Psst!

I challenge you to a duel!!!

8 ounces of the fiber of your choice spun by 9:00 pm EST, 9/6/2010
At 9:01p, put your hands up and wave it in the atmosphere.

What's at stake? The glory of completion and the elusive space for new Sheep & Wool stash!

Here are the rules of engagement:

• This fiber must not have been previously predrafted before today, 3:00 pm EST
• Spun on wheel or spindle
• Your entry must be photographed and posted by today, 9/3/2010, 11:00 pm EST
• Finished yarn must be photographed and chronicled by the deadline and posted at the prescribed coordinates.

Should you choose to accept this mission, holla!

From Festival to Festival

This year's Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival was quite a different experience for me.

The big news was not only the yummy new fibers and precious animals, but da heat!!

I never thought that I would have wished for rain at a sheep and wool festival until Saturday, May 1st. The high for West Friendship, Maryland was a reported 88 degrees!!

88 degrees+hoards of wool+three hours of sleep and scant snacking=The spontaneous combustion of a spinner! My head still hurts. Oy!

This was my first time joing the Park Slope Knitting Circle on a trip. Everyone was super nice.

We even saw two great movies that I'd missed in the theater! Giggity! Organizers, you did us a wonderful service. Thanks! I could not have asked for a more convenient and pleasant trip.

I'm also grateful to the vendors at the festival. In particular, the guy at the ice cream stand who met my desperate plea for a makeshift supersized chocolate cone and fist full of money with a merciful, ''don't worry I'll take care of you''. Dude, you're the best!

Okay, Okay. Yes, despite the stifling heat in the barns, I did manage to buy a thing or two. It was the best that I could do under the circumstances ya see...

Behind Cat Number One....

Imagine what that pile would look like if I weren't shopping in slow motion? A little slide show is over on the Flickr page. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

But of Course, Just Throw it in the Bag

It's that most wonderful time of the year again. Where fiberistas get their craft desires fulfilled. This past weekend at the NY Sheep and Wool Festival did not disappoint.
Look at how gorgeous the day was!

Just to mix things up, my shopping was not the result of acquiring stash for specific projects or to obtaining the new and unfamiliar fiber. No, the whole time was dedicated to picking up whatever my eyes and hand found fetching and to throw it in the bag. It was my theme song for the weekend! Here's how it went:

Besides a huge amount of lovely fiber, I splurged on this Golding spindle called, Midnight Sky. Not sure when it happened, but I seem to be smitten with owls. Whoo knew?

Thanks to all the wonderful animals, farmers and artisans represented at the festival, we knitters, crocheters, dyers and spinners have once again been reminded of the foundation of our craft. Thank you!!

Ah, to revel in the works of creation. It makes me appreciate the Creator more and more. We are loved in profound depths of care and beauty. Things to think about as we stitch...

Laughter is Good Medicine

And I've got jokes!

Hahaha, wipe your tears. Actually, that was my random attempt at learning to crochet while traveling. Without benefit of pattern or instructor,...or wine, honest!

I just made it up as I went along. A chain morphed into a bowl, into a vase, into a...hey! that kinda looks like a mitten. Wonder how can I make a thumb and how do I go back to the cuff without breaking the yarn... A mind is a terrible thing.