Feather & Fan Organic Wrap November 21, 2008
Posted by Laura in : Shawls, Cables, Yarn, Knitting , add a commentI’ve been coveting this for months and finally broke down and got the pattern. The Feather ‘N Fan Organic Wrap is one of those ‘fly by your seat’, ‘there are no mistakes’ patterns. Kinda pushes my comfort zone a bit, but that’s okay.
This is the start:
Using these yarns - it is quite the stashbuster:
My base yarn is something I’ve had for a long time and hopefully someone on Ravelry will come to my rescue and identify it. (ETA: Mystery solved - jc3smama at Ravelry identified it as Cherry Tree Hill Oceania - praise be her identification skills~!)
What I do love about this kind of project is the absence of gauge and the ability to use yarns that I normally cannot afford to purchase more than one skein of. I was pleased to see that there was no problem pulling together a color palette for this. Obviously I love purples and oranges with a touch of pink.
I also love the way texture plays into this. I have some handspun (not my own…yet) hibernating that I had no clue what to do with - these types of projects are perfect for it.
I’ve finished the back of Paul’s sweater. I was going to start on the sleeves, but the pattern is completely confusing using undefined terms, so I’ll wait until I see the girls at knit night and ask their help. Or, I could just start doing the front. We’ll see.
Liz’s Visit, Earthships, the Pueblo & Samhain November 13, 2008
Posted by Laura in : Samhain, Friends, Earthships, Taos, Video, Life , add a commentI’ve been remiss in recounting things in chronological order. A wonderful week was the last week in October when I reconnected with my dear friend Liz who took the long journey to come out to Taos to recharge & renew.
It’s becoming sort of a tradition for Liz to come during Samhain. But it was wonderful to take her around Taos doing the touristy things. So…I took her to the Gorge Bridge. She was a trooper - some people can’t take the heights.
We also went to the Earthship home - if you are unfamiliar with this amazing self sustainable architecture, please view the video:
Then on to the Taos Pueblo. This was the site of the original pueblo church. It was burned down and women & children were massacred. We were fortunate to have a very knowledgeable tour guide.
This is the new church.
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In the center of the Pueblo stands two pueblo housing communities.
Inside one of the structures are small retail stores run by the residents. They sell all kinds of handmade crafts. One shopkeeper was kind enough to let us take a picture.
We were getting ready for Samhain and I caught this beautiful shot. Oh - the sunset was pretty, too~ 
Preparing the altar for Samhain
Twilight, Cappy & Dee, John, Kate, Liz, Paul & I rounded out the evening and feasted on a potluck. It was a lovely Samhain.
The Day After November 5, 2008
Posted by Laura in : Election 2008, Life, Yarn, Knitting , add a commentI’m exhausted. I’ve been crying tears of joy on & off for the last 18 waking hours. I feel like I’m a part of history and feel so blessed to be a witness. I may be reading too much into it, but after all the voting was done with the blessing of fine weather, we had this beautiful front come in and give us some snow.
Some yarn came in the mail. First, some fiber from New Zealand:
I think I’ll feel like a ‘real’ spinner after my first finished object is made with my handspun.
Then - I finished the Koolhaas Hat, which was wonderful, especially with the Elsa Wool Cormo that I got at the Taos Wool Festival this year. The pattern calls for Yak, which I scored a skein of:
It looks very similar to the Cormo, but is not as sproingy. I made it for him to replace the very first hat I made 3 years ago. In typical fashion he didn’t understand the need for a second hat, as the first one was perfectly good. That’s okay. He doesn’t need to understand the mystery of needing a second hat.
The Big Sweater October 17, 2008
Posted by Laura in : Cables, Sweaters, Knitting , 1 comment so farTwilight has inspired me to do a major cable project. It is Dale’s Aran Sweater by Rowan. My favorite model & husband, Paul, will be the lucky recipient. Actually, he’s always the lucky recipient. I really need to make at least one sweater for myself.
Anyway, as usual, the originating yarn is discontinued, but I did pick up14 skeins of Rowan Scottish Tweed from Webs. It was pricey, but after the 25% discount, I rationalized myself into a better state.
The chart as illustrated in the book was comedic. Forgot about my over 40 eyes, it was just laughable, so I had to scan and Photoshop my way to sanity.
I’m not one to rip out over every little issue, but it would have been nice if I had remembered to cable forward a couple of things out of the gate. However, I can live with it, and it is now a new design feature. Going forward I got it down pretty well. Beside’s it’s the back of the sweater. Perfect place to make mistakes.
Stitch Markers. That’s all I have to say. After each double seed stitch section, and beginning and ending every cable section, as well as the halfway point. Which is a perfect excuse to buy more of my absolutely favorite stitch markers from Entrelac Stitch Markers. They the best stitch markers ever. Never snag and are a joy to work with. Jewelry for your knitting.
Then an epiphany last night - I realized that I didn’t need the chart for the WS rows. I began to be able to ‘read’ the knitting at that point. I’m thinking that should probably save me a month right there.
I’m humming along now that I ‘get’ this pattern and have enough stitch markers to guide my way.
Maybe I’ll even get this done in time for New Year’s~ Thanks Twilight!
Sock…it to me~ October 13, 2008
Posted by Laura in : Socks, Knitting , add a commentI was very excited about doing these socks - the original image I saw was done with Sundara sock yarn which was intriguing. How many times do I have to learn that some fantasies should just stay as fantasy. Oy~
All in all this was not a bad knit. The Shibui yarn is very nice to work with, however, as I have read, I was very torqued by the pooling in what should have been a semi-solid colorway.
Actually, the pattern was just fine. Except that casting on 72 was waaay too much for the cuff, and could have easily been increased from 64 or even 56, as you can see. The other irritation was the measly 350 yards between 2 skeins. As a woman with a size 10, it doesn’t leave much in the way of leg room. Forget about making something for hubby, who wears a 13.
What is so cool about this pattern is you yarn forward and then slip 3 stitches. That simple stitch variation really makes the whole pattern.
At the end of the day, they are a pretty pair and the pattern was fun and easy to memorize.
Scoring yarn at Wool Fest 2008 October 5, 2008
Posted by Laura in : Wool Fest 2008, Fiber Festival, Yarn , 2 commentsIn the midst of all the updates about Wool Fest, I can’t believe I almost forgot that I got…Yarn!
Not only yarn, but…roving & a drop spindle. My life as I know it is over.
This is one of the rovings I acquired/ It is from Lonesome Stone Natural Fiber Mill . It is mohair, merino & alpaca. The pic doesn’t do it justice. It is limes, chartreuse & yellow. I also got a beautiful sea green/blues pure alpaca, which is what is on the spindle now. I feel like I met the Borg way too early to defend myself. Resistance is futile.
Next are these two delicious skeins of Color Me mohair & merino mix. Each skein is 475 yds, so I’m sure I’ll get a great shawl out of these two.
From the Elsa Wool Company, in Bayfield, Colorado, I scored two skeins of wool from purebred Cormo sheep. It is softer than I could imagine, yet a sturdy looking yarn. These will be perfect for some sort of aran cap.
The second day I thought I was safe - I had stayed within budget and there was nothing else I really wanted. Ooops.
After my enabling friends insisted I needed a kniddy-knoddy, I picked up a 1 1/2′ Ashford. Then I saw the silk/merino. Yep - resolve was abandoned. Brooks Farm Yarns out of Lancaster, Texas had a number of wonderful lines of yarn. Ellie - 50/50 silk merino, called out to me. I got the last 2 skeins of yet more blues & greens, and one skein of an ivory/pewter.
I also picked up a one-skein shawl pattern for these yarns which make them even more appealing.
Taos Wool Festival - Part II
Posted by Laura in : Spinning, Wool Fest 2008, Fiber Festival, Taos Yarn Lovers , 3 commentsThe yarny gods/goddesses were with us today. With a threatening sky and a downpour the night before, the weather held for another day. We were also fortunate in that we were allowed to move the tent to the main area, in the midst of all good things.
For those of you that don’t know, Tara is an artist, and she put her skills to use be replicating the Ravelry logo for the banner for our hospitality tent:
Charlie, the wonder dog started an impromptu doggie play date:
It was Mary Heather’s 30th birthday and Casey & Jess brought a cake:
Jess lighting the cake; although the wind had other ideas.
Mary Heather blowing out decidedly less than 30 candles, but we got the point…
Mary Heather honored me by showing me how to skein my very first bit of handspun onto a kniddy-knoddy.
My husband came at the end of the day and took this shot of my next round of spinning.
I must say that this was the nicest weekend I can remember in a long while. Casey, Jess, & Mary Heather are the nicest people you could meet. It was a pleasure being associated with Ravelry in this way and we look forward to it next year.
Dish Alert: Incidentally, it was revealed that the reason we were exiled to the outer realm of the Wool Fest yesterday (behind the porta-potties), was because the organizers thought we were some religious group/cult (a la Jehovah’s Witnesses), and they didn’t know what Ravelry was. Ooops.
Well, they must have felt a bit sheepish (sorry, I couldn’t resist), because they informed Tara that next year we are more than welcome in the main area again, and would even advertise Ravelry in their newletter.
All in all, a perfect Wool Weekend~
Taos Yarn Festival 2008 - Part I October 4, 2008
Posted by Laura in : Wool Fest 2008, Fiber Festival, Taos Yarn Lovers , 1 comment so farI can’t believe that I’ve lived here 3 1/2 years, and have been knitting for 3 years and this is my first Wool Festival. It was worth the wait.
Tara & David brought their awesome tent which was placed in our given spot behind the porta-potties. What an auspicious placement of the Ravelry hospitality tent providing a place to relax, munchies & beverage. It made it a little harder for people to find us, but found us they did. David & Tara also brought camp chairs, a cooler, and Tara painted a fabulous replication of the Ravelry logo (which I’ll make sure to get a shot of for tomorrow’s blog), as a banner. Snaps for David & Tara!
David is, in the words of my people, a mensch. For the uninitiated, it means one with a good heart. He manned the booth while we shopped, greeted all comers with a smile and a pitch for Ravelry, and the man doesn’t even knit~! He’s a keeper, Tara!
Meredith donated a box of 50 Ravelry buttons which were gone before the Ravelry Triumvirate even arrived. The brought more, though and there will be more buttons tomorrow. Meredith takes a quite moment and a snack in between acquiring massive amounts of fleece:
Another of our local Ravelry group, Twilight, fondling some complimentary sample yarn that was given out.
It was pretty quiet until the meetup when Casey, Jess, the founders of Ravelry & Mary Heather, their first official employee, arrived. It is very surreal to meet people IRL (in real life) when your experience of them has been up until that point, virtual. Well, unlike many virtual relationships I’ve had in my pre-Paul days, this real life meeting exceeded expectations.
Mary Heather with her absolutely adorable/gorgeous new puppy, Charlie.
From left to right - Casey, me, Jess & Meredith.
Random Ravelers~
We just can’t get enough of Charlie:
However, the best news of the day was saved ’till last when we learned that our very own Tara won 2nd place ribbon for plied handspun. Snaps for Tara~
So ends day one. It is raining tonight, and I hope it will dry up before tomorrow. We’ll be at our hospitality booth again, and the meetup will be from 12-1:30.
Heeeere’s…..BoB! August 8, 2008
Posted by Laura in : Gardening , add a commentSo here is our assistant gardener, Bob:
Bob lives in our Parsley. He is a horned lizard, also known as a horny toad, although he is not a toad. It’s like the tropical rain forest for him, especially when I’m watering. He’s usually camera shy, but came out for this photo op. He likes to eat ants and grasshoppers (which is probably why our garden hasn’t been totally destroyed by now), and drinks from the little streams left after watering (made by the hoe).
Dog Days of Summer
Posted by Laura in : Recipes, Cooking, Gardening , add a commentIt’s hot. And muggy. Like Florida hot & muggy - at least that’s what it feels like at 30% humidity in the desert. The garden is winding down - the lettuce is bolting and we need to use it up; however our cukes & eggplants are just getting started. Our spinach was decimated by aphids and we are having one of the worst grasshopper seasons in a long time. Even the organic nurseries have had to resort to using some sort of pesticide lest they lose the entire inventory. Something to do with the climate affecting the migration of the birds so they are not in synch with the cycles of the grasshoppers. Scary stuff.
This is one variety of eggplant; it has a wonderful dark purple flower - a true aubergine.
This is the other variety - it has a lavender flower and has not started to bear fruit yet, but is looking very strong & hardy and should any minute.
Cucumbers, melons & zucchini have the most sublime mango colored flowers. They are very large and my favorite site in the garden. This is our cucumber plant already home to baby cukes.
Now, I don’t know if you have ever experienced Parsley until it grows abundantly in your garden. Parsley is my testimony to tenaciousness. I almost gave up on it. Every time I’ve planted it before, the stalks would go white and it would die. What I didn’t know is that it was burning, just to give it a bit of shade and let it die back, and regrow. The result is the bunch of green stuff you see on the top here:
It is more beautiful and delicious that I could have ever imaged. Plus, I may even have enough to make tabouli and have some leftover.
The green on the bottom of that shot is our pumpkin, also a beautiful flowering veggie and already bearing it’s first pumpkin baby somewhere under that foliage.
We have a new friend helping us with the grasshopper & ant problem. He’s a little horned lizard (horny toad) we’re naming “Bob.” He’s a bit camera shy and is shaped like a turtle without the shell, a small tail and - well, he looks like a turtle. We are very honored he has taken up residence in our garden.
Finally, in spite of the hostile takeover of hoppers, it appears our brussel sprout plant may endure:
If you look very hard, you can see the sprouts on the interior stalk?
So what did we do with all this bounty? Made a cucumber/tomato/onion salad, and Sole Picatta in lemon/wine/butter sauce with parsley:
Recipes:
Cuke Salad:
1/2 peel cuke - slice lengthwise and scoop out seeds with spoon. Chop into cubes.
1/2 tomatoes - in cubes
1/2 chopped red onion.
Mix ingredients and then sprinkle salt and toss with 1/2 cup white vinegar. Chill for 1/2 hour.
Sole Picatta:
4 filets of Sole
1-2 lemons
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp butter (unsalted)
1/4 cup wine
1/2 shallot
flour
Italian Flat Leaf Parsley, chopped - 3 tbsps.
Salt & pepper filets, dredge through flour. In nonstick pan, heat olive oil and cook sole until just opaque in the center. Remove filets. Add butter, the juice of 1-2 lemons and wine. Stir until thicker. If needed add a touch of flour. Cook shallots for 3-5 mintues.
Pour sauce over filets; add parsley.
Oh- the Parsley is from the garden~