Genuine stroke of genius

Not my genius, of couse, as I am always brilliant. It comes, rather, from an unexpected source.

Yes, those are Kellogg Corn Flakes, and they have a picture of Ariel on the box. Out of all the cereal, all the looming Sponge Bob Marshmallow Puffs and Chocolate-filled Sugar Dipped Frosties a five year old picked out Corn Flakes!!! She saw the Little Mermaid picture, and Had To Have Them, even after a very serious discussion about what exactly one might and might not expect to find inside the box (those things being cornflakes, and marshmallows, respectively.) She insisted that she has always loved corn flakes. (Not that I'd ever noticed.) And, being the stubborn child that she is, she will probably eat bowl after bowl after bowl (as long as I let her look at the box during breakfast.)

It's just nice to see Disney using their Hypnotic Powers Over Children for good. And now for something completely different! I've finally finished my scarf for the International Scarf Exchange, though I still have to sew in the ends. I'm making a little something to go with it too. I really like this yarn (Beaverslide Wool and Mohair) especially in the Irish Hiking Scarf pattern. It's warm and wooly, and still soft enough to not feel scratchy on my neck. (Tenar also had no complaints...) I may have to make one like this for myself someday! And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go pack for a weekend at the Anchorage Yarn Expo...

[Insert clever title here]

Alright, with a grueling afternoon of work at what counts for our local yarn store looming ahead of me (yes, there is sarcasm there,) I've decided to go the easy route for blogging today (again.) Actually, I found a link to this Booking Through Thursday thing on A Bluestocking Knits blog (on which she also chronicles her knitting of the entire Knitter's Almanac, which makes her one of my heroines,) and thought it might make a nice addition to my blog. So you can expect regular installments every Thursday. Hey, I was a writing and English major before I started knitting too much! Booking Through Thursday

1. Do you own any bookends? If so, how many sets? If not, do you need or want any?
2. Which are your favorites? How long have you had them?

I don't own any sets of bookends; I have a single lonely bookend that was a gift from a friend before we moved to Alaska. She herself is an Alaskan native (yes, she was born here, and she is an Alaskan Native American also,) and she had a set of moose bookends. Guessing (correctly) that I would quickly become enamored with the bumbling beasts, she gifted me one of her set and kept the other herself. I think of her and her daughters every time I see it. I could probably use more bookends, but I rarely think of buying them unless I see them in a bookstore, in which case I tend to want to reserve my money for the books themselves... I finally figured out how to charge the camera batteries, (Long story. Enough to say the charger we have is very tricky to those who are technologically limited. Like me.) so I can post some photos of the knitting I've been doing lately. Lest you think I've been slacking. Blurry photo of the Embossed Leaves socks, which are moving along swimmingly. I think I might actually have the pattern memorized by the end of the second sock. Unfortunately, they are a little small for me as written, and since the toe is designed to decrease in such a way that it finishes out the last leaf silouhette, I don't know that I'll be able to make a pair in my size. But they will make a great gift. This is the current Downstairs Sock, which accompanied me out last night to a Project Runway soiree at a friend's house. They are very plain, all stockingette, with a nice picot edge at the cuff (a new technique I'm quite pleased with after this first attempt.) They're knit in some Opal yarn I got off ebay; if anyone knows a good way to identify the different types of Opal (without a German-English dictionary) please let me know!

Ten Knitterly Things

I've been knitting, and napping, and avoiding housework as much as possible (that's not new, of course,) and don't have a lot of blog-worthy stuff to say. So I'm going to give this Meme thing a try, and give you Ten Knitterly Things You May Not Know About Me, courtesy of Grumperina the Great. 1. I learned to knit when I was 8 or 9, but I've only been doing it "seriously" for about a year and a half. (Early February is my "Knitiversary.") 2. I have knit 5 sweaters to date (3 baby-sized) and there is only one I consider a disaster. We won't speak of it. 3. I generally am a knitting perfectionist; I will rip out an entire piece and do it over rather than leave a major mistake. 4. I have tried to knit only one Rowan pattern (it was Electra from Rowan 38,) and it was terribly disappointing. I stopped halfway through, and still haven't frogged to reclaim the yarn. 5. I have only two long-term UFOs - the above aborted Electra, and ONE fair-isle mitten. It was my first FI project, and it didn't fit the way I wanted, so I didn't make a mate. I still have it though. (I'm thinking of framing it.) 6. I have yet to write an entirely original pattern (though I may do it soon - Knitty's submission deadline is in a few days and I have a good idea!) It is a goal of mine. 7. I detest short-row heels with a passion. That said, I want to like them, and I admire their straight-marching little diagonal seams, but they fit my heel badly and I've never knit one that looked good anyway. I do, however, love the the process of fiddley heel flap stitches and gusset decreases. I also am not overly fond of toe-up socks. 8. I crocheted for a few months in college, and in that time made a single, very lumpy bag. I subsequently decided crocheting was not for me, and still maintain that biased view. I avoid knit patterns with crocheted features. 9. I like cables, but have trouble without a cable needle or dpn to assist me; I haven't tried bobbles because I think they look like funny nipples. 10. I knit in public unabashedly. I have even learned to walk and knit, particularly around a playground. So there you go, that should keep the Blog Gods happy for another few hours. I've finished the first of the embossed leaves socks, and have my Downstairs sock coming along quickly (mayhaps it will be finished tonight during Project Runway!) I am going to start a Baby Surprise sweater out of some of my first handspun for a friend whose daughter was born in June.

Sockret Pal Questionnaire

Wee-hoo! Here we go!!! I'm so excited about this swap! The basics: How long have you been knitting? I first learned when I was 8 or so, and started “seriously” knitting about 2 years ago. Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep? I’d say advanced-intermediate – I knit in my dreams, and I’ve successfully turned a heel on a dark airplane… I haven’t written my own patterns yet. The measurements: I wear a size 9.5 to 10 shoe. I prefer a snug-fitting sock, so I usually knit my socks about 10 inches (25cm) from the back of the heel to the tip of the toe. My feet are 8.5” around the instep and 8” around the ankle (real measurements) and I like a little negative ease so they stay up. (Hope that's not too convoluted - email me if you need more clarification.) (fiber related) Favorites: What colors do you love? All the sky and sea colors (blue, grey, green, purple, brown) and reds and oranges. Do you prefer solids or variegated? No preference, it depends on the pattern. What fibers do you most love to knit with? Wool, alpaca – I hate acrylics, and have little use for cotton living here. Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors? Trekking, Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Opal, Fleece Artist, Cherry Tree Hill, Lorna’s Laces, Brown Sheep (Wildfoote and Nature Spun Sport) – I’ll try nearly anything. What projects (other than socks, of course*S*) do you most enjoy knitting? Hats, sweaters, scarves, and mittens. (fiber related) Dislikes: What fibers can you not stand to knit with? Acrylic. Fun-fur, eyelash yarn, and that sort of stuff. To wear? See above. What colors would you never wear? Pastels don’t suit me well, especially pale yellow. I don’t like black much either. The Tools: Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood? I use all sorts of needles except plastic. Circs or Straights? For socks, dpns. For other projects, I try to knit in the round (circs) as much as possible. DPNs or Magic Loop? DPNs Are there any knitting accessories you don't have in your collection but would like? I have lots of gadgets, but can always use more stitch markers. Or (another) good simple knitting bag. The Extras: Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link! At Amazon.com enter bonjourloriATgmailDOTcom in the “find a wishlist” search. Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*) All of the above! Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? No allergies! Favorite scents? I like natural scents, some of them unusual. I have a grapefruit perfume I love, and there was an ocean-inspired oil I used to have, it smelled like sun on saltwater and tanning oil. I like sandalwood, lavender, and the smell of men’s “woodland” scented deodorants. (What? Is that weird?) Scents you can't stand? I don’t like fake flowery or “department store” perfumes. Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)? I have a collection of shells and stones from around the country; I’d love to have some additions to it. When is your birthday? July 4th Do you spin? Yes, yes, yes! I have a Kromski Minstrel spinning wheel. Dye your own yarn? Yup, and roving for spinning too. Your favorite author/Yourband/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better... I read a lot, and a little of everything. Most recently I’ve finished a Mercedes Lackey book, a Stephen King novel, and I just finished The Time Traveler’s Wife for the umpteenth time. The Kite Runner is next in queue, and I love books on tape (or cd) to knit to. I like all sorts of music EXCEPT religious and the new country music. And “gangsta’ rap,” if you know what I mean. My radio is usually tuned to the local Public Radio station. I’m feminine but not girly. I like the outdoors, and winter is becoming my favorite season because I love snow. (And it's a good excuse to knit!) I haven’t been on vacation lately, but if I were to go somewhere it would probably be camping in the Chugach Mountains, though I also love the beach.

This may be getting out of hand...

Seriously. The last thing I need is more yarn, I'm sure, particularly when it comes at the expense of knitting time (since I'm making it myself...) Oh, nevermind, who am I kidding? I'm really not guilty at all. I was feeling generally miserable all week, and dyeing yarn really improved my mood. Playing with the colors, creating, and getting my hands into a project always does wonders for me, with the added benefit of beautiful yarn when I'm done. Here is some of the work from yesterday. I also dyed some for my Chocolate Swap pal, but it was sealed up into a box before I thought to photograph it.

(Pay no attention to the bag of potting soil on the floor...)

The yarn on the left is "manly colored," so you can guess for whom it is intended. (Don't go digging through my stash looking for it, Andy; I am going to attempt to surprise you .) I dyed it in washes, lime green, then forest green, then brown, and finally dark grey. The result is a rich steel color, with hints of greens here and there; I'm calling it Iron Tree (a suitable manly name) for now. And you may see it later as a finished project. The other skeins are dyed sock yarn (Henry's Attic, Kona Superwash Fingering.) Each skein (or pair of skeins) is enough for a pair of socks, and I don't have it named (yet) but I'm really happy with how it came out. I took it to Knit Group this morning for show and tell, and there was a great response, so I'll probably be trying to sell some locally and maybe open an Etsy store if all goes well. This skein is my favorite (it's the center one in the above photo, reclining on the bowl of shells.) I really want it for myself, but I should knit it up for Chrismas gifts... In other (very exciting, for my anyway) news, I will probably (hopefully, cross your fingers for me!!!) be able to go to the Anchorage Yarn Expo next weekend!!!! A friend from Knit Group is going, and has offered a ride and a place to stay, so as long as Andy's here to watch the kiddos, I'll be happily browsing yarn and fiber to my heart's content! Oh, and also, um, it seems some more Socks That Rock yarn has made its way into my house... They are Saratoga and Farmhouse colorways, if you're interested, both in the Light weight division. Well, I do need to study how the experts do it, right? (Right. Nod and smile.)

I love the smell of wet wool in the morning!

Wow, I've been MIA from my blog for awhile now! *ahem* sorry about that. So what the heck have I been doing? Well, I've been dyeing (That's not as funny to write as to say. I love telling parents at the elementary school that I'm "dying" when they ask why my hands are mottled strange colors...) I ordered some yarn from Wool2dye4, some of which is for one of my swap pals, and the rest is for experimentation and general stash enhancement. Photos and more info tomorrow, since it's still wet and hanging over the sink. (Ooo, there's a little stroke of genius I should share; you know how they always say to dry yarn and roving outdoors whenever possible? Not always possible in Alaska, as cold yarn dries slowly, and frozen yarn is still wet. I use the high-tech method of a dowel rod suspended between the cabinets on either side of the kitchen sink - no mess to clean up, wool stays safe from hoarding squirrels and birds, and dries overnight.) I've done a lot of work on the ISE3 scarf. It's about 45" now. And there's still a big honkin' ball of yarn! My pal may be getting a hat or mitts as well. The Not-Madder-Colored Madder Socks are finished, but after many attempts to take a decent photo of my own feet, I'll leave them to your imagination. I really like the Horseshoe Heel, it feels like it won't slip around, and the star-toe is great for my pointy-toed elf feet. I have been neglecting my spinning lately, but don't be afeared! It shall return with a vengance as soon as I'm done with the blue scarf. When I got up yesterday to wake the girls for school, the sky was beyond amazing. I attempted to take a picture, but the colors were even brighter, if you can believe it. It was gone within 10 minutes. Sunrises have been non-existent or too early to enjoy (5am is too early for me, thank you!) since April or so. This one was a nice reminder of the better parts of winter. Soon the moon will still be high when the kids go to school! I promised a review of Zorro, by Isabelle Allende; by now I'm so far into The Time Traveller's Wife I can hardly speak of it. Zorro is a great book, a little slow to build excitement, but by the middle of it I was sitting up half the night reading. It explains the behind-the-scenes of Zorro - who he really is, why he was so determined to fight injustice, by following the childhood and early adulthood of the man who was to become the Zorro we know from movies. I love reading Allende, her prose flows beautifully and she has a fascinating perspective to share as a female Latin American writer. I'm not so good at this review thing, after all I'm afraid... I've been reading a lot of blogs over coffee lately (what else is new?) and a lot of people seem to be talking about Obsessions, particularly those fiber related. We're not alone, as Cookie at Knit Anon points out; nearly everyone has their "thing." There is a phenomenal flower garden not far from my house (a good flower garden in Alaska requires, I've discovered, an enormous amount of skill and effort. I don't have the time to garden up here; I knit.) I was walking with Rudy the other evening, and saw the garden's creator working among her plants. Rudy obliged me by becoming intensely interested in sniffing a clump of weeds, and so I watched the lady working for a moment; she is in her sixties, possibly early seventies, with the sort of face that has spent much time outdoors. It was obvious she loves her garden and lavishes her time on it. She saw me watching and waved, and I complemented her work. She replied, "Oh, honey, this is just my thing. My husband, he's got his four-wheelers and hunting, I've got my garden. You have to have something your own, you know." I grinned, I understood precisely what she meant. "Yeah, I knit; he fishes." Her face wrinkled into a hundred smiling creases, "It's good you've figured it out so young; you and your husband will be together for a long time." So see, not only is Obsession normal, it's healthy, theraputic even.

Many, many projects

First off, I want to say thank you to everyone who sent good car-ma my way. It's been really nice to find all the well-wishes posted. Coincidentally, it seems many other knit-bloggers were having car troubles this week. I have been doing some knitting, though since I've been playing catch-up with my bout of startitis, progress on each item seems minimal. Here are my current Works in Progress. I'm usually a one- or two project kind of gal, so I'm a little appalled when I spread them all out. There are reasons for this madness. The dark gree blob off to the side is a Pi Shawl, started at swim lessons this summer (the girls were swimming, not me and the shawl, of course.) I am using a combination of patterns from Knitter's Almanac and Gathering of Lace, and have gotten to the point where I have nearly 600 stitches on the needles, and need to find a suitable (and easily memorized) pattern to insert. That involves math, and so it was put aside... Next we have my Scarf Exchange Project, which I've been working on a bit each day. (Still can't get the color to show up right - I give up.) It's nearly halfway finished, and I hope to finish the current ball of yarn before Tuesday. The single sock on the right is the first of the blue-and-grey Madder socks. I really like the way it's turned out, the Three Point Star toe fits my foot well. I plan to cast on the second of the pair tonight, while watching disc 2 of Lost: Season 2 (Lost is one of my two TV weaknesses. The other is Project Runway, of course.) The ribbing of the Madder Sock really shows better on the foot, so I'll show them off when they're both done. The red blob is Salina, still plodding along (another TV-watching project - I don't watch a whole lot of television!) I'm just past the third (of four) increases of the body before the armholes. Then there is my latest project, the Embossed Leaf Socks from Interweave Knits, Winter '05. I'm just to the heel flap of the first sock, and I was trying to figure out a way to extend the tips of the leaf shapes into the heel instead of cutting them off. Again, that requires math and graphing, which I'm not entirely opposed to, but I feel guilty taking time to do it when I need work on the scarf. (And watch Lost.) So. A-cabling I shall go, and I'll post again tomorrow, probably with a review of Zorro, which I've finished and thoroughly enjoyed! Oh, and for anyone who is (also) a fan of Elizabeth Zimmerman, there is a new knit-along, Zimmermania, which is for anyone interested in knitting an EZ-inspired pattern. Personally, I am going to use the group as a way to start That Dratted Gansey, and maybe even get it finished in time for winter!

BLEH

What a day! There is no knitting progress to show. On anything. Por que, you may ask? BECAUSE after I dropped the kiddos off at school (and walked them in because it was School Picture Day, and who would really trust a kindergartener and first grader with checks to turn in to the photography people?) I came back out, hopped into my car, turned the key, and... Nothing. No Thing At All. My car was dead. Kaput. Senseless. Did not even register it had a battery. I popped the hood, wiggled a few things (cursed myself for not trying to learn more about car engines) and tried again. Nothing. Felt exponentially more like an idiot as I repeated above efforts to no avail, still not believing what I was seeing. Did I mention it was raining? Pouring even? Did I mention I couldn't even call my beloved and mechanically-talented husband to save me because he is (as we speak) mucking about on a boat manymanymany miles offshore in the Alaskan sea? So, as I'm walking back to the school, trying to think of a good line to convince a taxi to transport me and my (wet) dog back home, an Angel in Shiny Red Vehicle appeared to me (hi PJ!!!) and offered me not only a ride home (for both me and Constant Companion) but also the assistance of her husband, and coffee at her house if all else failed. (Which it did appear to, for awhile. Her husband also could not revive the car, not for any lack of trying.) Did I mention I actually had something real to do (work) today? In the end, all is well; I had lovely coffee/tea chat, made it to work in time, and called the mechanic, who actually drove out to the school to fix my car on site and bring it back to me!!! (Now that's service!) The several hours of stress tired me out and made me generally cranky, but it seems catastrophe was averted, and Asphalta, Goddess of Vehicular Motion, smiles upon me once again... Tonight, on the agenda: KNITTING!!! I promise. And, as a treat for anyone who has actually read this lousy post this far, I give you a photo of our Yard Moose, taken last winter.

Ahoy!

In anticipation of International Talk Like a Pirate Day (next Tuesday, Sept. 19) I must include this on my blog:

My pirate name is:

Captain Mary Read

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. Even through many pirates have a reputation for not being the brightest souls on earth, you defy the sterotypes. You've got taste and education. Arr!

part of the fidius.org network Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.

Next Tuesday I may be the only one in my little town saying things like "Arrr, matey!" and "Avast ye scoundrels! Where be me grog?" but I'll be trying to get Andy and the girls to join me. And, well, everyone else already thinks I'm a few sandwiches short of a picnic, so what can it hurt? Apparently, I have a thing for pirates. I blame it on my friend Suzy from back home. Ahem. In other news...Here are the socks (finished) that I never got around to posting. In retrospect, if I'd knit them in the Schaffer Anne yarn the pattern called for, I probably would have enjoyed them more. I seem to have trouble being interested in solid colored socks (another way to put that would be to say I'm very easily amused, and find variegated yarns fascinating to knit... we'll not get into that.) And the Paton's Kroy felt, well, rough? I've been spoiled. Rotten. So you know I've started more socks. You knew I'm obsessed, right? (Nod and smile, back away slowly...) I always have two pairs going (unless I'm trying to finish a difficult project, then the socks become the carrot: "You can cast on when you finish ______...") There is the Upstairs Sock, which is usually the more complex of the two, requiring a chart or cable needle or some such. Then there is the Downstairs Sock, for not-looking-knitting in front of the TV or in bed (yes, I knit in bed. I'm hoping to develop the Sleeping Stockingette Stitch Technique and become independantly wealthy.) Right now the Upstairs Sock is Embossed Leaves from Interweave Winter 2005, in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Potluck Watercolor (I ended up with a lovely lavender and lilac colorway.) The Downstairs Sock is the Madder Ribbed Sock from Vintage Socks in a decidedly not-madder-colored blue and grey Patons Kroy (size 1 needles this time. Bearable.) I'll post photos when they're worth looking at. Hmmm, let's see... I have 14 inches of Scarf Exchange scarf finished, no need to post a photo until it gets more impressive. Still no gansey. Red sweater looks the same. Oh! Andy checked out the blog last night... I'd been hesitant to let him see it, cause... well... He loves me, and there's no need for him to find out just how insane I really am? I didn't want him to see The Stash? I'm shy? I dunno. I had just been keeping it secret. Turns out he's impressed, he loved it (or he's a good liar.) So, if anyone wants to leave comments, give a big "Hi Andy!" and embarras him. And I will be humiliating introducing him in a post devoted only to that purpose sometime in the near future... heeheehee. In conclusion, I leave you with a sign: Isn't Alaska great, y'all?

beauty

This is the view from the Wool Room window tonight, 8:55 pm Alaska time. On a day full of much contemplation, I am left without words.

Alpaca adventure

Yesterday I took the girls and went on a little field trip to Funny River Ranch, which is about two hours north of where we live. It was incredible. We were met by the three ranch dogs and the owner as we drove up the long gravel driveway. Diana introduced herself and her three oldest daughters arrived on the scene to whisk the girls away and show them around. We got a tour of the alpaca facilities. This is the female and baby pen. The alpacas are divided into three pens: females and babies, adolescent males, and adult breeding males. Here are the teenage boys, chaperoned by the older gelding male, Eli, in the caramel coat front and center. Poor fellow, he gets the job of babysitting and teaching manners to the young males every year. The adolescents are the most sociable. The girls spent a good deal of time in the pen with them.

S got alpaca kisses,

while her sister made new friends (food always helps with new acquaintences.)

Eli was especially friendly, and very curious about my camera. (Don't you just love the eyelashes?) So, aside from an enjoyable and educational way to spend a Saturday afternoon, what was the purpose of this trip? Fiber, duh. Not for purely selfish purposes either. You may remember I am participating in a roving swap? Well, my pal is a fan of alpaca, and I figured what better way to spoil someone than to send them some fiber fresh from the farm! The dark chocolate brown is from a sweet lady named Clover, the champagne colored wool from another female named Chilli B., and the raw fiber is from none other than Eli "the babysitter." The unprocessed fiber smells like the farm, like critter and hay - I really like it, and I'm going to try to spin from the lock. (I didn't say ALL the fiber I bought was for my swap pal!) In other swap news, the yarn for my International Scarf Exchange pal's project arrived yesterday. I finally settled on some yarn from Beaverslide Dry Goods, in a colorway called "Mountain Bluebird," and I'll be durned if it's not just as pretty and soft as everyone was saying. I started working it up into an Irish Hiking scarf, and so far it's looking good. I really hope my pal likes it. I purused her blog and found a photo of her modeling a sweater; she has brilliantly blue eyes, and I hope the scarf will compliment them. Of course, I've second-guessed my yarn and pattern choices at least ten times so far. What if the blue is too bright for her taste? What if she would rather have a lace pattern? If so this yarn would never do... Should I knit a more complex pattern? On and on, I could drive myself crazy and frog dozens of times. But I'm standing steadfast. This is gorgeous yarn, and a little brightness in the winter is a welcome thing. A fancier pattern would frustrate me after two feet of scarf, always having to refer to a chart - I picked Irish Hiking Scarf for its simplicity and ability to showcase a beautifully simple yarn. My pal will like it, I feel certain. I have a feeling that most of the scarf exchangers feel similarly to me. If a yarn or pattern isn't exactly what I would've picked for myself, well, someone took the time to think of me and spend weeks on a project for me, and if I wanted something of my picking I would've knit it myself. This afternoon we went ice skating at the local rink (indoor, it's not that cold here yet!) with the local Girl Scout troops. None of us have ever been before (that one time when I was 8 doesn't count in my book - I had a whole different center of balance then.) The girls were really brave, both got right out there and, with a little help from some older girls, got a good start at learning. I was a little more hesitant. But after a little watching, and some walking on the ice in my shoes (holding a girl up by each hand) I got a pair of skates and gave it a try. At first my heart was racing and I was shaky and quite frightened. But I got over it quickly, and guess what? I can skate! I didn't fall, and learned to go, stop, and turn, all at a decent speed. Before we were out the door, both girls wanted to know when we could go again...

Finally!

I finally finished the Gentleman's Fancy Socks from Nancy Bush's Vintage Socks book. I started them seemingly ages ago, on August 6th. Andy's not here to try the pair on, but he said the first one fit perfectly. I don't know if it was the pattern (endless checkerboard 2X2 rib,) or the color of the yarn (ghastly boring olive green,) or the fact that I was knitting a pattern that begins with the words, "Cast on 80 stitches," using size US 0 needles, but it seemed like they would never end! I'm very glad to be done with them, needless to say. I tried to take a photo, but since it's finally becoming dark at a reasonable hour here now (9pm rather than 11 or 12 - or not at all,) I couldn't get one that didn't look like a pair of sock-shaped blobs. Even these socks deserve a better portrait than that. This little guy's been visiting us on a fairly regular basis. He is, I think, a stellar jay. He is enthralled with our birdfeeder, though he is too big to get a good grip on the perches. He swings on it precariously, then eats the fallen seed from the deck floor, and then hops along the rail squacking. He drives the cat crazy. Speaking of driving a cat crazy, try this one sometime: wind yarn from an umbrella swift that's been hung horizontally on a bookshelf (so it turns like a wagon-wheel) just high enough so it's impossible for the cat to either reach or ignore. She was going absolutely nuts, even mrouwlll-ing at it as it spun. I cracked up through a whole skein of sock yarn... Tomorrow I'm taking the girls on a little swap-inspired field trip. There's an alpaca ranch a little less than 2 hours north of us, and that's all I'll say until we get back... I saw two pairs of sandhill cranes wheeling the sky this morning, sounding the most eerie cries - beautiful and otherworldly. Even Rudy's attention was taken. They are seasonal visitors, and will be leaving us soon, before the snow arrives.

addict

I need rehab. Swap rehab. I just. Can't. Stop. Joining. (Why did that sound like Captain Kirk in my head? You neither? okay.) It's really not that bad (I'll keep telling myself that.) I joined the Chocolate Swap that I read about over at Dave's blog. It's not very complicated, not even a secret pal swap - just send chocolate yumminess and chocolate-colored yarn to your pal... I can handle that much (and I can certainly look forward to it in my mailbox!) And that's all; no more swaps, I promise. I posted over on the ISE 3 webpage, but I want to share here too; in my search for scarf-pal yarn, I stumbled upon not one but two great sites I'm sure to frequent often in the future. The first is another knit blog (wait, don't yawn!) by a really cool knit-guy. Now, I know there're plenty of Guy Knitters out there, but it's still nice to add to the list of accomplished and prolific male knitters. This blog I speak of is Brooklyn Tweed. I read about him over at So Much Yarn, So Little Time (gracious, this is becoming a link-heavy post!) Great knitting, and his blog introduced me to a new online yarn shop. It's called Beaverslide Dry Goods, and they are really awesome. Montana farm-raised yarn, family owned business, old-fashioned spinning (mule-spun? Didn't know they could spin...) and the prices are unbeatable. Go check it out. Right now. For real, folks, I'm not going anywhere! So I ordered some yarn from them for my Scarf Pal, prettyprettypretty blue merino-kid mohair blend, worsted weight... I'll be back for some of that roving. (You didn't notice the roving? The organic wool roving for $12 - $17 a pound?!!??? Get outta here!) Yup. AND both my new swap pals contacted me, all mysterious-like and excited...*grin* "Will you please get off the computer and scritch my belly... please?"

Yarn shopping - the great debate...

I already love these swaps. I have watched many of them from the sidelines after missing the sign-up deadline, and I'm so excited to have regular computer AND internet access (at the same time!!!) so I can finally participate. I got my pals for the International Scarf Exchange AND the Spinning Roving Swap, both in the past few hours. I'm one of those people who love the giving part of holiday gift-time - I sit all butterfly-stomached waiting to see if I picked the perfect gift, if the wrapping was noticed, if the tag said the right thing... Don't get me wrong, I love receiving presents too, but I'm usually embarrassed by attention and prefer to lavish it out. Knowing that, you can imagine the fun I'm having debating yarns! I research the blogs and questionnaires intently: Which shade would suit them best? Is there already a lot of red? Purple? Green? What has my pal been spinning lately? Can I notice a favorite color? For my scarf pal, I think I've got my yarn down to either Malabrigo merino (a yarn I have been wanting to try, but haven't worked out how to justify for myself,) or a Merino Angora blend from Lisa Souza (which just sounds too lucious to pass up...) both in shades of blue. I'm sure I'll decide this evening and order some. Or I could find something totally new... maybe some handspun I made last month... Aaargh! (I'm enjoying every moment, believe me.) And just for the record, I have to post proof that (in my home, at least) cats and dogs DO get along, and can even be caught napping on the sofa together. Adorable, no? (Did I finish the socks? Even look at the Gansey? Heck, no, I'm yarn shopping!)

Spinning Roving Swap Questions Answered

Alright, I can't wait any longer! Here's my answers to the Spinning Roving Swap Questionnaire:

1) How long have you been spinning? I started on a drop spindle in April of this past year, and I got my wheel in June. 2) Are you a beginner, novice, or experienced spinner? I guess I’m a beginning spinner, but I’ve been learning quickly. 3) Do you spin on a drop spindle or wheel, or both? I make yarn on my wheel, but I still use my drop spindle for sampling a new fiber and for making the leader yarn to attach to the wheel bobbin. 4) What types and weights of drop spindles (or what type of spinning wheel(s) ) do you currently own? I have a low-whorl Anne Grout ceramic spindle (2.4 oz.) which is my favorite, and a toy-wheel high-whorl spindle that came with a "Learn to Spin" kit from Carolina Homespun. My wheel is a Kromski Minstrel named Tenar. 5) What type of fibers have you spun with before? All animal fibers so far: Merino, Superwash Merino, pure Alpaca, and a blend that included a lot of mohair and alpaca carded with an undisclosed breed of wool. I have some Corriedale and a Colombia/Dorset blend waiting in the cupboard. Oh, and I’ve gotten to try a sample of 50/50 merino/silk roving (loved it!!!) 6) What fibers do you prefer to spin with? I actually like the “slippery” feel of the merino I’ve used – feels like it drafts itself! I’m interested in trying new things, so if my pal has a favorite I’ve not tried yet, I’d love to give it a spin (ha-ha.) 7) What fibers do you dislike? I’ll try anything but dog. 8) Do you prefer natural colored fibers, or handpainted/dyed fiber? I like both, and will welcome either. 9) Would you prefer all one type of roving or smaller amounts of different types to sample? No preference, I'll be happy either way! 10) What are you favorite colors? In rovings, I have tended towards blues, purples, grass-greens, and vivid yellows lately; I like all colors though. 11) What colors do you dislike? I detest neon day-glo colors, not that I've seen much wool abused that way... 12) What would you like to do with your handspun yarn, or what do you plan to do with it? I will display it in a basket in my living room till I find a way to work it into a knitting project. Scarves, hats, mittens, and socks top the list of potential projects.

13) What spinning projects are you currently working on? Right now I’m spinning some superwash merino I dyed a couple weeks ago (blues.) 14) Do you have a wishlist? Yes, at Amazon.com. Look up bonjourloriATgmailDOTcom. But it's mostly expensive knitting books. 15) What are your other favorite hobbies? Knitting, cross-country skiing, reading. 16) Do you have any allergies (pet, smoke, food, fiber,etc...)? No allergies. 17) What is your preferred shipping method (USPS, UPS, FedEx)? USPS is the least expensive shipping method up here.

And since Blogger has been so compliant about uploading photos, here's a mouthwatering pic(k) from my backyard...

Fresh rain-washed raspberries! Yummmm...

Grey, grey, and oh! red!

Ok, so to start out, here's my Saturday Sky photo:

Somehow, it's capable of looking like that all morning, and NOT RAINING. I don't understand. Where I'm from, a sky like that means "Close your windows, stay off the portable phone, and expect a good thunder-boomer." Not here. It doesn't thunder-boom here. Can you believe it? No thunderstorms in Alaska. Or so I've been told by people who have lived here long enough to have a respectable say on the matter. It's one of the few things I miss.

In other, non-weather related news, I've discovered the Addiction of Joining Swaps. I found a website called Swap-Bot and signed up for a Knitting Book Swap, a Knitting Magazine Swap, and the Hot Socks Swap. The first two are very simple, fast "mail out an unwanted book/magazine, get one in return." Hot Socks is a swap for sock yarn and the makings for a hot beverage (coffee, tea, or cocoa.) I'm up for that! Sign-ups are open until 21 October, go sign up! I also signed up for a Spinning Roving Swap I found out about at Keyboard Biologist's blog. I send out 4 oz. of roving along with a handspun-friendly pattern, and get the same in return. I'm really digging this swap thing. Almost all the wool and books and needles I get mail-order, and spending immense amounts of time researching on the internet and paying exorbitant amounts of postage is gettin old. It will be nice to try new things, and to send stuff from Alaska (cause who wouldn't want Moose Swizzle Sticks? Yes, they are what they look like, well shellacked.) (Seriously, in case any potential pals are reading this, I won't send you those.) So, I promised you a Gansey Story a few posts ago. Some time ago (last year) I was having a rare adults-only dinner at a local restaurant with my husband, who is generally a Non-Sweater Guy. He prefers hoodies when the weather permits, synthetic high-tech gear when it doesn't. That's okay with me. Much as I like the idea of wrapping my man in thousands of love-filled woolen stitches, it is merely an idea which is easily put aside in favor of lovely (more colorful) knitting for myself. Don't feel sorry for him, he's got socks and hats out the wazoo. So, we're having dinner, and Andy notices a man at a table across the room is wearing what he (correctly) identifies as a Fisherman Sweater. Conversation ensues (greatly paraphrased): A: That's a Fisherman Sweater, right? Do you think it's handknit? Me, craning to get a good look: Mmm, probably not. It's a nice commercial one though. A: You could knit one like that though? Me: You mean, could I do it, or can it be done? Cause if you're asking me to knit you a sweater... (holding my breath, excitement mounting...) A: Yeah, I'd like one like that. Or kind of like that. Would you? I was overjoyed, and he was probably regretting the offer to let me buy yarn request as I launched into a conversation monologue about the history of "Fisherman Sweaters," construction techniques, cables, the virtues of drop-shoulder versus raglan sleeves, ribbing, and various necklines. In the end he decided to leave it all up to me, and promised to wear it as long as it 1) fit well and 2) was grey and "not too feminine." (He keeps trying to convince me to knit him a hoodie, but I'm not too hot on the idea.) I did enormous amounts of enjoyable research and decided to make him a Traditional Gansey (stockingette to the ampits, manly-patterned chest.) He approved. I bought yarn from Schoolhouse Press, some lovely two-ply wool from Bartlett Yarns, which Andy immediately dubbed "Man Wool" for its burly feel and lanolin content. (He even exhibited some yarn sniffing behavior. I've got a good one, I'm tellin' ya.) I wound up a ball, swatched, got my 5 stitches to the inch, did some math, and cast on 224 stitches for a 45" sweater. I frogged 5 inches of k2p2 ribbing and stockingette two days later. My swatch-gauge was fine, but I was getting 4.5 stitches per inch in the round instead of 5, thus knitting a monsterously large 50" sweater. Non-plussed, I cast on the correct number and knit another 4 or 5 inches before I realized I'd twisted before joining in the round. I'd never done that before, had scoffed at the cautionary directions at the beginning of most projects, and yet... I decided the Man Gansey and I needed a short break from each other. I started a huge lace shawl, and when I was done with that, I knit some mittens. And socks. A few hats. The gansey kept migrating to the south of my Works in Progress list. I picked it up and cast on again a few weeks ago, because Andy was reading over my shoulder as I read the Yarn Harlot's blog:

A: So she's knitting a "gansey", huh? Whatever happened to my sweater? Me: --- A:How come the Yarn Harlot's husband gets a sweater and I don't? I frogged the evening of the day I cast on because I'd twisted when joining in the round again! And here is that dratted gansey now: I'll get to it, I have to; Andy bribed me with some new Addi Turbo needles. (He's kind enough to chalk the Gansey Curse up to cheap needles.)

In the meantime, I've started this: It's Salina from Rowan's Vintage Knits book, which I've wanted to make for a long time. I'm changing the pattern to knit in the round, and I'm knitting it in Knitpicks Wool of the Andes, colored Black Cherry Heather (I know it's a "worsted" yarn, I'm getting 5.75 st./inch on US size 5 needles. It works. Don't jinx me.) I really will get to the gansey soon, someone remember to bug me about it in the comments every now and then.

And, hey, what do you know? It's started raining.