KnitBrit

I can finally see the finish line for writing the pattern for this bag. As much as I love the whole process of designing, from concept to knitting to writing the pattern, for some reason the last couple of weeks, events have conspired against any attempt I make to finish. I’m close - the pattern is written, I just need to format that all important last page and I’ll be done and ready to publish, but gosh, every time I sit down at the computer, something happens. My poor little Ben has congestion out the wazoo, and every meds we’ve tried over the years either works but alters his behavior or conflicts with his seizure meds! ARGH! This leaves a cranky, snotty kid, who feels somewhat miserable, very chatty, but unable to go to school. I’m doing all the homeopathic stuff, but lord, I wish it would clear up and things could get back to “normal”. So, between answering about 70 questions per minute, listening to Tom and Jerry or Scooby Doo all day, and playing waitress non stop, as you can imagine, concentrating on “work” just isn’t happening.

That being said, here are some lovely piccys of the bag. I’m really pleased with the two color cable effect. My local snb gals are knitting it and their color combinations are wonderful. I think this technique is just stunning! The down side to this is that my imagination is working over time on all the things I can apply this process to.

The side of the bag is a delicious lattice stitch, framed with black, which really makes the colors pop, I think. Turning the panel on it’s side really changes the stitch definition and adds an unexpected twist.
I think I’m most thrilled with the cables themselves though.They just jump right out at you (in a good way) Hopefully, the pattern will be available for download later this week, with hard copy for sale the week after.

Well, I really don’t know where to start, it was an extravaganza of fun, fiber, fall splendor and frenetic laughter. (apologies for the alliteration, it seemed somewhat apt.)

Amy, Adrianne, Martha, Shannon and I had a blast on the drive down, although Shannon had to work, and we took a break for her to do a remote podcast with Vickie Howell. Our hotel was truly delicious and our room was the best ever!

I think I was up before 5 on Saturday, so eager was I to hit the festival. We got there nice and early, in plenty of time to walk right into Blue Moon Fibers and score some fairly wicked socks that rock. I got a darling skein of Pond Scum, which I’m pairing with a lovely chocolate brown to make Eunny’s Endpaper Mitts. I can’t wait to start them, although I think they will be my christmas vacation project - something to really look forward to.

As always at Rhinebeck, the food was something I was really looking forward to and it really didn’t disappoint this year. I devoured some utterly delicious lamb chops - very fresh and tender. yummy. I miss eating lamb. Back in England, it was so easy to get good quality fresh lamb, here - not so much. So this was a rare treat! It seemed busier than last year, but it didn’t feel crowded. There was so much to see, so much to do, so many people to talk to. It was lovely just to sit and watch everyone having a blast!

I got to meet up with the delightful Amy O’Neill Houck, along with her mom and daughter - three generations of wonderful women.

I was thrilled to finally meet Jess from Ravelry, she was so gracious, on what must have been an incredibly stressful day - what a babe! And absolutely, the hostess with the mostest - the party was awesome - free bar? wow! I may have indulged somewhat, however, I was in very good company!

Other highlights of the weekend include scoring some wicked yarn for my tech bag, along with some stunningly soft alpaca for a certain someone who always complains I don’t knit for him. I don’t think I’ve giggled so much for a long time - thanks ladies for an awesome weekend. Can’t wait for next year!

Today, I decided to treat myself and spend some time knitting. Strange as it may seem, knitting has been so far down my “to do” list recently, and I felt I needed a fix.

I spent some time working on the lovely Fire On The Mountain chevron scarf. I have the STR yarn paired with some black swtc bamboo, which I love beyond compare. I kinda got bored referring to this project as the FOTM, and for some reason, the name reminded me of something, and I wracked my brains all morning. One of those “tip of the tongue” things - it finally hit me right between the eyes. It looks just like FTUMCH, who has to be one of my fave characters from the Young Ones. (Boring) So, I’m even more pleased with this scarf. JOY!

I also finally got around to knitting up the Lorna’s Laces Shephard Sock in Lilac. I’m doing the Toad In The Hole socks I designed last month and to stir things up a little, I’m doing both at the same time. I’ve never done this before, and I was determined not to look on line at a how-to. It took a little while to work out just how to align both sets of sts, but now I’m loving it. Cuff is done, first section of lace done, and I think I may have a new obsession. Who knew it was this easy? Of course, I may be singing a different tune when it’s time to turn the heel.

3618 people ahead of me on Ravelry - they are really flying right now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that by this time next week, I’ll be on there. I know, I know, if I hadn’t procrastinated for so long, I would have been on there a couple of months ago. Better late than never. lol.

Last night, our snb group said goodbye to our founding member, Rae. Ann, Amy, Adrianne, Juniper, Martha, Rae, Stacey and I all celebrated at our favorite sushi house, Sakura and between drinks, good food and great conversation, it was a wonderful night.

I am always astounded by this group of women. They each have incredible strengths and skills, as well as just being kind, supportive and totally wonderful. I often wonder how different my life would be without them, and I can’t imagine it - the doors that have opened for me because of them are too many to mention.

So thanks, Rae, for starting such a wonderful group - you will be missed.

Last year at Rhinebeck, Heather, Amy and I were early to the show with one prime directive - Socks that Rock. We knew demand would be very high, so we got up early with the express intention of Rockin’. Success was at hand and yummy yarn was purchased. I drooled over mine, so much so that I had to sit down for a while, ball up one particular skein, run to buy needles (duh! won’t make the mistake of forgetting to stick needles in my bag again) then begin to knit. Then pull out, try a different pattern, rip that out.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Over the last year, this skein of yarn has been lurking at the top of my stash pile. it sees the light of day occasionally, I’ll admit to a little frustration, a little desperation and perhaps a wee bit of pique. I searched the web - yep, others were facing the same conundrum. This makes me feel a little better, but didn’t solve the problem. If you haven’t guessed already, I’m talking about the infamous Fire on the Mountain.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love this particular skein, and I absolutely love STR. I’m no slouch when it comes to sock knitting, but FotM looks like regurgitated rainbow puke when socked up. There’s no other way to describe it.

There’s a happy ending to the story though, thanks to LMKG, Ravelry and Amy - who showed me the light. The chevron scarf from the book is just perfect for this yarn. Teamed with a skein of black Bamboo from SWTC, I am finally showing this yarn the love it deserves. Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Now I wonder how many FotM chevron scarves I will see at Rhinebeck this year? LOL

The lovely ladies from my local snb group threw me a fantabulous birthday party last night. AND all gave me teapots - my favorite thing! A beautiful collection, each one beautiful, just like the women themselves. Thank you ladies.

Welcome to the launch of my new blog. After much procrastination I have to say I’m really happy with this new venture. The hubby has done a great job of interpreting my ideas - think I’ll keep him around!

Lots on the needles right now, and after a six month dry spell, where for the first time in more than a dozen years, I just didn’t _want_ to knit, I now find myself with too many ideas and not enough time to implement them. I have five projects on the go right now, as well as prepping for several sock classes I’m teaching at (stitchcleveland) - more on those later.

On the needles right now……

The deliciously yummy Bayerische Socks from the amazingly talented Eunny. From the moment I saw these on her blog, I’ve coveted them. I have to admit to a couple of false starts, where I got so incredibly frustrated, but I cheated and worked a sample of the pattern on worsted weight yarn, just to get a feel for the pattern, and now I’m flying. I’m the first to admit that I can’t drop cable stitches like Eunny does and have to use a cable needle, so the going is slow, but I’m totally in lust with this project. Will this be the first time in 30+ years of knitting that I actually complete a project and still love it as much as when I started? Stay tuned……….

Speaking of cable needles, I would love to get my hands on a size 0 wooden cable - anyone know if such a thing exists? Thanks to Megan for the filed down tooth pick suggestion - I did try it, but I’m so cack-handed (english word for the day - explanation) I broke three and gave up! lol!

I’ve been working on a cable sock idea based on an old 70’s sweater i got at Goodwill. It was a machine knit very fine cable that I just loved, and thanks to the incomparable Amy figured out the basics. Swatches, failed swatches and a search for the perfect yarn later, here is the prototype. I’m loving it so far. I just have to figure out if I’m going to go fancy on the heel, or fall back on the good old reliable drop stitch heel flap. But again, I’m very happy with it. If anyone is interested, I’ll be posting the pattern as a freebie as soon as I’ve worked out all the kinks )

Also working on a sweater for Shannon I can’t post piccys of it yet since it’s for a magazine article, but I’m very impressed with the shaping and shaping concept - especially since it’s for us big girls. And, it’s in a soy/wool blend. Very swanky! Updates and links on this one soon.

I’m crocheting a table cloth (yeah, right!) Really, I am. In cotton, I can chuck it in the washer, but I love this pattern and can crank out a couple of circles a night, so it’s very rewarding. 43 down, 201 to go! lol. Have I ever mentioned how much I love to crochet? It’s not even so much the finished results that I find so appealing, it’s more the process. The way I hold a hook and the yarn, the way my hands move to manipulate them both, I find it immensely satisfying. Not sure if it’s because as a kid, I was incredibly impressed with the way my mom crocheted, or the fact that I’ve managed to emulate that so well, but whatever, I heart crochet!

Almost on the needles - an idea I’ve been mulling over for a couple of months for a top down, square neck sweater with cables. I can’t wait to get going on that. Not least because it will be the perfect pattern for the Soft Twist my mom bought me a couple of years ago, but I never found just the “right” pattern for.

My needles beckon, I must go knit.

Peace, love and a sleep filled night to you all…