Ok, ok, let it never be said that I can’t be taught. Maybe there is something to this whole “swatching” business…
See that? It’ll actually fit my head! And I like it. Rather a lot, as it happens… I also like the stitch marker, which goes so well with the yarn.
And another thing I really like?
That I can make it look like a creepy eye! Halloween is around the corner, and this is such a short post as I have to run out to get fabric to make a costume for Evan. He has decided he wants to be a… (wait for it)… Blueberry. I think he will look totally cute, but that means I have to make the costume! Not a huge deal, but I haven’t dusted off the old sewing machine in quite some time so I am a little worried that my sewing skills will be rusty at best.
Though you never know.
Perhaps all the sewing will mean that Eris finally gets a zipper?
Sometimes all a knitter wants is some instant gratification. Sometimes that knitter knows better.
An actual swatch for Gretel by Ysolda Teague.
After the picture of me at the diner in Rhinebeck, you’ll see why I went with a swatch on this one. The story there is that I wanted an instant gratification knit, and I had some funky thick-thin yarn, and Urchin looked pretty cool. And small, therefore quick to knit. My yarn was a little thinner than the specified guage, and I tend to get guage, so I just went with the large size thinking that if it was too small I would give it to my neighbour’s kid. She likes hats.
Well, the large was indeed large. That hat might fit my brother! What do you think, Nick?
So there it is. The not so gratifying Instant Gratification hat. I will make it again, and pay attention to guage. But for now, Gretel is the one on my needles for travel knitting. Or, well, it will be once I go and cast on. Ciao!
What a weekend. I know I’m on the late side of the reporting curve, and I’m sure some of you are thinking enough of the Rhinebeck posts already, but there are pictures to show you! So you’ll have to just sit quietly and listen while I tell the story.
When we got to Rhinebeck on Friday, we met up with Mamacate for a little shopping and some dinner (great Indian from a little place in a strip mall…!), followed by some communing in the hotel lobby. We knew there would be lots of knitters staying there as the place has the reputation of being filthy with bloggers during the festival. This year didn’t disappoint.
The highlight of the evening for many of us was watching Cate knit on her beautiful Autumn Rose sweater, then…
HACK IT TO PIECES!! Er, cut the steek.
Let me tell you, this woman “runs with scissors”, if you know what I mean…
It was so funny to watch the newer knitters in the room watch in horror, holding their breath as she cut the steek, then tried it on. A few stitches jumped, but hey. No big deal, just pick them back up. It’s only knitting.
I worked on my Cable Down while I was away, and made some pretty decent progress. Not quite sure why it is, but it seems that everyone wants a shot of my… ahem, “girls”.
Leanne, you’re not the only one with quirky pics of me! 
There was more progress made over the weekend, but as far as I know that’s the only shot. I think it’s another 4 or 5 inches longer than that… must be time to check the length as a matter of fact.
Saturday dawned bright and warm and beautiful, despite the rain and nastiness the day before. Quick breakfast downstairs then off to the festival! We made a bee-line for building A to go and see Dave at Merlin Tree so that Justine could drop off a bobin and flyer in need of repair, and so that Tara could try some wheels. What fun!
Welcome to spinning. Tara is currently living abroad, so was interested in a compact little wheel that she could take on the plane with her, and the Hitchhiker proved just the thing. Justine was an excellent teacher…
And got Tara whizzing along like she’d been spinning for years. It was really cool to watch. Then something really funny happened. A man and his wife came by and saw Justine teaching Tara, so he decided to ask if she could answer a couple of questions. He has an alpaca farm you see. Saves the fibre. Bags and bags of the stuff sitting around, cleaned and carded, ready to be spun. What should he be looking for in a wheel? Here’s Justine at work, selling a wheel for Dave!
Too bad she realized afterward that she really wanted the wheel for herself… Sold it right out from under herself! I think P is ok with that though…
Really, the most wonderful things about Rhinebeck have the be the people. Of course you get to reunite with old friends, but you also get to meet new ones. A lot of new ones! And this year there were some adorable new ones! Meet the Wooly Babe:
Who was inducted into the life of a knitter by Kay. She looks like she understands the gravity of the honour.
(There are loads more photos of her on the Flickr page, so click the above to browse.)
Also, the charming and very blogworthy Em. Dude just makes the ovaries go mad!
And don’t worry C, the hickey’s gone now… 
Other sights to be seen over the weekend included some knitting at the Authors’ signing tent
And the Gymanfa Hat to end all.
Ann proves that it is possible to Wear the Hat, as opposed to the other way around!
Finally I leave you with this…
It really was that good.
And we’re done! Time for breakfast…
Sara and Cate were just innocent bystanders. Good of them to stick around and wait for us for breakfast, though poor Sara looks like she’s wondering why.
Read Part I here…
Tomorrow morning I head to Rhinebeck!! I am a square in Blogger Bingo, both Saturday and Sunday, so if you’re looking for me here’s what I look like.
Sorry guys, it’s the best I could do. Imagine I’m wearing a sweater…
See you at Rhinebeck!
