3rd Annual Knitting Retreat

Nokomis knitters just returned from their 3rd annual knitting retreat at Bug Bee hive resort in Paynesville Minnesota. Before we left we picked up my Facebook friend, Fudwick Pilwinkle the garden gnome so he could participate on the knitting retreat. Apparently like all or most garden gnomes, Fudwick like to travel. He did put on his speedo to go to the pool and hot tub, but it was too cold. We coordinate meals and clean up, and we have someone that brings her espresso machine and makes wonderful Lattes.

 Fudwick at the bug-Bee sign

 Fudwick by our door at Colony A.

 Heidi contemplating Fudwick and his new found friends.

 Fudwick met friends at the cabin, they are Desuma (with the pink hair) and Tip (sitting and bald).

 Fudwick and Desuma

Some of our knitting friends, knitting of course.


We went to yarn shops on the way up and while we were there. There is Silver Creek Cabin in Buffalo, Gruber's and Bonnie's Spinning wheel in Saint Cloud, in New London there is Uniquely Knit and The Flying Goose.

Heidi and Tia knitting

Some projects were finished, some were started, some were frogged. I finished the back of my sweater in progress, did some frogging on a sleeve and a slipper I started while there. I began a pair of Fast and Furious Fingerless Mitts while I was there.

Smart phone?

One of the reasons I went to a smart phone was to make blogging on the go easier, I have to say it has taken me far too long in finding the blogger app. Before this I did manage to get one post out via phone and now I can happily say that I have another one out. This being said, I now hope to post more often.
I haave been working out a rough patch with myself and. At present I am climbing back up hill. I am one of the secretaries of the Minnesota Knitters Guild, I am looking forward to this new opportunity to add some of the needed change to my life. Unlike most people I am agreeable with change, I facilitate it, lifes inertia pushes me in to it when I begin to feel as though I am suffocating in a vacuume (dang! I knew how to spell that word once).
I finished the wrap I was working on for my niece along with a couple pairs of baby socks and now I am working on a summer sweater, because it was calling to me incredibly loudly. I have not forgotten about the bazillion winter sweaters I have in progress, nor am I any longer delusioned that they may not know I am cheating on them with this lovely linnen sommer sweater.
I am bringing my new sweater that I am making, the Pemberly slipper project as well as a sock project on the retreat. I am getting things together to bring on the retreat and I should be at least half packed for it by weeks end, although it is two weeks away.
My niece had her baby boy last Friday, Korey Floyd was born at 12:40pm, seven pounds and looks like his momma, according to Gramma. I am going down for a visit before the retreat to meet little Korey Floyd and hug his momma.
I tried out a new egg bake recipie for the retreat and have been eating a lot of egg bake since, I could be burning out on it before the retreat, so, making egg bake and oatmeal for beakfast on my day to cook.

Keep your sticks clicking and happy stitching trails

Cabled Waves of Love Wrap

I decided to make a wrap for my niece to use while nursing her baby, Who is due to arrive at the end of March. I had a few synaptic hiccups in getting this started, for example; I started out getting advice from a couple of knitters at the table who have children, even went through the motion of looking at yarn with one of them and almost had something picked out when I had a "look, shiny" moment. Needless to say, reviewing the yarn after purchase and starting, although it is lovely, soft and beautiful, I bought the hand wash yarn, a lovely WOOL BAM BOO by Classic Elite, but not super wash.
Ok, I think she may be able to deal with this.
Next, when I was buying the yarn, I remembered that all my #6 needles were engaged in other projects, so I picked up an inexpensive circular to get me through the project. THAT WAS A MISTAKE! I have now discovered I'm a needle snob. I could not for the life of me deal with that needle. It did not feel right, the cable was stiff, I was so frustrated, so I thought I would try to fix the problem. I took the needle back to the yarn shop and begged for pity on a silly fool who bought the wrong needle, proceeded with the story of how awful it was using the needle, like going from driving a Cadillac to driving a beater; I needed an Addi needle. Fortunately, being a frequent flyer and loiterer at the shop, the owner laughed at me, said she wished she had recorded me as a testimonial to Addi Turbo needles and told me to change them out, I thanked her, paid the difference and now my project is happier, as am I. The wrap is for the baby shower at the end of February, so I have to knit like the wind.
The pattern is an eight row repeat with two cable pattern rows in it, I am hoping to have the pattern in my head soon. I wrote up a pattern for it after making a gauge swatch and deciding it would look very pretty. It will be about 31" x 74" after blocking. Right now I have about two inches in length and I am pleased with how it is looking.
Although this stitching trail had a bumpy start, but it's moving toward a happier ending.

Happy Stitching Trails to all,

Stitching hermit

An update in the life

I was able to pass on some of my dads wisdom today and it felt really good when I was thanked for it; in return, thank you dad. Dad always inspired me in life and he continues to do so after pasing.

I have been working on several projects and am at a point at which, I have to decide to get queued projects in process finished or do something different. The hard thing is when gifts get added and although I try to keep them simple, my newest one is going to take some effort. it's a wrap that will be 31" x 74", using a DK weight yarn. Better bust a move!

I completed a fair isle hat called Sheep Heid in a knit-a-long with Linden Hills Yarns. I believe the knit-a-long goes through the end of March, so plenty of time for anyone wishing to join in to get a kit. I get sucked into the "kool-aid" there easily at times. If nothing else I have a great gift finished.

As for gifts, I am going to keep them simple and have a couple of Quick No-Purl Keyhole Scarves made. I found this fast and simple little scarf by: Saralyn on Ravelry; it takes an hour or two to make and hey, quick gift.

The above was the key hole scarf in progress.
I knit and grafted a couple of cowls, they are so fast and easy to make and I have become good at working the ribbed Kitchener graft. So what used to take me three or four hours, now happens in about an hour or so, but definitely under two.

My niece TLM is having a baby at the end of March and the new project I picked up this week is for her. I am making a wrap using WOOL BAM BOO from Classic Elite. This is a dk yarn that is supposed to get 5.5 sts to the inch and I'm right on for gauge, so going to cast on tonight.

This is part of my gauge.
I think the pattern will be very lovely.

Time to cast on to Lost in Space and Star Trek reruns.

Happy Stitching Trails To all
Stitchinghermit

January 2012 Update

I had an eventful Holiday, but without details I can say I did enjoy myself, I spent my gift certificate from Heidi for Mary Lue and Ewe at the annual New Years Day sale. I always like going, it's free yarn mostly. I have a gift certificate, you pop a balloon to find out the percentage discount on your sale and they are always so friendly as well as helpful.
I met my niece T's new fiance, nice kid, cute. He stepped up at a very difficult time in her life, I like him a lot. Tazsmonn and I are trying to help him get a better job, T is looking at colleges and I hope they will both be able to seek higher education in time.
I finished knitting several Christmas stockings for Heidi's family, knitted several Christmas gifts, one gift was knitted by my friend J. I am starting to feel like I'm coming down from the Holiday rush, the girls (Sadie and Abella) are happy to be home as well.Tazsmonn dislikes travel, we were very glad to get back to him!
I have a large queue of projects to get to as well as to finish the Master hand knitters program level one. I have two Isager sweaters in progress as well as a few others. I would like to get a couple of things out of my queue by the retreat in April, one of which I just need to graft at this point. I am resolving for two things out of queue by April, and to finish at least one old project quarterly after that, but hope to do more. Starting with my present queue, I am looking at finishing the grafting project this week as well as a pair of hand warmers. then a sweater by April. I guess that is three projects, but I can do it.
Tehre are three sweaters in progress I want to finish this year. My lace sweater that I was working on for the challenge, and then both my Isager sweaters; the fan and the zig zag.
Yeah! Go me!
Anything besides that within the deadline is bonus!

Happy stitching trails!
Stitching Hermit

BIG wood ticks, Wait, it's too cold

What did I do? Where am I? There are huge, BIG wood ticks every where, wait, it's too cold. But I am still farther North than I have been in about a couple of decades. 

Tazsmonn is attending another AFSCME event and I am left once again ot my own devices, yes dangerous, but true. We drove up to Breezy Point Resort with one of his fellow stewards riding along. Arriving last night we checked in then decided to have dinner after unloading the car. Dinner was at Dockside Grill, Tazsmonn had the smash burger covered in sauteed mushrooms, Tim had the Walleye sandwich, I later wished I had gone with a burger or fish when I tasted the chili (which I do NOT recommend), the chili was rather soupy, not many beans or beef, I was sort of wonder what happened to them, I can eat and do like spicy and hot, but this was more like too much chili powder and not the flavorful taste bud tantalizing party on my tongue I had hoped for. I do not recommend wasting your time on this, but the guys liked what they had. The breakfast buffet this morning was lovely, with several choices, however not enough choices for the finicky eater I live with. Tazsmonn has a tough time finding food he will eat when he is away from home, so I looked for things he would eat while I was out and about.


I went out in search of adventure today! Amongst all the roads through the trees, over lakes, through woods, I saw a quilt shop, found the Yarn shop in Nisswa called Utrinket, they boast to be a purveyor of yarns, gifts and antiques.

As you can see from the picture Utinkets is in a strip mall, not readily visible from the road, inside it is full of little gifts and fun little antiques. I strolled through the yarn (as we all know I have a big stash like many other knitters) My intentions were to be good and I think I did well at that. She carries a small but very nice variety of yarns including Spud &Chloe, Lambs Pride to name a couple and there was a small table with a couple of chairs as well as an inviting little sitting area with about five comfy chairs to sit in, there was a light scent in the air so my time was limited, I found a pattern and a sock fabric for half price, so a couple of treasures to make me happy before leaving.

I still had to get gas, some sundry items and beverages. I went into Pequot Lakes and found the General Store, no medium bristled toothbrushes like Tazsmonn wanted, only soft and hard. I found some old time peppermint sticks. some cotton string to use for break bands on the spinning wheel and a pair of readers. I was in search of a toothbrush, bottled water and tea, Hershey hugs and Cashews (no salt). I have to say right now, I did not find the hugs nor did I find the cashews sans salt, I did find a small .99 cent bag of salted cashews.
Across the road from the General Store was a small pharmacy where I did find the toothbrushes and another treasure! I use hair combs and lose them (which I have to stop doing), I cant find the tortoise shell combs I like from Goody, it's like they don't make them any more. These combs are smooth and don't cut into your hair as much and I found 6 packs! at an old price. I bought them all. Yeah me!

I love these hair combs, now I have to try not to lose or misplace them. I was so excited!


I decided it was getting close to lunch, which I was on my own for so I did not have to think of anything but my own stomach. Back in Breezy Point I stopped at the BP gas station, filled the tank, picked up bottled water, tea, the little pack of cashews and had lunch at the attached Pine peaks restaurant. 


The Pin Peaks is like a little family restaurant, I had the meatball special for abut 8 dollars, 5 big meatballs glazed in an almost sweet barbeque sauce, The potatoes looked like home made mashed from scratch but I suspect differently, one of those cleaver imposter potatoes with beef gravy, green beans and carrots, a large slice of bread. all in all it was palatable, the meatballs were good, the coffee unfortunately was a watered down memory of coffee. After lunch I went across the road to where they boasted having groceries, still no luck with the Hershey hugs or the cashews.


Backing up in time to Thanksgiving, I spent the Holiday with My sister  and her family, it was lovely, I converted another member into the knitting cult, always a happy thing! 


I am making Christmas stockings for my sisters kids, at least as many as I can get done by the time I go back for Christmas. I had made one for Connor then found out that the other stocking had gone missing a couple of years ago, so I said I would try, but made no promises. Connors sock is hanging on the mantle and I have one more that needs the ends woven in and the trim attached. I am hoping to get more done but have and afghan to finish for the shop.

The socks are not huge and go fairly quick so I hope to minimally get one or two more finished.


In other knitting whimseys, I made a gone knitting hat. It was fun to make, went quickly and I am wearing at the knitting retreat.

Have to get back to the sewing the afghan.


Happy Stitching and knitting trails to to you all!

More Musings in Duluth

Today was far less adventurous and more laid back. I did a lot less crawling around the bed in my sleep last night so there was no hanging off it. I threw on yesterdays clothes this morning and went off in search of coffee, The greenery offered Starbucks coffee with that I got a bagel and went back to the room. I opened my bagel bag and discovered I had no utensil to with which to spread the cream cheese, so that was fun. Tazsmonn was off to another day of meetings and I was left once again to my own devices. I put out the "Do not disturb" sign took my time showering and dressing, watched "Family Jewels" on HBO, loked at facebook, found the knitting professors blog.

http://aknittingprofessor.blogspot.com/

Apparently she does a lot of test knitting, which would be fun, I am slightly jealous. and finishes some rather nice projects.

I was starting swatch 10 and had just taken down the sigh on the door when housekeeping knocked. Dang it's nice to have someone clean and make your bed. For lunch it was back to sneakers sports bar where we have eaten dinner for the past two nights. Sneakers is a decent place, the staff is great and the food is great as well; last night and lunch today were sans the margaritas.

Not sure what's up for tonight, but the place is full and check out is noon tomorrow. Tazsmonn has to be in a meeting at 10 so I am going to be really left to my devices and I wonder....... If I have everything in the car, perhaps a trip back to Yarn Harbor. I am going to be roomless and willhave to entertain myself sooooooo. ya, I can drive up to pick him up when he is finished, right?

I think I am going to try to get a jump on everyone and grab a luggage rack right away in the morning to get stuff to the car and then help Tazsmonn shlep his stuff out when he is ready, we will see.

Back to some serious knitting today, need to finish swatch 10 and other stuff, much knitting afoot.

Happy stitching trails to you
Stitchinghermit