The Woolen Rabbit

Any Suggestions?

 
As you can see I have been moving right along with Acer.  I spent any free moment I had working on it over the weekend and had just reached the point where I was to start the waist increases.  I love how Kirsten added some shaping to what would be a very square looking sweater without it.

 
So.....last night as I sat down ready to start increasing, I noticed something......oh hell!  If you click on the picture, can you see it?
If you look at the markers in the front, you will see that the markers on the right are much closer to each other than the markers on the left....and sadly I know exactly how that happened, but why I didn't notice it until all of the decrease rows were finished is beyond me.

I just wanted to cry as that translates into about 30 rows and on a top down sweater, that is a lot of work.  So here is my dilemma.  Do I pull back the 30 rows ...or...is there a way to just pull back between the markers?

If I only rework that portion of the sweater will there be enough distortion of stitches to make it sloppy?   I am very bummed out about this as I was hoping to have it finished for SPA....sigh.  What would you do?  Ken's suggestion.....Just push against your boob with your shoulder when you are wearing it so no notices the dart is in the wrong place.  Hmm........NOT helpful!

Distractions...........
One of the reasons for making such a beginner's mistake on my sweater is I am completely swamped right now. 

My days have been filled with stirring the dyepotand my evenings have been full with paperwork for my real job, so by the time I sit down at night I am pretty tired..........thus the error.

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I am so fortunate that I get to do the things that I love for work, so I don't like to complain about workloads.  Getting ready for a big show is a workout, but getting to spend time with some of my favorite people always makes it so worth it!

On the near horizon.........

Yep....some of that pinky goodness is for me to use on Anne's newest shawl pattern.  Anne designed this and the Autumn Arbor shawls using my yarns, which I am thrilled about and will have for you to see at SPA.  The pattern will be available soon and I will be offering it as a kit as well once the pattern is ready.  

Hoarfrost...........

Pattern:  Hoarfrost
Yarn:  Woolenrabbit Opulence~Dream
Needles:  US 3 Addi's
Raveled:  Here

I think this neck-warmer pattern from Knitspot is my favorite so far.  I love the edging and the way it compliments the main pattern.  It's a fun, easy and very fast knit!  Of course each time I think Anne can't top the last one.........she does.  Good thing I love wearing these, because they are addictive.

You can see the pretty lace detailing in this picture.  You can also see that I have it on backwards...aggh.  My grafting could have been a bit neater, which is why you can see it should be facing the back....grin.

It's no secret I hate having my picture taken, but do you think I could bribe one of my 2 girls here today to put on a nice shirt and stand in front of the camera?  Of course not!  Where are my older grrls when I need them....acck!  :)

A Day In The Mountains......

The sun shines half a day,
The moon dominates the rest.
Even contemplation
Should have it's proper duration.
Deng Ming~Dao

Yesterday morning I received an email from some distant friends in the UK via another friend of mine here in the states.

A number of years back, the webmaster of the Cavalier Club website in the UK traveled to New Hampshire with his wife.  While they were up in my neck of the woods, they came upon an old picture taken at one of the railroads up here of two men holding Cavaliers.

They felt pretty sure that the rail-house they saw the picture in was at one of the houses in Crawford Notch, which is on the backside of the mountain. 

In looking at the picture that they emailed me, I felt pretty certain that the train was one out of our Conway Railway.  The date is blurry in the picture, but it looks to be around the early 1900's. I have to say that is a mighty fine looking early Cavalier!

It was such a beautiful day here in the Valley that we offered to take the 40 minute drive up to Crawford Notch to see if that is where the pictures was and to find out a little more information on when the picture was taken and if there was any documentation regarding who these people might be.

Unfortunately when we got up there, the Rail-houses were shut for the winter.  Of course the area was crazy busy with winter hikers, snowshoers, ice climbers and cross country skiers, but the little houses.....closed until Spring.

So....we meandered a bit, taking in the beautiful scenery.  The day was sunny and bright, although you could tell that there was a storm on top of the mountain.

I have lived up here now for almost 20 years and still each time I see the mountain, especially this backside portion of it, it takes my breath away.

I did of course take some "car knitting" with me.................

I am test knitting Anne's Hoarfrost with a newly dyed color of Opulence.  I thought I might have been able to finish it on the trip, but the combination of lace and driving made me a bit carsick, so Acer got a good workout instead.  I am hoping to finish up with this stunning little neck warmer tomorrow. :)

Happy Valentines Day!

Give the one you love an extra big hug today!~

Slip Slidding Along.......

Which came first,
Experience or meaning?
Deng Ming~Dao

Everyday this week I thought I would blog but somehow life got in the way.  I've been busy in a fibery way, but at the end of the day I just kind of ran out of steam.  I'm sure some of you know just what I mean.  The thought of jumping into my jammies and knitting overrode sitting in front of the computer to blog.  I will blame it on the mid-winter blues.  It's just been so gray out there...  There are days I think I should commit to daily blogging again.........at least I blogged then...

Anyhoo, Acer is moving right along.  Kirsten's pattern is very well written and is a perfect midwinter project.

I read somewhere on Ravelry were someone described Beaverslide as a woolen polar fleece and I have to tell you that is THE perfect description.

The yarn is soft without being too soft and very cushy.  I have been needing a new pair of slippers and after seeing a few pair of ballet slippers from Felted Knits that I really liked, I'm thinking a pair made with Beaverslide would be just perfect!

Socks and stuff.....

I have also been working on my cabletwist socks.  With a new pair of needles, we seem to be on the right track finally.  Like Pat, I have decided to do a partridge eye heel and so far so good......but I need a little help from you experienced sock knitters.

Is there a set formula for figuring out what your heel turn is supposed to be?  I am working the heel over 30 stitches and need to figure out what the number of stitches I need to knit and turn, then purl and turn to set myself up to get the bottom of the heel finished.  Acck.....i have been knitting for 30 years but still can't figure this out without a pattern!  Is there such a thing as a formula for any number of stitches?

and finally........

Beetrice should be making her debut soon.........

Sunday's Stitches..............

Mother Earth

I learn from the river
how to keep flowing.
The trees teach me
to bend and sway
with whatever comes my way.
I learn from the sky
to keep my heart and mind open,
The snow teaches me
to fall with grace.

I learn from the sun
to shine bright,
to trust without fear or fright.
The mountains teach me to be humble,
to stand when I want to crumble.

I learn from the moon
to let go,
to embrace change,
Let her guide my way
to a new day.

Mother Earth helps us grow and flow,
So take it slow with that radiant glow
Learn to just BEE.
Traci Haselhuhn

Ok......I bet you are wondering what the heck that poem has to do with sewing.  Umm...actually nothing, except that Ashley read it to me today from a very special magazine that I will tell you about later in the week, and since this post is about Ashley, I guess it makes it relevant. :)

It's also a wonderful verse and a perfect way to start one's week, don't you think?

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Anyhoo, this weekend was a weekend of stitchery.  Yesterday I took a machine applique class at our local quilting store and learned some new things that my sewing machine is capable of.  I am still in awe at some of the things that today's sewing machines can actually do.

I will let you in on a secret though.........this machine quilting....not so easy.  I will admit to being a quilting snob in the past.  Not done by hand....cheating.  The truth is, some of this machine stuff is actually much harder than doing it by hand...that is at least until you get the hang of it.

Back to Ashley.  About a month or so ago, she mentioned how much she needed a new bag.  The one she had been using was one I bought for her when she entered her freshman year of college a number of years ago.  It was a corduroy bag that we picked up at the Gap or Old Navy and it was definitely old and tired.

I purchased the fabric right after she mentioned it to me, washed and ironed it and then there it sat next to my sewing machine.  One more thing on my list of things to do.....and you all know how that goes.

Ash called me earlier in the week to say she was going to come home to spend some time with her sister, Courtney.....and she mentioned her bag as well.

So, I quickly read over the instructions and thought...easy peasy, I will have it finished in an hour.  Well, 4 hours later, the bag was finished and filled.  Not as quick as I thought it would go, but still a fast bag to make up.

Ashley was thrilled with her bag as you can see. 

While we were eating dinner we were talking about how the 80's seem to be creeping into this year's spring fashions and my opinion about these fashions was a big ewww.  I didn't like them in the 80's and I don't like them now.

Ash was trying to define her fashion style, other than bag~lady fashion, when Ken nailed it...... "Annie Hall".  Yep, little Ash is another Annie Hall for sure...LOL

Pattern:  Amy Butler Swing Bag
Fabric:  Batik's from Keepsake Quilting

Lest you think I have tossed in my knitting needles for sewing needles I want to introduce the beginnings of Acer.  Kirsten has created a very enjoyable knit in this sweater!

6 More Weeks of Winter...

Pattern:  Spiralucious
Yarn:  Woolen Rabbit Opulence
Needles:  Size 4 addi's

Another week has come and gone.  In many ways it has been a trying week.  One of my daughters (Courtney) is having a hard time with another girl who has been harassing her to the nth degree.  Not much bothers Courtney, but the constant harassment is wearing her down and as a Mom it has been REALLY hard for me to sit back and let her handle it.  This other girl really seems to have some issues, which is sad....but.....still.....

Courtney has a good head on her shoulders and I know if she really needs me to step in she will ask, but it's stressful for a Mom all the same.  Sheesh......

Ok.......on to better things.  It's been REALLY cold up here in the mountains this winter.  Most nights have been 15-25 degrees below zero.  Even I, who loves winter, is ready for it to warm up a bit. 

I'm not one to wear scarves that often but with this cold weather my neck does get cold.  Remembering how much I liked the first Spiralucious, I made one for me this time.  It keeps my neck nice and warm without scarf ends to deal with. :). 

There has been a little knitting here.  I have some socks on the needles, but the call of the Beaverslide has just been too darn hard to ignore.  Besides it's good to balance working with little needles with sweater size needles...right?

This morning after I finished Spiralucious, I sat down and swatched the Beaverslide for Acer.  Whoo hoo....I got gauge with the recommended needles.

I do need to work on twisted vines, but I really haven't felt like taking the time to pull her back to find where I was on the pattern before I lost my place.  Maybe if I have some quiet time over the weekend, but until then, I am looking forward to working with this scrumptious yarn!

NETA Spa Weekend

Many of you have heard of the SPA weekend that NETA puts on every February.

It's a FUN weekend and one that I have vended at for the last few years.  This year it is the last weekend of February in Freeport Maine and promises to be another fun fibery weekend.

It's been fun having an excuse to fire up the dyepots for roving once again.  I haven't a name yet for this colorway, which is ok...I like it enough that it just might stay. :)

I hope to see a few familiar happy faces that weekend!