Whew. Home and… well, I was going to say I was sorted, but if you could see my house you’d wonder what lunatic said that nine people could unpack in my living room and just walk away. There’s something about travelling by car, isn’t there? I have all the space in the world, it feels like, after confining myself to one bag for air travel, and what with Squam being as rustic as it is, I spared myself no comfort. Flashlight? Hell, I’ll bring two, maybe someone else will need one. I brought a little coffeemaker and a hand crank grinder (taking no chances after my recent episode) and candles and real wine glasses and mugs (you never know) and tea and bug spray and an extra blanket and … I put it all in the car. I didn’t even pack it all – I just heaved it into laundry baskets and took off. It was great, but on the unpacking side there’s more than a little chaos. Still, a good time had by all, I think, despite how far behind it’s landed me on all things digital. It’s going to be a day or three before I’m all caught up – in a lot of ways, so today I’m copping out on you a little and doing a super fast Q&A and some Karmic Balancing Gifts.
Skeindalous asks: I love the mitts or mittens or socks at the bottom of the post. Can you tell us more?
Sure can, those are indeed socks, and do be more precise, they’re the Starry, Starry Night socks that I linked too a few entries ago. I’m in love with them, and like all colourwork they seem to be zooming along. I’m using Tanis Fiber Arts Blue label in Natural for the light colour, and the blue is Indigodragonfly’s Merino Nylon Sock in “People Are Particularly Stupid Today, I Cannot Speak To Any More Of Them”. (Long colourway name, but a great line from the Gilmore Girls.)
Katie: I’m on pins and needles to see if you knit the second sock this way or with the colors reversed.
Have you met me? They’ll be the same. I just don’t have the nature for mismatched socks. (As an interesting aside, I would be willing to bet a not inconsiderable amount of yarn that not one of my daughters has worn matching socks in at least a year. I gave them all socks at Easter and they all immediately traded one of each pair. I think they do it to make me crazy. It works.)
Kate: Can I say these pictures look fantastic? Taken with the new camera?
Yup. I think I’m getting the hang. This past weekend taught me that I don’t really understand how metering works on this camera yet, so I’ll go back to school on that this week. I’m still not taking the pictures I’d like to be taking, at least not reliably, but I feel like it’s coming. There’s some seriously, catastrophically bad pictures I’m not showing you though.
Carol: I’m waiting to hear about the annual swim tradition. It’s been a slow and late spring, and I bet the water is colder than a witch’s tit in a brass bra.
Yeah. I’d say that’s about accurate. I swam three times this year, and I wasn’t the only one. I actually don’t even think I was first, considering the screams, expletives and general shrieks that accompanied the splashes coming from the cabin the Ravelry crew inhabited. It was such a pleasure to swim. The air was warm and the sun glorious, and while the water was most definitely cold, it wasn’t quite the heartstopping, shattering cold of last year. When I got out my lips weren’t blue and I had full control of all my fingers. Good swimming, by Ontario lake standards.
Nobody: Hey, I heard that you finally finished that Adrianna thing. That true?
YES, by wool, it is true. Finished and worn, although she needs an official photoshoot, rather than this quick pick snapped by Nancy Bush as we walked through the woods on our way back to class. (I thought the “no bikes” sign was ironic. Maybe you have to be me too really laugh.) I got several compliments, and I think I love it. (Also, you may note my “squam hair” in that picture. It’s what you get if you manage to convince yourself that swimming is pretty much the same as showering and shampooing.)
Karmic Balancing gifts? You bet. Today’s gifts (and there will be tomorrows gifts too, so you can look forward to that) are all from one person. The very generous Teddy is passing on some beautiful things out of her stash in the fond hopes of earning enough Karma for the sun to shine on her daughter’s wedding day. I can’t believe this wouldn’t be enough.
First of all, Tree D will be enjoying 5 skeins Serious Color hand dyed 50% kid mohair 50% wool, 50 gm/120 yards.
2 skeins lovely Jamieson 100% soft Shetland wool, grown and spun in the Shetland Isles. 2 ounces per skein for Kelli R.
2 skeins Cascade Heritage sock yarn 75% merino superwash/25% nylon. 100 gm/437 yards, will be winging their way to Heather S.
Next up? I hope that Pat P. knows a sweet little one, because this cotton chenille sweater kit is going to her house.
It’s sock yarn galore for Karen K! If she’s not a sock knitter, I bet this convinces her.
Shazam! Four balls of Jojoland Melody, and now they belong to Beth C.
1 skein Zitron Trekking hand art sock yarn, and Northeast Fiber Arts kettle dyed – both for Ellen R.
Three balls of Galway (that’s enough for something rather good) for Mikia B.
A kit to make not one, not two, but THREE pairs of felted slippers for Jessie H.
Baby hat and legwarmers (with super sweet handmade buttons) for Chris G!
2 skeins KnitPicks hand painted fingering, 50% merino 25%alpaca 25% nylon, and 1 skein Silver Creek 100% superfine merino, 3.5 oz/306 yards for Margaret W. (Is it just me, or is it starting to look like Teddy has really great instincts for what to put together?)
Finally, and last is certainly not least – two, count ’em, two skiens of Opal sock yarn for Kathy H.
That’s it – if you can call twelve great presents “it” without it sounding less fabulous than it really, really is. Thanks so much Teddy, and to everyone who’s donated. Once again, in case you missed the details, to be included in these draws (and they’ll go all the way to the rally) all you have to do is to donate to someone on our little family team –
and then send along an email to me at stephanie@yarnharlot.ca, with “enter me” in the subject line – and your name and address in the body. You don’t have to tell me how much you gave, or provide proof. I know you’re a good person and you wouldn’t lie. (Also, if you’ve found another $5 lying around and would like to give again, don’t forget to send another entry. It counts.)
I want to thank you all a very great deal for making this possible. Fundraising is down this year, not just for our family, but for the Rally in general. Unfortunately, the operating costs for PWA remain the same and I’m so grateful that you’ve chosen to support this fine cause. I can always count on the knitters, and by the way, don’t forget to spread the word. Yarn presents until the Rally! Tell a friend! Yarn party at Stephie’s house!