i’m trying to get everything in order around here before i take off for my rhinebeck trip on thursday. actually, kim is coming in from san diego wednesday evening, so i really want to be all done before then. therefore my weekend has mostly amounted to a lot of this and that, without much theme or focus. and gosh, darn it, it’s almost over already—how can that be?
to that end, i washed the other half of my sweater collection, and worked on getting some new design projects on the needles. unfortunately, not much success with that and nothing to show yet, but lots of progress eliminating ideas . . . for what that’s worth.
we also took time to have a little get-together last night. my very good friend beckie shares a birthday with david, and we usually celebrate together. but she was away for it this year so we decided to make a nice dinner for four last night and have our party a little late.
i cut some greens from the garden and the last (i think) of the eggplant, and beckie came over in the afternoon to cook curries with me. we chopped onions, peppers, potatoes, garlic, ginger to go with the roasted eggplant and tomatoes, and made a couple of different dishes.
it was so fun to spend time in the kitchen together, talking and talking—like we hadn’t seen each other in ages, but that’s what two weeks felt like while she was away.
we took a break to indulge in a little modeling session
which worked out really well—isn’t she lovely? and she stands so still; she’s a natural.
and there was a gift for beckie . . .
i have to admit i’m not much for making a big deal out of wrapping presents, even when i’ve put a lot of work into what’s inside. i used to be better at it, but now, my gifts look like a toddler wrapped them and i’m likely to shove it at the recipient and say “here”.
you might be able to tell that she got socks, but which ones? i’ve had this gift set aside for her for some time now; once i had them done i knew i wanted beckie to have them—as i knit them she commented over and over how much she liked the yarn and pattern together.
cozy cardigan socks (i should really knit myself a pair; i like them too)
then it was back to work in the kitchen. to round out the meal we ordered some appetizers from our favorite local indian restaurant. yum. we ate and talked late nto the evening; it was wonderful.
i’ve not had any luck getting something new on the needles (yet), but i have been working on my butternut scarf while i watch TV late at night and it’s growing
as promised, i remembered to take pictures of the pretty pattern formed on the reverse side
it doesn’t usually bother me to see the reverse of a lace pattern because they are often so interesting either way. still. it’s a nice surprise when it turns out that you can’t tell which is the back and which is the front.
and today, of course was spinning class. once again we had a really good one.
susan was back and looking very accomplished as she finished spinning up a small amount of variegated blue fiber. she’s been knitting baby hats with her handspun while she travels, which is a great way to use small amounts.
since she had only a bit of the blue fiber, she decided to ply it with some white to extend the yardage and make the blue a little lighter
i think this is destined to be a hat for the grandson that is expected in a few months.
we explored navajo plying a little bit and will be working on that more in the future. i don’t have photos because, well, my hands were full as i was the one doing the plying, and everyone else was pretty intent on watching and deciding this was one technique they might want to do “some day” but probably not right now. hahaha.
it’s my fault really; i am not accomplished by any means at this type of plying, since i never use it. but now i’m intrigued and may practice up some to see if it is something i’d want to incorporate into my spinning ongoing.
alright now, time to go knit! and you know what happens when that happens, right?
27 thoughts on “weekend ephemera”
Whee. I’d sort of forgotten you were Rhinebeck bound – bon voyage – so many of us will be there 🙂
KTE
One lucky Beckie, she is!!! I know, Cardigan Socks can be part of your traveling knitting!
Smile, indeed! I hope you’re enjoying your well-deserved knitting time, and I can’t wait to hear more about the design process (even if it is mostly eliminatory at this stage) 🙂 The spinning looks great!
Bringing all those pretty sweaters to Rhinebeck? I’ll be going on Sunday, since that’s the day that my friend Melissa from Mass is going as well.
I love Navajo plying! I only have three bobbins right now, so it’s my only way to make a 3 ply. Plus it’s fun to do 🙂
That wrapping paper is adorable!
First of all, have a great time in Rhinebeck. Second of all, happy birthday to Beckie! And thirdly, look how awesome Susan is doing on the spinning! I’m so glad for her!
The neck warmer is gorgeous & I love th lace edge. It really sits so well & looks so pretty.
It’s interesting to see how full of texture most of your sweaters are! They’re beautiful.
The shots of the sweaters are so satisfying – the texture, the color, the fantasy of so many gorgeous sweaters.
I love the shot of those sweaters! I’ll be at Rhinebeck this weekend also, it’s my first time there. I’ll be on the lookout for you! Have a wonderful trip.
Anne, I love that neckwarmer – if it’s your pattern, will you be publishing it?
I see that you do have some color after all in your sweater colecction 🙂
Hope you will have a great time at Rhinebeck and that you will have a chance to wear your new sweater !!
I would just love to shop in your closet 🙂 Some pretty wonderful things hiding in there! I’m sooo jealous that you’re getting ready for Rhinebeck, I wish I could go too. Have a wonderful trip!
Wish I could take spinning class with you guys. I won’t be going to Rhinebeck (no $$$). Maybe next year . . .
You always have so much news to share with us!! I love every bit of it. The socks were a wonderful gift! The neckwarmer looks so cool. I love it. The wrapping paper is so cute! Smile back at ‘cha!
Such gorgeous sweaters and see? there ARE colours in your wardrobe! Everything looks wonderful, knits, produce, mmmmm.
I’m exactly the same way with presenting gifts, and yes, I used to be so creative but now? meh. It really is what’s inside that counts.
Beckie is very lovely, as is the fab cowl she is modeling. Your class will be a very fun one.
I really must make myself some of those socks too 🙂
Have a blast at Rhinebeck if we don’t chat before then (we all know you will 🙂
I love the cardigan socks. I can see I need to add these in my wish list. The scarf is lovely. Sounds like a great weekend!
I’ll be in Rhinebeck on Saturday with two other Knitspot fans. Hope we get a chance to say hello!
The neckwarmer is lovely.
The design on your cowl is really pretty. It goes so well with the yarn. I think you should start a new line of Little Nothing.
I am simply green with envy! Your collection is wonderful! I hope you enjoy each and every one throughout the season. I lost count ~ how many handknit sweaters do you have? I know I have quite a bit of catching up to do!
You have me thouroughly convinced that everything you touch turns to gold.
I want to knit every single pattern you put out…oh to be a test knitter =)
Hello,
I nominated your blog for a blog award 8)
I love reading about your knitting and spinning, but I’ve also learned a lot from your garden, and what food you grow to put away for the winter. Do you have any books you’d recommend on the subject? I do some basic canning and freezing, but I never would have thought of roasting the eggplant slices and freezing for future meals, and I would really like to expand my food preservation horizons.
Wow, Anne. You never cease to amaze me with the amount you are able to accomplish! Will you come organize my life? Please? I’ll be forever grateful! 😉
More great sweaters! And I think I spy a blue-green one right?
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