Rhinebeck pics

So, you say you haven't seen enough pictures from Rhinebeck on the blogs, huh? Well then, you're in luck because here are mine. :)

First the animals, the "rastafarian" sheep, the alpacas who refused to be photographed but I caught anyway, and the bunny hiding under his fur:



Bo Peep and her sheep (or was it Mary and her lamb?):


My sister, caught eating:


Now, onto the goodies:


My Charlotte:


And just because I loved the colors, the tree outside my grandmother's apartment:

Rhinebeck

I was up bright and early Sat. morning. My sister and I got some coffee/tea and headed into the city to pick up mom. We were on the road by 7:30am and on the way upstate to our first festival. We were all very overwhelmed by the amount of yarn and wool that was there and while we were tempted to purchase something from the very first vendor, we exerted enormous amounts of self control. I did make note of places to go back to while we wandered thru building after building of gorgeous yarn.

We got to see the sheep and some goats, and my new favorites, alpacas. We also saw some REALLY fuzzy angora bunnies. Did anyone see the baby bunnies in one of the buildings? Oh my gosh they were so darn cute!

As for the stash enhancement, I managed to keep it to a minimum, but came home with some great stuff. I got a new basket to keep the stash in. I bought some sock yarn at $2.75/ball. Figured it was time that hubby got some socks, and with the leftovers, I could make the little guy some reverse colored socks. I got one skein of Manos to make a hat for Xmas for a friend. I know I could have gotten the Manos at home, but I was the perfect color and I didn't want to have to search later. At the same vendor (Great Adirondack Yarn Co.) I got 2 hanks of this stuff that I can't really describe. It's a ribbon yarn, but there's wool as well. It's also got sparkly stuff in the wool. There isn't a name on the label for me to direct you to pictures...though I did take pics and when I find my camera I'll post them.

The highlight of the trip was purchasing a drop spindle. I bought a Cochin Rosewood 1.2 oz spindle from Journey Wheel. The wonderful lady working the booth showed me how to use it and was very patient with me. I haven't been able to take the time to use it since purchasing it, but this weekend...definitely. I purchased for $1.50 a bag of mixed fibers to play with while I learn to use the spindle. For when I learn to use it, there's 2 oz. of Merino Tencel to spin.

Mom, Sis and I ended up leaving a bit earlier then expected, but we drove to my grandmother's (mom's mom) and got to relax and eat dinner before heading back on the road. It truly was one of the best days I've had in quite a long time...bonding with the females of my family.

My mom

Charlotte number 1 was made for my mom. It was MEANT to be a Xmas gift, but I couldn't wait to give it to her. In my excitement to give it to her, I completely forgot to take a pic of it completely done (with fringe). So she had one taken with her wearing it. Here is my lovely mom with Charlotte:


Still have to take pics of Charlotte #2, but I guess that's going to have to wait until Rhinebeck.

Finished Charlotte!

Finished Charlotte #2. Again, I’m in love. It’s not as big as Charlotte #1, but I think that’s because I bound off too tightly and it’s not able to stretch as much. But that’s ok. I’m satisfied with the results and am currently wearing it at work. If I can coerce the hubby into taking pics of it tonight, you’ll see pics before the weekend. If not, then pics will have to wait til after Saturday’s excursion to Rhinebeck.

I’m heading up with my mom and my sis. My sis is staying over at my place and we’re heading out real early to pick up my mom in the city before getting on the highway. Tea, loaded with sugar and Bon Jovi coming out of the speakers will get us there in no time flat. Hey, if they can’t take Bon Jovi at 8am, too bad for them. My car, my music. :) I’m looking forward to meeting some people from the Knitty Coffeeshop. I think it’s going to be great fun.

Speaking of great fun, I went to Makelast night and got to meet the wonderful and talented Amy Singer and got a signed copy of her book Knit Wit. I also picked up 2 balls of Blue Sky Alpaca in Turquois. I am planning on making a scarf from the Little Box of Scarves. I know, I know…I’ve got so much other stuff to do, but I can’t help myself. My name is Karen and I’m a knitting addict.

Yay! Photos!

The long awaited pics are finally here! Where do we start? Let's start with a photo of the 2 pacakages from my secret pal. I put them all together in one shot, minus the washcloth:


This is a closeup of the bracelet:


The washcloth:


My current WIPs, Charlotte #2 and Sport:




The next 2 colors for Charlotte:


My finished objects, Cloverleafs for a friend (weaving ends in needing to be done), and a Hallowig:




My spiderman cupcakes for my son's birthday party at school:


And finally, spiderman lives with me and you can't have him:

Long time no post

Too much work and no time to play causes Karen's blog to be neglected. Not only busy at work, but sick as well. Sick enough to not even want to knit. That's just yucky! :)

But I'm feeling all better now, and have been working quite hard on my projects.

Progress reports:
Sport - Finished the back and left front. Have already cast on for the right front, but that's as far as I've gotten.
Victoria tank - am up to 9 inches on the body, have to go to 12 1/2 - 13 inches before separating for the front and back. Hopefully will have the next couple inches done in the next week. That's my train knitting.
Charlotte #2 - Sigh. Charlotte has been driving me crazy. I was doing so well, and introduced color #3, and then realized I'd made a colossal mistake. Had to rip out 8 rows. Once I got back to that spot, did another 2 rows and then realized that I counted wrong. Rip. Knit, recount, rip, knit, recount. I'm beginning to dislike Charlotte.

Upcoming projects:
- Knitty's Hallowig. I bought the yarn in a greenish color to do and donate to someone who's doing a play of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. All the oompa loompas will be sporting Hallowigs. :) I did 7 inches of it last night, cast on additional stitches, joined for the round, and then realized I was missing 20 stitches. I didn't cast on enough. How much does that suck? I ripped it all out. Will have to cast on again soon, because I promised it by the 20th.

- Lucy Neatby's Mermaid Socks. I bought some really pretty colored yarn from Elann a while ago and thought that the Mermaid pattern would be awesome for the yarn. Can't wait to do it.

- Yahoo Six sock along socks. I haven't printed out the pattern yet, and the name escapes me at the moment, but they were cute. Just thinking of who could benefit from a pair of socks. Anyone who's in the KAL...can the sock be done for men? I wanted to make a pair of socks for my brother for Xmas, but waiting on a good pattern.

No pics yet...I have a ton to show...my camera battery is being charged as I type. Next post, I swear. :)