by Kat | Dec 27, 2009 | General
It has been quite a year here at Casa del KatKnits. I have come through mostly unscathed and I am reluctant to complain – especially when I see friends who have had much greater trials who utter not a word of discontent. The lesson of their quiet fortitude is one that I need much practice on!
I am however looking forward to the start of a New Year, with great anticipation.
However, I feel that a bit of a recap is in order … sort of a what’s what in the of the Year of the Kat.
It all began with me moving into a new place to live. A nice change. No flooding in the lower level was a vast improvement. The more cost efficient payment was a bonus as well.
I made the transition from being a “day” person to working nights. Not an easy feat for a person who was up without an alarm clock at 5AM for years. This taught me that I can truly do anything, a good lesson to have learned. More on the job later in the post.
I managed to find some time during the year to work on improving my craft – I acquired a loom or two and have found that I love weaving. I also did some spinning that won some awards at the local fiber festival. And, as for knitting – I have discovered the joy of knitting with yarn that I have made. A true joy indeed and this has given me a renewed interest in spinning There is just something wonderfully indulgent about putting socks on that you have spun and knit. It was a year of selfish knitting though, and my knitted wardrobe has increased nicely.
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by Kat | Nov 28, 2009 | General
Gentle Reader yesterday was a big day.
A teacher and friend had a book signing of her newly release Respect the Spindle. A book with all her years of experience poured out on the pages.
The signing appropriately happened at Mecca.
It was a banner day, why even the Canadian Factor showed up.
So honored was I to attend attired in clothing I had both spun the yarn and knit the garment. None of which would not have been completed so nicely if I had not had lessons from Abby.
I found it humorous that Abby was afraid no one would show up.
They did… in droves.
Her book flew off the shelf, as did a goodly sum of fiber and, yes… plenty of spindles.
Therefore, when Abby announced that her husband had gotten her a henna pen, because “someone might want their breast signed”…who was I to resist.
I present the only known Franquemontized breasts.
I have a spinner’s soul in a marked body.
Life could not possibly get better.
by Kat | Nov 20, 2009 | General
I have made an amazing and truly unbelievable discovery this week all in the knitting of a Plain Vanilla Pair of Socks…
This may actually be the Cure for World Peace and the Answer to getting all of the Politicians in Washington to come to a realistic consensus on Health Care.
Seriously.
Hand spun yarn makes hand knit socks like nobody’s business!
I have knit socks, plenty of them. Moreover, I have, like many of my fellow knitters, suffered from “Second Sock Syndrome.” Yes, I have struggled through knitting one solo sock and said lonely sock never gets its mate. I have completed pairs of socks for my children. For gifts. Kind of a Motherly Penance, as it was, to knit both socks.
No longer.
I have discovered the joy in knitting yarn that is neither harsh on your fingers, splitty, nor exhibits any splotches of unsightly color pooling.
You see, Gentle Reader, when you spin your own yarn, you can control the twist, the fiber, and your color runs!
End result…
One pair of indie dyed, spun by me Blue-faced Leicester pair of socks with gradually changing colors…
Yes, my feet are feeling the love.
Now, to figure out a hiding place so my kids do not find them…
by Kat | Nov 11, 2009 | General
Well, Gentle Readers, it appears that Joe is up to his neck in alligators yet again!
Yes, Joe is making waves yet again on the Health Care Reform bill that has valiantly made its way from the House of Representatives with nary a battle scar only to find Joe Lieberman leading the Battle Charge in the Senate.
I just want to thank you Joe for single-handedly making yourself look like an idiot!
Maybe you are just trying to play Scrooge a bit early for the holiday season, because your antics are certain to earn you a visit from your old friend Teddy with an ominous warning about visits from the Ghosts of Health Care Past, Present, and Future.
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by Kat | Oct 28, 2009 | General
I am not sure what Senator Lieberman thinks he is accomplishing by putting himself on an island, but he is not on the “win friends and influence people” track at all, in my opinion. When I heard on the news that Joe was not going to support any public option in the health care debate I was astounded.
Truly astounded.
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