rhinebeck

Last Saturday was the New York Sheep and Wool Festival

held in Rhinebeck, NY.

This was my fifth year at the show and I spent more time shopping

than taking photos but here are a few highlights.

waiting in line

carolee from the conversational threads bus trip

amazing sweater and socks

very sweet girl we ran into a couple of times

felted wren houses

beautiful

the cashmere goats of my dreams

My dear friend Jenn and I met up at 6am for the three hour bus ride North,

lunches packed and suitcase in tow, organized by or favorite LYS

Conversational Threads.

This time we planned our attack before arriving and hit all the events 

and yarn booths we most wanted to visit.

I bought yarn for two sweaters, a capelet and some gloves as well as

a coveted knitting basket, nostepinne, books and a beginner's rug hooking kit.

Jenn also purchased all of the roving from a sheep named Rosie.

So in a sense she brought a sheep home!

It was one of the best days of my year; a week's vacation rolled into a day.

Now to wind, swatch, knit and save up for next year.

*smile*

Thanks again Jenn.

xo, j

catskills

This time last week I was waking up

at my favorite campsite in the Catskill Mountains of New York.

The previous night's walk around Little Pond.

Another Henslowe Shawl in the works,

this one is made with naturally dyed merino from the region.

A cold night with touches of frost the next morning.

Morning coffee

I sat on a small suspension bridge and knitted for a while.

The night was full of visitors as the moon was just a day from being full.

Two types of owls called, mice jumped and tried to burrow under my tent,

a fox answered the coyotes howl/bark at the moon and a raccoon tried desperately

to crawl into my tent with me!  The bears stayed away.

xo, j

appalachian trail

Four days into my vacation and I'm finally feeling like myself again.

Today I took two different walks along the Appalachian Trail.

Yes, as indicated by the white blaze to the left, the trail 

continues through a boulder field.

The view from Bake Oven Knob.

I haven't been here since I was a teenager, it's always so busy.

Too many people for me to stick around so I headed a bit South.

On my way down a head to head encounter with a very large black snake.

We paused to consider each other then I tapped my walking stick on a rock

and he slowly left the trail, soon to be hibernating I'm sure.

The State Game Lands below Hawk Mountain.

An hour's walk up and forty-five minutes down.

Late lunch creekside.

A thousand gnat veil kept me from lingering.

Yes, I'm feeling much like myself again.

xo, j

kitchen window

tuesday

reset

henslowe shawl

eastern american toad

I took a walk on a favorite trail to settle my nerves

and reset my peace of mind.

Encountered one man with the face of a buddha.

Nod and a hushed hello.

xo, j

a blast of summer

summer has returned, all heat and humidity 

made single servings of sun tea and an Esjan shawl 

yarn is the softest blend of llama and silk

will probably live in this once the weather turns!

xo, j

wrestling a bear

Almost a week to the hour and I have finished my Icelandic Cape.

The pattern is from a book called Icelandic Knits by Helene Magnusson.

I have never knit anything with such large needles (US #15) 

and the Lopi wool is coarse and bulky.  

At times it felt like I was wrestling a bear!

Still must block the piece, weave in the ends and then

find just the right clasps.

The robins have left, walnuts are dropping from the trees 

and sumac leaves have started to burn bright red and orange.

It won't be long before I'm fighting the autumn chill 

by wrapping myself up in The Bear!

(Or pulling it close while standing under the aurora borealis in Iceland!)

dreamer

xo, j

NYC - Upper West Side and Central Park

cheese!

brownstones, bluestones 

Empire State Building & the Freedom Tower

Thank you Patrice for reminding me that I've been away too long!

(and a belated Happy Birthday)

Here are a few photos of my adventures this summer.

My brother came to town in July and we went into to NYC for the day.

We spent most of our time in the Museum of Natural History (photos to follow)

but also managed a visit to Zabar's, a walk through Central Park

and then up to the top of Rockefeller Plaza.

Another great trip.

Thanks Dave!

Hope everyone is well, I may have dropped out of the cyber world

for a while but you have all been in my thoughts.

xo, j

blueberry fairy

Opening weekend at Solebury Orchard.

8 quarts of blueberries, 6 quarts of cherries

and dinner at the mysterious Indian Rock Inn.

Thanks to beautiful Jenn for a wonderful adventure!

xo, j

clothing tags

Clothing tags provide provenance

but more importantly they aid in navigation.

When getting dressed the starting point is always the tag,

back of the neck, back of the waist.

With hand made clothing the lack of a tag results in 

a fumbling about, situate the arms now line up the shoulders…

Until I can decide on a font, color, size for my future oakworm tags

I have pulled scraps of fabric out of my stash

 and stitched them onto the back neck line of my sweaters.

I rather like the sweet little bits that combine sewing memories

with my knitted garments to create my 'start here' points.

xo, j

sniffles

A lousy summer cold has kept me in bed today.

Outside it was beautiful!  All sun and blue and breezy.

The last full day of Spring.

There were moments of recline, when my mind 

started planning the day's adventures...

but when I rose my body thought otherwise.

Instead, a day spent 

mindlessly searching through Ravelry,

with tea and plenty of naps.

xo, j

summer bag

long hair cat brushes

against your calf

and fur sticks

it's summer

(love the yellow and pink sunspots!)

xo, j

summer blues

Cool, breezy, damp, misty, overcast

all are words to describe the day.

Instead of my usual black, grey or charcoal 

I am now knitting with blues.

The top piece came out a little large under the arms,

I tend to lose myself in the trance of Stockinette stitch and 

ended up with too many stitches after separating the arms,

but it will be great for bundling up in the winter.

(Effortless from Knitbot Essentials)

The yarn is Quince & co. Lark in colorway Fjord.

It knits up beautifully and blooms to a perfect drape.

The work in progress is Nauset Tee made with a cotton blend

from a local mill called Tatamy Tweed.

I may knit it to tunic length and will definitely

add 3/4 or full length sleeves.

Keeping busy!

xo, j