24 Hours

Over the weekend I was down and out for the better part of a day. When I'm in the midst of show prep, 24 hours is a lot, but I'm not going to dwell on lost dyeing time.  I woke up a little woozy this morning, and I'm pulling it together.

Not only did I lose dyeing time, I also lost knitting time.

Too sick to knit.  That's how bad it was.

This Specklate sample is so close, and I was on target to have it finished for the weekend.  Today I'm making up for lost knitting time.

Barley

I'm wrapping up the week with a new sample off the needles.

Barley.  I know.  It's only a hat, but in the midst of a crazy week I'll take any finished project as a major accomplishment.

This was a fun pattern with a garter panel in the midst of stockinette.  I used the German twisted cast on.  It's become my favorite for hats and socks - any time I want a stretchy edge.

This is a new yarn.  Norma:  100% Superwash Merino, 8 ply, worsted weight.  The colorway is Paprika.  I'm smitten with this base and already have several new project ideas brewing . . . after I finish a couple that are already under construction.  Norma isn't on the website yet, but it will be available next weekend at Fiber Festival of New England.

I'm still processing all the Rhinebeck hubbub, so it's nice to reflect on the calm, quiet aspects of the festival.  I found this week's color inspiration before the crowds descended on the fairgrounds.

Late afternoon light.

Lingering Projects

Part of the fun of attending fiber events is the inspiration.  I see all sorts of projects up close and usually come away with more new ideas than I will ever have time for.  

I'm showing great restraint after Rhinebeck.  Instead of casting on half a dozen new projects, I'm focusing on a couple lingering ones.  After that, I'll go crazy and cast on.

Specklate.  I'm on the final section, and it's all lace.  The Sprinkle yarn has taken center stage in this section.  Little pops of color here and there . . . an nice way to brighten gray, rainy days.

Small Steps

Whew!  Another Rhinebeck weekend is in the books.  Half the fun of this event is the social connections.  It's exhilarating and energizing and exhausting all in one.  I think I might be talked out - at least for a couple days.

I need to plan and regroup because I have a quick turnaround for Fiber Festival of New England. 

But today I'm focused on small steps.  The wristband is cut, and I'm recharging with a lot of coffee and a little knitting.

Rhinebeck Preview - Part 5

One more peek before I hit the road to Rhinebeck.  

I'm thrilled to be taking an assortment from Katrinkles.

These stitchable ornaments are delightful.  I'll also have a selection of knitting tools.  You can see it all in Building C, Booth 42.

It's been a flurry of color, and I made it to the finish line.  This week's color inspiration . . . 

Dye rings.

Rhinebeck Preview - Part 4

Another day, another new sample.

All Points South.

When my friend and sample knitter extraodinaire offered to crank out one more for Rhinebeck, I handed her this project.  The pattern had just been released, and I wanted to knit it myself but knew I didn't have enough time to finish before this weekend.

This unique design is a pullover shawl and has a comfortable cowl neckline.  The pattern includes stripes, lace and texture.  Variety keeps it interesting.

Note from the designer:  This is not a poncho.

The yarn is Lillian, colorways March Sky, From the Bog and Pumice.

I still might make another one for myself, but for now I'm going to enjoy this one.

Rhinebeck Preview - Part 3

The new samples keep coming.

Today's feature . . . 

Gulf of Maine.

There's nothing like a cozy cowl, and this pattern is relaxing.  Mindless doesn't have to be boring, and the stripes make this an entertaining project.

The yarn is Petite Clara, colorways Piglet, Winter Sky and Carbon. With so many color options, it's hard to pick just one.

Rhinebeck Preview - Part 2

If you like double-knitting or are just curious, I'll have ideas and inspiration at Rhinebeck.

These two books by Alasdair Post-Quinn will be available.

I'll also have samples on hand.  Stop by and take a look.

Fall is apple season, and I've been enjoying the heirloom varieties. With a name like Esopus Spitzenburg, this one just had to be the week's color inspiration.

A lovely mix of red and yellow.

Rhinebeck Preview - Part 1

Rhinebeck prep has taken over my life.  It's the first thing I focus on when I wake up, it occupies my final thoughts before I fall asleep, and it takes up most of my time in between.  

My lists are long and on some days a bit daunting, but I'm determined to power through.  A sick cat knocked me off course over the weekend, but I've picked up the pieces.  I've had more than my fair share of emergencies lately, so hopefully (knock on wood) I'm good for a while.

For today, here's a peek at a new sample.

Xuan Wrap.

Entertaining mosaic colorwork with one main color and six coordinating colors.

Slip stitches make it easy.

To keep it easy, I'll have kits available at Rhinebeck.

Friday Continued

Picking up where I left off on Friday . . . 

Yesterday my daughter ran a half marathon, and we had to get out 
the door early.  The day before I was still pondering the Sea Glass Gradient Bundle, and at the end of the day I plopped it in my 
bag . . . just in case.

My reward for the early start time was some waiting knitting time.  After dropping off my daughter, I grabbed coffee and nourishment and settled in.  

I had a couple projects already under construction in my bag, but the lure of the gradient bundle was too much.  I hadn't wound any of the skeins, but even that wasn't enough to deter me.  I had a project in mind, so I figured out which skein I needed and got busy.

Just so you know, the sun visor is a good yarn holder when you need to wind a skein on the go.

And after the winding, there was knitting.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning.

Happy Thanksgiving to our neighbors to the north.  Enjoy the celebration!

Good and Bad

My days are busy with dyeing and show prep.  Long days.  Colorful days.

I'm surrounded by temptation, and I keep coming back to this bundle.

I'm feeling conflicted.  It's good if I keep returning to the same color. 
It's bad if I'm swamped with work and don't have any business pondering a new project.  I'll see where this leads over the 
weekend . . . 

The days are numbered, but I'm still savoring the farmers' market. That's where I found this week's color inspiration.

The yellow-almost-orange caught my eye, but the pop of red is a nice bonus.

Determined

Sometimes I need a little focused knitting time to jump-start a project. I've been plugging away at Specklate with little progress to show.  A couple rows here, a couple rows there.  They just weren't adding up to much.  

I was working with the main color and was anxious to reach the section where I could introduce the contrast color. Maybe this project would really take off with a second color.

This morning I devoted my knitting time to this one project.

Look what happened when I made up my mind.  I love this contrast. Now I'm motivated to watch the color play unfold.

Snapshots from Vermont

After a delightfully busy weekend in Vermont, I'm slowly easing 
into my Monday.  Vermont Sheep and Wool was great fun all 
around . . . wonderful weather, inspiring conversations and companions, good food.  Here's a peek at the weekend.

There were animals.

And yarn.

On Sunday morning before the show opened, I made a quick stop at the Hampton Fiber Mill booth.

Michael wasn't there yet, but he had been posting pictures of this gorgeous sweater under construction, so it was fun to see the finished product.  Check out Michael's Instagram feed for more great shots.

Claire from The Woolly Thistle stopped by the booth.  She stocks some beautiful British wool.  If you haven't listened to her podcast, give it a try.  I'm smitten with her accent and could listen to her chat all day.

Heron Pond Designs was my next-door neighbor, and my side of their display was enchanting.

When in Vermont, I try to take advantage of all things maple.  On Sunday I was too busy in the booth to sneak out for a maple creamee, but I did manage to snag a maple donut in the morning.

Thanks to everyone who came out.  It was a lovely weekend all around.