UnFinished Objects

UFOs - Hooray! No longer are they in that classification! Here is a Mystery Knit night belt / scarf completed last week. It's knit in two and threaded back and forth through between the completed sections to create the braided look.

Second - a pair of socks made from Jaeger sock yarn on size 1 needles. Yuck! The yarn split and gave me fits but they are finally done. Yessssss......

Doe and Fawn

Outside our home on the hillside, the does bring their fawns to eat and relax in the shade of the trees. Just love such idyllic sights! (Look closely in the grass for the fawn.)

Fiberlicious 2007

Fiberlicious is a local Pikes Peak Knitting Guild sponsored event in the back yard of our current President, Peggy. This was the 4th annual time for the group to gather. During the day we undertook splitting sheep and llama fleeces that were less than clean. The family pets loved the smell and enjoyed rolling in the fibers left behind from horders of all things related to yarn.

Patty, pictured above, demonstrates her wheel. I am extremely grateful to her for taking the time to instruct me on how to use a drop spindle. My drop spindle is a Schacht 3 oz. top or bottom whirl depending on which way you want to use it. There is significant gratification in seeing wool strands spun into a single ply and remembering women's endeavors from centuries past.

Craving a spinning wheel, but I'm not ready for the huge investment of $$. Pictured below is some of the llama fleece Joy brought to the festival day.

Afghan Block a Month Pictures

Oak leaf and acorns, applique trees, Swirl, reverse stockinette, star and entrelac cable - 12 inch squares for an afghan being constructed for my husband as a Christmas present. All the patterns for this are found in the Great American Afghan book published by Knitters.

Just finished another slip stitch pattern with hearts in maroon and ready to tackle the next one in line a 5 chart pattern with triangles and bobbles involving entrelac and some other new techniques. With each block I have expanded my repertoire of skills. It is amazing what can be done with just two stitches - knit and purl adding in increasing and decreasing. The patterns and designs seem to be limited only by my imagination... I seem to specialize in trite expressions. It's such fun!

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!

Blogs, Newsletters and Podcasts

A new blog host - Lion Brands -lists several connections to fiber blogs: http://cache.lionbrand.com/blogs.html. Not only does it encourage chatter, but a weekly newsletter can be received. The last few editions have contained a cable pattern of the week. One of my favorite techniques is cabling. I've done several scarves in containing different types of cables. The next afghan block is Aran with cabling and seed stitch. I'm anxious to finish what I've been working on (a shawl) to begin another project.

Interweave Knits recently began publishing a daily newsletter via e-mail, Knitting Daily where life meets knitting. The most recent edition featured a pattern for colorwork, a two-strand Fair Isle print for a shoulder bag. I thought this might be an interesting item to tackle at some point in the near future. If you wish to receive this newsletter, check out the following link:
http://www.knittingdaily.com/cgi-bin/udt/um.register.account?ET=knittingdaily_blog:e653:15871a:&st=email

Each week for the last 10, Kelley of KnitPicks has released a podcast. Episode 1 reviews several books which I now wish to add to my library with the plan that I will complete the workshop contained in the books. The first is The Sweater Workshop by Jacqueline Fee, who instructs through doing a sampler of the stitches to make a sweater you design with the yarn you choose. The second is The Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmerman, the patron saint of all things knitted. This volume is a compilation of knitting workshops she taught. Much to my chagrin, this book has been sitting on my shelf and not used. Now that I've been knitting a wee bit longer I might be better suited to work through the information provided inside!
For a download of this podcast:
http://www.knitpicks.com/content/index.php/archive/episode-1/

Welcome Home!

Last night we had a Welcome Home party for Jonathan. After four years traveling to far flung places like Iraq and Kuwait, he is no longer in the U.S. Army! Several of our friends from Colorado joined us to wish him the best in his endeavors including a wedding next summer to Rachel, as well as school, work and the National Guard.

We're very proud of his service to our country. Thank you Jonathan.

Nagy Clan

Night on the Town at the Mason Jar, Colorado Springs - Reunion with "old" friends Al & Laura and their now grown daughters, Taylor and Paige. It's great being able to renew old friendships and catch up on all that has gone by in 17 years. How we miss having them here!

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

Paca-vicuna - soft beautiful fiber, slightly smaller than a llama and larger than an alpaca.

What a great day! Very warm but lots of fun plus shopping.