New Puppy

Well, I finally got a small dog. Ever since I was a small child I have wanted a little dog. The first dog I had was a Springer Spaniel when I was 23. Then I've had Akita, Lab, big dogs.

Currently, Max runs the house, he is a two year old black Lab. Saturday, his new "sister" arrived, a 14 week old Shih Tzu. Max is inspecting her.

Max doesn't understand why he should share his bone with her.

More Rhinebeck

These hand made spindles are very nice. Too bad I'm not coordinated enough to use one.

Artistically made wheels were in evidence also.

Rhinebeck 2009

Another Rhinebeck is over and what a delight. Yarn and fiber as far as the eye can see , muted, vibrant, natural. Reds, purples, greens, yellows, oranges.
A bit cold this year, had on a turtleneck, sweater over that, a mohair coat over that. An alpaca cowl, wool mittens, and a Foliage hat. What a sight I must have been! But I was warm.
Went a bit (or alot) overboard on the purchases this year. After losing my purse the first day, and panicking ( a very nice vendor found it and turned it in at the end of the day), I took it as a sign to spend the money that was in it.

Got a glass shawl pin from something Mud. Purchased 2 lbs of undyed merino. I've never dyed before so I'm looking forward to that.
A kettle dyed candy pink with a bit of white which may be a shawl. I'm fussy on pink so was thrilled to find the perfect shade. I'm so pale myself that I need a bit of punch in the color but not fushia.

The same vendor had a gorgeous almost lilac but not blue dyed in the same manner. I found a heart shaped button with panises in it that matched which I'll convert to a shawl pin.

Trish wore a purpley/cranberry sweater she made with a cable yoke. It is of course, beautiful.
She may not be fast, but the outcome is great!

Bethel Woods Alpaca Festival

Saturday, went to Bethel Woods, NY, the scene of Woodstock, for what they termed an Alpaca Festival. It was to have alpacas. spinning, fiber, weavers. I was itching to go. That day was beautiful.

This was the alpaca tent:

The ASPCA brought puppies for adoption One is a ringer for my Max.

I was disappointed in the "fiber" aspect of the festival. About 8 alpacas, one woman spinning, and imported, machined alpaca products for sale. I was expecting a real fiber festival; Rhinebeck can't come to soon.

The rest of the festival was quite nice, farmer's market, corn maize, craft vendors, flowers.

The band was Summerville and was excellent.

All in all , a nice change.

Central Park Hoodie Update

The Central Park Hoodie is nearing completion. One front band left to knit and sew in the sleeves. For the closing, I'd like to use silver clasps. Have to search the net for some. This hoodie is going to Rhinebeck! That's where the yarn was born (bought it there last year).

Oh, and I didn't do hood, did a 2x2 rib collar instead. I would never wear the hood and the dress code at work doesn't allow them.

Christmas knitting

It's time for Christmas knitting already. Right now, Trish, Patty, Freda, and I are going to knit a sweater for Eddie. He says he wants one out of bailer twine! Sounds a bit painful to knit and wear. Actually, it will be out of Trish's alpacas, a farm blend. I'll add a picture of the yarn later, too lazy tonight.

Used Sweater Wizard to create a bottom up in the round pullover with a placket neck (that's a mouthful). The ribbing for the body is complete.

These are the alpacas that contributed fiber:

Central Park Hoodie 2

Remember the Central Park Hoodie that was accidentally felted? Well, I am at it again.

This time it is in Plymouth Galway in purple. It is much more purple that the photo. Purchased at Rhinebeck in 2008, this yarn is much lighter than the Chaco used last time.

The back and one side are finished. Nothing is blocked yet:

Another Central Park Hoodie

I started a second Central Park Hoodie. You may remember the first one was accidentally felted. This one is purple Plymouth Galway. The yarn is lighter than the other I made with Chaco.
The back is complete, started the left side. My wrist is hurting today, not much done.

phoebe

It's been a long time since I posted, life got in the way! This little fella is a baby Phoebe that was born under the eves. About an hour after I took this picture, he took his first flight.

Believe it or not, this gorgeous yarn is handspun and hand dyed by my friend, Frieda. It is absolutely perfect. One can't tell it is handspun. Frieda has been spinning many years, some day I hope to spin half as well.

The curious George's were checking me out at Trish's farm. Hmmm, does she have any apples??

This is Beth's double knit scarf. It is actually green,don't know why it came out looking tan. It is from Sons of Stitch N Bitch. http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/351723.html It is gorgeous.

Did some charity knitting this weekend for Stitches from the Heart. http://www.stitchesfromtheheart.org/

This little baby hat is made from a yarn called Diana.

It is 100% acrylic, wool is discouraged due to the hand washing required. Reading that many babies go home from the hospital only in diapers because the family can't afford clothing broke my heart.

It's Maple Syrup time. My friends have made a boiler for the syrup out of old bricks and concrete. Maple trees are being tapped and the syrup is boiling nicely.

Love the smell of maple,it's wonderful to be outside.

The Cassidy sweater is coming along. Fronts and backs are done. Onto the dreaded sleeve.

It doesn't make sense, I love to knit but hate doing the sleeves. The pattern called for them knit flat but I'm doing them in the round on two circulars. No seams. Yeah!


Found a pattern for a Head Heel scarf hat thingy. Think that may suit me better than an actual hat. Ordered, yes ordered, more yarn for it and am impatiently waiting for its arrival. It is Malabrigo worsted weight. Will post a picture when it arrives.


Stash, yes I have stash. Let's see, there's enough for a red sweater, a denim blue one, another rust one (I have tons of rust) and I think a green one.

Plus there's enough for 2 laceweight shawls, 3 pairs of socks, about 5 pair of mittens, 2 baby sweaters and miscellaneous odds and ends.

Is it enough? NEVER

Oh, the agony. This is my favorite hat.

Yep, it was Maxed. I am defeated.

We have a new knitter.Christel (love the spelling) is winding yarn for her first sweater.

Oops, the ball winder ate something.

Must appease the yarn goddess.

My beautiful Buster passed away last week. Thankfully she went peacefully in her sleep. She was 18 and such a sweet personality. Always wanted to be hugged and kissed.

She is greatly missed.

It's been a long time since I posted. Days fly by quickly.

Trish is working diligently on Les' sweater. It is a bottom up with a fairisle yoke done in her own alpacas. We had Les try it on for size, she made one last year and it didn't fit him. But she shrunk it for herself.

Here is a photo of the alpacas:

Bella's Aran Sweater Finished

Got some photos of Bella in her new aran sweater.

She is sooooo cute.

Sasquatch Mitten

Well, Trish wanted felted mittens. No problem, I thought. Found a free pattern on the net, Trish gave me her leftover unspun Icelandic and I set upon it.

This is the mitten before felting.

It is HUGE. Trish thought it might make a Sasquatch hat:

Bella thought it would make a good sleeping bag:

We tried to felt it, put it in the washer with a bit o detergent and a tshirt, through the dryer, through the washer AGAIN, you get the picture. It shrank, but still huge.

Freda said to boil it, so Trish boiled it for 15 minutes. It's still huge.

Me thinks it has us beat.