Wednesday, October 22, 2014

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


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

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

Wednesday, October 08, 2014

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


Sunday, September 07, 2014

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

Tuesday, September 02, 2014

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

Sunday, August 24, 2014

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

Friday, August 22, 2014

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




Sunday, July 06, 2014

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


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

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

Friday, June 20, 2014

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


Monday, June 16, 2014

summer bag



long hair cat brushes
against your calf
and fur sticks

it's summer

(love the yellow and pink sunspots!)
xo, j



Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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