In an effort to occupy my mind with something other than health issues, I bravely cast on the Aeolian Shawl, as found in the Knitty Spring issue.  Checking through the stash, I thought a very fine weight wool that I had picked up at Weaving Southwest some time ago would be a good choice -

hand-dyed indigo, it's main purpose is for tapestry weaving.  After attempting the first few rows, I decided that it was not really what I was looking for and did not have the same degree of memory as other wool yarns.  So I grabbed some Nature Spun by Brown Sheep Company and tried again -

I like the "spring" that this yarn has much better for this project.  Three weeks after beginning, I have only ripped back about 14 times.  The project has served its purpose in being a distraction.  I have also learned that despite having graduated from kindergarten many moons ago, I apparently have "counting issues".  So despite the fact that I have counted what should be the proper number of stitches before working the next row, the patterning does not match up.  Rip.  Recount.  Right number.  Realize I have misread the pattern.  Next attempt successful.  Next pattern row - unsuccessful.  Repeat above steps.  Correct mistake.  This time, put in a "life-line" as I often advise others to do.  Said lifeline proves useful in that I have to rip back 6 rows after realizing dropped yarn-over, and no way to make it look good.  This is going to be a technically perfect piece.

Progress so far:

Notice how I did not want the blue tapestry yarn to feel left out, so am using it for the life-lines.  Further note that I have had to rip back 3 rows after finding another error.  Perhaps the blue yarn is angry with me?

So as not to completely lose my mind, this skinning scarf knit up with no real thinking on my part:

Further distractions include dyeing more yarn.  I am trying to take advantage of the warm weather to work outdoors.  Unfortunately,

it has been very rainy,

so drying has been more of a challenge.

Later, it will be back to the shawl.  I'll keep you posted on how long it takes me to get back to where I currently am in the pattern.  The Aeolian has lived up to my expectations.

Peace & Love

Liz

The socks were finished a few days ago -

It is hard to photograph your own feet, but this is another shot of my feet lounging on one of our chairs (note the poor planning of pattern on pattern...)

These kept me out of trouble (along with a shawl and scarf and other misc. swatches) as I've journeyed through two surgeries in the last 5 weeks.  Knitting has kept me from jumping out of my skin - it is hard to fret over things when you have to remember stitch patterns as you're knitting along.  I am seriously contemplating casting on the Aeolian Shawl, which is a very beautiful lace piece found in the Spring issue of Knitty.  This would keep me seriously distracted as I wait for more test results.  The Imagine sweater is also under consideration - not as mind bending, but something that I could while away the wait time with.  I'll keep you posted.

Peace & Love,

Liz

Here's the first of the socks (formerly a scarf) that I've been knitting on two circular needles. 

I have long been a double pointed sock knitter, but a year ago a tried the two circular needle technique and have found that I really like this method.  It is much easier trying on your socks on circulars, which aids in getting a really good fit,

(not bad, huh?), and it also helps alleviate the problem of needles slipping out of your work.  All you have to do is slide your work onto the cable and put the project down.  There is much less chance that a needle will get pulled out by accident. 

The next sock is on the needles, and should be done in short order. 

Peace & Love

Liz

We've gone from winter to spring to summer in the course of three day's time, and summer seems to be sticking with us for a couple more days before returning to spring.  With temperatures in the high 80's, it is difficult to work on knitting projects when there has been so little time for the body to acclimate to this weather. 

Nonetheless, I have had a discussion with a scarf that had been languishing on the needles since October, and it clearly told me that it did not, in fact, want to be a scarf at all.  It wanted to be socks.  (This decision to transform was made easier by the additional facts that the scarf had been ripped back numerous times despite being a fairly straightforward 8-row repeat).

The socks are emerging slowly but surely, and there has been no ripping back.  Here's where they stand thus far:

With any luck, these will be accomplished sooner rather than later.  An interruption to my regularly scheduled life in the way of a health issue will curtail my knitting (among other things) for a while.  But not too many things can bring down a knitter.

Peace & Love

Liz

Seems like the old saying will prove to be true this year - we had stunning weather this weekend - in the 60's (although now it is cooler and raining...) - but a far cry from the blizzard like conditions that greeted us at the beginning of the month.

We've been plagued with what seemed like the plague for several weeks - multiple trips to doctors' offices, fever, strep, aches, malaise...  Two of us still have an annoying cough that doesn't want to give up, but we are much improved.

During this downtime, I finished the shawl (except for weaving in a few ends and blocking, but let's not consider that under the category of finished - it's off the needles, which makes it "finished")

I regret that I couldn't get the whole thing in a photo - it's better than 8 feet across the top, and wraps around the body and ties back in front.  Once it's blocked, I'll have a shot of it on an actual live person so you can see how it works.  I love that it's a peasant shawl, designed to be worn while out gathering wood or vegetables from the garden.  It won't slip off, leaving hands free for this important work, and it has just enough pattern to make the wearer feel as though they are wearing something a bit more special than just a garment to throw on while working.

This sweater was completed in January and sent on to its recipient, Ellie, back in February, though I neglected to post a photo of it, wanting to make sure it was a surprise

This was from Clara Parke's excellent book - The Knitter's Book of Yarn.  It was a fun and easy pattern to work, as are so many in that book.

Classes continue at B's Nest in Schoharie, and we're having lots of fun.  Everyone is working on what they want to, and I am acting as coach to help folks along as they need it.  And just so everyone will know, the Old Shale lace pattern that I said was so easy, has been goofed up by yours truly 3 times in the past week.  Note to self - do not try to talk and knit at the same time, especially where counting is necessary.  Seems that I am incapable of knitting this unless I am stowed away in a closet.

The birds are back in large numbers, the peepers (tiny frogs about the size of a dime) started their evening songs on Saturday, so spring is taking hold.  Hope you are all enjoying the transition!

Peace & Love

Liz

Dateline... March 2, 2009. 

We were somewhat lucky in that we did not get a foot of snow from the storm that raced up the east coast.  But it is snowing, nonetheless, and it's windy.  I will take comfort in the phrase pertaining to March "in like a lion, out like a lamb".  I should be wearing a t-shirt and shorts by the end of the month.

At least this weather is good for knitting - the shawl is decreasing its way to the end faster and faster each day.  I must admit, however, that I have been distracted from my projects by the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer.  This is an entertaining series involving vampires and werewolves, and was recommended to me by a number of women I see regularly at our elementary school.  Once I finish the last volume, I'll be back to knitting...

Classes continue at B's Nest until the end of March, then we will pick another time slot for the next session.

Stay warm.  Spring is on the way!

Peace & Love

Liz    

Ok, so I haven't really been lost in space.  January proved to be one of those months where I couldn't get out of my own way. A round-robin of illnesses with the kids, year end accounting for the heating business, home improvement projects...  And, this is the first year I have ever despised winter.  It just won't go away.  We had snow on October 28, and it hasn't improved much since then.  Week after week there has been some weather "event" to keep us on our toes, and it has turned me into a whiner.  Ranting over.

In knitting news, I made a variety of knitted gifts for the holidays, all of which involved keeping either the head or hands warm.  These are some examples (and they have been getting regular use, so may be a bit rumpled):

half mitts, and

lots of headbands.  These can be worn solo, or under a wool hat for extra ear warmth.

And this project has been a long time in the making.  I've been hand spinning the yarn (from roving which came from Persimmon Tree Farm, procured at the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival - a/k/a Rhinebeck).  The pattern is found in "Nordic Knitting" by Susan Pagoldh (Interweave Press) and is an old Norwegian peasant shawl.  The upper edge is more than 2 yards long, and this wraps across the chest, around the back, and ties back in front.  You begin from the upper edge (that's about 560 stitches), then work a 40-row pattern which is repeated until you are out of stitches.  It's slow going (especially because I didn't have the patience to spin all the yarn before I started knitting, so have had to stop knitting to spin more yarn...)  I'm now at a point where things really pick up in pace, and hope to have this completed by the end of the month.  I'll keep you posted on the progress.  Here it is so far:

In other unrelated news, I've been enjoying the birds that like to congregate outside my kitchen window (perhaps because I feed them?)  We have had a family of bluebirds out and about every day since early December.  I've not been able to catch them on the camera, but here are some of my crow friends whom I love dearly because they are so smart and hilarious to watch:

Onward, as they say, and back on track with yarn dyeing.  I'm doing a class at B's Nest in Schoharie, NY - "knitting coach", so to speak, so if you want help with a project, or would just like to learn something new, give Barb a call for further information.

Peace & Love

Liz

Happy Winter Solstice!  I love this day, as it marks that point where we will begin (tomorrow) to add more sunlight to each day until we reach the Summer Solstice, where it declines once again.

We can certainly count on a white Christmas this year.  We are in the middle of our 3rd major storm in just over a week's time.  Since Friday, we have accumulated approximately 18 inches of snow as evidenced by this shot of what is resting on our oil tank.

We were in the thick of things about an hour ago - the snow was coming down so fast that it wasn't possible to keep up with the clearing of the deck.  Beautiful, nonetheless.

We are winding our way to Christmas Day - my personal favorite holiday.  I love to watch old holiday movies - The Bishop's Wife, A Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life...  I hope you have a chance to take in one of these old films.  They seem to capture the spirit of the season in a way that more modern movies don't seem to do.  Perhaps it is the timeless quality of black and white film.

Our Dickens Village is an annual tradition - it is the first thing to come out of storage (usually on Thanksgiving Day), and the kids like to arrange the characters and know the story well.  I am amused to see things "re-arranged" on particular days - Scrooge is with a different ghost, or Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim are walking in front of another building. 

It is a reminder that we should be generous with our time or talent or money.  My mom has a saying taped to her computer (and I apologize that I cannot remember who the quote is attributed to) which reads "It is never too soon to do a kindness, because you never know how soon it will be too late".  

The gift knitting has been completed with time to spare (maybe I should start another project for someone?), so I will take some time to work on one of my languishing objects (or maybe do some spinning and start yet one more thing).

Thank you for reading, thank you for supporting our website.  Happy Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year to all of you!

Peace & Love,

Liz

We've had a quick shot of extremely cold weather - the kind where you don't want to go outside if you don't have to, yet there seems to be a number of reasons that forces you out anyway.

Over the weekend, Alison insisted we make a gingerbread house.  I've never made one, so it was very encouraging that our first attempt turned out so well -

I stuck everything together with Royal icing, and Alison did all the decorating.  Good job!

If you are a cat, you find one of the yarn stashes, and turn in into your bed -

And if you are a dog, you just find a sunny spot and curl up in it, moving only as the sun shifts -

I had the great good fortune to attend the Knitter's Review Retreat on the weekend of November 21-23.  My class was with Kathryn Alexander, and I met up with friends I became acquainted with last year.  Great fun all around!  My pictures, alas, turned out rather blurry, as I was more interested in knitting and talking than in taking photos.

I hope you are all enjoying this time of year.  I personally look forward to the Winter Solstice as it marks that point where we gain a few moments more of daylight every day until the Summer Solstice.  The night sky at this time of year is incredibly beautiful, and it's worth taking taking a peek at.

Gift knitting is moving along (although I have been detoured by the prospect of other knitting projects that may be more interesting that what I am currently working on).  Let's just say that outerwear accessories have been rolling of the needles.  Wouldn't want to tip off any recipients with pictures at this point...

Peace & Love

Liz 

Have you ever had the sense that things were going really well, only to find out that they really weren't?  This is not big deal stuff, just little stuff.

Here is example 1:

These are Fairy Cakes (a/k/a cupcakes with fancy frosting and decorations) - Alison and I found the recipe in Nigella Lawson's "How to be a Domestic Goddess".  While these look really pretty, and anyone would want to grab one right up, I missed the part in the ingredients list that called for "self-rising flour", and used pastry flour instead.  Turns out that self-rising flour has baking powder in in (which is why the recipe did not call for any), and while our results were not awful, the cupcakes themselves were only about an inch tall.  Our second attempt did use the called-for ingredient, success was ours, and all the Fairy Cakes sold out at the student council bakesale.

Example 2:

This is a vest that has been languishing in one of my baskets for some time.  I finally finished the last piece, washed everything and then set out to stitch up the shoulder seams which was the next step in my plan before knitting in panels under the arms in a contrasting color.  The astute person will notice right away that something doesn't look right.  That would be because I stitched not one, but both, front panels to the wrong side and didn't notice this until I was done.  Sensing this was not the moment to work on this project, I have set it aside until it would like to clearly speak to me about which side should be stitched where.

Lesson - attention to detail.

I'm off this weekend to the Knitter's Review Retreat in Williamstown, MA.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to attend this event a second time.  And I'll remember to take pictures this time.  More later!

Peace & Love

Liz

This past weekend we were on the road once again, this time headed east to our fine neighbor state Massachusetts, and the always fun City of Boston.  Prior to hitting the city, we detoured to Natick, to allow for a pilgrimage to the American Girl Store and the Lego Store.  If you are an 8 year old girl, and a 10 year old boy, life doesn't get any better than this.

I'd just like to detract a bit to talk about road signage.  Actually, the poor quality of road signage.  We made one wrong turn getting to the mall (because I read the mapquest directions I'd printed out - turns out these things are not as accurate as they could be).  Onward, finally, to the stores, and happy children.  Now what should have been an easy return to I-90 actually became a driving tour of the outlying districts of Boston.  Here's the thing - if you see a signs that say "West, Natick" or "East, Boston", which sign do you think it would make sense to follow (especially if you want to go to Boston)?  Turns out the "East, Boston" sign would not, in fact, bring you back to I-90, but rather to Route 9 which meanders through a number of lovely towns. 

We were not upset, just figured we could access I-90 somewhere along the way.  (No).  Cell phones are wonderful, really, for calling your hosts to ask where exactly you are and how you find your way to them.  Particularly after the second call when you won't let your host off the phone until you have followed every detail of their direction and finally have a grasp on where you are.  And all because someone could not put the little symbol for the interstate on the mall exits to alert you which way to turn.  Sorry, Massachusetts, NY has the edge on you there.  Anyway...

We ate, we knitted, we saw the leaps in growth of a 9 month old baby.  I've never seen my kids so entertained - they had a blast with that wee person. 

Friends and family.  Life is good.

Peace & Love,

Liz

The sun is shining and it is nearly 60 degrees here in upstate NY.  A perfect day to VOTE!  Bring your knitting - there may be a line.

That is all.

Liz

Here are some additional photos from our big adventure to Arizona:

This was shot from our ascent up the South Kaibab Trail (our round trip took about 2 hours - maybe 2 to 2 1/2 miles down the trail).  As you can see, it's quite a ways to get down to the Canyon floor.  Here's another shot, looking up at the switchbacks that will get us back to the rim -

(Yikes!)

Easier hiking can be found in and around Sedona.  This is Bell Rock, which had the best vortex energy of the 3 vortex sites we hiked:

And this was a view from Deadman's Pass in Boynton Canyon -

We did not see any reason why the trail would be named so ominously, but there must have been one, back in the day...

The backyard at the house we stayed in had these:

which led to this:

It's Oak Creek.  The kids enjoyed playing on the rocks and wading in. 

It was a terrific trip, full of beautiful scenery, bright skies and lots of inspiration. 

And I am compelled to tell you about this scene I witnessed out the window while waiting to board our plane at the Phoenix Skyharbor Airport...  One of the baggage handlers was loading luggage into the plane when we watched him put a cardboard box on the conveyor belt.  He quickly grabbed it back and yelled to another member of the ground crew who threw him a roll of tape.  The box had broken open, and the handler wrapped that package up with so much packing tape that I doubt it's owner would be able to get into it without an industrial sized razor knife.  Well done.  My opinion of how our luggage is handled was certainly changed. 

My tales of the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival will be up next (or just "Rhinebeck" to those of us who have been going for 20 some odd years)

Peace & Love,

Liz

We are just back from a really great trip in Arizona.  The contrasts in landscape are amazing - dessert to hills to red rocks to forest to high plains, to this -

It is hard to put the Grand Canyon into words.  It is vast and imposing, with a different view around every corner, and the colors change every few minutes as the sun rises and sets. 

More pictures later (once I download them...) - I had hoped to post during our time away, but there was no internet access where we stayed, and treking to the local cafe was terrific for downloading mail, but not for sending files.  We appreciated this free service, and the food was wonderful (and was so very reasonably priced!).  Should you find yourself in Sedona, AZ, you must check out Wildflower Bread Company (they have other locales as well).

Alison's socks were finished and she wore them to help ward off a sore throat.  Handknit socks may be the new chicken soup.

An excursion to Jerome, AZ (an old mining town about 1/2 an hour from Sedona) led to unexpected shopping fun.  Thanks to a tip from the lovely staff at Raku Gallery, I was directed to Knit1Bead2 just up the hill.  Great shop. Fabulous colors!  This was a terrific sidetrip.  Sort of like Woodstock, but on a cliff.

Peace & Love,

Liz

We had a great weekend at MCHS 44th Annual Craft Days.  Thank you for stopping by to say hello (and feeding your fiber cravings).

It's back to the dyepots to put together some darker fall colors - I must resist the impulse to add my favorite brights, except in the case of an accent color.  I will be bribing my husband to take some time to help update the site so everything will be available online (instead of some items being available only locally - which reminds me - drop in at B's Nest if you're in the area to see things live and in person.)

With children back to school, I am regaining a sense of order, and with that, a bit more focus.  Now if I could just not get off-course when it comes to surfing the knitting world.  If you haven't checked out Twist Collective, you should go there right now.

So, look for the posts to become more frequent, now that I find myself less disorganized...

Peace & Love,

Liz

Long time... 

Labor Day Weekend is here, and it's back to school on Thursday.  The summer has cruised by at lightning speed, and we are all anxious to get back to the routine of a "regular" week vs. the summer edition. 

Next weekend, look for me at the Madison County Historical Society's Craft Fair in Oneida, NY (Sept. 6 & 7).  This is a great event, made even more fun for me as it allows me a visit with family.

Wishing you all a great weekend & hope to see familiar faces in central NY next week!

Peace & Love,

Liz

I couldn't resist this picture of our dog, Pepper.  Full grown, she weighs no more than 9 pounds, tends to be a little squirrely, barks for no apparent reason, but is lovable all the same.  Take, for example, how she didn't even notice the Chiquita Banana sticker my husband put on her nose:

It is appropriate, however, given that she had to be given a sedative today in order that we could bring her to the vet's office (where she also got to wear a muzzle), all to have her nails clipped.  She is the only dog I've ever had who has had a completely psycho reaction to a pair of nail clippers...

In other news, I knit a few rows on a vest that has been hanging about for too long.  It will be nice to wear this fall - eggplant purple to be trimmed with wheat.  Pics coming soon.

Stay cool and comfortable - more heat and humidity on the way for the Northeast.

Peace & Love,

Liz

I've decided to post some photos - some a bit past the point where they would be most appropriate (like this one):

These are my patriots, dressed appropriately for celebrating the country's independence.  Other photos hanging about on the memory of the digital camera include a shot of another family member -

Mako, on garden patrol, keeping a keen out for wayward snakes.

Here's a shot of one of the daylilies.  I'm so thrilled the collection we bought a year ago, as our vacation souvenir from Martha's Vineyard, has really taken off.  Our best crop around here is rocks, so it's really a big boost to see these beautiful flowers thriving.  Best part is - they are different varieties, so will bloom throughout the summer!

I have been to my second minor league baseball game in two weeks.  First time as part of a little league night, recently because Alex attended a baseball camp and the campers were invited on the field for the national anthem.  I thought of bringing some knitting along (see the Stitch N Pitch website if you are unfamiliar with this concept), but the venue just didn't seem right for it.  I'm unfortunately not much of a baseball fan (unAmerican, I know), but I calculated that the actual 9 innings that were played could have been accomplished in under an hour and a half vs. the 3 hours we were actually there.  The game just doesn't move fast enough for me...  I'm a football fan at heart and the action and pace of an NFL game makes anything else for me akin to watching paint dry.

So I've been content to knit more mitered squares at home.  This should be a pretty colorful afghan, once the fall rolls around and I put them all together.  Stay tuned...

Peace & Love,

Liz 

While I hate to complain about the weather during the very short summer season, it is seriously too hot and humid to move around.  My arms are sticking to the desk as I type, and the seeming inability to breath has robbed my brain of oxygen (required for clear thinking).  Add to this a very busy office and two children who do not like the humidity any more than I do, and you have a recipe for a lot of cranky people.  Luckily, there's beer.

At 9pm, it is almost bearable outside, but guess what?  The mosquitoes are out making that an unpleasant affair.  I know, I know - "bug spray would help" - but I hate the feel of that stuff on my already sticky skin, and I only use it when we head into the woods to keep away the gnats and deer ticks.

Days like this make me pray for a crisp fall day.  I am always happiest when the temperature is somewhere around 70, but mid-60's is even better. 

In a rebellious mood, I pulled some bulky weight yarn out of the stash last night and knocked off a couple of squares for my afghan which will be put together sometime during the fall.  It was actually enjoyable to be knitting away while watching important news programs.  I try to pick the ones that have a sense of humor - like the ones on the Comedy Channel.

It may cool down in a day or so, and I'm looking forward to more knitting on the innumerable projects that are underway.  For now, I think I'll go put an ice cube down my back.

Peace & Love,

Liz

We are in the final stages of the "year-end activities" - Little League season is wrapping up today, there have field trips and parties and there are still more to go.  I forget each year how much time and energy gets devoted to all this. 

On top of these events, our alternative heating business has seen record volume these past 3 weeks.  The surge in heating oil prices is causing people to take a look at alternatives for the coming heating season.  As a result, I have lagged behind in keeping up here on the blog as well as in getting new items posted.  All in good time...

Please keep checking back, especially on the blog here, as I will put up photos of the new yarn along with pricing, until they can be formally put in the "store".

Hope you are all well and are enjoying the summer-like weather.

Peace & Love,

Liz 

I am always amazed by the shades of green that become our world in May.  We also have a bumper crop of these

And we already have a pot of wine brewing.  If it turns out well, I foresee gallons of it this summer.

Another find -

Years ago we had a wild garden that soon became overrun with grasses.  Apparently, the bush-hogging of last fall was enough to allow these chives to start spreading out.  My daughter loves these in salads.  Wait until she sees how lovely they are sitting on top of a baked potato and sour cream!

Lastly, we have been talking of planting a wind-break, which will also double as a bit of a privacy curtain as well.  All the openness around the house sometimes makes me feel like I am in a fishbowl (despite the neighbors being about 1,000 feet away).  We have let some of the wild shrubs to do their thing, and it turns out that these really attractive dogwood like the dense clay soil and are spreading -

They are growing at a terrific rate, and it would seem that leaving things alone will provide us with that natural hedge we were looking for.

Peace & Love

Liz

Here's the latest news:

Working on setting up a space at B's Nest in Schoharie, NY, where you will be able to see (more of) my yarns plus supplies and books!!  I'm really excited about this and this should be accomplished by the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend.

Parties galore around here - anniversary, birthdays, Mother's day, and anything else you can think of.  The food!  The desserts!  The guests! (the cooking, the cleaning!)  Crazy and fun all at the same time.

Home improving continues, but has slowed somewhat due to the previously mentioned parties.

Little League games are in full swing.  Players are working on their skills and each game shows the improvements.  In the stands, parents chat in between watching for their child to be up at bat, pitch, or make a great catch.  Conversations have been of an excellent nature, running the gamut from organic farming and food choices, travel, education, to politics and religion.  Wow!

Knitting... not so much. 

Peace & Love,

Liz

Despite the lengthening daylight hour of May, spare time tightens up dramatically.  Little League games, a huge "party month" with birthdays and family celebrations all month, plus the necessary work to be done to expand the vegetable/flower garden...

Here are a few of the blocks I've been puttering around with:

These mitered squares and quick to work up, and help me make use of stash that I've, well, stashed.  My "theme" for the blanket will be a travelogue - yarn collected from various family trips or given to me from other family members who have brilliant taste in bringing home souvenirs.

Also in process is this sock:

I'm think of calling it "socktopus" as I am still negotiating the "sock on 2 circular needles" technique.  I like it very much, just have to keep my traditional "dpn" method in the recesses of my mind.  Fortunately, I've only pulled out the needle twice, and I think I've got that aspect under control.  The internet is so great - watched Cat Bordhi's technique on YouTube.  Check out the link from her site here.

Hoping you are all enjoying fair weather and sunny skies, and can catch a few minutes here and there to knit.

Peace & Love,

Liz

We are painting up door casings and mouldings - deep greens and blues.

In fitting with this color theme, I have dyed some silk hankies which will be either spun or used in making silk paper - tbd.

And unearthed from the stash were yarns that have been begging to be made into something - I just didn't realize they wanted to be together.  They are from La Lana in Taos, and if you are every in NM, I highly recommend that you go there. 

For good measure, the block is soaking up inspiration from "The Art of Andrew Wyeth".

Peace & Love,

Liz

Yesterday was lovely - the 4th day in a row with sun and warmer temperatures.

You can tell it's spring because these are now budding:

I just love pussywillows - that fuzz only lasts a little while, then it bursts into this wispy, polleny stuff and you have to wait another whole year to see what looks and feels like a bunny's tail.

The family was busy at the pond -

They were keeping a close eye on this:

The official launch of Alex's yacht.  It had a lovely tour of the pond, avoiding all the submerged cattails that can clog the rudder. 

Today the weather has turned unfriendly - much cooler (40's), rain, fog and general miserableness.  This is supposed to clear out by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.  And just when we were getting used to the sun.

This does not help my knitting quandry (I need clarity, not fog) - despite having a couple of fair-sized projects on the needles, I am looking for something quick.  Last evening I knit up a couple of squares - indigo wool and a sage green silk.  Maybe they will multiply and become a blanket.  With little league season upon us, I need knitting that allows me to watch Alex play, but still keep me feeling as though I've accomplished something other than be a bench warmer...

Peace & Love,

Liz

Yesterday, April 1, was a balmy 60 degrees with a light breeze here in upstate NY.  Late afternoon saw rain, then a rainbow, more sun (the above photo was shot at 7:00 pm), then thunder and lightning (plus heavy rain), ending the evening off with high winds.

Today it looks deceptively nice – the sun is shining, but if you step out, hold onto your hat!   The wind is still gusting over 35 mph and the temperature is only about 37.  I don’t have a wind chill calculator, but it feels about 20.  I have taken out my handspun, handknit vest (mohair/wool blend in autumn colors), and this is taking the edge off the coolness, thank you very much. 

I have become a fan of vests these last couple of years.  Not that I ever had anything against them, it’s just that I have always been a sweater person.  I was swayed not because I saw so many women wearing vests, but rather men.  And my pal, Greg, in particular.  Greg extolled the virtues of the vest – keeping the core of the body warm, while allowing maximum freedom of the arms to carry out the untold number of chores that always exist out in the country.  I knew exactly what he meant – the cumbersome barn jacket that makes the schlepping of hay and wood awkward because of all that extra fabric.  And I have ripped more than 1 sleeve reaching over stock panels or trying to grab just one more log than I really had room to carry…

So for outdoor chores, I highly recommend the layers of t-shirt, sweatshirt, then vest.  This is also a nice combo if you cross-country ski or do a lot of walking.  And what works well for outdoors also works well for indoors, in the way of a more dressy, knitted vest.  There are a ton of patterns out there [check out “Folk Vests” by Cheryl Oberle - look over on the website (shameless self-promotion)].  And the great thing about knitting a vest – No Sleeves!  Think of the time savings.

I’m hoping to put away the wool sometime in the near future – if the temperature will break 60 degrees for more than 3 hours.  In the meantime, try a vest as a transition garment.

Peace & Love,

Liz 

I am remiss in not getting this out sooner…

The results from the “what’s your favorite project to work on” survey showed that most of you are working on more than one project at a time (go figure).  What did come out is that there are “travel projects” and “home projects”. 

Travel projects, as you may have surmised from your own knitterly habits, are small projects that can be easily stashed in a ziplock, purse, briefcase or pocket.  Socks were very popular, as were squares that could be assembled into a blanket at a later time.  Ease and portability were key – small enough to pull out and knit a couple of rows (or more, depending on the amount of time waiting at the doctor’s, or how riveting a child’s sporting event was).  The pattern was simple - no worries of intricate pattern repeats and charts to keep track of.

Some of our sock knitters can whip up a pair in their sleep.  And there have been other stories of yarn and double points being flung across the room (perhaps the “join together without twisting” step had been overlooked?).  While I have not yet tried the technique myself, I would be a candidate of knitting two socks at a time on 2 circular needles.  Admittedly, I suffer from second sock syndrome and must often force myself to make the sibling of the first sock, which often does not turn out to be an identical twin…  There is another technique of knitting one sock inside the other (found in an old volume on double knitting techniques).  Reading through the directions was more than my brain could wrap itself around, but it is one of those things to be investigated further, at some quiet moment when there is no chance of being disturbed. 

Scarves were another portable project that kept popping up.  Easy pattern repeats (like Old Shale), are good travelers.  The narrow and lightweight versions made the grade.  Bulky, or stole-like projects were better left at home.

And for the home projects, well, these ranged from sweaters, vests and afghans to shawls and lace.  There are no bounds to what people have going on.  For many of us, sweaters or a lace shawl take longer to knit up than we’d like.  Busy schedules keep us from having large blocks of time for knitting, but we work on these projects as we can.  Sometimes we hit roadblocks (either in technique or just a malaise with the project itself), but often do return to the project to finish it up eventually.  I liken this to mathematical or accounting errors – sometimes the more you look for the problem, the worse it gets.  Walking away for a while clears the head and lets you approach things from a different perspective when you return – often resulting in the head-slapping gesture of “why didn’t I see that before”?! 

Lastly, and in a category all its own, is baby knitting.  I was interested to see how many people were working on baby items – for grandchildren, expectant friends or your own wee ones.  Hats, bibs, kimono jackets, blankets, dresses and sweaters.  Sweet, every one of them.  These were both “travel” and “at home” projects. There are some lucky little people out there waiting to be swaddled in handknits.

So, true to form, there are no rules, no dominant knitting project, or style.  Our diversity makes for great conversation, and sharing of ideas and techniques - which is how it should be!  Knitters should rule the world.

Peace & Love,

Liz

The kids built leprechaun traps as has been the tradition for the last few years.  No little people were fooled, however, and escaped to play tricks in other homes. 

As the rains continue, the ice and snow are gradually retreating, but there are still patches that just won't give up.  Fortunately, the cheeriness of the dogwoods overrides the muddy fields and patches of snow.  I guess expecting it will be warm and sunny for the first day of spring would be asking too much. 

Dyeing silk was on tap today.  Photos will be forthcoming.  The glimmer of silk helps take the edge off a grey day.

I am compelled to leave you with an Irish thought, one that my Mom and I came upon while spending a day together last week:

"The Irishman has an abiding sense of Tragedy that sees him through temporary moments of Joy." 

(And if the gloom doesn't let up soon, I fear I will succumb to this sentiment.)

Peace & Love,

Liz

More rain, more snow, freezing rain, and WIND.

It is hard to concentrate on anything other than the television droning on while the wind is howling at 60 mph, trying very hard to rip off the new shingles that were placed on the roof only days ago to stop the water pouring into the closet. 

Knitting has not been on my mind this week as there have been other weather-related items to contend with, and all my current knitting projects require concentration, of which I have little at the moment.

The sun came out today, making the glaze of ice on all the trees and field grass look quite lovely.  A paradox indeed.

Peace & Love

Liz

March has arrived - in like a lion in our neck of the woods.  Cold and windy, snow squalls, very winter-like...  We will keep our fingers crossed that as the month progresses, it will actually warm up a bit.  I always feel hesitant about March - it's that transitional month, and it usually means a great deal of wetness and mud.  Would it be too much to think we could get a gradual warmup, gentle winds, and quick drying of the ground?  (most likely)

Additional snow days and inclement weather made the last 2 weeks more of a chore where "digging out" activities took precedence over most other things.  Be that as it may, the dyeing of yarn was accomplished and I am happy with the results.  The talented Marilyn G. knit up some swatches for me so they could be photographed and put on the site as a visual aid in seeing how the handpaints knit up.  These will hopefully appear soon, or I will show them on the blog.  My computer guru has more than a full plate at the moment, and asking for a block of his time will be farther down on the priority list than, say, fixing the tractor starter, whose wires decided they should catch fire...

It's good to have your priorities straight - I keep hoping we can cross off snow removal from the top of ours in favor of other, gentler pursuits.

Peace & Love,

Liz