A blog about knitting… mostly.
2 major snow storms in 1 week +
a probable day off from Pre-K +
an unsurprising lack of reception from the satellite dish +
a (holding my breath on this one) closed home office
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a whole lotta knitting gettin’ done!
That scarf is sooooooooooo done…
For those following along at home: Daughter has come through eye surgery with flying colors, and is now attempting to sleep because she’s actually well enough to go to school tomorrow which is great because Husband and I are going stir crazy being home with her, not that she’s been difficult or anything because she’s been a real trooper but we all just need to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.
And I’m almost done with the Beagle Scarf. The goal is to have it finished and blocked by Valentine’s Day… I’m sure you can guess why.
This will be a short post, which stinks since I haven’t posted all week. I smashed my wrist earlier this week, so typing is kind of not at all fun right now. When I’m feeling a bit better, I hope to be writing about knitting, Olympics, knitting olympics (Yarn Harlot, have you blogged this yet? You’re wonderful, but oh so wordy…), and maybe something about politics because I’m feeling as cranky as this guy.
Ughhhhhh… what a gray, rainy, cold, and generally icky day it is today. You’d think it would be a great day to get some knitting done, which I did, but I gotta say, I’m getting bored with my current project. It’s almost done – 2 more balls of yarn to go – but I’m really in the mood for something new. Maybe for Spring. And definitely for me.
I typically find a lot of inspiration on ravelry. If you’re not, um… ravelling (?!), and you’re into fiber, get yourself over there immediately. Check out the Bobby Award nominees – I laughed harder than I have in a long time reading through the Funniest Project Title/Tag/Notes category.
Interweave Knits Winter/Spring 2010 Knitscene magazine is excellent – just like every other Knitscene magazine they’ve published. Will there ever be a time when I finish my WIPs exactly when a new issue comes out so I can immediately start one of their awesome projects? I really have to plan better.
One more… I get a lot of yarn company’s newsletters in my inbox. I read them, take a few mental notes, then hit the delete button. The last email from S. Charles Collezione (from Tahki Stacy Charles) made me stop in my tracks. Gorgeous!
Anyone else fiber-optically inspired these days?
The past couple of weeks, as you know, were very busy. Work, family, blog, readying myself for the marathon that was Fleece/Sheep To Shawl… you know, typical busy stuff. But there was something else, one of those little details of life that kept me up at night but was pushed to the side while F/S2S became a temporary, and welcome, distraction:
Bilateral medial rectus recession.
Which means, “Your daughter needs eye surgery.”
Remember this picture?
Look closely... what's wrong with this picture?
Here’s another one:
Do you see it now?
My daughter was diagnosed with strabismus (lazy eye) almost a year ago. She was also very farsighted (I blame Dad for that). So she started wearing glasses, which took care of both problems at the same time – her lazy eye didn’t have to work so hard to focus, so it went away. Until a few months ago. That’s when the glasses weren’t helping the eye to focus anymore. Three doctor visits later, and she’s scheduled for corrective surgery. On Groundhog Day, no less.
The surgical procedure is common. The risks are minimal. The recovery period, extremely short. But I’m the mom, so you’re gonna have to deal with my being a little scared and upset.
So… by the time Punxsutawney Phil makes his way into the light, we’ll already be on our way home from the hospital with our beautiful daughter. And if all goes as it should, we won’t be repeating that day anytime soon.
Sigh… the 2010 PA Farm Show is officially over. It’s a little depressing, really. Who would’ve thought that a NYC girl like me would geek out so much over agriculture? I think living here in Central PA these last 9 1/2 years definitely had a lot to do with my agrarian shift, although sadly, anything I try to grow from seed ends up shriveling away. I guess I’ll keep working with fiber animal (and certain plant) byproducts.
Speaking of which, I am very, very remiss at posting this next bit. Last autumn, I visited a couple of wonderful alpaca farms during their Open House events with my family and friends, and had a blast. I highly recommend a visit to both:
The first one is Bent Pine Alpaca Farm, in Carlisle, PA. This is a great, family-friendly farm, with hay rides, food, seminars (I could listen to owner Darwin Kell talk about his business all day…), and,, of course, alpacas (and llamas!). We were allowed to visit some of the animals in one of the pastures, and the alpacas were so friendly – everywhere I turned, there was a photo op. See for yourself:
Coming back to the barn for a snack.
The Kells' alpacas are very friendly!
I tried, but couldn't get a good shot of the newest addition to the farm...
My daughter and her friend Alli modeling their alpaca ponchos.
The second farm is Big Rock Alpaca Farm, in East Berlin, PA. Owners Allen and Kelly Stoner (actually, their whole family) are incredibly warm and welcoming, and we had an equally good time visiting their alpacas as we did visiting their store – good thing I know how to knit, or I would’ve done some serious damage to my bank account that day. We also met The Sock Lady, who had some really beautiful, hand-dyed socks for sale. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera that day, but I plan on visiting again this year, so I’ll grab pictures then.
Naturally, there were some awesome alpacas being shown at the 2010 PA Farm Show. The 3 days I was there, it never failed – the crowds surrounding the alpacas were at least 5 rows deep. We waited our turn to visit some, and when we it was our turn, my daughter very naturally reached out and petted one on the neck, which is much preferred by the animal (and the owners) over the fluffy tufts on their heads. The owner we were chatting with explained that his animals were trained to accept head- and neck-pats from strangers… but what can I say, I was still proud of my girl for remembering her alpaca “manners”.
Know of any other good farms to visit? Let me know!
As promised… please check out my 2010 PA Farm Show page for more fiber-y (and quilt-y) pictures.
Yesterday was Family Nite at the Farm Show. My husband, daughter and I trekked over, fought through the crowds to get our milkshakes, then made our way through the exhibits. My mission was a simple one: take photos of quilts, knitting, crochet, etc. to put up on the blog. Easy.
Well… not so easy if your camera needs to be recharged. Mission totally not accomplished.
So what’s an intrepid fiber blogger to do? The answer is simple, and a tad on the warped side after spending 12+ hours at the place on Wednesday (pun totally intended): she heads back to the Farm Show. To get her pictures. And some batter-dipped veggies. And a quart of maple syrup…
I have to run out for a school function with my daughter. But look on my 2010 PA Farm Show page later tonight for the pictures I took today.
Wow… what a day! Thanks to everyone who dropped over to say hi, posted comments to the blog, and sent general good vibes my way (my computer survived!).
I’m exhausted. I can’t smell anything, but apparently I “smell like hay” (according to my daughter). And my computer screen is coated in Farm Show dust. But I wanted to post one… more… thing.
Here are the rules and judging criteria that was listed in the Fleece and Sheep To Shawl pamphlets. They were very similar, so I’m combining them:
Fleece To Shawl means just that – A shawl created from the fleece (wool shorn from a sheep), spun and woven into the finished garment. Each team is comprised of three spinners, a weaver and a carder. The judging is broken down into the following categories:
[Sheep To Shawl means just that - a shawl created from the wool shorn from a sheep, spun into yarn and woven into the finished garment. Each team is comprised of a shearer, three spinners, a carder and a weaver.]
Shearing: The shearer is judged on even shearing, uniformity, and lack of second cuts (shorter lengths of wool).
Fleece: Cleanliness, condition of fleece, luster, and crimp.
Spinning: Spinners are judged on their individual spinning, as well as how their spinning relates to the design of the shawl. The members try to spin very evenly to produce a uniform team product.
Weaving: The judges will look for evenness in the weaving, checking closely for errors. The selvage edges are examined for evenness and lack of pull-in. The finished shawl must measure at least 22 inches wide and 78 inches long or points are deducted from the score.
Design: The design and appearance of the finished shawl counts for a large percentage of each team’s score. Judges look for originality in design, difficulty of weave, color coordination between the warp and weft, softness and “drape-ability”, and execution of the finished fringe.
Speed: The teams are awarded a bonus for finishing their shawl first, second, third, etc. Speed combined with quality is the goal of each team.
OK, for real now, I’m checking out for the night. See you tomorrow!
6:30 pm
Here we go with the auction… !
Team Time Warp – $800
Team Treadlers Thru Time – $400
Team Friends Thru Fiber – $1300
Team Dream Weavers – $300
Team Butler County Pedalers – $400
Team Fort Freeland Flickers – $300
Team Bountiful Bobbins – $400
Team Warrior Run Weavers – $325
Team Twisted Treadlers – $475
Team Woolie Trekkers – $175
That’s all she wrote, everyone. Thanks for tuning in… see ya soon!
6:14 pm
The teams are giving interviews… there’s a bigger crowd waiting to bid on the shawls… I love this part!
6:10 pm
Here we go… ! First a few words again from Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding…
Champion Shearer Award – Treadlers Thru Time’s Matt Geissinger
Fleece Award – Friends Thru Fiber
Team’s Choice – Treadlers Thru Time
Weavers Award – Dream Weavers’ Frances Appleman
Premium Spinning Award – Treadlers Thru Time’s Ellen Anderson, Irina Lawrence, and Shannon Snyder
5th Place – Butler County Pedalers
4th Place – Dream Weavers
3rd Place – Friends Thru Fiber
2nd Place – Treadlers Thru Time
1st Place – TIME WARP!!!
… now it’s time for the AUCTION!
5:56 pm
The awards part will be kind of a whirlwind. I’ll grab pictures as I can…
5:54 pm
More finished shawls…
These are SO beautiful!
5:50 pm
Ten minutes ’til the Awards Ceremony. Who will win this year? Stay tuned… !
5:47 pm
Mmmmmmmm… chocolate milkshake…
5:40 pm
The teams are milling about, waiting for 6:00 pm for the big announcement. This is a good time for a break… be right back!
5:38 pm
Maybe I misjudged. The press this year have been awesome. Not at all the mob scene that it was last year. I’m officially done with this topic!
5:35 pm
OK, I know who these guys are now. It’s James Roxbury from Roxbury News, and also Harry Fisher and Arlene Martinez from some other paper of my acquaintance…
5:24 pm
So there’s this guy who’s set up next to me. I think he’s from a news outlet, but I can’t tell which. He’s got a really nice video camera, an even nicer Mac, and an iPhone all out on display.
I’m so jealous.
5:23 pm
And it’s OVER! Team Friends Thru Fiber is now finished! The judging will continue, and the awards ceremony will be at 6:00 pm.
5:20 pm
Team Treadlers Thru Time is now finished! Go, Friends, go… !
5:16 pm
Team Dream Weavers is now finished! 3rd finished. 15 minutes to go…
5:15 pm
… and Team Friends Thru Fiber, finishing up… now off the loom!
5:09 pm
Team Treadlers Thru Time… almost there… !
5:04 pm
Team Butler County Pedalers are now finished! Team Dream Weavers are almost there:
5:00 pm
Down to the wire! Team Butler County Pedalers is finishing up:
And Team Time Warp finishes first:
1st done: Team Time Warp!
4:55 pm
A fiber family:
Elaine, this one’s for you (and you know who you are!):
4:46 pm
Here they are… the shawl models! I’m afraid I don’t know which is which, but they are Olivia Knisely and Alexandra Hartman. Work it, girls!
They've been up and down the bleachers... in high heels, no less.
4:41 pm
This is not really a closeup of chocolate chip cookies, it’s Team Time Warp’s sample shawl. It makes me hungry.
Yummmmmmmm...
4:37 pm
How about some shawl close-ups?
Team Butler County Pedalers' sample shawl.
4:32 pm
One hour to go! My nose is so full of hay and sawdust and wool right now. I want to sneeze… but I can’t.
4:30 pm
More of Team Time Warp.
More of Team Treadlers Thru Time.
4:27 pm
It’s oddly calm here right now. The teams are working at a good clip, the audience is medium-sized and rather quiet… that must mean that the rest of the camera crews are on their way (I know I keep harping on this, but last year they were practically running people down to “get the shot” or “get the story”. What can I say – people acting rude annoy me.)…
4:18 pm
Some of Team Friends Thru Fiber… spinspinspin…
Some of Team Dream Weavers, spinspinspin…
4:14 pm
… looks like instead of a Sheep & Wool Princess, we have 2 models who are walking around, showing the audience what the finished shawls will look like. Mystery solved.
4:10 pm
I’ve been looking around, but I don’t see our Sheep & Wool Princess… anyone know who/where she is today?
4:07 pm
Shorn!
Team Dream Weavers' sheep, sans wool.
Team Time Warp's sheep, Bear, sans wool, too.
4:01 pm
Team Dream Weavers:
Carder Jeri Robinson-Lawrence of Team Treadlers Thru Time:
I love this team. They haven't stopped smiling and laughing since the contest started!
3:54 pm
Weaver Michelle Lushbaugh of Team Friends Thru Fiber.
Weaver Libby Beiler of Team Time Warp.
3:46 pm
Crowd shot:
Closeup of Team Treadlers Thru Time's shawl.
3:39 pm
Team Treadlers Thru Time’s weaver, Tina Volz, on carding duty:
… and the lovely ladies of Team Butler County Pedalers:
3:34 pm
As I mentioned before, there are a lot of camera news crews here. If someone sees me on TV tonight, please let me know… but only if I don’t look dorky.
3:32 pm
Spinners Ivy Allgeier and Kathy Dashner from Team Time Warp.
3:28 pm
2 of the 3 spinners of Team Friends Thru Fiber.
Weaver Frances Appleman of Team Dream Weavers
3:22 pm
Team Butler County Pedalers‘ weaver Donna Fike. BTW, she’s doing this in bare feet… in January… brave woman.
3:20 pm
Team Dream Weavers:
Spinners Abby Schrack, Carol Chaapel, and Joanna Smith, and carder Wayne Appleman
Team Time Warp: 
3:15 pm
… and they’re OFF!
Team Friends Thru Fiber, carding.
Team Treadlers Thru Time, laughing away!
3:10 pm
Team Friends Thru Fiber – 4th done shearing.
Team Butler County Pedalers – 5th done shearing.
You go, girl! Megan Guterkunst of Butler County Pedalers.
3:06 pm
Team Treadlers Thru Time – 1st done shearing.
Team Time Warp – 2nd done shearing.
Team Time Warp in action.
Team Dream Weavers – 3rd done shearing.
3:02 pm
Belly up!
2:57 pm
Getting ready…
2:55 pm
The news crews are here… hmmmm, early this year…
5 minutes to go…
2:50 pm
Whew!!! OK, the teams are getting ready…
2:47 pm
Team Butler County Pedalers‘ shawl description:
In contemplating the weaving of a shawl, I am transported back in time to an era when women owned very little that showed their feminine side. I imagine a woman sitting next to the fire in the cool of the evening spinning at her wheel the threads that she will weave into a piece of cloth to be clothing for a family member. Her hands have been busy all day long outside weeding the garden, tending children and feeding the animals. She knows what hard work is and yet she has still found a way to show her feminine side. I am drawn to the shawl across her shoulders, it is LACEY! How feminine!! It is a beautiful had woven shawl from her very own hands, of her favorite pattern. Her shawl shows her personal taste as well as her skill in spinning and weaving. That shawl, the one I see in my mind, will be this year’s entry. It is white on white, the warp handspun by a team member, a lovely diagonal eight shaft huck lace pattern as our weave structure.
2:46 pm
Team Friends Thru Fiber’s shawl description:
This year we named our friendship shawl “naturally beautiful”. It just naturally goes with any outfit, of any color, for any occasion-from casual to formal wear. We picked out the dark areas from a spotted Jacob sheep to spin our threads for the warp. The slightly lighter Corriedale weft allows the basket weave and herringbone pattern to stand out. Watch as our home-spun threads twist and turn to create a garment that is surprisingly, naturally beautiful.
2:44 pm
Team Treadlers Thru Time’s shawl description:
Pennsylvania Skies: We are using Pennsylvania Blue Face Leicester wool from Ava and Bonnie (owned by the son of Shannon Snyder and kept at a member’s farm (Ellen Anderson). The warp is dyed after being spun to get a soft variegated effect that looks like the skies over Pennsylvania. Along with the white warp threads we created an easy-on-the-eye appearance reminiscent of a pleasant summer sky. The weave structure is our own. We have assigned each letter of our name, Treadlers thru Time, a number value. These numbers were used to thread the warp through the loom. Every other thread is white to give it the slight appearance of a loosely woven overshot. The soft handle of the Blue Face Leicester wool invites you to wrap yourself in a summer Pennsylvania Sky.
2:43 pm
Team Time Warp’s shawl description:
Of all the states in the union, Pennsylvania has the most state symbols: a bird, mammal, fish, dog, tree, flower, insect….even a cookie, to name a few. Our team has based its shawl design around one of these symbols: our state bird, the Ruffed Grouse. This small game bird lends itself well to the design of a shawl with its striking barred wing and tail patterns and beautiful natural shades of tans, browns, grays and black. The natural colored warp is a combination of Romney/Montadale, Border Leicester, and Blue Faced Leicester/Cotswold. Our weft will be provided by Bear, a silver/grey Shetland wether and a five year veteran competitor here at the Farm Show!
2:41 pm
Team Dream Weavers‘ shawl description:
The idea for this shawl was born in the beauty of early spring in the Pennsylvania forests, when the dogwood blossoms dance across the lacework of still-bare twigs. Plain-weave dogwood flowers stand out against a background of Bronson lace in a pattern based on Margaret Gaynes Dogwood Placemats. The warp is a handspun, natural colored Shetland fleece from Pairodox Farm, Clinton County, PA and a Shetland ewe from the same farm is providing the weft. The finished shawl is light but warm, perfect for any Pennsylvania season! The proceeds from our shawl are being donated to Camp Victory, Millville, PA; a non-profit camp for children with special needs.
2:39 pm
OK, I’ve got information about how the judging is done, but there’s no way I’ll be able to type all that here before the contest starts. I’ll post that either late tonight or tomorrow, I promise.
2:34 pm
Cozy!
This is one of Friends Thru Fiber's chairs. Many teams make sitting for 3 hours look very comfy.
2:29 pm
Hmmmm… looking around for the Sheep To Shawl pamphlets. In the meantime,
Fort Freeland Flickers, Woolie Trekkers shawls on display.
Warrior Run Weavers, Twisted Treadlers, and Bountiful Bobbins shawls on display.
2:21 pm
It’s so nice… so many people have stopped over to introduce themselves and to thank me for the blog.
2:18 pm
Team Dream Weavers‘ display:
Team Friends Thru Fiber’s display:
2:10 pm
Team Time Warp’s display:
I can't do this display justice - it's interactive! Very cool!
2:04 pm
Team Butler County Pedalers display:
And their sheep!
1:59 pm
Team representatives are being called up for the Team Meeting…
1:56 pm
Team Treadlers Thru Time’s display:
That’s What They’re Talkin’ About