Knit in Public Day

Today is a World Wide Knit in Public Day...at least it was in Altadena at the Coffee Gallery. I met two friends for our own mini version today. It was a relaxed morning/early afternoon spent sorting stitches and other things out. Quite a nice day even though we are suffering from June Gloom! Hope you all celebrated WWKIP in a similar fashion....did you?

See the Sea Lettuce

grow by twists and turns. Sea Lettuce by Lucy Neatby is so addictive. This is one of those projects you can just stuff into your bag and pull out whenever you have a spare minute or two to knit. After the first bit you can say goodbye to the pattern until the bind off. I plan to make another out of some Colinette Jitterbug sitting in the bin just behind me. This next scarf will be the larger version of Lucy's pattern.

Skein will be closed next week as AM and KC are off to find new things to tempt us all with - they have gone to TNNA. I can't wait to see what wonders they find....love to see those boxes full of yarn arrive! Don't you??

The Cosette Wrap

The Cosette Wrap is off the needles and blocking. As I mentioned in the last posting, I must have bought JoAnn's entire supply of coiless pins by the last wrap & turn. The markers really do help to locate them easily...a tip I heeded from the pattern. On my Ravelry project page, I noted that the upper portion of the shawl (the first skein) was considerably darker than the bottom (second skein). This was not apparent immediately when I was knitting. However, I am quite happy with the outcome. You can see the difference in this shot...

Just Off the Needles...

is a project (Alchemical Snood) that I thought would be perfect for my daughter on those chilly Boston mornings. Ann Mary made one for a store sample to show off Araucania Trauco (cashmere) and I knew it would be something my DD would appreciate. My fantasy was that it would be finished during my recent trip. The only project that saw any progress was the Circle Socks. This snood pattern from Stitch Diva is a mobius with a Fibonacci sequence. In order to correctly complete the Fibonacci Sequence, it takes an increasing number of rows. I am pleased with the way it turned out - so pleased that another may be made for me!

The next project, a Cosette shawl, is well underway. It took only two trips to JoAnn's to pick up enough coiless safety pins to use as wrap markers yesterday! Yes, there are many, many wraps to complete before I am finished with this - but it promises to be quite nice.

I have two final pictures from the trip to share here and then a group shot that most of us managed to make on the chilly rear deck pool area. Thanks for putting up with them!

I am the sensible one wearing the plaid deck blanket (you can't take the Arizona out of this girl).

Back Home and Back to Work!

It has been so much fun organizing my photos from Alaska with all of the iphoto tools. Putting together a slide show with music was simple enough for me to do...proof that I was born at the right time.

I thought you might enjoy two more muskox related shots.

The first shot was taken on the musk ox farm started by John Teal Jr. as a non-profit in 1954. He believed that viable regional agriculture must come from the domestication of native species. The under wool, gathered in the Spring, is delivered to a native knitters' coop. The coop's 250 members knit the qiviuk into beautiful garments using traditional village patterns. Money from the sale of the items provides much needed income to the knitters. While the farm is currently struggling to stay afloat, it seems that Quill, his granddaughter, is focused on keeping his vision alive.

The photo on the right was taken from inside the Windy Valley Musk Ox shop. It is actually a room in their home! I couldn't resist the pattern hanging in the window. Isn't it lovely? It takes an unusual blend of youth, strength and vision to raise musk ox, offer beautiful patterns and luxury fiber for sale while raising five year old triplets on a farm in Alaska.

The next two shots are from a train ride that was truly breathtaking...

Yes, that is the front of the my train, crossing a bridge and entering a tunnel.

The last Alaskan snapshot is of a Tibetan Mastiff lounging in his owner's truck. He occupied the entire front seat! I purchased a pair of earrings from his owner minutes after taking this picture.

Since arriving home on Sunday, I have been dividing my time between catching up on mail, laundry mountain, a few hours at Skein and dealing with the rose bushes in our front yard. Can you spot the insect in the first picture and the basking lizard on the rock?

Back From Alaska

Yesterday I arrived home from a fantastic adventure with Craft Cruises to Alaska. This all started when my DD purchased some qiviuk from Windy Valley Muskox at Stitches West. After fashioning the skeins into projects that are posted on my Ravelry page, I looked to see what other Ravelers had made with this unique fiber. That led me to a discussion page about the cruise. The rest is history now. It was truly a wonderful experience filled with late night knitting with new friends, classes and did I forget to mention....shopping?

A few pictures to share here...

Knitting in the Crows Nest onboard while looking out at Glacier Bay

Still life on the side of a shed at Windy Valley Muskox Farm

beautiful glaciers

Back From Puerto Vallarta

When we arrived back from our Easter Break in Puerto Vallarta there was no time to post or upload pictures. So...sorry for the delay but you know how it goes! We did have a wonderful time and became more familiar with the beautiful city of Puerto Vallarta. Our favorite Italian restaurant located on the Malecon, La Dolce Vita, did not disappoint. While strolling along the boardwalk we found Xaime's art displayed near the Naval Museum.

This is Xaime with me.........

Two of his smaller pieces now reside in my craft room!

The city of Puerto Vallarta has so many delights to see...from the interesting statues and sand sculptures along the boardwalk...

..to colorful displays in town to tempt shoppers....

We had an especially nice view from our room at the Grand Mayan.

Now I am back to a normal level of activity at home after teaching five days last week. "Normal" is three days of teaching, housework and knitting. On the knitting front, I have finished the latest installment from my Rockin' Sock Club - Slip Jig. It was really fun to knit and the colorway was beautiful!! Thanks Tina and Carrie. You can check it out on my Ravelry project page, if you have a mind to. There are actually five projects on the needles right now...some of them will be done (in theory) in time to go to Alaska with me in mid-May.