I'm glad to hear you didn't have any damage from the storm. Isn't it wonderful not to lose power? Show more of your little leaves when you get the chance. After seeing yours, I ordered the kit in purple.

I am soooo tempted by your leaves....but what a nutty thing to knit a hole to sew up in a toe....but then, I AM a nut, so defined by my college roommate's dad....

Hi, I have been reading up on all your archives and even managed to get a couple of your books here in Edinburgh, Scotland. I have to say that your blog and books have inspired to enjoy my knitting again and not feel intimidated by all the wonderful designers out there. And because of that I have even knitted my first sweater for myh 8year old without using a pattern - and it's even his favourite now! Thanks for such an enjoyable read!

Glad to hear you escaped ... and that knitting was at hand in a delay!

I figured you were totally sucked in knitting the leaves. Not that you had gone bonkers. I was half expecting there would be a post on Friday with pictures of the finished socks.

I wonder if any of those branches took out Mr. Fleece-Stealing-Squirrel?

Glad you are not ina corner crying and that your roof is still on your house.

I'm glad to hear that you're surviving the wind, and that your sanity is still firmly in place. I see that Rabbitch has followed your lead and bought a kit -- I can't wait to see all the finished leaves on both coasts!

Yet one more reason to always have knitting on hand - in the midst of a storm and held up in traffic. There is ALWAYS a reason to have it.

Good that nothing more serious happened... I know your trees might not agree. And thank you for the beautiful pictures you usually post, as well as your ability to make so many people part of your blog. Keep it up!

Good call on the quick post...I was beginning to worry that in fact the leaves had consumed you.

LMAO @ Lisa J's comment

That was some big wind wasn't it!!! Glad you are all safe, except for some tree branches. Those little leaves are so sweet, so cleverly designed, that I think you might just make it to the end of them quite sane. Well, as sane as usual, right? :O) Am working on your sock recipe, and the ravelry crew helped me almost instantly with a math question regarding the heel. So while you've been meeting, I've been knitting! Happy leaf knitting, Stephanie!

Good to hear your house is okay. I hope everyone else is able to bounce back from that. I love how you said you were held up, but you had your knitting so everything was fine. I always have an emergency sock in my bag besides another project. You never know.

And last week, when you asked about our best FO of 2007, when you replied to mine on my blog, those few words almost made me pee my pants with glee. Almost I say. I work in a yarn store & I was trying to think of every employee to call up & tell. I didn't mention it to the customers; rioting would've ensued I'm sure.

Bricks falling from the sky. This is the FUN way to get home!

Glad to hear you're alright. And still knitting leaves, hmm, do I see signs of a leaf obsession? Why do I have the feeling that after those little leaves are placed on their sock home, other little leaves will mysteriously appear in other places -- like on sweaters, bags, scarves . . .

We didn't lose power either. On the way to my daughter's school there was a huge old evergreen, cracked near the base, resting on the powerlines and almost completely overhanging the road. I had to drive under it while the wind was still whipping and it was scary!

Tis the season for windstorms - we just had a biggun' out here in San Francisco. We're still picking up debris and were out of power for days.

Then again, when there's no power, there's knitting by headlamp! (I shoulda' taken pictures)

Glad to hear things are well in Ontario.

I SOOO read 'held up' and thought you had been held at gun point and forced to give up your cute little leaves!

Glad you all are okay!

"I am still knitting little leaves, but it has not cost me my sanity just yet"

There's something missing from that sentence. Not sure if it's a 'completely' that should go between "not" and "cost", or a 'what's left of' between "me" and "my sanity"...

Very glad to hear you're ok (we're under a tornado watch here in central Tennessee as I type this, so I can relate)!

Can't wait to see more progress pictures of the little leaf socks!

I totally wasn't expecting a post from you today. I figured you would be in leaf land until they were finished...and you know one pair isn't going to be enough. Remember those Tulip sweaters? I can just envision a fall rakings worth of leaves at your house. C'mon...you know you want to!!!

Business meeting? You do like to throw the tantalizing tidbits out there. (Hope everything's OK.)

Your house is fairly old, no? From back when they were considered seriously fixed assets, as in no wind is moving this sucker to the Land of Oz or anywhere else. Glad you're warm and safe. If you have sanity to spare, would you send me some?

Perhaps you could knit some leaves for your now treeless neighbors...just a thought :>)...

So glad you're safe and intact and with power! And that you and the leaves are one with the knitting universe, having knitterly fun. Unfortunately, leaves are probably not compatible with a business meeting in that no one will be convinced you are paying attention to the meeting, when your head is bent over tiny needles, since no one (except maybe Lisa the Tsarina) can knit tiny leaves without looking.

Yep, with a little luck, there's a homeless squirrel now. Maybe half a washed fleece will be blown out of a tree somewhere in the neighborhood....

With any luck, your friendly (fiendly?)neighborhood wool rustler got blown right out of whatever tree he hides in and got relocated to Siberia.

I'm with Trina W. there...held up, she gasped!! Oh, delayed.... Glad all is well...minus a tree limb or two or three...

Yes, that was exactly what I thought... "She's too busy knitting leaves to post. Wonder how far she's gotten? I wonder if I should figure out a way to make leaf earrings (so fetching)." and other musings along those lines. Now I'll wonder, "How did the Squirrel from Hell fare?"

So that must be why you had that spectacular run of bad luck a couple of weeks back - the universe was preparing you for everything going right this time. Balance is everything!

Glad you're safe; we had quite the wind storm here in northern New York, St. Lawrence Valley region, and lots of people lost power. We, too, were more fortunate than many, but there were not any injuries (except maybe to the confidence of the truck driver whose truck was nearly blown off the Ogdensburg/Prescott bridge. . . the picture alone was horrifying!). Love those wee leaves, and want to make some myself! Must work on syllabus! Must work on syllabus! Classes start in a week and a half, really cutting into my knitting time.

Phew. Well, knock on wood. I can't belive you would curse yourself saying how luck you are! lol

As to the poor little squirrel, lets just hope he got some sense knocked into him and he will use all the previously stolen fleece to spin and knit you a sweater or something. Think of the bonding it could bring. You could sit in the sun this summer knitting and spinning together...

So, is this little leaves thing anything like the baby bootie fetish?

I was going to say something HILARIOUS about knitting leaves to cheer up your branchless tree, but betsy stole my joke :(
The blog awaits the finished socks with great anticipation...

Maybe the branches lost from the tree were the ones used to house the bushy-tailed bandit. Best of luck to you with the leaves.

Must be that The Fates have decided that you've already faced your trials with the car troubles and the toilet seat. Karma.....

Living in Michigan ,like Ontario, means weather.
We invested in a generator a couple of years ago-it comes on automatically if we lose power and ,while it can't do everything, it gives us heat and lights and the fridge and stove work.
No more cold,dark nights for me!!! I balked at the cost but have come to love,love,love the Big Guy.
Hope the squirrel has to find a new place to live -if so, this storm may turn out to be a blessing.

Some trees are very touchy about losing their body parts. Very sensitive of you to think of that.

P.S. Presbytera might well suggest that maybe it's time for the tree to go on knitting retreat.

One of the many subvaults in my "yarn treasury" are several of the Tsock Tsarina's kits. She is a woman of stunning imagination and amazing design expertise, and I am vastly comforted to know that if I ever really need to just sit and knit the kits I have will keep me occupied for ages. This is a good thing because with child #1 starting college in the fall there is likely to be quite a yarn diet around here starting now and for some years to come (there are three other children to follow in the ensuing years). The real question is how I have managed to avoid purchasing that particular kit since I am an absolute sucker for anything with leaves. Must have been blinded by all that other wool at Rhinebeck!

When I was a kid in Ohio we had a near-tornado that blew down nearly all the tree lawn trees in the next block from where I lived (each tree hit the roof peak of its requisite house). It was a wild night (wicked noisy and no power) but at least our house stayed in one piece. It was plenty scary, though. Glad you and your house are safe. Hope the wool thief was blown to Oz!

That's interesting: you said "on Ontario".

Americans say: "in [your-state-of-coice-here]".

wasn't last night the 10th anniversary of the quebec ice storm? phew.. too freaky. i'm glad you're ok, but hope that the squirrel moved on to greener pastures.

Yikes! I'm glad to hear that y'all are ok! Have fun finishing the leaves!!! =)

Branches lost... do you see any lovely grey fleece poking out of the ragged holes?

I got a little worried when you said you got "held up" on the bus--but you had your knitting so who cares? (I knew sharp pointy sticks could come in handy). But--oh--you were just "delayed" on the bus. Not nearly as exciting--but that is the kind of excitement I can live without.

Tehe, I just noticed the "on Ontario" that trek pointed out. Too funny. =)

if this was the storm that started in california last weekend, i am very sorry to have sent it your direction. but i am glad to know you have power. it left us without electricty for 4 days.

i hate wind.
:-(

Don't you just love, love, love that having your knitting with you means it doesn't matter if the streetcar is late? I have one doctor who always keeps me waiting forever, but with knitting (and maybe an ipod) I am almost cranky when I'm called in and have to stop.

You stop people's hearts with sentences that begin: "The worst troubles we had was that I was held up on a streetcar last night" -- I'm so glad it was a delay and not a mugging!

So glad you are all okay and that the tiny leaves haven't sent your sanity blowing in the wind.

Good to know all is well after the wind storm. We had one here a week ago and they said it had the force of a small hurricane. Yikes!

I had a bit of a scare when I read that you were "held up on a streetcar". My mind was jumping to conclusions way faster than I was reading. Whew.

Your excitement about these teeny leaves led me to order the kit and the sock club. What have you done to me, oh master? I'm glad to hear you are all OK. We are debating turning on the A/C here in South Georgia.

Well, perhaps if you knit the tree some leaves of its very own, it might feel better.

I wonder if any of those falling branches from your trees had a certain squirrel's nest in them? Hmmm! Glad to hear you survived all right. I can't wait to see what the socks look like, sounds fascinating!

I'm with those who are worried about Mr. Fleece Thief Squirrel given the fact that your tree is missing major branches. Poor Mr. F.T. Squirrel--maybe you could knit him a few leaves to use for his new nest in new branches. Otherwise, he may be tempted to set up his nest in your attic--or your yarn stash!

Very glad to hear you didn't loose your power. It was recycling day here when the wind hit us and I have no idea where all the newspapers ended up . For over an hour it looked like it was a storm of nothing but paper. We too were lucky and kept the power on. Thanks for posting as I really would have thought the leaves had pushed you over the edge. he he

Sorry, Priscilla. Tree branches aren't allowed on a knitting retreat. Only the highest-ranking inanimate life forms are permitted, such as yarn and fiber. And wine. And chocolate. Oh, and wasabi rice crackers. (And Rams' pie, but that goes without saying.)

But if said tree branches took a ride on a lathe, well, then, they'd be knitting needles and therefore included.

Leaves on socks intrigued me enough to go and look at the photo of the kit. They indeed are beautiful and very unusual. You do know you're getting to be like Oprah, don't you? One mention on your blog and the pattern, kit, or whatever becomes a bestseller!

I'm having a great time imagining a knitters SWAT team.

Oh boy wind storms are not fun.. We lost 20 trees in one day once!

So glad that you're okay!

And yeah, I'd wondered whether the leaves would get your brainz. Tiny little 3-point zombies, they are.

Whew... I can tell you're not from Los Angeles. When you said you were 'held up' on the street car, I immediately thought armed robbery. Glad to hear it was just a debris jam.

Tiny leaves, eh? So does that mean to tell me that you've knit everything on God's green earth now? 2mm needles... yeah... to me that means carpal surgery - again.

Glad to hear that you are doing alright, and still enjoying your leaves. The socks are going to be gorgeous, I can already tell. I personally would have a really hard time putting that much effort into socks (as opposed to, say, a sweater), especially given that you hate darning...but they're going to be really spectacular! :-)

Maybe you could knit some branches for your tree to make it feel better?

"I am still knitting little leaves, but it has not cost me my sanity just yet."
Well, no. Clearly it was a pre-emptive strike.

[Typed this as initial reaction, then, before posting, went back to read the comments, lest I duplicate. Saw one awfully similar...
I am honored to have the same reactions as Rachel H. Frightened, but honored.]

Thanks for letting us know that neither you nor your house have lost your heads. We would have worried.

I am delighted to hear you are ok!!!!
Roof intact, furnace working, and no loss of power, those all all good things. Perhaps the furry little gray fleece stealing beastie has been relocated by the wind yes?
I find the leaf thing very interesting.. I think that I would like to knit them.. hmmmmmm (rummaging again in purse for credit card.. this time I mean it)
Carolyn

If you are very lucky, the loss of a few limbs from your tree left some specific 'rat bastards' homeless and they will have to leave the neighborhood.

Glad to hear you're all ok! Now, if that was the cherry tree that got inadvertently pruned...watch out. It might decide to put forth even more cherries this summer. Hope things recover around there quickly! (Except the rat bastard. I hope he's moved a couple of neighborhoods away!)

Out here we had some wind of our own around noon today. In a *highly* unusual form for the Pacific NW.
A tornado.
That actually touched down.
In Vancouver.
Washington.

The news stations are *still* running continuous coverage...

oooohh.... we wondered where that went... sorry about that...here in Cali, we just got our electricity back on Tuesday...

You know, if you are very attached to that tree, Jonathan Bosworth can make a very lovely spindle or two out of those branches... you just have to deliver the wood. He made me two absolutely stunningly gorgeous spindles from a bit of a branch of my "grandmother pecan" tree that was hit by lightening a year after Hurricane Isabel hit us. She and her sister pecans, unlike most of the other large 100 year old trees in the area, survived the hurricane. But it must have been her time.

It is a true testament to the calming power of knitting that when you've got you're needles, delays are no big deal. It's almost a blessing in disguise when you all of a sudden have all of this "found" knitting time while you wait! (I've just recently started carrying a project in my purse and I don't know why I didn't think of doing this years ago!) It's the little bits here and there that add up big time.

Wow. Glad you're good... still think you're crazy with the leaves...but that's not new;)

If you're very lucky, maybe all the wind blew that little fleece thieving squirrel to bits.

glad you are doing well.
sorry to hear about your tree and your neighbors

and i hope that knitting little leaves will get you through the weekend:)

PS- I'm in Michigan and OUR power was out for hours yesterday. Which would have been fine had I not had the recent "incident" with a candle...we had to light them- and watch them like hawks...else the beagel and the boy would have been scared witless of the dark.

Besides... I had to KNIT. After a number of trials with candles and various flashlights... I ended up wearing my oldest sons, stinky camouflage fishing cap--- with led lights in the brim... ugly, but quite effective!

Bright enough to work on my latest Hemlock Ring!

I'm waiting with bated breath....what was your favorite project of 2007?

Mine is a toss up between a red felted hat for my mom, or the sweaters I made for my nieces, it was the first pattern I really adapted--and it worked!

That kind of wind in January, not good. I have to tell you that because of your blogging about the socks, I went to Lisa's web sight and signed up for the 2008 sock club and then went back and ordered the Pinot kit. It sounds like they are getting a lot of orders for the sock kit. Is this a good thing?

Yikes...when I read "held up" I had visions of dropping your knitting and no one gets hurt. Feels good to be wrong :)

Glad to hear you are all safe and sound! Have fun with the little leaves, they are so adorable!

So, Presbytera, you're saying that tree branches are not allowed at a knitting retreat, despite the fact that they could be future knitting needles.

Hmmm.

That just seems wrong.

Oh the looks I got when I mentioned a new shorter commute didn't give me as much guilt free knitting time...

Things are OK in PA. Lots of potential firewood lying around from the last storm. It was 68F the other day. It's Farm Show Week and usually it is about 15F and we are all freezing. Wens. was Sheep to Shawl day. I was a bit lazy and watched it on TV on the local public station.Today it is raining and all I want to do is stay in and knit little leaves.Wonder why?

"Held up in a streetcar" sounded a little ominous until I read on, and wondering of your squirrel and that broken tree in your yard. Is it spilling out wool from the damage?>

Wow...those wee leaves will be a challenge. I bought the kit yesterday....sometime ago I
bought the one for beer and the red beaded one. However, I've not made any of them. When I do you can be sure they will be mine...I don't think anyone I knit for would appreciate the time, patience and shear craziness I will go through to get them finished. Also, should we take on the summer Olympics and all knit bikini swim suits during the event? LOL

Thanks for keeping us entertained here in the states. Looking forward to the new book.

Sandy in South Dakota USA

Oh! I can just see little leaves with vines on a sweater.... just a few though. Maybe three or five (odd numbers are more aesthetically pleasing to the eye).

I think you have taken leave of your senses. But it's nice that you are having so much fun.

Are you blocking them as you go? There are 18 darling leaves, I'd be stuck with the original and 17 amorphous blobs - good on you!

I couldn't believe you were so calm after being "help up" on the streetcar, until I realized you hadn't been robbed at gunpoint, you were just delayed!
(I guess it's time for me to move out of this place.)

I've been reading your books and your blog and I just HAVE to tell some other knitters, so...SOCKS! I just finished my very first pair during lunch. I adore them. I can't wait to start another pair. I've been wandering around the office showing my employees, who all agree, smart folks that they are, that my socks are indeed glorious. Socks, socks, socks...who would have known. I may NEVER take them off.