May 2 in Maine

This one is for you. :)

We spent a splendid day at the beach followed by a late lunch at Red's Eats in Wiscasset. Red's is famous for their lobster rolls,  I have yet to have one... this summer I will try one. I love their fries dipped in cole slaw, yum! Afterward we drove up to Damariscotta and Camden before heading home through Augusta.

It occurred to us today that here we are, still in Maine.... and we get to do all of these fun things again! It is such a privilege to get to live in this great state.

Catching up

Where to begin? It's been over a month since I posted... and I've only posted a handful of times since I moved my blog! It's time to step it up.

We've been busy thinking about big things... the usual... moving, jobs, travel. The first two are things that we need to wait on for a while. All is well here... just some uncertainty plus Iowa still always looming in the background. I've been so stressed out about this stuff for so long and I'm just tired of it. We may not be where we're going to end up but it occurred to me the other day there is really nothing I can do to change a darn thing right now so what the heck is the point of constantly stressing about it? Besides... it's spring! I decided that I'm going to shift my focus away from these things and instead focus on planting pots of pansies with my boys, and just live in the moment and enjoy each day. That's what it's all about anyway, isn't it!?I tend to be too much of a control freak though and want to make things happen instead of just waiting on things. Oh well! After over a year of 'limbo' I should have figured out to chill out by now, don't you think?

As far as travel, we just got back from spending spring break in Florida. We stayed with my in-laws in central Florida. It was an alright trip. We spent one day at the beach which was HEAVENLY. I have to say though that after living near the ocean, going to the beach sort of loses its novelty. Not that we didn't have a great time, but we do the beach quite a lot up here in the summer... we know how to do the beach. We're absolutely a beach family. We've offered on several trips to take our son to Disney or other attractions and he always turns it down because he'd rather be beaching.

I do think next time we'll spend our beach time on the west coast... we'd love to check out several hot spots. We typically go somewhere between Daytona and St. Augustine. We know this area very well. I could see us being snowbirds in St. Augustine or Ormond Beach someday.

Anyway, as far as knitting goes I've been knitting up a storm like usual. I'm almost done with a cardigan but I'm not going to talk about it until it's DONE just because I'd like to actually finish something! I have sock yarn that's on my mind... Regia Kaffe Fassett but I won't let myself start until the sweater is done.

I'm so excited about the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool festival which is next weekend. I had a blast last year, and this year I'm bringing all the guys so it'll be fun.  I get so much inspiration and motivation to knit when I go to these events. I can't wait to see the Foxfire Fiber and Green Mountain Spinnery booths, as well as others! I want to get some Sylvan Spirit from GMS and can't wait to check it out in person to find just the right color. Although I don't want to go with anything too particular in mind (other than a budget) so I can just see what inspires me.

Anyway, hope you're all doing well. I've been keeping up with your blogs even through vacation but haven't been commenting much. Happy Spring!

Help me choose...

I'm so excited about this project. I'm going to knit this little sweater from Roo Designs for my 3 year old son. I bought these four luscious colors of Spud & Chloe Sweater in super cute, springy colors. Here's my dilemma... I can't decide which colors to put where. What do you think? I need your help picking which colors to use as the background stripes, and which to use as the sheepy feet, face, and sleeves. Let me know what you think. :)

In the mean time, I need to keep knitting away on the lace capelet... I badly want to start this project but won't until the capelet is done. I'm knitting the border right now. By my estimation the border before attaching to the perimeter is going to be about seven feet long. I'm about 12 repeats in and have 16 more to go. I've already thought about turning this in to a pillow but simply won't... pillow-a-fying everything is turning in to a bad habit for when I don't feel like finishing something properly.

Silky Wool Fan Shawl

This was such a fun knit! This shawl is constructed from the bottom up in a modular way. First you knit the first fan, then pick up stitches along the side of it and add on as you go. You just keep building the shawl upward. The last row of fans are sort of shorter and with more swift decreases to flatten it out. Then stitches are picked up and worked in garter stitch for a nice clean border along the top.

Once you knit a couple of the fans, the 'lace' pattern is easily memorized. It's a great project because you can just work on one or two fans or whatever time permits without being totally sucked in to a long row or complicated pattern. It also happens to be a free pattern ... I highly recommend that you check it out.

I used Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool for this project. It was really interesting to knit with. The texture is rustic but soft. It absolutely transformed in to a beautiful soft, lightweight, warm fabric after washing and blocking. I have always loved the color palette of Silky Wool and would love to knit a lightweight sweater out of this yarn. Here is a link to my Ravelry details for this project.

Blog Move

I moved my blog.... You can now find me at http://www.lizknits.com

I hope you'll make the jump... see you there!

Lace Capelet

I'm knitting this Lace Capelet from the newest Vogue Knitting (Spring/Summer 2010). I knew as soon as I saw it that it would be perfect for my Mom.

When I visited her in January, I was happy to see that she truly uses all of the things that I knit for her... is there anything better as a knitter than to see your gifts being used?

I'm knitting this shawl out of some stashed Sirdar Snuggly DK. It's the most beautiful shade of blue which I think she'll be reminiscent about. I chose this yarn because it's super soft and a high quality acrylic. I think she'll use it a lot in warmer weather. She already has several heavy and wool and alpaca shawls.

I'm curious to see this capelet take shape... It looks like the shaping comes from just going down a needle size. It is worked from the bottom up. Then a very pretty knitted border is added on afterward.

As far as new techniques go, I did my first provisional cast on. I think that my recent experience with finally figuring out how to crochet helped me grasp how to do this technique once and for all. I'm excited for the whole 'unzipping of the stitches' thing that I've always been so impressed with.

Hopefully by next week this will be in the FO category. My Mom's birthday isn't until mid-April so I have plenty of time.

20 Questions

via Carole Knits

1. Explain what ended your last relationship?

I was engaged to a man that I did love, but we just didn't have the same goals in life. He didn't want kids, wanted to live in the city and be a musician forever... he's doing that now so all's well that ends well. We fell in love in college and were a good match back then. We just sort of got to a fork in the road. I met my now husband and broke off my engagement immediately. The rest is history.

3. What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m.

getting breakfast on the table for the big guys... they eat first, then the babe and I dilly dally all morning drinking coffee and juice, watching cartoons, reading books, knitting, eating dry cheerios and yogurt. Ahh... such is life. :)

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?

tucking in the big boy who is home late from cub scouts. they had very serious pinewood derby business to take care of tonight which made them run late.

5. Some things you are excited about?

Spring. Getting to know our new town. Going to Florida for spring break next month. Going to Iowa this summer. Seeing my baby brother graduate from high school in May.

6. What is your favorite flavor of JELL-O?

none.

7. Your prom night, what do you remember about it?

I went with a group of friends. I wore a red satin dress, black and white polka dot shoes, big hair, bright red finger nails. I felt like a million bucks and had a blast.

8. Do you have any famous ancestors?

not that I know of.

9. Last thing received in the mail?

WEBS order confirmation. Misti Pima Cotton & Silk on closeout

10. How many different beverages have you had today?

3: water, coffee, tea

11. Do you ever leave messages on people’s answering machine?

people still have answering machines? Most of the people I call have voice mail or caller ID (on their cell phones) so I just hang up, they will know I called. If it's not just a social call, of course I leave a message.

12. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?

sometimes... most of the time I'm making choo-choo tracks or building sand castles with my boys.

13. Any plans for Friday night?

my son and I have a date for Diary of a Wimpy Kid

14. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?

I've never dipped my hair in the ocean, but I imagine it's not kind.

15. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns?

yes.

16. Do you re-use towels after you shower?

No, and I've tried. I need a fresh towel every day. My husband could use his two weeks straight, but I just can't.

17. Describe your keychain(s)?

a mini-skein of Malabrigo that Sara made for me ages ago.

18. Where do you keep your change?

in a glass milk jug on the counter

19. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?

I think probably last August at our huge family reunion in Colorado

20. What kind of winter coat do you own?

a very practical and not very stylish one! I actually have a couple of nice ones, but none of them came out of the closet this winter. I'm OK with that. My new 'dressy' is whichever hiking shoes are the least muddy, and gore-tex.

Alpacowl

Aspen Neck Cowl

Cascade Eco Alpaca - Color 1517
Size US7 4.5mm circ.

This was such a simple knit but I'm posting it because I've had a tough time actually finishing any knitting lately. I don't know what it is. I'm clocking a lot of knitting time but am just in a rut. I've knit so many things to almost 95% done in some cases only to frog. I just can't seem to get in the groove.

Anyway, this yarn was an absolute delight to work with... slippery-soft alpaca. This cowl is about 1.5 skeins of yarn and is about 14" tall. Perfect for scrunching around my neck or pulling up to block the wind.

Do I need another cowl? Um. No. I'm accumulating quite the collection of cowls actually. I prefer them to scarves and it is fun to have one to match everything. Plus, my guys can also wear this one so it's going in the 'for the family' category.

These photos were taken on Valentine's Day... we spent the day at the beach.

I do think I'll have another FO to report soon. I started a second sock of a pair tonight and am quite pleased with it. The yarn is obnoxiously bright but one of the most delightful sock yarns I've ever knit with... more details to come!

Alpacowl

Aspen Neck Cowl

Cascade Eco Alpaca - Color 1517
Size US7 4.5mm circ.

This was such a simple knit but I'm posting it because I've had a tough time actually finishing any knitting lately. I don't know what it is. I'm clocking a lot of knitting time but am just in a rut. I've knit so many things to almost 95% done in some cases only to frog. I just can't seem to get in the groove.

Anyway, this yarn was an absolute delight to work with... slippery-soft alpaca. This cowl is about 1.5 skeins of yarn and is about 14" tall. Perfect for scrunching around my neck or pulling up to block the wind.

Do I need another cowl? Um. No. I'm accumulating quite the collection of cowls actually. I prefer them to scarves and it is fun to have one to match everything. Plus, my guys can also wear this one so it's going in the 'for the family' category.

These photos were taken on Valentine's Day... we spent the day at the beach.

I do think I'll have another FO to report soon. I started a second sock of a pair tonight and am quite pleased with it. The yarn is obnoxiously bright but one of the most delightful sock yarns I've ever knit with... more details to come!

Random Tuesday

I keep meaning to blog but never get around to it because I don't have anything too interesting planned out. So I'm just going to do a little random blog especially for my friends who keep asking if I've fallen off the face of the earth. :)

• For the Knitting Olympics I'm not going to start a new project... until I finish a bunch of UFOs... I have a cabled pullover and stranded mittens that I need to finish first... then I'm going to begin to think about my next projects. Are you going to participate in Ravelympics or the Knitting Olympics? What are you going to knit/crochet? We absolutely LOVE the Olympics around here and are so excited to watch!
  

• I'm already thinking towards spring... I'd like to knit a couple of Wonderful Wallaby hooded pullovers for my boys. I'm going to use Berroco Weekend which is a new cotton/acrylic blend. I have a soft willow green coming in the mail that I'm going to use for the babe. I'm not sure which color to use for my older son, I will let him pick out the color and I'm pretty sure he'll pick red like he always does. Here in Maine these cotton blend sweaters will come in handy all throughout spring, summer and fall.

• The babe is going to be THREE in a few weeks. Can you believe it!?

• Des Moines Metro Knitters is going to be FIVE later this month! The group now has over 300 members and has had almost 800 organized meetups. I haven't been in Iowa for a year, but this group will always hold a VERY LARGE special place in my heart and I've made friendships that will hold fast for a lifetime.

• Also later this month will mark one year living here in Maine for our family... THAT is crazy, too. Where does the time go? It seems that the older I get, the faster time flies.

• Not much else to report. I've been away from this space, but I'm still on the internets. I've been playing on Twitter a lot more than Facebook lately. Facebook just keeps growing more and more annoying to me. Plus, I don't like getting bombarded with hokey game and quiz requests. Blah! Twitter really keeps things simple and I like that. Feel free to follow me over there.

• I've also been doing a good share of web design work... making a little money to supplement the yarn stash fund. ;) It's been fun to get in to this again.

• I have a couple of my own web site projects that I'm working on. No details yet, but soon ... very soon! I'm very excited about them.

• We've had almost record LACK of snowfall here in Maine this winter. We only have a couple of inches here and there and lots of bare spots. The majority of the past month has been very sunny and mild albeit cold. It's been a real treat to have streaming sunshine warm the house every day. The sun comes up before 7 and goes down just after 5 o'clock now. I've figured out that this is about 45 minutes earlier on both ends than Iowa. In the summer on the longest days, the sun is up before 5! Mainers are generally early risers. The town is really abuzz pretty early... even for such a small town that we live in now. I like this a lot.

• We live two blocks from a clock tower and a UU church both of which chime on a regular basis. I like this a lot, too.

• Despite living in the middle of town, it is SO dark at night. The stars are incredibly bright. Every night before bed (on a clear night) we all stand at the babe's window and look at the stars.

See? Told you it was going to be random! See you in a bit....

Random Tuesday

I keep meaning to blog but never get around to it because I don't have anything too interesting planned out. So I'm just going to do a little random blog especially for my friends who keep asking if I've fallen off the face of the earth. :)

• For the Knitting Olympics I'm not going to start a new project... until I finish a bunch of UFOs... I have a cabled pullover and stranded mittens that I need to finish first... then I'm going to begin to think about my next projects. Are you going to participate in Ravelympics or the Knitting Olympics? What are you going to knit/crochet? We absolutely LOVE the Olympics around here and are so excited to watch!

• I'm already thinking towards spring... I'd like to knit a couple of Wonderful Wallaby hooded pullovers for my boys. I'm going to use Berroco Weekend which is a new cotton/acrylic blend. I have a soft willow green coming in the mail that I'm going to use for the babe. I'm not sure which color to use for my older son, I will let him pick out the color and I'm pretty sure he'll pick red like he always does. Here in Maine these cotton blend sweaters will come in handy all throughout spring, summer and fall.

• The babe is going to be THREE in a few weeks. Can you believe it!?

• Des Moines Metro Knitters is going to be FIVE later this month! The group now has over 300 members and has had almost 800 organized meetups. I haven't been in Iowa for a year, but this group will always hold a VERY LARGE special place in my heart and I've made friendships that will hold fast for a lifetime.

• Also later this month will mark one year living here in Maine for our family... THAT is crazy, too. Where does the time go? It seems that the older I get, the faster time flies.

• Not much else to report. I've been away from this space, but I'm still on the internets. I've been playing on Twitter a lot more than Facebook lately. Facebook just keeps growing more and more annoying to me. Plus, I don't like getting bombarded with hokey game and quiz requests. Blah! Twitter really keeps things simple and I like that. Feel free to follow me over there.

• I've also been doing a good share of web design work... making a little money to supplement the yarn stash fund. ;) It's been fun to get in to this again.

• I have a couple of my own web site projects that I'm working on. No details yet, but soon ... very soon! I'm very excited about them.

• We've had almost record LACK of snowfall here in Maine this winter. We only have a couple of inches here and there and lots of bare spots. The majority of the past month has been very sunny and mild albeit cold. It's been a real treat to have streaming sunshine warm the house every day. The sun comes up before 7 and goes down just after 5 o'clock now. I've figured out that this is about 45 minutes earlier on both ends than Iowa. In the summer on the longest days, the sun is up before 5! Mainers are generally early risers. The town is really abuzz pretty early... even for such a small town that we live in now. I like this a lot.

• We live two blocks from a clock tower and a UU church both of which chime on a regular basis. I like this a lot, too.

• Despite living in the middle of town, it is SO dark at night. The stars are incredibly bright. Every night before bed (on a clear night) we all stand at the babe's window and look at the stars.

See? Told you it was going to be random! See you in a bit....

Oh luggage, where art thou?

Firstly, my Mom is already perking up and is recuperating after her surgery. She's amazing. We're having a very mellow time here. It's so nice to visit with her. So strange to not have my little men with me though.

My luggage didn't make it here to Iowa. I'm betting it's the combination of canceled, shuffled and delayed flights out of Chicago. Hopefully it makes it here though ... five pairs of my favorite socks. Patti's mittens, plus a hefty stash of emergency sock yarn. Oh yea, and my clothes, toiletries, vitamins, yadda yadda. However, no diamonds. No medication. It won't be the end of the world. That combined with the canceled and delayed flights yesterday made for fun travel, I tell ya what.

Sounds like I got out of there just in time though. I heard that we got 10 inches of snow in Maine overnight. Crazy! Didn't see that one coming. I just hope that the weather is decent when I fly home on Saturday.

Thanks for all of the well-wishes and good thoughts. I appreciate it all. I ended up saving the last post about my Mom as a draft... some of you read it, some of you didn't get a chance. It was mostly therapeutic and very personal... definitely better left as a draft and not floating out here in blogland for all eternity.

Oh luggage, where art thou?

Firstly, my Mom is already perking up and is recuperating after her surgery. She's amazing. We're having a very mellow time here. It's so nice to visit with her. So strange to not have my little men with me though.

My luggage didn't make it here to Iowa. I'm betting it's the combination of canceled, shuffled and delayed flights out of Chicago. Hopefully it makes it here though ... five pairs of my favorite socks. Patti's mittens, plus a hefty stash of emergency sock yarn. Oh yea, and my clothes, toiletries, vitamins, yadda yadda. However, no diamonds. No medication. It won't be the end of the world. That combined with the canceled and delayed flights yesterday made for fun travel, I tell ya what.

Sounds like I got out of there just in time though. I heard that we got 10 inches of snow in Maine overnight. Crazy! Didn't see that one coming. I just hope that the weather is decent when I fly home on Saturday.

Thanks for all of the well-wishes and good thoughts. I appreciate it all. I ended up saving the last post about my Mom as a draft... some of you read it, some of you didn't get a chance. It was mostly therapeutic and very personal... definitely better left as a draft and not floating out here in blogland for all eternity.

Help Haiti!

I'm so utterly inspired to help those who have lost it all in Haiti. It's so hard to imagine how tough life is at this moment. The devastation is overwhelming from afar... it must be all consuming up close and personal. :(

I'm in awe of the generosity of our knitting community as seen over at Yarn Harlot and all throughout blogland. Lets keep it rolling!



ALSO -- From today through 1/21/10, Purl Diva Ellen will be donating all of the profits from online sales of the Sniffle Mitts pattern to the Red Cross to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. If you already own the Sniffle Mitts pattern, you might consider buying the pattern for someone else through Ravelry's gifting option. Click HERE to start the process. (also, it's just a rockin' great pattern that I know you'll love).

Help Haiti!

I'm so utterly inspired to help those who have lost it all in Haiti. It's so hard to imagine how tough life is at this moment. The devastation is overwhelming from afar... it must be all consuming up close and personal. :(

I'm in awe of the generosity of our knitting community as seen over at Yarn Harlot and all throughout blogland. Lets keep it rolling!



ALSO -- From today through 1/21/10, Purl Diva Ellen will be donating all of the profits from online sales of the Sniffle Mitts pattern to the Red Cross to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. If you already own the Sniffle Mitts pattern, you might consider buying the pattern for someone else through Ravelry's gifting option. Click HERE to start the process. (also, it's just a rockin' great pattern that I know you'll love).

Random Wednesday

• I think it's time to update my blog design. I'm tired of the blue.
  
• I started knitting a moebius cowl last night: Harmonia's Rings Cowl by Sivia Harding. I watched Cat Bordhi's wonderful moebius cast on video on You Tube to help get me started.
  
• I love the 'Rules by the Meanest Mommy in the World' blog. Funny stuff that I can relate to.
• I also have a pair of mittens on my needles. The pattern is the Snow Glade Mittens. I'm using Rowanspun 4ply. They're knitting up beautifully! I'm pacing myself -- 10 rows per day. I'll have a pair in about two weeks.
  
• I finished another pair of mittens but they're a gift so I'll share the details after my friend receives them.
• I have the itch to build something. I'm thinking a new headboard for my son, and maybe a plant stand. We'll see how far that itch goes. Maybe I'm just itching for tag sale season.
  
• So far, Winter here in Maine has been lovely. We have had a few snowy sessions, but in between it's been bright and sunny. What a treat! I can't remember the last time I actually enjoyed winter.
  

Random Wednesday

• I think it's time to update my blog design. I'm tired of the blue.


• I started knitting a moebius cowl last night: Harmonia's Rings Cowl by Sivia Harding. I watched Cat Bordhi's wonderful moebius cast on video on You Tube to help get me started.


• I love the 'Rules by the Meanest Mommy in the World' blog. Funny stuff that I can relate to.


• I also have a pair of mittens on my needles. The pattern is the Snow Glade Mittens. I'm using Rowanspun 4ply. They're knitting up beautifully! I'm pacing myself -- 10 rows per day. I'll have a pair in about two weeks.


• I finished another pair of mittens but they're a gift so I'll share the details after my friend receives them.


• I have the itch to build something. I'm thinking a new headboard for my son, and maybe a plant stand. We'll see how far that itch goes. Maybe I'm just itching for tag sale season.


• So far, Winter here in Maine has been lovely. We have had a few snowy sessions, but in between it's been bright and sunny. What a treat! I can't remember the last time I actually enjoyed winter.

Winter Wonderland

Balsams Grand Resort, Dixville Notch, NH
MOOSE!

Winter Wonderland

Balsams Grand Resort, Dixville Notch, NH
MOOSE!

Meandering Musica Mittens

Yesterday I got the opportunity to take some 'mental health' time. Getting out on my own is something I rarely get a chance to do. But it does us all a lot of good when I do. I was gone all day just doing what I want... it mostly ended up being a lot of driving but that is how it goes out here. I cranked the tunes loud enough so there was nothing in my head but lyrics, and cruised to several of my favorite spots. I had seafood chowdah for lunch at Pineland Farms, then I high tailed it out to Fort Popham and took a very brisk walk around the fort and along the beach. It was a balmy 32 degrees but the wind was biting. It was so peaceful and quiet. This is one of our favorite summer spots and it's just so different in the winter yet equally as awesome.

While out there, I took some photos of the mittens that I just finished up:

Musica Mittens by Lilia Mankki
US 4 needles
Elsa Wool Company Woolen-Spun Sport Weight Cormo
Ravelry Link

The palm of the mitten is shown on the left

After my walk, I went to Halcyon Yarn in Bath. My favorite spot at Halcyon is the aisle where they keep the Peace Fleece, Bartlett and Harrisville. These are all local yarns so that alone is so cool. But the aisle is actually two huge old wooden shelves that tower high above me. It's a spiritual experience for a knitter to stand in that aisle and just bask in the wooly goodness. I am sure that many other knitters who have been in that aisle have felt the same. I picked out enough Peace Fleece (Lena's Meadow) for my next project and headed out.


I continued to meander around a while... I went to Grace Robinson in Freeport and bought some discontinued Rowanspun 4ply for a pair of mittens. I also picked up the latest Piecework which has the neatest birch mitten pattern in it and also a new stitch pattern from Barbara Walker which I'm now trying to figure out how to build in to a project. Socks? A crew neck pullover for the babe? Not sure!

I headed down to Portland after that. It's been a couple months since I've been in 'the city' and it was rush hour. After living out here in this small town where everything I need to do is within town limits, it was quite the shock to the system to be in the fast pace of traffic again. I drove past Knit Wit Yarn Shop again and there was no where to park like usual so I skipped it, again. I parked up on the eastern promenade and went for a long twilight walk. After that I headed home -- a good 50 miles along with rush hour traffic makes for a long drive. After about 15 though I was out in the woods again and appreciating our quiet, small town and quiet, small life. I actually made it home for dinner with the guys After that my fingers were itching so much to dive in to all that new wool.

A great day all in all. One that I really needed.

Meandering Musica Mittens

Yesterday I got the opportunity to take some 'mental health' time. Getting out on my own is something I rarely get a chance to do. But it does us all a lot of good when I do. I was gone all day just doing what I want... it mostly ended up being a lot of driving but that is how it goes out here. I cranked the tunes loud enough so there was nothing in my head but lyrics, and cruised to several of my favorite spots. I had seafood chowdah for lunch at Pineland Farms, then I high tailed it out to Fort Popham and took a very brisk walk around the fort and along the beach. It was a balmy 32 degrees but the wind was biting. It was so peaceful and quiet. This is one of our favorite summer spots and it's just so different in the winter yet equally as awesome.

While out there, I took some photos of the mittens that I just finished up:

Musica Mittens by Lilia Mankki
US 4 needles
Elsa Wool Company Woolen-Spun Sport Weight Cormo
Ravelry Link

The palm of the mitten is shown on the left

After my walk, I went to Halcyon Yarn in Bath. My favorite spot at Halcyon is the aisle where they keep the Peace Fleece, Bartlett and Harrisville. These are all local yarns so that alone is so cool. But the aisle is actually two huge old wooden shelves that tower high above me. It's a spiritual experience for a knitter to stand in that aisle and just bask in the wooly goodness. I am sure that many other knitters who have been in that aisle have felt the same. I picked out enough Peace Fleece (Lena's Meadow) for my next project and headed out.


I continued to meander around a while... I went to Grace Robinson in Freeport and bought some discontinued Rowanspun 4ply for a pair of mittens. I also picked up the latest Piecework which has the neatest birch mitten pattern in it and also a new stitch pattern from Barbara Walker which I'm now trying to figure out how to build in to a project. Socks? A crew neck pullover for the babe? Not sure!

I headed down to Portland after that. It's been a couple months since I've been in 'the city' and it was rush hour. After living out here in this small town where everything I need to do is within town limits, it was quite the shock to the system to be in the fast pace of traffic again. I drove past Knit Wit Yarn Shop again and there was no where to park like usual so I skipped it, again. I parked up on the eastern promenade and went for a long twilight walk. After that I headed home -- a good 50 miles along with rush hour traffic makes for a long drive. After about 15 though I was out in the woods again and appreciating our quiet, small town and quiet, small life. I actually made it home for dinner with the guys After that my fingers were itching so much to dive in to all that new wool.

A great day all in all. One that I really needed.

Blue Moon!

On New Years Eve the clouds and snow cleared just long enough for us to see the blue moon! Shortly after it clouded up again and it's been snowing ever since.

Blue Moon!

On New Years Eve the clouds and snow cleared just long enough for us to see the blue moon! Shortly after it clouded up again and it's been snowing ever since.

Happy New Year!

My 2009 Knits

2010 New Years Knitting Resolutions:

1. Knit a pair of socks in every Shaded Solid Socks That Rock Colorway.
2. Participate in the 52 pair (of socks) plunge.
3. Participate in NaKniSweMoDo (knit 12 adult sweaters in a year)
4. Participate in Ravelympics.
5. Go to all of the Sheep & Wool Festivals on the east coast.
6. Spin enough yarn to knit a sweater
7. Learn how to spin

OK... so these aren't my real New Years Knitting Resolutions... but wishful thinking!

Here are some realistic goals...

1. Have fun with my knitting
2. Try new things
3. Buy local
4. Knit local
5. Knit from my stash more often
6. No pressure! See #1.

May we all knit happily through another year. Happy 2010!