Alpaca Wrap

I worked on this wrap for several hours last night. I finished the suggested number of rows and I realized that there was a lot of yarn left on the ball. I stretched it and discovered that it is not wide enough. What could be the problem? Correct number of rows (minus the three garter row border), not wide enough, plenty of yarn???? Could the pattern be wrong? Needles? Never thought to check needles before beginning. Why should I? My sister gave me this project all in a nice Ziploc bag for me to complete for her (She did not like the fuzz produced from the 100% Alpaca). Now the hunt is on for a needle gauge. The pattern says US 8. They don't look like US 8. But it is 12 midnight, nothing looks quite right anyway. I have been working hard to complete this project. I want to pile my FO and start on new yarn, new designs. This yarn has been sitting for 13 months and two people, to turn into a wonderful, warm wrap. Now where is my new needle gauge?? I just got it at Stitched East. from www.debrasgarden.com. I look in my closet with all of my jewelry, no luck. I look on my bedside table, no luck. Go back to my closet and under a postcard my needle gauge. My eyes search for the little laser etched number 8. There it is. Before I even poke my needle thru I know that the needle in my hand is not an 8. I carefully insert my shinny silver Addi turbo needle perfectly in to the hole marked....6. A perfect fit! Since this is the first time I have used my Nautilus needle gauge, it was a beautiful moment to this functional tool turned art work return to a functional purpose. WHAT?!?! 6? Six? No this can't be. I look at the pattern instructions again and back to the needle. I just spent all weekend and the beginning of this week trying to finish a wrap---that I didn't even buy, and I will return to the owner---that the entire time I have been knitting on the wrong size needle. I will not frog this. Remain calm. Put the wrap down. Put the point protectors on the end, and go to bed. You will figure this out in the morning. Well I did figure it out, complete as many more rows as possible before running out of yarn, wash, block, wear (once), photograph and give it to its rightful owner.

Yarn, Yarn and more Yarn

I think I need medication. I can not help my addiction to yarn. I know that there are worse things to be addicted to but I know when I die my kids are going to know that Mom was crazy. I know that they will think it anyway but the yarn will be the proof, as will the books and the scrapbooking. I am just a crafty person, with OCD, with ADD.
I was hoping to take pictures today but the weather is overcast and the colors just don't work when there is no natural sunlight. I do not have a photography booth. (Note to self: don't buy one just to take pictures of yarn.)
This is the first year that I am knitting Christmas presents. I almost finished with my Grandma's wrap. Next I am going to start on a pair of mittens. I am also going to start on a lap blanket. I don't want to say who they are going to because in the world of knitting things don't always get done on time!

Back from Stitches East

Once again the hand knit world has proven amazing to me. I have learned new techniques, met individual I want to keep up with (and others I don't) and I found out that there are some that I knew but don't ever care to talk to again. All of this wealth of info at a knitting conference! I did not take pictures of fellow knitters like I thought I would. I just didn't think that would be fair. I am not Clinton or Stacy, so I kept my comments to myself or my sister. I will take pictures of my newest collection of yarn! Ohh the colors. Angora. Quivit. Wool. Silk. Roving.

I will not talk about the unpleasantries, just the good stuff. I don't think there were as many knitters this year as last. And I doubt that I will be going to Stitches East next year because it is in Hartford, Ct. And man that place sounds COLD! Maybe I should go just to experience the Northeast. However XRX book and Stitches presented Stitches South in Atlanta, Ga. Now that is more my speed! In April too!!!! I just have a lot of knitting to do to prove to Tony that all of my shopping was worth it!

I want to share my thoughts with USAirways. They charge you for luggage, so 3/4 of the people try to 'carry-on' all they they can so they will not be charged. At that point all of the overhead bins become full requiring passengers to stop and have their luggage turned in for gate check in. After a few minutes of this the jetway staff begin to worry that the flight will not depart on time and begin to get snippy with the customers waiting to board the plane. This entire delay is all based on the greediness of the airlines.
Let me talk about the airports and the TSA. A closed full bottle of water is not allowed to pass thru TSA security. You can purchase a bottle of water from the many newsstands on your way to you plane for $2.35 (Charlotte-Douglas International Airport). You can purchase one from your in-air infomerical hostess for $2.00. This same bottle of water could cost you less than $.50 if purchased at a discount store on sale, or even with a coupon. One of my two most recent infomercial hostess was just about one of the worst individuals in any customer service industry. Are they really that unhappy with their jobs that they procede to try to make everyone elses day miserable? I was sternly informed that my bag's strap needed to be removed from the aisle, granted I was trying to reach my wallet that was in my bag to pay for the $2.00 CranApple drink! After I heard her raise her voice to another passenger for not giving correct change, I thougt that getting the $2.00 from my wallet might warrant a 'thank you' but no such luck.
I am all for airport security, but how is it that you can't take fingernail clippers but a 14" set on knitting needles seems like a fine object to fly with. In a flight I took just over a year ago I got on the plane with a small scissors. Where is the consistancy need to truely make our sky safe? A lighter OK, nail clippers NOT? Is it just me or are some of the regulations stupid?
I just heard a commedian say something like this.....The Department of Homeland Security issues daily treat levels--- these are useless because most americans have no idea what they mean and what to do. And since 9-11 we have been at yellow or orange. Daily some terriorist wants to kill us so why even have green? We are always in some danger.
I have made this decision; if I can get somewhere in 6 hours by car than it is not worth airlines, airports or the TSA.

Back from Puerto Rico

I am back! Comming back after 6 days I could see the change in the colors of the leaves. Fall is truely here! I know that the nights got cold and it is showing in the trees. Bright orange is the color that is hitting my eye most right now. The Dogwoods have faded from bright to burnt red. there is one maple tucked in the trees in the lot beside me that is a beautiful lime-yellow, unharmed by the shock of the cold under the canopy of tall pines. Fall and Spring are the most exciting time for the eyes. The trees show colors hidden behind the lush green of the summer months. Within a week most of the color will be gone and with it the leaves. The dull brown of the leaves that are left and the greys of the trunks will be all that remains until spring. How wonderful spring will be! I can just see the bright greens beginning to dance in the spring wind. As you can see the colors of all seasons is represented in the building of Puerto Rico! Bright orange, lime green even the dull browns and greys of winter.

Not much exciting knitting happening in Puerto Rico but I did knit. I made two market bags, worked on Abuelita's wrap and I designed a new scarf. I hope to have the pattern written for the scarf by Thanksgiving. The design uses a tuck stitch....Oooooh. And muliple colors. Double Oooooh. Maybe I can take a picture for a sneak peak.

I leave for Stitches East on Thursday! I am sooo excited. I have a little homework to do but it should be easy. Homework should be done on a light wool, a yarn that has give and stitch defination will pop. Let's see... Yes, I have it Berocco's Ultra Alpaca. In the beautiful cream! Or maybe the light grey. Oh no a delima with homework colors. I have already begun packing! I can not wait to take pictures and show everyone what the 'big' deal with Stitches is. Thousands of knitters and crocheters. Proudly showing everyone what they have made is just amazing. Some people look amazing and what some wear just amaze me at why they even purchased the yarn in the first place much less wear it. I am going to try to take as many pictures as I can.

I know that I will freeze walking from the convention center and the hotel. Sweatpants, long sleeve t's and jackets are the way to go. I have even made a felt jacket and vest from recycled sweaters for the cold. I know that most people dress up alittle for the fashion show but I just don't know if I can do it.

I want to start on a larger, more complicated project but I don't want to drag it to Baltimore with me. So I will just finish my Abuelita's wrap. I just love working with the Cashmere-silk blend. I just don't know what she will think of the colors. Teals, blues and deep purple.

I want to thank those that have given me pictures for my post. Tommy, Pam, Melinda and Michelle. I will need more to add to the website.

This is Tommy's 'Jack'! What a BEAUTIFUL piece of art! Yes art. Completely designed my mind---meaning no pattern. What you might not notice is that Jack's head is suspended on a skinny little neck! Jack has an internal structure that keeps his head from flopping around!

This is Tommy's foot inside a sock. Once again in a design that he came up with him self. He used a square toe, and the magic loop, toe up method made popular by Cat Borhdi. He take on the heel in a different manner! I am not a sock person there for I can not describe what exactly he did because I don't understand it! Next time I speak to him I will make sure to take notes.