Our Christmas

For Christmas this year we had an extra EXTRA NICE addition: DD's boyfriend.
He and his parents don't really do much in the way of celebrating on that day, so he spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day with us. One of our tradtions is to open our stocking on Christmas Eve, so we went out, got him a stocking, and stuffed it to the gills with goodies and yummies. Didn't want him feeling left out, and he's truly become a good friend to us. DD was surprised, too: we didn't tell her we were going to do that.
Christmas morning we all opened our presents, then DS and I made enough bacon, eggs, and buttered toast with jelly to feed an army. Had coffee, juice, chocolate milk, too.
In the afternoon we went to spend the rest of the day with DH's very large family. He comes from a clan of 6 boys (one passed) and two sisters; his parents then had 12 grandchildren,and 5 great-grandchildren. Sooooo there was a lot of noise but even more fun.
After a large dinner we opened presents. The off-white scarves I'd knitted (pic and info in previous post) were very well received.
One of the MANY gifts that was passed out to DH came last. Two of his brothers are retired and have taken up golf, and have been trying to get DH to play, too. I wasn't surprised to see a very large, tall box for him and knew exactly what it was: one of the BILs had bought a set of clubs and the bag at a garage sale for him!
Last night DH put a cup down on the floor in our living room, took out the putter and some of the balls that came with, and started practicing. It looked like fun so I had at it. No brag just fact: I hit more in than he did :-)

Gifts I received:
$30 gift card to Jo-Ann from DD
$30 gift card to Kohls from DS
Flat-screen LCD computer monitor from DH
Weight-lifting gloves from DH (I need them so the weights don't slip in my hands)
Top Chef game for my computer from DH
plus LOTS of goodies from the BILs and SILs
and $100 from MIL

My birthday is coming up soon, so I'm wating to use the gift cards and the money from MIL after. Don't want to spoil anyone's surprises!

Something for me

Now that the Christmas gift knitting is finished, wrapped up, and put under the tree I thought it was time to make something for myself.
These socks were in progress in one of my many totes, so I resumed working on them while watching a movie with DH the other night.
Big mistake.
Never knit while watching an intense action movie.
Instead of doing the toe decreases, I was making the ones for the gusset.
So, last night I finished un-knitting six rows stitch by stiche then finished kniting the toe -- correctly this time. Kitchenered it closed this morning, and the pair is now drying on a rack.
I love the colors, they fit great, and I'd definitely knit with Opal again.

Something for me :-)

In 2008 at the Upper Valley Fiber Fest http://www.uppervalleyfiberfest.org
I bought a lovely skein of hand dyed yarn to make pair of socks for me.

It's been languishing in my stash; I couldn't bring myself to do anything but pet it, it's so pretty and soft. The bamboo in the yarn just makes it so luxurious.

Then, at the 2009 UVFF I saw the person I'd bought the yarn from and she encouraged me to go ahead and knit with the yarn. Thanks, Andrea. :-) I just finished grafting the toe and have a gorgeous new pair of socks!

Finished -- finally

First, I have to say that I really do love this pattern. It's a no-brainer, making it easy to do while at the weekly sit 'n stitch at the LYS, or watching a movie or sporting event with DH.

As I said in a previous post, I've been making identical scarves for three sisters-in-law for Christmas gifts. After the first one was completed I immediately cast on for the second. Getting scarf #2 finished took a little longer; I'm alternating working on the scarves while knitting socks for myself and gifts.

Then came #3.

I love the pattern, the yarn is soft and pretty -- but making three scarves in a row in the same color proved to be tiresome and monotonous. I had to remind myself too often (major guilt) while knitting #3 that it's a gift of love.

The resulting scarf is so much prettier than in the picture.

I'm very happy with the results, even if they stick the scarf in the back of a closet, regift it to a friend or co-worker, or better yet donate it to charity. :-)

Now all I have to do is talk myself out of making #4 for me.....

Winnings at local ag fair

Every October, the local school district has an agricultural fair. It's for FCCLA and FHA members, and anyone in the township can enter.

This year I entered (from left to right):
One Row Handspun Scarf, won first in the Knitting class. One strand is Merino/mohair (locally grown), the other is Jacobs.
Dark red/dark green/multi handspun yarn, won first in Crafts - others. Fiber content is Coopworth/Polypay/alpaca.
Another handspun skein of yarn, won first in Crafts - others. Scroll down to previous posts and you can read specifics about that one.
Socks, won first in the Knitting class. (commercial yarn)
Got second place for Amateur Photography; lol didn't take a picture of that one.

I've already started getting ideas for next year's entries. :-)

Wool Gathering goodies

Went to Wool Gathering on the first day, September 19, and had a great time.
Left to right each row, starting at top left, here's what I got:

ball of dyed Romney roving to spin
2 skeins of Calypso sock yarn from Creatively Dyed
Covers for my hand cards
Ashford “student” top-whorl drop spindle
messenger bag with sheep on front
long-sleeve WG tee
ball of alpaca/wool roving to spin
2 small top-whorl drop spindles
Zauerball sock yarn
2 packets green firestar to blend with
3 more packets firestar
pound of white Merino
Wild Fibers magazine

I realize it’s sacrilege but didn’t get any ice cream .

The booth I had the most trouble with, deciding what to get, was Creatively Dyed. Dianne is the most amazing colorist! The rainbow of colors in her booth and yarn is beautiful beyond imagination, and her talent is beyond compare. The colors finally decided on were in her Calypso line: Paulo, and her best-seller My Boy Blue. Husband helped me choose; said I'd been using a lot of "Fall" colors and should getting something bright. My only regret is not having gotten more. All Creatively Dyed yarn is truly amazing, but I keep going back to Calypso -- I hope she never stops making it. :-)

Wool Gathering in Yellow Springs, Ohio this weekend

Here's where I'll be this coming Saturday; look for me in the Upper Valley Fiber Guild booth from noon until 2. Don't know yet if I'm taking my wheel or spindle, to not only demo in the booth but also to participate in the first annual WWSIP (World Wide Spin In Public) day. I'll probably take both.
Before and after my stint in the booth, I'll be shopping, shopping, and more shopping! :-) DH comes along and has a great time -- he even remembers what booth I saw something in that I want to go back for, and makes sure I do! We pack a cooler with sandwiches, pop, chips, etc. but definitely leave the dessert to Young's. Can't go there without getting some ice cream.

Anyway, here's the details; hope to see you there.

The annual Wool Gathering fiber festival will be held at Young's Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs , Ohio . It will be in the by-now traditional big tents, on Saturday September 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday September 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will once again have Eugene Haudenschield shearing sheep, John Allread herding ducks (actually, his Border Collies do the herding), and Jeb McKinley playing music with kids. We will also have make-it take-it crafts...and admission and parking are free.

We decided to keep the size of the Gathering the same as last year, so expect 80+ vendors in the two big tents and outside, and lots of activity in the livestock tent. The Central Ohio Weavers' Guild, the Weavers' Guild of Miami Valley, and the Upper Valley Fiber Guild will be present, and the Dayton Crochet Guild and the Dayton Knitting Guild will offer lessons for beginners and problem-solving for those of us with unfinished and puzzling projects. In addition to stacks of supplies for all fiber artists, we're offering classes in felting, punch needle, and rugs from roving. Check out everything on the web site, http://www.awoolgathering.com.

The first day of Wool Gathering fiber festival, September 19, is also the first World Wide Spin in Public Day. Join in the fun with your wheel or spindle, and be sure to look for the many demonstrations by vendors and the various guilds.