Hooray for Men Who Knit!!!

After reading this "article" , I was delighted to see that even more men knit than I am aware of. 

There is my blogging friend Brian who has just had a pattern published in the summer issue of "Crochet World".  Brian's pattern is #36.  Time to start blogging again, Brian! 

Of course we all rush to read "Brooklyn Tweed" when we see him on our Google Reader List.  If he's not on your list, he should be.

There are many, many men who knit and spin at my spinning guild.

And long-time readers will remember these two precious pictures shown on my blog quite a few months ago.

It's my second grandchild, all decked out in his soccer uniform, focusing on the knitting stitches I just taught him.

Later, my daughter went up to his room to check on him and he had fallen asleep.................

with his knitting in his hands and not a stitch was dropped!

Happy Knitting!

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival & Diamondy Socks

I've been busy, really busy but I found time to complete several projects that were UFO's for some time. Above are my completed Diamondy Socks. See August 2nd post for free pattern and details.

Last weekend, Brian (<--click) came to visit. He and I and my co-worker, Rebecca, went to the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival. There were fewer vendors this year and fewer attendees but it was still a lot of fun.

Here is a pic of Brian knitting with these giant needles that were designed to knit up your leftover stash quickly (ie. six strands at a time). "Big Stitch Knitting" (<--click) Look at the price of these needles! Wow!

Brian arrived with a wonderful basket of hand-knitted items for me such as dishcloths, bath mitt, candles, hand creams, etc. Such a thoughtful guest! He also spent quite a bit of time teaching me different methods of spinning! I also had a crochet lesson. That finished project will be posted later this week.Now, here is a new way of dyeing your yarn. I felt bad for this poor animal. Tell me she doesn't know that she looks different! Worse yet, this sheep belonged to my daughter's friend from high school and who was her maid of honor at her wedding.

Check out this electric spinner! It was quite interesting!

I took very few pictures at the wool festival. It was horribly humid and I was carrying too many bags to keep digging for my camera. I was enjoying the moment(s)!!!

Happy Knitting/Spinning!!

Finally!!! My Own Spinning Wheel

I was fortunate enough to be the first person to contact the seller of this Lendrum spinning wheel. Six other people wanted the wheel and one even tried to offer $100 over the asking price to get it. The seller and I had made a deal which she honored.

I am so excited and could hardly contain myself. I hardly slept last night in anticipation feeling very much like a young child on the morning of Christmas.
Briley (Brian) and I got together today. He lives in the area where I had to pick up my wheel. (See below what Brian arrived with!!!) Brian and I have been blogging friends for quite some time and have gotten together several times for a craft "show and tell". I didn't take pics of his crafts today as he will be blogging about it all soon. Trust me, his work is truly inspiring.
I met up with the seller in a mall parking lot as we both had to travel some distance. Above, Brian is helping set up the wheel for me.


I'm just as happy as can be with my new wheel. Brian and I spread out a blanket under a shaded tree (with beautiful flowers), sat on the ground and with the wheel slightly below us off the curb, Brian proceeded to give me lessons in plying, etc. Unfortunately, I didn't take pics of Brian doing the plying. Trust me, it was a lot of fun.
We also had lunch and went to a bead shop. Lucky us!
Brian gave me the following:
4 oz. of multicolor merino, 1 oz dyed brown colonial, 1.5 oz of natural brown blend, 1 oz. of blue bamboo, 2 oz. of cotton, 1 oz. black alpaca
So sweet and thoughtful of Brian to do this.
I'm on vacation this week so there will be plenty of time to test drive my wheel. My caller ID will be used to the fullest and I will take calls from my kids but not from anyone local. No, I don't want to go shopping, no I don't want to go to the museum, no, I don't want to go to lunch nor dinner....I just want to spin.
Now, if you'll excuse me, this gal wants to go spin!!
Happy Knitting & Spinning!
Joansie

Maine Blueberry Socks - Finished

"A Day Late and a Dollar Short"........let me tell you why!

It's going to be in the 70's in Vermont tomorrow. It will probably be even warmer south of here. Not exactly wool-wearing weather. However, I've completed Kim's Maine blueberries socks made of wool and bamboo. She lives about 6 hrs. south of here and will be even warmer there. The colorway for the socks is a bluish/greyish and much nicer than in the picture. It was my first project using bamboo and I really, really like the yarn. My co-workers, after viewing the socks, were amazed at how soft they feel.

I also completed one "Pay It Forward" gift to Briley and sent that package last week. The package contained a wool scarf and other goodies. For those of you who have not seen Briley's blog, I'll post pictures later this week. Of course, that also will need to wait for colder temperatures. Cotton anyone? What was I thinking?

I started a new pair of socks for Kim. I searched and searched for just the right pattern. (Remember the Goldilocks syndrome I seem to have lately?) It has to be fingering weight, size 2 needles and around 64 stitches. I wanted it to be a pattern I've never knitted before so I would not get bored. I made a decision to knit "Diagonal Rib Socks" from Interweave and on "Knitting Daily" After knitting two inches of cuff and starting the pattern, I am not happy with it so I'll be swimming in the frog pond again. (For you non-knitters like Kim, it's unraveling, ripping out.)

I'm getting quite excited as the 27th of April approaches. My co-worker and fellow knitter, Rebecca, and I will be going to Webs in Northhampton, Ma. to see the Yarnharlot. Brian/Briley will be going also and we hope to have lunch together. Stephanie Pearle-McPhee is having very large turnouts at her events so it should be a lot of fun.

Happy Knitting!