Finding Finn ~

Madrona Fiber Festival might be small compared to the Sock Summits, but don't underestimate the treasures, creativity and inspiration you will find there. The handspun and handdyed yarns and fibers are so lovely that they can make your heart stop. You can lose track of your senses when you find such soft fiber that can't really be that soft. As I mentally prepared for this year's Madrona trip, I had only one objective. Find fiber from Finnish Sheep.  I had heard about the perfection of Finn Wool through the Yarniacs podcast, and then by Deb's book, so I decided I needed to try spinning this as part of my spinning education.

My oh my, did I find my Finn!  At one of my favorite fiber spots, Woolgatherings, and there were so many choices! So overwhelming in their softness and beauty that I needed to get Jitteryknitter to help make the choice!  We ended up with this beautiful cream and brown, plus bought some very soft Shetland fiber too. Hurrah!!!!

Frog Magic ~

An epiphany hit me when I looked at my "On my needles" category. There were four scarves/shawls on the needles that I would never wear. Now that I have discovered cowls, and how they stay on me without high maintenance, I am a cowl knitter. As beautiful as the shawls are, they are not easy for me to wear, so why would I knit more of them?

With a deep breath, I frogged them all, and then took them out of Ravelry and the "On my needles" category and felt a surge of energy. All the doom and gloom of knowing I would have to slog to finish them was replaced with the excitement of casting on a new project that I would wear!  Maybe I will find new inspiration at Madrona this year! Hurrah!

Olympic Knitting ~

My neighbor sent me this picture with this note, "One of your relatives?"

I couldn't believe it, this person is obviously at the top of the mountain, knitting bare handed and using metal needles that must be sooooooo cold. The project is a substantial one, not just a small hat or small cowl, or mitts....something big.... I love this kindred spirit!  I found out that this is the Finnish Snowboarding Coach, and I would love to meet him and talk about yarn!

Ravolympics Cast On ~

I have never participated in the Ravolympics Games, however when asked by Jitteryknitter to participate, I could not really say no. There was a delightful cast on party at FiberCat's house, and she had made us all project bags, complete with winter sports theme fabric, lining and zippers. Major Cute Project Bag!  Mine has kids making snow angels in the glittery snow, and I love it more than I can say.

We all knit while watching the opening ceremonies and checking out the knitted accessories for each country, and some lucky countries even had beautiful knit sweaters. We could not decide whether we liked the USA sweater or not....I cast on the Baby Mac blanket, and I hope I can finish it by the end of The Games!

Brrrrrrrr Boot Camp ~

Super cold this morning, in the teens, yet a few of us braved the cold to do our Boot Camp. According to those who have been doing Boot Camp since its beginning three years ago, this winter has been the coldest, and has had the most wind and snow.

I feel so lucky to be surviving this winter of Boot Camp as it makes me stronger and tougher each day! Plus, we have such fun!

Great roommate ~

My daughter has a new roommate at college, and I know like her already. Not only do I hear good stories of fun and adventures from my daughter, this is the picture she sent to me.

Yes, she is crocheting a blanket for another friend, all in one color (which I cannot imagine the commitment there for that much of one solid color, even a lovely orange). I can't wait to meet her and chat about yarn!

Super Bowl Beer ~

I was happy to be getting an afternoon of football knitting, especially since the game would be longer still with all the commercials, plus all the media hype.  As we were getting ready for the neighborhood gathering, another neighbor stopped by and brought his "special label" beer that he had been working on all morning.

The labels were clever and funny, and we could tell that he had a blast inventing them, even though he is a Packer fan, like us.  I will be sad when football season is over, and no more excuses to spend time with my husband while knitting...until hockey season.....