Maryland Sheep & Wool ’09

This was my second year attending MDSW. It was not anywhere near as hot as last year.

It was, however, much rainier, so I didn’t have the camera out much. I spotted some fun things, though:

MDSW 09

1. Model sheep – literally; he posed when he saw me pick up my camera 2. Natural dyes, waiting for yarn 3. If you cross it, they will make a sign 4. Losing battle 5. Charlotte would be proud! 6. Please touch everything? OK!

I also (almost literally) bumped into Casey, Jess, and MH from Ravelry, but I didn’t want to interrupt, as they were deep in conversation with… Ysolda Teague! To prove it, I kinneared her:

MDSW 2009

Those are her socks. Please note my awesome kinnearing abilities.

But the best part? BOOTY.
Golding drop spindle
This is my new Golding drop spindle, which I have already spun a wee mini-skein with (the skein is soso, the spindle divine). I’m in love, and I want more. Perhaps I could set up a charity?

The Haul
And the yarn and fiber, including a bag of discontinued Soft Angora from Cherry Tree Hill, several different kinds of fiber to play with, some indy sock yarn, more STR and Touch of Twist, and a few more Koigu mill ends for a project. I am very very pleased. Also under budget… really!

Despite the rain I had a ton of fun with Melissa and Snarfy, even when they mocked me for my affection for Wawa.

Now the next question is, can I knit this all up before Rhinebeck?

April Wrap-Up

Ah, April. April went a little crazy this year. Temperatures jumping from 40 F to 90 F in a day, sunny (and then pouring all over May instead)… I think I’m glad it’s May, despite the rain.


JO’S BRIDAL SHOWER SET
Bridal Shower Gift
Pattern: Felted Oven Mitt and Trivet from Felted Knits by Bev Galaskas; washclothes in single crochet and seed stitch
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in White and Forest Heather; Sugar’n’Cream Cotton in Countryside and Summer Splash
Needles: US 11/8mm and US 13/9mm for the oven mitts and potholders; 5.5mm crochet hook and US 8/5.0mm for the washclothes
Notes: Exhaustive write-up here


EASTER EGGIES
Chickie Egg Cozy

Pattern: Chick Egg Cozies by Derya Davenport
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in… yellow scrap
Needles: US 5/3.75 mmm
Notes: These were a quick little throwaway that I threw together for Easter. The pattern calls for using orange felt to make beaks. I did not have any orange felt to hand, but I had orange yarn, so I figured I’d just embroider beaks. I now have a pair of rather dementedly evil-looking egg cozies.


COCHIINEAL SOCKS
Cochineal Socks

Pattern: Basic stockinette.
Yarn: Knitpicks Felici in Cochineal
Needles: US 1 / 2.25 mm
Notes: I bought the yarn solely for the name, cast on 62, did 2×2 rib til I got bored, and then just went to town til it was time for the heel flap. They are exceedingly pink, but that’s what you get when you name your yarn after little dye-bugs.
Side note: I miss the old Felici with the different-sized stripes.


BUSINESS CARD HOLDER
Business Card Holder

Pattern: Mine, all mine! [maniacal laughter]
Yarn: Knitpicks Dancing, from the stash.
Needles: US 1 / 2.25 mm
Notes: This was a quick little thing I knocked out in one night and promptly bragged about to the entire internet. At a event I was at a few weeks ago, someone suggested that you have two pockets or holders or whatnots for business cards — one for your own, and one for your collection from other people. That way you don’t get them mixed up and accidentally hand out someone else’s card. I had nothing like that. But I did have some free time and some stash yarn, so I made one to fit.
I’m super happy with how the little thing came out, and I am writing the pattern up because I can’t be the only person with an out-of-control business card collection.

May highlights cannot yet be discussed because it will ruin Mother’s Day birthdays things. Once all those things pass by then I can sing like a canary.