Rockies' Stitch 'N Pitch

Baseball and Yarn. Rockies' Dinger sporting a scarf and ready to knit another with large needles and a yarn skein in equal size, gift bags containing yarn, needles and a Interweave Magazine (current edition) and beautiful weather. All of which while being in the Mile High City with my wonderful husband. The game was exciting and included two HRs hit by the Rockies and ended with a win over the Dodgers with a final score of 6-2. What a fantastic event!

Albuquerque Visit

Frank & I took a business / leisure trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the Triple-A All-Star Fiesta and Game on July 11, 2007. Our visit included a balloon ride for Frank, a tour of Old Town for both of us and renewing a friendship with Steve, the Director of Public Relations for the Albuquerque Isotopes and a former co-employee at the Pacific Coast League Office.

Last year when we visited Albuquerque, I found a shop called Village Wools and with anticipation, visited their new location. Wandering around the store was a pleasant diversion but since my stash has grown substantially, the better part of valor ws to just pick up a couple of small items to work on a pair of socks. Next time though, watch out!

Lessons from a Sheepdog - Sheepdog Trials

Finished reading Lessons from a Sheepdog by Phillip Keller and visited Estes Park Wool Market where a version of sheepdog trials occurred. Phillip Keller discussed seven lessons to be learned from a sheepdog. First, the wrong master will enslave and cause a dog to fear and be unable to work; 2) after the dog is set free to follow the good master, he has to learn to respond properly; 3) the new master teaches the dog to trust him by his goodness and concern for the well being of the dog; 4) the dog delights to obey the new master and responds to the benevolence and kindness of the master; 5) there is a test of faithfulness for the dog to stay where he is needed, learning to obey based on signals; and not being distracted by other events, circumstances or location of the master; 6) disobedience and faithlessness sometimes result in the need for discipline to correct wrong behavior. The discipline is exercised in love by the master and his love never disappears; and 7) the sheepdog is available for any task and will perform any assignment for the master because the dog knows the master loves him.

In Estes Park, various breeds of sheepdog herded the sheep, short-legged corgis and long-maned border collies, Australian shepherds and numerous types of Heelers demonstrated the above principles and responded to cues from their master. They did not respond to the cues of others, nor did they do harm to the sheep. If left to their own, however, some would have worn the sheep out by continuing to round and drive them from one spot to another. Each breed of dog worked in a slightly different manner. Some were gatherers, some motivators, some drivers.

Seems as though God is trying to drive home a point to me. I finished the book just before leaving for the Wool Market and had no idea that the demonstration of the dogs would be part of the event. God takes me through various stages to reach the goal of His glory. Being set free from the Evil One, sin and fear; working out who is my Master, His trustworthiness, faithfulness and love for me; delighting in His sacrifice on the cross for me and desiring to obey all His commands; serving where placed and how the Master has asked me to work; the need for discipline when I am distracted from the task at hand and He has a particular job assignment for me; and being available for any assignment no matter where that might take me or how difficult the job.

Jesus, my Master, has corralled me by His love and faithfulness. How can I be so ungrateful to not respond with obedience. Sometimes I am that ungrateful and it is exhibited in my selfishness rather than selfless love and service to others. Lord Jesus forgive me! Thank You for the way You teach in objects that have meaning to me.

Estes Park Wool Market

Tomorrow is another new day of adventure! Looking forward to seeing the llamas, alpacas, sheep and other animals at the Estes Park Wool Market. Of course, there is the obligatory shopping for fiber. Can't say I'm not looking forward to that as well.

Brown Sheep Mill Tour, Mitchell, Nebraska

Here are the wool sated adventurers from Knitters Kove ready for the return trip to Colorado Springs.

Brown Sheep Mill

On Monday, June 11, 2007, 31 women boarded a bus for Mitchell, Nebraska where the temperatures were in excess of 95 and the humidity numbers matched. What would cause this group to travel from compartively cool and dry Colorado Springs? Yarn, fleece and a tour of a well-known mill for fiber, Brown Sheep Company, Inc.

Upon arrival at the plant, a preliminary explanation of the process was provided outside under the trees. Afterwards the group was divided into three smaller ones to be guided through the facility and see the machinery in operation - carding, spinning, plying and dyeing equipment. No photographs were allowed inside due to possible espionage and theft of family production secrets. (But no photography didn't stop Samuel Slater from brining the initial plans to the US from England!)

Before boarding the bus, we were given the opportunity to SHOP! Skeins being discontinued, seconds, overstock, etc. were made available for us to pick through. The group complied and relieved the Mill of all of its "overstock" and then some. I purchased some off-white superwash wool to use for Aran sweaters for a couple of the younger nieces. Also found
several skeins of Serendipity Tweed in a blue that I might use for a cardigan for myself.

Chihuly Glass

The following are pictures of some of the pieces of Dale Chihuly's art work I've been able to see in my travels. I love the bright colors and the interesting shapes, how the colors layer on top of each other. Each piece is a study of design and stimulates ideas.

Chihuly Ceiling, Oklahoma City, OK






















Chandelier - Victoria & Albert Museum London (Left)
Chihuly Birds - Oklahoma City, OK (Right)

Chihuly Chandelier - Colorado Springs (Below)

Chihuly Hart Window - Dallas, TX

Sheep Street

Burford - Needlecraft Store

Stitch N' Pitch

Just noticed that the Colorado Rockies will be holding a Stitch N'Pitch event at Coors Field on Saturday, July 28 at 6:05 pm. The visiting team is the Los Angeles Dodgers. I have put this date on my family calendar and am looking forward to being in attendance. The event is sponsored by The National Needle Arts Association. If you are interested in attending, tickets are $19 each for the Upper Level. Contact Evelyn Rockett with the Colorado Rockies at (303) 312-2224 or rockette@coloradorockies.com.

Branch B. Rickey, Phoenix, AZ, Umpire Meeting

Phoenix - Tempe Yarn Shops

Fiber Factory - Tempe
Purse Sculpture located in front of the store

Tempe Yarn & Fiber

Guilt Free Zone - Wow! What a concept for a Yarn Store. I wish, I wish....

Sophie's Yarn Shop, Louisville, Kentucky

Sophie’s Yarn Shop, Louisville, Kentucky, located in the Landis Town Center, was a veritable goldmine especially on New Year’s Eve when the proprietress featured a 20%-off sale for all yarns purchased. Located in a Georgian-style brick building that housed not only the yarn shop but Java Brewing Co. next door, I thought I had found my home for this trip. When you entered through the front door, Southern hospitality shone at its brightest. The staff were helpful and courteous, directing you to walls of well-stocked fibers of every multi-colored and textured variety and offering to get a stool so you could browse through the organized pattern selections. Displays of beautifully completed garments exhibiting some of the yarns available, were strategically located to attract attention to each variety of fiber. Each turn was truly soothing to a knitters eyes. After selecting sufficient yarns to keep busy for the next lifetime, I was offered a buyer’s club membership [something akin to “come back and see us again” and “if you come often enough, you’ll get free stuff”]. Regulars would visit the shop for “couch time” a euphemism for socializing with a little knitting thrown in. Unfortunately, that weekly event was scheduled for another day and time. Maybe my next trip to Louisville. 4 stars.

Java Brewing Co., much like Starbucks, had sufficient drinks and snacks to warm the heart on a winter’s day. Not only did the beverages heat the inner sanctum but the low burning glow from the fireplace, enjoyed from an overstuffed chair, evoked a homey feeling. A great place to sit, visit and knit after shopping next door!

Stitches West 2006, Santa Clara, California

Cables Untangled with Melissa Leapman was my first class at Stitches in Santa Clara, CA. What a way to start the Convention! She was delightful and informative. One of the tips I garnered from her was to always slip purlwise when cabling and when finishing a cable on the right side row when you purl the next stitch, wrap the yarn in the opposite direction. When come to the stitch on the Wrong Side of the row, the stitch will be twisted. To untwist it, knit into the back of the stitch. This will prevent gaps from occurring between the cable and the remainder of the knitting.

Another tip is to use a different type of needle for cabling to differentiate it from the main needles. Use whatever form of needle you find the most comfortable.

Thanks, Melissa. I really enjoyed your class!