Category: Golightly Swaps

Catching Up

So much to show, so much to tell.  Taos was wonderful, especially because my girlie Liz adopted an adorable mutt, Tiwa, from the Taos Pueblo.  I’m sure she’ll have the whole story and pictures up before long, so I’ll let you read about them from her.  Trust me, though, Tiwa is possibly the most amazing little pup, and she got lots of love at the conference.  She’s hit the lottery going to live with such a loving family, too! 

I workshopped a story that I first drafted about two years ago, and I think I’m almost done with it.  I plan to give it one more draft, then send it out into the world of seldom-read lit mags.  Believe me, I’ll keep you posted if there is ever good news on the writing front.

I got back on the wheel pretty quickly after my return home.  Tour de Fleece, after all, is almost at a close.  I, as noted on the Tour blog, am among those who decided to change strategy.  After much input from spinners wiser than I am, I ordered some new roving for my sock yarn challenge.  I’ve got almost an entire bobbin filled, but I spin on a Lendrum, so that’s not saying much!  I do have a question, though.  I’ve got 8 oz. of roving, all of which I intend to spin.  So, I’ll also need to ply that, too, right?  So I’ll have the "length" of 4 oz. of roving, all together, right?  Does that make any sense whatsoever?

Ok.  Now for some pictures.

Img_1044 My KSKS kit from Scout!  She included a fabu fair isle pattern from Blue Moon, her own beautiful handpainted yarn, lovely stitch markers, an extra skein of sock yarn in a beautiful burgundy, pretty incense and lots of tasty goodies.  I had a great visit with her, T., the Super kids, and Mr. Gus, the baby dog.  I’ll confess.  It was hard to leave them all behind in NM!  Either they’ve got to move back east (ha!) or I may need to go back there.  By the way, did you notice how Scout chose a fabric that matches my blog? 

There were packages waiting for me when I got home, too. Img_1049_1

The gorgeous July Project Spectrum color from Mama-E.

And.

Img_1042 This lovely box of goodies from my One Skein Secret Pal.  She spun the yarn herself, and it is SO pretty!  Thank you! 

125

That’s the number of participants at last count for KSKS.  I’ve sent "welcome e-mails" to 106 folks, and I’ll do more when I get back from the post office to mail a package to my Dye-o-Rama pal.  She’s had to wait to the bitter end to get her yarn, and I hope she thinks it was worth it!

You might have read about Scout’s rough day over the weekend.  My heart goes out to her, and I hope you’ll send some happy thoughts her way.  I adore her kids–they are so much fun.  And Chulo’s an awfully nice boy–if I were in NM still, I’d have adopted him.  I know how her kids love him; I can just imagine what a hard weekend it’s been.  So lots of love to Scout and her gang. 

While I dyed the yarn the other day, I took a bunch of pictures of blue things in the house.  Here’s my favorite one.Img_0965_1   Neal bought this last winter at a local antique store and put it up in the bathroom.  It’s adorable in a strange kind of way.  I’ll save the other blue pictures for the rest of the month. 

There’s more Project Spectrum around here though.  Mama-E’s June Bug arrived on Saturday.  I love the tone of the blue she used for this yarn…if you don’t have some already, be sure to go visit her.  And Kitters, she’s offered a 10% discount on your kit yarn!

Less than 20 hours to sign up for KSKS.  Remember:  Do not fear the bag.  Do not fear the pattern. 

Thank You, OSP!

Img_0980 A great big thank you to my One Skein Secret Pal from the West Coast.  My package arrived today with a lovely note, two skeins of of SWTC Phoenix in black and a pattern for a lovely stole that is knit with different sized needles.  I can’t wait to cast on for it!

While planning for KSKS, I dyed my pal’s Dye-o-Rama yarn yesterday.  It’s hanging off the dining room chandelier, almost dry.  About every hour I fondle it to see if I can reskein it yet.  I think I should be able to this evening.  I’ll post pictures of the process over the weekend.  Let me drop a hint…it’s quite Project Spectrum-y!

Whaddya Think? Knit Sock Kit Swap? Yea or Nay?

This morning Dave asked what the next fun swap was going to be, and I slyly let him know that I, PoMo Golightly, had an idea.  I’ve been thinking about this since Sockapaloooza and while I’ve been learning to dye for Dye-o-Rama.  Both of my pals sent great stuff to go along with the socks and yarn, and I thought What about an exchange in which participants make a little (sock-size) project bag out of whatever materials they chose (felt a bag, sew a bag, reconstruct a bag from recycled sweaters…you get the picture)? 

Then I thought about how I get nervous and edgy and, you know, avoidy about adjusting patterns, how I pretend that I just can’t do the math necessary to adjust a pattern to fit as needed (what do you always say, Noelle?  Math-impaired Barbie?).  So what if the exchange included a requirement to take one of the gazillion wonderful sock patterns available, give full credit to its author (of course, of course!), and customize the pattern for a perfect fit for your pal.  So many swaps I’ve done have helped me improve my skills, and this is an area where I need improving.  Maybe a few of you fellow knitters do, too?

I passed the idea by my pal Scout, who thought a poll was in order.  So head on over to visit her, send your friends over, and let us know if you’re interested, or if this is just a dorky idea, and I should just plan on doing my algebra homework alone!  If enough people are into it, Scout’s promised to help me out, and we all know that means a fabu time for everyone involved!  G’on, let us know what you think!

ETA:  For anyone interested in dates and a timeline: sign ups June 16-18, matches by June 26, final mail date August 11 (my mom’s b’day!).

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