Oh, hi Summer, thanks so much for showing up – cranky, hung over, and ready to throw your weight around for the annual fabulousness that is August in Upstate NY. One of the reasons I don’t go to the Ren Faire anymore is that the circuit doesn’t hit NY until August, and since I simply MUST go gowned… eh, not so much with the oodles of sweat in 8 yards of cloth anymore. It’s REALLY hot and humid out here now. I think my at work knitting breaks out at the picnic table have officially ended till sometime in September. Wanna see what a knitter’s tan looks like?
Arms bent, as if I'm sitting at the table, knitting.
Kinda like a farmer's tan, only for knitters.
Eh! Too hot!
Things are progressing smoothly with my Panda Fan Shawl, I figure that as of right now I’ve reached the halfway point. One of the pluses to working with the Noro Silk Garden sock yarn is that if I run out it’s not like it’s a big deal… I’m already alternating from skein to skein, so what’s another two thrown into the mix? It should all work out well, one way or another. Also now on the needles, I have started work on my Red Scarf project. It did end up self-designed. I searched and searched, but I couldn’t find a pattern that I liked for a solid yarn, I’m predisposed to lace (not appropriate) and I didn’t want to work cables. Barbara Walker books to the rescue! I’ve had to rip out once already, but I have high hopes for my second attempt.
Note to Self: WRITE PATTERN DOWN.
On the personal front, I want to thank my friend Harriet for cajoling me into attending the Altamont Fair this weekend. Steve had two free tickets, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to feel up to going. Turns out I did, and we made a beeline to the Wool Barn to join up with her and Tim, her husband. There I was introduced to some lovely people including the owner of The Spinning Room, the nice ladies who run the wool booth, Harriet’s friend (and fleece enabler) Bev, and the talented Madeleine of Ewe & Me Merinos. It was really odd, apparently Harriet had been talking me up before I got there, to the point that when Steve and I finally did arrive I felt like a minor member of the Knitterati. Steve actually used the term to describe the situation, he thought he made it up and was really proud of himself. I give him points for it though, he doesn’t read knitting blogs after all!
Kinda like a saw horse, she sits at the back end and works from here.
Madeleine has some REALLY cool toys. Her husband built her a modifed saw-horse with built in storage, allowing her to take the skirtings from her merino sheep and create the most lovely roving from something that would normally be thrown away! She uses 5 pitch combs that were also custom made for her. How cool is that?!
She lashes the skirting onto the stationary comb and goes to town.
After being pulled through a diz she gets quooshy, sproingy merino roving from "garbage"!
We didn’t stay long at the fair in general, but between that and leaving my contact information on two gaw-juss Romney fleeces. We saw some beautiful skeins and knitted items, but it was the fleeces that stole my heart. Mmm… Romney. Not forgetting the fried dough and lemonade with friends, it was time well spent.
August 17th, 2009 10:04 pm
That tan is hilarious! You’ll have to show us the fleeces when (if?) you get them.
August 17th, 2009 10:35 pm
Bev? Do you mean Deb? Ya know, at first the picture of the tan line looks like….I don’t know. But not work-safe..if you know what I mean. Then it resolves into tan line..but at first…well…
August 18th, 2009 9:14 am
Top, not roving.
That idea of a bench is great since she’s doing the side to side combing. I’m still trying to figure out a good place to comb (needs the right height surface and a place which I don’t mind getting dirty) since I don’t want to do it at the dining room table.
Mistress Rows: Janis, you are indeed correct. Top it is. I should know better than to use the common generic.
August 18th, 2009 10:36 am
That reminds me, I have a Romney fleece that needs carding!
August 18th, 2009 8:58 pm
How fortunate you are that you only have to cease outdoor knitting for a short period of time (unless it’s really cold, I guess)! In central Florida we don’t really experience seasons like the northern states. The temperature can change forty degrees in just a few hours during the winter and in the mid spring to late fall we just stay hot and humid. I don’t do much outdoor knitting. But then I’m an inside girl at heart and I like the air conditioning. I’m near the Gulf Coast and it is sweltering. I’m not griping about the heat, mind you. I know it could be worse. There are always places that are worse. But it would be nice to have more balmy days.
August 20th, 2009 5:12 pm
it is definitely hot – and I haven’t even turned on the a/c yet. ;o)