Gansey #1

I finally have my gansey finished. Although I probably wouldn’t call it a traditional gansey for two reasons. First it was knit with a 2 ply yarn and second it wasn’t knit at a really fight gauge. The reason for this was more practical then tradition. After I gave it some thought. I don’t think I would wear a super heavy sweater so I make it more wearable for me. None the less I am pretty happy with how it came out. My next one I think I will make the gussets a bit smaller. After knitting for years and years this is my first real attempted at knitting a sweater without a pattern or even a clear idea of what I was going to do when I started. I was really hoping to have it completed by the end of the Olympics but it was so hot here (108 for several days) that I wasn’t able to even touch it.


Now I just have to have the weather cool down a bit more so I can wear it.

Another crazy idea or two

Sometimes I stop and think to myself, “What the heck am I thinking?” Have you ever done that?  It all started with the idea of knitting a gansey. This year my fiber arts have the theme of getting around to it. This is the year that I get around to making all the projects that I have always wanted to get to be for some reason or other I have never been able to get to them.  On the list is to knit a gansey.  From there the idea was to spin for that very gansey. From there the thought well it’s just about time for the Tour de Fleece so I think I will spin for the gansey during that. Well a week later the Olympics start so hey I can knit my gansey during that. Not a problem. Right! In the mean time I have signed up to attend  SOAR, so again the thought came to me that I could wear said gansey at the fashion show.

  Because of weird events (space being open, like who wouldn’t want to attend a 4 day retreat with Judith) I have the opportunity to attend another fiber retreat a week before SOAR. The topic is designing with Judith Mackenzie.  We are to have our yarn all spun up or at least mostly spun to bring to the class. So my next wild idea was to spin for a Fair Isle sweater, another one of those get around to it on the list. Then I got to thinking heck I seem to be working my way around the British Islands, so maybe I should knit and aran,too. In the mean time I have been working on getting a website built to start promoting my fiber arts. So I have been busy working on samples and designs to get the website up and running by Aug. 1.

Again I am thinking what the heck!

So today I have been working on my yarn for the Fair Isle sweater. I would like to have it all done before the tour starts (2 pounds). I was gone for most of the morning teaching a weaving class, so I wasn’t able to get as much as I wanted. The fiber is Falkland that I had in my stash for a while. I think I bought it from Spunky Eclectic. It’s spinning like a dream.

Now for something a bit different

I thought I would pass along a great interview from an author I found. Please check out her books.

The Eleanor Series

Eleanor Clark, author

eclark@windstream.net

www.eleanorseries.com

Leaving a Legacy for Your Children

People from north to south, east to west are celebrating the summer months in a variety of ways: leisurely days at the neighborhood swimming pool, a family vacation to the beach, camping out with loved ones. In the midst of this fun season, don’t forget to give your kids the very best sort of vacation—the kind they can take in their imagination!

Today I’m interviewing octogenarian, Eleanor Clark, a vibrant woman in her golden years who has written a lovely series of books for girls called The Eleanor Series. The books released a few years back in hardback, but she’s in the process of putting them out as e-books. Exciting news for parents on the lookout for great literature for their kids!

Eleanor, welcome! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Perhaps I should start by telling you that I just celebrated a very important birthday—my 80^th! And yes, I’m still very active! I’ve spent years researching my family’s lineage. After discovering some exciting stories, I decided to write them down in The Eleanor Series. I spend every day telling others about my books and sharing my love of faith, patriotism and godly character. What a wonderful life I lead!

So, the stories in this series are based on real-life experiences?

Yes, loosely based, anyway! I’ve fictionalized several very real stories, going back to my 8x great-grandmother! My family instilled a wonderful legacy in me and I want to pass that on to my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and to all of my readers, as well.

Can you tell us about the book you're featuring today?

Today I’m featuring the first book in the series: Mary Elizabeth, Welcome to America. I’m so tickled to announce that this book is now available in e-book form! I’ve waited for this day for some time, so I’m very excited. Here’s a little tidbit about the story: Mary Elizabeth's life undergoes a dramatic change when she leaves the only home she has known for another world far away in a place called America. The journey aboard the ship not only teaches her about perseverance but also that making a home in a new world has its share of challenges. Join Mary Elizabeth as she lives one of the greatest adventures of a lifetime and learns the importance of family and the value of perseverance.

So this book is already out in print?

Yes, the entire series released in hardback a few years back. Hardback copies are still available. All seven books are available at Amazon.com or by contacting me through my website.

Will the other books in The Eleanor Series release as e-books as well?

Yes, and I'm so excited about the adventure ahead! The books will release one per month over the next six months with the final story, a Christmas story, releasing in early December. Here's a list of the titles and release dates:

• Mary Elizabeth: Welcome to America (June 15^th )
• Victoria Grace: Courageous Patriot (July 15^th)
• Katie Sue: Heading West (August 15^th)
• Sarah Jane: Liberty's Torch (September 15^th)
• Eleanor Jo: The Farmer's Daughter (October 15^th)
• Melanie Ann: A Legacy of Love (November 15^th)
• Eleanor Jo: A Christmas to Remember (December 1^st)

What sets these books apart from the American Girls series?

The American Girls series is a wonderful collection for girls, but my stories have something those books do not: faith elements. The salvation message is evident in every story, as well as a deep love of God and country. Not only will children get a comprehensive history lesson through the exciting stories, they will also receive a greater understanding of the role their faith plays in modern-day life.

I seen the book is intended for girls. What about my son? Well he enjoy it too?

I’m thrilled to report that some of the series’ biggest fans are boys! And adults, too. I’ve been tickled to see people young and old, male and female, enjoy these stories. Here’s what one reader had to say: We purchased four of the Eleanor Jo books for Christmas gifts for little girls on our list and after reading the book, we intend to order several more. We will be proud to give this book to any young children. We began reading the book, just to review the content and could not put it down. (Ella & David Lott, A reviewer, 11/07/2006)

How do I order a copy of the book?

Mary Elizabeth, Welcome to America is immediately available on kindle or in hardback (through my website).

What are you offering my bloggers today?

One lucky person will have an opportunity to win a hardback copy of Mary Elizabeth welcome to America when they leave a comment at the end of this blog!

You’ve been a delight to interview, Eleanor! How can we stay in touch with you?

Thank you so much for having me! Readers can reach me at:

My website: www.eleanorseries.com

My facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.clark.50

My Eleanor Series facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheEleanorSeries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Eleanor_Clark

Friends, please check out Eleanor’s series. I think you’ll love it. The Eleanor Series will be a wonderful addition to any library. It will also inspire parents and grandparents to research their family’s history. So, this summer, as you’re setting your sites to the school year ahead. . .take a moment to look back at where you’ve come from. Then, be prepared to leave behind a legacy of love!

About the Author:

Eleanor Clark lives in central Texas. She is the matriarch of the family that includes 5 children, 17 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Born the daughter of a Texas sharecropper and a child during the Great Depression, Eleanor was a female pioneer in crossing economic, gender, educational, and corporate barriers. Eleanor was an executive for one of American's most prestigious corporations and founded her own highly successful consulting firm. The appreciation of her American and Christian heritage comes to life along with her exciting and colorful family history in the youth fiction series, The Eleanor Series.

About the series:

There are seven books in the series that highlight the lives of young girls throughout American history. The stories are based on the true-life accounts of author Eleanor Clark’s family history. Each book focuses on a particular character trait and is laced with the pioneering spirit of one of Eleanor’s true-to-life family members. Twenty-first century readers are sure to relate to these amazing, character-building stories while learning Christian values and American history. Modern parents will be blessed as their children learn countless lessons from the pages of each book in the series.

Spring time in the Rockies

Well I spent the afternoon getting all the kits together for the classes I will be teaching at the Snake River Fiber Fair this next weekend. My tatting class is fill to the brim. We will be learning how to make this card. We will also talk about how to buy threads and shuttles. I will also be teaching beginning knitting and rigid heddle weaving. There is still room in those classes and I'm sure if you showed up on Sunday you can join in on. For more info check out the web site.
http://www.srfiberarts.org/fiber_arts_fair_2012

Liney-woolesy

Wikipedia defines Linsey-woolsey as a coarse twill or plain-woven fabric woven with a linen warp and a woolen weft. Similar fabrics woven with a cotton warp and woolen weft in Colonial America were also called linsey-woolsey or wincey.

I define is as fun. So yesterday I spend a couple of hours playing around on my loom. I had it warped for finger towels but after I got started I found I had a major threading error and it really wasn’t easily fixable so I decided to just weave off the warp in plain weave.

Last weekend I spent a day demonstrating spinning. I had 4 ounces of Cotswold wool in a light grey that I was spinning as a singles at about 40 wpi.  I was able to get about 560 yards out of the bump. My warp was about 6 yards, so I just sat at the loom and wove plan weave.  I have to say there is something to be said about plain weave. There is such a calming rhythm to it.

Linsey-woolsey was used during the Colonial times and even through the Civil war and later part of the 19^th century as a basic cloth for clothing and household needs.  When linen was not readily available cotton or hemp was substituted.  In my case I used 10/2 cotton from Henry’s attic as the warp. I really love this yarn and how the fabric turned out and plan to make more of this cloth for a pair of pants for my husband as some point. Because the loom was set for finger towels the piece is a bit wide for a scarf and maybe a bit narrow for a shawl. But for an afternoon of just playing around on the loom it’s pretty cool.

Looking towards the new

 

It’s been a super long time since I have had them time to blog. For the past couple of years I have been really busy with life. I basically took some time away from most things fibery. I stopped teaching and working in a yarn store. I think I needed the break but I am happy to say I am back and what I love to do. Although I am not teaching as much as I did before and I'm not sure I will ever teach every week like I did before but it’s enough to keep it fun and keep the creativity going.

I am also happy to say I have started to design again. A few years back I did a lot of work for a local yarn store and sold some of my patterns in the store to later find out they were making copies and selling them without paying me. I must say when I found out I was really hurt and burnt. So I stopped designing.  I think that was about 5 years ago.  This time I plan to keep control a bit better on my patterns. I will be selling them on Ravelry and on a new website I plan to launch later this summer.  So please stay tuned to announcements on where and when it starts. I also plan to sell handmade items and hand dyed fibers.

I also plan to attend a few events through the summer and fall where I will be demonstrating the fiber arts in some manner. Below are the events that I will be at during the rest of the month of May.

May 19-20 the Snake River Fiber Fair in Idaho Falls. http://www.srfiberarts.org/fiber_arts_fair_2012

I will be teaching tatting, beginning Knitting and beginning rigid heddle weaving. I will also be judging the skein contest. If you are in the area please stop by and say hello.

May 27 the Fiber Train in Nampa Idaho http://www.fibertrainfestival.com/

Even though this will be a two day event I will be able to attend only Sunday. I will be in the Puffy Mondeas booth weaving, so if you are interested in learning to weave please stop by and say hello. By the way my husband will be attending the same event blacksmithing.  I do plan to attend the memory yarn class on Monday night.

Coming in June I will be attending the ye olde renaissance faire in Eagle Idaho. Please check back for more information and what Items I will have items for sale and will be donating some things totally cool to raffle off.   http://www.yeolderenaissancefaire.org

Summer Fun!

I know in some places it doesn't really seem like its summer but here in Boise school is out, so I am on summer vacation. Although there are no plans to take any trips. So I will have to find some fun things to do around here. Its kind of funny when you only work a few hours a day you would think you would have all the time in the world to get things done. Not so. Now that I have the month of June, July and bits of August to fun things to do. I have made a long list of TO Do's

*Dye and knit a natural dyed tam
*Natural dye Saxon green hat
*Knit mariners socks
*Knit Tamarack socks
*Knit blue hand spun socks
*Spin and weave natural colored shawl
*Weave organic cotton towels
*Weave Huck lace shawl
*Make bobbin lace for Civil War dress
*Spin BFL scarf
*Spin Angora samples
*Write up three patterns that have already been designed.
*Spin for sweater ( Tour de Fleece)
*Knit socks with self striping yarn
*Spin for sweater from Tour de Fleece roving
* Knit cable shawl collar sweater
* Tat some snowflakes for Christmas gifts
*Crochet a doily
*Weave coaster sets for Christmas


Yes, Yes I know its a long list. You will have to keep checking back to see how much I can get done before I go back to work. I will let you know that I have a few of these things either almost done for at least half done. 

I did I just see a UFO?

Call me crazy but I have a plan. OK more like a goal!
I am now working on finishing all my UFO's ( unfinished objects).
For the past month or so I have been diligently working on getting everything off my needles, wheels, hooks, and looms.
What I want to do is get everything all done before school gets out so that I can start with new projects for the summer.
So far I have finished
a crocheted afghan, mini pillows to match.
My February ladies sweater
placing a zipper in hubby's sweater

Things to be finished
Lent scarf KAL
needlepoint seat cover
towels on the loom
gold knee high socks
cream alpaca/silk sweater
green lace weight yarn on spindle
multi color socks

I am really hoping to get this all done by May 20. That day I am leaving to teach at a fiber fair and I would like to go shopping for a new project to start.
So yes I have and will be busy for the next month or so.
Stay posted for progress and pictures.

Spring Break?

Well as I write this blog update its Sunday evening of my spring break. I have been off along with all the kids this past week. There are some really cool reasons to have a job at a public school. Spring break being one of them. So you might be asking your self what did she do or where did she go for spring break? Well sad to say I didn't go anywhere. With hubby being unemployed for 8 months there just wasn't money to travel to the other side of the valley let a lone some where warm. Happily hubby is now employed with a really good company. So while the kids and I stayed home he went off to work. So now you are asking what did I do for the week. Well I busted out as many UFO's ( unfinished objects) as I could. I am happy to say I was able to clean out my knitting, spinning and weaving bags. I am now down to just three things to finish up. My plan is to get them finished up in April so that I can start on something new. I have no idea what the new things will be. I'm not looking at pattern and I am also trying to not think about it until they are done.

This past week I was able to finish:

 a sweater for my hubby ( put the zipper in)

my February Ladies sweater

My spinning for my stash down ( see above)

get caught up on my Lent scarf KAL

weave some towels

make 2 bobbin lace books marks

Spin a skein of cashmere to replace a cowl I knit last year

So now I am down to finishing up an afghan and pillow that was start two years ago for Christmas. A needlepoint pillow and a second knee high sock.

So I guess you could say I really didn't have a break this week, but the good news is its spring anyway.

I need a new hobby like....

Really I barley have time to do all the things I want to when it comes to spinning and knitting and crochet. So what is a girl to do. Learn to Weave!  I recently took a class on double weave with my local weaving guild, and totally fell in love. So I was fortunate able to purchase a baby wolf loom from Schacht. I decided that I would go ahead and get the 8 harness. Other then its a be heavy I am so glad Idid. My weaving guild is hosting a weaving workshop in a week with Robyn Spady. The workshop is called Extreme Warp makeover.  The real reason I want to take the class is to learn to make corduroy. Not to say I won't enjoy all the other things I will learn over the three days. As a matter of fact my husband and I just checked to see if the loom would fit in the car. It did. Yea! 

Because a Baby wolf is a bit pricey, when it got here I decided that I would wait until my workshop. I thought I should see how it works. So here is my first project. The yarn is hand spun, I'm not sure what it is. I know the red is wool and I think it comes from Ashland bay. The grey  I think is angora and wool. Because its grey I'm sure the grey angora is from on of my bunnies. I'm not sure if its from my current rabbit or the last one.  The pattern or draft comes from Handwoven May/June 09. The pattern called for alpaca but I found something from my stash.

My next project that I just finished was face cloths. I used pearl cotton and some thick and thin cotton. As I am writing I washing them to see how they hold up. The pattern came from issue 3 of Weaver's Craft.

I know its seems like all I have been doing of late is weaving but I have also been spinning and knitting. For my February stash down was what might look like a bit of under achievement. But really it wasn't. I chose for this month to spin pagora. I have never spun this fiber and I have to say I love it. I don't really like mohair so I wasn't sure how I would like it.  The grey is 100% pagora and the blue and pink is a mix of pagora,glitz and alpaca. I plan to knit cowls with each of the. They are lace weight and only an ounce. I ended up with about 200 yards each.

I am also doing so knitting. I have finally started my February sweater. I have had some shoulder pain for the pas few months and haven't really done all that much knitting. I did finish a basic sweater for my hubby and its now waiting for a zipper. My February sweater is being knit with red nearly sold handspun. As a matter of fact its the yarn I spun for my stash down in Jan. I am hoping to get this finished in the next week or so.

My plan for the March Stash down is to spin some of my current bunnies wool. He is about to get another hair cut so I'm thinking its time to spin some for myself. I also want to get started on a sweater I have been wanting to spin for.

Stash Down and a bit of the other

 Yea I met my first goal! Spindlicity stash down for January!

 I know I know this picture of my finished yarn its horrible. But I have a reason. My camera is on its way back to the maker to get fixed so I have to use hubby's cell phone to send a picture to my computer. For some reason I can't send pictures on my phone, which by the way has a much better camera. Anyway the finish yarn looks  more like what's on the bobbin. I ended up with 1100 or so yard of a 2ply. My plan is to us it to knit the February sweater. Yes this is my first stash down fiber, and it was complete with time to spare. I have been having all kinds of trouble with my hand so I am just glad I was able to finish it before the month was over. I bought this fiber at SOAR 09 form a vendor that I don't remember who it was nor do I know the breed of wool it is.

I can't wait to get to the knitting part of it, but I first have to finish a sweater that I have been working on like forever. OK its just form November but it seems like it anyway. I am really hoping to get it all finished before my new toy comes in a couple of weeks. I will tell you that its a loom but I'm not saying anything more until it gets here.

The whole weaving thing started when I was having lunch with Sarah Lamb at SOAR 09. We were talking about weaving and I was stating the case that one I don't have room for a loom nor do I have the time. Well needless to say I have been thinking about it ever sense. I took a class a couple of weeks ago. Really it was an intensive with my local weaving guild and I woven on the loom of my dreams. So I now plan to order it in a week or so. I have also signed up to take a extreme warp class from Robyn Spady in March. Well I figure if I'm going to buy a loom I might as well learn how to use it.  So stay tuned to find out which loom I bought and how its going with the whole weaving thing.

On another note I found out this week that I will be teaching a couple of Knitting classes at the Snake River Fiber Fair in Idaho Falls. So if you are in the area of Idaho falls round them please sign up or stop by and say hello.

By the way I am still working on what my goal for February will be I am thinking something exotic keep a look out in the next day or so to find out what it will be.

My 3 day weekend

Sometimes it pays to be a lunch lady. Case in point, three day weekend. Yes no school today so I decided to be totally lazy and spend the weekend knitting, spinning, weaving and watching DVD's. Not all in that order.  I did with the help of daughter number 1 and 2 clean out my studio in hopes that I could make room for a new toy to come. Well after hours of cleaning moving and putting away. Still no room for new toy. So I must now come up with plan B. Not sure what that will be, but something will come up.

I also found out that I sent my working copy of my class list to the Sock Summit committee. So now they know I can't spell or use proper grammar. But hey you all already know that. Anyway I did make the proper corrections and submitted a list to Snake River Fiber fair. If you have been a long time reader of this blog you know I have attending for several years. So I think it would be fun to teach there. So we will see how that turns out.

On a other note I have been trying to get my fiber spun up for the Stash down challenge that Janel Laidman of Spindlicity.com put to all of us. The idea of  The Spindlicity Stash down 2011 is to pick some fiber from your stash and make it into  12 kits and spin each kit during each month of the year. I am about 2/3 done for the month of January.

While I am spinning I have been watching some new DVD's that I have picked up from Interweave. They are How to warp your loom, Spinning for lace and In praise of simple cloth. Look for reviews later this week.

Well as you can see I have lots to get done on my 3 day break so I am off to spin.

Stash down 2011

So I just found out about the big stash down at http://beebonnet.typepad.com/spindlicity/.  The whole idea is to pick fiber from your stash and put them in baggies. Then pick one and spin it during a month. If you are able to reach you goal for the month you then post or success and you are entered into a drawing. If you reach all 12 goals then you are entered in to a super duper prize drawing. I have January's pick out. Its a 1 pound bag of really neat fiber I bought at SOAR 09. I have no idea what the wool its but I'm thinking it will be perfect for the February sweater. So as then say I'm off and running, or spinning as the case may be.

Inspiritation!

There is nothing better then taking a hour or so to clean up one's studio. Not only do you find things your forgot you had but now you can look over all the cool things you bought a while back. Now I can sit and listen to TV while I weave, or look at patterns. Now if only I had more hours in the day to get more done.

Now to get work, spinning, knitting, crocheting and weaving oh my!

New sock yarn

I know I have talked about how great Spunky Eclectic fiber  of the month club is. http://www.spunkyeclectic.com/

 I think I have been a member from the start. So for quite some time I have gotten some really cool fibers. December 2010 was no exception. This month was called David's gift and it was 4 oz. of super wash Corriedale. The color progression was really neat. They were very long and very earthy. David for those who don't know lives in Australia  so these colors really speak of the area. When I first saw it I knew it was destine to be socks. So what I did was split the roving down the middle and spin two separate bobbins of yarn. I then chain plied each bobbin to come up with about 300 yards of 3 ply which is great for long wearing socks.

I haven't decided on a pattern yet for the socks, but I am thinking about something lacey. I would love any ideas.



A little bit of knitting and a little bit of spinning well sort of

Even though its the busy season I have been able to get a few things done.

First up a Hemlock tam. This was the Oct. 2010 Fondle this spinning kit. The yarn is 100% Cormo. Which is one of my favorite breeds of fleece.  The good news it does fit.
Love it.

Then I did some spinning type of things. OK so I got my Abby on. At my spinning group's Christmas party we have a fibery white elephant gift exchange and I usually end up with something fun. This year was no different. I came home with a basket full of assorted fibers, in all kinds of jewel tone colors. There really wasn't enough of one thing to make a project with, so I ran it all through the drum carder and this is what came out. It was mostly wool but there was some nylon, and I added some angora and glitz for good measure.

The year of Fiber

I know its been a really long time I stopped to post what's been going on in Idaho. To say a few things have been going on is an understatement. So here it goes in a nut shell-


In July hubby was laid off with a whole bunch of other Americans and he is still looking for a job. So to say the fiber buying has slowed is another understatement.


I found a job as a part time lunch lady. I really like it and the pay isn't all that bad. I work 3 hours a day at a really fun school and work with some really fun people.


I haven't been teaching knitting or spinning classes for the months of Nov. and Dec. I am not sure if I will be going back to the yarn store in the new year.


Of course we have been busy with kids and all their events, parties and games.




Now that Christmas is over its now time to start to think about goals for next year. I am taking a page from the Knitmoregirls and came up with a theme for the year . 2011 is going to be the year of fiber. I have been teaching crocheting, knitting, and spinning for over 18 years, which means I have spent most of the time working on samples or thinking about each project I have worked on as possible class. Well this next year I want to work on whatever I feel like. Design some, make things for the fun of it not just for a purpose. In other words have fun again.


So here are my goals for 2011 in no particular order.


1.Keep a journal on what I make and finish so that at the end of the year I can look back and see how productive I have been.


2.Get back to my fleece study. I started it last year and had to stop to work on other things.


3.Do a much better job of keeping up with my blog , facebook and twitter. As I have sent it up I will have family stuff on facebook, so that the family will see I'm not dead but just busy. Twitter will be where I talk about my daily fibery things and this blog will be were I post pic's and other information about projects and events I attend this year.
 ( by the way I am yarnsnthreads on twitter)
 4. Read through the Bible in the year.


5. Do some type of giving back each month. Over the past few month we have been so blessed by all the giving we have received that I really want to give back to others.


6. Get healthy again. The stress of having hubby out of work has caused me to stress eat so I have not felt as well as I should and can so I want to eat better, exercise and generally feel batter. Loosing a few pounds would be a bonus.


7. Learn to weave.


As you can see I have all kinds of things planned for the new year. So please stop back by and see what happening.

My Black Sheep odyssey- part 1

On June 17th I left Boise for the Black sheep gathering in Eugene Oregon. This was my first trip to the gathering after years of hearing how wonderful an event it was I decided that this was the year. I was not disappointed. Over the next few posts I will talk about what I saw, learned and bought. Then I will talk about the next two week that I spent in Oregon.
On the 17th the plan was to have everyone that was in our group meet at my house at 8 AM. because I live so close to the freeway. The trip normally takes about 8 hours. Ours took much longer and for half the group it really was an odyssey. There were 4 in our little group, two in each car. Well my ride arrived on the dot of 8, the other two not so much. So we waited and waited and waited. Thankfully we live in an age of cell phones, so a call was made. The hold up? a bad zipper on a suitcase. We will be there in a minute. So we waited and waited. they must have gone on with out us, so lets go and catch up to them on the freeway.
The trip began.
Now I have been to many fiber fairs and events with my car partner so we got into the rhythm of the drive. Surely we will meet up with them in Burns. Not so much. After another cell phone call with no answer, we figured we would meet up with them in Bend, so off we went again.
On the drive finally a call from car number 2. We are a bit behind you we will meet in Sisters at the Stitching post. We must be ahead so why not stop at Trader Joe's and eat lunch. By the way the Cesar chicken wrap was wonderful.
At the stitching post another cell call. We are a bit lost we will meet up with you in Eugene.
A small note about the Stitching post. If you ever get the chance to visit do stop. If you are a quilter you will love it, if you are a knitter you will love it, if you are a gardener you will love it. I did happen to see the newer book The Alchemy of color by Gina Wilde, and low and behold I am in the credits as part of the knitting team. Way cool. So if you have the thought to give it a look over there are some great patterns.
So after many many miles several stops and a few phone calls car one arrives at the fair grounds at about 5PM one hour later then planned, but after all we did spend an hour at the Stitching post waiting for car number 2.
Well lets go find the hotel I will be staying in with those in car number 2. When we arrive a call comes in from car number 2. We just got to Sisters, go ahead and check in. We will be there soon. Yea right. So off to diner car number 1 goes. The good food was great had a bit of trouble with figuring out where and what to recycle. Back to room to rest and wait for car 2 to arrive.


10:30 Car two arrives. Oh what a day they had seen way more of Oregon then first planned Baker City was not in the original plan, but still nice to see. Pooped! So off to sleep and wait for the gathering to begin.


Cryptic post card arrives at my house days later, family confused. It seems Lewis and Clark have gotten a bit off track and will see me in Eugene. Thank goodness The real Lewis and Clark didn't get so lost and we can all see the humor in having to wait for the gas truck to stop and gas up car number 2. And the Black sheep gathering hadn't even begun. More to follow.

Just a Civil War weekend

So this last weekend, well Thursday through Saturday the Idaho Civil War Volunteers went to Eagle Island State park for an encampment. On Thursday and Friday we invited area 5th grade classes to come out and see what it was like to live and fight during the Civil war. We had what I would guess some where in the neighborhood of 4200 people come through. On both Thursday and Friday it was very cold so cold that I could barely get my fingers to work. My part in the encampment is to teach people what it was like to make their own cloths and fabrics with the spinning wheel. On Thursday and Friday because we had about 3000 kids we had 10 minutes with each group so I would hold a tin cup of hot water to warm my fingers so that I could show them how my spinning wheel works. It was great fun but I have to say I am still a bit tired from the weekend. By the way I really like how this picture came out of me standing on a hill in the park. I edited out most of the modern parts, as you can see it was windy but I do look skinny don't I.

March in with spring yarns

Well for most of the US spring is here. In Boise its raining but I'm not surprised as long as I have had kids going to school we have had a rainy spring break,which is this week. One good thing about it being rainy outside I have more time to spin and knit. I have been working on socks , socks and more socks of late. I am also working on basic fingerless mitts. The reason, I'm getting great for our annual Civil war reenactment, that is coming at the end of April. Each year we set up a camp in a state park just out side Boise and invite 5th grade classes from the area to come and see what life was like during the Civil war. My husband is the Blacksmith and I am the resident spinner and knitter. Last year we had 2700 5th graders come and visit us on the last Thursday and Friday of April. This year I think there will be something like 3500 5th graders. We also encamp on Saturday where we invite the public to come and see what it was like to live during the war. This year I plan to sell socks, mitts and shawls that might have been used during the war. So I am knitting like crazy to get some stock ready.

I have been taking a bit of a break here and there from knitting to do some spinning and this is some of the fruits of my labor. The roving is this month's fiber from Crown Mountain Fibers. Its Shetland and I love the colorway, Bannockburn. I can't tell you how wonderful the fibers have been from Crown Mountain and I highly recommend all their fibers.

Again my plan for each month's fiber is to spin a light weight 3 ply so that I can knit socks with each hank. I want to see which breed of sheep will wear better for socks. I'm tyring to spin about the same yarn for each. They are all chained plied and this month I got 288 yards. So far I have been able to keep up with the spinning but I have yet to knit any into socks. I'm hoping I can get started in a month or so, but we will see.

I have also signed up for a couple of classes at the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugine Oregon in June. I am really looking forward to learning some new things. I am taking a class on dyeing with mushrooms and spinning angora. There are 4 of us going together this year. One is a teacher and has been to a few herself. Us other three have never been and we can't wait. So now you know why I'm knitting a ton of basic socks so that I can hopefully save some pennies and add to the stash at Black sheep.