Mar 08 2010

Recap: 2nd Annual Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin

Category: Friends & Fun,events — Mistress Rows @ 1:23 pm

Wow. Can I just say wow? I guess I could, but it would be doing the event a gross injustice. I guess putting the extra effort into promoting the event really worked… by the time the event was in full swing there were over 30 people attending, not counting children and visits from little dogs! I was completely blown away by how many wonderful people showed up, but what really knocked my socks off was how many new faces there were. THANK YOU to all who drove from near and (some very) far to join me at the Athens Cultural Center on Saturday, you guys and gals are awesome!

The Ambassador soaking up the sun, and who had plenty of water out of frame.

I got there an hour early to set up, mom and Nuala joined me very soon thereafter. Nuala sat in the window at first, greeting the early guests. What started out as a big, empty room soon started to fill and before long the place was hopping! So many beautiful projects, so many new faces, so much food. Our table was practically groaning from the all the good eats people brought to share. Best of all? Seeing far-flung friends, especially those I don’t get to see very often. I wonder if they feel like rock stars when I yell their names like a rabid fan girl?

Newcomers and lace divas, Ginnie & Kim.

Geri! Geri is probably the world's nicest person.

Things go by so quickly when you’re running an event like this. I feel like I barely sat down, but that was by choice. Greeting people as they came through the door, checking in on everyone individually (or at least trying to), it’s all something I really enjoy. The time flew by and it seemed like barely an hour had passed before it was time to do the raffle. Everyone who came got one chance in the pot, if you made a donation (no matter how small) you got a second chance. By the time I was done, Risa’s beautiful children and I had collected $88 for the Athens Cultural Center. People went home with some sweet prizes too, the donor list had grown to include Daisy Lamont Soap Co. (chocolate soap), Into the Whirled (Falklands hand dyed top), and one of our guests donated a 1oz ball of luscious brown, locally grown Alpaca top from their farm.

Some of the great prizes I gave away.

One of the best parts about the Stitch & Spins is seeing all the beautiful projects that people are working on. I was in awe of how gorgeous (newcomer) Kim’s Feather & Fan Shawl in Kauni lace yarn was. Oohs and ahhs were all over the place, be it from projects, wheels, or the stock some of our Indie vendor friends brought for us to paw through.

Kim's Feather & Fan Shawl from A Gathering of Lace, made in Kauni.

Marjan's (sp?) shawl, adapted from a blanket, if I remember right.

Katherine worked all night to have her quilt ready to work on for Saturday!

There’s so much more I could prattle on about, squeeing the whole way, but really… it’s probably time for me to stop. Suffice to say that I am touched and truly grateful to all. Thank you to the volunteers at the Cultural Center who let me use the space, thank you to mom for running to the store for me, thank you to all the vendors who donated prizes for the raffle, thank you to all the guests who came out on such a warm, sunny day to play. See you in June!

Jennifer(?) crocheting a pair of fingerless mitts.

Nora (Cultural Center volunteer) working on her rug hooking.

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Mar 01 2010

Randomness & Reminders

Category: events — Mistress Rows @ 11:32 pm

Just a quick little pop-in to update on a couple of things:

  1. I did indeed finish my sweater, truly finish including buttons and blocking and all that jazz. I’m a Gold Medal winner, and it was far more of a challenge than I thought it would be. Perhaps I knew that subconsciously.
  2. I will post about it later this week, maybe even tomorrow!
  3. I’m spinning some more of Carolyn’s fiber, and I’m in love. If Carolyn and I weren’t both otherwise committed, and solidly Child Free by Choice, I’d considering using science to have little fiber babies with her. A collaborative dye session would accomplish essentially the same thing without the morning after factor and latex gloves
  4. The 2nd Annual Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin is this Saturday! If you’re local why not come join me and a bunch of other friendly fiber folk for an afternoon of fun? The Cultural Center offered to submit a press release on my behalf, and all of a sudden it’s already listed at the local radio station and who knows where else. How exciting!

Becky spins beautiful mystery fiber.

Speaking of the Stitch & Spin, if you’re an indie vendor, and planning to attend, would you consider bringing a donation for the raffle? It’s a great way to get your product handled and drooled over by some new (hopefully) faces and some business cards circulating. Leave a comment or drop me a line privately if you’d like to participate. Thank you in advance!

Feb 24 2010

I Do What the Yarn Tells Me To

Category: Internettage,WIP,events — Mistress Rows @ 5:00 pm

Ever feel like your yarn talks to you? I think, even if it’s only the voice I give it in my head, that mine kinda does. Don’t you judge me, you know what I mean! “When are you going to blog us” ask two skeins of recently finished handspun. “When are you going to list us” ask the two colors of BFL roving I dyed last week. Strangely enough, my works in progress doesn’t say a damned thing. It sits, smugly, in my project bag and travels with me to work every day. It is secure in the knowledge that I am diligently working away and am this close to finishing. It knows there’s no way in hell that I’m not going to blog about it at the soonest possible moment, and that I’ll photograph it at work (where the light is good), on my lunch, if I have to.

Fear not, little skeins, I’m getting there.

Speaking of getting there, I’ve ripped out the offending collar of my Tilt sweater and am currently reknitting it correctly. I started it with yarn from the virgin skein, just for a few rows, and will be switching to the washed and blocked yarn tonight. The sweater fits great on top, but across my stomach it gaps as things stand right now. I may have to do a button band of sorts after all.

Painfully artsy shot of the once and future collar.

Oooh! I forgot to share some really cool news here on the blog. The 2nd Annual Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin was mentioned in the 57th episode of the Manic Purl podcast! Kim sent me the heads up on that tidbit, and I almost peed my pants in excitement. The episode is called Swatch Like a Champ, and the mention is the first item in the News portion, about 19:30 in. Thanks for the unexpected plug, Manic Purl! The event is only 10 days away, and if you’re a local reader I hope you can join me for a great day out amongst fellow yarnies.

There was something else too, but my brain leaks like a rusty bucket and now it’s gone.

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Feb 08 2010

Busy Sounds Like Fun

Category: Bittersweet,Designing,FO,Knitting,Spinning,dyeing,events — Mistress Rows @ 1:26 pm

It’s official, I’m building up my dyeing habit. I have to be careful, because I haven’t been feeling particularly great over the last few weeks, but I’m doing what I can and enjoying it. Wednesday evenings, no later than 10 p.m., are being set aside for updates. I’m not sure if my schedule will always include dyeing every single week, but I can definitely see myself dyeing enough for an update every two weeks at least. Knock on wood. Coming up this Wednesday are two new colors of sock yarn in lighter, spring shades, and two stunning lace yarns, one in a tonal chestnut, and one in a dazzling rich sapphire with eerie mint contrasts. Momma’s got a new shade of blue, and restocked her citric acid, so watch out!

There’s news on the knitting and spinning fronts too, stuff’s happening all over the place.

Test Knitting: My scarf pattern is being knit by several people, and aside from a stitch count error, which was fixed early on, it seems to be going well for people. The biggest issue that they’re coming across is finding just the right yarn. I’m going to change the requirements to note no larger than worsted. Also, apparently Noro can lead to some fugly chunks of color, so a variegated or solid yarn might be better when it comes to commercial yarns.

Modern Mob Cap

Designing: The hat I’ve been designing is done, photographed, and completely written up. I’ve got three small process photos to shoot, but as it is it’s ready to send out to test knitters. I love the hat, really love it. Because my hair is kept snug inside the slouch section, I don’t get static-y hair from tugging it out from under my coat, and then my scarf. It fits me perfectly. Not so much in love with the black dye globules that were evident when I gave the hat a bath. Very much in love with what the bath did for the drape and definition of the fabric. An FO post will come when the pattern is ready to publish.

Spinning: I finished spinning up some top I dyed a couple of years ago and forgot I had. It was a great spin, and I love how the finished yarn came out. Pictures and an FO post no later than Wednesday. I’m inspired to dye some of the top I have in the basement, I know there’s at least one or two of you who’d like to see more Sea Glass if I do nothing else.

 

A Warm Return, in progress.

January I joined my first SAL (spin along) in support of my friend Cris of Into the Whirled. Members of Cris’s Ravelry forum voted on member submitted photos, and the inspiration for three months worth of ITW loveliness was born. The club is very reasonably priced, and you can purchase your spot as they go up, one at a time, so there’s no large outlay of cash. This month’s color “A Warm Return”, was inspired by a photo of a Robin’s nest inside a bush. I’m loving the way it’s spinning up, and my plan is to chain ply it for socks.

Last, but not least, if you’re local, please don’t forget about the Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin on March 6th! I created a page for it on Facebook and some of the guests have suggested it to their friends as well. I have high hopes that I’ll see quite a few new faces, and of course my much loved regulars. Tonight I’m emailing a promotional flyer to several local yarn shops in the hopes of reaching even more new faces. If you’d like to hand one to your own favorite LYS owner or S’nB group, you can download and print one here. I hope to see you there!

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Jan 15 2010

EVENT: 2nd Annual Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin

Category: events — Mistress Rows @ 2:38 pm

 

2nd Annual Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin
Saturday, March 6th from 12-5
Athens Cultural Center, Athens NY

Sick of winter already? Not getting out of the house for much in the way of fun? Join us for the 2nd Annual Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin! (Rav link*)

Yarnies of all stripes are welcome to attend, be they knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, or what have you. If your project is portable, come on by! There’s plenty of room at the Cultural Center for you to spread out and create while spending time with other like-minded men and women from the Hudson Valley.

This event is free to the public, though a small (day of), free-will donation to the Athens Cultural Center would be much appreciated by this volunteer run venue. In the spirit of community, if you are able to bring a treat to share it’s appreciated, but not required.

You can see pictures and a recap of last year’s event (at the Hudson Opera House) here.

* If you are a Ravelry member and are thinking about/planning to attend, would you do me the favor of marking yourself as such on the Ravelry events page linked above? It helps make the event look more attractive to people who are unsure and helps me get a handle on how many to expect.

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Mar 09 2009

Recap: Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin

Category: events — Mistress Rows @ 9:44 am

I am lucky enough to look around me, often, and think “life is good”. Yesterday was one of those days. It was a lot of running around and getting things ready, but it went really well and for that I’m grateful. The weather was gorgeous, truly a perfect day in Upstate NY. I got to the Opera House about half an hour early, just to move things inside and wait for the room to free up. Wouldn’t you know I met Diane and Eric as I went out to unpack the car? Nothing like meeting good friends who are also willing to schlep your stuff. Since we had time to kill we enjoyed a quick tour of the building from Christina, one of the weekend staff.

Stairs to where?

I wonder who sat there, once upon a time?

 The Opera House is completely restored on the bottom floor, complete with bank vault from when it was a branch many years ago, but the top floor, the actual stage area, is still in disrepair. It was deliciously creepy and wonderful to behold, all peeling paint and decayed opulent space. You have no idea how tempting it was to break into song with all that echoing space, the only thing stopping me was the actual tour going on. I can’t wait until they get this space refurbished, it’s going to be even more amazing. I would actually give an arm or a leg to be able to hold an event up there as is, it is that awesome up there.

Songs of ages past threatened to burst from my lips.

Songs of ages past threatened to burst from my lips.

Layers of time.

One of the best parts about this kind of event is seeing what people are working on and what they’re wearing. Diane wore her spider web shawl for the first time ever and it was magnificent! Unfortunately as I was helping her hold it open (HUGE!) I wasn’t able to get a picture. If anyone else did, please send a copy my way? There were some gorgeous sweaters and wraps, socks and a cowl. We had mostly spinners, much to the other Opera House guests wonderment, and a few knitters. Christina is what I call an Extreme Knitter. Note the capital E and K.Those are 000000 needles folks. Yes, you read that right.
Those are 000000 needles folks. Yes, you read that right.

Those are 000000 needles folks. Yes, you read that right.

Becky spins beautiful mystery fiber.

Becky spins beautiful mystery fiber.

1/2 of Carolyn, Mom, Jessica.

Carolyn, Mom, Jessica & Harriet.

Turnout was on par with last summer’s Stitch & Spin down at the river front park, which worked out as far as available chairs went. I was expecting more, aside from a couple of friends who had health issues and couldn’t make it, but I view success for these events not on how many new people come but by how things went… and things went really well. I met several new faces: Pat, Dina, Marni (?), and one other woman whose name I can’t remember at the moment. Special thanks to Pat, Diane and Eric for helping me set up! We had all sort of munchies, but most of all we had fun. It was so awesome seeing friends from near and far. Thank you to everyone who helped, everyone who brought in something to eat or drink, and just for coming. I appreciated it more than I can say.

Christina, her mom, Diane and the woman who's name I can't remember.

Christina, her mom, Diane and the woman who's name I can't remember.

Harriet, Tim & Steve (who's working on his D&D adventure).

Harriet, Tim & Steve (who's working on his D&D adventure).

Also, thank you to Carolyn and Jessica for donating some lovely prizes to the door prize selection, I wish I’d had a thought to take some photos! That’s what happens when you’re in charge, the camera can get forgotten. I had invited Jessica and Carolyn to bring a small selection of their hand dyed lovelies, figuring if folks were interested they’d go over and take a look. Folks were interested.

Becky, Diane, Dina, Pat.

Becky, Diane, Dina, Pat.

Steve making his creepy "on demand" smile.

Steve making his creepy "on demand" smile.

Afterwards Harriet, Tim, Michelle, Jessica, Steve and I went to Wasabi for a bit of sushi and we had a rip-roaring good time. Aside from the wildly inappropriate conversation, in which Michelle expressed how she would generously pay for us all to have Brazilian butt-lifts if she had the cash, we also learn that fried cheesecake is hot. It’s never a dull moment with ‘Chelle, who has learned the wisdom of eating dessert first. As I noted “well, yeah, you could die…”

Michelle is totally eating dessert first from here on out.

Michelle is totally eating dessert first from here on out.

Gosh! Fried cheesecake is HOT! :P

Gosh! Fried cheesecake is HOT! :P

Note: Now that the Stitch & Spin is done (until June!) I want to mention that later this week I’ll be making my WOOL 2009 announcement! People that were there on Sunday got the advance flyer, but don’t worry, reservations haven’t opened yet, we’ve still got a few weeks till then. I expect to be making a post about it Tuesday or Wednesday (more likely).

 

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Mar 02 2009

5 Days & Counting

Category: events — Mistress Rows @ 1:34 pm

I’m starting to get that slightly ‘splody feeling in my head that occurs when there’s a personal event imminent. This can be dangerous if there’s several going on at the same time, or if I start anticipating too early and stack the excitement in my head. We’re talking excitement management here, people, it must be managed wisely so as not to bring on the ‘splody in earnest!

I am boggled that after all the initial footwork and planing, the Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin is only (not counting today) five days away. Whoah. Heady stuff there, that anticipation, I just got a little giddy on the inside. I keep worrying at the details.

  • Will people find the place ok? (They should, it’s on the “main drag”.)
  • How quickly can I get into the room? (Not sure, there’s technically a nude art class in there till just before my event starts.)
  • What kind of food and drink should I bring? (It’ll be light snacks and tea/soda/water since I’m paying for everything.)
  • How many people are coming? (No idea, next time I’ll use some sort of informal reservation system perhaps.)

I’m giving away a newly released crochet book, a well reviewed knitting book, and perhaps a braid of roving so that’ll cover all manner of guests. If you’re a yarn shop owner or indie fiber artist and would like to contribute a small item to the door prize it would be greatly appreciated, though not required. If you do decide to donate, please remember to include a business card to promote your shop.

Words cannot describe how much I’m looking forward to seeing all my peeps. You know who you are… you’re the people who support me every time I put on one of these things. Some of you drive large distances to have fun and provide a friendly face. I appreciate your friendship and support more than you know. I’m also incredibly excited to meet all the new people who will be there. All of my fiber friends were once strangers or people I only knew online; many of us met for the first time at one of my events or out on the show circuit.

Whomever you are, I hope to see you there on Sunday! :)

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Feb 19 2009

Calling All Locals

Category: Designing,Friends & Fun,WIP,events — Mistress Rows @ 7:28 am

Don’t blink, but it’s only just over two full weeks till the Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin. Two weeks and three days! Whoah. So please, if you haven’t already, print out a flyer and ask your LYS if you can post it. Coffee shops and bookstores are also good spots.  Tell your friends! I’m torn between promoting my little heart out and worrying that we might run out of space. You never can tell with this kind of thing, that’s for sure. I’ve been gathering some books to give out as door prizes and I’m also putting out the word… if you’re a dyer or pattern designer and you’d like a little publicity, please consider donating a small prize. Include your business information of course and I’ll also list and link you on the blog.

I really hope that there will be at least a couple dozen people there, and I don’t think that’s too optimistic – weather permitting. I get such a kick out of having passionate people all gathered together, I know it’s going to be a blast!

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Tilt is, for sure, going to be a long term project. I can feel the slog happening already. I have started a stole for my grandmother (on my mother’s behalf) to offset the tedium, but no pictures yet. It’s maddening how few worsted weight shawl patterns there are out there, either crochet or knit, that I like – or that would work for a solid colored acrylic yarn. I am, once again, designing my own, again in crochet. At least then I know it’ll go faster and when it comes down to starting mom’s shawl, or starting HER mother’s shawl, I have to go with the person who’s least likely to be able to wait.

Feeling kinda blah today so I’m sorry there aren’t more pictures or anything exciting. Well, the Stitch & Spin is exciting, at least to me. :)

Mood: Tired
Listening to: “Summertime” – Janis Joplin

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Jan 22 2009

All Wrapped Up

Category: Crochet,Designing,FO,events — Mistress Rows @ 5:41 pm

I still don’t have any good action shots of me wearing my new shawl, but I do have some nicer shots of it off the blocking board. It’s amazing what you can do with those last few minutes of light as you’re walking in the door. These photos were taken just as you reach my front steps, part of the charm of living in an old brick “Victorian” are the little details that you can’t afford or find in newer homes.

Wrap in repose.

Wrap in repose.

The shawl is probably 8 feet long, after blocking. Part of that is the effect of gravity, the weight of the shawl pulls it longer – which has the unfortunate side effect of making it narrower. It’s about as wide as your average wrap, but not as wide as I’d hoped. I’m sensing a theme. Next time I design one of these things I’m going to make it at least 25% wider than I think I should. Then again, if I’d made this particular project wider I’d have run out of yarn, or at least cut it VERY close. The length of the shawl is actually perfect, in that I’m able to toss it over one shoulder and saunter about my workplace feeling very elegant. Well, as elegant as one can be in tailored chinos and combat boots.

What’s really excited me are the comments I’ve gotten, online and off, as to offering the pattern for sale. I feel weird about it because the pattern involved a bit of “fudging” which is a familiar term to those who designs their own crochet patterns. Crochet is very free form, and it has an organic quality to it that’s hard to explain if you don’t already crochet. You can literally stitch any shape, wander off in strange and unexpected directions, and literally create almost anything you can imagine. Not that you can’t experience freedom in knitting, but it’s much more immediate in crochet, for me. So, what I’m getting at is that I feel odd saying “fiddle with the stitch count until you have this many filet crochet boxes across, generally skipping every other stitch (or more as needed). I’m going to sit down with a pen and paper this weekend to see if it’s as awkward as I think.

 

If I do end up getting to where I’m comfortable then I plan to offer it as my first pay-pattern. I’ve already got one pattern up for free on Ravelry, strange that both involve crochet on one level or another.

I planned on starting mom’s wedding shawl, with commercial yarn, when I realized that I’d bought the wrong yarn for the pattern. I had it in my head that the pattern called for 1,200 yards of lace weight, so I purchased Knit Picks Gloss Lace. Turns out it needs fingering weight yarn, I had it half right, but I should have bought the regular Gloss. Damnit. And I really want to get started on that so I can pick up and put it down over the course of the year till it’s done. Steve’s sweater is also frustrating me, but instead of a project I can’t start, this one I can’t finish! The local stores don’t have the yarn in stock right now and since my order total is under $25, I’d have to pay as much as the single ball is worth in shipping… plus tax! What kind of nonsense is this? Grrr. I’m not sure what to do, to be honest. JoAnn’s is usually no problem for me.

Lastly, I’ve had some really nice feedback about the Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin online and off. I’m hoping we get a nice crowd, I’ll be putting flyers up locally starting next Tuesday. Oddly enough, my announcement drew a “disagree” on Ravelry, could it be because I asked that all children be closely attended by an adult? Hopefully no one takes offense, but it’s important to me that everyone be able to enjoy themselves. Spinning wheels are not only potentially dangerous to little fingers, but they’re also very expensive. I’ve seen, more than once at public events, a child anywhere from 8-12 years old just sit down and start pulling or pedaling roughly at the wheel. I love kids, I really do, but I’m trying to think of everyone. Hopefully guests will understand. Anyway, if you’re local, I hope I’ll see you there!

Mood: Content
Listening to:  Disturbed – Sacred Lie

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Jan 11 2009

Event: Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin

Category: events — Mistress Rows @ 11:27 am

(EDITED TO ADD: Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin Flyer!) 

Winter’s kinda tough on the human spirit, at least here in the Northern hemisphere. I hear a lot of people, friends IRL and online, who comment on how down they get. I understand completely, it used to be brutal on me too and it’s still not one of my favorite times of the year. For those involved in the fiber arts community it can be quite the letdown after the busy spring, summer and fall show and guild seasons. I don’t know about you, but I get a little stir crazy and just want to get out of the house! To that end I present:

 

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Stir Crazy Stitch ‘n Spin

Sunday, March 8th, 1-5 p.m. 
Hudson Opera House 

Knitters, crocheters and spinners – needlecrafters of all stripes! Brave Old Man Winter and get out of the house for a few hours of good craft and company with others who share your passions. Bring your needles and hooks, spindles and wheels and prepare to have a great time getting to know this vibrant community. 

Free to the public, the event is an opportunity to meet others from near and far who are just like you, crazy about yarn. Men and women, all skill levels welcome, but we ask that all children be closely attended by an adult. Light refreshments and drinks will be served, door prizes too!

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There are a lot of fiber crafters in the Hudson Valley, a LOT. You know who you are, oh yes you do. I mean you!  Whether they’re used to being part of a larger community or not, they’re there. Part of my personal goal as a member of this far flung community is to provide events for fiber folk to meet and share their passions. I’d very much like to reach a wide range of people, especially those who might not normally attend a  fiber event. Now, there’s only so many people I can reach with my blog. I’ll do my part, and post a link to this info from the NY and Hudson Valley Raveler’s message boards, but I ask that you get help get the word too. Please consider talking up the event in your local yarn store and knitting group. Bring a friend, bring a family member who also knits, spins, or crochets. And of course, as always, I thank you for all your help and support.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to comment or email. 

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