Knitting Progress

Lots of knitting was done this past month….

In addition to the Flounce scarf I made for my friend Cathy, I also finished a couple of other fashion scarves using the mesh yarn.  The bright green one is extra long and I only cast on 6 stitches for that one.   For the second one (blues and purple), I did the traditional 8 stitches, so it’s a bit fuller and shorter.   I love them both for different reasons.  Both of these scarves used the yarn, “Chrysalis” from Yarn Bee.

 

I also knit up a very light weight scarf using mohair “Ty-Dy Superkid” from Knit One Crochet Too  - a luscious yarn in purples and reds.  I just did the basic feather and fan pattern with about 6 rows on each end for a selvedge and 3 stitches on either side for the border.  It’s so light weight, you don’t even notice you’re wearing it!

 

 

My next project was a snowflake cowl using the pattern from the Interweave Knits Holiday magazine – the “Snowflake Cowl” by Celeste Young.  It was a fun knit, though I think I still knit a bit tight when I work on Fair Isle projects…especially when knit in the round.  I used Paton’s Natural Wool for this one.

 

My final knitting project this month was a pair of “Owl Study Gloves” by Meghan Bosanko for my swap partner in the UK.   These were a fun knit…and I used the ever-so-soft Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande.  It takes under a full skein to make these and they’re just luscious!  They feel incredibly awesome on the hands!

ZOMBIE CRAWL!!!!

Believe it or not, Saugerties had a “Zombie Crawl” while I was there.  How come we never had anything like this when I lived there?  Saturday nights just weren’t as “wild” as this!   I had a fabulous time wandering around….checking out all the local “Zombies” – entire families got into it…not just the teens and young adults.   Every age group was represented!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite zombie was this little girl (about 5 or 6 years old).  The moment I asked if I could take her picture, she got totally into character and  posed menacingly for the camera.  It was fabulous!

 

 

Some other “interesting” zombies….

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phew…what a creepie bird!

 

 

 

 

 

Little Red Riding Hood????   On the right…there’s a tuckered out Zombie!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

Proof positive that they’ll let anyone wander the streets!

 

 

 

There was even a disabled zombie….left in the care of his friends.  

Awesome!

 

The Perfect Blend

  While in NY for the NY Sheep and Wool Festival, I was absolutely thrilled to find that Saugerties now boasts a wonderful knitting shop called “The Perfect Blend” – Tea and Yarn!   What could be better!!!

 

The shop is owned by Mary…the wife of one of my classmates.  She is such a fabulous hostess that even if you don’t know her, she immediately makes you feel at home.   The shop is warm and cozy and has an amazing variety of fabulous yarns and patterns….both national brands as well as some unique local yarn!   Of course, you can sip on some tea and peruse the pattern books while relaxing at the little cafe table at the front of the store.

 

Tea, teapots, and tea bags…

Yarn, projects, and patterns…

All in a friendly and cozy atmosphere.

Fabulous!

 

 

 

 

I love this place!

 

 

 

 

In addition to the cozy shop, Mary rented the empty shop space next door for a “knit-in” area – a very welcoming place to come and sit, knit, and relax each evening during the NY Sheep and Wool Festival.   Everyone was welcome to come in to sit and knit and chat.   There was tea, wine, juice, and tons of snacks – including some fabulous home made cookies and a wonderful pumpkin cream cheese spread.   She and her staff went all out! 

   

 

 

 

 

Some quilters lent some of their quilts to decorate the walls and make it feel more homey.  It was fabulous!   There were two main seating areas forming small circles…and then another area with hay bales for that rustic/fall-like feel.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the quilts were “for sale”….and I decided I “needed” the on on the far right (above) – the one with all the pieced maple leaves.  I just LOVE it!

Mary also had the patterns and yarns of a couple of local fiberists on display…and even had some of them come by the shop to sit and chat.   Featured at her shop are yarns and or patterns by:  “Cottage on the Hudson”, “Jill Draper Makes Stuff”,  and “Woodstock Knits”.  I purchase a glove kit from Cottage on the Hudson that includes a pattern that belonged to her grandmother I believe.  It’s absolutely gorgeous!   I purchased some fabulous hand-dyed yarns from “Jill Draper Makes Stuff” and some fabulous patterns from “Woodstock Knits”.

 

What a fabulous time I had!  Saturday night I met Heidi - the girl behind “Woodstock Knits” (photo on left) and purchased a fabulous pattern that will make use of the brown and grey alpaca DK from Misty Mountain Farm!

 

 

My friend Cathy even enjoyed visiting the store, though she was almost overwhelmed by all the yarns an knitted samples that were on display.  She fell in love with a Flounce scarf that was on display and was very excited when I offered to buy the yarn and knit the scarf for her.   She loves it! 

 

 

I highly recommend this shop if you’re ever in the area.   Stop in…have some tea….and get inspired by all the beautiful yarns and projects!

New York Sheep and Wool – Part 2 – Landscapes and Sheepscapes

The colors of fall were all around.   There were lots of leaves on the ground – spurred on by some torrential rains.   Thankfully, the booth is in one of the large buildings, so there was no worry about getting wet.   It wasn’t a total wash-out, so it really wasn’t bad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

And check out all the gorgeous sheep!   Each breed seems to have its own personality…from friendly and playful to regal and detached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again….evening falls….

   

 

 

 

 

 

New York Sheep and Wool – Part I

Ah….it’s time once again for the New York Sheep and Wool Festival.  I had a blast once again…and thoroughly enjoyed working for Misty Mountain Farm again.   There’s just something exciting about talking to everyone about wool, fiber, yarn, and patterns.  

In spite of working, I still managed to pick up a number of interesting goodies and did some fabulous shopping.  I even managed to run into and chat with some fabulous designers – both Anne Hansen and Edie Eckman.  

I love this time of year as well….there’s a crispness in the air…and the colors of the leaves are fantastic!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, I stayed with my friend Cathy….her apartment is in a very cute and very private location that overlooks the Catskills and the Esopus.   It’s so calming to wander the grounds….a sense of peace just washes over you.

 

 

Here’s the view from just behind her apartment – isn’t it gorgeous?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cathy has the most adorable cats that share her apartment…and since I was there, they graciously shared with me.   They didn’t seem to mind a bit!  They’re the sweetest cats you’ve ever met. 

 

 

 

 

Oh…at dusk, you would not believe all the deer that come out of the woods to “snack” on the grass.  It was a beautiful scene!  

 

 

 

Most of the time, it was either too hazy or I got home too late to take any photos at sunset, but I did manage a few.