So we all know that knitting is addictive, and is there a knitter anywhere that wouldn't check out LYS on vacation... what about when visiting family? My sister is a new knitter... and hadn't checked any out, so what is an older sister for???
So far have been to 4 (and went in this order):
Peace of Yarn, Matthews NC
Owner was great! Gave me a tour and let my mom and sister explore. Very warm and welcoming. There wasn't anyone knitting there at the time, but she did ask about what I was working on and talked to my sister about lessons vs classes and invited us all back to sit and knit. Good variety of both workhorse yarns and specialty, silks, handyed, etc... Very bright and cheery. Not a lot of novelty yarns, which made me happy and it was NOT organized by color... fiber seemed to be the primary consideration. Definitey worth the trip, and I will certainly return. Bought my sister a really nice hand painted worsted for her to make a scarf and my 4yrold niece picked a ball of sock yarn for me to knit her socks...
Cottage Yarn, Mint Hill NC
Is in a cottage, hence the name. Almost missed it because it is on a major road, and not well signed. Owner and staff were very friendly. The shop also had a great variety, and my sister found stuff in the sale room. I got a skein of the store brand of silk yarn and picked up a pattern that I hadn't seen (I may have found a use for the large amount of alpaca yarn in my stash). also had beautiful yarn from South Africa... wish I hadn't spent my yarn allowance. Again no one was knitting in the store, but they said they had 2 regular knit-in times and people were welcome to sit and knit. Again I would go back again... especially for their own yarn
The Yarn Shop and Rainey Day Creations, Pineville NC
Even though it is under renovations (they are expanding!) the shop was very inviting. Friendly staff and customers... again no one was knitting, but they were set-up to allow for that... the renovations/construction made things a little cramped (understandably). Bought some sock yarn and some Brittany DPNs, it was 10% off due to the construction which was a nice suprise!
Charlotte Yarns, Charlotte NC
Bright airy, and staff was very friendly. great variety of weights and brands. Lots of different spots to sit and knit, and staff said that there was one group that was regular, but the rest stopped by often... Saw a sign that reminded me of SWS : "See a project you want to try, but are nervous? Let us know and we'll plan a class!" It doesn't get much better than that.
Lots of Noro... actually at all of the shops, and Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn was also at all...
More later!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Tag I'm it... Thanks Yarn Mama
Rules:
You must answer the questions using only one word & tag four others.
1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your significant other? Non-existant (too far away to matter)
3. Your hair? cool
4. Your mother? Quilting
5. Your father? Hooking
6. Your favorite thing? Yarn (well duh!)
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? wine
9. Your dream/goal? doctorate
10. The room you’re in? living
11. Your hobby? knitting
12. Your fear? failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy
14. What you’re not? thin
15. Muffins? cranberry
16. One of your wish list items? blocking
17. Where you grew up? Pawling
18. The last thing you did? shower
19. What are you wearing? crescent Moon
20. Favorite gadget? ipod
21. Your pets? demanding
22. Your computer? Dell
23. Your mood? lonely
24. Missing someone? yes
25. Your car? mess
26. Something you’re not wearing? make-up
27. Favorite store? CrescentMoon
28. Like someone? yes
29. Your favorite color? purple-green
30. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Last time you cried? yesterday
I'm tagging bree, reluctant mango, zim-zim, lizzyd
no Tag backs!
You must answer the questions using only one word & tag four others.
1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your significant other? Non-existant (too far away to matter)
3. Your hair? cool
4. Your mother? Quilting
5. Your father? Hooking
6. Your favorite thing? Yarn (well duh!)
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? wine
9. Your dream/goal? doctorate
10. The room you’re in? living
11. Your hobby? knitting
12. Your fear? failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy
14. What you’re not? thin
15. Muffins? cranberry
16. One of your wish list items? blocking
17. Where you grew up? Pawling
18. The last thing you did? shower
19. What are you wearing? crescent Moon
20. Favorite gadget? ipod
21. Your pets? demanding
22. Your computer? Dell
23. Your mood? lonely
24. Missing someone? yes
25. Your car? mess
26. Something you’re not wearing? make-up
27. Favorite store? CrescentMoon
28. Like someone? yes
29. Your favorite color? purple-green
30. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Last time you cried? yesterday
I'm tagging bree, reluctant mango, zim-zim, lizzyd
no Tag backs!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
PotLuck Recipe + Question
So does it count as a new project if it is the result of a class? Does it count if you already started it once and are retrying?
I found this recipe online... my usual disclaimers apply... I don't measure anything, I used both lemon and lime juice... and doubled the recipe for the potluck
Shrimp & Feta Tabbouleh (SP?)
Ingredients
• 2/3 cup bulgur
• 1 2/3 cups water
• juice of 1 lemon
• 12 ounces shrimp, cooked
• 1 cup cucumber, diced (I use the hothouse seedless some places call them European)
• 1 tomato, chopped, or pint of grape tomatoes quartered
• 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup cilantro, chopped (about one bunch including stems)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
• salt & pepper
Directions
1. In a saucepan, combine bulgur, water and 2 tablespoons lemon juice; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until tender, about 12-15 minutes Drain any excess water and let cool.
2. Place chopped shrimp in large serving bowl. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and fresh ground pepper. Let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in cucumber, tomatoes, onion, parsley, oil and feta. Add salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
4. Stir in cooled bulgur and toss. If the bulgur isn't completely cooled the salad will be clumpy... still tastes okay though.
I found this recipe online... my usual disclaimers apply... I don't measure anything, I used both lemon and lime juice... and doubled the recipe for the potluck
Shrimp & Feta Tabbouleh (SP?)
Ingredients
• 2/3 cup bulgur
• 1 2/3 cups water
• juice of 1 lemon
• 12 ounces shrimp, cooked
• 1 cup cucumber, diced (I use the hothouse seedless some places call them European)
• 1 tomato, chopped, or pint of grape tomatoes quartered
• 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup cilantro, chopped (about one bunch including stems)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
• salt & pepper
Directions
1. In a saucepan, combine bulgur, water and 2 tablespoons lemon juice; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until tender, about 12-15 minutes Drain any excess water and let cool.
2. Place chopped shrimp in large serving bowl. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and fresh ground pepper. Let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in cucumber, tomatoes, onion, parsley, oil and feta. Add salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
4. Stir in cooled bulgur and toss. If the bulgur isn't completely cooled the salad will be clumpy... still tastes okay though.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Another FInished Object!
Yippee... I finished the socks... bound off and everything, and they fit. So I may have gotten a little carried away with the leg, but I like them. Also finished another string bag... maybe I should work on finishing some larger projects now.
I went to take pictures, and the charger is missing from one camera and the batteries are dead in the other. Arghh.
I went to take pictures, and the charger is missing from one camera and the batteries are dead in the other. Arghh.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy 4th!
I have a number of friends that are currently active duty. Regardless of how you feel about the situation, please keep them and all that serve or have done so in the past in your thoughts today. May they come home safely and quickly.
Now about the knitting.... I finally finished binding off the Hemlock Ring. I can't wait to see it blocked!
So one finished... and more to go... I think that the Juliet may be next...
Now about the knitting.... I finally finished binding off the Hemlock Ring. I can't wait to see it blocked!
So one finished... and more to go... I think that the Juliet may be next...
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Does anything ever go as planned?
I plan, I really do... I plan for my courses, for the groups that I am a part of, and for my personal life... but they always seem to backfire. I'm not talking about minor glitches, I'm referring to the scrap everything and start again backfires...
Like when the cable breaks on your knitting project and you don't realize it until you finish the stitches and are holding the cable with no stitches on it.... with cotton yarn, there's no picking up those stitches...
Or you look at your schedule for the coming year and you realize that none of the classes you have been planning for are on your schedule, and instead there is one that you have never taught and for which there isn't a curriculum. You would think that someone would have told the department chair that there would be a new course.... you would think.
Or when you are planning a trip the others involved would return emails and calls...
Or even the small things like your on and off significant other would give you a little more than a days notice that he's not showing up... Can't really blame him, after all I'm the committment phobic one.
Done grousing, maybe its just PMS?
Like when the cable breaks on your knitting project and you don't realize it until you finish the stitches and are holding the cable with no stitches on it.... with cotton yarn, there's no picking up those stitches...
Or you look at your schedule for the coming year and you realize that none of the classes you have been planning for are on your schedule, and instead there is one that you have never taught and for which there isn't a curriculum. You would think that someone would have told the department chair that there would be a new course.... you would think.
Or when you are planning a trip the others involved would return emails and calls...
Or even the small things like your on and off significant other would give you a little more than a days notice that he's not showing up... Can't really blame him, after all I'm the committment phobic one.
Done grousing, maybe its just PMS?
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Another Panic Sunday...
So I was meeting a knitting friend for breakfast (we needed to fuel up before the EZ Adult Surprise Jacket), and I couldn't find my card case. Now granted I wasn't that worried, I had used it last on Friday and hadn't gone anywhere on Saturday. I last had it when leaving Food Lion on my way to a friends for Dinner. I distinctly remembered putting it into my dress pocket on the way out to the car... So while at breakfast, I wasn't too concerned. I mean it had to either be in my pocket still or at my friend's... So stopped by the house on my way to SWS and checked the pocket. No luck. Still not too panicked, I sent a message to my friend. I mean I left my watch and 2 rings there, it isn't that big a stretch to think I left the card case... and waited to hear back...
Then the reality hit. I was about to go to my LYS and I didn't have any means to buy any yarn. I knew I would need some... I always do. I did find a 20, so that would cover the necessities, but what about the rest? And Nonna's risotto was calling to me. Oh well... it's going to be fine. My friend will call and my case will be there... right? Hmm, no such luck. Oh, they called... but my case wasn't there. Did I mention that my frequent buyer card was in there as well? :-(
SO time to go home and tear the house apart. Maybe I took it out of my pocket? Now, I am far from the best house keeper... really far from that... But I start searching. I ignore the phone... GiGi needs to go out... and I have to find her ball. Guess what... right next to the ball... was the plastic card case. Now I'm not saying that my wonderful dog hid it on me to send a message, but I am suspicious.
Off to finish the increases on the EZ Surprise and then another repeat of the lace for the Flirty Tank.
Then the reality hit. I was about to go to my LYS and I didn't have any means to buy any yarn. I knew I would need some... I always do. I did find a 20, so that would cover the necessities, but what about the rest? And Nonna's risotto was calling to me. Oh well... it's going to be fine. My friend will call and my case will be there... right? Hmm, no such luck. Oh, they called... but my case wasn't there. Did I mention that my frequent buyer card was in there as well? :-(
SO time to go home and tear the house apart. Maybe I took it out of my pocket? Now, I am far from the best house keeper... really far from that... But I start searching. I ignore the phone... GiGi needs to go out... and I have to find her ball. Guess what... right next to the ball... was the plastic card case. Now I'm not saying that my wonderful dog hid it on me to send a message, but I am suspicious.
Off to finish the increases on the EZ Surprise and then another repeat of the lace for the Flirty Tank.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
A finished object...
Wooo hooo! I bound off the last row of the baby blanket! Weave in some ends and I'm done... I'm counting it even if I traded a string bag for a crocheted edge rather than the applied I-cord... Tonight was lots of fun... A good mix of people and experiences. I do look forward to the Tuesday night knitting. I'll post a pic of the baby blanket before I send it off.
I reached a new plateau in my knitting. I was working on my sock and I noticed that a few rows earlier I had split the yarn so the stitch was wonky. Admittedly, If it hadn't been Monday, I probably would have driven to SWS to get someone to fix it. Instead I knit around to right above that stitch, dropped the stitch and laddered it back up... Okay so I used 3 needles, and it took me longer than it would have taken someone else, but I DID IT!!! Such a small thing, but huge for me... :-)
I reached a new plateau in my knitting. I was working on my sock and I noticed that a few rows earlier I had split the yarn so the stitch was wonky. Admittedly, If it hadn't been Monday, I probably would have driven to SWS to get someone to fix it. Instead I knit around to right above that stitch, dropped the stitch and laddered it back up... Okay so I used 3 needles, and it took me longer than it would have taken someone else, but I DID IT!!! Such a small thing, but huge for me... :-)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Long Time no Blog... Too long
So it's been so long, I'm not sure where to start. So rather than trying to figure out where I left off, I'll just start again.
I have discovered that I am very good at starting projects... I like to learn new techniques and work with different yarns, but I'm not so good at finishing what I start. This could of course be part of my fear of commitment. Once I finish, it exists, and can't be changed... let's face it there has to be some reason that I have only to bind off my hemlock ring, and there it sits in my bag taunting me... I like my toe-up socks, they were fun to make, but if I finish... who knows what will happen. I mean I might actually work through my stash. If I finish, then I'll have to find a use, or a place, for all of these things. I've finished the washcloths, but they are small... I bet if I could I would put those off too.
I keep setting goals for myself, but don't really hold myself accountable to those deadlines. My latest is that when I finish the Juliet, I have to finish the Swing Coat that I started last year. We'll have to see if that works.
So off to knit again, and hopefully finish the Log Cabin baby blanket that I started, only 2 more borders and then the I-cord.
:-)
I have discovered that I am very good at starting projects... I like to learn new techniques and work with different yarns, but I'm not so good at finishing what I start. This could of course be part of my fear of commitment. Once I finish, it exists, and can't be changed... let's face it there has to be some reason that I have only to bind off my hemlock ring, and there it sits in my bag taunting me... I like my toe-up socks, they were fun to make, but if I finish... who knows what will happen. I mean I might actually work through my stash. If I finish, then I'll have to find a use, or a place, for all of these things. I've finished the washcloths, but they are small... I bet if I could I would put those off too.
I keep setting goals for myself, but don't really hold myself accountable to those deadlines. My latest is that when I finish the Juliet, I have to finish the Swing Coat that I started last year. We'll have to see if that works.
So off to knit again, and hopefully finish the Log Cabin baby blanket that I started, only 2 more borders and then the I-cord.
:-)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Resolutions...
So it was my New Year's resolution to make it to the Newark Knitter's group... instead of working all of those events... and already busted it... ARGHHH
Also a New Year's resolution was to start the craft club at school... going to start with knitting, but am nervous. Figure some decent worsted yarn from my stash and some size 10ish needles... I'll let you all know how it goes! So far 10 kids have signed up, but we'll see who shows up..
Any suggestions as to what type of caston to use/teach? I learned the knitted caston, but maybe long tail would be better? Hmm... Have until next Thursday to figure it out.
Also a New Year's resolution was to start the craft club at school... going to start with knitting, but am nervous. Figure some decent worsted yarn from my stash and some size 10ish needles... I'll let you all know how it goes! So far 10 kids have signed up, but we'll see who shows up..
Any suggestions as to what type of caston to use/teach? I learned the knitted caston, but maybe long tail would be better? Hmm... Have until next Thursday to figure it out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
