Sunday, June 22, 2008

Snip, Snip...

Last fall I was able to attend Meg Swansen's Knitting Workshop with my sister, Lindsey. I think of it as an experience that ranks up with the tops ones...getting married, having the 2 footer...

During that weekend, participants were taken to Schoolhouse Press and allowed to peruse the shelves of gorgeous yarns, books and patterns. With my mother's school of thought in mind (If you are in a wonderful place, buy yourself something special to remember the experience), I bought enough Jamieson's to make a sweater. With EZ's Seamless Yoke in mind, I picked out a gorgeous oatmeal for the body and 6 colors to use in the fair isle yoke.

The dream weekend over, I packed the yarn away, hoping one day to write up the pattern and start knitting.

Fast forward to a last month...The Fall Knitting Workshop this year was announced so I quickly signed myself and my sister up with hopes to enjoy the magical weekend again. A few days later, the acceptance email came. Remembering all the great things that we would now be in for, I could hardly wait. Knitting late into the night and up early again in the morning to get back at it, great food, Meg Swansen and shopping at Schoolhouse Press...shopping at Schoolhouse Press....

My mother's other school of thought is "you don't need more of something you already have".

It became clear I needed to get that sweater knit.

After weeks of knitting, the 2-footer and I sat enjoying the great morning today. He, playing with playdoh and I, weaving in the last few ends of the sweater. With a snip of the last yarn, I held it up for the 2-footer to see. He said "Looks great mom, can I have some applesauce?" ...thanks...

I put the sweater down and went to the kitchen to get him a bowl.

**Now...for those of you with weak stomachs, skip the rest of this**

I ran to the bathroom, turned the sink on to block the sweater and tried it on. Nice fit.....and nice GIANT HOLE IN THE FRONT OF IT!!!!

The 2-footer, while I was so graciously getting him a bowl of applesauce, had cut a hole into the front of my sweater. With all the things he could have cut like his own hair, the cat's hair, the couch, the curtains....he had to cut my sweater???

After counting to 10...10 times...we had the talk as to why it is bad to use mom's scissors and why it's really bad to cut into mom's knitting. His response? "Don't worry mom, I'll help you clean up the mess." Sure you will...

So after a little grafting, that hopefully only I will know is there, here is my Seamless Yoke with the pattern assistance from Elizabeth Zimmermann and front embellishment by the 2-footer.


Saturday, June 14, 2008

Need Help Planning Your Summer???

The fun days of summer appear to be here...what happened to spring?...
With so many things to fill up your warm days ahead, get out the calendar and carve out a few dates for yourself! Here are a few to get you up and going...

Fiddlehead Yarns July Classes!!!
http://www.fiddleheadyarns.com/Classes/classes.htm

July 9th, 7:05pm
Milwaukee Brewers Stitch N' Pitch

July 18, 19 and 20
The Midwest Fiber and Folk Festival (Crytal Lake, IL)
http://www.fiberandfolk.com/

August 21, 22, 23 and 24
Stitches Midwest (Schaumburg, IL)
http://www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/events.php

September 5
Fiddlehead Yarns' 2nd Anniversary Sale!

September 5, 6 and 7
Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival (Jefferson County Fairgrounds)
http://www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/
(Fiddlehead Yarns is taking a bus for this great event! $36 includes Coach bus ride and admission ticket to the festival!)

October 3
Yarn Con (Chicago, IL)
http://www.yarncon.com/

November 29
Art vs Craft (Milwaukee, WI)
http://www.artvscraft.com/