Kristen,

Knitting has been good even if I haven't really been keeping up with the posting. Simon finished getting our computers to network last week and since then I've been trying to free up space on my 5 year old iBook so that it will run a little better (and upload pictures to blogger). Last night I had a dream that I recieved a check for $8000 which I immediately used to purchase a new MacBook. I'm hoping that it's a sign (although it might just be a sign of Kate continuing to provide pulpit supply and performing weddings while setting aside the cashola for a new computer). Either way there shall be success, I'm sure of it!

In the interim, I finished the hideous sister socks. Since their completion I've been wracking my head for a way to ask her if she actually likes handkint socks since I happen to be in posession of 2 skeins of pink and yellow Lorna's Laces with her name on them. But now that I've finished sister socks the first I'm panicing that the reason we never see her wear the socks that my mom knit for her is that she actually doesn't like the slightly bulky feel of hand knits. Any thoughts? While you think enjoy the blinding brightness that is the Sister Socks the First...



Flower Basket Shawl from Fall IK '04
I also worked feverishly on a shawl for my mom. It's also a christmas present. Below is the in-progress shot that shows the yarn. Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in the Aslan and Sand Ridge colorways. My mom is overwhelmed with yarn so she gave me two skeins of each colorway and I decided that since I thought I might use all of the 4 skeins of yarn that I would go ahead and alternate between the two. I think that it's a little too busy and I'm tempted to rip it out and start over since I didn't need more than 2 skeins total for the finished product. :/ But, Si says it's a keeper. He really likes the way that the colors accentuate the "v" shape of the shawl.


I added a repeat to make the shawl just a teeny bit bigger and it's currently waiting to be blocked. I've just been too lazy.


Maggie would like you to know that she continues to inspect my finished products. This one passes muster, but just barely... :P

What definately passes muster is when her "Mom" decides to learn how to spin. Oooh yarn, and dangling things and sheepy smelling fresh wool!


Friday I took a comp day (I've logged over 80 comp hours this semester) and headed out to the Mannings. www.the-mannings.com While there I met some enticingly enthusiastic spinners and purchased roving and a drop spindle (as well as 2095 yds of Jagger Spun and some Dale Baby Ull for "We Be Pirates" mittens, but then who's counting?). Anywho, the spinning is sucking at the moment but I figure that with a determined effort I can learn to spin with the best of 'em. Besides, my suckage is another person's luxury slubby yarn. If nothing else I'm really happy with my choice of beginning on a drop spindle. This one isn't the nicest, but I figure if I can learn how to use it well before Maryland Sheep and Wool then while I am there I can pick up something much nicer and have a better idea of what I need. :)

My new project is the Arrrg-yle socks which I had intended to knit in July. No time like the present, eh? I've got one mostly done and a second started. Alas matey, they will be taken the piss out o' me, while I try to sew up their blasted seam and add me sigil. (Which is to say that the finishing is extensive so it might be awhile before they are completed.)

Kate