Tranquil Saturday Sky

*

Today's predicted thunderstorm lasted about five minutes, unfortunately. We could have really used the rain.

*

Tuesday Sky, TNK, and an audience with The Queen

*

Here it is Wednesday, and I'm blogging about something that happened only yesterday. Wonders never cease!

Last night I took this picture while driving down Midlothian Turnpike, on my way to knit night. Actually, I took it while stopped at a traffic light, lest you think I would be so reckless as to photograph-while-driving. (I would, but those shots came out too blurry.) ;-)



And speaking of knit night....

Sound Ye Trumpets! Last night we were pleasantly surprised by a visit from an honored guest -- none other than The Queen herself, Her Royal Highness Bess Haile, who was in town taking care of some family business.

Bess was gracious enough to model her most recent accomplishment, her KnitPicks Palette Fair Isle Cardigan, (aka "KipFee"):

Isn't it fabulous?
*

You can see other pictures of it on her blog, here and here. It's been a lot of fun to follow along with her as she's knit this masterpiece.

Other knitters who had an audience with The Queen last night, (okay, many were really sitting at the other end of the table, but play along with the metaphor, will ya?), included:

The Queen's Court, with Linda (left) and Renny (right) in the foreground
*

Tami & Christina
*

Issy & Rita
*

Deb, Robin C., and Sheddy
*

Sherry R. and Judy
*

And Mary Jane was able to break away from her shop and her new puppies to visit with us a bit. Here she is modeling another beautiful Sursa shawl, knit in a solid color of Noro Silk Garden Lite, (I believe) Cestari Cotton, which is another wonderful way to do the shawl:

Love it!
*

And here is Mary Jane's lap, with a couple of awesome knitting projects in it:

On top is her mitered-square jacket project, whose gorgeous colors never fail to delight me. Underneath the mitered squares is a shrug she is knitting using Araucania Pomaire, which has got to be the softest cotton (100% Pima) I have ever felt - I couldn't believe it was cotton. I now know what I want to knit my next cotton project with! And I know where I can get some!

And finally, here's Jane meditating on the zen of knitting, ( <- my excuse for bad photography), while modeling her latest project, the "Go Everywhere, Go With Everything Cardigan" on the cover of the first Stitch 'n Bitch book:

Jane is going to edge it with black mohair, which should look really nice. She's almost done -- just one sleeve to go!

Once again, a fun evening with my peeps. And after all the knitting, we did a little shopping, (it's dangerous to meet so regularly at a bookstore -- almost as dangerous as a yarn shop!), and I found a book that I really like, so felt compelled to buy it:

Regular Virgin Wool readers will know that I've been madly knitting hats for the last six months, it seems, and this book has a ton of really cute and inspiring patterns, so I will never have to scratch my head again (no pun intended) (okay, maybe a little) when I need ideas or an actual pattern.

It seems I've been on a little bit of a knitting-related spending spree lately, and I blame the advent of spring. (Gotta blame something, right?) I can go for months at a time, and even go to knitting retreats and fiber festivals, and not buy much, (although, don't get me started about that recent weekend at the beach), but for some reason, this past week I've been shopping like yarn and knitting-related accessories were going out of style.

Yesterday I shared a few things I've recently purchased, although, in my (weak) defense, they weren't purchased all at once.

And tomorrow, I will share an enormous (for me) yarn haul I made at a fantastic sale last week.

I would like to think I'm done with the spree for awhile, but there is the little matter of Patsy's yarn sale on Sunday. And the Spring Fiber Festival two weeks from Saturday. And Maryland Sheep & Wool in May....

Heaven help me! :-)

*

Yarn Therapy

*

(If I ever open my own yarn shop, that's what I'm going to call it.)

This morning I woke up to a new sensation -- no wheezing! It's been over a week since I've woken wheeze-free, and that was cause to celebrate.

Several weeks ago, Charlottesville knitter-blogger Krista and I had agreed to meet today in Carytown at the Yarn Lounge, and after this week's illness, up until this very morning, I wasn't sure I'd be well enough to make it.

But merciful God, who created all things sheepy and woolly, saw fit to move me far enough along in my convalescence that I felt I could safely leave my house and my inhaler for a few hours without fear of suffocation. God is good! ;-)

After all, there's nothing like a little Yarn Therapy to ease one's suffering.

When I got to the Yarn Lounge, guess who I ran into? None other than a couple of our Colonial Heights knitting friends, Becky and Pam. What a nice surprise to see them! I hadn't seen Becky since our Knitting at the Lake retreat, and hadn't seen Pam since our Knitting at the Beach weekend. It's sure fun to run into other knitters we know!

Becky & Pam pay for their purchases with Melanie
*

Krista was already there at the shop with her fellow Charlottesville knitter-blogger friend Margaret, (who works at The Needle Lady), and they'd wasted no time in gettin' down to shopping:

Margaret and Krista
*

We all shopped more, and then sat and knit for awhile with Yarn Lounge employees Melanie and Cate, which was quite pleasant.

Another treat -- the Yarn Lounge was having a Knitting Nature trunk show, so I got to see and feel some of those beautiful items up close and personal:

Some really lovely designs here, knit up with fabulous yarns.

*

Y'all know Cate is collecting donations for Afghans for Afghans, right? I think this weekend is probably the last chance to add to this pile:

before she ships everything off to Afghanistan. Thanks for your efforts, Cate!

If you take a close look at the item at the very top of that pile (above), you might recognize it as the hat I knit for my younger brother's St. Patrick's Day birthday. What is it doing in the donation box, you ask? Well, after emailing my older brother a picture of the hat, to ask his opinion, his response was, "I'd question his manhood if he wore it". So, that meant, back to the drawing board for me, and the Afghans get another hat. It's all good, because it meant I get to buy more yarn.

Something else I was eager to see while at the Yarn Lounge was their selection of Malabrigo yarns:


It's beautiful stuff, and 100% merino, so it's incredibly soft.

This particular shelf caught my eye, as it contained potential yarns for younger brother's replacement hat:


I couldn't decided which one to get. The yarn on the left is dark green and navy, and much more conservative, meaning, a hat knit from it would have a much greater chance of being worn by my conservative brother. The yarn on the right, however, is much closer to the St. Patrick's Day colors that I was striving for, but I worry that the variegation will be too much for little bro'. What to do... what to do...? You know what I did, don't you? I bought one of each.

Here they are, all wound up:

Malabrigo kettle-dyed pure merino, in Vaa (#51) and Verdes (#203)
*

The colors in the above picture are fairly true-to-life, so be warned that the dye lots are markedly different (in my opinion) from how they are depicted on Malabrigo's website, (in case you're thinking of buying some, sight unseen, over the internet). Such is the nature of hand-painted yarns.

I still haven't decided which of the two will become little bro's hat. I am open to suggestion, so if you have an opinion I'd love to hear it.

After shopping and knitting for awhile, we were joined by another Colonial Heights knitter - Liz, who I had not seen since we drove to SoXperience together last June. Liz brought her LMKG chevron scarf to show:

(Liz -- I forget which Socks That Rock colorways you're using in your chevron scarf. Please leave a comment and let us know!)

Once Liz arrived we all decided we were hungry, and walked down to Can-Can for lunch. I had soup (shrimp bisque) and a sandwich (roasted lamb). Yum!

But we weren't done shopping! We came back to the Yarn Lounge, where I picked up a few more things, before we all parted ways and headed home.

Here's the knitter-blogger gang:

Krista, Liz, Margaret
*

And here's more of what I bought, (if this stuff isn't therapeutic, I don't know what is!):

HandMaiden 4-ply cashmere in "Periwinkle" and "Glacier".
(No, I don't know what they will be, yet, except pets to fondle, for awhile).
*

And because I hadn't spent nearly enough money, (therapy is expensive, dontcha know), I couldn't resist grabbing a couple balls of this:

Windy Valley Muskox Qiviut in "Endless Twilight" (#1800)
*

I've been wanting to try Qiviut for quite some time, so am glad I was able to find some locally. (Gotta support your local merchants, dontcha know!). I don't yet know what these will become, either, but most likely some kind of lacey scarf. I do have a recently-purchased copy of Arctic Lace, from which to draw potential pattern inspiration.

Once I was home, it was still such a pretty day, I couldn't help but walk around my neighborhood and take a few pictures of the Saturday Sky:



All in all, a lovely day, and I really enjoyed myself. I got to knit, yarn shop, hang out with other knitters, and make a new knitter-blogger friend, (Margaret, who has a great blog, by the way -- when you're through here, hop over and read about her weekend house in Mathews). It felt good to act like a normal human being again (almost), instead of a sick invalid. And I think I'm well on my way to recovery, (I just might survive this plague -- imagine that!), for which I'm most grateful.

But after all that intensive Yarn Therapy, who wouldn't feel better? ;-)

*

Saturday Sunrise & Vacation Fond Farewell

***

Welp, I'm back. Reluctantly.

Had a lovely, relaxing week at the beach, and have lots of pictures to share, which I think will require multiple-day postings, so as not to overwhelm the reader (or Blogger) with too much visual information all at once.

Tonight I'll leave you with just a few Saturday Sky pictures taken this morning at sunrise. That's right. I was up early enough on a Saturday morning, (for the love of all that is holy!), to see the sunrise. Pull your chin up off the floor and congratulate me, will ya?

sunrise over the Atlantic ocean at Nags Head, NC -- view from our deck

***And what's this? A couple of finished objects?
***

That's right - I finished not one, but two, (slow knitter here - be gentle), Mason-Dixon dishcloths while down there this week. Such a fun knit! I wasn't happy with the unfinished look of the sides, though, so decided to crochet the edges with the contrasting yarn. Which required learning how to crochet and acquiring the correct-sized crochet hook. Which required a visit to a yarn shop. (Aw, shucks - twist my arm!) But that's a story for another day.

The dishcloths, by the way, have already found a new home - I gave them to my sister at lunch today. She seemed to like them, which is all I can ask for.

But back to the sky pictures. Here's that same view from the deck when the sun is much, much higher in the sky:

Darn you, little yellow house - blocking our ocean view!

***

Anyway, I'd like to say it's good to be back home, but really, I could have stayed another week. All good things must come to an end, unfortunately. But thank God for photography! So, stay tuned for Vacation 2006 - Part 1, tomorrow!

***

Knitters Gone Wild

The plans for yesterday's TNK Yarn Crawl started out innocently enough. Earlier in the week, Issy posted a message on our Yahoo Group telling us about a sale at one of our six area yarn shops, Lettuce Knit. I replied with, "Hey, anyone want to meet me there and then go to lunch before or afterwards?". Someone else reminded us about Got Yarn's store closing sale. Another knitter mentioned that The Knitting Basket was also having a sale. And finally, we heard that The Yarn Lounge was selling select items at 50% off. People then started to get silly and suggest things like extending the yarn crawl to Williamsburg, D.C. or North Carolina while wearing "Knitters Gone Wild" t-shirts. What started off as a simple Saturday outing with one LYS and a couple of knitters, quickly spiraled out of control became a full day of yarn shopping with six knitters at four yarn shops!

First stop was Got Yarn, where not only is their entire inventory of merchandise (yarn, books, needles, samples, etc.), on sale for 25-50% off, but many of the store fixtures are being sold as well. I was sorely tempted by these two mannekins which were going for dirt cheap:

But I just couldn't justify the purchase, as I have absolutely no space for them. And before I left the store, someone else had snatched them up. They went to a good home, though -- to a woman who is a photographer and can make good use of them.

Here's a group of us, including store owner Danna holding perky little (miniature collie?) Tootsie:

I was also sorely tempted by their very robust selection of Koigu, and although they had some gorgeous colors, nothing dazzled me, so I resisted those, as well. I ended up leaving without any yarn, but did come away with this handy little shelf:

which may end up becoming a home for my growing collection of knitting books, that is, if they'll even fit in there.

Next stop was Lettuce Knit, which was ridiculously crowded and busy. Here's Robin H. snagging some Blue Heron Rayon Metallic in Cactus:

while the rest of us waited outside, away from the crowd, after we were done shopping:

Robin C., Sherry, Issy & Jane with their tell-tale green LK bags

There was nothing in Lettuce Knit I couldn't live without, so for the second time that day I left a yarn shop empty-handed but full-walleted.

We made a quick stop at the adjacent shoe store that sells fake Crocs, (aka "Gators"), and Jane picked up a pair in pink to match the ones I was wearing, so she can be just like me... ;-) ... (Teasin' ya, Jane! Don't you just love those comfortable shoes?)

And while we're on the subject of footwear, check out Jane 's recently knitted flip-flop socks:

Aren't they cute? Don't they go well with her flip-flops?
***

Next stop was a yummy lunch in the same shopping center, at Frank's Pizzeria:

Only one of this wild crew, who shall remain nameless, (Issy), drank alcohol... ;-)

Next stop, The Yarn Lounge, where first, we must give tribute to the lovely Saturday Sky over Carytown:

Is this really August in Richmond, VA? Gorgeous!

***

It didn't take long for the gang to dig into the 50% off sidewalk sale:

Notice how Robin C. is really getting into the spirit of Knitters Gone Wild?

Inside the shop, I finally got to meet Cate, who was knitting on her toe-up Wildfoot socks:

Hi Cate!

It was on Cate's blog that I first saw a swatch made from Rowan Tapestry. Which of course made me determined to own it! And so, my one and only yarn purchase of the day was also my very first Rowan purchase ever.

Rowan Tapestry in 171 Rainbow

Isn't that yarn stunning? Check out the gauntlets Cate knit with a different colorway. I'm thinking my Tapestry will also become something for the hands, although I haven't yet decided on a pattern. Will soon be perusing Knitty for inspiration.

After we left The Yarn Lounge, Jane & Issy went across the street to Glass & Powder who had Reefs for 50% off, while the rest of us stayed on task and proceeded to the next stop on the yarn crawl, which was The Knitting Basket.

Something that no other LYS is currently selling, and for the knitter who has everything, you can now knit in the dark:

Knit Lites - lighted knitting needles

And who knew that someone in Richmond sells Claudia's HandPaint? Certainly not I! But now I know where I can find it locally!

Hooray for gorgeous handpainted yarn!

But for the third time that day, I left a yarn shop without any yarn. I'm so proud of myself! It's not that I have any kind of saintly restraint - it's more that I am constantly visualizing my ridiculously cluttered house and am constantly given pause whenever I consider bringing one more object into it.

I'm still pretty proud that I came home with just two balls of yarn and a shelf. Oh, and I almost forgot -- a great book from Jane as a birthday gift. Check this out:

Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle

Jane will make a chart reader and shawl knitter out of me yet! Thanks, Jane! :-)

After that fun day with my knitting peeps, I came home and settled on the couch to knit some more on my dishcloth. Laurie asked to see the back of it, so here is the front and back comparison:

Front

Back

Cool, huh? I never would have guessed how different the back would look from the front. And I'm still amazed by that magical slip stitch.

Well, I must end this lengthy post, as, once again I have a train to catch on a Sunday afternoon. My last week in Maryland, for awhile, I hope. I also hope we get to spend a little more time at that LYS tomorrow afternoon, if we finish up on time. (That'll make five yarn stores in one week - a record?)

One final note, in the category of my Alzheimers is flaring up again: I somehow got my dates wrong for my vacation. For the last two months I thought I was going to the beach that last week in August, but last night I had a gut-wrenching realization that I'm supposed to go down there on the 19th and not the 26th! Yikes! And now I'm not even sure if I can go at all. We'll see what happens - I need to do a little negotiating about work. I only mention this because I had told the other TNK knitters that I'd finally be at knit night again on Tuesday, August 22nd, but that date may be pushed back a week. If anyone cares, I'll send an update when I know more.

Have a great week, everyone!

Saturday Sky-lights & Random Sunday Musings

***

SATURDAY SKY-LIGHTS:

The nice thing about living in a house with skylights -- when it's 90,000ºF outside, you can still take Saturday Sky pictures, but in the relative comfort of the air-conditioned indoors. Loving it.

The dual skylights in my living room
***

Skylight in the bathroom - can you see the Mimosa blossoms?
***

When I had my roof replaced a couple years ago I had them also replace the nasty, yellowed, cloudy plastic skylights with glass ones. I've never been happier about money spent on a home improvement -- to actually be able to SEE through them has been marvelous.

Sometimes when I'm sitting at my desk and looking up, I'll see a hummingbird sipping on the Mimosa blossoms - what a thrill! And if I wait to shower until around 2pm, the sun is almost directly overhead and shines right down on me when I'm showering, and I feel like I'm taking an outdoor shower at the beach -- sort of a mini-vacation inside my own home.

I love skylights. I love when it snows and and you can see as each flake hits the skylight and melts, or else stays frozen if it's cold enough, and begins to accumulate on the glass. I love looking up and seeing the trees bend back and forth wildly when a windy storm (or hurricane) is in the area. I love seeing (and hearing) as rain gently taps on the glass. And I know immediately when rain turns to sleet and then back to rain again.

***

RANDOM SUNDAY MUSINGS:

* I'm a winner -- AGAIN!

I've won another blog contest and so have more free yarn coming my way. That's twice in one week! I don't believe in luck or the lottery, but when I found this out yesterday, I ran out and bought a lottery ticket.

I did not win the lottery. But I'm still pretty damn excited about the yarn. ArtYarns SuperMerino -- I love this stuff! Thanks, Courtney! And once again, Happy Blogiversary to you! :-)

***

* I'm an idiot -- AGAIN!

For the second time in as many months, I've driven off from a gas station without my gas cap. Duh. Thank goodness Advance Auto Parts is just up the street. I wonder if the curbs and ditches around all gas stations are littered with forgotten gas caps, or just the gas stations I frequent....

***

* In the category of "I wish I was this talented":

Have you seen these?

Aren't these the most fabulous mittens ever?
***

These were entered by Laurie in the "Bitchin' Mittens" contest, and are sure to win a prize. I would love to knit these for my beach-living sister, although Laurie's indicated that the written pattern will be awhile in coming. I appreciate her thorough-ness in having a test knitter knit it before she makes it readily available. You better know I'll be one of her first customers, once it's ready!

Another fabulously-inspiring knitter/designer is Eunny. Have you seen this stunning design? Or these socks? Or this secret sweater she designed and knit (in five days!!!) for winter Interweave? Here's hoping she gets the cover! Amazing. And she spins, too.

Knitter/designers like that blow this novice away and keep me interested and inspired. I don't presume to think that I could ever do what they do, but I admire the hell out of them for creating such eye-candy and making my heart happy with their designs.

***

* Richmond is still afire with Elliott fever:

Our favorite son and American Idol Elliott Yamin was in town last night for the Idol concert, was all over the local news, the newspaper, and on the July cover of Richmond magazine. He even had, (but was fashionably late for), a meeting with the President.

We love you, Elliott. Now, do as wise TD music writer Melissa Ruggeiri says and run, run as fast as you can, away from the Idol Machine and put out your own album.

***

* Stay Cool:

We have a week of triple-digit temps ahead of us, and so in the spirit of keeping cool, I submit the following photos taken this past winter:






* Choo-choo and Boo-Hoo:

I travel for work (via Amtrak, as usual), for the next three weeks, so will miss out on knitting with my peeps at TNK. I'll see them again in late August, and hope to blog a couple times a week in the meantime.


Happy Knitting, and Keep Cool!

***