Green Dilly Beans

Clapotis Interrupted

The clapotis is officially on hold.  Its insatiable appetite for stitch markers was outstripping my supply.  Only after searching in all the couch cushions and growing increasingly frustrated by the oversize paperclips I was using in their place did I decide to resort to desperate measures...  

I busted out the “All-Over Two-Color Patterned Watch Cap” from Hats On, which not only gets the award for longest living UFO in my stash, but also wins out in the category for most cumbersome, boringly descriptive, unnecessarily hyphenated pattern name that I have seen to date.  I admit I did think about yanking the markers without actually contributing to the hat in progress, but that seemed a tad too reprehensible, especially considering the fact that it has been promised to a lovely coworker for the last year and a half.  Ouch.  Here's a chance to redeem myself, albeit in the name of reclaiming clapotis-bound stitch markers. 

The reappearance of this hat (I hereby refuse to type out the full name more that one time per post) has reminded me of a peculiar knitting quirk of mine.  I've never given much credence to the which school of knitting do you subscribe to? debate.  I generally favor a mutated version of the throwing method unique to myself.  As for continental, I’ve tried it a few times and like its old school appeal, but it just never really caught on for me.  However, put a multi-color pattern in front of me and continental becomes no problem.  Red yarn in right hand, white in the left, and I'm good to go.  However, take it down to a single strand of yarn, and any ability to muster up a knit stitch continentally evaporates.  Go figure.  At least I'll soon have some stitch markers to show for my trouble!

Clan of the Clapotis

After making the Brooks Farm Harmony purchase at Rhinebeck, I am making a long overdue foray into the world of the Clapotis. Nothing to report that hasn't already been documented in a billion other blogs. Here's the progress so far.

It's A Girl!

It's official.  B is the proud uncle of Katherine Ann, who clocked in around 1 PM on Friday, October 21.  Adding to the joy of this new arrival is the fact that the occasion called for a trip to the yarn store.  She may be too busy eating, sleeping, puking and pooping to know it yet, but I see a Trellis in baby Katherine's future.   

Life is Good

This could easily be the last word on Rhinebeck. Please bear with my belated posting. With unprecedented rainfall of Noah's ark magnitude this month, I have to admit I was a little worried about Rhinebeck this year.  Not worried in the way that could make me consider cancelling plans mind you, but the kind of concern that made me think about packing parkas, boots, mittens, galoshes, and any other gear that would allow me to admire yarn for as long as possible. But joy of joys, the rain stopped and the sun burst out from behind the clouds.  Sara, Heather, Gi and I hit the road bright and early for the pilgrimage northward. Upon arrival in Rhinebeck we came across a slew of familiar faces - Cassie, Valentina, Cassie, Juno, Jackie, and other giddy knitters who quickly drew us into the fray. Not only was there success in our quest for yarn, but being the enablers that we are, several knitters were seduced by the hypnotic twists of the drop spindle and behold, new spinners were born. In classic form, I forgot my camera, but I'm sure there are enough Rhinebeck photos to be found elsewhere. Driving back into the city with a full moon over Manhattan, complete with the knowledge that B had prepared a home-cooked dinner to serve upon my arrival, made for a perfect end to a perfect day.  Needless to say I slept like the proverbial log. 

The aftermath. 

The haul included some dyed locks and 2 skeins of Licorice Twist from the Spinners Hill, the subject of some jealousy as I got the last of the bunch. The Fold offered up some lovely teal wool for spinning and Socks that Rock yarn in green and black, blue, purple combo to make ........socks of course. I'll finally be a member of the Clapotis club now that I picked up this blue and green Brooks Farm Harmony (a mohair, silk, and wool blend). I finished off the loot with some burgandy merino lace weight; kiri here I come. Add all this to a belly full of lamb chili, fried dough, lamb ravioli, apple cider, and more friends than I can accurately count, and you have a very, very, very good day.

Silver Lining

Look what 8 straight days of rain and a delayed flight out of Raleigh gets you...long overdue FO's.

Blog Backlog

I've just discovered that I have the peculiar, blog-unfriendly habit of starting a blog entry, saving it as a draft, and then completely forgetting about it.  A quick check of the "List Posts"  menu option revealed a squirreled away stash of well-intentioned blog musings.  I've since posted them so as to not deprive anyone of my wisdom, but solemnly swear not to make this a habit.  Does anyone else follow this posting pattern?   I promise not to tell.