Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival

These photos depict a small part of the fun day at Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival on Saturday. Briefly, I will describe what these photos show. I was intrigued by the shirts on the line -- one each of all the shirts and sweatshirts that were being sold with the MDSW logo (this year's was not a fav of mine so I didn't buy one), the long line waiting to make a purchase (obviously others had a different opinion than mine about the logo), the baby goats, Billie and Barb and a little stuffed hedgehog gift from Barb's cousin, and just a few shots in general.

I went with a great group of ladies on a comfy bus -- let the driving and parking to someone else! -- sponsored by my LYS, the Knitters Underground. We began the day with Molly distributing tote bags that held a fresh bagel, cream cheese, jam and a bottle of OJ. Yummy way to begin the day!

Sadly, I only took a couple of photos because as the day developed it just didn't seem to work. Next year more photos will be a priority and also seeing some sights I missed this year -- such as the music and clogging -- are already on my agenda.

I was wondering how the extremely high gas prices would effect attendance. I don't think the sales barns were as jammed as ususal but I heard vendors say they were having good sales days...which is great news because then they will want to return next year. I and others did comment on the increased numbers of buses at the show. I think double of any of the 5 years I have been attending. A bus trip is fun, someone else drives AND buses are parked more closely to the entrance which makes walking easier. This is a very large show and the fairgrounds are a lot of space to cover.

What did I buy? Humm...let's see.. patterns -- one for a cute sock, a sampler lace vest, a felted purse and a baby kimono. I also purchased some yarn but much, much less than in previous years (my stash does not need enhanced right now!). I bought a cool skein of sock yarn from Autumn House Farms in colors of red, brown, blue and off-white but it is speckled with other colors and the fiber speckles are loose on the yarn; a skein of self-striping Sockotta in shades of raspberry and 3 skeins of Tess's fingering weight yarn in shades of lavender and and teal to use for an oblong shawl. I picked up the first skein of the latter yarn for a pair of socks but loved the colorway so much I want to wear it in a more obvious manner -- and I will have enough leftover to make those socks. Last but not least I found my favorite stitch markets at Ellen's 1/2-pint Farm yarn stand. I bought a package last year and really wanted more so I bought them in 2 sizes.

Two merchandising notes: I noticed a lot more hand-dyed rovings for sale this year than the other 4 years I have attended. Spinning seems to be increasingly popular. Also, saw an electric spinning machine...one needs to manage the roving as it spins but it goes more quickly than with a traditional wheel...to each his own.

Additionally, instead of 2 or 3 button vendors there must have been at least a dozen vendors selling gorgeous handmade buttons. Really unique ones that would be nice for felted bags.

I love the atmosphere at Fiber Festivals and already am planning two more events for myself this year -- the Finger Lakes Fiber Festival in Hemlock, NY in early September and Stitches East in Baltimore, MD in early November. The NY event will require missing a Penn State football game but they are only playing Temple so other than the general fun of the game I won't miss much!

Knitting Content and the Red Mug

Lately I haven't had much time for knitting but over the weekend vowed to change that. Knitting is important to me -- obviously -- and I am spending too much time on the computer or the telephone during the evenings when I could be knitting.

I got a cute wicker-like bistro set for the back porch so if it ever warms up I can sit there and knit while keeping company with Brandeis, Stratton and Teddy Bear. Oh, last night Teddy thought he could knit and grabbed the in progress shawl and bounced through the living room with it in his mouth. Fortunately, my husband was home and he cornered him and called to me. all is well. What I think Ted-ward wanted were the wooden circular needles but balls of yarn also are attractive...he thinks they are all toys. Goldens...gotta love 'em.

These photos are of several projects in the works. The striped socks are from yarn I purchased on ebay over a year ago. I really love it and am so pleased the second sock will match the first. I am a stickler on this sort of thing.

The pink/lavender/blue/green multi-colored pastel sock is from Koigu that was dyed for the anniversary yarn at Knitting Sisters yarn shop in Virginia. This is my office knitting and I pull it out about once a week after I eat lunch and do a few rows. This is the first sock but I hope to have a pair by fall.

In my last post you saw the alpacas. My Feather & Fan scarf is knitting from a DK weight alpaca yarn given to me by my friends Monica and Dennis who have an alpaca farm in southeastern PA. This beautiful stuff is from the first shearing of one of my favorite alpacas on their farm. I feel honored to be knitting this yarn. Lucio is a very special alpaca.

Last but not least is a photo of my new coffee mug. How boring..well maybe to readers, but my favorite red mug finally had to be retired. I found this one in a local store yesterday. It is a nice weight and color of red but not really the shape I wanted...I prefer the rounder ones that look like the metal travel coffee mugs. It holds coffee nicely and keeps it warm because the mug is heavy. It will work...for now.

Oh, I found THE perfect red mug that an internet yarn shop site bought to hand out at a retreat but the owner won't ship them. I offered to buy just that and pay the shipping and packing for just it. Nope, she says. Too difficult and it might get broken. I am disappointed.

Will I continue to shop from her? Of course, she has great taste and sells terrific yarns.

PLEASE NOTE: I can and will block all anonymous comments to this blog post. If you don't leave your name, your note isn't posted. I received one nasty gram from another customer of this shop. The individual was aghast at my post. I'm not saying the shop owner isn't a nice person...she is a very nice person. She sells great stuff. She's very creative. I spend lots of money there and will continue to do so. 'Nuf said.

A Tough Day at the Office

I never claimed to know a lot about agriculture, but continue to learn important things as part of my job. Friday was one of those days. See these guys...I spent the better part of a day with over 2,000 Alpacas. Well, it's a tough assignment but someone had to do it!

The Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Show/Jubilee was at the Farm Show building in Harrisburg, PA and since Alpaca farmers have been declared as livestock farmers and not hobby farmers in the pending Farm Bill, I went to visit the 'pacas. Oh, I have seen Alpacas in the past but never this many or the different varieties in one place.

I was so pleased that the farmers had fans blowing in the pens so their animals kept cool. And there always seemed to be food and water available for the animals who stood or laid down on sod placed in the display area just for their benefit.

There were quite a few vendors, mainly with items for use on the farm, but some had finished garments and also yarn. I bought nothing! I saw a lot I liked but I wasn't there to shop, I was there to learn and work.

Shopping is reserved for this weekend at Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. I will post next week after that trip.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Today is my birthday. How am I celebrating it ... by working, of course. This morning was nicely begun with kisses from the Golden Retrivers. My sister-in-law called me this afternoon. Tonight I guess Keith and I are going to dinner.

I hope to knit some more on my shawl I am knitting from the Folk Shawls book. I am using a dark gray yarn from Cleckheaton. The yarn is interesting as it is flecked with bits of camel colored yarn. I chose a triangular shawl in a simple garter stitch and very easy pattern -- one to knit while watching television. Just an 8-stitch border with the yarnover at each side to increase the shawl size.

I had the yarn in stash and bought it years ago when a shop went out of business. I think I purchased at least 16 skeins for $10...I only need about 8 skeins for this shawl so will have enough to knit something for someone else.

Only a couple of weeks to Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival and I can't wait. I really don't need any yarn but I LOVE the atmosphere of all the fiber people, the animals, the food vendors and the bus trip with friends. Something I have been anticipating for weeks. This will be my 5th festival and I hope the weather is as good this year as it has been in the past.

I am interested in the attendance. With gasoline prices creaping toward the $4 a gallon mark many people choose to stay home unless the trips are something they feel are vital. Those high gas prices will surely take away from yarn purchase money.

Back to work and then home.

Yarn Shop Review

I think I found my new favorite yarn shop during a nice weekend trip to southern New York state -- Finger Lake Fibers Yarn Shop www.fingerlakesfibers.com It is a small shop but it so well organized, is bright and welcoming. The young woman who was working in the shop was very helpful as was the owner when she returned to her shop.

I am a sock knitter -- as is obvious by the title of this blog. I called on Monday to double check their hours of operation. I asked if they sold sock yarn and was told, "yes, we have lots." OK, seeing would be believing. I had hear similar before. Well, they were not joking...they do have lot of sock yarns from at least a dozen different manufacturers and indie dyers. I was in sock knitting heaven! And the shop stocks numerous skeins from each company. The choices were endless.

They also pride themselves on selling locally handspun and handpainted yarns, including Scahefer Yarn. Finger Lakes Fibers Yarn Shop sells colors of the latter I have never seen.

In addition to beautiful yarns and an enchanting atmosphere, the shop owner actually stocks patterns for socks knitted from the TOP DOWN! Amazing. I found 3 patterns I liked and they are now home with me.

I knit socks on dpns from the TOP DOWN. So, shoot me. I know a lot of people knit from the toe up and that is their choice. TOP DOWN is my choice. I am so tired of people turning up their noses when I asked if they have patterns for TOP DOWN socks. I am in the second year of a Sock Club from an on-line shop that I frequent (too often). The every other month boxes always have a cute giftie or two included. To date (4 boxes last year and 1 so far this year) ALL patterns have been toe up. I will ask again to have at least 1 TOP DOWN sock pattern. I am betting it won't happen. If it doesn't, I won't rejoin next year. I was assured that 1 of last year's 4 patterns would be TOP DOWN. It didn't happen.

Finger Lakes Fibers will mail order. They might become my new place to spend most of my sock knitting money.
Well, off to unpack and go pick up the Golden Retrievers from the kennel.

Flu Season/Signs of Spring

Found this beautiful little Crocus in my front yard earlier this week. A small, but important sign of Spring.

Little knitting done the past two weeks. Last week I was very ill with the stomach flu and this week missed 2 days of work with a bad sore throat and cold. Am trying to finish a pair of sport weight socks and have about one inch of knitting on the toe before I reach the decreases. Hopefully I will feel like knitting tonight. I have been working on them forever. They seem to be the project that always gets set aside. It is still chilly enough in Central PA to wear socks. And we are heading to Corning, NY for the weekend so they definitely can be worn there where the temps are always cooler than at home.

Hopefully some knitting photos next time.

Safe Travels Roberta

I really dislike saying good-bye. I also don't think my friend Roberta http://roberta.typepad.com/robknits/ is fond of the idea. Yesterday we chose to say, "talk to you soon" rather than good-bye.

We have known each other for about 6 years -- since I started the knitting guild in Centre County, PA. Roberta was (can't believe it is past tense) employed at Penn State University but is now heading deep into the heart of Texas to a new and exciting job at a major University there. They are lucky to have her. The warm temps, new people, and new job are perfect for her. She will make many friends quickly.

Roberta is an accomplished knitter and like many of us, often frogs as much as she knits. But her finished products are awesome. She first encouraged me in sock knitting...humm...so I guess she is one of several people who are to be credited for my addition. During the past year or so Rob has encouraged my attempts at lace knitting and helped me decide that perhaps I need to use sock weight yarn rather than lace weight.

For quite a while now we have been meeting several times a month in the Cafe at the local Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Trips there will never be the same now. We have our own version of "show and tell" with our knitting, new yarn purchases and patterns -- primarily free ones we find on the Internet. We met there for the last time yesterday.

When that moment arrived, and we were standing near the front door of the bookshop, our minds seemed to be working on the same track. Instead of good-bye, we both said "are you going to NJ for Thanksgiving? Me too!" So we have plans for a get-together in Princeton. We are dedicated to calling each other weekly, emailing and of course will continue to check on each other through our blogs.

Safe journey next week Roberta and your adorable kitties, Frannie and Maggie. This is a new phase in your life and a wonderful adventure. I will miss you but the distance won't change our friendship.

Please drive safely and don't speed! Remember, speeding tickets cost money ... yarn money...

Happy 12th Birthday Brandeis!

This handsome fellow has a busy birthday scheduled today -- we already made his ground turkey/carrot/parmesean cheese meatloaf birthday cake; he goes to the groomer later this morning and tops off the fun with his annual trip to McDonald's. Oh, in between we have to stop at Barnes & Noble Booksellers to meet an adopter and foster parents to adopt a wonderful 2 year old Golden boy to his forever family. Whew! What a day.

Look for knitting content next week.

Yarn Shop Review

Obviously, this isn't a yarn shop...but this was my view during a slight detour to Great Balls of Yarn! in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. More on the shop in a few minutes...

I don't know when I've seen such blue water, a gorgeous sky and very cool waves. I could easily live by the beach but that will never happen so have to be glad to be able to enjoy it on rare occasions.

Now for the review: the shop is located in a strip mall so offers plenty of free parking places. Good thing, too, as it was packed! New knitters sitting at a table learning the garter stitch from a very patient teacher in a bustling shop that was quite fun. I was surprised how much wool or wool blend yarn the shop carries, but I guess they gear toward the snowbirds. The only sock yarn I found was Koigu and although I don't really like it for socks, I bought a gorgeous colorway with some raspberry in it. Probably would not have BUT there was a sock knit in a k2, p2 pattern in this particular colorway and it is gorgeous! It might be my Grange Fair sock entry.

Also got some for a chevron scarf. I really love it when shopowners try to help knitters but what they need but NOT more than they need. The woman pointed out to me that since I really want a decorative scarf, I didn't need two skeins each of two colors of Koigu...I don't need a scarf almost 80 inches long. I am using some orange shades in one skein and shades of blue with some orange in the other...I know...not my usual colors but it is to wear to the Bucknell basketball games next season. Perfect! I love the combination I chose.

We will be home Tuesday night and our few days in warm temps (high 70s and sunshine!) will be over for this trip. But, it has been wonderful. We went to the men's Honda Classic golf tournament and tomorrow are going to a spring training baseball game of the Florida Marlins vs. the Boston Red Sox. I have always wanted to see the Red Sox play in person. Also are stopping to visit a friend and her family before the game.

Snow Day Fun/Knitting Plan

Brandeis, Stratton and Teddy Bear LOVE the snow. By this point of the season, I have a different opinion. This photo is from yesterday. Stratton has a large stick (you'd think they don't have real toys and Teddy Bear is on the right ready to play tug. Boy where they tired last night. The sky was sunny today so even though it was cold, it made a nice play day for them.

I've had a reality check when it comes to what I have time to knit. Small projects...except for those couple of oblong shawls for which I already purchased yarn. I love entering projects in the Centre County Grange Fair -- which isn't until August -- but I am starting early this year. After analyzing my lack of knitting time, I decided to knit a lace scarf rather than a lace shawl for entry. Same wonderful pattern but in a smaller version. I only have a few rows knitted so will post a photo when there is really progress to show.

Other items I plan to enter are socks OF COURSE! but can't decide whether or not to do a s elf-striping pair in plain stockinette or a one-color pair in fingering weight using a lace pattern. I have the yarn for both and have a lace pattern I really want to knit. Here's the situation: last year I entered a beautiful pair of socks knit in merino hand-dyed purple sport weight yarn using the Feather and Fan pattern. They were perfectly knit with nice kitchener stitch toe. The purple socks took third place. First place was won by someone who knit a pair of slippers in little squares from cheap arcylic yarn and second was won by someone who knit a plain pair of socks in a medium weight yarn.

So, what should I do...the plain self-striping or the lace ones? Looking for some suggestions, please.

I also have a child's hat and an adult hat I want to knit. Simple but nice patterns. Time will tell as to how many items I actually finish.

My Trip and the Exchange Gift

Keith and I attended a conference in Southern CA and had a grand time. Weather was in the high 50s and low 60s ...not as warm as when we were there two years ago, but a lot warmer than it was in Central PA! Photos are from the Laquinta Resort and Country Club where we stayed. Loved having gorgeous blooming flowers to look at in January.

Can show you knitting photos as the socks are a surprise...well, Dani knows I'm knitting socks but I don't want her to see them before they are done...something has to be a surprise! I should have been done weeks ago but knitting was slowed for two reasons -- first time the sock was too small, second time it was too large but now it is just right (I hope!)...and then I cut my thumb while slicing bagels so it was impossible to knit without pain for over a week.

Am back on track now. The package is to be mailed by the end of this week and I am hoping to meet the deadline. Dani lives in MA and is just so sweet. In an email she said not to hurt my thumb more by knitting too soon, that she isn't going anywhere. Now, isn't that nice? I think so. Thanks Dani!

Back to knitting. Will take a photo before I mail and will post it after I hearing from Dani that she has received the package.

Socks, Slippers Ready to Mail!

I am so pleased to say that my first batch of socks and slippers for Macuwitasni are ready to mail. I knit two pair of tube socks because I can knit them while riding in a car and don't have to think about heels, etc. The other pair I decided to make traditional. The tube socks are extra long to cover cold legs in South Dakota. I knit the little slippers quickly and they hopefully will add warmth to tiny feet. Macuwitasni is a yahoo group that I joined a few months ago. I also have a vest and a child's sweater almost completed and hopefully will be mailing them soon.

Disclaimer: I took the following from the website...it explains the project beautifully...

"Macuwita sni is a Lakota term which translates to: "I'm not cold"! The several thousand children of the Cheyenne River Sioux in South Dakota need our hand knitted wool sweaters!!!If you love to knit & want to open both your heart & stash to warm a child .... do join! There are no fees ... no schedules .... no requirements - well, I guess wool yarn, a little time and a little mail money to send your creation to SD are the basics which you will need.Our focus is child sized clothing - size 2 -14. WOOL is WONDERFUL - although a wool/acrylic blend is OK as long as the concentration of wool to acrylic is higher. ~ (No cottons or 100% acrylics please!)~Please consider a larger size too. Yes - it may take a wee bit longer to knit & use a wee bit more yarn - but older children are sometimes over looked. Heck the style *is* oversized anyway!Got extra wool?? Maybe a hat ... or mittens ... or sox ... or vest! "

Won't you consider joining and helping? Please make sure the wool is washable. Dry cleaning just is not convenient.