Half-Baked Thoughts

I'm in a bit of a knitting rut--but, I'd prefer to think of it as the confusion one has before a burst of activity. So many things I'd like to get to, but I can't settle on any one project.

First up:
Another pair of twee booties



It took me two weeks to knit this one. Yes, this is the bootie that takes one hour. However, I must have knitted and frogged it about four times. Silly mistakes. After the final frog, it did take only an hour to knit up. Where's the second one? Well, gee, no rush--the baby is only five days overdue.

Next up:



At the Knitters Review Retreat, there's the New Beginnings tradition where we start a new project. Something that might be a challenge. I had a fear of cables. Never did 'em and was somewhat wary of them.

This was my New Beginnings project. The Good Ole Cabled Scarf. Pretty. I like the pattern. But, boring. OK, OK I get cables--but, I don't see the need to complete this project. Off to the frog pond.

However, I felt guilty about not doing a cable project. So I designed a lace and cable scarf:



It was great fun to pore over stitch patterns and try to match a lace and cable. Eventhough my head was going to explode, I even enjoyed the Math. And making little marks in boxes--pure joy. But, the actual knitting of--OH--that's another story.

Then there's the Artyarns Beaded Silk Rhapsody that's asking to be made into the Filgree Wrap from Lacy Little Knits. Perfect for holiday parties. And it looks like a quick enough knit.



And socks--there's always socks.



Yarn is from Sundara -- colorway is Chimney.

And how about Clara's book? Aren't there one or two or seven or ten lovely projects from that wonderful book that are begging to be knit?

Too many choices! I think I'll go toast my head for a while and think about it all.

Parade Preview

Since we live only a half block away from where the Macy's Day Parade is set up, hubster and I got up at half past o'dark to take some photos.





We walked down one block where the balloons are kept under nets till the parade kicks off.





We saw Macy's workers in their Thanksgiving attire:






But, we really got up so early to see the floats:








Then it was home to take a nap before cooking up the bird.

Have a good one, everybody!

I'll be Darned

I knew that someday a hole would spring up in a hand-knit sock,



so I read up on how to repair it. Duplicate stitch seems to be the way to go.

However, this tutorial downright scared me and I ended up repairing the hole my own way. First I secured the stitches around the hole by doing some sort of stitch. Then I joined the sock material and wove the yarn back and forth and up and down to create a patch. Voila! Not pretty and neat--but it seems to have worked.



When I wore the sock today, I couldn't even feel the patch job.

And what's this?



Will more socks be cast on soon?

More socks = less wear and tear on already made socks = fewer holey socks.

Retreat Sights

I just don't have the words to explain the Retreat. Like-minded individuals speaking the same knitterly language. New friends made. Connecting faces to online names. The sharing of tips and techniques. The laughter, the jokes, the chatter. The moments of quiet reflection on what path our knitting may take. The questions, the answers, the ooohs and ahhs and hugs. Watching all the different ways one can knit. Meeting knitters who have been knitting for sixty years or for only a few months. The fibers, the colors, the finished and unfinished projects.

The photos can't even begin to describe the passion.

Knitters















and spinners everywhere.



Bags



and baskets of fiber goodies.



A piano top full of swap yarn



and vendors too.















A knitting muse perhaps?



And a few Night Owls.



Some of the gorgeous knitted items:







































I wish I had taken a picture of every knitted item I saw--well, maybe next year!

A Postscript on Feather and Fan

For those of you who suffered thru the sad tale of the feather and fan shawl during July:


























Here's a couple of photos that will show the feather and fan in a new light:





Yes, that's knitting guru Pam Allen fondling and praising my feather and fan shawl!

She likes it! She really likes it!

More about the Knitters Review Retreat in the next couple of days. It was wonderful and overwhelming! Talented, friendly knitters, gorgeous hand-knit items, beautiful setting, gracious inn--and do I dare mention cashmere?! I promise, all will be seen soon.

Gone Knittin'

In about seven hours, I'll be heading north to Lenox, MA for the Knitters Review Retreat. A weekend of knitting, spinning, chatting and laughing with other fiber loving individuals. Chocolate will also be involved.

I'm still deciding the WIPs to tote along. And I've lost my wrist ace bandage. The various knitting bags are in competition as to which one will hold the (undecided) WIPs. I should have polished my favorite silver bracelet. One of my hand-knit socks has a hole in it. I'm having a hard time choosing which book to bring along. And did I mention that it's now 1:30 AM?

Other than that, I'm ready to go!

Reminder

Have you bought your holiday stamps yet?



Holiday Knits--stamps inspired by Norwegian designs. Designed and machine knit by illustrator Nancy Stahl.