Sunday, February 09, 2014

and on we go...

I am sparing you a long, gushy, name-droppy* review of VogueKnitting Live in NY.   It was a joy to teach at it -and it was a joy to be an attendee. Amazing teachers, fun marketplace, and my fave: exhibits  in the lobbies of artists who work with yarn & fiber, including my friend Ruth Marshall
Meanwhile, me? I'm here & there, knitting.

exhibit a: the week ahead
phonecam shot of Shepherds Wool, click to see colors, ready to go!
Skeins with names that take me to another season. To make a Monster Cowl. Because new neckwear is so welcome in February.  I'm teaching & attending at Inspire, a photogapher's conference this week. My hope is for  a) lots of knitting time while I listen and b) get inspired.  I will likely be the lone knitter (or maybe the lone knitter-in-public).

exhibit b: this weekend
more phonecam : handspun and some yarn I impulse bought at Madison Wool
A new Kremlin. I misplaced my go-to winter hat. Bad timing, as it is a Hat-Required Month.  I recall putting this  fave hat somewhere about a week ago,  thinking "this isn't where I usually keep my hat but I can remember it here".... Um, no.  Although I whipped out my last Kremlin in 2012 with no problem, I am oddly confused by the pattern this time.

exhibit c1: gift knitting sent in January

 Valdai!  Before I sent it off to my sister, my neighbor Peg posed quickly.  Keep in mind it was less then 10 F (thats for Fahrenheit but it may as well be for Freakin') so no dawdling for Fancy Fotos.  As for the shawl, oh this was a fun one, and oh this Cirrus yarn is delicious to work with, 2 strands together. I used every last inch of the 4 skeins, shortening one of the ends. Sylishly assymetrical that way.  (Do not blame the pattern, blame me for not swatching, I am sure my gauge was looser than called for). My sister Marla loves it, I love being appreciated....

exhibit c2: when handknits are appreciated cont'd


 
Another gift, the hat for  bro-in-law LaMar. yes, that Lamar). Yes my sister Marla is married to LaMar, we call them LaMarLa. He endeared himself to me forever-even before this text- by reciting & reviewing every hat I've ever knit him, leading up to this gift.  He asked for something lighterweight, soft, with some slouch, and not too loudly colored because he wants to wear it at work.  I have to admit I struggled letting go of this one. It's Hissu, one of the charming  hats by this Finnish designer.   Road to China Light and stripes in handspun (thanks Archiknist) . More Road to China hats, definitely on the to-do list.

*reserving the right to do a long name droppy post soon....

7 comments:

Lee said...

Great to hear from you and to see your beautiful knits!

Beverly said...

I'm smitten with that shawl!!

Marla McLean, Atelierista said...

I'm beyond smitten and LaMar is beyond smitten. LaMarla is super-super-smitten.

Ann said...

Love all these projecks. And love all your color commentary along the way, as ever! x0x0x0

Mary Lou said...

That shawl is lovely - and I bet it is light and cozy using Cirrus. Your family (LaMar and Marla? meant to be!) is def. knit-worthy. Or should it be knot-worthy?

Ellen Mason said...

I love that shawl! Big fat stitches are dreamy. And Lamar and Marla are going into my name collection.

gale (she shoots sheep shots) said...

Thanks for the shawl compliments, it's a Norah Gaughan, so it's got that extra little design surprise element (you start with a square in the back and build outward, all one piece). Dang, now I want to knit another one!