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 | Oct 26, 2009 | General
Autumn has been unbelievably grey here in West Michigan, interspersed with days of rain. The sun has evidently gone on an extended holiday.
However, the foliage has taken up the cause and has been doing an amazing job of bringing color to the grey days. The veritable gleam that the golden sentinels radiates as brightly as the sun would. The grey of the day seems to intensify this effect and the occasional interjection of some crimson, orange, and bright red leaves seem to add richness to the tapestry covering the land. I have yet to get out and photograph any of this gloriousness for which I am feeling decidedly guilty.
I have done some autumnal baking, however, unleashing the aromas of fall in my home. Apples and cinnamon surely must have an aphrodisiac quality, don’t you think? I have plans to go to Cranes this weekend with the boy child and get some cider and cider donuts. Just the thing for what ails you.
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by Kat | Sep 7, 2009 | General
The Official End of Summer is upon us and I have heard many friends lamenting this fact.
However, for the Knitter – Labor Day Weekend brings the start of autumn and with it, Knitting Season and Knitters everywhere are pulling out wool socks, sweaters, scarves, wraps, etc. If they are not pulling them out, they are casting them on! Three cheers for cool nights and shortening days. I have been contemplating what next to cast on – I have several things that have caught my eye. I will keep you posted as to what is up next.
For me, autumn is my favorite time of the year. It is fleeting but I love every moment of it, from the start of leaves changing colors to the joy of cooking “cool weather” meals.
Therefore, to kick off the Un-Official start of fall, this weekend I made meat loaf. And, boy was it good! The aroma that filled the house was warm and welcoming. I used a new recipe from Tyler Florence – and does he know meat loaf! It was a knock it out of the park hit and I can guarantee that this will grace my table again. I also did a little baking and whipped up my Peach Blueberry Cobbler.
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by Kat | Apr 14, 2008 | General
Hello everyone!
What an amazing weekend! From start to finish it was just amazing! From Friday night with The Yarn Harlot to Sunday with Amy and Jillian and a bit of work in between it rocked!
But, I have to tell you that Sunday was simply beyond belief! Ann, Sandy, and I headed out to visit Mecca for the premier of More Big Girl Knits. It was a transforming day. Truly transforming.
Personally, weight is something that I have struggled with for a long time – a lifetime, it seems. And, living in a society that tells us daily that the norm is to be a thin, svelte size 6 makes being the exact opposite of that a challenge. As friends have blogged about, shopping for clothes for those of us who are not societies norm is not much fun.
When you get to my age (yes, the ripe old age of 47) there are things that you want to change, but changing them in reality just ain’t gonna happen! I mean, get real. I am not likely to start training for a marathon next week – or even next month. Hell, lets be totally honest here – marathon training is not ever going to happen! So, shopping consists of finding things that “cover” you up.
Then, yesterday happened.
Amy and Jillian brought with them to Threadbear a volume of samples to try on. A volume I am telling you! How awesome is that?
But, what is even more awesome is the fact that each item I tried on flattered my overweight, middle-aged body!
These patterns are well written with amazing instructions to help fit each garment to me! I spent the evening reading through the book and I am more in love with it than I was at Threadbear! If I could make a recommendation to you about a book to by if you are a beautiful big girl – get this book! Usually, I am lucky if there are a couple of patterns in a book that I might knit. In More Big Girl’s there is a list! A long list! This could provide me knitting for a good long time!
I am not the only person who this “Aha Moment”. There was much excitement in all the women who were trying things on. And, it was truly amazing to be with women who were like me…. and watching them be transformed as I was.
Add to that the fact that there were some divine cupcakes and astonishingly delicious cake – and a building packed with yarn – you can understand why Threadbear gets the title of Mecca!
Matt and Rob were charming as ever – and they had amazing sales as well yesterday! And, I mean AMAZING!
So, what was so amazing you ask????
Ummmm, how about a little Shaeffer Clara on sale – think – Liberate Your Laceweight!
And, can you even pass up Lorna’s Laces Lion and Lamb on sale at 50% off – I cast on last night for a new Clapotis!
And, the best of all – a sweater’s worth of Garnstudio’s Silky Wool that will become The No-Gap Wrap from More Big Girl Knits!
Yeah – a great day. I will leave you with some photo’s of what you all were missing!
Sandy and Ann with some new yarn for a scarf for Ann!
Tracey casting on something new from the book! I am so fortunate to have her as a friend! And, I am loving her sweater – you looked awesome, girlfriend!
Jillian and the “Wall of Collinette”. If you are not blessed to know this woman – she just rocks!
Amy knitting away on a gorgeous sweater. I don’t know what the knitting community would be without knitty.com. She is awesome!
And, last but certainly not least – Carla! She is knitting the same sweater in the same yarn in the same color as me. It is a sister thing!
Whew – after a weekend like this I need to get back to work! But, just to keep the “knitting glow” going. The S.A.B.L.E. group is on my agenda for the evening. What could be a better way to end – with knitters with the same obsession as me!
Have a great week all!
