What Can I Say

The Harlot I'm not. I keep meaning to post but the words just don't find their way here. I'm going to aim for a post per week and see how that goes. A goal is always a good thing.

Knitting progress has been slow. I did finish the Garter Shawl for M. I started her Summer Shawlette but I'm taking that extremely slow. I want it to be perfect. It's been tinked a few times but so far so good. A lifeline is a shawl's best friend! Socks almost done. No pictures, soon though!

Went to WEBS last week. It was, as always, a wonderful experience. I bought some Shibui, some Northampton, Lorna's Laces, and Cascade. But ohhh, the temptation to buy so much more. Honestly it's a good thing I don't live close enough to be there all the time.

Tomorrow is the NH Sheep and Wool Festival. I can't wait. So much fun and friends to share it with. I'm really looking forward to the day. I hope the weather behaves, calls for rain in the morning. I'm going to get the boat ready.....just in case. Stand by for pictures and a report soon.

What Makes You Happy?

Finally getting some time to get out a post! Sorry, it's been a while. But many happy things and FO's follow so cruise on down the list of things that make me happy!

Spring!
I think it's finally here or at least very close. The grass is getting greener, leaves are starting to bud out and the weather has a hint of warmth to it. Yippee!



Minnie
Love tea and anything to do with it. So when out visiting in Minnesota what do I spy but a beautiful orange (be still my heart) beehive tea pot. Lovingly hand carried all the way back to Boston. Aptly named because she was found in Minnesota.



Finished Objects (FO's)
Finally some finished projects. The unfinished ones and ones waiting to be cast on baffle my brain but at least there are a few finally done.


The Meghan Shawl Collared Cardigan, A WEB's pattern


Clapotis in Noro Silk Garden Lite


Nutkin Socks in Koigu

Still working on the Bubbly Curtain, a plain shawl for M, the Everlasting Bagstopper from Knitty and some socks which I think will be frogged. Waiting to be cast on are M's wedding shawl (she LOVED the yarn) and a sweater for S (who moves to Chicago next month, condo finally sold).

Achieving Dreams
This past weekend we went out to Minnesota to visit with B and M as well as attend B's White Coat ceremony. This signifies the "end" of actual school and the beginning of clinical rotations. The students are "coated" with their short white official lab coats for use in their intern and externships over the next year. It is a big step and I am so proud of B. He has from the time he was born wanted to become a veterinarian. He is so happy and I am thrilled to see him able to achieve his dream. It's hard to believe in a year he will graduate and begin practicing as well as get married.



We had a great visit despite the nasty aborted landing into Minnesota, the snow and missing the Harlot (I checked the airport for her) and Franklin. It was great to meet some of B and M's friends, see where they hang out, spend some time with them and we got to meet Dory their horse and watch M ride her. M's dad also came out and we had a good time traipsing around. I even got to visit a yarn store out there, the Yarnery, which was a lovely shop. A great trip.

So just a few of the things that make me happy, what about you?

This and That

Somehow we have moved on to the month of April. I'm not sure how we got here but it is April. Even the weather hasn't caught up to the calendar yet. Hopefully we'll all be on the same page soon.

Work has kept me busy and I have been knitting. The Clapotis is done. I LOVE this pattern, I don't know why I am so late to the game. I'm not in love with the yarn however so I'm not sure how much this guy will get out. Someday I will learn that Noro and I just don't see eye to eye. This shawl is cozy though and I have been wearing it around the house. I never thought of myself as a shawl person but I'm finding myself drawn more and more to them. I'm planning on making another Clapotis but this time in something a little less scratchy and a little more tonal in color. I'll be hitting WEBS again in May when I am out there for a conference and I think, no I'm sure, I will find something there :) I also bought the yarn and pattern for this shawl and I just bought this pattern.

I also finished a cardigan that I had started last year. All it needed was some weaving in of ends, I don't know what took so long, but it's done now. This is the Megan (Meghan) Shawl Collar Cardigan from Valley Yarn (WEBS). I made it in their Sugarloaf yarn in a burnt orange color (suprised?) instead of the Florence that was called for. I don't like the fuzzy yarns so I made the switch. I'm quite happy with it. I love the button, it just makes the sweater.

So I'm moving along on the project list. I finished one of the Nutkin socks with just enough yarn. I am about 1/3 of the way done with the second sock. The Bubbly curtain is progressing, s l o w l y, that's all I'll say! New projects are Meghan's wedding shawl, a sweater for the oldest boy (who is moving to Chicago soon and it looks like he'll need a sweater or two), and a "jacket" that I impulsively bought the yarn ($$$$) for today. It's Blue Heron yarn, beautiful cotton rayon yarn in gorgeous colors. I hope it turns out nicely otherwise it was an expensive mistake. Here's a picture of the jacket.

In other news we head out to Minnesota next week to visit with vet2b and fiancee. B will be getting his "white coat" which means he goes from being in the classroom to doing his clinical rotations. He's just a little over a year from graduating and becoming the veterinarian he always dreamed he'd be. He'll be doing many rotations this year, all hands on now. One rotation will be spent with us, others out in MN and then one out at the U Penn equine facility where Barboro (?) was taken after the accident. It looks like he's interested in a mixed practice, small animal/equine. I can't believe graduation is a year away. It will be fun to spend some time with B and M.

Off to walk the dog and get back to the knitting!

PS I tried and tried to get pictures on but no luck. I'll post hopefully with pictures of the FO's next time, promise.

Before I Was Interrupted

Finally, back among the almost recovered. The horrible sore throat is gone, the nasal congestion and cough are almost gone, and the exhaustion has departed. Time to knit.




Despite the nasties I did manage to go to WEB's (any idea of what would stop a knitter from a planned trip there?). I bought some Felted Tweed in a blue for a sweater for myself, some Buckingham (alpaca and silk, yummy) in a teal color for a Silk Smoke neckwarmer and some patterns. There was so much more to buy, glad I'm heading back that way in May for a conference.


Not much progress on any of my started objects. In one of the last posts I mentioned that the Bubbly Curtain was ready to come out and about with me as I was beyond the "have to read every line as I do it" stage. Wrong! I took it to Monday night group and knit away. Came home from Monday night group and ripped it all back. OK, back to a house project.


The one thing I have been working on fairly regularly is the Clapotis. I've been sucked in. I LOVE this pattern. I do have to admit that I don't love the yarn, Noro Silk Garden Lite. Someday I will learn. It is pretty and I am going to make another one but in more tonal colors, something more "me". Trying to decide what exactly that is :)






I'm hoping for another yarn field trip soon. Off to the north this time with specifics in mind. I'm hoping for this week but we'll see.

Spring is here, so they say, but you'd never know it from the cold and wind today. But looking in the yard I see little sprouts valiantly poking up their heads. I've seen some robins so it must be so. Somebody tell the weather to move along (well with all the wind maybe the weather is trying. But it threw a big branch down which cracked one of our car's windshield. That's not playing nice).

In non knitting items, if you love food go check out this blog. Everytime I read it and the list of recipes I drool. Tonight I made the Upside Down Shepherd's Pie and it was fabulous. I could have licked the pan. I'm trying to decide what to make next!

Knitter Down

I've got nothing for you except a very sick knitter who can't even knit. Surfacing briefly to check in with the world but now heading back to the safety of bed and bathroom(you get my drift). Stay tuned, this too will pass.

I Don't Think It's Contagious

In looking at the symptoms I think I have diagnosed myself with of all things, startitis! I don't think you can catch it from reading the blog, I think you're safe. Lately I just can't help myself from casting on.

From left to right across your screen you will find the first of the Nutkin socks, the start of the Wool Peddler's Shawl, the Heart Scarf, the Bubbly curtain, and my first ever Clapotis. Yikes!! Those are the main projects I have going, I know there are a few others in hibernation. I'm hoping they stay wherever they are for a little while longer. I am pleased that the Bubbly curtain is progressing. I'm actually at the point that I can take it out in public to knit on and not screw up. My husband would like it done so we would have a covering for the window sometime soon. I'm working on it. I need to do another gauge swatch for the Wool Peddler's shawl. I think I need to go up one needle size to be where I want. And yes, you heard that right, me, doing a gauge swatch! And I have to say I am totally enthralled with the Clapotis. I keep working on it to see the color changes and I'm getting to the point where I drop my first stitch, ON PURPOSE! I've never done that before, I'm a little scared. Any idea what you think I'll finish first? I'm hoping not to cast on for anything else until I get at least two of these things done. But I forgot to mention that I'm going to WEB's this week. Uh Oh!!

I am proud of the organizing I've been doing with my patterns and stash. It was getting pretty ugly. So I bought notebooks and organized the patterns and tried to organize some of the yarn. It looks pretty good if I say so myself.

Looks impressive doesn't it??

Don't be too impressed there are still project bags hanging from most door knobs in the house and yarn in unlikely places but I'm working on it. It's a little overwhelming to see what I have managed to accumulate yet it doesn't seem to stop me from buying more. Is that a problem?

Still Here

Our computer has been acting funky and so the posting has been lacking. This will be short and sweet, no pictures, sorry.

Listening to podcasts today and I heard something interesting. The person being interviewed said that knitting for her was giving back to herself, caring for herself. It gave her pleasure and time for herself as well as time to contemplate. I never thought of knitting in just that way. Knitting is indeed pleasurable for me. But this statement made me think. I love the feel of the yarn, watching the piece grow. I like the feel of the needles. I do find that I "go" someplace when I knit that is calming and centers me. And I know I "need" to knit. I never wondered why. I think I know now. It's one of the ways that I take care of myself. With all of the demands and pressures I need something that helps me take care of me. Knitting does just that!

Check out NH Knitting Mama's blog. She has a great etsy shop and fun blog. Tell her I sent you!