Spinning Bunny Knitaway 2009

The anticipation is over. It seems like the day would never arrive. Susan and Cathy kept sending teasers that only made matters worse.

The event, officially named, The Pamper Yourself Knitting Getaway, was perfect. My daughter, her husband and I arrived the night before on July 30. The Getaway began on July 31 when we introduced ourselves and got to use the "rainbow lady" to show us how measure each other. We got to use the Ragla Rula Tula(tm), invented by Susan and Cathy, to get the correct distance from neckline to under arm. Ann-Marie and Michelle (two sisters from Canada) loved it so much that they wrote a song called the "Ragla Rula Tula(tm)". Just click the arrow to play.

And now, may I present our fearless leader, Susan Sarabasha, the owner of Spinning Bunny.

Both her and Cathy truly kept us entertained as well as taught us new knitting tricks, the entire weekend.

One of the first things we had to do was make a name tag. We could not just write our names with a felt tip pen on a sticky paper. Oh no....we were given all kinds of items to truly personalize our name tags. We also had to chose a word that described us and later tell why we chose that word. For everyone that knows me, I think that I chose the right word, "Adventurous".

I am sorry to say that while we were laughing and eating at the Moosewood Restaurant, Cathy was slaving over her computer, correcting our math errors and making sure that everyone had a personalized cardigan and pullover pattern.

Bright and early at 9AM, everyone was in their seats ready to begin another fun filled learning day. Today we would actually start our creations. After our personalized knitting a top down seamless pullover or cardigan sweater patterns were handed out, Cathy and Susan helped everyone to get started. The design elements and styling are all up to us. My daughter and I ordered the Harmony guides so that we could decide whether we want lace, cables, etc., Cathy provided us with patterns that would work nicely with our creations but encouraged us to use whatever we liked to achieve our perfect sweater.

After a delicious catered lunch from the Ithaca Bakery, we went to see Susan's shop, The Spinning Bunny, to knit, learn to spin and in my case get a plying lesson. Okay, I did buy some yarn and roving. Did you really think I would go to a knitting shop and not shop.

This is my sweater so far. I decided to get some of Susan's yarn . I got the Knit Away Pend Orielle yarn in Velvet Merlot. It is so soft and this picture does not do the color justice. I am quite aways from dividing for the sleeves but I will keep on chugging along until I get there.

That evening most of us went to dinner at The Boatyard Grill. I left my camera in the car so I do not have any pictures. Just take my word for it, the food was delicious, the company was great and the atmosphere was perfect.


On Sunday, my daughter, son-in-law and I met Susan at the Ithaca Farmer's Market. That was a real treat. Hopefully, there will be a Getaway 2, if so , we are going to build in more time in our trip to spend at the market.


















After we left Susan at the market, we went wine tasting. My son-in-law had talked to Jim, Susan's husband, to get some ideas of the best wineries to try.

On Monday, we went to the Watkins Glen State Park to see the waterfalls. That was a beautiful mile walk. I would suggest anyone in the area to go.






















I can only say that this was a perfect weekend.












Check out the Chicks with Sticks blog to see more pictures and comments about our great weekend.

I have another link for you about our wonderous weekend. From the mouth of the creator
Susan of Spinning Bunny.

The Big Sock

I just found out about the greatest project called The Big Sock . Check out the blog.

That is me knitting on a small portion of the sock.

Bigsock started in October 2006, when Joanna Ratcliffe decided to hold a charity knitting event for National Knitting Week in the UK. The original idea was just a giant circular knit, but just days before the event the idea of creating a giant record breaking sock was born.The current record for the largest handknit sock which measured 4.95 x 4.3 x 1.9 metres is held by the Sheep Farmers Association of Austria.Bigsock consists of 1,500 stitches cast onto circular needles and measures 7metres in diameter. We estimate that the sock knitted to scale needs to be 4 metres long before we turn the heel.The aim is for the sock to travel around the world being knit by as many people as possible, schools, knitting guilds, knitting groups, everyone who wants to get involved is welcome to contact us and register to host the sock in their town or city or village.

I was fortunate enough to walk into a yarn shop in Tennsessee, The Naughty Knitter in Murfreesboro, Tn. A great shop, friendly and inviting. A must when you are in the area. Lots of yarn. I was good because next week is the Maryland Sheep and Wool Show. I did however buy some patterns, I am getting very interested in lace shawls, and some stocking stuffers. It is never to early to start shopping for Christmas.

Back from China

I do not have time to write a post right now, but thought you would like to see some of the pictures from the trip.

China Bound and What I Have Been Up To

I am getting very excited. On March 18 at 6AM, I will be on the plane heading for Shanghai, China. We will be there 3 days and then fly to our boat to take a river cruise down the Yangtze River, stopping along the way to see the sites. Twelve excursions are included like the Great Wall, Summer Palace, Terra Cotta Soldiers and Chinese Acrobat show.

At the end of the river cruise portion of the trip, we fly to Beijing for the final days of the 13 day trip plus two days to travel. I can't believe I am really going. Since this is a knitting trip, we will be getting in knitting classes with Lili Chin after dinner when we are on the boat. I hope to come back with silk yarn to knit and weave with as well as fancy chop sticks and buttons to make drop spindles.

As you can see the Noni Medallion Bag is finished and packed. This was a fun fast knit. It is a little smaller than Norah Bellows had meant because of how it was felted. I did not like seeing the stitches so we threw it back in the washer one more time. I think it is a nice carry on size, 16X20. I plan on making one for my daughter, she wants one with long repeats of color like you get with the Noro yarn. That yarn is too expensive to buy enough to make the bag so I will have to dye the wool whatever colors she decides on. I also plan on making myself another one and not felt it so much with a brown background and have not decided if the other color with be a light turquoise or a warm pink. That decision will be made when I buy the yarn.

I was just a few inches from finishing the Companion Bag and will be ripping the yarn out. I know for a fact that I would not use this bag and I really love the color of the yarn. I think that I will use this beautiful purple yarn to make the Adventure Bag. I already have the hardware for the bag I just had not brought the yarn. This will work and I will use it.

Last Sunday, I went to the Sunday Spinners here in town. Well it is actually out on a farm a couple of miles away. I have never been home to go before and boy have I been missing a good time. Rose, the lady that host the spinners the 2nd Sunday each month, is such a dear. We set on her screened in porch because the weather was so nice.
























I met someone I hope will become a good friend, Bonnie. She did not bring her wheel and was drop spindling because she was going to be teaching some 5th graders and needed to practice. We started talking and she said that I should come by her house and she would teach me. I asked when and she said that she was retired and to come anytime. I called my daughter right then and found that she was off on Tuesday, Bonnie said that was a perfect day and for us to come over.

The visit was amazing, we have so much in common. Bonnie taught my daughter and I how she spins with the spindle. She does not drop it but drafts and then spins it. This makes so much more sense. My daughter caught on immediately, my yarn does not look as good but it is still looking like yarn. My roommate on the cruise is bringing her drop spindle and she told me to bring mine and she would help me. So it is packed in the carry on.

The three of us talked for 3 hours. I can not believe we were there so long. That was such an enjoyable day. I look forward to many more.

On Thursday, I went to Thurmont, the next town 15 minutes away, to see what the Thursday knitters were up to at the Eric Mohn Gallery. I have never been before and needed to go to the bank to get my China spending money and then put it in the account I would be using while I was on vacation. Good excuse to go knitting. In one room of the watercolor art gallery, they have a table and chairs we just sit around and knitted. What a neat place to have a sit and knit with beautiful art all around you.

On Friday, I went to see the new library in the same town. The one in our town is so small and does not have a good selection of craft books. Bonnie had told me that she does not go to our library but goes to the Thurmont Library . This is a fairly new building, very modern, beautiful and very comfortable. I can hardly wait until it gets warmer. There is a long covered porch with rocking chairs and tables on one side of the library where you could just sit and knit for hours. There was 4 of us at the sit and knit. I think this varies. So glad I went, I will be going to this library often. They do have a great selection of craft books.

On Sunday, I am going to an Indie Dyers sale. Local independent dyers of yarn and roving will be in Savage Mills selling their wares. I do not plan on buying anything...at least that is my plan.

See you in a little over two weeks. I will have lots of stories to tell about my trip.

BILOXI, MS

It is nice to be home from Biloxi, MS. As for as I am concerned, the only thing to do in that town is go to the numerous casinos. Since I do not gamble, I did not find this a place I would want to visit again.

This work assignment was a little boring, at least we were not climbing roofs and dealing with unhappy people. The boredom was welcome.

I had no idea that I would be teaching 3 of my co-workers to knit and another one to use the Paint Shop Pro program.

Ileana was born in Guatemala and now lives in Ohio. She goes home every Christmas to see family and friends. This year, when she goes home, she wants to do a presentation for her family and friends using their photos over the years. She told me that they had been friends since the 6th grade. Goodness, I do not even remember who was in the 6th grade with me, in fact, I do not even remember being in the 6th grade.

Ileana liked the signature tags and digital scrapbook pages that I made for myself so she asked me teach her how to use the program. She will make her digital pages, then add music and transition to really show off all her hard work.

I thought you would like to see an example of her work. By the way, that is Ileana in the picture.

I was surprised the other three ladies that was working with me in Biloxi wanted to learn to knit.

They went to Hobby Lobby and brought yarn and needles. We set in the lobby of the LaQuinta and knitted. They were all fast learners and was quickly on their way to making their first scarves.

Kim and Ashley have already joined Ravelry. I am expecting them to be designing their own knits soon. Kim raises alpaca. She gave me a lesson in the grades of alpaca that will really help when I go to the MD Sheep and Wool in May.

When I left Biloxi, I only stopped at one yarn store, Loopsville in Knoxville, TN http://www.loopvilleyarn.com/ . It was well worth the stop. The shop is small but well laid out, the yarn included Malabrigo, Art Yarns, Southwest Trading Company, Berrocco, Tilli Thomas, Jo Sharp, just to name a few. The best part is the bins marked 40% off. No matter how hard I tried, I kept going back to that bin. Yes, I left with yarn. I just have no will power.

My birthday was yesterday, Jan 31. My daughter, son and son-in-law took me to the restaurant my daughter works at for lunch. http://www.tersiguels.com/ .We went for lunch because she started work at 3pm. The chef sent out a treat for us. The meal was spectacular, I did not know that a steak salad could be so tasty. The steak was seasoned to perfection. For dessert (which came with a candle), was Creme Brulee to die for. Afterwards, TeAntae took us on a tour of the wine cellar, restaurant and the kitchen. This is a French Country Restaurant owned by the chef. My daughter was told that this was going to be a very busy night. They had 150 reservations and that did not include the walk-ins.

My friend Sue and I spent Thursday and Friday getting into trouble. Sue handed me a gift as I was leaving her on Thursday, I did not have time to look at it until that night. How nice to find soap, candles, perserves (sugar free), tea (flavored and a breakfast tea) and the most special gift-she made a necklace and earrings for me. I love handmade gifts and prefer those over anything. I will treasure that necklace and earrings and think of them while I am burning my candles, bathing with my soap, eating jam and drinking tea.

:)

I had plans for today but I do not feel like getting dressed to do them. I have on one of my fleece lounging robes, a cup of tea, and my knitting or spinning or weaving or felting or sewing, while listening to my favorite podcast.

FALL FASHION's

I had a wonderful time at String Theory Yarn Co. for their first ever Fall Fashion Show on 10/19 at 7 until 9. The show was to inspire you to buy yarn and take classes. I think it succeeded. The cost was $15 which included a door prize and munchies with wine.













The door prizes ranged from a skein of sock yarn and pattern to a sweater's worth of yarn with the pattern. I received the pattern and yarn to make the Feather and Fan Lace Scarf. That was perfect since I wanted to try lace and thought that I should start with a scarf. I like the look of the Feather and Fan Scarf.


I met a lovely lady with a Ravelry name of Ragdoll. She was such a wealth of knowledge about yarn stores and patterns/yarn. I am happy that I got to meet her.

Most of the fashion's were modeled by the person that knitted them but there was a few from the yarn company. I did not take pictures of all of them but wanted you to see some of the great knits. The moderator of the event was the owner of the shop, Janet Avila. Janet was wearing Town and Country knitted by Kristen Quain, one of the employees of the shop, the Yarn was Peace Fleece in cream.


And now on with the show....




There were several categories, my photos are not in order of the categories. I am starting with the Fall Colorwork section, Kristen knitted and modeled the Kindle scarf from Inspired Fair Isle Knits, the yarn was Creative Focus Worsted in white & grey.


I really liked the Kick off Time sweater knitted by Fairmont Fibers and modeled by Lindsay. The pattern is from Manos 8 and the yarn is manos wool in coffee and 4 other colors.

Another great design modeled by Karen, knitted by Fairmont Fibers was St. Petersburg. The yarn was manos silk blend in pewter, citric and dove. The pattern was from Numero 2. I would love to make this but would need help to enlarge the pattern. The written size is for 34-46.

In this category there was a design called Rosemary, modeled by Lisa, knitted by Fairmount Fibers. The pattern was from Manos 10. I did not take a picture of this one.


In the Holiday Show-Stoppers we had shrugs, a scarf and a top.

The Dream in Color Shrug knitted by Beth and modeled by Kristen in Mountain Colors Mtn. Goat olive. Looked greener to me but was quite pretty. The patter is from Dream in Color.

The Little Black Top was in two categories. In this one, it was knitted in Meriboo in charcoal and the center panel was Alchemy Silk Purse in rust red. The model was Lindsay and was knitted by her.






One of my favorite in this group was Palette of Colors Shrug knitted and modeled by Lisa in Wool Crepe and Andrea. The pattern is from Heartstrings. I loved it so much, I brought the pattern. I will probably go back to buy the yarn.



Lindsey modeled and knitted the Simple Knitted Bodice in Shokay Orient raspberry. She added crystal beads to the sleeve and the body. The Pattern is from Stitch Diva and the written sizes 28-54. Lindsey knitted the 32-34.












I did not take a picture of the Japanese Vine Scarf knitted by Jody Oxley and modeled by Karen. The yarn was Claudia Handpaint in John B and the pattern was an internet download and the Summer Night Shrug knitted by Shokay, modeled by Kristen. The yarn was Shokay orient in demin blue. Patter from Shokay written for sizes child, adult sm, m, l.


In the Must-Have Wardrope Pieces, I totally agree with the choice of Joplin knitted by Berroco, modeled by Karen. The brochure said that the color was Jasper in #3823 black but it looked like a blue/grey to me. The pattern is in booklet #266 and is written for sizes s/m (54) and l/xl (56).


I have this in my must have file.







I only took one more picture in this group and that was the Little Black Top, knitted and modeled by Lindsay. The yarn is fixation in black and the pattern was from S&B, written for sizes 33-43 and the model was wearing a size 36. This the same top that was in Meriboo charcoal and ALcemy in the Holiday Show-Stoppers.







Kristen also modeled Laurel knitted by Fairmount Fibers. The yarn was manos wool in copper from their pattern book Manos 10.




Lisa modeled the February Sweater which is free pattern. The yarn was Mission Falls 136 wool in Damson.


We now get to the Basic Cardigan category.


My favorite, and of course, I brought the pattern. I wanted to buy the yarn for this but could not find the color I wanted. Lisa modeled Origami. This was the cutest, all rectangles that becomes a shrug when you fold and stitch them together. The yarn is by Frog Tree in sportweight and the pattern is also from Frog Tree.

No pictures but I would like to knit for my daughter was, Jet. This short cardigan was knit by Berroco in Jasper. It is from the booklet #276.

The Cosmos Jacket knitted by Misti Alpaca, modeled by Karen. This is a free pattern from Misti Alpaca for their Misti chunky HP in Jazz. I was not too impressed with this one but it seemed like an easy knit.


Another cute basic cardigan in this group was the River Twist cardigan knitted by Mountain Colors and modeled by Lisa. The yarn was River Twist in Trout Creek.


We are almost finished. I justed wanted you to see how much fun this show was. The shop was closed of course and you needed to have paid to get in. They knew this by having a name tag for each person. I am sorry that I did not take pictures of what the people not in the show was wearing. I really saw some cute things. That is how I met Ragdoll, I loved her shawl.



In the Day to Evening Cardigans category, I did not take very many pictures. I do have a picture of Joyella which was modeled by Kristen and knitted by Joan Looi. This cardigan is in Berroco's booklet #266; written for sizes 35-47.



I was not a fan of this sweater so I am not sure why I took the picture. Must have been the frenzy of the moment.



However, I did like Summer Hours modeled and knitted by Lisa. I really like this one and after the show I talked to Lisa about it since the size said it went to 46. She said that if I used a heavier yarn, I could knit it to fit. The pattern is by Chris Bylsma and the yarn was Manos silk blend in hibiscus.


Olivia-lady's jacket was knitted by Misti Alpaca in Misti suri silk Blush and is also one of their patterns.


The Le Smoking knitted and modeled by Kristen reminded me of a smoking jacket as it was suppose to be but I could not get my mind around a knitted one. The pattern is from A Fine Fleece; written for sizes 40-49. Knitted in Imperials Stock Ranch claret.


Last but not least was Transitional Wear. Actually this was the first group. In between the first few groups, the owner called out a number. We had pulled a number from a bucket when we came in. When she called your number, you were given a bag that would have your goodie. It seems that as much as I liked what I got, I wish that I had pulled a higher number. Those are the ones that got the sweaters worth of yarn.


There was a Hooded Scarf knitted by Misti Alpaca in the Misti chunky HP lily pad. This is a free pattern from Misti Alpaca. The scarf was modeled b Karen.

Lisa modeled the Mountain Moss Vest that was knitted by Mountain Colors in wool crepe ruby river.

Lindasay knitted and modeled the Estes Vest from Interweave Fall 2008 in the yarn Creative Focus Chunky Grass.

The Boston (cardigan shawl collar vest) was knitted by Fairmont Fibers was modeled in Krsiten in Manos wool topaz. You can find this pattern in Manos 9 for sizes 33-45. I liked this vest as well.

I almost brought the pattern Sauselito knitted by Carol Scott and modeled by Karen in the yarn 2nd Time cotton in the color linen. I had seen this one at the MD Sheep in Wool because it is one of Tess Designs. The written size is 33-43 but I tried it on and could wear it. It must be written to be quite large.






Hope you enjoyed the fashion show as much as I did.


Oh, as we were leaving we were told to pick yarn from a basket and take a pattern to knit a mitten ornament.