Historic Trades Weave Room Yarn

While at Colonial Williamsburg, I bought some yarn!

The tag on the yarn says "Wool Yarn Dyed by hand in the Eighteenth Century Manner using Cochineal and Madder by the staff of the Historic Trades Weave Room." The wool is from  Hog Island and Leicester Longwool sheep raised in Colonial Williamsburg manner. 
These are the options I had from which to choose.
 
I snapped this photo of the lambs while on a quick walk knitSB and I took.
 These are baby sweater on the hoof. :)

I was told each skein is approximately 170 yards.  That means I have approximately 1,190 yards. I think a few of the skeins are a bit (a lot) less than 170 yards. I will proceed carefully.


What will I do with the yarn? I don't know yet.

Spot My Knitting

Can you spot my knitting while we watch an event in Colonial Williamsburg?

She Can Walk!

Sometimes, silly things happen on vacation. (Most of the time if you vacation with me).
EveryoneDeservesAQuiltJoanne is afraid of heights. This means she doesn't like standing on things that show the ground beneath them.  While at the Jamestown Fort, we found an area of the floor that was clear.  Of course, I walk on it and start jumping up and down...like younger brothers often do.

See the fear in her eyes? To overcome her fear, she decides to walk on a section of the clear floor that is over the original foundation of the Jamestown Fort. I had to record it for the blog.

I would recommend a visit to Jamestowne if you visit the Williamsburg area. Historic Jamestowne Site was more enjoyable than the recreation. The Ranger giving us the tour was quite good. She engaged the audience and told the story well.  I stumped the Ranger by asking what was the name of the first child conceived and born in the colony of Jamestown. She didn't know but promised to get back to me. We were able to add a stamp to our National Parks Passport. :)
I enjoyed walking the site, knitting on knitSB's Orange Jazz Socks.  Even some of the locals took notice and wanted to hold my knitting. I snapped a picture.

Monticello Knitting

knitSB and I went on vacation last week to Williamsburg, Virginia. My sister, EveryoneDeservesAQuiltJoanne and my BIL, Jack joined us. It was a delightful trip, filled with unexpected joys, great conversation and relaxation. We started with a trip to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home.  Have you ever been there? We went on a tour of the house and the gardens. I took this video while on the grounds and knitting the Rustic Jack Socks.



The gardens were wonderful to see.  The effects of the rather warm and dry summer could be seen throughout the garden. Did you know that Jefferson loved peas? He had fifteen varieties at Monticello. We picked up both flower and vegetable heirloom seeds from the gift shop. Perhaps I will be more successful at gardening next summer.

I snapped this photo of Monticello while resting in front of the fish pond. His "staff" would catch fish and bring them to this pond to wait until cooking time so they would be fresh.

Here's a picture testing the Rustic Sock length.

More about the Rustic Socks later. They were finished on the trip but not exactly as intended.

Stuck In Traffic Vlog Update

Yep. I'm stuck in traffic and thought I would use the time to update you on my knitting progress and recent knitting related print items.

We did see what caused the accident. A cattle truck overturned on the highway. Nuff said.

Eagle Lake, Tahoe

This video was filmed on location at the end of the walk hike to Eagle Lake. I included a panoramic view that we enjoyed as we sat and enjoyed the rewards of a good walk.



This hike is one of my favorites that I've taken while on vacation in the Tahoe area. The hike up took us about 1 hour and 15 minutes and the trip down, 45 minutes.

I did blog about the sock and knitting at the lake. You can find that post here. It gives details about the yarn and pattern.

Angie's Karius is all fini...(sh.....it)

Well, as much care as I take on my knitting, it happened.
Watch the video, it will all make sense.
And it has a happy ending, really.



The previous post about this project can be found here.

Karius Shawl Part 1

While on vacation, I did a lot of knitting. A few posts showed what I was knitting. I did complete some video blogging. This is the first vlog about the karius scarf that I was knitting for Angie.



My previous Karius post can be found here.

I purchased the yarn at ImagiKnit just outside the Castro District in San Francisco. I easily found ImagiKnit by using Knitmap, the online resource to find local yarn shops. I <3 Knitmap. It helped me find and get to three LYS's while on vacation. Check knitmap out.

Curran Theatre Experience

Curran Theatre Experience
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

I saw Estelle Parsons star in August: Osage County at the Curran Theatre on Wednesday, August 26, 2009. This three act play had me engaged from the opening scene. Dynamic performances by some amazing actors took me through what Sheryl Flatow called "a harrowing and hilarious, sharply observed family drama."

This solid ensemble never missed a beat in taking me from outright laughter to gasps of surprise to shocks of discovery. Timing was impeccable during the three acts. Estelle Parsons plays the matriarch of the Weston family, Violet. Her husband, Beverly Weston, played by Jon DeVines, has decided help is needed in the house to care for Violet. The three daughters all arrive home and what follows is the unwinding of each of their stories and their dysfunction as a family member.

Strong female characters elevate this show to amazing levels of theater. It's not often that plays are written with strong female characters. This show has not one but five. I know several actors who would enjoy the challenge to bring these characters to life.

I was not emotionally drained as I expected to be. Instead, I find myself remembering my own family interactions and gatherings in a new light. My family is not the only one to hide behind humor as a shield against the uncomfortable. Some have described the experience of watching the show as "watching a train wreck." This wasn't true for me. A train wreck happens and I may be pulled to watch, but not become involved. The wreck keeps me as an outsider. August kept pinching me to pay attention and remain connected to the experiences on stage. I became part of the experience at a deeper level.

If you have an opportunity to see the show, you owe it to yourself to go. Our seats were in the rear balcony. I had no complaints about the view. This show is so well written that it kept me engaged all three hours. I would have been willing to stay for more.

The set was a three story house on stage with the first floor cleverly separated into the study, living room and dining room with the kitchen set into the back. The cast moved smoothly during the scene changes so to add the final touches to what just finished (often in dimmed lights) and melt into the next scene. The set dressing and props were an ideal fit to complete the experience. No curtain came down between acts so I got to watch the efficient props changes and resetting of furniture. (I want to be that good on the shows I do props and set dressing. Just sayin')

Eagle Lake & knitSB's sock

Eagle Lake & knitSB's sock
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

We took the 1 mile hike up to Eagle Lake on Monday and it was a perfect afternoon. The hike up took one hour and fifteen minutes and was well-worth the trip. We stayed at the lake and relaxed. I knit and did a short vlog that will be posted soon. The trip down was only thirty-six minutes. Gee, I wonder why? *wink,wink*  

The yarn I'm using is from Emeraldstitchnknits.blogspot.com
100% Superwash Merino
5sts=1" on a US #7 needle
approx. 270 yards in the 100 gram ball
The pattern was found on Ravelry "Anklet Slipper Socks" by Karen Konop. 
I've not altered the pattern. These socks were knit from the top. 
The yarn is soft on my hands and pleasing to knit. I just finished the first pair. It was so pleasing that I want to cast on a other pair! I know I have enough yarn for another short pair of socks.   I enjoy the orange color and the purple over-dying. I can't tell how she dyed the purple. I think it is discharged or sprayed because the purple doesn't always go through the yarn. The previous statements are my own guesses as a non-dyer knitter. I hope I can get Esmeralda to do a vlog with me about her yarns.  

Lofty Lou's in Placeville, CA

Lofty Lou's in Placeville, CA
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

Lofty Lou's

Each trip I take to Tahoe Lake gives me an opportunity to visit Lofty Lou's in Placerville, CA. Lofty Lou's is a cute LYS stocked with yarns and fibers for spinning. I visit for Lou's handspun yarn. I purchased three skeins this visit.

Lou's has a nice selection of yarns for an LYS, a nice selection of books on knitting, crochet, spinning and weaving. Staff have always been nice when I've visited and willing to help other knitters that come in. 

Lou's handspun is being used in a current WIP that's been stalled because I don't know how I'm going to do v-neck. The WIP is a pullover vest. 

I have an appreciation for handspun yarns and really like knitting with it whenever I can. I'm willing to pay for the yarn because of the skill and artistry that goes into its creation. You would think that I would learn to spin. I'm ok not spinning now and glad to support those wonderful spinners out there. 

I'll post some pictures of the yarn soon. 

Mandarin Duck by Lake Tahoe Yarn Company

Mandarin Duck by Lake Tahoe Yarn Company
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

Mandarin Duck by Lake Tahoe Yarn Company 
Truckee, CA 530-587-1060 
100% superwash Merino
270 yards
5 sts=1" on US #7

The colors are inspired by a photograph that the owner put on the label. It's a mandarin duck. The colors of the yarn didn't photograph well. The dark color isn't black, it's a rich teal. That teal next to the orange and brown is visually exciting.

This yarn will make beautiful socks for me. I like thicker socks. Honestly, I like knitting socks in thicker yarns because they are faster to knit. Sock weight yarns require smaller needles which aren't as comfortable to knit with my hands.  

A Beautiful View: Measure for Measure

A Beautiful View
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

A. and i took the 45-minute drive across the north part of Lake Tahoe to arrive at Sand Harbor State Park for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare festival. This picture shows the view while watching Measure for Measure. We opted for the upper level searing area which gave us a great view of the stage for a very good price. And we also had a nice view of the lake.  

The beach chairs sit in sand. I have never watched theater while sitting in the sand. I've never had some with a shovel offer to get my chair level.  That made me smile. I snapped a photo of the guy using his shovel but the picture is too dark. 

The performance was enjoyable. I had some difficulties adjusting to the sound system and the language. The highlight of the show was the performance by Gina Daniels as Isabella. Her stage prescence was commanding in a gentle and pious manner appropriate for the character.   I'm really happy that I saw the show. 

This performance was an Equity Performance and that means there should be no photos or recordings taken during the performance. My photo was taken before the performance started. There was a person taking photos during the first act. That bothered me. She started to take photos at the top of the second act and I went over and told her that "photos are not to be taken during the performance.". She stared at me, shocked. "please put the camera away now." She did.  

I got Crazy Zauberball

I got Crazy Zauberball
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

Crazy Zauberball
420 m=100 g
75% virgin wool 25% nylon
purchased at Imagiknit in San Francisco http://www.imagiknit.com/ 

We arrived in SF on Saturday and headed to the Castro for lunch. After lunch, we wandered around for a bit  I felt the need to find yarn. 

I really like http://www.knitmap.com/ I've been using it a lot on this vacation to find local yarn shops. I've been to Imaginknit in San Francisco on my last trip and saw we were really close to the shop. 

Have you ever been to Imaginknit? It's quite a nice shop. There are two rooms, one for wool and the other for plant and man-made fibers arranged from lace-weight to super-bulky. What I saw at the sop but didn't pick up was the new Jared Flood book, Made in Brooklyn. I'll have to find it later.  

When I discovered this Zauberball in the sock area I actually gasp outloud. I'd seen this yarn on Ravelry and heard people talking about it. It is colorful and exciting. I know I'll be able to get a full pair of socks out of it (460 yards) if that's what  I decide to make. I am struggling with not wanting to knit socks on really small needles. 
   

Rainbow Trails: A View To Remember

Rainbow Trails: A View To Remember
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

Yesterday we drove around Lake Tahoe. The 81 mile trip gave great photo opportunities and we stopped several times just to snap photos. On 89 N, just after leaving 50, there is a little park that you can park your car and walk. This photo was taken on the Rainbow Trail. The trail is named for the Rainbow trout that swims in the streams/river. 

The amazing view here shows the delicate balance of nature. Off in the distance is the lake. The lake gives way to marsh. Marsh gives way to meadow. Meadow gives way to forest. It was easy to see the difference between these areas. Hmmmm. I learned something on vacation. :)

The knitting on the karius-type shawl is going rather well. This skein Kureyon sock yarn hasn't been twisting and snagging as much as my first shawl. this skein is a second (or possibly third) run o the new yarn and I think Noro has worked out a lot of the technical difficulties.  I agree with you Kay in New Mexico, the colors are wonderful. I don't think I would actually put the skein into a hank, wash it and then reskein it. That takes time away from my knitting. *grin*

I just got to the halfway point on the shawl last night and started the decreases. I'll post my pattern adjustment here and on Ravelry when I'm finished with the shawl. 

I appreciate the comments on the vlog post. I'm vlog answers to your questions Beth when I can use my video. Congratulations on your son getting into CCAD.

Vlog postings will resume in about two weeks. I'm taking some video but have no way to upload. Comment with questions if you like. 

BTW: Jeanne from Jimmy Beans Wool read my post. That made me very happy. It's one of those "brushes with greatness" I treasure.    

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

While visiting Jimmy Beans Wool, I picked up a special edition yarn by Lorna's Laces in Shepherd Sport called March 2009 Garden Daze. Jimmy Beans has a monthly special colorway arrangement with Lorna's. They get a colorway in all the yarn options. Once it's gone, it's gone. I'm glad this is one of my vacation purchases.    

I also picked up the fall 2009 issue of Vogue Knitting. I'll give a review after I have a chance to read it.

Jimmy Beans Wool

Jimmy Beans Wool
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

While on vacation, I found the Jimmy Beans Wool store!  We made it to the shop without difficulty and discovered they have in amazing amount of Lorna's Laces!  So much in fact, that I found it difficult not to throw all the yarn into a pile and roll around in it. Jeanne was a pleasure to see while there.

Knitting at the Grand Canyon

I took two videos while on vacation and visiting the Grand Canyon.




(The sound quality is low, I took these with my digital camera...I'm wanting a video camera sometime)

I took several other videos while at the Grand Canyon. You can visit them on youtube once I get them link.

We're Back!

Arrived safely on Monday.
Got home on Tuesday (because half our luggage arrived at 4 a.m. so we slept at the M's house).
Took lots and lots of photos. Downloading them to the laptop now and will get them on flickr in the next several days.

We had a wonderful time. The weather was great, company extraordinary, and vacation a great success.

Some knitting was done on socks. I'm getting ready to start the "afterthought" heels and I'll call them finish.

Vacation Knitting!

So, I'm back from vacation. Met at work with 310 emails and lots of stuff that needs my "immediate" attention. Had some great relaxation on vacation. I'll fill you in on stuff later. On with the knitting coolness!
Went to a store called "Love to Knit Yarn Shop" in Vermillion OH. Great lady owns the shop. When we arrived on Thursday late morning, there was a knitting group there just knitting away. They welcomed us without delay. These ladies were happy that I knit. I scanned her books first and found this!
A wonderful find seeing as all the Columbus stores are sold out! . Of course you'll see the "ribwarmer" spunout which the nice owner gave me. Hey, it was only $1, but the thought was important! She is an obvious lover of all things Elizabeth Zimmermann and schoolhouse press. She had a ribwarmer on display at the shop and I saw that there was no seam up the back. Got us talking of course.
I also broke down and got some other things.
They are here.
Yes, the new issue of Interweave Knits and a back issue. You'll also see some yarn. I know, I know....I'm not buying any yarn in 2005, but I made it to April. The price on the Koigu was great and she took off an extra 10% because I was using them for socks. And the Mango Moon recycled silk really goes to a good cause. It was a good purchase, I think.
Here's a close-up of the yarn!


Joanne was with me and she wanted some socks or something knit for her. I've very happy to help out. She found some bamboo yarn from Southwest Trading Company. She liked the colors. I'm knitting up a scarf in a basket weave pattern. I'll knit until I'm done. It shouldn't take too long. I did get myself a treat in the form of Lantern Moon knitting needles. Esquisite needles that help people.
Here's a picture of both the basket weave and the needles.


Bored of the knitting stuff. I'll write more later about the knitting.
Anything you want to know about vacation? Please ask!