KnittaPalooza weekend came and went. Read my recap here: http://www.knittersreview.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10601&whichpage=2&SearchTerms=%2CKnita
That Sunday afternoon was spent getting Ewe Knits Kits and Yarn storefront back in order. Bobbie tells me she'll post pictures from the weekend on the website soon.
The next day I was off to San Francisco for the week. It was a "you must be here for the meeting" last minute trip and I was both dreading and looking forward to it.
I hadn't been out there in almost 3 years and I'm not ready to get sucked back into the madness. I spent 3 years flying from east coast to west, west coast to east coast every week with promises of wonderful promotions and lots of bonuses....and in the end all I got was 7 new managers, the old "ya gotta prove yourself to me 'cause what you did before doesn't count" and 400,000 frequent flyer miles. So now I do my job, put in my 50 hours and don't believe anything anyone says. I'm hanging out for a separation package.
All in all it was an okay time. My favorite hotels were booked so I ended up at the Sir Frances Drake on Powell. Nice. But the only place to plug in my laptop to recharge the battery was in the socket used by the hair dryer in the bathroom. A laughable inconvenience.
Work meetings went well and we completed the agenda. Vendor came back with new dates for implementation. ...... Hmm, think I blogged about it earlier in the year. Where I told my young'in boss that what she wanted to accomplish would take a few years not the few months she had planned...my prophecies are coming true.....vendor needs to 1st Qtr 2006..... So the business isn't happy and young'in boss must now negotiate with the vendor and she's all in turmoil...it's giving me perverse pleasure to watch her squirm.
I did have evenings to myself to revisit the city. I walked to Chinatown, up to the mall, took the cable car out and back, visited Borders, Virgin Records (great dvd selection on the second floor), Sephora (Philosophy 3 "Grace" solids) and ArtFibers (3 skeins of "Siam" and 2 skeins of "Chianti").
The 5 hour flights from Charlotte gave me lots of time to knit. I worked on the "Auntie's Afgan" from Oat Couture that I'm knitting for my neice (the one who's expecting). I had begun knitting it using the "american" way of throwing the yarn. Then I re-learned "contenintal" and knit about 20 rows. Didn't like the differences that I saw so I ripped it out and began again. Didn't rip back far enough for my eye so once again, ripped it back. Perhaps it was my dissatisfaction of having to make the trip that cause my knitting to be out of whack. I finally put it away and read. Nora Roberts Birthright kept me entertained.
Didn't have to work at Ewe Knits Saturday so spent the morning running errands (groceries, garden place, picking up B at kennel) and then cleaning up the front and back flower beds and planting a few new flowering things.
Sunday I had a horrible sore throat which eventually turned into a cold. Since I had promised my mother I'd go to see her I couldn't stay home and feel sorry for myself...standing up my mother is worse than a sore throat! It's my second cold this year and I NEVER get sick! My body is thrown off course with all the going I've been doing. I haven't had a day of not going somewhere since April 11! I need some time alone.
SOOOOOO, this Sunday and Monday I am not going anywhere. The car will not leave the garage. I'm staying put! Just me and Bailey...and I may not answer the phone.
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
KnittaPalooza weekend
Don't forget KnittaPalooza this weekend. Weather is expected to be in the mid-80's ...perfect knitting on the beach weather.
By popular demand (and since no one signed up)....Sunday morning "Los Lobos" sock class has been changed to a "bead" class (knitting with and trimming with beads). Spots are stil available.
Boxes and boxes and boxes of yarns have arrivied. Beautiful alpacas in every weight imaginable, lots of novelty, new Hanne Faulkenberg samples and lots of needles and accessories.
We'll have a "store" at the Conference Center and for those of you who can't make it to KnittaPalooza, we'll be changing out the trunk shows between Ewe Knit Kits and Yarn store and the Conference Center.
On the blogger front: I can't get Knitting Ring to work and I've lost my counter.
On the knitting front: Mexican Wave shawl is finished and is beautiful. I've begun a simple all knit skinny scarf with Trendsetters Sunshine . And I'm looking for a lace pattern for the lace weight bamboo yarn.
I think that's it.
By popular demand (and since no one signed up)....Sunday morning "Los Lobos" sock class has been changed to a "bead" class (knitting with and trimming with beads). Spots are stil available.
Boxes and boxes and boxes of yarns have arrivied. Beautiful alpacas in every weight imaginable, lots of novelty, new Hanne Faulkenberg samples and lots of needles and accessories.
We'll have a "store" at the Conference Center and for those of you who can't make it to KnittaPalooza, we'll be changing out the trunk shows between Ewe Knit Kits and Yarn store and the Conference Center.
On the blogger front: I can't get Knitting Ring to work and I've lost my counter.
On the knitting front: Mexican Wave shawl is finished and is beautiful. I've begun a simple all knit skinny scarf with Trendsetters Sunshine . And I'm looking for a lace pattern for the lace weight bamboo yarn.
I think that's it.
Monday, May 10, 2004
Monday, April 26, 2004
Weekend in Atlanta
It was jewelry shopping at the Mart, yarn shopping at TKGA Market and eating pizza from Target for me this past weekend when I spent 4 days with my dearest friend Coco and her husband in Atlanta.
Wanna hear/read about it?
I had no problem finding parking at Norfolk International Airport on Thursday. It was the first time I have parked my car in long term parking since the new terminal was built. It's really nice and no more lugging luggage out in the weather.
Made it through Security with my US #1 Addi Turbo's with the baby bonnet Leaves in my carry on. I was able to knit during the entire flight. I did put them away during take off and landing since I have been asked to do that in the past. Flight was uneventful and my luggage arrived in Atlanta with me. The luggage carousel brought it out to me just as I arrived at the baggage claims area.
MARTA took me right to the North St exit (2 stops after 5 Points) where Coco was waiting for me. A quick stop by the bank to say "HI" to the Atlanta group and it was off to Coco's house.
We had a lovely "cocktail" hour with diet Dr Pepper and cheese while waiting for R (Coco's husband) to come home from work. Dinner was THE best frozen pizza! Now Coco has raved about these little pizzas for a while and so I was quite anxious to try them. She was right! From the Target Superstore, Target brand, $1.99 each, Roma tomatoes and cheese. With a side salad that was dressed with Green Goddess! (look for a pizza pattern here)
After dinner we sat on the porch ( a great Southern tradition) and caught up while Coco read Star magazine and I knitted. We are multi-tasking women!
Breakfast on Friday was bacon, egg beaters and coffee and then it was off to the Jewelry Mart where I purchased a pair of gold huggy earrings, a travel bag and reading glasses and only spent $100. And that included lunch for both of us: egg salad sandwich, pimento cheese sandwich, chips and 2 diet cokes!
After the Mart we found our way to one of the Atlanta LYS, Strings and Strands on Wieuca Rd. Coco decided she wanted to relearn to knit. Specifically a felted hat. So after checking every bit of wool in the store she decided on a beautiful light blue wool with a knitted in band of off white.
Strings and Strands is a nice what I would call "quaint" shop. Yarn is floor to ceiling. The shelves/cubies go from floor to the ceiling. And as a short person, I had a hard time seeing what was waaaay up at the ceiling. They have a nice selection of yarns...wool, novelty, acrylic, etc. Not as plentiful (to me) were the patterns and notions and easily read prices. It was also about 4:00 when we arrived and I was feeling that "it's time to leave" vibes from the yarnseller by about 4:30. So we took the wool and needles and left for home.
Since R was working until 9:00, Coco and I decided that another pizza was the right thing to have for dinner. Another Roma tomato and cheese for each of us and a side salad.
After dinner again found us on the porch with Coco relearning to cast on and knit.
Friday morning we were up early and had a breakfast of Taylor Pork Roll on a bun and fruit. Now I understand Taylor Pork roll is a real "treat". I'm not so sure. Sort of reminded me of ground bacon....
Another friend "R" joined us and we were off to the city again for the TKGA Market. This was the first year for me (and for my non-knitting friends) and truthfully I expected many more vendors...more like 100 than the 25 that were there. I think MS&W has ruined me for smaller shows....LOL
Great Yarns was the first shop. Beautiful samples and yarns. Their site doesn't look "complete" yet but does show some of the samples. One thing they had that was new to me was a "bleach-gel" that is used to fade a finished garment. Their scarves sample used Trendsetters "Sunshine" in a simple knit every row pattern. The gel was applied to make a decorative wave around the edges. I did purchase this gel and plan to play with it soon.
Second stop was at Skaska that sold knitted gossamer shawls. JUST BEAUTIFUL! I left with a skein of lace wt merino, 1 skein of lace wt merino/silk and the book Gossamer Webs. (look for lace shawl pattern beginning here)
Stop number 3 was Just Bags where I splurged and bought a double point needle holder in what they call the tan oriental design.
Yarn Barn of Kansas pulled me in for my next purchase....Stahman's Shawls and Scarves, Lacy Knitting by Mary Schiffman (yea I know...) and US #1 & 3 bamboo needles. This store has a great selection of knitting and crochet books.
At Interlacements their Seeds in a blue/green colorway and Rick Rack in purple went home with me.
My last purchase was at Habu Textiles for 2 small skeins of bamboo yarn....a dk wt in charcoal and lace wt in off white. You have to see and touch to really appreciate this yarn. And the finished garments are incredible....I wish I had more time to talk with the representative...she was so busy answering questions I just stood around listening.
So those were my purchases...what else was interesting? Lantern Moon needles, a new-way-to-me to add beads to knitting, "R" finding a sale table of $5 a skein yarn, and Coco asking "a really nice lady" to help her choose needles for the skein of Interlacements yarn she purchased....the "really nice lady" was Lily Chin.
The evening found Coco and I back on her porch knitting and chatting and the weekend coming to an end.
We had Target pizza's for dinner......
Sunday morning I packed all of my treasures (carried on the yarn and needles) and headed back to Norfolk. Stopped at Harris Teeters to replenish fresh food stuff, ran by the kennel and picked up Bailey and headed home.
So now it's Monday and back to work day.....but hey! KnittaPalooza is right around the corner!
Wanna hear/read about it?
I had no problem finding parking at Norfolk International Airport on Thursday. It was the first time I have parked my car in long term parking since the new terminal was built. It's really nice and no more lugging luggage out in the weather.
Made it through Security with my US #1 Addi Turbo's with the baby bonnet Leaves in my carry on. I was able to knit during the entire flight. I did put them away during take off and landing since I have been asked to do that in the past. Flight was uneventful and my luggage arrived in Atlanta with me. The luggage carousel brought it out to me just as I arrived at the baggage claims area.
MARTA took me right to the North St exit (2 stops after 5 Points) where Coco was waiting for me. A quick stop by the bank to say "HI" to the Atlanta group and it was off to Coco's house.
We had a lovely "cocktail" hour with diet Dr Pepper and cheese while waiting for R (Coco's husband) to come home from work. Dinner was THE best frozen pizza! Now Coco has raved about these little pizzas for a while and so I was quite anxious to try them. She was right! From the Target Superstore, Target brand, $1.99 each, Roma tomatoes and cheese. With a side salad that was dressed with Green Goddess! (look for a pizza pattern here)
After dinner we sat on the porch ( a great Southern tradition) and caught up while Coco read Star magazine and I knitted. We are multi-tasking women!
Breakfast on Friday was bacon, egg beaters and coffee and then it was off to the Jewelry Mart where I purchased a pair of gold huggy earrings, a travel bag and reading glasses and only spent $100. And that included lunch for both of us: egg salad sandwich, pimento cheese sandwich, chips and 2 diet cokes!
After the Mart we found our way to one of the Atlanta LYS, Strings and Strands on Wieuca Rd. Coco decided she wanted to relearn to knit. Specifically a felted hat. So after checking every bit of wool in the store she decided on a beautiful light blue wool with a knitted in band of off white.
Strings and Strands is a nice what I would call "quaint" shop. Yarn is floor to ceiling. The shelves/cubies go from floor to the ceiling. And as a short person, I had a hard time seeing what was waaaay up at the ceiling. They have a nice selection of yarns...wool, novelty, acrylic, etc. Not as plentiful (to me) were the patterns and notions and easily read prices. It was also about 4:00 when we arrived and I was feeling that "it's time to leave" vibes from the yarnseller by about 4:30. So we took the wool and needles and left for home.
Since R was working until 9:00, Coco and I decided that another pizza was the right thing to have for dinner. Another Roma tomato and cheese for each of us and a side salad.
After dinner again found us on the porch with Coco relearning to cast on and knit.
Friday morning we were up early and had a breakfast of Taylor Pork Roll on a bun and fruit. Now I understand Taylor Pork roll is a real "treat". I'm not so sure. Sort of reminded me of ground bacon....
Another friend "R" joined us and we were off to the city again for the TKGA Market. This was the first year for me (and for my non-knitting friends) and truthfully I expected many more vendors...more like 100 than the 25 that were there. I think MS&W has ruined me for smaller shows....LOL
Great Yarns was the first shop. Beautiful samples and yarns. Their site doesn't look "complete" yet but does show some of the samples. One thing they had that was new to me was a "bleach-gel" that is used to fade a finished garment. Their scarves sample used Trendsetters "Sunshine" in a simple knit every row pattern. The gel was applied to make a decorative wave around the edges. I did purchase this gel and plan to play with it soon.
Second stop was at Skaska that sold knitted gossamer shawls. JUST BEAUTIFUL! I left with a skein of lace wt merino, 1 skein of lace wt merino/silk and the book Gossamer Webs. (look for lace shawl pattern beginning here)
Stop number 3 was Just Bags where I splurged and bought a double point needle holder in what they call the tan oriental design.
Yarn Barn of Kansas pulled me in for my next purchase....Stahman's Shawls and Scarves, Lacy Knitting by Mary Schiffman (yea I know...) and US #1 & 3 bamboo needles. This store has a great selection of knitting and crochet books.
At Interlacements their Seeds in a blue/green colorway and Rick Rack in purple went home with me.
My last purchase was at Habu Textiles for 2 small skeins of bamboo yarn....a dk wt in charcoal and lace wt in off white. You have to see and touch to really appreciate this yarn. And the finished garments are incredible....I wish I had more time to talk with the representative...she was so busy answering questions I just stood around listening.
So those were my purchases...what else was interesting? Lantern Moon needles, a new-way-to-me to add beads to knitting, "R" finding a sale table of $5 a skein yarn, and Coco asking "a really nice lady" to help her choose needles for the skein of Interlacements yarn she purchased....the "really nice lady" was Lily Chin.
The evening found Coco and I back on her porch knitting and chatting and the weekend coming to an end.
We had Target pizza's for dinner......
Sunday morning I packed all of my treasures (carried on the yarn and needles) and headed back to Norfolk. Stopped at Harris Teeters to replenish fresh food stuff, ran by the kennel and picked up Bailey and headed home.
So now it's Monday and back to work day.....but hey! KnittaPalooza is right around the corner!
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Why I must watch TV
In the spirit of National No TV Week, I decided not to watch tv. That means no reality or comedies or dramas, just the occasional news.
Last night began as a typical night...walk dog, read paper, cook dinner, clean-up kitchen, make mental list of things to do around house, sit down with knitting.
Note the make mental list of things to do around the house. On last nights list were: get toilet paper from upstairs storage, fill shampoo bottle, call mother, look for rabies vaccination certificate, fix lunch for tomorrow, vaccum large spot of hair where B scratched his back on the carpet. You know, typical things you do every night.
Well, guess when I usually do all those things.....DURING COMMERCIALS! And I had no commercials last night. I just sat and knitted and knitted and knitted. Now I did get up once to let B in from the patio, refill my tea and go to the bathroom.
But then I went outside with him.
And there we sat. Me knitting away in the cool night air, B chasing a really big beetle around until he killed it and not understanding why I couldn't bring it back to life and finally settling down on my lap and napping. When I saw my neighbors light go out I thought ...hmm, wonder what time it is.... 11:22. I'm usually in bed by 11:00.
Therefore, there is a reason for me to watch TV...to get things done and to get to bed on time!
But on the bright side...I did start the Leaves and Berries hat by Marilyn Mebach of Rabbit Tree Farm. (When I spoke with Marilyn last year at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival she did not have a web site. I found the site I linked to via a google search.)
I'm doing a practice hat with Sirdar fingering yarn before knitting with the cashmere/silk that came with the kit. It's knit on US #1 needles. It's knit in 2 parts. The Crown starts out with 8 stitches divided on double points. After 4 tries, I abandoned the double points in favor of knitting it straight and then seeming. It's only 25 or so rows. Then the Brim is knit straight and grafted onto the Crown. I think knitting the Crown straight will make the grafting easier.
Another change I made (and Margaret suggests it on the pattern) is to leave off the "berries". I did knit them and thought "If I were a baby I wouldn't want them on the back of my head". So off they came. So I guess my hat is now "Leaves".
Tonights plan is to do all the mental list stuff BEFORE I begin to knit. Note I said PLAN......
If you're interested in the pattern, Marilyn Mebach email as listed on the pattern is: ogoat@nauticom.net
Last night began as a typical night...walk dog, read paper, cook dinner, clean-up kitchen, make mental list of things to do around house, sit down with knitting.
Note the make mental list of things to do around the house. On last nights list were: get toilet paper from upstairs storage, fill shampoo bottle, call mother, look for rabies vaccination certificate, fix lunch for tomorrow, vaccum large spot of hair where B scratched his back on the carpet. You know, typical things you do every night.
Well, guess when I usually do all those things.....DURING COMMERCIALS! And I had no commercials last night. I just sat and knitted and knitted and knitted. Now I did get up once to let B in from the patio, refill my tea and go to the bathroom.
But then I went outside with him.
And there we sat. Me knitting away in the cool night air, B chasing a really big beetle around until he killed it and not understanding why I couldn't bring it back to life and finally settling down on my lap and napping. When I saw my neighbors light go out I thought ...hmm, wonder what time it is.... 11:22. I'm usually in bed by 11:00.
Therefore, there is a reason for me to watch TV...to get things done and to get to bed on time!
But on the bright side...I did start the Leaves and Berries hat by Marilyn Mebach of Rabbit Tree Farm. (When I spoke with Marilyn last year at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival she did not have a web site. I found the site I linked to via a google search.)
I'm doing a practice hat with Sirdar fingering yarn before knitting with the cashmere/silk that came with the kit. It's knit on US #1 needles. It's knit in 2 parts. The Crown starts out with 8 stitches divided on double points. After 4 tries, I abandoned the double points in favor of knitting it straight and then seeming. It's only 25 or so rows. Then the Brim is knit straight and grafted onto the Crown. I think knitting the Crown straight will make the grafting easier.
Another change I made (and Margaret suggests it on the pattern) is to leave off the "berries". I did knit them and thought "If I were a baby I wouldn't want them on the back of my head". So off they came. So I guess my hat is now "Leaves".
Tonights plan is to do all the mental list stuff BEFORE I begin to knit. Note I said PLAN......
If you're interested in the pattern, Marilyn Mebach email as listed on the pattern is: ogoat@nauticom.net
Monday, April 19, 2004
Summertime and the living is easy.....
Well, almost summertime. A nice peak at it this past weekend and today. I held off turning on the air conditioner but the ceiling fans were whirling away.
Update on the rumor: 5th knitting store will open mid-July and not be across the street from 4th knitting store.
Saturday: I think many knitters were in their gardens and not at Ewe Knits on Saturday. But then I understand the week days were busy what with the sale. It was nice to have the time to chat with our customers. We had several new ladies find us. One is a gal that moved from San Fran last year with her husband and daughter. The child is really cute and sooo well behaved. Mom's a spinner and participates in Ren Faire's. She spins and the other ladies knit with it at the festivals. We chatted for about 30 min.
Sunday: So for 2 days I had my nieces lace stole blocking on the dining room floor. Bailey watched me lay it out and then ignored it. When I didn't move fast enough for him last night (his water bowl was empty, only because he had just drank it empty!) he scrunched it up! Then gave me a "so there" look. I pointed my finger at him, told him that was BAD, filled his water bowl and ignored him. Nearly killed him. But all was forgiven in about 5 min. We sat on the patio enjoying the cool pre-mosquitoes night
The third self fringing shawl is done. Just need to weave in the ends and block. They do look so much better after they're blocked.
Baby patterns are on my mind. My oldest niece is expecting my first Great-niece/nephew. I have 2 Dale baby books and can't decide what to do. I may end up with a baby blanket and a few hats. But then I have the Berries and Leaves bonnet that I picked up last year at Maryland Sheep and Wool.....what to do what to do?
It's national Turn off your tv week....I'm compromising...I'm taping Spartacus! 4 hours of Luka without a shirt.....
Update on the rumor: 5th knitting store will open mid-July and not be across the street from 4th knitting store.
Saturday: I think many knitters were in their gardens and not at Ewe Knits on Saturday. But then I understand the week days were busy what with the sale. It was nice to have the time to chat with our customers. We had several new ladies find us. One is a gal that moved from San Fran last year with her husband and daughter. The child is really cute and sooo well behaved. Mom's a spinner and participates in Ren Faire's. She spins and the other ladies knit with it at the festivals. We chatted for about 30 min.
Sunday: So for 2 days I had my nieces lace stole blocking on the dining room floor. Bailey watched me lay it out and then ignored it. When I didn't move fast enough for him last night (his water bowl was empty, only because he had just drank it empty!) he scrunched it up! Then gave me a "so there" look. I pointed my finger at him, told him that was BAD, filled his water bowl and ignored him. Nearly killed him. But all was forgiven in about 5 min. We sat on the patio enjoying the cool pre-mosquitoes night
The third self fringing shawl is done. Just need to weave in the ends and block. They do look so much better after they're blocked.
Baby patterns are on my mind. My oldest niece is expecting my first Great-niece/nephew. I have 2 Dale baby books and can't decide what to do. I may end up with a baby blanket and a few hats. But then I have the Berries and Leaves bonnet that I picked up last year at Maryland Sheep and Wool.....what to do what to do?
It's national Turn off your tv week....I'm compromising...I'm taping Spartacus! 4 hours of Luka without a shirt.....
Thursday, April 15, 2004
And then there were five!
I have never claimed to be a smart person but even I can see this might not be a good business move.
I told you last week that Virgina Beach will have a 4th LYS opening just a few miles from The Knitting Corner. Now I learn that there is a second new LYS opening across the street from the one that is going to be opening soon. Within 2 miles there will be 3 LYS. Can you believe it? Is that insane? So, 5 yarn stores in the city of Virginia Beach..not counting WalMart, Michaels and AC Moore.
A Stitch 'n Bitch is meeting at Border's. Don't know what street Border's is on but there is only one Border's in the area so it's that one. Monday nights at 7:00. Hear they have a nice group. I had planned to go over last Monday night but it was raining and a new episode of the Treat Williams show was on so I didn't make it.
Played around with a lace stitch for the Self Fringing shawl. Have the increase down but the decrease is looking 'eh. I need a better decrease. So I've set it aside to begin a navy blue for myself.
Oh, and I finished the self fringing Scarf...I like the idea, just not the thick/thin cotton I used.
Bill or Kwame? Kwame or Bill? I can't decide......but my bets on Bill if Kwame can't find Jessica!
I told you last week that Virgina Beach will have a 4th LYS opening just a few miles from The Knitting Corner. Now I learn that there is a second new LYS opening across the street from the one that is going to be opening soon. Within 2 miles there will be 3 LYS. Can you believe it? Is that insane? So, 5 yarn stores in the city of Virginia Beach..not counting WalMart, Michaels and AC Moore.
A Stitch 'n Bitch is meeting at Border's. Don't know what street Border's is on but there is only one Border's in the area so it's that one. Monday nights at 7:00. Hear they have a nice group. I had planned to go over last Monday night but it was raining and a new episode of the Treat Williams show was on so I didn't make it.
Played around with a lace stitch for the Self Fringing shawl. Have the increase down but the decrease is looking 'eh. I need a better decrease. So I've set it aside to begin a navy blue for myself.
Oh, and I finished the self fringing Scarf...I like the idea, just not the thick/thin cotton I used.
Bill or Kwame? Kwame or Bill? I can't decide......but my bets on Bill if Kwame can't find Jessica!
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