So...

It's been awhile. I have tons of excuses for not blogging, but it really comes down my lack of motivation. With ravelry and flickr, I found myself just posting there, so I still had my visual record of finished items. However, I was bad about remembering when I had started, if I had frogged/swatched, etc. That was the upside to the blog.

And I started sewing again, and felt unsure as to whether or not that had a place on my 'knitting' blog.

And work was crazy.

And I had a toddler.

And, and, and....

And then I got pregnant again. And, surprise, surprise, it was a little more than we had bargained for.....two babies!!! And I was exhausted. And then I was making millions of tiny things for my babies and the babies of my friends and family. And then the babies came. And I was exhausted.

But I'm staying home from school this year to be with the kiddos. And some days, I get tired of talking to myself. So I'm going to talk to whomever is still out there. And some days it will be about knitting. And some days it will be about sewing. And some days it will be about my kids. And who knows what else.

Is there anybody out there?

Knitting Olympics

I'll have more to say about goals for this year in a few days. For now, the important decision looms - what to knit for the Knitting Olympics?

This year's contenders:

Must-Have Cardigan: Pros: Yarn in stash (yay!), Has been in queue FOREVER. Cons: That's a LOT of cables.

Fair Isle Cardigan: (I know there's no picture - apparently no one has ever made this!) Pros: No one has made this yet!, I like the side-to-side construction, it is fair isle. Cons: No one has made this (yikes!), I'd have to order yarn, I'd like to lengthen it.

Abstract Leaves Vest: Pros: So pretty. Fair Isle. Cons: Have to order yarn. Steek!

Rowan Fair Isle Cardigan: Pros: Very cute. Have 1/2 the yarn. Cons: Need 1/2 the yarn, would like to convert it to be knit in the round which equals steek. Yikes.

Thoughts? I cannot decide. I really want to use up stash, but I know cables take me longer than fair isle. What to do?

Blah

So, we survived Sock Summit, and had a good time in Portland. I wish I had signed up for more classes, and taken several shorter classes instead of 2 long ones. Next time....I did buy some yarn, but was overall pretty good (the yarn purchases were my birthday present from hubby, so yay!). I would promise pictures, but we all know how that would turn out! :)

I did finish some socks for hubby's birthday, and I've seamed up several sweaters lately - pretty exciting huh? Not much knitting going on in the past few days, as we're getting ready for school to start tomorrow. I've been under a great deal of stress lately, since I got assigned a new classroom on Thursday night and had to set it all up by Friday at 7 for Meet the Teacher. Yikes. Still not all done. I also didn't find out what grade I was teaching until 5:30 Friday night. I'm a wee bit stressed. I'm not able to perform my usual stress relief (casting on 5 million projects) as I have no time for knitting (or blogging, but here we are).

I've been feeling a bit cranky lately about my knitting - lacking inspiration I think. I was fired up about Sock Summit, but then sad when I realized that I had no one to talk to who I thought would really "get" it. I love my knitting group, but that kind of experience doesn't translate well. I also have been really missing have a local yarn shop. I am still buying yarn here and there (mostly on trips this summer), but nothing compares to walking in and seeing what's new, what someone's just finished, etc. And I really really miss the people. I miss seeing folks I only knew through the store, or people I only saw every once in a while. I miss the vast variety of projects and colors and yarn choices. Ravelry is great, but it's not the same as seeing some things in person.

OK, that's enough crankiness for now - must go clean while the bambino is sleeping so we can play for a bit before bedtime - and then, more schoolwork!

Sock Summit

Clearly, I don't have the blogging mojo lately. I think it's because I haven't been taking many pictures, and I think a blog without pictures is boring. We've been up to lots, and I've actually finished some things, which I hope to show you soon, but I have a more pressing matter!

We leave for Sock Summit first thing Wednesday morning. I am so excited! I'm taking classes with Nancy Bush and Anne Hanson!

All this is to say - if you're reading this and you'll be there, leave me a comment (or email me at knitnlit AT gmail DOT com. I'd love to meet you!

Who knows, maybe this will rekindle the blog mojo? One can hope.

Five on Friday

Knock knock? Anybody still out there?

Just a wee bit of a filler post while I get some pictures together.

1. School's out for summer. Unfortunately, I agreed to tutor during summer school, so I'm not out yet.

2. While I don't have to teach, I am taking two graduate classes this summer. Will I never learn?

3. The Bug will be 9 months old in a week. Where has the time gone? She is adorable (of course), and really interested in toys - she likes to take things out of and put back into her basket. She likes to spin wheels on toys, she loves to talk to her toys. She loves being outside, especially in the swing. Her hair has taken on a tendency to stand straight up (a la faux hawk). She loves to eat (maybe not vegetables so much).

4. I've been working on quilting The Girl's birthday quilt (birthday was in March. Shutup). It may kill me. Remind me not to take on huge projects when it's only my second quilt, ok?

5. I'm trying to finish up a bunch of lingering projects this month, with the intent to start working on Christmas gifts next month. Yikes, that seems early, but I know that with school, two grad classes and a one-year old, my time will be precious.

Hopefully I can be around here more this summer! Hope to "see" you soon!

Two posts in one month!

Who could believe it! Well, when you're up at 1 am due to nursing/storm, it works. I keep joking about how much more I could get done if I didn't need to sleep - here's my chance!

Things here are good - The Bug was 7 months old last Sunday - where does the time go? She can sit up unsupported, though she likes to throw herself backwards, so we have to be near (wood floors are killer for your wee little head - ask me how I know). She likes most foods - yogurt, applesauce and bananas are favorites. This week we're trying peas and mango. She sleeps pretty well - most nights only up once to nurse, but when things don't go well she's up twice (like tonight - she was up past her bedroom due to The Girl's spring church musical). She has favorite toys now, and loves to play. We hung a swing outside for her and she loves it.

I've been bitten hard by the sewing bug - I have made several things in the past, but I want to sew all.the.time. now. Which has led to some fabric purchases. Ahem. Let's just say that perhaps I'm running into the arms of my LQS (local quilt shop) now that my LYS is (almost) gone. Last day for LYS is Thursday. Sob. Sewing heals all wounds, right?

I'm actually knitting again - wanting to rush home and knit, working on several different things. It feels good.

My spring classes are over, and I have a month off until summer classes start - two days before I'm out of school. Of course. But I'll take it where I can get it.

I have jury duty next week, and I'm actually looking forward to it, for the break from school it provides, since I have no sick/personal days to take. OH, and knitting time!

I'm starting to feel sleepy again, and the wind has died down, so I'm going to see if I can get back to sleep. More here soon, including pictures!

I'm back (hopefully)

OK - making an effort here to really recommit to the blog, not just talk about it. We'll see how long it lasts. :)

What The Bug has been up to:

*Eating solid food - sweet potatoes and rice cereal are favorites. Makes me a little sad that she is so grown up now!

*We can roll over, but we're not sure about sitting up - we like to throw ourselves backwards.

*She babbles and giggles all the time now - it is so cute!

What we've been up to:

*We spent our spring break sprucing up the house (as has become tradition). We painted the living room, put together some new furniture, and hubby resodded the front yard. Busy, busy, busy.

What I've been up to:

*Teaching my brains out.

*Trying not to be too frustrated with the master's classes I'm taking and their dumb assignments.

*Knitting - only a little - lately a cardigan for The Bug for Easter - back is done.

*Trying to get back into pre-baby shape

*Sewing - piecing quilt tops, cutting fabric for skirts (for me), trying to resist buying all the fabric I love

Hopefully I'll get my act together and post some pictures. No promises! And maybe I'll have more exciting things to say. Maybe.

Still breathing

But barely sometimes. We're still alive. Just incredibly busy. Barely knitting. Barely making through the day due to work stress. And this week our house decided to start falling down around us. Fantastic.

But next week is Spring Break (or, as one of my coworkers pointed out, spring break starts today at 3:10), and we have big home projects planned (as is traditional around here), and one of mine is to sew/knit/photo/blog. Hopefully my plan will work. Stay tuned for more, including 6 month pictures of The Bug (next Thursday - where has the time gone?).

Out of touch

I'm feeling out of touch with the blog. Ever since I found out I was pregnant (just over a year ago), the blog has been low on my list of priorities (rightly so, I think). But I miss the blog. I miss the conversations. I miss sharing what's going on in my life, beyond the knitting. 

So I'm taking back the blog. 

What's new? 

The Bug turned four months old last week (where has the time gone!?). She loves to laugh and giggle, she tries to put her whole hand in her mouth, she loves to nudge her socks off. She is really looking at and manipulating her toys now. She loves to "talk" to you and will roll from her back to her side over and over again. She holds herself up well on her tummy, but hates being there for more than a few minutes. She's still not sleeping "well" according to almost everyone, but we're getting there. Mommy going back to work and colds haven't helped. 

I told my principal today that I want to move back down to a lower grade and she took the news well. Hopefully there is a place for me still at my school - I would hate to leave. I also (because I'm nuts) started some graduate classes in reading this past week. I'm just getting a certificate, but it's 27 hours of graduate work. Two classes to start, and while I'm a little nervous about getting all the work done, I'm unreasonably excited to read my textbooks! Dork!

I haven't been knitting much this month, but I've had a terrible cold with lots of sinus pressure and ear pain that I can't shake (no medicine since I'm nursing). I am feeling better, so hopefully next month will be better for the knitting progress. 

I did decide that my LYS closing could be good for the stash - I'm much less likely to order yarn than to pick it up in a shop, so hopefully I can knit down the stash a bit this year. The only problem with that plan is that I want to make baby things and they don't use up much yarn! 

I did spend an hour or two in front of the sewing machine a few weeks ago trying to piece the quilt pieces I cut before The Bug was born. I'm just doing nine patch blocks, but I'm loving it. Hopefully I can successfully turn my pile of pieces into a quilt, as I may have already bought fabric for another. 

I made Christmas pjs for my girls this year and they were super cute, which has led me to want to sew more. I've got a pile of fabric for skirts for me, dresses for The Bug and more flannel for pjs. 

One thing I want to accomplish this year is to embroider and cross stitch more - I still need to post pictures of my cute kitchen curtains.

And finally, I put my first pattern in my ravelry store this week.  It is the Loopy Laces pattern that was my first design for the Ewenique Feet sock club last year. It's $5.00 and available through ravelry here:

Have a great weekend! Thanks for the daring egg suggestions - I hope to get one soon! 

Hope

It was such an amazing experience to watch the inauguration today with my students. I don't remember watching any other inauguration, other than the oath of office on the news.

 It was going to be special to me no matter what, but to see it through the eyes of a 9 year old...they clapped each time the people on TV clapped, they chanted "Obama" along with the crowd, they cheered each time they saw Obama's beautiful daughters. What a neat day for them - a day I hope they will remember when they are my age. 

I teared up a bit, but managed to keep it in control. What a powerful day for our country. Good things to come, I'm sure.

Obama...Obama....Obama.

President Obama. Pinch me. 

Random Wednesday

1. Computer is still broken. Pictures are still inside it. I do have some that I already uploaded to flickr (finished knits), so I will have some photo content at some point. Soon I hope.

2. Teachers reported back on Monday. Boo Hiss, summer is over.

3. My classroom, which I spent hours setting up in June, as I knew I wouldn't be able to move furniture in August, had EVERYTHING removed and then dumped back into the room. And two tables, my rocking chair and a bookcase are missing. Another bookcase is broken. Grrr.

4. It is taking me FOREVER to set up my room, due to #3, my hugeness/slowness, and the fact that hubbo now works on the other side of town and can't just run over after school to help.

5. My principal is making me team teach and I don't want to. :(

6. Baby is head-down! And there was much rejoicing!

7. Baby's room is nearly ready - all we really need is a mattress for the crib, and some pictures hung on the wall. Two showers this weekend should take care of the little odds and ends we're still missing.

8. Saved 30 cents/gallon today thanks to my MILs Tom Thumb card. Yippee!

9. Knit my dishrag, mailed it off the next day for dishrag tag. Haven't knit a stitch since, and won't probably until knitting tomorrow night.

10. Have a baby sweater and a sweater for me waiting for finishing. Don't want to seam.

11. Have fabric washed and ready to sew a baby dress and cloth wipes. No time to sew.

I'm sure there is more I wanted to share, but I'm exhausted. So glad there is no more gymnastics or swimming - I can go to bed early tonight!

Odds and Ends

I'm really tired of apologizing for not blogging more. There are two ways to solve this problem - blog more, or stop apologizing. We'll see which one happens.

We've been busy bees around here - we visited my parents for a week up in Indiana, and since we've been back we've been doing house projects to get ready for the little one. Nothing really spectacular (and thus not really blog worthy), but we've cleaned out the room that will be hers (and this really was blog worthy, but I didn't take a before picture) - this involved the sewing table, three bookcases and hubby's desk moving into our (small) bedroom. I got a new desk (secretary) which will stay in her room for the time being, as we have nowhere else to put it. At least it closes up so we can't see my mess. The yarn still lives in her closet, but there is nowhere else for that to go either, and really, her clothes don't take up too much space right now! Hubby built her a lovely Ikea wardrobe for her hanging things, built a dresser for the others, hung shelves for goodies, replaced the ceiling fan, and I hung curtains. Now we just need a crib, something that keeps going in and out of stock at Target. Grrr. Pictures when her room is complete.

I've also kept hubby busy replacing the bathtub doors with a shower curtain in the hall bath, hanging shelves in our room, finally putting the "cover" pieces on two of the kitchen cabinets and putting in a filler piece around the turntable cabinet, putting a weather strip on the bottom of the front door, powerwashing the old paint off the trim, building a bench/kitty litter box for the kitchen, and stripping and sanding and painting new doors for all the rooms in the house (4). Whew! His only remaining big projects are to finish the doors, stain the bench, paint the window trim (inside and out) and clean/reorganize the garage. Oh, and build a crib when we get one. And he goes to four days of training next week, then back to work August 4th. It will be a miracle if it all gets done before the bean gets here.

I've been busy with a list of my own, mostly involving Christmas gifts that I can't show here and that aren't knitted (gasp!). I've got six gifts done, and our "family" gift that everyone gets - which is usually an ornament, but not this year! It needs just a few more things, and it's done. I'm also nearly done with the advent calendar I started last year right before Christmas, and I've finished embroidering the valances for the kitchen (pictures after hubby hangs the new curtain rods). I've been writing lesson plans and unit plans for novels for my sub, which isn't too much fun, but necessary if I want things to be done. Just a few more things to do, and I'll be mostly ready for her to take the class.

I have been knitting a bit, but these other things have taken a priority. I didn't knit much on the drive to Indiana, as it was a bit too warm with the sun shining in (and I'm warm all the time now). I did manage to finish up a scarf when we got home that needs to be blocked, and I'm close to being done with a baby blanket for a friend, but all the other knits are in pretty much the same state they have been. My list for today includes finishing up things that are nearly finished so I'll have blog fodder!

I do have some fodder for you. The lovely Theresa sent this cute washcloth for the bean - too cute! Thanks Theresa! The bean also received two handknit bibs from mom (not yet photographed), and a cute hat from a knitting/crochet buddy.

(I don't know why the picture is sideways, but I don't have the energy to deal with it. My apologies)

I've got some new yarn to show off, yarn store reviews, book reviews, and hopefully finished objects to share. I really do want to get back into the "groove" of blogging. I've been reading everyone else's blog, so I'm not sure what my excuse is, beyond lack of pictures.

Sorry for the novel post here - but thanks for reading this far! Oh, and I'm going to have a contest when we get closer to delivery, so stay tuned for that! Have a great Thursday!

Lazy

This pretty much sums up our weekend. Hubby received The West Wing series collection for Christmas, so we've been slowly working our way through the first season. On Friday we stayed in our pjs until we had to leave for family dinner. Saturday we did leave the house for a bit (knitting!) and Sunday we drug ourselves to the grocery store, but otherwise, it was much laziness.

I did make some progress on a few things, but nothing too exciting right now. I also ripped a few projects - 2 pairs of socks that were barely started, and my Alpaca Wrap (Otis attacked the center-pull ball a few weeks ago, and I had wasn't looking forward to ripping it all out to rewind, but I did Saturday night).

I started Rogue, but it's only 6 rows, so it's a boring thing to see right now. I'm also trying to decide if my first book will be Knitting Without Tears or The Knitter's Book of Yarn. Hmmmmm.

Back with more excitement later this week!

Where I'm going

OK - I'm back and I have a more fleshed-out idea of what I want to do this year.

I've chosen 12 months of reading, in my effort to be a more "literate knitter." In no particular order, the books I'll be reading are:

Sweater Design in Plain English
Knitting in Plain English
Opinionated Knitter
Knitting Workshop
Knitter's Almanac
Knitter's Book of Yarn
Knitting Around
Knitting Without Tears
Folk Socks/Knitting Vintage Socks
Victorian Lace Today/Gathering of Lace
Folk Mittens/Folk Shawls
Knitter's Handbook/Finishing Techniques

And the books I'll be knitting from are*:

Kid's Knits - Heads Hands and Toes
Jo Sharp Knit Issue 1
Ella Rae Book 7
Handknit Holidays
Greetings From the Knit Cafe
Knit 2 Together
Folk Mittens
Vintage Knits
Favorite Socks
Knitting Vintage Socks
Opinionated Knitter
Knitter's Almanac

*Special thanks to Theresa for her inspiration for this.

Disclaimer: Some of these books I have already started projects from. However, they are still in their infancy, for the most part, so, rather than cast on more projects (in an effort to keep with that other resolution to not start so many projects), I decided to work with what I have. I also have a ton of magazines with some great patterns, and I expect some of those to pop up as well.

I'll also join Theresa in Time Machine Tuesdays - I wanted to share how some knits are holding up, and this is the perfect place for it.

In other excitement, I did spend several hours this morning working on reorganizing the stash, putting patterns away in their binders, and sorting out the books. I feel much better about the current state of the stash and the crafting area. I cleaned up this area in an effort to allow myself to pursue other crafts. I said last year that I wanted to branch out into other crafting, and I did do some sewing (that I didn't show you - but I will), and I'd like to do more and continue to work on my embroidery and spend more time with cross-stitch. I purchased Bend the Rules sewing with a Christmas gift card, and I have Amy Butler's In Stitches, and I hope those two resources will allow me to become more adept at sewing.

In my personal life, I have a few goals to share - much of the same as many of you, I hope to spend more time at the gym (4 days a week), and eat better. I also want to read more books and enjoy more podcasts v. TV.

We're also trying, as a family, to be greener. My wonderful hubby built an "encasement" for our compost pile yesterday and we'll be getting ready for our garden as soon as it warms up some. We're planning on installing new windows and reinsulating our attic to help out with energy at home. And we'll offset our carbon this year too. But we're looking for other things to do. We already do basic things like recycling all we can, using canvas bags, having wind-powered energy, drying our clothes on the line, and driving one car. If you have other suggestions for us, please leave them in the comments.


I've rambled long enough for tonight, so I'll be back tomorrow with my January goals and a closer look at that WIP list (which I miscounted, and only stands at 46 - so much better, huh?).

A look ahead

2007 was an interesting year for me in many knitting related ways. I started working at the yarn store (yay!), I knit more sweaters, I joined a sock club, and I had cast-on-itis with the kitchen stress. This is especially reflected in my current WIP list.

2008 will be different. I did not rejoin the sock club (since I've only just cast on one of the pairs, and don't have plans to knit all of the patterns), and I will not have cast-on-itis this year (hear me now, believe me later). I do want to get the WIPs down to a more manageable number, and try not to cast on for any more socks until I get the current ones pared down.

Okay, enough rambling, time for some lists.

Goals for 2008:
Knit more.
Make my knits count - less whimsy stuff, and more things people want (including me).
Knit more gifts and more sweaters.
Try out different sock constructions. Including toe-up socks.
Knit more lace.
Become a more literate knitter. I have lots of books that I haven't read - books about sweater and sock construction, about fixing mistakes, different techniques for casting on and finishing details. I'm going to look more into them tomorrow, but I'd like to assign a book to myself for each month and share some tidbits with you all.

Speaking of those tons of books, I've got lots that I haven't knit from. While I don't have a defined plan, I am kicking around the idea of one project from a previously unused book each month. I'll have to spend a little more time with my Ravelry queue to suss that out.

I'd also like to try to use up some stash. Thanks to the greatness that is Ravelry, I exported my stash (after updating it this morning with stuff that hadn't made it in), I learned that I have a lot of yarn. Last January I had 604 balls of yarn. Right now I have 821 balls and 166,195 yards. I did toss or trade 140 balls. So really, that's only a net gain of 80 balls or so. That's much better, right? I do really want to use up some stash that has been hanging around for a while.

In 2007 I also stayed away from KALs and swaps, and stopped making monthly goals. I feel that the absence of both affected my productivity this year. Swaps I didn't really miss too much (and did a few), and while I didn't ever keep up well with KALs, they did provide inspiration and direction. My monthly goal lists also helped provide direction, and keep me accountable for finishing things. While I won't go over the top joining KALs, I will lurk around a few for inspiration. And I will resume my goal lists.

Whew, that's a lot! I do have more to say about what I want to do, but it is still a little jumbled in my mind, so I'll sort it out as I clean up the knitting corner/stash/pattern binders tomorrow.

Year in Review

In keeping with the trends, I thought I'd do a year-end wrap up.

Finished in 2007:

7 sweaters
14 pairs of socks
3 adult hats
4 Calorimetrys
10 baby/toddler/kid hats
4 baby items
5 bags
2 handwarmers
3 stuffed toys
2 pair felted clogs
3 scarves
2 dishcloths
2 beer coozies
1 felted bowl
1 belt

for a year end total of 62 items. Whew!

It sure didn't seem like that many throughout the year though. I didn't meet my goals of 2 pairs of socks and 1 sweater per month, but I did start plenty of projects!

I currently have 49 WIPs. Yikes. That's a big, scary number.
Of those, 4 will be hibernating until spring.
At least two will be finished by the end of the week. Hopefully more.
4 are secret projects you haven't seen yet.
And there are a lot of socks on that list. Lots.

My favorite FO of the year was the Central Park Hoodie. I wear it almost every day I can. I love it. My favorite gift to knit was Jarrett (though I thought that all that stockinette might kill me).

My knitting followed much the same trend as last year, with the exception of more sweaters. I really enjoy wearing my sweaters, so I'm going to keep on knitting them! I have several currently on the needles, and plans for more!

I will have lots more to say about my upcoming knitting goals, personal goals, stash enhancement, and more in the coming days. But in the meantime, I'm really enjoying seeing everyone's goals and year end wrap-ups, so keep 'em coming!

2007 was a big year for us, with the kitchen remodel, a new kitten and new grade levels, and I'm sure 2008 will bring more excitement! Happy New Year to you and your families! Thanks for reading!

Bubkis

For all my talk last week, I've managed to finish nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero. I'm still close to finishing a few (and may actually accomplish that this week), but I didn't get anything of note done last week.

In all honesty, this school year is kicking my butt. I'm under constant scrutiny from my administration, I have the pressure of three state standardized tests weighing down on me, and the constant data gathering, benchmark taking, etc. on top of weekly day-to-day teacher tasks (grading, planning, meetings - and, well, teaching), mixed in with a new reading curriculum, and I'm exhausted. I'm lucky if I make it through 1, maybe 2 TV shows a night, and if I'm not in bed by 10, I'm a wreck the next day. (Man, I'm whiny.)

I'm also trying to get back in shape, so I'm getting up at the ugly end of dawn (4:45) every day to go to the gym before school. In an effort to make my family not the thing that suffers, my knitting is taking one for the team. Other than two socks that were really almost done, I don't think I've finished anything since school started two months ago.

I felt bad for a few weeks when I thought seriously about the number of projects I have going, (and one night I nearly had a heart attack when I counted them) but I've decided that if this is the way I deal with stress (as opposed to copious amounts of drinking) that this is the better choice. So cast on I will, and finish I might. I will try to refrain from buying more needles, in order to keep the WIP list below 100.

I know the blog's been boring for the past few weeks (few months if I really think about it), and I apologize. I really appreciate those of you who check in still, and leave a note every once in awhile. I know there's not much to see here, and there are many other blogs to read, and your time is valuable, so I feel unworthy that you spend it here (but I'm not complaining). I'm trying to stick to an every-other-day schedule, in order to motivate myself to do something. I'm going to not stress so much about the quality of the pictures in order that I might have a post about something.

There are several projects that you've never seen, so I'll try to dig them out every once in a while. I'm also working on a few secret projects, but I may tease you with them. I keep telling myself that there won't be a lot of Christmas knitting this year, but I told myself that last year, and that didn't stop me. So we'll see.

As Dory would say, I'm going to just keep knitting, just keep knitting, and if all I get is a few rows a night, someday it might equal a sweater. And if it's this winter, or next winter, I'll love it just the same. No pressure. Just knitting.

Tease

Fall briefly ran by on Monday and Tuesday, bringing terrible thunderstorms, and cool enough weather for wool socks and handknit sweaters. Too bad it's going to be nearly 90 again today and tomorrow.

All crawled out

Home from the yarn crawl/shop hop, and moderately caught up with school work, so here's a quick look at my goodies from the weekend.



We left from Hill Country Weavers, where I managed to only purchase two skeins of Nature's Palette in a chocolately brown. Such restraint!


Our first stop was Yarn Barn in San Antonio. A large combo shop of needlepoint and yarn, we nearly destroyed the book and sale areas (there were about 35 of us). I managed to score an Interweave I don't have in the sale bin, along with seven skeins of Rowan Denim for the Indigo Ripples Skirt. And well, that Trekking couldn't be helped. It's orange after all.



From there we headed to Yarnivore in San Antonio. This is a small shop in a strip mall area, but it is clean, well-lit, and the owner was very sweet. I did manage to find more yarn here I needed (shocking, isn't it?) Some Kraemer Tweed (cotton acrylic blend) that is more pink than the picture shows, and a pretty pattern book.



On to Boerne, where our first stop was Rosewood Yarns. A new shop that is crammed with yarn, and we completely took over. I did restrain myself from yarn here, but I managed to find three patterns and a beautiful needle-felted notions case made by a women's cooperative in Nepal.



A short jaunt down the street, and we were at Ewe and Eye. A charming shop, filled up with toys, needlepoint, baby items, and yarn. The owners were lovely to us, and I came away with another back issue magazine I don't have, sock yarn for the hubbo (to make up for being gone all weekend, and spending money!) and a 660 yard hank of the softest alpaca I've ever felt. It comes from Switzerland, and has no tag, so I can't tell you about it, other than to tell you to call the shop and get you some. YUM. I'm envisioning a wrap to wear in my classroom. Hubbo wants me to make him a pillow out of it. Ha.

And that's it! We didn't get to Bluebonnet Yarns in Cedar Park, or Stonehill Spinning in Fredericksburg, due to the tight bus schedule. Ah well, just another excuse to do it all again next year!

Yesterday was a difficult day. Today is Friday.*

After a spectacularly awful week, I'm looking forward to running away for the weekend to the Hill Country Shop Hop.

Lots of knitters on a bus, seven yarn stores, and (hopefully) margaritas and mexican food Saturday night. Sounds great. See y'all on the flip side.

*One of my all time favorite books is Lily's Purple Plastic Purse, in which Lily has a bad day and her teacher tells her "Today was a difficult day, tomorrow will be better." When I said that to hubbo last night, he said "tomorrow will be Friday." TGIF.