a time and it takes me a while to complete. Well, I even surprised myself on this one.. I was finished in two days! So quickly that I wasn't finished with the yarn, so I quickly cast on matching fingerless mittens. I took the pattern repeat and with my best guess I cast on and created the mitts. I think they turned out GREAT! Nicole wanted LONG fingerless mittens.. so I just kept knitting until they met her liking. You know I liked them too! I finished the pair in two evenings, they knitted up so quickly. I then decided to crochet a flower for the hat and crochet a finishing on the mittens.

I still have more Snuggle left in my stash, I am thinking about casting on for me! This was the perfect project because I learned that when I am inspired, I really can create and finish a project with ease. So, the project is finding the right project and the right yarn AND to be inspired! Of course, it doesn't hurt when I find myself working with the softest and happiest yarn ever.. and knitting something for my daughter who is so happy to show off to her friends at school.

I will be posting more FO's, as I have had great success with another hat pattern that I must share! Meanwhile, I wish you HAPPY YARN as part of your every day! ;-)Liz

WELCOME 2009! STASH NITE

2009-01-03T13:04:00.001-08:00

So what better to do to celebrate a new, wonderful and very hope filled New Year? Cataloging One's Stash on Ravelry! Yes, indeed!

Yesterday Erin and her wonderful boys came over for a visit. Well, before we knew it we were deep in the bowels of my stash.. tubbies and tubbies of stash! I even dug deep into the closet in the back room where one does not go without an escort.

There was too much... it was overwhelming.. but Erin - The Braveheart! She said we could do it.. she said she had all night. Little did she realize it would take ALL NIGHT! Yes, she left just before Midnight - with the majority of the stash cataloged on Ravelry. I have 1 tubbie left to put in - all Cascade which should be easy enough for me to handle.

In the end, I have 25 miles of yarn - four space bags full - and 1 tubbie left to enter. It was an AMAZING experience - and I feel GREAT when I look at my stash online. I feel inspired to knit from my very own Local Yarn Shop... Lizzy's Stash! ;-)

I did do the right thing, and nominated some of my stash for Goodwill, after all, we all make mistakes when buying yarn time and again. I even have 4 skeins on the sell/trade list - it was a "what was I thinking" purchase.

The evening was so much fun.. reminiscing over the yarn purchases - Stitches West 2007, Stitches 2008, Knitterly, Balls & Skeins, Cast Away, Gifts, Game Wins.. all of it was so much fun. And you know what I discovered, I have EXCELLENT taste in yarn! I love it all.. I could see my color themes over time.. Heathered wool, Blue Malabrigo, Yellow/Green.. Pink, Pink, Pink. It was really a visit down memory lane. And now what do I have to show for it?

I can go to my stash anytime and see all the lovely yarn. I know how much I have.. I can search for patterns and inspiration.. I don't have to wonder, or be afraid to dig deep in a closet, where I might feel compelled to clean. It is a WONDERFUL, HOPE FILLED NEW YEAR!!

Thank you Erin for all your help. I would not have done it without you.. and now I owe you big time!!

Good Bye 2008

2008-12-31T19:23:00.000-08:00

It was a great year, and it was a year of turmoil at the same time. I enjoyed the break from work, and endured the challenges of the new school for Mitch. The world changes in a dramatic, catastrophic way, I am still thankful that we are able to spend the last day of 2008 together and healthy. I hope that the year 2009 will be a better year for all of us.
Happy Knitting and Spinning New Year.

Fingerless Mitts, Fingerless Gloves, Fingerless Mittens

2008-12-23T16:00:00.000-08:00

No, I haven't gone insane, if you were wondering. Not yet anyway.

I finally managed to knit a pair of fingerless mitts, and I get to post about it. I'm dying to see if I can attract some Googlers that come to visit our blog as a result of searching "fingerless gloves" or "fingerless mittens." Between the fall and late winter, those who come to see Liz's post that was written nearly two years ago are a half of the hits on our blog. You see, it's like a study on statistics...

So there.

Sorry about the dark pictures. It's just a gloomy day here... The pattern is "Mitt Envy" by Weezalana. I love this pattern! Used Nature's Palette fingering superwash. Probably used about a half of a skein with US 1 DPNs.

As much as I love them, I don't get to keep them... They are going to our beloved neighbor Lia. Yup, I am going to knit a pair for myself before it gets warm!

I've neglected to post, but I've knitted a pair of socks for my mom using the same yarn earlier. They are done and safely arrived in Japan, and she loves them -- phew! It was the first time I've used this yarn, but I was shocked by its rather poor quality. The color is great -- it's the uncreatable "Mystery" colorway. But the yarn was cut in three places, and on top of it there were about six places where the yarn was thin, barely held together by a fiber or two. The second ball I wound up was the same way. I've contacted the owner of the yarn company, and she promptly contacted me, to which I was pleased. She mentioned that she suspects a moths damage (which never occurred to me as the cuts were all clean, perpendicular cuts). I offered to send her the yarn so she could inspect, as she did show an interest, but after that no reply. I have a ball of yarn just sitting here... And yes, she did offer to send me replacements -- very nice of her.

Seed Stitch Ribs from More Sensational Knitted Socks. My mom has tiny feet, so a skein was more than enough to knit this pair.

Ok, here's Mitch's Cowabunga, knitted with my handspun merino. See the post below for the link for the pattern. Another great pattern!

Should have made it larger (or deeper). It'll be way too small next year!

I've spun the camel too. Three-ply with two strands of Camel/Silk 50/50 blend from A Verb for Keeping Warm, and a strand of Mongolian camel I spun at GGFI. Some of the Mongolian camel was re-carded and respun after I practiced long draw with cotton. Fulled and whacked. 12 wpi.

I'm not sure if I LOVE this yarn... I'll see when I knit it. It was quite confusing to me to spin the Silk/Camel blend. Silk is very long, and camel is short. To which fiber do I apply the twist to? I felt like I was doing a core spin, the silk fiber being the core. I love the camel though -- so I decided to treat myself for the camel/merino blend from Herndon Creek Farm. I thought these two fiber might be more akin to each other, and less confusing.

Great quality, great service -- and the red ribbon is a nice touch! Oh, did I mention GREAT price? I highly recommend them. Can't wait to spin it, but now I have to concentrate on casting on and finishing a pair of mittens for Mitch.

I need to take a breath! Boy it's a loaded post. Happy Holidays everyone -- wishing you a great time knitting and spinning, and being with the family.

My Hat Model

2008-12-13T18:38:00.000-08:00

My son's Cowabunga hat was going well, until of course I ran out of my handspun yarn just short of finishing it.

When I spun the first batch of merino for this hat, I thought I had messed it up -- I did intend to put more spin and ply twists, but it seemed way too much. So I was expecting the yarn to be tough and harsh on my hands as I knit, but in fact it was one of the nicest of my handspun to knit with. It was bouncy and even, tight but smooth. I'll remember to recreate this again when I spin for socks.

So he models the propeller Cowabunga while I spin more yarn. But so far it fits.

While the wet-finished merino yarn dries, I knit another item for Llama Llama's Homeward Bound Knit-along donation. We needed more kid-sized hats. I think I'd call it a acorn hat.

I love this yarn (Sabrina from Tahki Stacey Charles, needles US 13 and 10) -- it was an odd-ball in my stash, but now it'll be useful somewhere and hopefully loved.

My hat model, a.k.a Mitch, has been working hard on learning reading, writing and numbers at kindergarten (and at home too -- the amount of homework he gets!). He helped me make a grocery list today. I think I'll save this one for myself -- the first one went to his grandma. I just hope that he'll start curving the "J" to the left soon!

Teaser

2008-12-05T14:29:00.000-08:00

I forgot about it, but I've signed up on a mailing list for Herndon Creek Farm at the last California Wool and Fiber Festival in Boonville. I bought some Sally Fox organic cotton from them (and drooled over their nice wooden tools).

A very nice letter came from Herndon the other day, announcing their Fiber Special for the month of December -- be still my heart -- baby camel and fine merino blend. Just look at the sample I received in the mail.

What a teaser! And oh so effective. I'm trying to remind myself that I have enough fiber to last me for the next five years, but my voice is getting less convincing. Sometimes, less works better than more.

Procrastinating or Love

2008-12-01T21:46:00.000-08:00

I am so in love with this.

Naturally dyed Merino-Bamboo 60/40 from Tactile. Erin got me four hanks for the use of my car (which is not getting much attention lately and sitting lonely on my driveway). I really don't know how I always strike such a good deal with her.

This really is nice to spin. Well-blended, so I don't feel like I'm spinning a chunk of merino here, a chunk of bamboo there. I'm thinking to do a three-ply and knit a sleeveless sweater. Llama Llama Knit now carries their spinning fiber!

I wonder why I've been spinning so much lately -- aside the fact that I do love spinning -- then it dawned on me that it's like avoiding to study for a test. Yeah, what's that word, procrastination? I escape from the pressure of the Christmas knitting and run to the comfort of the wheel. Now back to Mom's socks...

Spinning Bliss

2008-11-29T19:08:00.000-08:00

After some practice with cotton and re-spinning the camel I butchered at GGFI (it was my first attempt in long draw), I felt I was ready for the yak down. I had two 2 oz bags from Tactile -- one I got as a door prize at GGFI (thank you, Maia and Brooke!) and another I purchased at California Wool and Fiber Festival.

It was another humbling experience. But after fumbling with the whorl size and skipping the carding process, it started to go much better.

This is before fulling, in a somewhat poor light -- and here's the one after fulling in hot soapy water. Yes, the sun makes it look much happier as well.

It's so soft and downy I can't stop fondling it. I think this might be the softest yarn I've ever spun. Spinning from the clouds of down is also very different from spinning a commercial top. This may get me addicted.

The four day weekend has been very nice and relaxing -- tomorrow I'm going to go take my scarf to Llama Llama Knit. They are hosting a "Knitting for Others" event, and all knitted objects gathered from the knitters will be donated to Homeward Bound of Marin. Llama Llama will also give you 15% discount for the yarn for this project, and there are some raffle prizes for the participants too. The event ends on Dec. 19.

I love this scarf -- very light and soft, and love the color gradation. I hope it will keep the recipient warm. Used two balls of Gedifra, US 10 needles.

Despite the fact that our annoying neighbors have already put up the Christmas lights, I am still in denial that Christmas is just around the corner. I'm so not ready.

Thankful for...

2008-11-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

The beautiful morning glow yesterday at 7 am from my house.

I was already on the phone when I took this shot. This is what happens when you have to work with lots of East Coasties. But then because many of my coworkers are remote, I get to spend time with the phone headset on my head, knitting. (If you are a non-knitter and think I'm slacking off, no. Many people listen better if combined with fine-motor activities, like knitting and doodling. Knitting is more productive.) Because of the long meetings for the last couple of days, I'm done with the scarf I'm knitting for charity (which of course, I am in love with! Photos next time.)

Sometimes I wonder if I can spin at all -- here are some merino that I spun for some Christmas knitting, but I'm not very pleased with it, although washing improved the evenness and the texture.I'm working on the yak down right now, and I'm getting better with it. Can't wait to ply and full the yarn.

I have harvested the Japanese indigo seeds. Hopefully they'll do better next year.

And Thanksgiving is here! I'm looking forward to some relaxing time. We have a lot to be thankful for. In this difficult time, we'll always find something to be happy about. Happy Thanksgiving.

Beach in November

2008-11-17T12:33:00.000-08:00

We are having a record-breaking warm weather here in Northern California. I took my son to the beach last Saturday to take advantage of the unexpected gift. I thought it might get foggy and colder as we head to the coast, but in fact the thermometer climbed up to 75 F when we arrived at the beach. No wind, no waves, just a perfect beach day.

The locals know -- there were many families with young children. It was nice, peaceful, relaxing day. The water was just amazing!

And after leaving the beach, we stopped by Windrush Farm in Petaluma -- they were having a gift show - open house. My son is very tolerant of me taking him to fiber-related outings.

He got to feed Mimi's goats -- they love grape leaves, and Mimi let him treat them.

(Waiting Anxiously!)

I finally finished my FIRST pair of socks of the year. After knitting ten pairs last year, I may have gone sock-shy, but here they are.

Classy Slip-up from "Knit Socks!" by Betsy Lee McCarthy. Yarn - Lana Grossa Meilenweit, US 0 needles. I made them quite a bit longer than I usually do, and I only have 15 g yarn left over. I think they'll be very warm because of the waffle-weave pattern, but if you try this pattern make sure to knit them just a tad smaller because they scrunch up.

I didn't want to start anything else until I'm done with them, so now I'm eager to get started on Christmas knitting, finally! The heat is on.

I finally skeined up the silk hankie 3-plies as well.
I spent my Sunday afternoon at Llama Llama Knit. Their first Spinning Sunday!

What a great weekend it was. Just not long enough!

I Will Not Stop

2008-11-07T21:11:00.000-08:00

I know I shouldn't be ranting about politics or the election on our joint KNITTING blog. My blogmates are so tolerant of me and my big mouth. I promise that this is going to be the last one, at least for a while!

I, like many others, was elated with the outcome of the election. It really was a historical moment, and I do love the fact that my son will grow up having a person of color as our president -- he wouldn't understand what the big deal is, and that's beyond exciting.

But my joy was cut in half by California's passing Prop. 8. This is going to amend the state constitution to prohibit the same sex marriage. While the nation celebrates the equality of us all and a remarkable achievement by a racial minority, the state with the largest electoral college is legally denying one of the most fundamental rights to the certain population.

I can't express how sad I feel about this. I was in tears.

I hope that this will not be the end of the story as I watch the massive protest march in San Francisco. I respect the integrity and ethics of the Mayor Newsom has exhibited on this long battle to ensure the equal rights to San Franciscans and Californians -- how courageous is that for a politician to risk his entire political career on such a controversial issue?

It took us years to pass the Sonoma/Marin Smart Train. It took the nation 232 years to elect a black president. Persistence.

I will be back with some knitting/spinning posts soon.

Tomorrow

2008-11-03T10:33:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's THE election day tomorrow. I consider myself to be a political being in a relative sense, but I think I've been rather quiet, at least publicly, about this year's election. It's not because I feel less strongly or excitedly about it -- rather, I try to keep it to myself because I worry that I may become too opinionated, or even emotional, if I started talking about it.

I think it was last year just before the election that I ran into a blog post by a well-known textile artist (whom I admire) on how she disliked all the "noises" about the politics and election. She said something like "I can't wait for it to be over so I can just sit and weave with my friends without being bothered." I know why some people might feel that way -- even I feel overwhelmed by the political ads right now.

As much as I'd love to, we (or most of us) don't live on a lonely island paradise. Everything to do with politics, elections, measures and propositions have some effects on our lives. And why do we look away from it and pretend that you have nothing to do with it? We may not even have the peace and freedom to sit in the quietness of your own house to do what we love to do, if we let the nation and the state crumble.

Vote.

Consolation

2008-10-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

My persimmon tree didn't bear fruits this year. It may still be recovering from being crushed by the fallen yucca branch last winter. Or, I may be doing something that the tree doesn't appreciate.

But, a consolation --

Autumn.

New Bumper Sticker

2008-10-23T13:54:00.001-07:00

I've just put a new bumper sticker on my car.

I know. It's perfect!

Here, There, Everywhere

2008-10-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

I was in D.C., Montreal, Toronto, a pumpkin patch in Petaluma, and Placer/Nevada Counties in California, all in one week, and even managed to squeeze in one night on my own comfy bed. But, not much knitting was accomplished, and worst of all, no pictures! I've got to see some of the famous fall scenery in Montreal, and didn't take my camera with me.

In Auburn/Grass Valley, since I was the one doing all that driving (Charlie was stuck in the CAP meetings all weekend at Auburn) and keeping my son occupied, I didn't even think about taking the camera out of my bag. Funny thing.

But I came home without picking up nasty germs from the foreign places, feeling well, rested and a lot accomplished, and first sock of the year (hard to believe) nearly done.

Only if I managed to clean up the mess in the house, and deodorize the mouse cage!

Finally Ravelry

2008-10-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

Other Designated Knitters had been urging me to join Ravelry, but it didn't spark my interest so much -- I have this blog to keep up after all, and felt I didn't need another online black hole to suck my time. I already have enough of that! But oh yes my lovely fellow knitters just signed me up and I found myself adding my projects... My ID is Tamami (how original). Knitters, see what you've done to me??

I've finished blocking my False Modesty. I love how it looks and feels, but it was dreadful when I found two more dropped stitches on the mohair! I kept knitting until the Kid Silk Haze was about to run out on me, so it came out a little wider than it was supposed to be. I think it's a great size for a stole.

It's hard to see, but the darker rows are the cotton handspun. The colorway of the carded cotton is "Abalone" and the way it variegates on the yarn is beautiful -- Purple, blue-gray, green, dark green.

This is before blocking.

This is the cotton laceweight. I'm not sure if it stands to be shot close-up!

I've started on Shetland Triangle shawl for my mom. She and I went to Knitterly while she was here in the summer, and there was a knitted sample of Shetland Triangle. My mom loved it, so there I go. I'm not a shawl type of person, but I always wanted to knit one, so it's perfect. The question is whether I'd be willing to let go when it's done.

I am fascinated with the way it's knitted, like starting at the center of the neckline! It's so clever. I'm trying to decide if this is going to be safe for me to knit while flying -- I am traveling to Montreal and Toronto next week. I know very well that distraction is dangerous for lace knitting and that's a sure way to mess up the whole thing.

Headache?

2008-10-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

Saw this at the Cal Academy of Sciences and I had to stop.

Where will we be 5 million years from now?

(Oh, by the way -- the Cal Academy of Sciences on weekend is about as bad as Monterey Bay Aquarium on Spring break!)

More Than Pink

2008-10-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

So I spun some silk hankies. I had an ounce of rose colored hankies from Nancy Finn (Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks), and half-ounce of white/pink from Deep Colors Studio. I spun the Nancy Finn into two bobbins, Deep Colors' into one, and made a three-ply. I didn't much care for the result -- first it was hard to spin, and then the helplessly pink yarn on the bobbin made me wonder why I chose the colors.

But I fulled the yarn in the hot soapy water and smacked it several times on the counter, and now the yarn looks very different.

The left is a three-ply of deep rose alone. Middle is the hemp yarn I spun at the Summer Intensive -- boiled with washing soda. The right is a three-ply with two Nancy Finn and one white/pink silk (I love the tweedy look).

The texture is very different after it's fulled. It feels more pleasant to skin, like a well-worn old shirt. The color is even deeper and subtler now. Made me think of an old ikat kimono. Only if I were a weaver.

Now a long wait begins until I find a perfect little project for them.

Change

2008-10-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

Be the change you want to see in the world. -- Mahatma Gandhi

Get out and vote on November 4th!
(Yes on Q, No on 8, and who can change this nation?)

Fiber, Fiber, More Fiber

2008-10-01T21:13:00.000-07:00

Erin told me about the Alpaca Farm open house at Brookfarm. It's in Glen Ellen, not so far from us, on a beautiful Saturday -- no way I turn that down. Erin's boys and we met up there. Debbie and Mark, the owners of Brookfarm were happy to see much bigger turnout for their first National Alpaca Farm Day than they had expected.

What a beautiful ranch, a gorgeous location. Beautiful, happy alpacas. They seemed to prefer eating the hay from the kids hands over from the tubs.

Of course there has to be a wheel or two! The owner of the brand-new Kromski let me try it with her beautifully mill-processed alpaca fiber. Spins like a dream! Some of the fiber came home with me.Up above us, a different kind of spinning was going on. I'm not going to explain (ewww!).

A pound of just-off-Bailey fleece tagged along, as a "Fiber of the month" delivery from Charlie.

It's very soft huacaya in silver-gray. Although it hasn't been skirted, the whole blanket looks clean and usable to me. I will wash it though before I spin, as it's pretty dusty.

And this is Heather's alpaca (Alpacas of Sonoma), Bailey, freshly shorn.

After we came home with the huge bagful of fiber, I had a heavy "oh what have I done I already have too much fiber" moment, but as soon as I put it away in the closet, I was back in my old self. We've got to have enough fiber stash to last my retirement years, right? (for which we'll have many more years to go at this rate...)

Marie at Llama Llama Knit, our wonderful LYS, has become an excellent spinner in just a month. I showed her how to use my Ashford Joy (not even "how to spin", which she seemed to know already at the first time she sat in front of a wheel!) early September, and now with her new Louet wheel, she's spinning away like a pro. She spun some dyed Merino I got her at California Sheep and Wool Festival and knitted this beautiful scarf for me. The last time anyone had knitted anything for me was when my mom knitted my gloves when I was eight! I am so moved.

In less than a month Marie has surpassed me, and I've been spinning for two years! She really is talented. Llama Llama now carries some beautiful spinning fiber as well.

My Joy came home with me with a bag full of white cotton sliver (you are too nice, Marie), so I am going to have fun with it for a while! Non-natural dyeing experiment to come. Yes -- so many projects, so little time.

A Beautiful Day

2008-09-26T10:32:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful Friday we are having! I've already been spending my evening hours working (insert your choice of noise), and it has a negative effect on my knitting and spinning progress.

But my Delft Tiles Vest is finally seamed and waiting to be edged, and I have Nancy Finn's silk hankies on my wheel. After some of us spinners talked about this last week at Llama Llama Knit, I fished it out of my fiber stash. A bit low on the spinning satisfaction gaugethough – I prefer spinning silk tops, and it's also easier on my hands… I have no idea what to knit with this yarn (currently a thread weight!)

Hopefully I can get outside this afternoon to put in some exercise in the sun! But for now back to my quarterly budget forecast L

Have a great weekend!

So Much Going On...

2008-09-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

... and no time to write!

We were at the California Wool and Fiber Festival at Boonville. Two years in a row, but somehow it looked slower and quieter than the year before. I stopped by at the Tactile booth and bought another 2oz bag of naturally dyed yak down.

Yes, it's as soft as it looks! I was lucky enough to get my hands on my first bag of yak down at the GGFI Summer Intensive, as one of the door prize. Oh yeah. I was so happy when I won this. The colors are soft and warm hues of yellows, pinks, oranges... Maia and Brook have more, I'm sure, if you are interested.

Over the summer, I tried spinning cotton slivers on my wheel just so I'd be good enough to try this yak, but now I'm in love with cotton. Getting more dyed cotton was the reason for me to go to the wool festival this year, but of course I ended up with much more than that! This time I will try spinning a bit thicker.

Here's the photo from last year, in the apple building....

And here's this year's version.

My Japanese indigo plants didn't do so well this year -- just very thin and not very leafy. Won't be enough to dye a cotton ball! So I was hoping that they will at least bloom and produce seeds for the next year. I would dedicate a bigger lot with richer, well-cultivated soil...

Phew! Finally, some flowers! Hopefully they will seed.

Last Thursday afternoon, Charlie and I took the afternoon off from work and took Mitch to the members-only preview of the new California Academy of Sciences. It was so worth it, and more. We talked about (our wish of) doing this once a month. I'm sure Mitch was captured by their photographers and media several times during our visit -- what's better than a small kid looking up at a T-Rex!

I envy you, catfish!

A Knitter is Born

2008-09-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, I decided to take a little time to knit at Llama Llama Knit here in Novato. I asked my son Austen if he wanted to join me, and I was surprised when he said "Yes". Usually when I ask my boys to join me for any yarn/knitting related journeys I get eyes rolling at me or a "Do I have to?" whining question. So I almost didn't know how to respond to a "yes" answer. Off we headed to our local yarn store. After introducing Austen to the three store owners, I began knitting and Austen started reading the book he brought along. After a little time, I noticed that Austen had put down his book and was watching those of us who were knitting. I asked if he wanted to learn how to knit, and his response was "Sure". Thankfully we were in a place with lots of knitters. Alec, one of the shop owners, sat down with Austen and taught him how to do a knit stitch. He was so patient with Austen...something I probably couldn't have done! We couldn't stay long as my eldest son had a baseball game so off we went to the ball game. Part way through the game Austen asked if he could go to the car and get his knitting to work on. He worked through the rest of the ball game and through the evening at home on his knitting. Austen would often stop to ask for help, and I was happy to assist. This continued through most of the day Sunday until Austen declared that he had made it three rows by himself without any help at all. He's doing quite well. He holds his needles differently than I do, but it works for him. I had to field many questions including: "Mom, can we go back to the yarn store?", "When can we go back to the yarn store?", "Can I join knit night now?", "When is the next knit night?", "Mom, what inspired you to knit?" It was fun to talk to at least one of my children about my hobby.

My husband just laughed at me. He said that my retreat (from my kids and the daycare kids) is the yarn store, and if I keep this up I'll have all three kids with me at the yarn store. I suppose my husband is right. But now that a knitter is born, I guess I can't stop him.

Doubting

2008-09-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

Mitch is a happy brand-new kindergartener. He's adjusting well to the new environment. His parents are not so thrilled about the homework. Yep, homework for a kindergartener. It's nutty.

I understand the concept and purpose. I love it that I see what he's doing at school almost real-time. But he is only five. He is in kindergarten, not middle school. This is the time of his life when everything should be carefree. Do the teachers ever think that an evening of playing UNO with the family may be what's good for him right now?

How about taking out the whole bones from a baked fish and marveling over it?

Do they ever think about the working parents?

We'll see how this issue is going to develop (or lack thereof) in our household...

I am knitting False Modesty from Knotions with Kid Silk Haze and my handspun cotton. I wanted to use my practice cotton long-draw for something, and landed on this pattern. I love how my yarn looks in it, but it's somewhat low on the knitting satisfaction gauge -- doing K2tog on Kid Silk Haze is very tricky and time-consuming. I now know what "dropped stitches" actually means!

Meanwhile, I have not started seaming the Delft Tiles. If I don't start on it soon, it will never be worn!

Endless

2008-09-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

Today was my Day 1 back in the office. Nearly 3,000 email to read.
It's endless, even though I've already given up reading all of them -- if they didn't need my attention for six weeks, they surely don't need me now.
What I wanted was an endless summer, not an endless pile of you-know-what.

And Many More....

2008-08-30T21:50:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday, and I got to go out for breakfast, stroll down the main street in town, to the new yarn store -- Llama Llama Knit. They have taken over the yarn store that was there(that I rarely visited -- guess the reason why) just two weeks ago. The new owners are very nice and the shop is comfortable to stay and knit!

They have Knitters' Nights on every Tuesdays (7 - 9 pm). I might show up rather frequently! Novato knitters, support our LYS!

Kids friendly too :-) Marie and Alec endured the endless babbling torture from Mitch with grace.

Charlie has given me a birthday present a few weeks ahead of the time -- a charka. This was because I was enjoying spinning cotton so much on my wheel, and thought that I could spin when I was away from home. I haven't figured out how to use it (correctly, that is). Like when I started spinning on my Ashford Traditional two years ago, I feel like I need the third hand.

The other day at the pool, I saw an older woman -- in her 70's, my guess -- practicing synchronized swimming with her coach. Just looking at the way she was performing, from her legs and arms rising above the surface of the water, I wouldn't have been able to tell her age. The following day, I ran into a group water aerobics -- the participants are in their 60's and better. They all made me appreciate how important the health and positive attitudes are. I will keep that near my heart as I grow older.

Continuous Strand

2008-08-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

I've been spinning for just two years. I was able to produce a continuous strand, pretty consistent one, in most kind of fibers I've tried -- admittedly they were limited to sheep's wool, and wool/silk blends. I liked what I spun. I thought I was doing OK. And that's after just learning the basics in less than an hour from Nancy, my spinning teacher.

Flax single (A sample I spun at GGFI Intensive Spinning Class

So, why take a class? After all it's just a hobby, and I'd never make a living doing this. Why pay money to take a class for something I was just enjoying. Why do I need to learn about the types of fibers and the spinning technique to go with them --woolen, semi-woolen, worsted -- and to learn the fact that I didn't know anything about this subject.

Silk - Wool blend single, wet-finished. Another sample I spun at Intensive.

Now I know I have much more to learn. And by learning, I'm not just producing better yarn, but I am more intentional, thoughtful, and clear-minded -- Judith MacKenzie McCuin said that using your hands -- that subtle pinching motion for spinning -- wakes up the part of the brains that never get to be used otherwise. Strangely, after the Intensive, my hands look different. I am seeing things differently. I feel different.

Judith is one of the most graceful, calm, charming and charismatic people I've ever known. There's a down-to-earth reality behind her grace, and spending a week in her class was the best thing I have done for myself in my recent memory.

One thing I realized (painfully) was what I was not good at all -- long-draw. I had never done it, but that was the only way I could spin the beautiful camel down. After seeing me ruin the camel, Judith hinted that I could practice using some carded cotton. So I practiced after I came home.

Cotton 2-ply, wet-finished and wound using Pat's nostepinne (thank you Pat -- I LOVE it)

Now I am crazy about long-draw. Just as Judith said, it's like watching the water flow. It's where I want to be. So you see, taking a long spinning class is similar to going on a meditation retreat. It's just that you'll have a lot more fiber sample to spin after you come home!

And here's my Delft Tiles Tee. I'm using hemp/wool blend, so I think it'll be too warm for a summer tee. I am planning to make it into a pull-over vest.

Should I go clean up in the house? Nah.

The Shortest Summer

2008-08-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

I am painfully aware of the fact that this is the final week of my sabbatical. I am trying to do what I really wanted to do -- just sit in the quiet backyard and knit, spin, or just take a lazy nap.

Today so far, I have had about five minutes of that.

It has been busy five weeks. First, the GGFI Intensive, which was just fabulous -- I will write more about that later this week. Then Mitch and I flew to Japan and spent a sweltering week at Grandma's. Then we flew back here with Grandma, and she spent ten days here in the wonderful Northern California weather. In retrospect, we should have made the trip to Japan shorter and spent more days back here, as it was way too hot in Japan to do anything -- I don't drive in Japan and it was too unpleasant to go anywhere via train/bus. Mitch was resigned to have any time out in the park, and played his Nintendo DS (no matter what people say about it, it is often a sanity-saver in hour household) in the house and took frequent trips to the nearby department store. He did make several friends at the playground, despite the language barrier. I'm so proud.

Mitch is a very adaptable and flexible boy, and he can make the most of any situations. I am very thankful for that.

Soon after we came home from Japan, Mitch's school started. It was a big day for the parents/grandma as well.

Grandma left to Japan last Saturday, and I am missing her so much more than I thought I would. As we both grow older, living so far away weighs heavily.

This is my fourth sabbatical, and it's been the most memorable, the busiest one. Although I didn't get to do much of the lazy nap thing, I am most thankful for this break, and I know I probably won't get to experience this again -- until maybe I retire.

The hours at the local swimming pool has changed, and they are not open for the early morning swim that I enjoyed so much. This is the final week that they are open on the weekdays although it's in the afternoon -- the evidence that the summer is winding down. I miss being in the tranquil water as the fog slowly dissolves, and the sun comes down into the pool. This too, I may not experience it ever again, as this beloved pool is being demolished at the end of the season.

A lot of "missing" going on today. Now, back to my backyard knitting the Delft Tile Tee, photos next time -- before I leave for a quick lap or two at the pool.

Eye Openers

2008-08-04T22:54:00.000-07:00

The Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive is over. It was a week filled with lots of learning and new experiences. I was so glad that I went -- the words fail to describe how amazing the whole experience was. I took the spinning class given by Judith MacKenzie McCuin in the morning, and natural dye class given by Darlene Hayes. Both are widely known experts in the field, and I still pinch myself that I just spent full six days with them!

Before the intensive, I thought I was doing OK with spinning. Boy was I wrong. There were so many things I was doing wrong, and so many things I didn't know. So many things I didn't even consider trying.

We learned from the basic techniques to fancy yarn spinning, and fiber facts and history. We learned how to adjust spinning according to their knitting style.

We were surrounded by fibers -- all week long! Look how casually cashmere and silk are piled up.
Heavenly hemp.

Most any kind of fiber you can think of.

Right by the enchanting coast line.

With great fiber people and great food -- what could be better? (Oh, maybe a heated swimming pool)

This experience has reaffirmed me that I love spinning, and I have so much more to learn. Ever since I came home, I've been practicing long draw on my Traditional.

I am so tired I have to quit writing now -- and I am leaving to Japan on Wednesday (the thought of not being able to spin for a week is killing me). Will post more on Intensive when I return.

Brooke, Maia -- THANK YOU for the yak down! Mari, Pat, Karen, Cinda and Shelley -- thank you for your great company. Hope to see you again real soon!

Packing for Summer Intensive

2008-07-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

The Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive starts tomorrow. I am procrastinating on packing this evening. Luckily I am about 30 minutes away from where the camp is held, so I am driving. I am used to traveling light, so now I am constantly reminding myself that it's OK to bring lots of extras and just leave them in the car. It'll be quite an experience to room with a bunch of strangers -- I haven't done that for the last twenty years.

I'm sure it'll be way too cold to swim in the ocean, but I may even bring my swimsuit. The thought of not being able to swim for a full week is making me sad. Well, just a tiny bit.

Not sure when I'd get such an opportunity the next. I will savor every minute of it!
Will post when I'm back from the Intensive.

Want This Wall?

2008-07-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

My accomplishments.

Mitch complimented the blue tapes.

Here's the guest room.

Love the color. Makes me feel happy and vibrant. Want to see what those white speckles are?

Cherry blossoms and sheep. What could be better?

I can see that those boring white walls will slowly disappear from our house!

Day 1 and 2

2008-07-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

Day 1 (of my 6-weeks sabbatical): yesterday.
I drop off my son at the preschool, as the owner of Camp Erin is on vacation. Mitch was missed at his old school, and as much as he misses Erin's boys, he's happy to be back with old pals again.
I drive to the pool (it's 54 degrees!) and put in 40 minutes lap (with lots of breaks in between). Water is so clear, and the way the steam rise up in the air was so beautiful.
I come home, do the laundry, hang them out in the back yard, ignore the ocean of fallen plums, wrap the baby gift to be shipped to Japan, and then Mitch's swim class -- the rest is a blur. I remember counting nine empty bobbins for my wheel and thinking it should be enough for the Intensive.

Day 2: today.
I drop off my son at the preschool, his "girlfriend" comes up and gives him a huge hug, I drive to the pool (it's 68 degrees) and there are 6 lap swimmers in the water. Amazing -- there are usually only one or two.
I put in 30 minutes with lots of breaks in between. I stop by FlourChylde Bakery, get some sweets I need to eat before I start painting the dining room. I taped just one section of the room, thinking that one quart that I had was just enough for the wall, but it turned out to be enough to do three sections. So I tape, paint, tape some more, paint, move stuff, paint... One more wall left for tomorrow, after I go get more paint. Take Mitch to his swim class, pick up three bucket full of fallen plums (oh such a waste), and the rest is a blur.

I did go to Lambtown last Saturday, breaking my fiber diet a day after I made it. I enjoyed last years visit so much, I just couldn't stay away. It turned out to be a bit of a disappointment this year. The venue had changed, and the fiber vendors were all indoor. It was a bit dark, crowded, and more like the California Wool and Fiber Festival -- where I bought very, very little.
I'm sure it was great for the vendors to be in the shaded (darkish), air-conditioned place, but it wasn't for me. Colors are hard to see, and I felt claustrophobic. I guess I really am an out-in-the-sun type of person -- I tend to buy a lot at Farmer's Market, and I only enjoy swimming outdoor.

Tomorrow -- Swim, paint, swim class, cook dinner. Blur.

Countdown

2008-07-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

4 more days until my sabbatical.

11 more days until the Intensive.

Ahhh I should get busy!!

I finished my heartbeat sweater -- finally! This is the second try on the neck edging. It could have been a little wider edging, but I'm not going for the third try.

Just in time with the FO, Just One More Row's website has come back! I may order another pattern sometime soon.

Here's what was on my wheel just two days ago; Lisa Sousa's hand-dyed merino, "Bird of Paradise" colorway.

Huguette got this for me from Stitches West 2007.

Heard that space-dyed roving never looks the same when it's spun. It's true.

Looks even more different when it's plied.

I was contemplating on going to Lambtown this year again, but I've decided against it -- despite my heart's desire. I have enough fiber to last me for years, and with the Intensive and trip to Japan coming up, I have no money to spend on more fiber. Maybe Mitch and I will go to the beach, if it's warm...

Or I should paint the dining room. I've painted the guest room last weekend, and I should keep the brush going!

Dear Huguette

2008-07-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

We've knitted together
Shared ideas together
Much more than just knitting
In our regular sitting

We shared our thoughts
Shared our laughs
Bared inner threads
We dared and bought
(more yarn)

We'll miss you more than you know
With no one who can show how
Cables, decreases, mosaic and wow
You are still our Master knitter now

Dear Huguette, never forget
We will always knit together
Have a webcam and gather
Every chance we get

Dear Huguette, never forget
In two years if you aren't laughing at best
Pack up and rocket
Yourself back to the West

(Don't laugh; my first rhyming poem in English!)

Action Packed

2008-07-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

We had the whole July 4th week off from work. What a treat -- I managed to reserve a local camp site (Samuel P. Taylor State Park) for three nights, so even though it was a bit inconvenient for coinciding with Mitch's swim class (it was a must for this summer for the water safety!), we decided to go for it. We even "borrowed" a kid from Erin.

(Oh No What Were We Thinking!?)

Our site was among beautiful redwoods and right by the creek. We enjoyed evenings by the fire pit, roasting marshmallows. Falling asleep listening to the soothing sound of the creek was wonderful.

It was a bit on the chilly side -- although there was a great swimming hole, it was too cold to jump in. But we thoroughly enjoyed the clean, serene water.

Coho salmon and steelhead trout come up this creek in the winter time. I'd love to come back to watch.

Mitch and I went to the Fourth of July Parade at Downtown Novato on the 4th. Next day was the County Fair for two of us, where he met a Storm Trooper! I'm sure he was on his way to his break, but he was kind enough to stop for a Kodak moment. Thank you!

Oh yes, knitting. I've FINALLY finished the heartbeat sweater.

Heartbeat Sweater by Just One More Row, with hand-dyed silk noil also by Just One More Row. Used about 800 yds, US 6. I love blue, but now I'm not sure if I still do.

Before the neck treatment, the neck opening was way too large. So I decided to knit extra edging, putting in more decreases. And what do you know, the neck opening now is too small!

I think I'm going to unravel the neck for two ridges and see how it looks. But for this evening, I am on my wheel, spinning like a mad lady. Pictures next time.

Boy coming back to work has never been so difficult! I still have a guest room to put together, dining room to paint, and the supply to pack for the Summer Intensive! The list of the things to bring just arrived, and it looks like I am packing the whole camping gear and more.

Wanted

2008-06-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

... More time. Plus money would be good.

I've been knitting just several rows a day, if I get to knit at all. I am dying to spin, but I haven't had a chance to sit in front of my wheel. House is a mess, and I have so much to do before I leave to the Summer Intensive. (Now I have two Summer Intensive buddies -- Shelley from Calgary and Mari from NY! Yeah!)

I am hoping to finish my Heartbeat next week while camping... but before that we have to make a run or two to get more camping gear. We now have a tent though. An 8-people tent for a family of three! Charlie went overboard, and he admits it :-)

The thing fills the entire backyard! Need more campers to stuff into the tent!

I am dragging my feet on making the airline reservations to go to Japan. The price is outrageous. I'm going to have to just do it -- it's not like waiting would make things better.

I couldn't go swimming this morning, and I don't think I can tomorrow either. I have been enjoying the morning swim so much, and I hope I can go back to the routine next week while Mitch takes a swimming lesson. Yes, we'll be "commuting" to the pool from the camp site!

Intensive Approaches

2008-06-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

Early June, we chauffeured a couple of pre-schoolers to Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito. We had never been there before -- we really don't get that south of Marin too often, although it's just 15 minutes away. I was excited for whole another reason -- this is probably 5 minutes from Point Bonita, where the Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive will be held in about five weeks!

A blogger in NYC, who knits professionally for Vogue Knitting, and works as a theatrical stage designer/builder, and I have been visiting each others' blogs, leaving comments for over a year. A couple month ago, I dreamt about visiting NY and thinking whether if I could get together with her, and I mentioned about the dream to her. She replied that she was going to come to SF in the summer and may be we could get together in reality. Then I found out that she was also attending the Intensive! I am now doubly excited -- it's great to have someone I know there, as I know I will have a hard time making a small talk with people I don't know. Needless to say, I am so thrilled about meeting her in person!

We have had a very busy two weeks, besides the school trip; Mitch has graduated from pre-school....

And the next day he turned five (coinciding with World Wide Knit in Public Day, and Harlot's Birthday)!

Now he's back to his old daycare for the summer, at Camp Erin. He is having a blast so far. I've gone swimming two mornings in a row, being reminded how much I love swimming. I plan to go swim as often as I can manage. We've made a plan for camping (we have NO camping gear!), and .... it will be a busy summer!

Things You Never Learn

2008-06-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

Liz posted! Whenever other Designated Knitters post, I do a double-take, happy one.

The house is finally dry. This is the midst of the mess we just went through!

We have found the cause of the flood. The hot water intake hose for the washing machine had ruptured while we were gone, and since the laundry room is on the same level as the first floor of the house -- it should be in the garage, which is just six inches away -- about 80% of the first floor was under water.

The cost of cleaning up, drying the carpet, replacing the padding under the carpet, and cleaning the carpet was over $2,000! For a measly $15 hose. And the PG&E bill hasn't come in yet, and it will definitely be monumental.

Lessons learned:

1. Check often and replace the washer hoses. Come on. $15 or $2,000+ ? How much yarn could you have bought with $2,000? (The thought is killing me.)

2. Laundry should be in the garage. Period.

3. Yarn should be stored in the good, sturdy, plastic tubbies with no cracks. This, I was good at. There were no damages to the yarn.

Should probably count our blessings -- this could have happened in the middle of the wet, cold winter, or while we were on vacation!

It's about time someone posted a knitting related photos. Here's how my Heartbeat Sweater is progressing.

I love blue, but this is getting boring, and I'm starting to regret choosing this color.... Lettuce Green would have been prettier.

Despite the fact that the project at work has slowed down, I am not finding any time to knit or spin. I am going to make effort to take time to knit this weekend though -- it's Knit in Public Day! Where are you going to knit?

Perfect Pageboy Hat - NOT

2008-06-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

I FINISHED A PROJECT!!!!!

I started with pattern #415 perfect pageboy by lanaknits design hempforknitting.

After frogging the hat no less than 8 times, I gave up! I loved the yarn - double stranded - it was a lovely color combination and amazing fabric, but I just could not get the pattern - left twist, right twist, needless to say I was twisted into a knot!

So, instead of giving up on the whole thing, I decided to make the hat using the parts of the pattern that I loved, the “seed” stitch, which amounts to alternate rows of (k1, p1) for about 12 rows. Then I just knit the rest of the hat, until the hat reached about 5 1/2 ” in total.

I then followed the pattern a bit on the decrease until it was time to break the yarn and pull it tight. Before I knew it I had a lovely little hat - I started a brim to add to the hat as the real pattern suggests, but as I worked on it, it really didn’t feel like a good idea, because I was loving the hat as it was so much, it didn’t need a thing more… I hardly want to part with…

The great news is I finished the project, I love the fabric, I love the color and I love the fact that I didn’t give up just because the pattern didn’t work for me at my level. My plan is to hand the pattern and the yarn to one of my “Designated Knitter” partners in crime and see how it turns out. I plan on knitting this hat by the pattern some day, but for now, I am loving what is now considered a FO! ;-)

Here are my supplies.....

Needle

US 8 / 5.0 mm

Yarn

Hemp for Knitting #209 Hemp Wool

How much?

0.5 skeins = 240.0 yards (219.5m)

Colorway

043

Color family

Yellow

Purchased at

Stitches West in Santa Clara, California

Yarn

Hemp for Knitting Allhemp6

How much?

1 skeins = 165.0 yards (150.9m)

Colorway

010

Color family

White

Purchased at

Stitches West in Santa Clara, California

Life Just Got Busier

2008-05-28T23:22:00.000-07:00

I don't use my cell phone for work, and I'm not much of a phone person to begin with. So naturally, my cell phone is pretty much for emergency use only, like Mitch's teacher calling me to come fetch him because he's got a boo-boo. So when it rings, it's almost always an Uh-Oh.

Today Charlie called me on my cell to tell me to come home.
"House flooded. Yarn is fine. "
Ookie Dokie.

We moved into this house ten years ago, and we chose this house because it was not in the flood zone. The last house we were renting flooded every winter. I mean, every winter. So this was the first flood in ten years. And it wasn't from the storm; it was from the washing machine, although the exact cause still remains to be a mystery. I'm just glad that it wasn't in the middle of the cold, wet winter.... Mitch was disappointed when he got home, because he was hoping to "swim in the house" after we told them about the flood.

So life got even busier. But while cleaning out the wet stuff in the garage, we tossed out a few of the remaining moving boxes (with stuff still in them!). If we didn't need them the last ten years, we'd never need them. We've finally moved in, I guess! Cleaning to be continued tomorrow...

Life is Busy

2008-05-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't been posting, and Designated Knitters never expected to hear that from me. I always enjoyed writing a post -- it was for me, not for anyone else, for the most part. But for the first time I just couldn't find a thing to write about.

The work has wound down significantly, but life remains busy -- the summer approaches, and it means there will be school events, like a school trip and, -- get this -- the preschool graduation! Mitch's birthday is coming up almost simultaneously with the graduation, and I have not decided what to do. Signing up for the swim lessons, scheduling trips, tidying up the guest room (a.k.a stash room) for my mom's visit -- the list grows bigger and heavier, with no progress at all. This stresses me out.

But kids always keep things in check.

Ahhh simple pleasure in life... I thought he'd just wade ankle-deep. He just sits down in the water and we didn't even have a towel! Spontaneity is something we lose as we grow old...

My Heartbeat Sweater is progressing slowly, and I'm fidgety for something new! I'm dying to spin something interesting too.

We had a great time at the last Knit Night. We were shocked to find out that this was the first time that all four of us had gotten together since last fall!!

The Japanese Indigo is finally showing some growth. I am so excited. I need to bring at least one plant to flower so I can harvest some seeds for the next year. Pictures next time.

This is a picture Mitch took on the Memorial Day weekend at Williams Soaring Center. Well done, kiddo.

Hot, Hot, Hot

2008-05-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

We are in the heat wave in Bay Area. It seems slightly better today, but this is the third day that is near or over 100 degrees. And it's still May. I really hope that it won't continue like this all summer.

Because of the heat, we are all a bit "off" today, and we are lying down in the living room and watching "Castle in the Sky" by Hayao Miyazaki. We've been watching the Miyazaki's animated movies lately, and are really enjoying them. Very magical and somehow nostalgic. Mitch loves Totoro and Princess Mononoke, but the latter is a bit bloody in my taste...

I bought this book from Amazon the other day;

Can you tell what I've been thinking about? I must say that this book was very discouraging to me. It offered so many negatives, but not many positives. I wanted to know certain "how-to"s, but they weren't there either. Maybe that's for the better?

My Heartbeat Sweater is progressing, and I'm on the front (or back; they are actually the same!). Honestly, I'm getting a bit bored...

OK, off to a little napping. I've got to rest so I'm in a good shape for the Knit Night tonight!

On Mom's Day...

2008-05-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

1. I will not cook.

2. I will not go grocery shopping.

3. I will not check email.

4. I will knit.

(Heartbeat Sweater from Just One More Row. Does anyone know what happened to their site? I'm interested in trying other patterns from Jill Vosburg, but the site has been under construction and nothing is updated. )

5. I will enjoy the sun.

Have a great Mother's Day!

Soon...

2008-05-04T23:47:00.000-07:00

I think about writing. Then I think how boring my posts would be. There definitely would be a grumble or two about my work. And little this-and-that about my KIPs or other fibering related things. More grumblings about my work.

In two weeks, the half of our current projects will be over. Then in about a month, the majority will be done. Then all I think about would be the six weeks of time off from work. The first week, I'll be off to the Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive! Every chance I get, I daydream about which wheel to take, and what projects to bring. My son making me laugh at home, and thinking about the Intensive and the rest of the summer are what get me through the tough, stressful days at work right now. And they seem never-ending.

Good thing Mitch isn't at all demanding about doing things and going places on weekends. We were so beat to do anything fun this weekend, but he was just as happy to tag along to our chores. Just a tiny bit of knitting accomplished this weekend on the Just One More Row pattern. I love this pattern -- it's very simple but it doesn't look easy.

Blue Citrus Done

2008-04-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

Just as the unusually cold week is over, my blue Citrus York Pullover is done. It's way too warm this weekend to actually wear it, but I'm sure I'll have some chance during the summer -- Evenings can be quite chilly in northern California summer, and it's a cotton/silk blend yarn.

Pattern: Citrus York Pullover by Katie Himmelberg, IK Winter 2007. Yarn: Misti Cotton Worsted weight (100g/191 yards a hunk). It took three hunks and 1/3, so total of 330 grams , 649 yards used (600 meters) used. Needles: 10 1/2 DPNs and circular. Modification: I added a little increases on the sleeves (toward the wrists).

Not a big fan of the york part -- Doesn't look very neat to me. Maybe it looks better if I blocked? But it's very comfortable and wearable. I was concerned that the york part may be a bit constrictive and the arm joints very tight -- but was not the case.

Now I am onto "Heartbeat Sweater" from Just One More Row. It seems that the owner is still working on rebuilding her site, so I have no pictures I can link to; I will post a photo next time. This is the pattern I bought at Stitches, and the hand-dyed silk noil yarn to go with it. It's a huge hunk, and the label says 32.5 oz, 1000 yds +-. Here's how big it is rolled up in a ball.

Yup, blue again! Hopefully I'll get to wear it this summer. Going down from 10 1/2 to 6 is a bit of a change in the pace. And of course, the pattern is a lot more challenging.

Three of us went on a bike ride yesterday to the park. It was wonderful, and I managed it. Mitch was very proud of me, and kept announcing to the passers by that this was "mom's first time riding with me!"

Blue Citrus and The Story of My First Bike

2008-04-23T16:28:00.003-07:00

I have one sleeve done on the Citrus York Pullover.

The yarn is Misti Cotton, pima cotton 83%, silk 17%. It's so soft to the touch and I love it, but it "sheds" somewhat, and I keep wiping my face to remove the fine flyaways that tickle my nose while I knit. This is a top-down sweater, so yes I did try it on. It fits -- although I wish I had made it a tad larger. Will post a photo on me as soon as I'm done with the other sleeve.

On the completely un-fiber related topic -- At last weekend's Knit Night, Erin gave me a bike she no longer uses, and I now am a proud owner of a bicycle! This is the very first bike I've ever owned in my life. Do you think that's strange? I grew up poor, and had owned very little in the way of toys, clothes, books and everything else that a child would have in a "normal" childhood. As a result I never had a bike growing up, and as a result of that I never learned how to ride a bike until I was in high school. I think I've ridden a bike fewer than ten times in my whole life.

Last Sunday I got myself a pretty red helmet, and went on a ride all by myself around the block. What an adventure, and how exhilarating! I am going to be a late-blooming cyclist for sure. A conversation between my son and me last Sunday;
Me: I'm going on a test ride around the block.
Mitch: I'm gonna come wif (with) you.
Me: Oh, next time. I'm not very good yet, and I don't think I can make sure that you are safe. I'm going to be quite busy taking care of myself.
Mitch: I can teach you, Mom.
Soon, it'll be the case for almost everything. Even now, he teaches me how to sing "Flying Purple People Eater" song.

I went to a Knit Night and came home with a bike! Thank you Erin! I might get a bike trainer (not training wheels, mind you!) so I can knit while I pedal away in the garage :-)

Long-term Project

2008-04-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

As promised, here's how my Japanese Indigo is doing.

This is a pot in the backyard. The seeds I sowed in the sunny veggie patch are not doing well at all, but a neighbor cat has dug up the soil twice already, and it may be the cause.

This is a different plant from the Indigo we have in the US. Both yield blue dye, but the Japanese indigo leaves can be used alone, crushed, to dye, where the Indigofera tinctoria requires fermentation before it can be used. Last summer I read so much about the fun of Indigo raw leaf dyeing on several Japanese blogs, so I wanted to try.

Here's what I found on Youtube. In case you understand Japanese, the narration is actually talking about dyeing with safflower, but you are actually seeing the Indigo fresh leaf dyeing. Note the aeration, then re-dip. Added bonus: you get to see the making of a silk cap, and at the end you'll see a beautiful pink kimono dyed with safflower. Enjoy!

I hope my plants will grow well so I get to try this at the end of the summer. Now that's a project that needs patience and planning!

I'm finally making some progress on Citrus York pullover.

Doesn't it look funny?

Mitch (another long-term project) and I went to the beach last Saturday. It was a perfect day on the beach. He said he had "the bestest day ever." I totally agree.

Fleece Therapy

2008-04-11T22:58:00.000-07:00

I've been spinning a lot. "A lot" is a relative term. 3 hours in the evening is three times more than I usually get. I need it; treadling and watching the fiber slip between my fingers, the rhythm, the gentle white noise. The sense that I am producing something -- for some reasons, spinning is more therapeutic than knitting to me usually, as it brought me fewer disappointments and frustrations so far.

Brown New Zealand Corriedale I bought at Stitches. I spun two full bobbins this week, and I was planning to ply this with the redhead alpaca, which I also spun more of. Then I realized that these two are too different to be spun together -- the alpaca is too good for this particular corriedale, which is not N2S soft. I'm not too sure about the color combination either -- the dark brown and cinnamon seem too high in the contrast. I think I will spin some white merino and try plying that with the alpaca.

The brand-new book called A Fine Fleece arrived! It's a beautiful book.

This is about knitting using handspun yarn, but the patterns are pretty much all Aran sweaters. They are beautiful to look at, but it is a bit disappointing; I don't think I'd be spinning one kind of yarn (and consistently that is) enough to knit an Aran sweater. I have no patience to knit a fancy Aran sweater with full sleeves either, not to mention the skills!

Another disappointment is that the photographs, as much as they are beautiful, don't show the full view or the details of the finished works. There are two vest patterns in the book, but I can't really tell what they are going to look like in reality! There is a close-up shot of a nice cable stitches for one of the vest patterns, but I can't figure out where exactly the stitch is used, from the photo of the vest itself. I may actually try knitting one of them just to see -- if I can spin enough yarn for it.

At last, I give you my apple blossoms! Next post will be about the Japanese Indigo.

Have a nice weekend!

Happy Sheep (and Goats) Day

2008-04-06T21:09:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, my son and I went to visit the Meet the Sheep Day at Meridian Jacobs in Vacaville. Lots of Jacob sheep and lambs, and goats frolicking in the sun was something I really wanted to see this weekend.

Don't they just make you smile?

3-weeks old lamb. Awwww.

Mitch meets a kid goat. Goats are very curious, sociable animals, compared to sheep.

There were several spinning and weaving friends of the owner Robin, and Mitch and I enjoyed spinning with our spindles in the sun. What a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon.... This really made me think that we need to form Marin Spinning Connection.

No, I didn't buy any fiber. The new spindle and dyed wool were for Mitch, so they don't count!
Come to think of it, he probably needed a bag of multi-colored Jacob too. Well, next time.

We got to feed the two weeks old kid goat. This little guy was about cuddly as a cat.

Robin and I got to talk about spinning and how I got started on spinning. I almost asked her for how she got started on sheep farming, and how that's been working for her, but I stayed away from that subject; that's something I can't even dream of doing in Marin, as much as I'd love to.
I can also see from the sheepskin that were sold there that sheep farming does involve some business other than fiber. I'm not sure if I can deal with that.

We had a great time. It was good for me, in many ways. I know somewhere in my heart that this is the kind of life I want to live. I'm sure that many visitors who came today had the same thing deep in their hearts. I spent the rest of the day by my spinning wheel.

Spring Fibering (and other news)

2008-03-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

The daffodils I got for the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days fundraiser produced some natural yellow wool again. Fifty daffs and about 250 frozen dandelion flower heads on very soft merino.

I am so miffed that the pretty lemony-yellow just doesn't come out right on this camera. I can see it already in the view finder that the color just isn't right. I love this camera, but I wish it did a better job on the true colors.

I also spun the rosemary-dyed corriedale from last year.

Again the color isn't right -- it's a tinge more green.

I spun some more possum - merino blend on my spindle while we were at the little league game. It surprised me just how many people came by to see what I was doing. Kids were interested in it too; there was a boy in the game who seemed almost more interested in spinning than the baseball.

The spring issue of Spin-off just came out, and it's the best one I've ever read. It has inspired me to spend some time on my wheel. While I was looking for the rosemary-dyed fiber in my stash bins, I made a horrific discovery; I HAVE TOO MUCH FIBER. I declare; I will never buy any fiber for the rest of the year! Oh, I know -- you've heard that before.

Last week, I stepped out to my backyard and heard unfamiliar birds -- lots of them. There they were in the neighbor's birch trees; I counted around one hundred. Bohemian Waxwings -- wish I had a better picture to show you, but here it is.

There were many more just flying in and out. I'd never seen waxwings before. Now I've seen one hundred!

Mimint-san, one of the Japanese bloggers I visit posted gorgeous cherry blossom photos for me! She lives near Asakusa, Tokyo, where I was born, and often posts photos from Asakusa Temple. Every year I miss seeing the cherry blossoms in Japan; next year for sure, I said that last spring. I wonder if I'd ever get see the flowers again in my hometown.

Ways to Decompress

2008-03-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

It's been stressful at work. Just way too much to do, and this is going to get worse until the release date in May. Yick.

Gardening is one way to decompress. I've been watching the new veggie patch every day, and now I see tiny sprouts -- they are carrots (lots), Japanese indigo (just a couple) and pumpkins (that I didn't plant). Pumpkins a good surprise whenever I use the soil from the compost.
Oh, by the way, would anyone like to try sowing some J. indigo? I have quite a lot of seeds still left, but not much land left to grow. It's annual, and non-invasive.

Spinning is another way to decompress. Can you guess what this fiber is?

I just read a post about spinning cotton on one of my Japanese daily reads, and -- call me crazy! -- when I opened the new bottle of kids' vitamins for my son, I couldn't resist to try with that wad of cotton balls that came out. I had great fun. It wasn't as difficult as I had thought. The spun cotton smells like grape jelly!

And little critters. We lost our cat over a year ago, and aside some walking stick bugs, we remained pet-less. Mitch had been asking for "sumping (something) furry", and we landed on little mice. As we started announcing our new family additions, I realized that many people are squirmish about mice (which I don't really get; to me little mice are cuter than hamsters!), so I hope I don't scare you away, but here they are;

This is Harry Potter. Mitch named him of course.

And here's Algernon Flowers. I bribed Mitch for the naming right for this little cute guy. They are just a little bigger than the length of my thumb, and they are actually female, but Mitch doesn't know that. Algernon is quite fuzzy and his fur is a bit longer than Harry's. When I commented on it, Charlie said; "no, you may not spin Algernon."

I used to have a little mouse when I was a little older than Mitch, and I really enjoyed having him, so I hope that he'll remember fondly of these critters.

And of course, Knit Night Friday.

The boys enjoyed playing together, as we knit and chatted. I finally went past the first three rows of Citrus York! Yeah for that, but I am not sure this is going to be wearable -- this is a top-down sweater, but the neck opening looks a bit small for my big head. I will try that out when I progress a bit more on the york.

Because We Have So Little Time

2008-03-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

I was working and watching TV peripherally, as usual, last night -- instead of knitting. I don't remember the name of the program, but I think it was on ABC -- "What would you do?" was the theme; a young actor is sitting on the ground in a park, uncontrollably sobbing. Several "test subjects" will walk by him on a path. Some just walk on, and some stop to offer help.

The biggest contributor in deciding whether to stop or press on was the time. Some were told to hurry to get to a meeting at point A; some didn't get that time pressure. Many in the "Group Rushed" didn't stop to help. Many who weren't pressed on time stopped.

It made me think. We are always so rush-rush. We have early morning meetings. We have deadlines. We got appointments. Bath. Bedtime. Business trips. What am I going to pack for lunch tomorrow?

Our son's morning dilly-dallyness is helpless. I'm sure what he hears every morning from us have become such an annoyance for him. And by rushing him so much every morning, are we making him not see what's important or what's right? And what about us?

I think that's one of the reasons why I love knitting and spinning. Rushing doesn't work. I take the time and repeat it over and over. Stop and admire what I have accomplished. Don't you just wish that's the way we lived our lives?

I tell myself that we should take a deep breath and slow down. What's another five minutes of Mitch stirring the yogurt cup. What's another frogging on my I-can-never-get-this-right Citrus York. Wait -- what's for the lunch tomorrow??

Weekend Accomplishments

2008-03-09T20:57:00.000-07:00

We had a beautiful weather over the weekend, and naturally we spent a lot of time outside. We accomplished a lot around the house;

A few weeks ago just before the storm, we had the big yucca tree (or plant, more correctly) removed from our backyard. It was growing fast, and every strong wind had knocked down a big limb or two, giving me a constant worry.

The persimmon tree that was knocked down by one of the fallen yucca limbs in the New Year's storm, is budding now. I thought it was dead, so the sign that this is still well and alive makes me happy.

Since we were using the yucca to hang the bird feeder, we had to find a replacement.

The birds seem to love the new set-up, and they come by numbers. I've been filling the feeder every other day. I'm going to have to keep working just to keep the birds fed!

And we've finally made the water fountain in the backyard. I've been wanting this for a long time. And the most important thing is that it's solar!

I've also moved my vegetable patch from the shady spot to the front yard, where it will get more sun. Hopefully we'll have more tomatoes this summer than last year. I've also sown Japanese indigo seeds here -- hoping to try some indigo dye in the summer.

We visited the Novato History Museum here in town (first time in our ten years of living in Novato). We went out for lunch, Mitch and Charlie went for a bike ride, Mitch and I went to Josh's baseball game -- Mitch got to spend a few hours with Erin's boys while I enjoyed chatting with Erin. Charlie went flying. Boy that's a lot of activities.

I even had a few minutes to myself sitting under my cherry tree and admired the blossoms and petals coming down like snow. It does make me sad a bit. I'd love it if someone bred a cherry tree whose blossoms last a month.

On the knitting side, I cast on the Citrus York Sweater with the blue pima cotton/silk blend I got at Stitches, but realized that I already made an error. Just a simple misunderstanding of the pattern that's supposed to be simple -- so I have to rip it. Oh well -- it's OK. It was a nice weekend. The only problem is that it was too short.

Ribwarmer Done and it's Spring

2008-03-06T23:49:00.000-08:00

It took so long for me to finish this. Now it's too warm for me to wear the Elizabeth Zimmermann's Ribwarmer.

Knitted in my Corriedale handspun. I used the I-cord edging for the whole thing. It was fun and I like how it looks. But I wish I made the whole thing a bit smaller for a better fit. This was the first time for me to knit a piece entirely in garter stitches, but boy it was tiring... Come to think of it I love purling so I probably shouldn't be choosing garter stitch patterns.

I have not decided on a button -- the one in the picture on the top is a brooch.

This is the biggest piece I knitted using my handspun yarn. It wasn't easy to have enough yarn that has the same twist, ply and weight... It was harder than I thought it would be!

Yes, the spring is here in Northern California.

It's time for a little break and sunshine. It would be good for you and me.

I'm thinking about taking a couple hours off tomorrow and sit under my cherry tree and admire it like a fool. I wonder if I had any sake in the kitchen?

Socks Completed!

2008-02-26T21:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, you read that right.. I finished sock number 2! We have an official pair folks! Hard to believe. I have to admit this was the most fun project yet. Okay, so the 2nd sock had it's share of trouble, and in the meantime I lost the 1st sock a few times, once at Stitches West (later found in my new stash pile from my Stitches West loot!)

Nicole has a pair of hand knitted sock and she loves them.

Okay, so now I need some help. I could not do a decent Kitchener's stitch to save my life Both socks had issues. In addition, I have a small hole right at the corner where I picked up stitches. What is the trick to reduce the "hole" size?

All I can say is I am hooked on knitting socks AND finishing a project. So, now my dilemma is this? Do I start a new project with my new yarn? OR... do I finish my shrug scarf I started last February? I am leaning towards finishing so I can be done....

I am so happy with my wee little socks!! Thanks Erin for all your help.. and especially the other night at Stitches when I needed a designated knitter to fix my blunder.. after drinking too many margarittas!!!

Knitters Everywhere

2008-02-26T20:59:00.000-08:00

So I made it to Stitches! The storm was approaching the Bay Area, and the weather radar Friday evening didn't look pretty. After that New Year's storm and power outage, the word "storm" gets me nervous every time. Decided to go early, early in the morning on Saturday to beat the rain clouds. Then by 8 am I was sitting at the lobby of Hyatt and knitting.

Left a voicemail on Erin's cell phone, but she didn't call back after an hour. An extended weekend away from kids, Liz and Erin are enjoying sleeping in, of course, probably high on the yarn fume. I called again at 9:00, waking the girls up.
"Come on up, we are in room 715." Okie dokie. After several knocks, the door doesn't open. The TV's on, but no one answer the door. I call on the cell phone.
"Let me in!"
"Oh, okay."
Still, no one comes out.
My cell phone rings, and it's Erin.
"Um. You are not at Hyatt, are you? We are at Hilton."
I laughed all the way to Hilton (just across the street), even harder when I found Liz in the lobby of Hilton in her robe, buying coffee! When you are among knitters, anything is possible, and everything is forgiven. Well, almost.

After admiring their yarn acquisitions and hearing hilarious stories at the Stitches Market, I headed out for some shopping. I had limited time on my hands -- I was still worried about getting stranded in the huge storm.

The first booth I stopped was Wild Fibers. Linda Cortright, the editor and publisher of the magazine, was smiling away at me! I wish photographing was allowed. I chatted with her on how much I love the magazine. Linda commented that she wished more knitters cared about where their fibers came from. I agree -- Being a spinner/knitter, I do wonder what kind of sheep, animals once wore the fibers. Who sheared it, and how it came to me. Linda is so fortunate that she gets to travel around the world to see all that. Don't you just wish? Purchased several back numbers that I don't own. The one I already have, with my favorite story about the traveling shearers from New Zealand, will go to Huguette, who didn't make it out to Stitches.

Right across the aisle, there's Carolina Homespun. I bought some Misty Alpaca cotton/silk blend yarn, 35% off! I think I know what I want to knit with this. Citrus Yoke Pullover from IK Winter issue.

I also got some merino spinning fibers -- $10 for 4 oz. What a steal! It's actually soft yellowish.

Some brown corriedale from Carin Egan.

After admiring Betsy's sweater at the lunch table, I visited Just One More Row's booth. Purchased a pattern and a huge hunk of silk noil.

I love the colors. I have not read through the pattern, but it looks like it's going to take some thinking and calculations. I think I like that over the "just follow it exactly as it's written" kind of patterns, but let's just hope that I am good enough to get through it.

The most expensive purchase was signing myself up on the Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive. I'm already very excited.

I hurried home, and by the time I got to Oakland, it was pouring. But it wasn't as windy as they had been predicting-- in fact by the time I got home around 5pm, the rain was tapering off to just a shower. I could have stayed longer at Stitches! But then maybe it was for the better. My huge stash containers are all 120% full. It became awfully windy and rained hard late that night, so it was a calm before the storm.

Although it wasn't so good for my stash situations, it was a wonderful break for my mood -- it's so wonderful to be with friends and laugh away. I might just spend a few nights next year, just to get away and get more smile lines on my face!

Stitches!

2008-02-19T22:34:00.000-08:00

Last year I missed out on going to Stitches West. For the whole year I kept hearing how heavenly it was, so this year I am going -- Erin and Liz are taking some time off from work and going on a four-day straight shopping spree. I am just going on Saturday for just one day visit. (One day is dangerous enough.) Huguette is still waffling.

Before I lose my senses in that infamous yarn fume, I thought I should get together the plan of attack -- list the projects I wanted to do, yarn required, yardage, color, etc -- I've been working on it for a few days now, but no progress. I really haven't run into patterns that I fell in love with for several months now -- that's a sad state of my knitting mind. And the last two issues of IK don't help either (yes I am pretty persistent).

I might end up just buying a Prius-full of spinning fiber, and it can only mean less time for me to knit!

This and That

2008-02-18T22:08:00.000-08:00

It was a four-day weekend for me -- my son's preschool was closed last Friday, so I had to take a day off. Yes, it's hard to twist my arm for that. We had a mini-vacation over the Presidents' Day Weekend two year in the row and really enjoyed it, but it didn't happen this year as Charlie was sick. We will try that sometime next month.

Instead, Mitch and I took a drive to the Tomales Bay. The weather was just gorgeous, and the road was empty. We picked the good day for it, because just a few days later they held the Tour of California on that route.

I swear. The sunny days in February in Northern California are the best. The hills are green, the sky is blue, the sun is warm and gentle. Something about this little trail made me think of my childhood.

I spun the rest of the Corriedale to knit the Ribwarmer. It was the huge ball (my guess is about two pounds) of white roving that came with my Ashford Traditional. It's all gone now -- I've practiced, admired, dyed and experimented a lot of things with it. It was wonderful to spin.

So, no one I know likes the Spring issue of Interweave Knits! The lack of variety is what gets me. I did appreciate some of the articles, but none of the patterns. As Stefaneener puts it, they are all "look at my belly" designs! I will look forward to a nice surprise in the Summer issue, but that feels like a long time to wait... I should be receiving the new Spin-Off soon, and I hope it's a good one!

Spring is in the air

2008-02-12T20:51:00.000-08:00

I know I've been away for a while, but I'm glad that Liz has been keeping you amuzed!
Happy Valentine's Day! Spring is definitely near with acacia and cherry blossoming here and there. It means lots of sneezing for Mitch and Charlie. Poor boys.

Mitch has a wide range of hobbies.

While he was having fun with my Joy, I was spinning more corriedale because I was running out of the handspun to knit EZ's Ribwarmer.

This was knit with my earlier handspinning product. I love the way it's coming out -- I wasn't happy with the singles when I was plying them, but when it's knit up it's very soft and lofty.

But the batch I just spun came out terrible! It's too tight in both spinning and plying, and the gauge is all wrong now -- and it's tight and not pretty. I thought my spinning skill was getting better, but I guess I was imagining. Sigh.

Luckily I have just some more corriedale left, so I am going to spin it again -- back to basics. I hope I can repeat the soft hand again.

Here's the January delivery of "Fiber of the Month Club" Charlie gave me for Christmas.

MMMMMMMohair!!

I wonder what this is going to turn into?

Did you get the Spring issue of IK? Did you like it? I didn't. Why do they have to put six cardigans in very similar designs knitted in similar yarn in the colors alike? I didn't much care for the Winter issue, and I'm disappointed that I didn't find anything I wanted to knit two issues in a row. Bummer.

Is it too soon to knit him something....

2008-02-04T22:18:00.000-08:00

So, is it too soon to want to knit him something? Saturday night I had an official date for the first time in years... I had an amazing time... and now all I can think about is finding something to knit him... too soon huh?

What is the "dating" protocol? How many dates, does it take before it is "okay" to cast on? without seeming too easy?

Just wondering.. so to pass my time while I contemplate .. I found this great beanie cap pattern on Ravelry...

Ribbed Beanie by Woollyworm Head..

But then again, maybe it is too soon.. ;-) I guess there is no harm picking out just the right yarn from my stash? Or maybe finding that perfect yarn at Stitches West?

What's a girl to do.... ;-)

Excuses for not starting the 2nd sock....

2008-02-03T09:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, so after yesterday's issue with sock number 1, I was still somewhat hopeful... , I had not given up the notion of casting on sock number 2, really... then this morning I woke up to.... yarn, everywhere, yarn... from one room to the next, there was yarn, pink yarn - everywhere....

What happened in the night? Who took my lovely little ball of pink yarn and 5 or was it 6 size 6 DPN's?

Was it Alex our Golden pup?? He says, no... not him....

Or Beau, our Lab pup? Beau says he didn't see a thing....

Maybe it was Sophina, she looks gentle and innocent, but it is that just an act?

Then again, my money goes to Robby our kitten...

Yes, Robby has been known to get into mischief... so, now what? Is this my excuse to abandon the thought of sock #2? My dog... my cat... ate my homework excuse?

I was able to recover 5 of the 6 DPN's, enough for a sock... and with Nicole's help, we were able to take the rats nest of yarn and - without cutting it - turn it back into a ball of yarn... so I guess, now I am obligated to cast on...... and begin Sock #2. Wish me luck!!

The Sock Saga... it started with such promise....

2008-02-03T01:20:00.001-08:00

Well, the sock had such promise... in the beginning.. sure I had trouble with finding the right number to cast on.. but we figured it out... sure, the heal seemed a little scary at first, but we went forward, and by the heal turn I felt triumphant, and after picking up all those stitches and getting past the decreases, I thought I was past the worst of it, and I was home free... after all what was left? A little knit knit knit... and a few decreases, and something that sounded friendly enough.. the kitchener stitch? Right.... I mean, isn't the heart of the home, the kitchen?

But alas, danger was just ahead. I was on my own at this point, Erin was home and I was left with my instructions, I thought I had followed them to the 'T', after all, when Erin was here, I very proficiently SSK, yet, left to my own, something wasn't right, but, I figured, it would still work out somehow. Then, the dreaded Kitchener Stitch.

Erin said it might be a bit tricky, so go to knittinghelp.com and watch the video. I did, I swear I did.. several times. And in theory everything seemed easy enough, I was confident before I picked up my threaded needle that all would go well, I was prepared... however, upon application of my newly learned skill, everything went wrong... and kept going wrong.. it is tooooo hard to even recant each dropped stitch and run.. all I can say, is ... my perfect little sock, is not so perfect! It was all I could do with my needle and yarn to cover the holes and stopping the runs. It was out of control, I was out of control. I needed a DESIGNATED KNITTER!!!!!!

Yes, I should have put the needles and yarn down and picked up the phone, but I didn't. And now, well, the evidence speaks for itself.

The good news is, Nicole LOVES her new pink sock. She doesn't mind that it ends in a point, or that the stitches on the top are big and wrong. She says the only thing I need to do now, is make the 2nd sock! So, I will.. and I am sure I will learn a great deal along the way. A lesson I learned today was, the great thing about knitting for kids, they only see the beauty in the end product. In her eyes the sock is perfect, warm and cozy and I guess that is all that matters. And over time, I am sure I will get the hang of sock knitting, kitcheners stitch (stupid name! - yes, I am a bit resentful and bitter!! I am sure that will pass... with time...)

As for now, I can do this... I am in hot pursuit of the perfect knitted sock! And I will look back on this not so perfect little pink soft, with love and fond memories. Or at least that is what I am telling myself in order to muster up the courage to cast on and do it again!

Wish me luck!

Slippery Situations

2008-01-30T18:56:00.000-08:00

Yes, I did have a doule-take on our blog -- First time in I don't know how long, there's a post from someone other than me! I am so glad to have Liz back on our blog -- after all, her "Fingerless Mittens" post is the one with the most visitors.

I am in Montreal. The weather is like seeing a myself in the mirror -- it's raining, then five minutes later there's sunshine, and when I turn around we have a snow storm!! The road was all slushy in the morning, and by the lunch time it was frozen solid, making a 100-meter walk to the closest eatery super eventful, in this crazy wind that tried to knock us down, even though we huddled like a bunch of overdressed rugby players.

Yes, my 100-dollar snow parka is again a life saver. I don't know how people survive the winter here -- I would go mental in three days.

At work, I am having such a problem -- actually, a bunch of problems, everywhere I turn to -- and I don't know whether I should try to talk things over, or to just keep my mouth shut. Nothing seems to work for me. Lucky thing, I have a great team and several female peers to relate to (or comiserate with).

I don't have a tactfulness to gracefully skate over the ice. The only way to get out of this may be to just fall on my back and slide across it on all four.

Can't wait to get home.

Sock Virgin - NO MORE!

2008-01-27T09:13:00.000-08:00

Why in the world would someone knit socks?

You know all of us have said that at least one time in our lives BEFORE we casted on, ribbed ribbed ribbed, create the heal flap, did a turn, picked up stitches, decreased, knitted in the round, decreased a toe.... if you dig deep down inside you know this to be true.... BUT once you have gone thru the motions of creating a perfect little sock, even part way thru the motions, you are IN LOVE, like never before.

A SOCK!! Who knew?? All this time, the perfect "to knit" item was out there.... just waiting to be discovered. I mean sure, I have plenty of sock yarn, and needles to match, and books, but did I ever really intend to knit a sock? I think maybe not, sure I love to see all the finished socks of my sock knitter friends, but I thought that sock knitting was out of my range, and deep down, I asked myself ... WHY KNIT A SOCK when I can buy them for 5.00 at Walgreens? Call me silling, I just never really knew.... what I was missing!!!!!

Well, last night, for the first time, I started a sock. It was like magic, a religous experience! Erin as my tutor she gently guided me thru figuring out how many to cast on.. how long was my ribbing.. and then the heel, and the turn and the picking up of stitches... she just knew what to do... she even showed me a great way to SSK which was not at all as awkward as I had been doing in the past...

I AM OFFICIALLY IN LOVE!!!! I didn't want to put it down, now I know why sock knitters, knit socks. The first thought I had this morning was my sock. And then I thought of my second sock.. and the next pair I would make, what yarn would I use... I am obsessed by knitted socks.

Of course, it helps to know that Nicole LOVES her new sock. She is so excited for it. This morning I made her try it on and she said it felt PERFECT!! My heart sang. I am officially a knitter, in one second I became a knitter, a sock knitter. Sure, there are plenty of things about my perfect little sock which technically does not make it perfect, but I could care less. It is perfect in my eyes.

Erin, THANK YOU for taking the time to show me how to knit a sock. You gave me GREAT advise, start with Worsted Weight yarn, size 6 needles, start small (cast on 36) rib about two inches before starting the heel flap. I can't remember the details of the turn, so I am going to need help on sock #2, but who cares... and of course, when it comes time to decrease at the toe, I will need to make a call to Dr. Erin, the knitted sock Dr.!

I am hooked ladies, and I am off to finish sock #1 ... now my thoughts are on all the sock yarn I have in my stash and what wonderful socks I can make!!! Happy Sunday!!

Here are the details of my sock:

Childs ankle sock (Nicole wears a size 11, the sock fits perfectly)

Cascase 220 Superwash, color 839(got it on sale over a year ago!)

Needles sz 6 (plastic flexible white ones, I inherited from an older lady who passed away, the pack was never opened, I guess knitters are stasher as all ages!)

Cast on 36, k1p1 rib about 2 inches, 1 inch heal flap and the rest was a bit of a mystery, picked up stitches, decreased so I had 18 stitches on two needles and then I am back into knitting in the round.. so much for a pattern! ;-) but nevertheless a sock is formed!

Need Rose-colored Glasses

2008-01-26T20:29:00.000-08:00

... because of this.

This is the final result of the apple bark dye on corriedale.

Although it's way better than the first trial, it's still not the shade of pink I was expecting. Charlie says that it's not pink at all. I guess I need rose-colored glasses -- and they may just help brighten the situation with my day job too!

One of my WIP is Elizabeth Zimmermann's Rib Warmer. It's brilliant -- it's done in garter stitches, and I'm a bit tired of them (I love purling!), but the design and all those short rows keep me interested and motivated. And I'm using my handspun yarn. I am close to finishing the first piece -- another to go. Photos next time.

I have to go to Montreal again next week. Oh yes. It'll be freakin' cold. I may have to spin some tomorrow, as I always get the urge to do so before a business trip!

Nicest Mittens

2008-01-18T22:45:00.000-08:00

I just came home from the Knit Night at FlourChylde Bakery in Downtown Novato, and am still pretty excited -- Erin had her latest FO on. Pretty handknit mittens.

They are cute, and they are soft. And they are knitted with my handspun yarn I gave her! I just couldn't stop fondling them.

I'm so in love.

Thank you for knitting them Erin! I hope you'll enjoy them for a long time.

I've been spinning for a year and a half, but these are only second knitted objects with my yarn. The first one was my socks, which I am crazy about. I've been trying to find some good patterns to knit with my yarn, but I usually don't have enough of one kind to do much...

By the way, Novato knitters -- FlourChylde is open late on Friday evenings! It's a great place to knit. Wine, amazing torts and cookies, yarn and friends.... what more can we ask for?

Knitting is Dangerous

2008-01-15T21:05:00.000-08:00

(http://www.xkcd.com/369/)

Charlie found it on the web.

As the one who has experienced the first one and the bottom two, I must say that they are all addicting!

Apple Dye Update

2008-01-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

So, the apple bark has been soaking in the garage since 12/27. For those who aren't interested in dyeing or natural dyeing, this may be a boring topic and the picture may look weird. Even disgusting. Sorry about that.

I see pink. Do you? This may be a good sign.

I simmered the water with the bark still in for about ten minutes. You are not supposed to boil it -- too much tannin will get out in the dye and dull the color, my book says.

I didn't weigh the bark before I soaked it, but my guess is about 200 g. I am using about 50 g of corriedale. The dye stuff - fiber ratio is supposed to be 1 - 1, but I'm being conservative. I really want some pink this time.

Here's what the white wool looks like in the dye bath. From my (limited) experience, the dye bath and the wool should look much darker. Not a good sign. It's now simmering on the stove, and I will keep it in the dye bath overnight and see what happens.

One of the reasons I am fascinated by natural dyeing is that with it we can become less dependent on the chemicals. I don't use any harsh or toxic mordant or afterbath; only thing I'd use is alum and vinegar. Using things like chrome and copper, although they might produce beautiful shades, defeats the purpose of natural dyeing, in my opinion.

The more I learn, the more I gravitate towards organics -- fibers included. This gets me more motivated about attending the Summer Intensive at Golden Gate Fiber Institute. Judith McKenzie McCuin are famous as a organic fiber advocate.

Summer Camp Plans

2008-01-08T21:39:00.000-08:00

It's been cold here. I saw some fascinating ice patterns on the windshield Monday morning. It was all over the window glass, and I almost hated for it to melt away. It was beautiful.

Back to spinning alpaca. Decided to make thin rolags using a knitting needle -- kind of making a cotton candy off the hand carder. The looser the roll is, the easier to draft.

It reminds me of the cat hairballs! Unfortunate association for the beautiful alpaca.

Lots of carding and picking the second cuts, so the spinning is slow going, but I'm enjoying it. I'm waiting for it to speak to me so I can decide what to knit with it...

I've been contemplating on attending the Summer Intensive at Golden Gate Fiber Institute. It's close, and it's this summer when I should be on sabbatical. I really wanted to attend SOAR in the fall but it's in Pennsylvania this year, and it really isn't very convenient.

I think this is the first such event for the Golden Gate Fiber Institute (which is a fairly new organization), so I don't know what this is going to be like -- how big will a class be? How many attendees? Would I be too much of a newbie for such events? And the biggest question is -- would I really enjoy it?

See, I know that the Designated Knitters and other friends of mine would laugh, but in fact I am an introvert, to the extreme. I am terrible at socializing and making a small talk. I'd hate to end up sitting all by myself.

So, I'm hoping that someone who's also considering would find me through a Google search or something, and contact me -- Anyone?

The teachers for the intensive are amazing. Sara Lamb, Judith Mackenzie McCuin, Nancy Bush, Darlene Hayes, etc -- the only thing that seemed a bit disappointing is the lodging. If I were to take a plunge and enroll in such a course, I'd love to stay at a nice, relaxing retreat-like setting, not at a YMCA camp with bunk beds!

But -- what a treat it would be!

Awakening

2008-01-05T20:01:00.000-08:00

Here in Northern California, we've been hit by the storm of the season. It came early Friday morning, and I woke up to find a huge limb of the palm tree fallen down on my persimmon tree! We all knew about this storm was coming, so I got up early, took shower, got dressed and fed the family before we lost the power -- and as soon as I finished my first cup of coffee, at 8:52 am, the power went out.

We've lived in this house for ten years, and we were informed when we moved in that we were on the same power grid as the fire station, so our power should never be out for more than a few minutes. It had been right, until this time.

We thought we were prepared. Sure, we had lots of batteries, flashlights, a radio, food and water. But I never thought keeping ourselves warm and illuminated in the middle of the winter was this difficult. The small fireplace was not enough to warm up the house. We had no lanterns, and it turns out that Charlie's allergic to whatever the burning candles put out in the air, so that didn't help either -- in the process of surviving the storm and the long power outage, I realized how vulnerable we really are, and how totally dependent we are on the electricity. When we lose the power of "there will be light when we flip switches," we are lost.

Another finding was how quickly I switch myself into the "survival mode." I dress in warm layers in the most comfortable and practical way possible, no colors in consideration! I put no makeups (because I may not be able to take them off). We went to the mall today to keep ourselves warm, and I sure didn't want to be seen by our coworkers!

Well into the second night with no power, we were bracing ourselves into another cold night and Sunday, then it came back -- Mitch just went running around all over the house screaming "We have power! We have power!!" for five minutes. As soon as the heater started running, we felt much warmer, although there was no change in the temperature yet. It's all in our heads, I know.

Mitch fared the ordeal much better than we could have ever imagined, and we all found some fun in all this -- Mitch's favorite was called "Aflac," making a duck shadow with hands with the flashlight, with quack-quack of course. I came to appreciate almost two full nights of no TV, sitting by the fireplace, just talking and enjoying each others' company. Charlie and I talked that maybe we should do this once a month -- turn off all the lights and pretend that we had no power. (But, with the heat on)

As soon as our lives return normal, we are going to look into better preparing ourselves for events like this. As much as I am heartbroken, if the only damage is my persimmon tree (that Charlie got for me in September), we should consider ourselves fortunate. There are families that have to survive the whole winter without homes -- imagine how difficult it must be. We only lost power for a day and a half, and it was plenty hard.

I hope that you are OK, and that those who were affected by this storm will recover soon. Well, I'm back to my vacation -- my last day. I am going to knit!!

Happy New Year (and the last-minute struggles)

2008-01-01T08:49:00.000-08:00

Happy New 2008! Can't believe it's already 8 years into the "new millennium!" I still remember the Y2K craze (in so many ways -- I'm in the "hi-tech" industry) like yesterday.

We've been off since the 22nd, but not doing much every day and sitting around the house has caught up with us -- well, with me, at least. I felt like we needed to go somewhere, do something, before the Christmas break ends. This is the only time of the year we all get the time off for so long, without running around to make everyone's schedule match. I really wanted to take advantage of it -- so, I made a reservation of a motel just night before and left to a short two-day trip to the Gold Country, Grass Valley, hoping to see some snow. Our 4 1/2 yo son had never seen the snow.

I knew (from various fiber related blogs) that it snowed on the Christmas day in Grass Valley, but of course there's nothing left in town. And being Sunday, the yarn store is closed (bad planning!). Yarn store in Nevada City had been converted to a flower shop, unless we were not reading the address right. Mitch was bouncing off everything so going into antique stores was not very safe. So nothing was accomplished on the shopping side.

Next day we went up Rt 49 for just few miles (as we were told the night before at Swiss House Restaurant -- great food!), the forest ground we could see from the road was still white. It really wasn't much, but enough to declare an instant snowball fight!

The only time the mittens from the last winter get worn this year, I'm sure, with much appreciation.

Mitch just didn't want to leave, and at the end we had to carry him into the car. "Can I bring some snow home?" Now it looks like we need to make another trip to see the real new snow, not this icy leftover from a week ago.

The vest is done, but I'm not sure how much use this is going to get.

The main solid gray part is knitted with a chunky wool 100% yarn I brought from Japan when I moved to the US, and it's at least 22 years old. It's almost an antique. The front panels in white/gray are done with a strand of Rowan Cocoon (white) and a strand of Natural Shetland from Elemental Affects (gray) held together. It's hard to see, but the panels have cable patterns.

(still hard to see)

For one thing, I thought I sized it so he would wear it for at least two winters. From the rate he's been growing, it'll be too small in three months. And he's not going to wear it unless I force him to; he's always been a cotton shirt boy, and he wears nothing else, no matter how cold. In the worst of our winter, he would wear a short-sleeve T over a long-sleeve T, that's it. I had to use the secret weapon ("I will not take you to Erin's house if you don't wear this for me" tactics) to have him pose in it.

I still have to put the zipper in the front, but at this point I'm wondering if it's worth the effort. Sigh. Okay, this may be the last piece I'd ever knit for you, unappreciative son of mine.

This is pretty much all I did, other than some Alpaca spinning, during this break. I should get ready to go back to my "normal" routine, including some knitting and spinning for myself.

Happy New Year everyone -- I hope the new year is filled with peace, good health, and beautiful fibers!

Santa Came, Santa Left

2007-12-26T23:15:00.000-08:00

The night before Christmas Mitch proclaimed just before going to bed; "I'm going to get up and wait for Santa." I wonder how many more years he's going to want to bake cookies for Santa Claus?

He received an inexpensive, yet very capable electric keyboard (he calls it piano) from Santa, and was very excited, but so far his parents are enjoying it more than he is.

I received a Christmas house from Mitch and Charlie -- A hardware store, of course. There weren't any yarn stores. So now I have an ACE Hardware Store, right next to Rosie's Restaurant. Charlie also gave me a "Fiber of the Month" club -- his own last-minute creation, but I'm seeing a business opportunity here.

The gift tag Mitch made for me; they are reindeer.

M's hooded vest, nearly done; I now have to sew the sides, knit the arm ribbings, and sew on the zipper.

I sat by the fire tonight and peeled the bark off the apple tree branches. Yup, after the defeat from the first attempt, I am trying the apple bark dye. It's a lot of work. I must be crazy to be doing this. It's so easy to buy a beautifully dyed pink fiber!

The natural dye book I'm using for a reference says to strip off the outer bark and use only the inner bark for brighter color. Not as easy as it may sound. Can't really tell what inner bark is -- especially from a branch that has a crust of old, brittle bark. That's the kind I used for my first attempt. So this time I avoided those, and peeled off the thin, light brownish part with a pocket knife. I am going out to get a jug of distilled water to soak the bark in -- then the wait begins (I'm supposed to soak it for about a week). If it fails this time, I am not touching the apple bark ever again!

Long Awaited

2007-12-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

Finally, we are on the long-awaited Christmas break. This year all three of us are off from work and school at the same time, until January 2nd. Usually by December 15th or so my work slows down, but it just wasn't the case this year -- I ran around until the last moment, and even with that I felt like not much was accomplished -- thus sadly, no Holiday cards made this year. Shame on me.

Mitch was down with a cold again (second time this winter), and he was slightly asthmatic. When he got better, I was down for the second time as well. I think I am getting over quickly, thanks to the mega-load of Vitamin C at the beginning. All that didn't help with getting things accomplished, of course. Knitting included.

I did finish the socks for my friend and sent them off to her in Japan.

She lives in a snow country in Japan, and very much appreciated the socks I knitted for her last year, so I hope this pair will be a welcome addition.

I am still working on Mitch's hooded vest. I'm on the hood part right now, and with five balls of yarn to maneuver, it's been a lot of work. Not sure if I can finish it by Christmas, but I'm not going to sweat it. I am using a Japanese knitting pattern, and I've been enjoying reading the graphic pattern again.

I'm really looking forward to getting back to spinning alpaca Erin brought back from Oregon, but I wanted to get some natural brown sheep wool to ply it with. I'm not brave enough to knit something with 100% alpaca handspun that may not retain shape -- alpaca has no or very little elasticity. So I called up Nancy, my spinning teacher -- I headed to her house this morning, only to find out that she was too down with a cold. So the local sheep ranch visit was postponed, once again. One of these days, I will get to visit her and post some pictures of her sheep! For now, we'll tame our fantasy with my Christmas sheep figurines.

Erin and her family is north-bound, off to see her parents in Vancouver. She's planning a visit to a local yarn shop to look for some Fleece Artist's spinning tops (hard to get in the US) for me, among other fine Canadian yarn for herself, while she's there! I will post the colorway I am looking for by the time for her yarn shop visit.

Happy Holidays!

Peace on Earth.

Winding Down

2007-12-10T22:48:00.000-08:00

I'm done traveling for the year, and I'm getting ready for the Christmas vacation. I am going to clean up the house, dye and spin, and of course knit, during the break!

Here's the front piece of Mitch's hooded vest.

It's hard to see, but the left side is the front, and it has a cable pattern. St. James Church, down town Toronto, 7 in the evening. Brrrrrr. That was pretty much the only street I walked on this trip, on King East, back and forth between the office and the hotel.

The flight home was very smooth and beautiful -- it flew right over the City. It was breathtaking.

Home Sweet Home.

$100 Parka Saves My Life

2007-12-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

I'm not kidding. It's that cold in Toronto. Today was minus 12 degrees, Celsius, during the day. I don't even want to know what it is in Fahrenheit.

Living in California, I didn't even have a decent coat for the last few years. We just don't need it -- maybe a good rain jacket, but not a snow parka (and I don't ski). I've been going to Montreal and Toronto during the winter for the three winters in a row, so finally I've broken down and bought a parka that is supposed to withstand -20 F. It's not even close to a Kanuk, but still it's an $100 investment that I wouldn't have made in a normal situation.

Oh yeah. It works.
The color matches my Crosspatch too.

I braved going out tonight alone, in search of an ATM that accepts my card (it's a long, boring story), and got on a subway for the first time in this city. I saw a knitter on the subway!

That's pretty much it for the report. Hopefully I'll have something more interesting tomorrow. Will try to post the front piece of M's vest too.

I Love Hats

2007-12-01T07:45:00.000-08:00

I love knitting hats, but unfortunately I don't look good in them. I love seeing little kids with cute knitted hats, and I have a son who looks very cute wearing them. I've knitted hats for him every winter, and thought that I'd continue as long as he enjoys wearing them.

Then it hit me.

It's been pretty cold in the morning, and I put his favorite hat that I knitted for him last winter before leaving to school. Then he said:

"But what if my friends see it?"

Oh gosh. His cute knitted hats days are over. Already. Not even the Gryffindor hat didn't sway him.

Bye bye Mitch's favorite green hat (sniff).

My last business trip of the year is next week, to Toronto, and the only things I'm looking forward to about this trip are to wear my Crosspatch hat and have a long knitting time on the flight. It was a crazy week, and I had very little knitting done, so I need to accelerate my Christmas knitting. And whether I look good or bad in it, I do need to wear a warm hat there. No one's going to comment on how bad I look in it, but they'll comment how warm my hat looks. I'm hoping.

It's already been a week, but on last Friday at the Knit Night at Erin's, I had a double-take on Huguette's latest FO.

It's another Crosspatch!

It turned out that Huguette was working on her Crosspatch at the exact same time I was on mine. It does look much smoother than mine, which is lumpy and bumpy -- I'm still not sure if it's because mine is with a handspun or not....Huguette used Cascade. I love the colors too.

I might find a (grown) man's hat pattern and knit one for Charlie -- he has to go to Montreal in January. He's going to need it. Brrrrrrrrr!

I Gave a Goat Today

2007-11-28T11:03:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season of giving. And I gave a goat today to someone, who will nourish her hungry children with its milk.

I never imagined that being a parent would make me so sensitive to a child's suffering. And among so many painful, sad stories associated with children suffering around us, near, far, all around the world, giving a goat or sheep might make a tiny part of it a little better. And the gift will be long lasting, offering a hand to free from the grip of poverty.

So, my choice of the charity this year is Heifer Project International. There's a Knitting Basket gift we could give to a family to produce an income from the spun/knitted items too!

Thanksgiving Half Over

2007-11-23T16:57:00.000-08:00

It's rare that we get four days straight off from work. One of the reasons why I love Thanksgiving. Going into the break, I was really engaged into knitting a hooded vest for my son, but the eve of Thanksgiving as I was finishing the back piece, I realized that I was going to run out of the yarn if I just went straight to the front pieces. It has cable center borders on the front that continue to the hood, so I could knit that part in a contrasting yarn. But of course the yarn store would be closed for Thanksgiving. So on the Turkey Day I spun the last hunk of Lisa Souza's silk/merino roving, instead of knitting, while the turkey cooks in the oven. I will have about 1,000 meters of sport-weight yarn by the time I finish plying this.

Oh yeah, I blocked the Column of Leaves scarf, finally.

I threaded a nylon string on the long edges and pinned them onto the ironing board.

What a difference blocking makes on a lace scarf!

I wore it to the trip to Knitterly today, but it was too warm, actually for a knitted scarf. It was 75 degrees outside, and ladies were walking in tanktops!

After lunch, we shopped at a bookstore. I bought a copy of Teva Durham's Loop-d-Loop for $7.50! What a great day to walk around the town. No Black Friday at department stores for this household.

We are off to Erin's house for Knit Night in 40 minutes! Gotta decide. Wheel or Yarn?

Spinnable

2007-11-13T22:25:00.000-08:00

My son was watching the TV today, cuddling his stuffed animal on his lap. He pulled a small fur from his "puppy," and examined it closely.

"Mommy, look. Spinnables!"

My son. Good boy.

Ready for Winter

2007-11-12T20:29:00.000-08:00

I'm done with Crosspatch, and I'm ready for Winter.
I didn't run out of the handspun yarn -- I have just a small handful left. The pattern by Elizabeth Morrison calls for a ball each of 100-meter yarn, but my estimate is about 60 meters each for MC (gray in my version) and CC (brown), in case any spinners want to knit this with shorter-than-100-meters yarn. I used US 9 needles.

This is only my second FO with my handspun yarn! And since it was something I actually needed, I'm really proud.

This is called mosaic knitting, and this was the first time I ever tried. Mine looks more bumpy, compared to Elizabeth's smooth mosaic pattern, and I'm not sure if it's my lack of technique or my unevenly spun yarn. But I still like it.

My Column of Leaves scarf remains unblocked. I hope I'll get my act together on it soon.

I've also started on a new pair of socks -- the first pair as Christmas gifts. I'm using the Knitpicks Options metal DPNs for the first time. It's fast -- but I have to pay attentions so they don't slip off the stitches. Something I never needed to worry using my bamboo DPNs.

I can't believe it's Thanksgiving next week! Winter's in full swing.

What a Week

2007-11-07T20:53:00.000-08:00

Last Friday Mitch started coughing. By the evening it was a full-blown croup, and he was barking like a little lost seal. Of course it had to be a Friday evening. Of we went to the After Hour Pediatric Clinic.

He had a high fever, and the cough was awful. Hard to see a little kid go through this. The first night he woke me up six times, crying. It's rare.

His regular pediatrician is on vacation (the timing was perfect), and we got an appointment with another doctor on Tuesday. By then I was having a bad feeling -- may be pneumonia. Oh yeah. I was right. On a strong antibiotic, he's rapidly recovering -- what a relief.

Staying home with him and trying to work at the same time is pretty tough. I feel sluggish.

But I've finally finished Brooke's Column of Leaves scarf!

I used 2.3 hanks of Blue Sky Alpaca Sport. The picture is before blocking, which is essential to this pattern. I hope to get to it later this week...

I've also started on Crosspatch with my handspun.

I'm worried that I might run out of the yarn... It's always a problem with knitting with handspun; at least for me it has been. I love the pattern though. I also am in love with the yarn -- very lofty and light. The gray yarn has the handful of mohair I got at the Apple Fair blended in it. I wanted to knit a warm hat for my winter trips to Toronto/Montreal. I was going to go to Toronto next week, but with Mitch being sick and all, I've decided to cancel it.

Maybe tomorrow Mitch will be well enough to go take a walk with me. It's been beautiful outside, but we've been cooped up!

Bye Bye Pumpchins

2007-11-01T21:49:00.000-07:00

So Halloween is over, and the time has come to take down the bats and spiders. My son has enjoyed trick-or-treating, but he enjoyed treating the kids that came to our door even more.

Mitch gingerly went into the scariest house on the block.

Um, Mom.... Um, can you ding-dong for me?

As soon as the resident of the haunted house appears, Mitch waved to him, backing off, apologizing. "Eh, um, sorry, I just wanted some candies, but it's okay, I don't want it anymore." I was doubling over, laughing.

By the way, my son wanted to be Harry Potter again. What a good boy.

Oh, yes. I've been spinning a lot. Last Friday evening, Huguette, Erin and I went to the bakery to have our first FlourChylde Knit Night. I spun. It was quite interesting to see people stopping to look at what I as doing. If you live in Novato, the bakery will be open Friday evenings, and they serve wine. Come out and knit (or spin) with us!

A week worth of spinning. From left to right -- blend of mohair (from the Apple Fair) and a merino/alpaca roving (from Lambtown), dark-brown merino/alpaca (from Lambtown), green romney (from California Wool and Fiber Festival). The left two hunks are the result of my trying to spin thicker than my regular spinning. I'm planning to knit Crosspatch. I'm not sure if I have enough yardage.

Blending the mohair and the merino/alpaca was fun -- I am a fan of mohair now. It makes the fiber so lustrous and soft.

OK, can I have an angora goat in the back yard? Just one?

The Yettlest Pumpchin

2007-10-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

My son is four, and he's the tallest kid in his class. He's talkative and sociable. But the way he talks is so sweet that it often makes people melt. There are so many words he still can't say right. When he says "Mom, I want to tell you sumpin (something)," I secretly hope that he'd keep saying just like that.

Last Friday afternoon when I went to his preschool to pick him up, he was listening to a story called "The Littlest Pumpkin." In it, the littlest pumpkin at the pumpkin farm was left alone on the Halloween night, since no one wanted her. On Sunday, when we went Pumpkin Patching, he was determined to find "the Yettlest Pumpchin" and take her home.

The Yettlest Pumpchin was nowhere to be found.

"I don't think this is the yettlest," says Mitch.

"I found them! Five of them!"

The littlest pumpkins proudly came home with Mitch, and are now in his room.

There were several fiber-related fun at the Tolay Pumpkin Patch in Petaluma too. Two spinners at the Wyammy Ranch booth, and one of them was very young and very experienced, expertly spinning silk. I got to talk with Joann, Wyammy Ranch's owner. I think I bought her dyed romney last year at the Sebastopol Apple Festival.

Mitch also got to try felting.

I should tell you that I've started spinning Erin's alpaca last Saturday at our Knit Night. It's heavenly, not a hint of guard hair, and I was so desperate to spin it I was taking the fiber right off the carders!

Now a dilemma.... I just read in the spinning book that since alpaca has no elasticity, in order to avoid the garment to sag, you should blend some wool into alpaca. Hmmm. I don't have any sheep fleece that matches this sweet coco brown color. What to do? Oh yeah, another visit to the pumpkin patch, obviously!

Spinning in Public (sort of)

2007-10-19T22:47:00.000-07:00

There were two hours of phone meetings that I didn't have to run scheduled on my calendar today. I've found last year that knitting while on the phone is a very effective way to listen attentively, and actually get something out of it. But my WIP is a lace scarf, which I mess up too often even when I don't have any distractions. I didn't want to cast on a new, simpler project, as my current mission is to reduce UFOs. So, instead of knitting, I spun. Yup, in my office.

Luckily many of my team members telecommute, and I sit in a corner cube. My Joy is so compact and discreet in its bag, and the building security didn't stop me :-) I spun happily for two hours (not the alpaca though), feeling my stress level going down like the sand in the hourglass. Watching rain falling on the hill, thinking that this would make the grueling conference calls worthwhile. Well, almost.

It's quite interesting that, Stefaneener, the author of one of my daily reads, just posted on her blog about how soothing it has been for her to spin every evening. In fact, all of the spinners I know have said the same. Spinning saves me.

I was only joking when I said I wanted to bring my wheel to the office. Now that I've actually done it, I'm no longer joking. I think I will do this again, as a part of taking care of myself. I'm sure my listening skill will improve. I might even start listening to myself more.

Carrots

2007-10-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

I've washed some of the alpaca Erin brought back from McMinnville, OR, for which trip report we still anxiously await. Hint, hint.

(A lock of alpaca on my palm -- see how fine it is!)

I don't know much about the alpaca fiber, so I did some research -- to wash or not to wash and how. Many online sites state that since alpaca fiber doesn't have any lanolin, it doesn't get dirty and many prefer to spin unwashed. If you decide to wash before spinning, the method is pretty much the same with sheep's fleece, but more emphasis on "gentle." No need to scour, again because there's no grease in the fiber.

So I took just a handful from one of two ziplock bags, hand-picked the vegetable matters, and gently lied them over the sink-full of soapy water. I did try carding them to remove the VM, but soon realized that carding really isn't necessary -- the fiber is well aligned, and intact. The VMs are pretty large (and very little questionable contents) and are easy to pick out.

And after sorting out the fiber I thought was just a handful, it expanded -- fluffed up, it's a lot of fiber. Gently swished it in the water, and after a while the water was cloudy-brown. It's fine sand/dust that was in the fiber, that settled down at the bottom of the sink. I think it was a good idea to wash it first.

While washing it, the fiber looked so much like fine hair -- of a read head -- maybe of a child. It was eely! At the wet state, it's all tangly and unruly, and I can now sympathize mothers with fine, long-haired girls! So I gave it a little fiber softener, hoping that it would help detangling. No whining from the alpaca, lucky for me.

Now it's all nicely dried and gently teased by hand, sitting on my kitchen counter. I have to run my fingers through it whenever I walk by. I've been resisting with all my might to spin it -- I have tasked myself to finish some knitting UFOs before I can start spinning it. Now I am on the Brooke's Column of Leaves scarf. If I can knit three leaves an evening, I should be able to get to the alpaca this weekend! See, it's a carrot dangling in front of my nose. It's really hard as I'm not a good lace knitter, and this is a complicated pattern -- well, to me at least. Luckily this is in alpaca too, and makes me fancy about how wonderful spinning the read head alpaca would be!

Pretty fall colors -- We drove to Calistoga on Sunday.

We drove behind a truck with a full-load of grapes through St. Helena. Hmmm, Cabernet or Pinot? Can you see them?

It was quite a sight to witness the bouncing piles of grapes right in front of us!

Fiber Souvenir

2007-10-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

So here's the fiber souvenir that Erin brought to treat me for her kids baby-sitting Mitch last Saturday. This feels so wrong -- scoring yarn and alpaca for doing NOTHING?! But of course I'm loving it. (The photo doesn't do justice to the fleece -- it's beautiful and sooooft) It's a first shearing of a young alpaca.

She made the right choice to buy a raw fleece for me, not processed rovings, as I've been wanting to experience the whole process -- alpaca to shawl. I just hope that my skill is up to spinning alpaca.

I am looking forward to reading her post about the alpaca farm she visited! I want to fantasize more about owning a farm. Anyone have a spare land lying around? :-)

I've finished a pair of kid's mittens.

These are for my son's preschool teacher -- she's been asking for them for her nephew. I've improvised the pattern, as you can see from the rather uneven result! I used the leftover yarn from Mitch's mittens and hat, plus from Knitpicks Parade sock yarn. It's just too bad that they discontinued this yarn, as I love it... Very easy to work with, and produces great socks (and mittens)!

Everybody Wants Fingerless Mittens

2007-10-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

The number of visitors to our blog who's after "fingerless mittens" patterns has not decreased. Many reach to Liz' post after googling "fingerless mittens handcuffs flat knit" or very similar combinations. And of course, there are several visitors who were obviously after some very different destinations -- "woman in handcuffs." Just imagine the frustration and irritation our site must have caused to this poor guy. Someone needs to knit real handcuffs and post it, wearing them! Any volunteers?

Just some pointers to the knitters who came after fingerless mittens --

Magknits has a nice pattern called Lucky K8, which I do plan to knit sometime.

Knitty has a popular pattern, Fetching.

There is a beautiful pattern in the book called "Folk Style," which I've bought recently, along with the brand-spanking new "The Best of Interweave Knits."

I actually am in search of a child's mitten pattern that uses DPNs and knitted round, as opposed to many visitors who are looking to knit in flat. I don't like sewing with mattress stitch, and I try to avoid it as much as I can. Any leads?

I finally have a real FO with my handspun -- other than the wacky FO of the pirate's blankie! I have many WIP with my yarn, but it feels great to finally finish one.

With my mint-green superwash I spun a while ago. The socks have the "rustic" look, and very comfy. I just love them.

With US 2 DPNs, casted on 48, 4 x 2 ribs with some cables on the cuffs. It's my own design, although I'm sure there are similar patterns!

I need to cast on! I'm just not sure what. I have so many things I want to knit.

I'm done with traveling

2007-09-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

I flew to Montreal last week. It was my third trip there this year, fifth to Canada. I've been traveling so much this year that my suitcase just lies by my bed all the time.

I don't really enjoy going on business trip. One thing is that I always end up working 15 hours a day. I have nothing else to do -- no house work, no child to take care of, no commuting. I spend all of my time in front of my laptop. I don't sleep well while I'm in east coast anyway.

It's getting old and tiring -- especially when I have to spend nearly six hours in the tiny seat with no leg room flying. But this time, I've had it. I'm so done with traveling.

The direct flight was full, so I chose a connecting flight from SFO to Denver, then Montreal. That was a mistake. My luggage didn't arrive! I was stranded in Montreal, just with my laptop.

(From the hotel window -- Cathedrale Marie-reine-du-monde.

Only picture I took while in Montreal!)

For the next two days, I was without my clothes, toiletries, glasses, power supply for my laptop and cell phone, knitting magazine and .... my handspun yarn!!!

I went to buy a shirt and bare essentials, hoping that the suitcase is just "delayed" as Air Canada kept describing, not "lost." I had my favorite hand knitted socks in it too. Surely two days later, three o'clock in the morning, it arrived at my hotel. I gave up trying to go back to sleep, and knitted some, lying in bed.

I am so done. I don't like being away from my family. I don't like being away from home. I just want to stay home, spin, and knit for a while.

Dognapping during Knit Night!

2007-09-23T02:21:00.000-07:00

It was a perfectly wonderful Knit Night set for Saturday instead of Friday night. We all contributed food or drink. Liz was missing as she went camping, and we added Tina and her daughter Isabella. Everything was wonderful. We had good food, good friends, good yarn, pointy sticks, a spinning wheel and loom. What else could we ask for (other than having Liz there)? At one point during the cooking of the last of the "Make your own pizzas", our house filled with smoke. No problem, just open up the doors and air out the place. Problem solved. Little did we know that the problem was just beginning.

A little while later the phone rings and my hubby answers. A woman on the other end asks if we are missing our dog. Hubby responds "Ahhhh, I don't know". Let's face it - we had a house full of people, food was happening, smoke was happening, the place was being aired out - OH SHOOT the dog got out! Hubby searches around the house and yard and doesn't find the dog. Woman on the phone feels that my husband doesn't care about our dog and they exchange a couple of not so nice comments to each other. It turns out that the woman who called found our dog, June, on Novato Blvd. June almost got hit by a car. The woman picks up our dog, but has to get home in a hurry so she takes our dog to her home in SAN LEANDRO! Now, if your not familiar with this area, let me explain that it takes 45 minutes to a hour to drive to San Leandro. The woman was calling from her home. My husband is angry that this woman took our dog, more less than polite words were exchanged and the woman now hangs up on my husband. He tries to call her back, but the call goes right to voicemail. Hubby is furious, woman is furious and our dog is at a stranger's home. What was June thinking? Was she missing home? How were we going to get her back? That's where I came in. I called the woman and left a frantic message for her. I wanted her to know that we were worried about our dog, and we wanted our dog back! The woman responded to this message and calls right back. I get directions to her house, but she tries to talk me into picking up my dog tomorrow. Hubby leaves right away with our oldest son and his friend to pick up the dog. The knitters, spinners and weavers wait at my home until we get good news.

After about 45 minutes I phone hubby and he is in San Leandro, but he is now waiting for police to meet him. He decided that he needed to call the police to help in this matter. He didn't know what would happen as this was a very odd thing to happen. The police are more than happy to escort him to the house. The woman answers the door somewhat surprised to see the police, and says to my husband "Well, you're a piece of work. I can't believe you are treating me this way after I saved your dog." My husband got June, and the police said he could leave. They stayed to listen to this woman rant about how horrible my husband was to her and how he didn't care about his dog.

All I have to say is thank goodness my knitting pals were there with me to help me pass the time while worrying about my dog. I couldn't knit, but instead tried to busy myself by serving pie, ice cream and coffee. It was yummy apple pie that Tamami made from apples Mitch picked from their tree. Thanks to everyone for their support during this trying time.

Ok, now I have a question for you: Isn't it odd that a woman wanted to save a dog, but didn't call the owners until she was an hour drive away? Let me know in the comments if you think this is weird. Charles thinks it could have been a ploy to extort money out of us. What are your thoughts?