As The Yarn Turns

Thrift Shops and Sam

Slowly I've been trying to get rid of stuff around the house before the house fills up completely. So yesterday I took a bag of stuff to the thrift store. The only problem is that I can never resist going inside. So I go inside and find a bag of cotton yarn that looked like it might be good for a top. I also spotted a wooden thing that I thought might be good for plying. At this point I still had less stuff than I just dropped off. Then as I was checking the out, the woman at the register asked me what the wooden thing was. I told her I didn't know, but I was going to use it for plying. That's when she told me there was a big cart of craft stuff in the back and asked me if I would like to look through it. I was good though. I avoided the huge bag of miscellaneous yarn but I did come away with a bunch of fabric that I plan to use for pillows. I don't think I'm making much headway on clearing stuff out of the house though.

Anyway the yarn I got is some bright pink Patons cotton yarn, about five balls. I figured it might be enough for a summer top. It turns out the previous owner had started a top of some sort. The circular needle was still in there.

There were also a bunch of patterns in the bag. Some of them are typed. Some are handwritten. Many of them are baby patterns but there are some others too. It's an interesting collection.

So, not a bad haul.

On a sadder note, our neighbor, Sam the cat, passed away last night from conditions associated with old age. When our cat Nell was still alive, Sam used to come by and visit Nell. Sam loved Nell. Unfortunately, Nell never returned his affection. But in spite of the hissing, growling, and spitting, Sam never gave up. On many mornings, we would find Sam peering into our kitchen windows looking for Nell. Sam didn't have claws, though. So when the neighbors put fences up, Sam's visits stopped. Lately Sam hadn't felt like going outside at all. Sam lived a very long and good life. He'll be missed.

by Sydney  |

Actual Fiber Content

Yes, we have actual fiber content this time. My poor spinning wheel has been feeling neglected lately. Plus I needed some spinning calm. So I spent some time spinning up some of my blue-faced leicester fiber.

That gray blob in the lower right corner is Katie, who just had to find a way to get in the picture. Another batch of spinning and I should be able to start plying. Then I'll do a little dyeing experimentation. I just love blue-faced leicester so it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

I've also done some more knitting on my Opal socks. I seem to be continually a month or two behind with Project Spectrum, not that I'm keeping track or anything.

Today I was at the salon to get my hair done and they weren't quite ready for me so I started knitting on my sock. Now I knit almost every time I go but it still starts a conversation. This time people were admiring my sock and the conversation turned to learning to knit. The older woman who had the appointment before me said she learned to knit from the dictionary. Someone else made the comment that there was no way they could learn from their dictionary. So she says "Hand me a Webster's and I'll show you." Darned if she wasn't right. Webster's dictionary has a graphic of a knit and a purl stitch being made, although I don't think I could have learned to knit from that little bit. It was good to have a fellow knitter in there for a change though.

So we've reached the time of year when everyone goes to Maryland Sheep and Wool and I don't. Not that I'm jealous or anything. One of these days I'll get the chance. May is way too full this year to even consider it though. We have something going on every weekend. So everyone who is going, have an extra amount of fun for me.

by Sydney  |

Traveling in Time and Space

I'm convinced that cats can travel in time and space. If you have a cat, then you probably know what I mean. You calling the cat and looking for her in the obvious places but no cat. At that point you start wondering if she accidentally got closed up in a closet or is hiding in a cabinet. You start looking in all of the closets, under the beds, and in the cabinets. You're just about ready to decide she's not anywhere in the house. Then you turn around and there she is, sitting there with the "what's all the commotion" look on her face. Katie isn't as bad about that but my previous cat, Nell, did it on a regular basis.

All of this is the long way of telling you that I feel sure I've been traveling in time and space with the cats because this is all I've accomplished on my second Opal sock this weekend.

That wouldn't be so bad except I'm not sure where my time went this weekend. It definitely wasn't knitting, but it was a good, restful weekend though. The good news is that we finally got some sunshine this afternoon after very rainy weekend. Maybe I'll get around to going around town and taking some Project Spectrum pictures.

by Sydney  |