Some knitting, but mostly not . . .

I'm still working on the black scarf (I only work on it during commuting), and it's still not done, and it's still black, and I still can't get a good picture of it because . . . it's black. So you'll just have to wait to see it until it's off the needles.

In the meantime, I have cast on for this, but since it's to be a gift for someone who reads this blog, I can't talk about it.



I'm not even going to say what yarn that is (and those colors aren't accurate because I Picasa'd them) to throw the recipient off). By the way, if you're looking for an easy to use photo editing and organizing software, Picasa is a particularly good one; and it's free. Nate, from Tekology loaded it for me last September and I've been using ever since.

I'm getting geared up to spin in Artisan's Village at the Oregon State Fair next month. I emailed to Woolland Woolworks asking for some fiber samples last week, then this little box of goodies arrived on my doorstep this week:



A bag of silk cocoons, some raw cotton still in bolls, and some flax! I've got some uncombed wool locks, some kid mohair locks, and some samples of sea silk and bamboo yarns from my stash, as well. I want to set up some sort of display to use while I'm there to talk about the different fibers and how they are prepared and processed for spinning. Time to hit the library and the Internet so I can talk knowledgeably about this stuff! And, I need to get the Country Craftsman spit-shined, oiled, and fitted with a new drive band.

Speaking of craftsman, here's what I got to look at most of Saturday:



ToolMan spent the better part of Saturday morning up on a ladder drilling holes in the house, dropping tools, and cursing. All in preparation for installing a retractable awning on our deck. The time estimated in the instructions was 2 hours. Approximately 4 hours after starting, we had to make a trip to Lowe's for a ratchet, because really . . . what kind of DIY project does not entail having to buy more tools in the middle of the job?

He says that's not his best side. Even after 20 years, I still think it's not bad . . . .

Thankfully, most of Saturday was cool and cloudy. But by the time we had purchased the ratchet and returned home, it was less than 30 minutes later the whole job was done. ToolMan could hardly wait to crank that baby out and have a beer under it.

That's wisteria growing up the stair rails; we planted Audrey 3 years ago and now it's a weekly job of pruning to keep it on the outside of the rail so it doesn't reach out and grab you as you go down.

Not having learned our lesson with the wisteria, we planted a trumpet vine on the fence last year. It's blooming like crazy this year and the hummingbirds have finally discovered it.

We bought this last year at Max and Hildy's, just before they closed. It's a variety that was found growing wild on Catalina Island; it isn't the usual red trumpet vine, the buds are orange with yellow tips and it blooms a more orange than red but the hummers seem to like it anyway.

And ToolMan wasn't the only one who bought some goodies at Lowe's. I came home with these for ToolMan's next project:

At least this won't require the ladder and dropping tools. But I'm not taking bets on the cursing.

I don't have words

to describe how much I have been spinning lately and how pleased I am with what's been coming off my wheel. So I'll just have to show you.

First, from Fantasy Fibers in Canby: 3.5 ounces of mystery batt in soft greys with a few streaks of blues, greens, and rose; approximately 150 yards; 6 WPI; singles spun at 6:1, plied at 3:1 for a lofty, woolen thick/thin bulky.











Next, from Blue Moon Fiber Arts: 8 ounces of superwash Merino combed top, an Oops! dye of Rooster Rock; approximately 880 yards; 12 WPI; singles spun at 12:1, plied at 6:1 for a firm, springy worsted.











Two very different preparations, two very different colorway, two very different outcomes, and I love them both!

Time to Party Down!

Everybody knows the elephant is the symbol of the Republican Party because they think is strong, determined, intelligent and dignified.




And they chose this guy to represent them in the upcoming election:



Because they think he stands for what they believe in.

And of course, we also know the donkey is the symbol of the Democratic Party because they think it is humble, smart, courageous, and loveable.




And they chose this guy to represent them in the upcoming election:



Because they think he stands for what they believe in.

Of course, if you don't like either one of those two major political parties, you could join the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, the Constitution Party, the America First Party, the American Nazi Party, the American Reform Party, the Communist Party, the Labor Party, the Socialist Party, and the Boston Tea Party (Really, there is one!), and a whole bunch of other political parties. You can go here and find out all about them. There's a party for pretty much every political belief.

However, there was a small but ever-enlarging group of people who didn't think any of those parties really represented their priorities, so they started one of their own. They chose a sheep to be their symbol because it's fluffy, covered in wool, and well, it's a sheep.



And they chose Delores to represent them in the upcoming election.



Because she's a woman after their own hearts, they thought she had a plan they could really believe in, and well, she's a sheep.

And even with all those choices there were a couple of people who still couldn't find a political party that they really meshed into. They didn't bother forming a political party, holding primaries, organizing conventions, or any of that hullabaloo. In fact, they think they can do a better job than anybody else, so they decided to start their own campaign.



They can't be any worse than what we've already got, right?

All quiet on the western front . . .

Which is to say, "I got nuthin'." At least nuthin' with pictures.

First: One of the PDX Knit Bloggers is getting her 15 minutes of fame today! Our very own Cindy is featured on Lime & Violet's Daily Chum! If you're one of the gazillion or so people knitting the February Lady Sweater by Flint Knits, then hop on over to Cindy's place and check out the Gull Wing Socks to match. While you're there, take a look at the Tree Bark Socks and the Framed Feathers Scarf. She's a regular genius, that gal! Good news, but no pictures.

Second: Stitch N Pitch is coming to Portland! Knitters, crocheters, and needle workers of all genre will be converging at PGE Park on August 24. Tickets will be available on line and a portion of each ticket will go to benefit Relay for Life. There will also be a drop off point at the game for chemo caps. There are lots of free knit, crochet, and sewn patterns on the Internet, so please go find a pattern that suits your skills and get cracking on it. Sadly, caps are needed in all sizes, infant to adult, but they must be machine washable and dryable, and soft, soft, soft. No pictures for this, either.

Third: I met a lovely lady this weekend; Shannon Trapp, who is blogless, and I rendezvoused in a parking lot yesterday. No, we weren't handing off illegal substances! The kind-hearted Shannon donated two good-sized bags of lovely soft yarn to be used for those chemo caps. If you're in the Portland area, are willing to knit or crochet chemo caps to be dropped off at the Stitch N Pitch, and need some yarn, please leave me a comment and I'll get a supply to you. I forgot to take my camera with me, so no pictures.

Fourth: The PDX Knit Bloggers will have an official presence at Oregon Flock and Fiber Fest this year! We'll have an awning on the main lawn and some of the members will be offering demos of various knitting techniques. So if you're hankering to know more about Judy's Magic Cast On, this is your chance to learn from Judy herself. Also, Barbara, our "Official PDXKB Foreign Correspondent", will be giving a demo of entrelac and knitting backwards; and Michelle will be demonstrating knitting with beads. Plus, the whole gang will be available for a "Drop In Clinic" for knitting, crocheting, and spinning so if you've hit a rough spot, stop on by and somebody will be there to help you along. Heck, stop on by anyway, we like to see who's been lurking our blogs! More good news, but still no pictures.

Sixth: I got all the Blue Moon fiber spun, but it's not plied yet so there aren't an pictures. I'm knitting a black scarf to go with the Lillehammer hat, but no pictures. Besides, it's black so pictures really wouldn't show you anything anyway.

Like I said, I got nuthin'.

Psst . . . .Psst . . . .

Psst. . . . there's a yarn contest going on:





Go here to see the details.

Psst . . . . Louanna? Thanks for your comment! Mom told me you were lurking; next time leave me an email addy, or send me an email (my address is listed on the comments page). Why don't you and Mom come out in September for Oregon Flock and Fiber? I've got a nice guestroom ready and waiting!

Another one bites the dust

That's right, another FO has been added to the Christmas present pile! I finished up Lillehammer while watching music videos this afternoon. No, I wasn't watching old Queen videos, I stumbled across a show called "Crossroads" on CMT. The show takes a country music star and an artist or group from another genre and puts them together to talk, share stories, and perform each other's music. First on today's episodes was Robert Plant and Alison Krause, followed by an episode with Maroon 5 and Sara Evans. It was really interesting to hear them interpret the other guest's music. Apparently, the show has been on awhile since he website lists dozens of shows; and you can watch back episodes on the website.

I managed to talk ToolMan into modeling the hat for me, even though it wasn't completely dry when I made him put it on.



It's really not that pointed on the top; I pulled it up to show off the pattern better. The bright green yarn for the stripe is slightly thicker than the black and white and it made the brim roll up; I think with blocking, it will even out, but I ran some elastic thread around the inside of the ribbing just to make sure.



This pattern is supposed to be gender neutral, but it strikes me as being masculine, so I'll be searching for a scarf pattern to go with it. Maybe a reversible cable in black? I'll have to go search Ravelry to see what I can find.

Even though I didn't sign up for Le Tour de Fleece this year, I have been spinning. I joined the "Ten Minutes a Day" spinning group on Ravelry and have indeed been spinning for a while each evening. In fact, I have three bobbins with Blue Moon's Sheep to Shoe in Rooster Rock.



This was one of the "oops" that I bought at the Destashing Sale last fall. (Has it really been nearly seven months ago?) It spins up into alternating sections of dark, saturated colors and lighter neutrals. I still have another bobbin to spin but I really want to see how it plies up. I think I'll wait to see what it wants to be until after I ply it.