tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78830262011-04-21T23:09:25.875-04:00~ smitten with knitting! ~Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.comBlogger2271100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-48078398301234435062008-10-20T21:12:00.002-04:002008-10-20T21:48:41.423-04:00

*Note: This may only be funny if you have been to a large fiber festival, the kind where you are overwhelmed by the number of vendors and the amount of roving and yarn and all that goes with it. The kind where you are virtually surrounded by wool.The Scene: NY Sheep & Wool Festival. Saturday, 11:30 a.m. There are crowds everywhere, with people carrying large shopping bags. I have just purchased

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-84103346117056955492008-06-25T08:58:00.002-04:002008-06-25T09:01:27.620-04:00

Cartoonist and graphic novelist Alison Bechdel has posted a funny essay on "Compulsory Reading."

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-50477460416121504072008-06-08T12:50:00.002-04:002008-06-08T12:56:47.648-04:00

A few days ago I sat down at the dining room table to knit a couple of rows on a sock. It was about 5:30 p.m., so knitting wasn't really what I should have been doing; dinner was not prepared and the kids were squabbling and the house was a mess, but well, there you have it.DH came in from work a few minutes later and was surprised to find me sitting and knitting at that time of day. "I just

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-10063289688057810662008-06-04T21:24:00.007-04:002008-12-09T17:57:02.244-05:00

It's a bird box...A plane...Or maybe it's my grandmother's sewing cabinet, lovingly repaired by my husband as my birthday gift.This was never a piece of fine furniture; it was simply the utilitarian box that my grandmother Mabel lugged around with all of her thread and notions. But oh, does it bring back such lovely memories for me. Grammie's sewing machine was frequently out on our kitchen

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-7818650926277347212008-06-03T11:48:00.007-04:002008-12-09T17:57:03.197-05:00

The good news is that instead of "celebrating" my birthday at work today, I am at home.The bad news is that I am at home because my youngest threw up in the car on the way to school.Thankfully, she is not terribly ill and she is managing to create My Little Pony and Princess Barbie vignettes throughout the house without problem. Which means that I was able to find a few minutes to take and

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-81424707181703271842008-06-02T21:35:00.003-04:002008-06-02T21:47:57.362-04:00

I blinked and it was gone.I vaguely remember a couple of fun activities with the kids, and I think I made it to Cummington. I may have even done some knitting and spinning. But mostly I remember lots of challenging work and volunteer commitments.Thankfully, June should be a less crazy month. And it starts with my birthday! Which is tomorrow. I plan to celebrate by spending the morning at the

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-29115049083802658432008-04-18T12:33:00.003-04:002008-12-09T17:57:03.662-05:00

This week I finished a project that will be donated to the annual silent auction at my UU society. Just in time for Earth Day, I present Mother Earth:This is the first figure I have designed completely on my own. I began with the basic proportions and techniques I used to make Father Christmas, but then went off on my own path. Since I am a newbie felter, the final product didn't turn out

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-30022589289313359922008-04-11T11:00:00.002-04:002008-12-09T17:57:04.071-05:00

My fingers have been busy juggling many things of late; here is a sampling.1. Darning socks is rather addictive, especially when listening to good audio books. Who knew?2. Needle felted figures sometimes look like Bart Simpson before you add the hair.3. Seeing this little test pop up on everyone's blogs gave me flashbacks to tenth grade typing class, where my cute-but-slacker boyfriend sat

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1946193414779885802008-03-16T23:06:00.003-04:002008-12-09T17:57:04.774-05:00

1. I find it rather surreal that I, the non-Christian, spent much of yesterday evening creating a model of Jesus's tomb. It was a prop that I needed for teaching "The Story Of Easter" in the SpiritPlay classroom at our UU. I contemplated making one out of wool (knitted and then fulled? needle felted over a foam shape?) but I did not leave myself enough time and had to resort to Model Magic

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-32262849280955974452008-02-18T22:08:00.001-05:002008-02-18T22:52:24.468-05:00

I don't think I have mentioned on the blog that we have been a one-car family for the past six months. If we lived in Boston, or DC, or Chicago, this probably wouldn't be considered much of an accomplishment. In fact, it might be the norm. But in our very small city, with woefully inadequate public transportation, it is unusual for a middle class family to have one car. People actually look

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-60050030148709999872008-02-08T12:03:00.001-05:002008-12-09T17:57:05.100-05:00

I finished this scarf right before the holidays, but I haven't blogged about it because I can't decide if it's sort of ugly or sort of cool. Or maybe both.The yarn is handspun, from a Grafton Fibers batt purchased at Rhinebeck (2006). I purposely chose a colorway that was a little out of my comfort range.Maybe too far out of my range. It matches nothing that I own. And when I put it on, the

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-65134641790221769802008-01-30T11:22:00.000-05:002008-12-09T17:57:05.241-05:00

Version 3.1 of the Spiraling Coriolis Sock is a success. It is admittedly a bit snug going over my heel, but then it fits like a glove. (Or, well, like a sock.) Which is much better than the first few versions, which would not go over my heel at all.See that little spiral going around? Ingenious! You can't see the top of the sock here because the picot edge isn't hemmed yet and it looks

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-49113830075043352352008-01-12T13:32:00.000-05:002008-12-09T17:57:05.839-05:00

And it's not knitted...although it is made of wool.Meet Father Christmas:You know how it feels when a project turns out just as good as--or even better than--you envisioned it? That feeling of joyful giddiness, when you keep going back to it so that you can pet it, and where you bring it into work to show everyone because you just have to, even though they are not going to "get it"?Yeah, this

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-29773006899704080482008-01-02T12:01:00.000-05:002008-12-09T17:57:06.797-05:00

Our holidays were wonderful and remarkably uneventful: no illnesses, no crises, no tragedies. There was eating--oh so much eating!--of cookies, chocolates, and homemade raspberry pie; shrimp and spanikopita; lemon martinis and all sorts of other treats. There was wonderful, 98% drama-free time with extended family, and one of the biggest gifts my children received was four crazy days of

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-11911055459929206822007-12-13T19:28:00.000-05:002008-12-09T17:57:06.980-05:00

I love the way Cat Bordhi's mind works. I'm not so into the socks soaring on circular needle thing, but the moebius cast-on? Brilliant. I've only made one moebius using that technique, but every so often I have to get the book out just to try to wrap more of my brain cells around her ideas. So it was a given that I would buy her new sock book as soon as it was out, and cast on for socks as

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-20974347931000385612007-12-10T21:20:00.000-05:002008-12-09T17:57:07.528-05:00

Fa la la la la, la la la CRAP.My WIP's are on Santa's Naughty List this month. I've warned them, over and over, that they better behave or I will write nasty things about them on my blog; and clearly they are testing me, waiting to see if I will follow through with my threats.They will soon learn that while I have many shortcomings as a parent, lack of follow through on threats is not one of

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-56373786038652407402007-12-05T09:16:00.000-05:002007-12-05T14:33:54.534-05:00

I hope that Santa puts a lump of plutonium in your stocking.And oh yes, Merry *&@#$*@% Christmas.

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-30938145060924243442007-11-18T21:36:00.000-05:002007-11-18T21:55:36.914-05:00

Around here, November means it's time for me to make my holiday gift lists and load up the credit card. I like to finish the majority of my holiday shopping by December 1st, which makes me seem like I'm really organized and well put together until you understand that this is how I compensate for being absolutely scattered. If I wait until the last minute, I will end up giving everyone leftover

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-6436261124417337582007-10-29T13:27:00.000-04:002007-10-29T13:36:13.190-04:00

A recent conversation with my three year old daughter.3yo: Mama, I really really want to get a kitty.me: I know honey, but Daddy is allergic to kitties and they make him sneeze.3yo: {thinking}3yo: {thinking}3yo: Mama, if Daddy dies can we get a kitty?

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-90026713821527357822007-10-22T09:44:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:07.863-05:00

Saturday at Rhinebeck went by too quickly. I had a great time but felt a little overwhelmed and fuzzy this year: a combination of lack of sleep, the crazy crowds, and trying to look at EVERYTHING. I was disappointed in the weather, too; although it was sunny and gorgeous, I missed seeing everyone in handknit/felted sweaters and vests and hats! I did see quite a few shawls, but I wanted

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-31995134528705539892007-10-19T10:45:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:08.294-05:00

I actually finished a knitting project.I know, I can't quite believe it.It is my version of Melody's Shawl, from Morehouse Merino*. This project is knit in the round and then you cut it to turn it into a long rectangle. It was a little scary to cut across my knitting, but the end result is great. The yarn is lovely and squooshy and light. The original pattern called for straight stockinette,

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-85696607475072317872007-10-13T12:53:00.000-04:002007-10-13T12:54:49.327-04:00

New blog design in process. Comments gone AWOL. Back soon!

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-46469493351505374822007-10-05T21:28:00.000-04:002007-10-05T21:43:53.979-04:00

The last six months really kicked my butt. Prior to the loss of my father, there were several other situations that were slowly sucking bits of joy out of my life, and then--well. The summer was awful. Now I mostly feel tired and scattered and overwhelmed, and while I am currently managing to keep track of the kids' activities and the laundry and the grocery shopping and oh, right, going back

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-26749919428880669662007-08-14T08:47:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:08.970-05:00

I have been meaning to knit a Bauble for quite a while now, but I wasn't pushed into action until a recent personal crisis--go on, pick any one of them--coincided with close proximity to a bead store. Picking out beads took a l.o.n.g time, and stringing them all took even longer (although listening to the audio version of Deathly Hallows kept things interesting during the process). Then I knit

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-16578983472738080532007-08-11T12:10:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:09.507-05:00

Thank you so much for all the kind comments following the death of my father. It really does help to know that others are thinking of you during difficult times, and I appreciated each and every note.Although the past few weeks have been sad and draining, they also included many moments where I laughed through my tears. My father was a renowned smartass and I heard several new stories about

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-83576129388900059052007-07-17T09:35:00.001-04:002007-07-17T13:01:22.436-04:00

Three days after I got my driver's license, at the ripe old age of sixteen, I was in a minor fender bender. It was arguably my fault although I still deny that. Luckily, no one was hurt, but the front end of my parents' car was a bit mushed in. My dad was out of town that week, and so my mother helped me to sort out the immediate aftermath. But after dinner she gently told me that I needed to

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-10989144682431708452007-07-10T21:48:00.001-04:002008-12-09T17:57:10.536-05:00

I'm back from eight days away, and re-entry sucks.The first part of the week was about salvaging our family vacation time. We ended up spending Saturday to Wednesday near No. Conway, NH, where we visited Storyland;explored Diana's Bath;played mini-golf; and ate good food at the Moat Mountain Brewing Co. (I had the "New England Quesadilla", which was filled with pureed butternut squash, cheddar

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-39373060828457897922007-06-29T22:53:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:10.707-05:00

ETA 8/14/07: I am extending the entry deadline in the Craft Room Contest, as several people missed the original post and have asked if they can still play. Since the start of the project was delayed and I have not yet blogged about my progress (or lack thereof), I will now accept entries up until 8/31/07. The winner just might get some sock yarn.....Having recently won two contests in the

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-90930121051266817142007-06-29T08:51:00.000-04:002008-01-12T16:18:26.697-05:00

Thanks for all the kind thoughts and ideas. (Carole, the Craig's List idea was particularly good--I never would have thought of that!) We are now officially regrouping and moving on. As I told some other Internet friends, I may be a whiner, but I'm a resilient whiner. The current plan is that we will head up to the White Mountains in NH and spend a few days there. One of DH's coworkers nicely

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-15238704704062955262007-06-27T18:16:00.000-04:002008-01-12T16:18:26.698-05:00

For months we have been looking forward to spending a week--NEXT week--on Star Island, as part of a Unitarian Universalist Family Camp/Conference. We just received word that the conference is cancelled due to some structural/fire safety issues. DH and I are devastated, and I don't even know how to break the news to my six-year-old.While there is really nothing that can replace the experience we

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-28897581572488706652007-06-27T14:46:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:11.132-05:00

But sometimes I knit.Specs: My "plain jane" travel knitting socks.Toe up (Turkish cast on); 60 stitches on size 1 U.S. needles; short row heel with a small gusset increase prior to turning heel; 64 stitches over the ankle, then decrease back to 60. End with 2x2 ribbing and a stretchy cast-off (see directions at the end of this pattern).The pattern may be plain, but the yarn is fabulous: soft

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-14023239595711510022007-06-27T13:30:00.000-04:002007-06-27T13:40:53.266-04:00

Some of you may have purchased yarn from Allison at Supercrafty, or perhaps you have read about her on Crazy Aunt Purl's blog. Allison's infant son, Evan, was born with a brain tumor and is scheduled to have surgery later this summer. Unfortunately, Allison has had to battle with her insurance companies to get the procedure covered. While it looks like they will now cover the surgery, they may

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-74871648391370639362007-06-20T08:00:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:11.980-05:00

My sister and her husband had a beautiful house built on the eastern shore of Maryland a couple of years ago. They spent a lot of time poring over plans beforehand, and the result is a beautiful combination of form and function. It is a lovely, peaceful place to visit, with a river in the front (so you can kayak right out of the front yard) and a frog pond in the back.This year there was a

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-21964779467552718452007-06-15T11:25:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:12.331-05:00

I have had this blog for almost three years now: how is that possible? I haven't posted often, but I have enjoyed sharing my projects and thoughts and vents with the blogosphere.That said--it is clear that my knitting and spinning time have been quite limited of late, and I haven't had much to share in recent months. I compose many blog posts in my head but I never seem to find the time to

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-49212825838085447502007-06-08T14:33:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:12.520-05:00

Over the last two weeks I have dealt with inlaw visits, dance recitals, nasty e-mails from a former colleague, work crises, stress-induced insomnia, and a child with stomach flu.Much nicer than all of that?Homemade mozzarella on a pesto pizza.The moment that I read this post at Liz's blog, I knew that I had to make some cheese. I ordered a mozzarella kit the very next day and it arrived less

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-88369878792588834972007-05-30T09:27:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:13.625-05:00

The SheepyI made it to the MA Sheep and Woolfair in Cummington on Saturday. Unfortunately, I was herding some hot and unruly children, so it wasn't the most relaxing day for me. But it was fun to run into some blogging friends and to fondle all the fiber. The girls made some felt balls, and--with help--my eldest spun some yarn using a CD drop spindle.Believe it or not, I bought no fiber. Not

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-83595348675055633252007-05-11T09:00:00.000-04:002007-05-11T17:18:14.311-04:00

Yessirree, it's time for that annual black tie blue jean gala, the MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair at the Cummington Fairgrounds. Last year I pulled together an informal Blogger & Friends meet-up, complete with brownies. This year I will have a friend and several small children in tow and I'm not sure I can actually "coordinate" the meet-up. So while I'm happy to help figure out the plans, and I

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-89569760244101791682007-05-09T12:53:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:14.094-05:00

Blog? What blog?For those who have inquired: I'm still here, and I'm fine. There has been knitting and traveling and working and family madness. There was a personal health scare--now resolved--that means I will be having a baseline mammogram in the near future (ugh). I am feeling a bit like Liz these days. There are various blog posts in process. But just in case I never get to them, here

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-73242801249016155242007-03-21T13:00:00.000-04:002008-12-09T17:57:14.509-05:00

1. Knitting Content: the lovely waist shaping on ErisThis partially done sweater has been hibernating for many months. I am in a groove right now, but as warmer weather hits it might be relegated to the WIP pile again. Yes, I am that fickle.2. I Love Me Some Baked GoodsAnd I also love this fabulous new website: Bake and ShakeBe warned: this site is not for those who disapprove of fattening

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-89331454771051692152007-03-07T22:44:00.000-05:002008-12-09T17:57:15.113-05:00

1. My six-year-old and I decided that having a cast should never get in the way of being fashionable.2. I succeeded in an attempt at purposeful spinning. The yarn is what I had planned and envisioned, which is not always the case for me!Details: 2.9 ounces of Navajo-plyed Corriedale, from a Grafton Fibers batt, approximately 250 yards sportweight. There are scarf plans afoot.3. My husband

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-75319173634377169592007-02-28T13:27:00.000-05:002007-02-28T13:29:58.358-05:00

Scooping out the small toy that my (supposedly bright) six year old stuck under her armcast for "safekeeping."Sigh.

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1171858194821391672007-02-18T16:45:00.000-05:002007-02-21T22:15:06.938-05:00

...then bring the fiber retreat home.I hosted a spin-in last Saturday. At one point there were seven spinning wheels set up in my living room: perfect! It was very low-key, with lots of silly conversation about Mah-jong players named Sylvie. I didn't get pictures of everyone, but it was a great group. Jess was spinning some glorious stuff and let us fondle her cashmere blend. (Jess, I feel much

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1170860690746259642007-02-07T09:33:00.000-05:002007-02-07T10:08:48.140-05:00

I'm on a spinning binge and I love it.It started last week, when I realized that I needed to get some plying done before the Saturday guild meeting. I could have left the full bobbins at home and started something new, but I was already halfway through the process. So on Friday night I finished up a skein of pink 2-ply BFL, from Fleece Artist (pictured below). As usual my finished yarn is a

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1170252835646534062007-01-31T09:08:00.000-05:002007-01-31T09:13:55.853-05:00

6yo (reading magazine while eating breakfast): Mama? Don't you think it's kind of mean that the female lions have to do all the hunting?Me (distracted): Umm...yeah.6yo: It's not fair. It's like they are the servants for the king of the jungle. But they are lions too, just like him.Me (paying more attention): Right, that does seem unfair.6yo: If I was a female lion, I would just stay home with

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1169783460834877232007-01-26T13:38:00.000-05:002007-01-26T13:33:45.590-05:00

click for bigger picHobo Gloves--Details:Pattern is my own, with guidance from Interweave Knits Winter 2003. I chose to use a 24-stitch palm gusset for the thumb. I would probably reduce it to a 20-stitch gusset if I was to make another pair.The cuffs are K2P2 ribbing, 60 stitches on size US2 needles, with a twist of the knit stitches every fourth row. I used the magic loop technique, which

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1168895435951515332007-01-19T09:56:00.000-05:002007-01-19T18:48:23.913-05:00

Any of you who live near Springfield, MA (and I define "near" loosely, Liz) are invited to join me on Saturday, February 17th for a spin-in. You are welcome anytime after 1:00 p.m., and I hope you'll stay for a potluck dinner. I'll provide (vegetarian) soup, crusty bread, and some snacks; you can bring whatever you like!I can probably fit seven or eight (small-ish) spinning wheels in my living

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1169001073641719512007-01-16T21:15:00.000-05:002007-01-16T23:36:40.096-05:00

Back in August 2006, a sad thing happened. It was so sad that I couldn't even blog about it at the time. I had just finished a pair of socks --only the second pair I had ever made for myself--and I had happily packed them up for a trip to the Adirondacks. I was looking forward to wearing them on my nice, warm toesies while curled up in front of the fireplace on a cool summer evening in the

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1168612628547524762007-01-12T09:34:00.000-05:002007-01-12T09:37:08.566-05:00

Syracuse (NY) Zoo--12/28/06

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1168007702737367542007-01-05T09:28:00.000-05:002007-01-05T14:14:46.170-05:00

1. First fiber-y "green leaf" of the year: Fleece Artist merino roving, first bobbin2. Am I the last one to know that the USPS 2007 holiday stamps will include knitted images? (link thanks to martinimade)3. As lovely as they are, cheap cashmere sweaters actually come at a high cost. I am guessing that many of the newer, "affordable" cashmere blend yarns fall into the same category. Anyone know

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1167860210181793412007-01-03T14:11:00.000-05:002007-01-03T21:39:09.176-05:00

I am guessing that most of you are familiar with the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle, but for those who aren't, here's the scenario. A cute little caterpillar is born and he spends a few days eating some nice leaves and fruit, and then one day he goes on a binge and eats through a pile of crap: chocolate cake, ice cream, salami, lollipops, etc. And he winds up with a

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1166801604511113762006-12-22T10:25:00.000-05:002006-12-22T10:36:02.016-05:00

'Tis the season for squinting. ;) **(Click on photo to enlarge a bit.)Can you spy, with your little eyes,Some things from our family's past year?A toy plane represents our cross-country tripAnd a coaster our visit to Mt. Rainier.Lots of small clues show the things that we like:Find Katy in a beach chair and Jim up on his bike.There are girls in a bike trailer, a pencil from first

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1166498199608548552006-12-18T22:02:00.000-05:002006-12-18T22:28:11.283-05:00

...but Henry Hudson! Yes, at long last, after crossing the country several times (and also making a trip to Belgium), my Yarn Aboard box arrived.It was perfect timing, as I was feeling a bit "Bah Humbug." And there's no better cure for that than new yarn!The gifts included a lovely skein of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn in a teal colorway, with touches of green and blue/lavender; some Knitpicks

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1165975937260787622006-12-12T21:00:00.000-05:002006-12-13T10:03:04.416-05:00

The Good: I'm still here! And I'm fine!The Bad: I've been a pretty sucky blogger this year.I hope that Santa will still bring me some knitting stuff.The Good: During my blog absence, there has been some knitting and felting and crafting. Woo-hoo!There are cotton chenille washcloths to be gifted.There are snowmen to share with friends.There are ferocious mittens that ate my daughter's arms. (

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1164490537154997772006-11-25T16:19:00.000-05:002006-11-25T16:35:37.166-05:00

We had a quiet Thankgiving this year. It was the first one we've spent at home in eight years. I generally like going to family holiday gatherings, but I was looking forward to a long weekend without traveling and obligations. And having no plans turned out to be a good thing, as both kids came down with illnesses on Wednesday evening (one with a cold, one with a stomach bug). So I cooked

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1163967110737558702006-11-19T15:04:00.000-05:002006-11-19T15:11:50.750-05:00

Stolen from Etherknitter: You.Can.Only.Type.One.Word. No.Explanations. 1. Yourself: exhausted2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): exhausted3. Your hair: rumpled4. Your mother: lovely5. Your father: generous6. Your favorite item: ????7. Your dream last night: none8. Your favorite drink: coffee9. Your dream car: chauffeured10. The room you are in: sunroom11. Your ex: long gone12.

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1162571628560641072006-11-15T11:19:00.000-05:002006-11-15T14:53:58.283-05:00

I am in love.Prior to last week, I was a Koigu virgin. But now there is no going back. There will definitely be more of this in my future!This hobo glove may be the "fiddliest" project I have made yet. I am making up the pattern as I go--with the help of the Interweave Knits Winter 2003 magazine--and there has been some frogging and reworking. It's still not perfect, but I think it will work.

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1161801296135878132006-10-25T14:10:00.000-04:002006-10-25T14:41:41.583-04:00

I know you're all tired of reading about wonderful Rhinebeck blah blah blah, so I'll try to keep this quick. But it's hard to explain how great it is to be among "our people" for a day. There are so many places in my life where I don't quite fit (and might not want to), so a day with fiber folks who "get it" is a huge gift.I drove to Rhinebeck on Saturday with my fabulous friend Jean (who is

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1161613766812291232006-10-23T09:59:00.000-04:002006-10-23T10:39:02.026-04:00

Although I don't think that I can top last year's efforts, which involved far more clever lyrics (and a far more annoying song), here is my lame offering for this year. I am too tired to come up with anything better!SuperFreak FiberFreakShe's a fiber freakin' girlThe kind who likes to go to RhinebeckLikes to head out on a road trip with her girlfriendsIn a limousine VW jettaShe likes the fiber

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1161022149628097202006-10-16T13:50:00.000-04:002006-10-16T14:10:13.720-04:00

1. There is actual knitting (and spinning) going on, which keeps me away from the computer.2. I'm too lazy to upload the pictures of my latest two FO's. (But stay tuned!)3. I have to check out all the blogs on my Rhinebeck Bingo Card.4. I have to get ready to go to Rhinebeck, which involves packing various bags for the girls (soccer, birthday party, etc.) so that DH can manage their Saturday

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1159555203226422712006-09-29T14:33:00.000-04:002006-09-29T14:40:03.286-04:00

I'm not an "official" Eye Candy Friday participant, but I couldn't resist sharing this pic from our vacation.Polar Bear at the Point Defiance ZooTacoma, Washington

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1158538757196904682006-09-17T20:14:00.000-04:002006-09-17T20:20:02.926-04:00

Two quick questions.(1) Lee Ann has kindly let me know that Firefox is not letting her view my full posts. I use Firefox myself and haven't had a problem, but my computer tech skills are, um, nonexistent. So--if any of the rest of you are having problems, whether in Firefox or IE, could you let me know?(2) I'm thinking of having a knit/spin gathering at my house, for the locals (bloggers and

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1158351427192685242006-09-15T16:16:00.000-04:002006-09-16T21:19:52.906-04:00

Oh, right! I have a blog!Sigh.To update you on the craziness of the last few weeks of my life, I am borrowing one of Carole's favorite formats. There is, indeed, a small bit of knitting somewhere in the middle of this novella.The Very Good:Our annual August weekend in the Adirondacks, visiting friends at a Great Camp that used to belong to J.P. Morgan. (This is a picture of the guest cabin, not

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1155929823476562642006-08-18T15:06:00.000-04:002006-08-18T15:37:04.146-04:00

1. Clapotis is cruising along at a good clip, and even though it's an easy knit I have learned a new skill: the Norwegian purl. This is a purl stitch where you wrap the yarn and insert the needle from the back. Why would anyone need to do this? Well, I am a continental knitter, and I hate switching between knit and purl stitches (as in doing ribbing) because it messes up the way I hold the

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1155333216487141982006-08-11T17:40:00.000-04:002006-08-23T22:01:53.806-04:00

Sometimes, when you are recovering from difficult family visits and terrible coughs and freaky storms and power outages, you need a little extra sustenance. And sometimes that need coincides with the arrival of a belated, but generous, birthday check AND a close-out on Noro Silk Garden at Webs.Sometimes the universe just takes things out of your control.The mindless knitting is powerfully

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1154871802681009032006-08-06T09:25:00.000-04:002006-08-06T10:25:13.233-04:00

This was the view from my front steps, looking left, last Wednesday afternoon:Yeah.At about 5:30 pm on Wednesday a severe thunderstorm rolled through my neighborhood. It was brief, but boy howdy, was it intense. The weather folks are estimating that the winds were 80+ mph at times, and there may have been a microburst. There were power lines and trees down all over my city and two nearby

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1153422969335978772006-07-27T15:00:00.000-04:002006-07-27T16:00:26.940-04:00

Strawberry Freezer Jam, Topped With Lace Knitting(I haven't been brave enough to try actual canning yet...but my inlaws are giving me a pressure canner this weekend. That should keep me busy in August.)A Trip to Santa's VillageA Rare Picture Of Me--Celebrating the 4th of July in NH(I'm usually the one taking all the pictures)Bathing Beauties on the Back StepThe Tomatoes Are Coming!The Pink

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1153423877360918402006-07-20T15:16:00.000-04:002006-07-20T16:39:04.853-04:00

Hey! You there! I'm still here, and still occasionally knitting, as evidenced by these:A completed pair of socks. They only took me, oh, months. But they do show what a few rows here and there (at meetings, in the car) can eventually do. The pattern is Pine Tree Socks by Kim Salazar; the yarn is Socks That Rock in the Lagoon colorway. I affectionately call them The Swamp Thing Socks, and I

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1151445542974183012006-06-27T16:14:00.000-04:002006-06-27T17:59:03.060-04:00

Norma's post about The Dulaan Project reminded me that I never posted a picture of the items I sent last month. I will admit, right up front, that none of them were knit in the past year, and none of them were knit expressly for this project. But I think that all of them will help to keep some folks warm.The bright pink sweater is the first sweater that I ever knit. In fact, other than a

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1151101164894372572006-06-23T17:53:00.000-04:002006-06-23T18:23:09.553-04:00

Beach Days At LastThe blurry one in the middle is mine. This sandy one is also mine.We love the local beach.Playing in the backyard is good, too.One of the tote bags I made for the girls' teachers.Hope springs eternal (along with some salad mix) in early June.The carrots, basil, and cilantro are coming up now, too.Don't ask about the patch of tomato plants.Merino/tencel, navajo-plyed, about 140

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1149981535763595232006-06-10T17:55:00.000-04:002006-06-10T19:22:39.313-04:00

I celebrated my recent birthday by going away for the weekend. By myself.My first child-free weekend in oh, five and a half years.WooHoo!!I spent those precious hours catching up with a few good friends at my college reunion in Maine. I managed to ingest a ridiculously huge number of calories in two days time. In part, this was because I got to eat leisurely, uninterrupted meals. But it was

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1148935102734312922006-05-29T16:15:00.000-04:002008-01-12T16:19:18.102-05:00

I had a great time on Saturday at the MA Sheep and Wool Festival. It's my "local" festival, and I try to go every year. My extended family knows that we no longer travel for Memorial Day Weekend because "Katy can't miss the sheep." It's just such a small, "do-able", laidback, kid-friendly festival.With that in mind, this year my friend Jean and I brought our daughters along. Mine are five and

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1148496400794229542006-05-24T14:40:00.000-04:002006-05-26T09:01:22.356-04:00

I haven't seen any plans for a blogger picnic at Cummington, so I'm making a proposal that we have a Bloggers & Brownies get-together at 1:00 on Saturday, at the tables near the food concession. (If there isn't room there, we can move somewhere nearby. It's a small festival, we'll be easy to find!) This is right near the building where they judge the fleeces, and right before the fleece sale

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1147631076261792002006-05-14T14:08:00.000-04:002006-05-14T14:24:36.336-04:00

Special recipe french toast (includes sprinkles!), from a "kit" my toddler made at daycare.Yum!

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1147310114563378612006-05-10T21:02:00.000-04:002006-05-10T21:37:10.166-04:00

The knitting, it was getting old. What with a project in time-out, a couple of other projects in "blah" phases, and the knowledge that lots of bloggers were gathering together in Maryland with sheep--and without me--it was no surprise that I went over the edge. I landed near my sewing machine.I have had a few brief affairs with sewing in the past. I am a self-taught, novice seamstress who

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1146015330277667502006-04-26T11:25:00.000-04:002008-01-12T16:27:14.420-05:00

Remember the Sunrise Circle Jacket? The one that was almost done?Yeah, well. It is currently spending some time in the Naughty Chair. With a needle stuck in it.It's pouting, can you tell?The pattern is very clever and well written, but seaming up the finished pieces is a bit like putting together a puzzle. And I happened to choose a lumpy bumpy yarn that is uncooperative, and that makes

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1145835992074966492006-04-23T19:13:00.000-04:002008-01-12T16:19:42.992-05:00

A day full of yarn and knitters and laughter--is there any better way to end a crazy week?On Saturday I headed up to Northampton, MA, to hear the Yarn Harlot give a talk. Since it's always nice to have company in the car, I offered to give Kelly a ride. We had a great time getting to know each other, and--bonus!--she brought gifts: two balls of BFL that she dyed herself. The colors are just

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1145643006030088882006-04-21T13:57:00.000-04:002006-04-21T14:10:06.096-04:00

So, Hi! I'm still here! The arrival of spring means that I am spending lots of time outdoors with my kids, and I cannot blog from the park (or even the backyard). Lots to blog about, no time to do it.But there is occasional knitting. Including one completed Pine Tree sock that fits perfectly.And the beginning of a mate.And all the pieces of the Sunrise Circle Jacket are completed! So there is

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1144244461859182562006-04-05T09:38:00.000-04:002006-04-05T09:41:01.873-04:00

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1143922024235742102006-04-01T15:01:00.000-05:002006-04-01T15:08:05.883-05:00

Here are three statements about the last two weeks of my life. Two of them are true; one is false. Can you pick out the blatant lie?1. I had most of my hair chopped off.2. I talked to my five year old about the birds and the bees.3. I finished my Sunrise Circle Jacket.If I saw you or talked to you about any of these things this week, then no guesses for you!Correct answers will get you entered

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1143483099636164202006-03-27T12:58:00.000-05:002006-03-27T13:11:40.146-05:00

My five year old recently discovered the soundtrack to The Sound of Music, which means I frequently find myself humming "I Have Confidence" or "My Favorite Things" while puttering around the house. In the same week she also fell in love with my old SchoolHouse Rock videotapes, causing "Lolly Lolly Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here" to be stuck in my head. And in the evenings we dance The Hokey Pokey

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1142602992109169912006-03-17T08:33:00.000-05:002006-03-17T09:22:00.860-05:00

I know what you are thinking. It begins with "J" and ends with "R" and has "aywalke" in the middle.But you're wrong!The pattern is actually Pine Tree Socks by Kim Salazar. I found this pattern a while back and put it on the "to-do" pile as it met my basic sock knitting requirements (toe-up and short-row heel).* Her photo shows the socks in a solid color, so I was not sure how they would look

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1142082390663566082006-03-11T07:42:00.000-05:002006-03-11T08:06:30.713-05:00

I am knitting (and knitting and knitting) along on several projects, but progess is inexplicably slow. So, in lieu of boring knitting pictures, I decided to post a few pictures from yesterday's trip to the Smith College Spring Bulb Show (live webcam here).I know that some of you in other climate zones have flowers like these in your gardens right now, but in my part of the world it is brown and

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1141850570402677412006-03-08T15:33:00.000-05:002006-03-08T15:42:50.470-05:00

A few days ago my daughters and I met some friends at a local playground. While not exactly warm out--this is New England, after all--it was sunny and pleasant. My two-year-old grabbed my hand and tried to bring me down to the nearby pond, saying "I want to see the ducks." I explained that the pond was frozen and that it was too cold to see any ducks. She looked confused for a minute, and a

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1141048131169879282006-02-27T07:15:00.000-05:002006-02-27T08:54:10.806-05:00

Thanks to all for the kind comments (and thoughts) about my dad. He was discharged from the hospital last Wednesday--earlier than expected--and is now home and doing well. Unfortunately, the damage to his heart from his most recent heart attack is irreparable, and now his treatment is focused on symptom management and close monitoring. He could live for many more years, but this is definitely

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1140440032930838832006-02-20T07:27:00.000-05:002006-02-20T09:43:29.446-05:00

The Olympic Knitting Project was on track.Can you guess what it is?And then life happened.My father is in the hospital with congestive heart failure. This is not entirely unexpected, as he has not been feeling particularly well lately and he has a history of heart disease (two heart attacks before he turned 40, and then a triple bypass in 1991 at the age of 51). Nonetheless, it is alarming. He is

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1140015674895994522006-02-15T09:45:00.000-05:002006-02-15T11:00:26.600-05:00

And it arrived on Valentine's Day, after traveling all the way from Red Bird Knits.It's just a little something I ordered two weeks ago when I was feeling somewhat bitter blue about not being able to attend SPA this year. You know, when my kids were sick and I was drowing my sorrow in vodka coffee, and I was envisioning all those crazy knitters and spinners spending a fabulous weekend in Maine,

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1139436248900894812006-02-08T16:52:00.000-05:002006-02-08T17:04:08.956-05:00

My five year old recently started reading, which is an exciting adventure for all of us. She has also been doing some writing. This usually entails her following me around the house asking, "How do you spell "animal"? What's the letter after N? And is that the one with one bump or two?" However, the other night she was on her own while her father and I were busy, and she had to figure out the

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1139240850453516492006-02-06T09:50:00.000-05:002006-02-06T14:12:38.160-05:00

On Saturday I rose above my inherent shyness and went to my first meeting of the Nutmeg Spinners. And everyone was friendly and no one made fun of my spinning techniques (or lack there-of). Which, you know, is to be expected among fiber folk, but it is always a challenge for me to walk into large groups of people where I don't know anyone. Thankfully, this large group was full of people with

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1139024033365900712006-02-03T22:30:00.000-05:002006-02-03T22:33:53.376-05:00

Go Stephanie!Click here to listen to her talk about the Knitting Olympics on The World. (It's the "Geo Quiz" and the "Geo Quiz Answer".)She's been right all along--knitters really are going to take over the world.

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1138811835584167162006-02-01T10:20:00.000-05:002006-02-01T21:52:23.733-05:00

When I was a beginning knitter, I picked knitting patterns based on the cover photos, barely even reading through them before casting on. I learned a lot because I tackled new projects without fear. (Who knew that I was "supposed" to be afraid of intarsia? or cables? Not me!) Unfortunately, I also ended up with many disappointing finished objects because I did not know how read the patterns

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1138739913555807742006-01-31T15:30:00.000-05:002006-01-31T15:38:33.566-05:00

My five year old has just started reading, and she is always talking about which words begin with which letters. This is the conversation we had while drying off after taking a shower together the other night.5yo: Mama, I know a part of your body that begins with the letter "L".me: Umm...my lips?5yo: No.me: My legs?5yo: No.me: Hmmm. I think I need a hint.5yo: Okay. It's inside your body and

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1137937938947916762006-01-22T08:48:00.000-05:002006-01-23T09:00:54.803-05:00

Edited on 1/23 to add: The problem is fixed! Many thanks to hornblower!If any of you are great with html/css coding, please help!I edited my blog template a while back, and somehow I deleted the code that tells search engines (and browsers) the title of my blog. Now when I read my blog, the little "tab" at the bottom of my browser screen reads "Mozilla Firefox" instead of "Knitterpated". And

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1137898417861622642006-01-21T21:24:00.000-05:002006-01-22T07:59:09.016-05:00

My knitting has taken a back seat to spinning and felting in the past month, but I have been working on a few small projects.Here is my tote bag after I returned from knitting group this morning. On the left, you can see two new Ruffles scarves, one made from Noro Kureyon and one made from Frog Tree alpaca. Both of these are late holiday gifts that will be mailed out on Monday! I had never knit

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1137617334378567372006-01-18T15:03:00.000-05:002008-01-12T16:16:51.945-05:00

A while back I mentioned that my daughter's Religious Education (e.g. "Sunday School") program uses a curriculum called Spiritplay. It is Montessori inspired program where the kids listen to stories from various traditions, and then have a chance to respond to them verbally and artistically. I am one of the six teachers who rotates through the classroom, taking turns as the Storyteller; and an

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1137271949094602872006-01-14T15:26:00.000-05:002006-01-14T15:52:29.166-05:00

In addition to knitting blogs, I read other blogs that primarily fall into two categories: Mommyblogs and Infertility blogs. The first makes sense, given that I have two young children; but you may wonder about the second, given that I am not infertile. So why am I drawn to these blogs written by women who are struggling to have children? I can't entirely explain it, but I think there are

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1137015133181993102006-01-11T16:18:00.000-05:002008-01-12T16:17:20.046-05:00

In response to questions from Cate and Liz: my spinning wheel is an Ashford Kiwi. I bought it in 1998, after borrowing a neighbor's Ashford Traditional to take a spinning class. I knew that I wanted a wheel of my own, and I wanted to try a double treadle, but I couldn't afford the Ashford Joy (or the gorgeous Schact that a friend had recently bought) and I didn't like the Louet that I had tried.

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1137014171224954272006-01-11T15:52:00.000-05:002006-01-11T16:17:15.686-05:00

Right after New Year's Day my husband came down with the stomach flu. My five year old had been quite sick with it for three days right before Christmas, but we thought the rest of us had dodged the bullet. No such luck.As soon as she learned that her father was ill, Zoe ran to her art table to make him a get well card, the front of which is shown here. In case you can't tell, it is a picture of

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1136560463328348532006-01-06T09:08:00.000-05:002008-01-12T16:20:52.681-05:00

1. A holiday gift to myself, purchased on a post-holiday trip to Webs:a gorgeous "ribbon batt" from Foxfire Fiber in the North Wood colorway (Blue Face Leicester with a bit of Angelina fiber). Soft and sparkly.2. Happy singles on the bobbin. This batt was a joy to spin, and I feel that my drafting has improved, as I had very few "breaks" while spinning and my singles were reasonably even. And

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1135176695595958702005-12-21T09:31:00.000-05:002005-12-21T12:05:35.860-05:00

(1) I heart Cate. She writes about all of the things that are swirling around in my head, and in such a lovely way. I might have to start the Official Mamacate Fan Club. Secret handshake, anyone?(2) Am I the last blogger to discover etsy? I wish I had found it BEFORE I finished my holiday shopping. Some very cool stuff there. (With thanks to In The Pink for mentioning it in a post.)(3) There

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883026.post-1134757594734688942005-12-16T13:20:00.000-05:002005-12-16T14:52:29.696-05:00

Once a month I teach my five-year-old's Religious Education class at our Unitarian Universalist Society. We use a Montessori-based curriculum called Spiritplay where the teacher (aka "the storyteller") tells a story in a certain way, using props, and then encourages the kids to respond by making statements that begin with "I wonder....". The stories are drawn from various religious traditions as

Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02240796187895372607noreply@blogger.com0