When I was growing up, my family lived on a pretty tight budget. What extras we had was due almost entirely to my mom being a very good clearance shopper. We didn’t want for anything we needed, but we learned the value of a dollar quickly, and I’ve been working since I was 12 to pay for things like beyond-the-basics school clothes, shoes, music, other goodies, and my first car (along with it’s repairs and insurance). It’s not that my parents were cheap, it’s that they didn’t have the extra money to shower gifts and extras on me, and to be honest, I don’t think they would have if they did. It’s not how they were raised, and they just don’t abide by the culture of childhood excess that they see here in the States.

I say this to set you up for the flabbergasted part.

Friday evening, as I had a nice dinner with my parents before embarking on a music cruise out of Kingston down the Hudson River, I was shocked to the point of stammering. My father was, supposedly writing me a check for the balance of their tickets, handed me a check for six HUNDRED dollars.

“Dad! I don’t understand! What’s this for?” I could feel myself blushing furiously, which doesn’t happen often.
“It’s for your Pennsylvania trip.” This is what Dad calls SOAR, which we had chatted about on the phone that morning.
“But I don’t understand… you know that even though I didn’t get the scholarship I’ve still been saving and I’m ok now, I’ll be able to go, right?” I stared at the check like a simpleton.
“I know, and that’s why we want to give it to you. You’ve been saving and still staying on Steve’s budget. You’re doing the right thing and we’re proud of you. You’re still going to need spending money, and I know there was that thing (drumcarder and/or Woolee Winder) you were going to buy if you got the scholarship.”
“Holy shit! I can’t believe it! Thanks Dad, Mom! Wow.” Insert squee here, and bewildered restaurant patrons.

This is now the second time, including the wedding, that my parents have been able to do something like this. I don’t expect this kind of thing, it doesn’t even cross my mind! I don’t expect anything, I have no sense of entitlement because I wasn’t raised that way. So now that my dad is retired, with mom soon to follow, and they’re reaping the benefits of careful estate planning, I’m stunned at the largesse. It might not seem like a lot of money to some, but to me (in the context of my family) it’s a fortune, and a really big deal.

So, now I’m torn. I have an extra paycheck this month that I was going to finish my SOAR fund with. Now that I have the gift money, SOAR is paid for, spending money and gas included. I’ll use a portion of my extra paycheck to pay off some debt to the house account, but after that, what would you do? I’ve been thinking about a drum carder, and a Woolee Winder, for a long time. Should I get a drum carder when I can just dye roving? Admittedly the two preps are entirely different. And the Woolee Winder… truly, it is just a toy, though it’s nice being able to fit more fiber on a bobbin. I’d be fine getting either or both used, especially since that means they’re usually much cheaper than new. Why pay full price?

Lastly, I’ve been wanting to learn an instrument for years. Guitar didn’t work out for me due to the awkwardness of the positioning and how it aggravated my Fibromyalgia. I’ve always been fascinated with the harp, and due to the upright and balanced body positioning, it seems like it will be much more ergonomic for me than guitar. I can get a Sharpsicle, a well made entry level learning harp that plays in six different keys (due to levers) for around $600, modified for an amp hook-up. I found a vendor that sells music for this type of harp that’s from Old Europe, think stuff like Greensleeves. *drool*

What would you do? The options are killing me, good fortune like this doesn’t come around every day! Know of anyone that has a used drum carder for sale at a good price?

So, while last weekend ended with me still twitching from all the fun come Sunday, it started with getting off work early and making the run up to Beau Knits in Cohoes, LYS to my friend (and fellow bad ass) Harriet. We’ve been talking about getting me up there to visit for years, and I’m so glad that I finally did!

We already had plans to visit when Harriet forwarded me a notice that Cohoes was shutting down main drag and having a farmer’s market and family festival. Beau Knits was inviting spinners to join them in a spin out in front of the store. I got there around 3:30 and oh my GOD was it stupid hot! The humidity was pretty much disgusting, but everyone at the store was very welcoming. The owner, Barbara even offered me a free bottle of water to help me cool down, she was wonderful and very friendly.

Harriet showed up around 5 or so, plenty of time to enjoy the second police dog demonstration, the country stylings of some local Karaoke star, and the little farmer’s market. There were so many children, children everywhere asking what I was doing, how do I do it, and can they do it too? If I wasn’t working on some of the most gorgeous roving from Spincerely Yours I would have let them try it, but nuh-uh, not on the good stuff darlings. I love explaining spinning to children but I have to say I was appalled at some of the children who were old enough to know better, but still persisted in manhandling Barbara’s wheel while she was tending shop. I rescued it as many times as I could, but still! Geesh.

Funniest moment of the day was when I told Harriet what I was really thinking when someone very cattily said to me “…uh huh.. so yeah, what do you DO with the yarn when you’re done with it?” Trust me, the woman had an attitude a mile wide and was using the question as a way to make my fabulous hobby sound stupid. So, anyway, what I really wanted to say was “Well, once I’m done spinning it I take it off the bobbin, wind it into a hank and then stuff it down my panties and have an orgasm.” I thought Harriet was going to have an accident, she laughed so hard.

Oh! And I met my first Hudson River Knit & Spin attendee in the wild that night! I went to tell her all about it and Deb interjected that if it was on Saturday then she was already going! How exciting! I had to take a picture. Two other attendees on Saturday were women I met on Friday night at Beau Knits. Most awesome!

Back to Beau Knits, it’s a great little shop, definitely the kind of place I’d like to have if I opened a store. The stock runs from Noro to Plymouth Encore and everything in between. I like that they have a little bit of something for everyone. And oh my lord, I have never seen such a big stitch ‘n bitch in one place in my life! I’m told they get as many as 30 knitters in there. Everyone was friendly and I came home with some (decidedly vinegary smelling) new yarn from Brown Sheep called Lanaloft. I think I’m going to make a pair of house socks out of it, single ply or no.

Our evening ended up at Applebees where I earned the distinct compliment of being told “You know, you’re probably the only person I know who’s head is scarier than my own”. What can I say, I’m a real gem. *grin* Come on, I can’t be the only person who gets a little manic when they’re hopped up on sugar laden fair lemonade.

Oh, and I forgot about the Llamas!

What is more fun than a barrel of drunken monkeys?

A shade ring full of knitters and spinners! Yesterday’s event went better than I could have hoped for, and as Harriet put it “this doesn’t suck” (reference to my fear about the first WOOL). While my morning got off to a rocky start (note to self: don’t lose keys in a super Walmart), by the time we’d gotten set up all was well. Hot and humid, but well. Thank god for adequate shade and a river breeze. Circling a huge tree and staying safely within the blessed shade, we setup, sat down, and got down to the business of having fun.

Katie and Steve taking a break from being all wonderful and supportive like.

Everyone pretty much showed up within the first hour so it was a lot of fun greeting strangers and friends alike. We had a glut of spinners, followed up by a handful of knitters with the usual “whatcha doin’” dollop of passers by. All in all there were 23 attendees, not bad for the first time out. I was hoping for at least 20, and I got my wish. My parents even came by, though I’m not counting my dad since, no matter what he says, holding my mom’s skein of yarn so she could wind it into a ball doesn’t count as being a yarnie. Steve, faithful sherpa and hubby also didn’t count. Don’t worry honey, you’ll always count to me.

The park really did work out so well. There was plenty of parking, and the view was gorgeous. A lot of people ended up getting a little something to eat from the snack bar. While I would have thought the ice cream window would have won everyone over, Eric (Diane’s knitting husband) tried to extol the virtues of FRIED OREOS. What the hell?

Dude, that is so gross!

Mom and dad. Yes, she’s Puerto Rican, I swear. Obviously he is too. They are one good lookin’ couple.

That is some masochistic knitting! But at least she’s getting paid for it.

I’m sure I looked like a complete dork but I cheered and clapped every time someone new walked over our way. We had a couple of local Ravelers, some Cohoes area knitters (past Albany), local friends and even some friends from out of state! Big shout outs to Jessica, Kim, Jess, Carolyn, Kristina (and her mom), Harriet and Tim, as well as all my local friends and family. You guys made the event tons of fun.

Around 3 p.m. I was warned by Jess and the Crackberry that there were storms headed our way so half of us went home while the other half retired to the Muddy Cup. Thank you Jess, I shall never tease you about the Crackberry again! We left just in time, though we might have tried to stay if the gazebo had been free. I was asked “will they mind the wheels at the coffee shop”? Ha! Ha, I say unto you! The twin county branches of the Muddy Cup say bring us your wheels, bring us your poor sweaty, yet still rowdy spinners and knitters. Yeah. We had fun.

The day ended with Jess, Jessica, Michelle, Steve and I heading over to the Greek diner. In fact, despite munching all day there was no question about still going to the diner. Jess was promised a Greek diner and I aimed to give it to her! Gyros were all the rage, but I stuck to French Toast and floppy bacon. Yes, floppy bacon. We were exceedingly rowdy and completely inappropriate. These are my people, and I love them.

My favorite hghlights:
* Becky folding herself up in our lawn chair as she relived her childhood.
* My mom’s drunken banana and fruit muffins.
* The elderly women who saw me putting up the sign for the event and said they’d come back, which they did, sitting off to themselves a ways.
* Meeting Kim for the first time.
* Jess teaching me how to Navajo ply more efficiently and WAY FRICKIN’ FASTER!
* Mom and dad staying the whole time not just because of me, but because mom really was having a good time.
* Kristina doing that sexy sock within a sock knitting trick. Trust me, it’s sexy.
* Liberating a gorgeous braid of BFL from Jessica. Mmm… BFL.
* Being close to my friends.

Again, thank you to everyone who made the day such a great time. I can’t express enough how much fun I had, and how awesome it was to see you all. See you in August, and if not then, see you at Rhinebeck in October! We are definitely doing this again, and I hope that if you attended this year and enjoyed yourself that you’ll consider telling every knitter, crocheter and spinner you know so that next year we can double in size. Hey, it’s good to have goals, right?

Somebody pinch me, ‘cause I can’t quite believe that life is this good.

Tonight I spend the afternoon and evening spinning on the sidewalk in front of Beau Knits, which will actually be my first foray to that much fabled shop. Cella and Harriet talk about it all the time, it’s the LYS. Since tonight is a Six Week Supper for Harriet and I (or as she likes to call it Death and Destruction Dinner), she suggested we meet there first. I’m getting out of work early (yay!) at 2 p.m. so that I can head up there. Too bad I have to swing back home first, I’m all revved up and don’t want to stop for anything. I can’t not show up with some of the recent handspun, when Red and I hangout it’s all about the show and tell. I’m lucky to have good friends and such good times.

The signs for tomorrow are all painted up, much thanks to Becky for letting me have two HUGE pieces of foam board and a bag of acrylic paint, thanks to Katie for helping me paint one of the signs. Now all I have to do is set them up super early on Saturday so we can perhaps draw in some foot traffic from the farmer’s market early birds. I know if I was a local knitter or crocheter and I saw that sign I’d run home to get my project bag and be thrilled to have found out. Oh, and I have to bake. Umm… maybe I’ll just stop by the store? Oops.

Special announcement: Thanks to my HUSBAND, Steve, for all his support and boundless love. It’s his unshakable belief in me, and his pride in my efforts, that help make this kind of thing possible. I shine in his eyes.

And then there’s tomorrow. Full of mystery (just how many people will show up?), wonder (you drove HOW far?), and joy (it’s so good to SEE you!). I am thrilled beyond belief that the weather report has changed from 50/50 chance of T-storms to a 30% chance of isolated rain late in the day. Powers That Be, I can deal with that.

I wonder if I should bother going to sleep at all? Oh, and don’t forget to bring your buttons!

Fiber: 100% Superwash Merino from Seekay Craft
Wheel: Lendrum DT, 10:1 ratio whorl
Weight: 129g, 4.5 oz
Yardage: 396 yards
Diameter: Fingering/Sport
Techniques: Spun “inch-worm” style and then Navajo plied.

We all know how it goes sometimes… you see a bump or braid of roving at a show and it just screams your name. Instantly your hand shoots out and grabs said siren, cradling it to your face as you bury your nose in woolly goodness. Don’t deny it, if you’re a spinner I know you do it too. Well, when I saw Carolyn’s beautiful braid of “Henry” roving I was instantly smitten.

Whether it was in roving form or on the bobbin, this has to be the spinning project that got the most awed compliments out of any I’ve done to date. Even the blue and green BFL I dyed last year didn’t get this kind of love.

I’d like to add that I am renaming this yarn “Tropicana” because it reminds me of the ocean and sand in the Caribbean.

Plying was an adventure. This is my third Navajo plied yarn and I still end up with a lot of breaks when I ply. I tried to put in extra twist, knowing that a superfine yarn would break when I started spinning it backwards to ply. Turns out that at one point the yarn had wrapped itself around the feeder guide on the lazy kate and the extra tension was causing all my snaps. I wish I’d know that earlier. *smacks forehead* I think I have the motion and ideas down, it’s just getting the bumpiness to settle out.

Plying also seemed to take FOREVER. I really wanted to finish this before the Knit & Spin on Saturday because Carolyin is supposed to be there. Showing her the finished yarn is like showing her her baby all grown up and made into yarn. I know I’d be all squee about it if I were her.

Finally, I finished it all up Monday night. I set it to soak in scalding hot water over night and then hung it up to dry on Tuesday. It was dry in time for me to show it off at knitting. I got some great feedback from everyone but it was Jess’s compliments that really made me glow, she’s a fabulous spinner and I’ve learned a lot from her.

So there you go, 4 ounces of scrumptious tropical beauty. While the plying isn’t good enough for it to be entered into competition (too many thick and thin spots), I can say that I do believe it will make a GORGEOUS first pair of handspun socks. Yes, for all that I’ve spun in the past I’ve never gone and made a pair of socks out of the end product. Props to Carolyn for dyeing such lovely roving, thanks honey! Please visit her shop if you’d like to get yourself some of your own pretties.

Consider this a two-pronged shout out today.

1. Saturday’s event is free to everyone, which is the way it should be. For the most part, I don’t want anyone to bring anything except a few dollars for the park-use-donation can (if you’d like), your craft of choice, sun block and something to sit on. Can I ask a favor though? If you’d like, and it’s certainly not a problem if you don’t, but if you don’t mind… would you consider bringing a baked good to share or maybe fresh fruit like some grapes or a small watermelon? I was thinking about it and I’d like to have a ‘hospitality table’ set up near the welcome table. I’ll be baking two different kinds of cookies and some brownies. I don’t care if it’s store bought, to be honest I’m using mixes myself. No pressure, it’s just a thought.

2. I’ve finally gotten off my ass and written up a sock pattern while I’m in the process of knitting it. The pattern is written, including my desperate attempts to explain how to knit a short row heel, and I’m looking for people who are willing to test knit it. It’s a simple sock that has two easy lace panels down the front and one down the back, top down, short row heel. You’d want to use semi-solid, solid, or very tonally variegated fingering weight sock yarn for this pattern. The pattern is done, ready to email, I just have to add in the photos of my sock in progress if you like.

I’m looking for at least two test knitters, one in solid, one in semi-solid or softly variegated. I’d like at least one of the volunteers to be able to have a photograph worthy sock (or the pair) done by the end of July. If possible, I’d probably like to use photographs of your sock vs. mine as mine are pooling poorly. I’ll be available via phone for questions or thoughts as you knit and I want to know anything that comes up. The sizing and gauge is where I’m especially unsure… I knit tightly and used a commercial yarn. I’d like the samples to be done up in my own yarn.

I’m going to ask around what the terms tend to be for test knitters and let you know what I come up with. But for now, if you’re interested, please leave a comment. The first three that answer are automatically in, any others will be kept in reserve.

Reminder: Hudson River Knit & Spin, Saturday June 28th from 12-5 p.m. at Dutchman’s Landing in Catskill, NY 12414 (essentially “7 Main Street”)

What a roller coaster weekend. For those of you who have visited the house before, I am sad to say that Beth the Zombie Cat is dead. She died sometime during the wee hours of the morning on Friday, most likely of a swift acting cancer if the vet is correct, much to Steve’s sorrow. Beth the Zombie Cat was his tiny rescue Tortie of indeterminate age and parentage, the first pet he had as an adult. He has given her much love despite her many quirks and physical oddities for over 8 years. Beth is now buried in my parent’s pet cemetery (don’t ask) along with the rest of my family pets. My cat, “Momma Cat” (aka Anachsunamun or Suna for short) has been literally dancing with glee now that she no longer has to share the house, Steve’s affection, or our bed with Beth. It’s quite unseemly, she’s exhibiting a complete lack of tact at this time.

Steve and I had already planned on a date night on Friday, mostly because I’ve been gone a lot doing fiber related things so I sacrificed my guild meeting for the sake of my beloved. He really needed the love and I was happy to give it to him. We had a nice dinner out at the gourmet pizza place and then we went to see the new version of The Hulk. I don’t care what Steve says about the first one, I thought this one was MUCH better. I love that Steve and I are both comic book movie fans, but then again, I married a man who used to own a comic book shop so it was pretty much a sure thing. This weekend also included a daylong Puerto Rican delicacy making adventure at my parent’s house on Saturday and Steve’s D&D group at the house on Sunday. Can I get a breath now please?

This week I’m super busy as well, some of it leading up to the Knit & Spin, some of it unrelated. Tonight I am working very hard to finish up Navajo plying the bobbin I spun from Carolyn’s beautiful roving, tomorrow is knitting, Wednesday I’m hopefully doing a baby photo shoot for a co-worker, and Friday I’m meeting with Harriet four our Six Week Supper. Every six weeks we’re getting together for dinner to catch up and be Alpha wolves for a while together. It’s awesome. But somewhere in there I have to make two signs for the Knit & Spin, which will be the same day (and overlapping for two hours) as the opening day of the Catskill Farmer’s Market, just a few buildings down from the boat launch where we’ll be meeting. Maybe we’ll get foot traffic?

I want to let everyone know that the event is RAIN OR SHINE. There is a gazebo for shelter from sudden showers as well as a small pavilion with picnic tables underneath it next to the snack bar building. While they are calling for scattered showers I’m hoping that we’ll be fine for most of the day. It’s going to be hot though, mid 80’s so PLEASE remember to bring your own shade if you need it, and don’t forget the sun block and water. The snack bar should be open, and I believe there’s a soda vending machine, but if you’re the type to be susceptible to heat you want to make sure to stay hydrated and shielded from the sun. Again, there’s a gazebo and pavilion for shade.

Man, I’m so excited! I can’t wait for Saturday! **squee**

There is (just about) one week until the first annual Hudson River Knit & Spin! Somehow, regardless of how many people actually show up, this feels huge to me. There were no World Wide Knit in Public day events in my area that I know of, so the Knit & Spin is pretty much it. I was shooting for last weekend too, but the park wasn’t available. I will book soon for next year, or as soon as they let me, to make sure that I get that second Saturday in June.

If I see twenty people show up I’ll be thrilled, though to be honest I could get half that number from my local and extended spinning/knitting friends alone. It’s kind of thrilling and more than a little nerve-wracking. Because it’s a first time event I have no way of knowing how many people will show up. I could see two dozen, I could see five dozen… I just don’t know! I had friends post flyers in their local yarn stores, I’ve been spreading the word on Ravelry, on my blog, handing out flyers on Main Street, pretty much anything I can think of. If thirty or forty people attend over the course of the day I will be fit to split.

I’ve had little pin buttons made up for the event, drawn by me and then redrawn, colored and formatted by my lovely web designer Janis. Janis does amazing work, in the same batch she also did up buttons for the WOOL retreat based on my ideas. One is retroactive for last year’s participants and the rest are for this year. The Knit & Spin buttons are 1/3 for spinners, and 2/3 knitters and crocheters. I’ll be handing them out, one per person, until supplies run out. 65 buttons… think they’ll run out? I ordered on my outside hopeful range, just in case.

Last summer, when I first thought to arrange this kind of event locally, I was a bit perplexed. Why is there nothing like this already being done in my area? There are several really great yarn shops, all of whom have large and devoted customer bases. There are groups of knitters who meet regularly all over the Mid Hudson Valley and beyond. I can’t be the first and only one to think of a public fiber day. It’s not like the idea is an original one either. Why isn’t this being done? I dunno. Maybe it just seems like too much work? It’s no hassle in my hometown at least, thankfully I don’t even need a permit. But regardless of they why, I am happy to be the how and now. We are a tribe that is most at home when we are gathered together.

If you are a local reader, or even just within reasonable driving distance, I ask that you please get the word out to anyone you know who might like to attend. To me this kind of event isn’t about showing how popular my blog, or how cool I am. To me this is about the community and showing that we are here, we are diverse and that we are awesome. The best part of the day for me is going to be the people. I love meeting people, I love crowds. I’m kind of a ‘bring it on’ type of person. I love that inner and outer squee you get when you’re amongst your people, friends or strangers, it doesn’t matter. Truth be told, I can’t wait to meet you. If we’re already friends, I’m counting the days till I see you again.

I could spend hours online looking for that great site I found (and then promptly forgot to bookmark) or I could just put the word out here. You’re all amazingly talented, I know SOMEONE’S found something similar that would suit.

I’m interested in creating knitting and spinning based notecards for sale. I’m looking for an affordable custom notecard option that allows me to either A) have more than one photo per box, or B) is so affordable I can afford to buy six different lots or so with separate pictures and then mix them up on my own and repackage.

I’ve seen Snapfish, Zazzle, Cafe Press, Moo, Kodak and VistaPrint. All of them, except for Snapfish, want around $1 per card or more, or they (like Moo) don’t suit. Got any leads? I really can’t see someone wanting to spend $20 on a box of 10 greeting cards. I’ll have to look around to see what people are charging.

In the interest of honesty, I’m putting this all out there… it doesn’t paint a very flattering picture of me, however, I hope you’ll forgive me. I’m a work in progress, till the day I die.

My husband sent me an email on Friday pointing out that I haven’t posted about the SOAR lottery yet. He advised that, while my enthusiasm has dimmed, anyone reading along and not hearing about it would assume I’d not been picked to attend and had gone into a deep depression. He’s right, I should post about it. Yes, I did get in as a regular paying guest, and so did Michelle so I have a fabulous trip and room mate to go with. But what’s this about my dimmed enthusiasm?

Well, I think a large portion of that is that I had really built up the whole SOAR experience to revolve around the scholarship. Being picked would have meant something monumental to me. A sign of validation? Acceptance? I don’t know. I didn’t even know I was looking for it in the first place! All I know is that it took some introspection to figure it out. Also, I was pipe-dreaming about what I could do with the portion of the fees I’d already saved up, man… that drum carder was so close I could have licked it. When I didn’t get picked it really took the wind out of my sails.

Couple that with the fact that I mis-read one of the workshop descriptions and then I was really kicking myself. I thought Abby Franquemont’s class was for the SPINDLE… not the wheel. My initial three class choices were Creatively Carding Color, Spinning & Knitting Estonian Lace, and Spinning 101 with Maggie Casey. I’ve always wanted to learn under her, though I’m not in the 101 range and would have preferred a 201 with her. Turns out it’s her class I got, which is great because she really is supposed to be awesome… but if I’d thought it through more I would have picked Abby’s class instead. I’m afraid that I’ll be spending three days in a class with a GREAT teacher, learning things I already know. I asked about changing my waiting list but Abby’s class has an insane waiting list so I have a higher likelihood of getting into the carding class as I’d originally wanted.

I really am glad that I’m going. I have every faith that at this point I’ll be able to finish saving up for the event, so I’m definitely going. I know that even though I’m not a beginning spinner I’ll learn really great things from Maggie Casey. How can I not? She’s the spider woman. I k now I’m going to have a ton of fun, and that I’ll make memories to last a lifetime while I’m there. I also know that given a little time I’ll stop feeling like SOAR is that guy you have a huge crush on in High school who turns you down when you get up the courage to ask him to the prom but says ‘we can still be friends though!’

I swear to god, it’s like I’m forever 15!