Stitches West

Greetings to all. This weekend, Mom and I went to Stitches West. I got to show Galina my progress on my first shawl. We met Skaska's Australian cashmere contact, another contact from Alaska and friends from Oregon. The Oregon connection dyes gorgeous yarn. Unfortunately, she opened her Eugene, OR site as my daughter was moving back to San Francisco! Coincidentally, her husband is the new dean of students at University of Oregon, where my son is still in attendance. Mom and I had dinner with all of the above (George & Galina and all their friends). WONDERFUL evening. And, of course, the next day, we reneged on our vows not to buy any yarn this year and made purchases from all three booths. We also learned a bit of Estonian knitting (aka Elongated Stitches) and about Ergonomics and knitting (aka Don't Knit In Bed - yeah, sure . . .). The mantra for this year was swatch, swatch, swatch.

Hey Ladies,

This is Val in Terre Haute. Just wanted to say that I am working on designing a sampler for a Orenburg style scarf. I love designing and knitting the sampler but the corrections to my pattern are never ending. As soon as I find a typo then back to the computer to correct the typo. But for the sampler it is looking real good.

How is everyone else?

Soon to snow by Friday in Terre Haute :)
Missing all of the group, Val

Hi all!

This is my first post - it sure has been fun to follow along to see what everyone else is doing.  Minnesota has been wet, cold and gloomy, which ideally is good knitting weather, but I would like to see some sun.  And, I would like to have some sauerkraut soup about now!  Yummm.

I have been working on the scarf that we started at the workshop - I had forgotten how much fun I have knitting lace.  I have about 3 feet done and it seems like I have hardly used any yarn off the cone!  So many more hours of great knitting!

And you Kathys up north - stay warm.  It sounds like you will be getting more snow! We had some here in the cities that stuck around for a few days (way too early in the season), but it has melted.  The garden has frozen too, so no more good veggies.....

Keep in touch everyone - happy knitting

Jean

San Francisco Updates

Greetings to All. Like Chris, I'm anxiously awaiting that Cookbook.
In the interim, I'm knitting. Two days ago, I finally finished my Aeolian Shawl. Binding off 983 stitches using the recommended bind-off in the instructions on the shawl (not Galina's tried and true method)took forever. Last night I blocked it. I'm very, very, very, very excited. Not only to have that project completed, but to move on to my next adventure. I'm going to do "An Orenburg Warm Shawl/Baby Blanket To Knit". I don't know if that pattern was available at the retreat. I got it last year, from Skaska, at Stitches West. It will give me lots of practice with borders and the body is a straight garter.

I will post pictures of the Aeolian. Also of my progress on the Shawl. I'm doing that using the wonderful cashmere I got in Minnesota.

Tomorrow I travel to Los Angeles, so I'm back to work now. More to follow next time.

Pine Tree Palatine Scarf

It is so wonderful to hear from most of the gang, and the projects you are all working on. I hope the others join soon. Thank you Laura for putting this together. I must admit I am not much of a blogger, but I assume that is about to change.

I knit about 4" on the scarf and found I dropped a stitch towards the beginning. Time to rip, as I ripped my yarn knotted. Time to break yarn and start another project. I am using the yak yarn and knitting the Pine Tree Palatine Scarf. The yarn is lovely. I was having difficulty with finding the needles that worked best for me and the yarn. I believe Nan may have just solved my problem. She sent me beautiful rosewood #1 dpn which she affixed the perfect size beads to one end. Thanks Nan:)

I hope you all plan to post pictures, I would love to see your finished work.

Chris (sister #2)

My First Post

Hi everyone, and thanks Laura for setting this up. My trip home was uneventful, and I traveled to Ft. Worth and back this week without incident. Apparently the airlines know when it's personal travel, and do their best to mess things up!! Actually, they gave me a voucher for future travel and refunded most of the price of the trip so I really can't complain.

I've worked a good bit on my scarf, and have 4 repeats done. Unfortunately I think I'm going to run out of yarn before I get it long enough. Has anyone ever tried to locate yarn on Ravelry? I want to try to get some more in my dye lot if possible. It's a long shot, but I really want to finish it and have it be the length I am envisioning.

Nan (sister)

Progress

Our first post. Our first update.
I have returned to San Francisco. The Aeolian Shawl is almost done! I can't wait to start on my first real Orenburg project. How is everyone else doing? Updates, please.