Things on this side of the fence have been very busy!
I've taken on a new job...
I'm working now for NISN as Representative for EOS...and assorted other duties....

All that means is I've been BUSY! Queue the Mary Tyler Moore Theme...
Traveling, spinning and knitting.

Since we last spoke...I've acquired a spinning wheel...A Louet Victoria...

Wow! She sings. She is a dream...and she fits in a carry on size backpack.

I'm spinning up this lovely spring-y merino

Here is the latest batch I've managed 4 oz of Columbia and Romney.

I've been knitting too...
My So Called Scarf in Manos... a lovely burgundy color...

It just keeps growing...I'm into my second skein...and will add fringe on this one...I carry this one around...but as we're expecting snow this week...I think I need to finish it up while catching up on my tivos!

I've also been knitting Tangled Yoke Cardigan from Fall 07 Interweave
I'm using Rowanspun DK on Size 2 needles.
Yes. I said size 2 needles.
HEY,I got gauge. I kept going down sizes.
I was THANKFUL to finally arrive at gauge.
The yarn is such a gorgeous tweed that all the time it's taking me to knit just feels more like a labor of love
(so I keep repeating to myself)
I'm finishing up the last 4 inches of the sleeve, knit another and it's onto the yoke.
I swear I'm getting so close I can taste it.
I feel like I am inching along...which usually signals the death noll for a project...
I haven't lost interest...more likely to owe to the stockinette which has been more theraputic than anything.
Good for the weary mind after a long day.

This color is very hard to photograph,
but the Rowanspun, has such a depth...
with the flecks of espresso and caramel in the gray.
I can't wait to have it done, and wear it!

Also made a voyager cap...a traditional sailors hat -
Here is the pattern and a little history for you if you are interested

Heh. Fun with stationary objects.

more on holidays and I'm off to catchup on blogs and post on ravelry!

and I mean like next week...or one or two of my closest will have my hide...
I've been promising to post. Damn Resolutions.
x/o

I have to say that I worked hard...and I think it's the one of the prettiest things I've knit.

Birch
Completed: September 2007
Yarn: Rowan KidSilk Haze (3 skeins)
Color: Pearl
Needle: Inox Circular (US 6)
Pattern: Rowan

Cuff Down

Nancy Bush Conwy Sock Number One
Lornas Laces Shepherd Sock: Bubble Gum

I've regained my Sock Mojo just in time for the weekend.

It's been a fabulous summer of knitting and catching up with friends and family...

I've horribly neglected the blog...mostly because of life...but also because of Ravelry.
I'm SpaceTricot over there if you are a raveler...come and say hi.

I've been knitting on 3 things...

Birch-
Rowan Kidsilk Haze (Pearl)

Words cannot describe my infatuation with this yarn...
I thought I was immune!
On an excursion with my fellow knitters this summer...I fell prey to the fluffy clutches of Birch.
Ensnared.
They've completed theirs...I'm on my second ball of yarn...

I had to rip back 5 rows to fix a leaf... I'm still recovering from the stress of that - let me tell you.
Sigh...
Glorious...and NOT TERRIBLY hard!
I'm still in awe of how the stitch markers keep me on task.
...........mmmmmm.........
It is one of those projects...you know?
G-d...I've got a terrible crush...and I can't keep my hands off....
...in love. Love like in a sonnet.

Green Gable
Rowan Calmer (lightest blue)

My tag-along project...you know the "My Buddy" of knitting projects? ...Wherever I go... it goes?

I chose Calmer because of it's glorious stretch,
AND
Perhaps because it had been fermenting in my stash for quite some time (~3 years ahem)
and was quite ripe for the knitting.

I'll be knitting it a bit longer. I can't have it riding up... and the sleeves a bit longer.
Have seen one that was 3/4 length...debating that one...
I don't really like cap sleeves. So flattering on other people... I prefer a bit more coverage.
Just a few more rounds...and I'll have it done.

Rebecca 27 Jacket
Rowan All Seasons Cotton
(here is the back completed...)

I'm languishing on the sleeves. I'm just waiting to regain my momentum.
I've lost my Mojo for this project...due to the pattern and it's overcomplicated instructions...
eh...which generally signals my moving on to a more congenial project.
I'm hoping not. It's a lovely sweater.

Here are a few random shots...
Knitting at the John Mayer Concert from wayyyy up in the nosebleeds.

Still...even up that high...he was fabulous.

Knitting at the Mannings Knit-In with the fabulous Ei and Donna...

Some pretty picture I took at Mt. Vernon...

School's started...We're in the FOURTH grade! How did that happen?
Hm. Time flies.
It's Soccer season...and you will find me on the sidelines...
holding up my knitting like a flag...

ahhh..fall is on it's way, no?

Looking forward to taking a trip soon...October 6th... Fall Fiber Festival...
The Muse and I will be galavanting about...I can't wait!

Hope your summer was fabulous and you are looking toward the stash for wool and cooler temps.

I'll still be reading blogs and when time permits...commenting...

in the meantime...Happy Summer!

My sister Kelly made her 3rd annual trek to Maryland Sheep & Wool this year...

Last year we dyed yarn...this year we did something quite different.

We got Tattoos.
It says Om Mani Padme Hum- Click for translation

I'll let her show you hers...

Needless to say, it was a wonderful experience with my sister...one that I'll remember forever.

Spent the first day like we did last year (Donna came on Sunday)

(more pics to come)

In the blur...
I also have been furiously knitting on TRELLIS.
I fell in love with this years ago...
Decided to make it for my Best Friend Kelley who is expecting her first baby. (!!!)
She also is keeping the gender of the baby a surprise.
(sigh)
BUT....Wonderful for me...being that green was also the color of her nursery.
It also happens that Rowan Wool Cotton comes in a lovely shade of green.
I finished this beauty up on Saturday am (1:03 am - to be exact)
Yo, procrastination, Yo!

I went to the baby shower at Noon on Saturday...she opened my pressie first (yay!)
Happiness all around.
She loved it. She's a great one, she KNOWS the value and effort of a handknitted gift.
I love her for that.

Trellis
Completed: May 2007
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton (3.5 skeins)
Color: Green
Needle: Addi Natura Circular US 5
Pattern: Knitty's Trellis
Modifications: I knit second size with DK yarn.

A life in a blur? Maybe.
But it kinda makes you want to smile, doesn't it?

Yeah, Me too.

It was lovely.
Once in a lifetime!
I was like a foot from her...she's tiny!
She's a fast walker too, she moved down the line...soooo fast!

I just love that her bag and shoes are coordinated.

I think this is a first for GSFC in my tenure there....snipers on the roof!

Yeah...Secret Service Guys are so so so so very DELISH!!
rowr!

Today was really really really cool.

(Photo Credit:Z.Liu)

I wish my Grandma had've been there...then it would have been PERFECT!
and here I thought nothing could top Sheep and Wool...Well, this came close!! ;)
My Sheeps Adventure and Yarn haul post will have to wait for another day...

About her Visit to GSFC

I'll be posting the pictures I get from everyone on my Gallery

Please note if you take one of my pictures in my Gallery...
Please include a CREDIT for the Photography for myself or the listed Photographer. (thanks!)

Walt Whitman (1819–1892)
Leaves of Grass

I'm longing for spring...can you tell?
This tiny little fleur makes me wish for daffodils, capri pants and warm breezes.

I've been furiously knitting away.
On 2 Circs. (love it!)
With my yarn that my sister and I dyed.

My lunch plans?

Ohhh, yes!

I can hardly believe it!

Yarn: Mountain Colors BearFoot Sock Yarn - 2 skeins
Color: Wild Raspberry
Needle: Bryspun Circular US 7
Pattern: Knitty's Clapotis
Modifications: None!

I blocked it to its full length.
It's big!
I'm not sure if all Claps are this big, but I wanted mine to be more shawl-like.
and it is!
I'm all wrapped up in it...and it's soooo soft.
I used SOAK...and I really like it better than Eucalan or Kookaburra Wool wash...

So worth all the time it took to knit it...

I love it.
I must!
I'm wearing it in 60 degree temps today!!

SO I started mine. Nothing clears away the blues of an obstinate knitting project like a new one!
I'm talking about McQueen. My yarn hates the cabled triangles. grrr.
So we're taking a brief separation and hopefully will come back together and see things MY way.
I am a fickle woman.
But Crap in a Can - if you were me you couldn't help yourself either eh?! this yarn is SEXAY!

Mountain Colors Bearfoot Wild Raspberry
MMMM.

That is about one skein and a quarter. I have 3. and at 350 yds a skein=a lot.
As you can see....
I'm on the Seventh Repeat of the Straight rows - for all you Clapper Vets out there.
SO...since I'm particularly phobic about Numbers...ahem.
I've decided to do 14 rather than 13 repeats of the straight rows.
That and I have a helluva lot of yarn.

I had a whole week off from work and this is what I had to show for it. har.
ahhh. the life!

That was the delicious...now here is the auspicious.

I'm talking about The Year of the Boar/Pig!
Let's Party like it's 4704!

This, of course, is a brillant segway on my part to show off some pictures of Chinese New Year in Washington DC.

We were cordoned off - but we still got to see...
Truly I was glad to be able to take Pixie and see the delight on her face as we watched the Festivities...Then we came home and read all about the Year 2007 on the Internet.

Dragons...


It was a beautiful sight...and it was CROWDED. So many people celebrating!

As if all that wasn't auspicious enough...
I found this in my salad.

Not too Shabby.

Happy New Year!

Completed: 2007
Yarn: Socks that Rock
Color: In the Navy
Needle: US 1.5 Metal DPN
Pattern: Nancy Bush's Denmark
Size: Knit to pattern but with smaller needles for a Size 6 foot.

I'd have to say that these are the most challenging socks I've knit to date.
They weren't hard...I just psyched myself out with all the details.
and in my haste to finish...I have one with a wonky toe.
ha!
I said Wonky Toe.
har.har. It's sad to be so easily amused.

I put McQueen's Front aside for these babies. They were very addicting.
I (of course) started a new pair of socks.
What can I say...I'm a sock crazy gal.

Project Spectrum v2.0 for me this year is all about the socks from my stash.
My after thought NYears resolution this year was to only wear knit socks -
(aside from working out) and to do that...I have to knit more!
Oh snap.

Confetti Sock yarn.
Last night as I was knitting next to my Honey...
I gasped "It's got Purple in it!"
I got "The Look" -
you know... the one where you can see they are thinking...
...overexposure to yarn can be harmful to your significant other's mental state?

I paused in my knitting.
Do I continue?
Yup!
I'm totally expanding my horizons with the Purple.
I'm not generally a fan of the Purple.
I'd say up until today - I've been Anti-Purple.
The Purple is one of those things I gladly leave to my Sister's domain.
She loves the Purple.
Me? Well, this is a giant Purple leap for me colorwise.

I got this yarn in the Second Annual Fabulous Yarn Swap of 2007 hosted by Ms. Sarah and Ms. Lara.
Which was fabulous and so much fun.

Onto the 2007 baby boom.

I knitted a pair of baby socks from the Socks that Rock, and gave them to a co-worker who is having a boy.
Blast! I forgot to take a pic.
That is alrighty because I'm currently knitting another pair for a friend.
An upside to having smaller feet is that a skein goes a long way.
Let me detail this for you...

Woolarina Sock Yarn.
2 skeins=1 pair of socks, yes?

I also was able to make these adorable little vittles...which is so shimmery...
I'm going to have to get more.

That is awesome, eh?
They go into the vault with the others I'm currently knitting.
Someone VERY dear to me is having a baby...and isn't finding out if I should be knitting in Pink or Blue.
Humph. Grumble. Gnash. Grumble. heehee
I'm so totally thrilled even I have to wait - it's going to be a surprise...
SOOOOOO, I'm stashing away baby socks by using up all my sock leftovers in various colors.
Super Genius that I am...I know that people will continue to have babies...
and I can't lose by always having a knit or *three* to give.

I've been knitting and challenging myself in this first month of 2007.
It's cables cables cables, all the time here...

My newest project on the needles...

Calista's Alexander McQueen Knock-off Sweater
It's a very lovely feminine pattern...
I didn't think I would love it and knit it to completion...too much going on to be fun...you know?
But...I love it.
I'm hoping that I can coerce *someone* into finally knitting something with me...
so I bought one for her...Shhh...it's a secret!
We must spread the love of the McQueen!

I generally mod something when I knit a pattern...so this time...
A higher neck (as not to show the old brar straps.)
and I'm not terribly fond of the flowers, so none for me.

Here is my first McQ sleeve.

I'm using a rather controversial yarn... Rowanspun DK.
Oh, it hasn't done anything like go without underpants like Britney Spears...
but I'd venture to say it's not well loved.

I got it for a steal on Ebay. Go figure.
This colorway is Thor...
I was dismayed to find out its rather bad reputation after buying 2 bags of it...
After beating the internet for a few hours in a dead panic,
it finally yielded some beautiful completed projects with some helpful hints...
*swoon*
It's so absolutely fabulous! whew!

I can't help but forgive it for being the most persnickety,
foul-tempered primadonna yarn EVER.

It takes you in with all it's fiddly little tweedy flecks and the softness and the drape!
oh the drape.
but don't yank on it...and don't even breathe on it when you are cabling...
*snap*snap*snap*snappity snap*
I learned this in my test swatch...
so I'm gently cabling *without a needle* and averting my eyes, oh lord
and so far we're getting along famously.
Go me on the w/o a needle part...
I'm still tickled pink about being able to do that!
I thought it was impossible when I was just starting out...
Almost 6 years ago. wow.

I've also extended my reach into Nancy Bush Complicated Sock Territory.
It's no secret... I like my socks pretty vanilla.
Easy on the hands...Quick satisfaction...(ahem...I'm talking about socks here.)
You know...mindless. No charts.
Like these lovely Woolarina socks I finished in 3 days!

Fabulous, very wearable. but not so much in the challenging department, right?

Check these babies out.
These are complicated.
By thisI mean a lot going on...at once.
Denmark Socks by Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road

Hm...let's see we've got the Nupp Stitch, and then 2 cables every 2 stitches on every 4th row!

Can you guess the yarn?
Socks that Rock...Colorway: In the Navy
But boy what satisfaction and aren't they pretty?

From my lovely friend Donna for Xmas.

G-d I love this yarn. My preciousssss...I'm going to marry it.
I know why many knitters OBSESS over this yarn.
And I'm glad that I gots more in my stashes!

I'm beginning the back of McQ and hope to have my socks done in February for Project Spectrum 2.0.
I'm excited about the range of colors! Expecially metallic.

So that brings me to an end of my plentiful knitting.
I've been hearing about knit from your stash and yarn diets and what not.
Time to thin out the stash...Make room for some new gorgeous yarns...
I generally make that knitting resolution every year I've had a considerable stash and *have* managed to stick to it until MDSheeps.

I'll be doing that again this year...
After all it is good to tell oneself "No" on occasion.
Followed by a "Maybe", and then with a "Just this once"

har har.

KnitScene Fall 2006
Central Park Hoodie
Yarn:Tahki Donegal Tweed

Back View...

I devoted myself to carefully pinning and seaming this weekend..
.I'm not much of a finisher I'd dare say...
I generally detest seaming, but armed with my Big Book of Knitting (K.Buss)
I managed to do just fine.
Usually, I have no Zen with the finishing...
This time I felt pretty *damned* peaceful and after it was done...
I kept exclaiming..."look at that seam...what a seam..."
See?

Not too Shabby.

It took me about an eon to work my way through...
On the journey I've learned a few things...I'd like to share.

*Takhi Donegal Tweed blurs together when you've knitted on it for 13 hours in a row
*It's about the most durable yarn I've ever worked with.
*Except in the spots where it's not plied and then it's like knitting with a cloud.
*Spit Splicing is handy...and this sweater is held together with some of that too.
*It softened up (a bit) after blocking.
*Don't have more than one or two glasses of wine when you are working cables or increases
*Smaller Buttonholes are better than bigger buttonholes.
*People in the buffet line don't care if you are wearing your handknitted sweater.
*They are secretly hoping the crazy lady in the green sweater will move away from the soft serve.
*Little girls won't snuggle you when you are wearing a "scratchy" sweater.
*Green is my favorite color, apparently as I have knitted 3 sweaters in green yarns.
*Knitalongs aren't a great motivator for me - I procrastinate more
*I'm an indecisive Button Selector - I'm still not sure about these.
*I love this sweater

So I'd say I'm pretty happy how 2006 ended.
My knitters resolution for 2007?
Easy.
Knit more.

Happy New Year!

Pixie has been shrieking this for the past weeks and days - and I have to admit - I've caught the excitement!
I've never been either!
I'm not terribly excited to fly though. ugh.
Last time I flew had to take off my Doc Martens for security.
It was funny because I was wearing handknit socks and the lady admired them!
yeah. so flying not so hot for me. gotta put on a brave happy face for the Pixie though.

When knitters travel there is always a concern about "regulations"
I read some posts on the various forums...
Since I'm a wee bit attached to my "lucky" Crystal Palace Sock needles so for the trip there and back,
I purchased a set of Bryspun Plastic Needles...Size 2. (ebay) cheapy. and practically invisible to the XRAY thingy they have there.

These Babies BEND. It's a bit strange to knit with them, as I tried them out last night...but hey...better to be safe than sorry.

In the midst of all the excitement, Pixie and I made a gingerbread house.

It was a kit from Swiss Colony.
Not too darn shabby. We even used up some of the old Hallowe'en Candy...

Wahoo!

For all you seasoned Disneygoers...any tips for us newbies?