Welp, I’m back from the camping trip to the Catskills.  After driving nearly seven hours Tuesday, picking Mom up from LI and bringing her home here, so we can leave sometime on Wednesday for another 3 hours or so on the road.  The trip up wasn’t too bad - we hit traffic immediately upon getting onto RT 80.  Lovely.  We made it up to my Sisters by about 2:30 - not too bad considering it was my first drive up and we had traffic and whatnot to contend with. 

The trailer is very nice - and the set up outside seemed just begging to be graced with a bit of knitting.  After getting settled that is exactly what I did - pulled out my knitting, sat myself down and dug in. 

And then………….I was Grandma’d.

By my very own Mother.

She was leaving the camper and looked at me knitting, and remarked “aw, lookit…. Grandma”.

What the French, Toast?

Was I just summarily dissed, insulted and put down by my own flesh and blood?  Did the woman who gave birth to me, who watched my learn to crochet at the arm of my God-mother, who has on more than one occasion, been the receipient of said knitting and crocheting…………just insult me?

Yes, she did. 

Now, I hope someday to BE a Grandma.  I don’t understand why people use this as a put down - after all - someone who knits and is a Grandma probably knit well before she was graced with grandchildren. Still,  I know all those put downs have been around for as long as we’ve been knitting and crocheting.  I’ve never really been on the receiving end of something like that before.  And my reaction was immediate.  I screwed up my face………..said “what the Fudge???” (only I didn’t really say “fudge” if you know what I mean).   Now, is this the worst thing that’s ever been said to me?  No, of course not.  But something about being put down by someone who is supposed to know you, know your likes and dislikes, know what’s important to you, something about THAT just cuts.  Because really, in the end, it sorta means that all that knowing you?  All that respecting whats important to you?  Hmmm - maybe not so much afterall. 

My cousin, who heard the remark, immediately took herself right back to her camper, got her big bag of crochet and came back to sit and enjoy the rest of the night - which was a great show of support and way to stick by your fellow fiber peep.  But darn it. 

Did it stop me from knitting around the campfire each night?  No.  Did it stop me from enjoying myself?  No.  Stick and Stones and all that aside, I know sometimes people just say things before they have a chance to think or because they think they are funny.  None of that will ever stop or take away from the enjoyment I get from Knitting.  It cracks me up that it was my own Mom, though. 

I’m exhausted.  I really didn’t sleep well for whatever reason.  I’m glad to be home.  And I”m even more happy to have the knitting community here and in my Knitting Group.  It will certainly make me think twice before I open my mouth, to spew a judgement, about something or someone I apparently don’t know much about. 

It’s so funny - My Mother used to tell me…………if you can’t say something nice……….don’t say anything at all.

Baby Cable Rib Socks.  Ancient Threads Yarn.  Finished while vacationing in New Hampshire. 

I had so much knitting with me…………but really, I think reading cut into my knitting time.  It’s been so long since I’ve read consistantly - and this is strange for me since I was a read my book, especially before bedtime kind of person.  I just found that the last year or so, my concentration has really been off, so reading was more of a read a few pages……….snap……..what the hell did I just read experience.  I think I’ve got my read back. 

I did manage to start a new pair of socks - tofutsies just toe up with a 4 x 4 rib. 

The mini yarn crawl with Jeanne on Wednesday was a lot of fun - already, I’m making up for not buying scads on vacation and managed to come home with a skein or two of yarn and plenty of ideas for purchasing more!!!  Bah to yarn diets!

But heck if I wasn’t bent on finishing up something when I GOT home - one of the items from the bag o’ knitting that I planned on finishing on vacation - Gale.  Finished her up and bound her off at knitting group yesterday - will be blocking shortly, but had to include a pre-block photo - you know, just to prove I’ve been knitting.

I’m in a mood - I ripped out two projects yesterday - frogged the heck outta them.  Montego Bay and the Shoalwater Shawl.  You know, when you step back from some things - they just don’t do it for you anymore?  We’ll these smacked of that.  And I’m a big believer in not spending time that I should be enjoying myself at knitting, plodding along on something that just isn’t going to be pleasing me when I’m done with it.  So rip them I did.  The yarn will be better used on a pattern or two that I really like.  I find that when I let something go into hibernation for too long, I’ve already decided that it’s just not the project for me.  I do give it the time to make sure, but I don’t feel any guilt in re-assigning the yarn to something that I’ll enjoy more.  I just consider those items really big swatches.  

Today, instead of Kayaking down the river as we had sorta planned - we are going to the Kayak Store and running a few other errands.  Storms are brewing about and it’s already very humid and hazy.  I’ll be spending some time trying on a new project for the sea silk I ripped, and seeing if it works for the yardage I’ve got - 660yds.  If not, It might just be destined to be a Swallowtail or Shetland Triangle.  I’ve never made Swallowtail though I’ve made 2 Shetlands.  

Busy week ahead - Monday brings an oil change on the car and cleaning because Tuesday I’ll be driving into LI to pick up Mom to bring her back and spend the night here, before we head up to my Sis’s campsite on Wednesday, where I’ll probably be spending the night.  That’s a fair bit of driving - too bad I can’t bribe Mom into doing the driving so I can knit!

Have a good week!

Basin Lake, New Hampshire.

Relaxed.  Knit. Spin.  Read. Kayak.  Take Pictures.  Eat.  Sleep.  Ah. 

Vermont was wonderful.  The weather was spotty, but we didn’t mind at all.  Thunderstorms and rain practically each day, but that left reasons to go visiting Ben & Jerry’s, Cabot Cheeses, Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, Burton Snowboards, Burlington for a meal at The Shanty and just general vacationing about.  I think Vermont was definitely my favorite part of the trip - the three of us really enjoyed being together and it was so nice to spend some alone time with our youngest son, although it felt so strange not to have the oldest one with us and we missed him.  We spend the second half camped around that lake - and kayaking in it a good deal.  DH bought me a new, smaller kayak as we brought two with us, and we had a wonderful time kayaking over ten miles down the Androscroggin River one day.

  The last few days of the week warmed up, the skies cleared and there was no rain to be had.  It was so peaceful listening to the sounds of the resident Loon calling, and sitting around campfires at night talking. 

 I did manage to finish one pair of socks and start another, read 5 or 6 books and visit a yarn shop or four.  Two of which I walked out of without a purchase, I might add.  What I was expecting, I don’t know.  But I really wanted a bit of local flavor,  and found myself a bit disappointed that some shops  seemed so generic.  No local yarns, or dyers to be seen - and frankly - if I can buy it at home, why would I lug it around while I’m camping?   Don’t get me wrong - I did manage to buy some sock yarns and some Ultra Alpaca for a sweater - but the only reason that was purchased was because the pattern was at hand and something that came together on the spot.  Otherwise - the yarn purchases were very light this trip - light enough for DH to actually comment on it!!!!

We arrived home to the HOT.  I do not like the HOT.  I was very happy not to have to deal with it while we were camping, most nights requiring a sweatshirt or wrapping myself in Hypotenuese by the campfire.  But the HOT.  It’s here.  Summer.  But today - lunch with Jeanne and a trip to the yarn shop - just to look around, honest. 

What are you doing on your summer vacation?

We’ve been wondering what has been getting into the bird feeder - we thought it was probably a squirrel.  But this feeder is supposed to be squirrel proof.  I guess it really is.   This one is not so easily scared away - I yelled at it and set it running to the words “This ain’t no take out”  only to have Bob go out 10 minutes later and holler at it again.  And I’m fairly sure that it was the same deer that set off the motion light at 11:45 last night, too.  And the one that probably butchered one out of the two Lupines we’ve ever been successful growing.  Stupid deer. 

School’s out!!!  And it is officially vacation time.  I plan on using the time wisely…..

What Ten Minutes a Day gets you?  600 yards of nice Merino Top, about fingering weight.  I was quite surprised to get that much yardage, but pleased. 

And because I just can’t leave on vacation without starting something else…..this is going to be the February Lady Sweater.  I love the look of this sweater and especially the description the pattern writer puts in - “made to fit a grown-ass woman”.  This is what I am.  A Grown-ASS woman!!    The yarn?  That’s the Queensland Kathmandu DK, I just scored on ebay.  DK.  uh, not so much.  I orginally purchased it for the B-Side cardy, but the swatch was a titch too big and no amount of needle magic was getting me that gauge I needed or wanted to fiddle with.  This is working up spot on for this pattern - which calls for worsted weight.  And on the same size needles the pattern calls for.  What choice do I have?  It’s coming along on vacation - it’s been a bit cooler lately and I’m hoping the trend continues on in Vermont.  And then Maine.  I do have backup projects and of course, the inevitable trips to yarn shops I find - I’m not worried.  The little Hitchhiker wheel is loaded up with fiber and ready to pack.  The camper is repaired and newly tented.  Everything is washed except those last two loads of clothes.  The last minute errands get done this morning and the house tiding this afternoon.  We might even leave a little later than usual, since we are heading to Vermont first, instead of Maine/New Hampshire.  Rain is in the forecast - but I’ve got books, suduko, card games, Ipod, and knitting to occupy.  We head on over to Maine on Thursday next week and spend the rest of the camping trip there - kayaks are being racked and ready to go for the Basin Lake we camp around.  Our oldest is housesitting - we will definitely miss him, but it’s comforting to have things in such capable hands. 

Well, that’s it for now - enjoy your days and Happy Knitting!

Sometimes (or often, in my case) knit’s just don’t work out the way you want them to.  Usually, it doesn’t take me half a sock to figure that out.

These were the Undulating Rib socks.  Meh.  The pattern was really lost in the yarn.  Jeanne suggest Baby Cable Rib.  So Baby Cable Rib it is - I’m much happier with the way these are turning out - just enough patterning to keep me interested. 

I’ve been keeping to my pledge to spin Just Ten Minutes A Day so far………

This basket was overflowing with fiber and I’ve managed to get it to a level state - and half a bobbins worth of spinning - I’m wondering if I’ll get much more than a bobbins worth of singles out of this. 

Spinning and Knitting at Jeanne’s yesterday - always a good time, but this time there was fiber purchases involved…..

Sakina Needles BFL, Gram Negative colorway - just gorgeous. 

Sakina Needles BFL, Squashed colorway - too gorgeous for me not to start spinning almost immediately!  I’ve never spun BFL before, but I really enjoyed it.  I’ll be finishing up this fiber and the Gram Negative on vacation - if I can tear myself away from it for now!  Thanks Jeanne!!

Northwest NJ Knitters can now be found on Ravelry - Jeanne had the wonderful idea to move the group information over there and I thought is was a great idea!  So if you’re in the area, come on over and join us!

To my Dad and my DH - Happy Father’s Day!  And a Happy Day to all those Dad’s out there - enjoy the day!

Carole over at Carole Knits has started a little something!  She’s made a pledge and invited other’s to join in and spin for just Ten Minutes A Day!  I can do that!  You can do that?  Heck, I complain for at least 10 minutes how I wish I had just 10 minutes to spin or do whatever else it is that I’m missing.  So, go on over and check out her blog - she’s made a button to grab and started a Ravelry Group to join.  

I have actually done more spinning lately - started this blue fiber - which I think is probably merino - I tend to gravitate towards that.  I bought it about 2 summers ago at Halcyon while we were motorcycling around Maine - and promptly forgot about it - but I had spun up a bit of it on the drop spindle I purchased at the same time.  Now, this spindle has been laying around my studio for awhile - I’ve periodically searched for the roving to continue spinning it - but as you know, sometimes fiber looks very different after it’s been spun up.  Well, I had given up finding this particular bag and just pulled something out last weekend - when it was too stinking hot to do anything but sit still and at least prepare a little fiber.  As I was working on it - I realized the colors were starting to look very similar to that spindle - Viola - found it.  But sooooo different in the bag I had it in, that it comletely threw me. 

Jeanne and I were IM’ing the other night and she was sending these links of wonderful roving - and before I could blink, we had decided to combine and order some - I hear tell she’s gotten it - fast! - but the roving fairy has not visited my mail box yet, so I may have to wait till this weeks meetup to get it - which is killing me.   Jeanne, I’m so jealous you are looking at all the nice fiber that I have to insist that next time we order - it’s going to have to be to my house!!!

I have knit some this week - but we had a blast furnace going on all weekend and it really didn’t break till late Tuesday night.  I managed to sit in the air conditioning in the bedroom and work on Montego Bay - but not much else.  A bit on the socks - but even with the AC - it really was too hot.  One more full day and then 5 hours left of school on Monday - and then - vacation preparations.  Camper is being repaired this weekend - and the insurance is covering it!!!  We’ve gotten much appreciated advice on how to keep this from happening again - and basically it boils down to keeping the critters out in the first place.  Not easy to do, but we are going to try.  But just to let you know - if you’ve insured your camper - and something like this happens to you - make sure to call your insurance company - this is way more common than I even imagined and it is covered on our basic policy, so it might be covered on yours - and if it’s not - you might want to add it - from all I’ve read on the internets - it happens all the time.

Oh!  And I’ve picked my guitar back up with a little inspiration from a friend at work - I may just be able to passably play jingle bells in time for the holidays…..

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Spunky Eclectic, Wool Blend in “Walkabout”

This past Sunday was not as good as it could have been - aside from getting an ucky cold, more traumatically - we opened the camper. 

Let me tell you how destructive MICE are.  You would think by looking at the damage they’ve done to our camper tenting that these creatures are as big as oppossums with as many teeth.  Bastids.  This is war.  Not only do we have to replace all but one section of the tenting?  But then, we have to figure out how to keep the little so and so’s out.  Permanently.  Needless to say, DH and I were sick.  Sick, sick, sick.  Although the dealer is very helpful - we still have to get this straightened out before our camping trip.  Or we will be camping in a patchwork camper.  The dealer has assured us it can all be done and good as new in good time.  But mice?  We will be steel wooling, caulking, spray foaming every crack and crevice we find, and we’ve stocked up on the traps - and already caught one offender. 

edit:  We did have a small mousish problem last year - so we did take the mothball challenge.  And we placed the mothballs in the camper - we had heard this was an excellent way to keep them away.  ahem.  It didn’t work.  As a matter of fact - the last offender was found in the trap placed right next to the mothballs.  sigh.  We do think it kept them out of the lower area of the camper, so we will definitely add it to our weaponry this time, but from all the we’ve read, you have to stop the suckers from getting in. 

Staying home from work Monday and Tuesday (fever) and a little blurry eyed but not too blurry eyed to do some spinning - in between the napping.  And I’m not a napper.  But nap I did.  And spin.  And watch the movies.  I might have knit a little.  But that there up top?  That’s the spinning - two skeins.  And I tried a little something different this time.  I split the 4 oz. up as best I could in equal amounts using my scale.  After spinning them, I first put an empty TP paper tube on the ball winder and wound off.  I like to ply from both ends of a ball but hate when I get a vomited ball from the center.  So I let the balls sit for a day or so - and had a nice little place to put my thumb after I took the ball off the TP tube - no tangle.  No mass from the center.  It worked out well.  I’ve two skeins of about DK weight , probably about 400 yds. 

I also managed to squeeze in a bit of shopping before the sick and the sicker - 13 balls of Queensland Kathmandu DK for the B-side cardy and a spare bobbin for my Woolee Winder.  The yarn came yesterday and the bobbin arrived today.  Now - I can spin two bobbins worth and ply off the third using the lazy kate.  This is my delayed MDS&W shopping - both things I had planned on purchasing if I went - yarn for a sweater and the bobbin - or two.  Of course, now that there are 13 balls of yarn sitting here beside me - we will have over 90 degree weather this weekend!  Perfect for knitting on a wool cardy, no? 

Other exciting news - Bear visits Saturday night in the driveway to dine on the garbage it very quietly slid out of our huge garbage can and Monday - after DS2 came home from school, I heard my across the street neighbor banging pots together - I said to DS2 - is there a bear across the street?  He was all Oh.  Yeah.  We passed him while we were walking home from the bus stop.  The visits are getting more frequent and I’m thinking we might just need to contact our Fish and Game Dept.  I hear it’s a Momma and two cubs and you don’t want to get anywhere near or between a Momma Bear and her cubs.  I love the country.  Love the wildlife.  But I don’t love that they don’t have the healthy fear of us that we have of them.  The garbage cans will probably have to be put in the garage and hopefully no food, no service, no visits. 

Knitting on Montego bay and the satanically beautiful Sea Silk.  I say satanic because - that sucker loves to tangle every chance it gets and sticky?  Sticky.  Just beautiful worked up but what a bit of a pain in the tuckus to work with.  The stuff just has a life and will of it’s own.  Beautiful, though.  It will be a great scarf and I will wear the heck out of it.  Just to pay it back. 

One more day and the super hot weekend arrives!

Kauni Clapotis in EF colorway - I hear it softens up and “blooms” when it’s blocked - I hope so - it’s a bit scritchy. 

That is exactly what I plan on doing today - for the most part - Chillax.  A word I heard yesterday from my oldest’s Girlfriend - which absolutely cracked me up.  I’m sure I’m late to the game on that one, but hey - better late than never. 

The past week was a big run around - run here, around there, then go over that way - Damn.  Including yesterday - where the time spent at knitting group was just a lovely spot to relax.  It was good to see the gals - I had missed the last meetup and that’s not something I like to do!  But I managed to start this….

Montego Bay, Handmaiden Seasilk, Ginormous Skein of 660 yds.

And rip it back three, or was it four, times.  Just not happy with my knitting.  And I decided of course, to make it wider since I have the jumbo skein of SeaSilk.  It would help if I didn’t get all crazy with the yarn overs.  That was my problem.  I’ve since gotten a little self control in that department, and this version is looking fine. 

Yesterday I had a bit of a sore throat when I woke up.  Today.  Full blown, nasty ass Cold.  Damn.  I hate colds.  I hate the not breathing through the nose part the most.  Sigh.  I shall just soldier on, perhaps spinning a bit of yarn for the Dye Party we have next Sunday or maybe playing around with some already dyed Spunky Eclectic that was a gift from Jeanne.   I do have a bunny to brush out, a few jewelry gems to finish (New Rose Shawl Pin!) and a good book to read. 

Enjoy your day!

Twinings in all it’s blocked finishedness!  I haven’t woven the two ends in yet, but the sun was shining this morning and the photo opportunity was there. 

Close-up of the stich pattern and wonderful Yarn.

This was a wonderful knit - I loved everything about it.  I’m not upset that it took from December till now - I really didn’t want to stop knitting it and I think this is one of those knits to be savored.

Hopefully, even though it’s supposed to warm up this weekend, I’ll be able to throw it on and show it off in the evenings.  Yard stuff, camper stuff and general fixing things up stuff today - BBQ later, tomorrow looks like a motorcycle/scooter day and Monday?  Who knows!!  I’m just so darn glad to have the long weekend without rain to enjoy. 

The week was a whirlwind of getting things done, appointments and a special treat to myself yesterday - Mani/Pedi day - and it was a little slice of heaven.  For the first time in a long time, I have 10 fingernails that are mine, long enough to manicure and look decent now!  The toesies don’t look too bad either.  I feel like I’m out of my little schlump - yes I was schlumped, quiet and a little on the keep to myself side.  Nothing bad, but when I’m not feeling tip top and whining (yes, I do whine and I’m even sick of myself when I do it) I tend to just hunker down and ride it out.  Nothing news worthy - I’m fine, the family’s fine, the pets are fine - just a little bump for me and that’s all I’m going to say - I’ve taken to not posting my health issues anymore - the fibro is always around and really?  It’s not like I’m having a “relapse” of that  annoyance - it just is what it is.  I always appreciated the sympathy and feel better wishes, but noticed that I was putting more of that stuff in here than I ever intended. I’m not dissing anyone who talks about their health on their blogs - you’re choice - but I don’t want or need to have too much worry about me - and frankly - stuff gets around.  I don’t pick up the phone and broadcast how I’m feeling for that very simple reason, so why put it on the blog?  I include enough life stuff here to hopefully keep it interesting!

Now, back to the knitting.  Awhile back I had purchased some of that kauni yarn for a cardigan.  Well, after motoring around the interwebs- I really don’t think this is a cardigan for me.  But, after seeing Dr. Girlfriends Clapotis and a few other’s around Ravelry - I think I’m going to cast on for this with the Kauni yarn - perfect, since I wanted to make another but really didn’t know what yarn to use.  I’ve got the sock in the works, Gale is the next savory knit on those needles - and the B-side cardigan - well, I would like to make a smaller size in that, so you know what that means.  Don’t say it.  It’s a dirty word. 

Enjoy the long weekend!

But can’t show it to you. 

Twinings is done!  Cast off!  Grafted!  But - it’s so dismal and dark here today what with the rain that I cannot in good conscience take a photo of it - that would just not do it any justice.  So you will have to take my word for it - from December 7th till now - it has been a joy to knit.  And I will be taking photo’s when the sun peaks out again.  Because did I mention the rain?  Yes, we have been getting rained on.  And it’s cold!  So cold that they had to turn the heat BACK on at work.  Because of all the whining that went on yesterday, in addition to the inappropriate clothing we were all wearing (spring clothes, go figure) and then, did I also say there was some whining?  There was a lot of that and then shivering too.  And coat wearing.  And general complaining and I might have caught some bitching. 

Anywho - I think I know what my next cardigan is going to be.  Have you seen the B-Side???  And it’s done in Manos silk blend?  And isn’t that just a wonderful combination?  I love the green it’s done in, so that may have to be purchased - probably stealth purchasing would be best. 

This week is one of my favoritist weeks of the year - it’s conference week!  What does that mean?  It means that for today and the rest of the week - I leave work, guilt free, unencumbered by any obligation to stay there, at 1pm.  Two whole hours early!  Do you know what I can do in two extra hours that I don’t have to be at work?  Well - today, for instance - I finished Twinings!  Tomorrow - I shall go to an appointment and get a hair cut!  Thursday?  Two more hours!  Friday - still two more!!  

With another FO out from under my needles - it leaves me feeling quite sparsh in the project area.  Hmmm - too bad the cold weather isn’t going to stay around too much longer -  I would have a good reason to start that cardy this week!

And just a thanks and sorry if I don’t answer all the comments - when WP did their latest upgrade?  They sorta, kinda forgot  to switch over that nifty ability we had to answer comments directly from email - I was told they are working on it.