Still Unpacking ....

Sorry for doing the reveal in dribs and drabs...there is just too much for me to post in one sitting. You know, there is knitting to be done, too. Just off the needles this morning is another hat to keep my daughter's head warm when she is in Boston. It was a fun knit in a lovely yarn.

The third sweater project that I purchased while at Stitches West is a Lucy Neatby design, Venus Rising. The yarn I will be using is Kauni, a wool that I had, until Stitches, not seen in person. It is beautiful, colorful..and will keep me entertained while knitting!

Next out of the bag are some wonderful sock yarns. If you know me...you know that I have a special weakness for Blue Moon's fingering weight sock yarn. Like I don't have enough already!

Here are some that I could not resist adding to my collection.
and there were the other random sock yarns that I could not leave behind....

still unpacking ....more sock yarn

Well, that will have to be all for today. We have plumbing and carpentry projects underway and the craftroom is in need of organization...patterns to sort into binders.

Just a typical Sunday at home.

Eye Candy

I have had several requests to post my purchases from Stitches West 2009. Since there are more than just one or two skeins to share, I plan to do it in small doses over the next few days. I don't want to be responsible for the visual stimulation that could happen downstream!

So, without further ado....the carry on bag my daughter had the foresight to bring.

 The first item out of the bag is yarn for the asymmetrical cable sweater in Cheryl Oberle's latest book, Knitted Jackets. The book was sold out - but I purchased it from her when I paid for the yarn. The yarn is yummy and a color I absolutely adore.

Next up is yarn for another sweater project, the February Lady Sweater. Three skeins of BMFA's HeavyweightThat is all for this morning...more to follow over the weekend and early next week.

Back From Stitches West

I am decompressing after a whirlwind long weekend of fiber overload at Stitches West 2009. My daughter joined me for Saturday and Sunday, making the experience even better. 

Later in the week I'll share my yarn and knitting related purchases. Before dashing off to work this morning I wanted to post a photo of my favorite teacher from the past three Stitches I have attended - Lucy Neatby. This year the class was on something I have avoided, intartia. Lucy's instructions have cleared up some issues for me and perhaps an intartia project is in my future!

What do you think of her sweater?She has DVDs for sale on her website that are very helpful. I purchased the last three that are currently available. They happen to feature intartia techniques & tips.

The Last Package

The third package of Wollmeise has arrived. Mitchell, the mailman, was kind enough to bring it up to the studio...to be sure it got into our hands. Everyone was excited!

Here are the five skeins for your viewing pleasure....(notice that I did not say the last five)

The craft room is almost finished.  Pictures have been hung and books and notebooks are in place. Three Christmasses ago I purchased two Hawaiian prints-now they finally have a home!

The artist, Kathy Long, produced two drawings that featured young girls with quilts. They are a wonderful memory of that trip and look perfect on the walls of my new room.

Yesterday I started another Porom - a Brooklyntweed design.  This morning it was finished.  If anyone is looking for a fast, satisfying knit...this should be high on your list.

I am back to my normal teaching schedule at Skein and most of  the regular students have returned from their holiday activities.  If you are in the area, stop by and say hello.

Cancun Christmas 2008

The Adams Family took a Christmas break from our normal routines by traveling to the Yucatan Peninsula. Our ultimate destination was just south of Cancun on the Mayan Riviera. We stayed at the Grand Mayan and took side trips to Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen, entered the Nohoch Nah Chich cave system and snorkeled in cenotes, snorkeled off the Fat Cat catamaran in the Caribbean, unimogged through the jungle to a Mayan settlement for lunch, and kayaked to a reef through challenging currents. We also spent some serious "sloth time" at the hotel pool, sipping coco naturales(not coco locos).


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Now to the yarn portion of this blog...

I received two skeins of quiviet, a scarf pattern, Signature needles and two skeins from Ancient Threads Farm.

Then, when we arrived home, our neighbor came over with mail and packages from Germany. Yes, most of the Wollmeise has arrived. It is truly breathtaking! Claudia emailed and said the next package should be arriving in a few days.

 I hope you enjoy the pictures...

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Squirrels and Wollmeise

The squirrel mittens are coming along. I have finished the body of the first one. This project has been a huge learning experience which will continue with the second one. Tension is an issue when knitting two colors coming from two directions, using different styles. I did it once before, over a year ago on a simple hat. This is a different animal altogether.

As you can see, the glove is positioned on a laptop. That is because last night (more correctly, early this morning, PST), the Wollmeise shop was updated. Thanks to Ravelry, I had all my squirrels in a row and was in position when the  virtual door opened. I scored big time thanks to all of the hints from my fellow Wollmeise addicts. I was on two computers. On one I monitered the shop website and on the second I chatted with people from all corners of the world who were waiting with me. What interesting times we live in!

Happy Boy

Jackson and his mother were in town this weekend and had dinner with us on Friday. Before going to El Portal, we met at Hobby People to see what Jackson might be interested in for a holiday gift. I think he found the perfect item...it includes fast cars (a consuming interest).

Friday and Saturday were work days at Skein. We were quite busy and I had several students drop in. I also had the pleasure of meeting two fellow Ravelers, DougLaughlin and Asplund. They were checking out LYSs and we were on their list. Asplund showed me some of his knitting (very impressive) and I mentioned that I would be interested in attending a class if one was held close by.. You never know who might come into the store! 

The Cherry Garcia was a quick knit and another will be cast on in a day or two. The cables turned out nicely in the Malabrigo Chunky, I think. The poor squirrels are inching along, too. Today it struck me that stars look more like dive bombing birds of prey intent on doing harm to the scraggly squirrels.