From Susan:
I just got back from my brief visit to DC. If you’ve been reading our blog you know that Sally had recent bunion surgery. She is getting along pretty well but can use some assistance, and it was a good excuse to get together.
Thursday
First order of business was cooking — I was asked (ordered, directed, instructed, forced??) to bake both a “Cockeyed Cake” and a “Twinkie Cake.” These time-honored recipes are family favorites (esp the Cockeyed Cake, which originated as either a Depression era or WWII cake). After that I made tacos, homemade pizza, and shortbread cookies. And then a second Cockeyed Cake!! When did I knit? In between batches!
Friday
We had lunch with Wendy Johnson of WendyKnits fame. She is a world-renowned knitter and published author. We had a great time! It felt like I’d known her for ages because I start every morning with her over a cup of coffee (reading her blog) – she treated us like old friends. With knitters you always have a lot in common. I have been inspired and humbled by her so many times and learned so much reading her tips on making socks, Norwegian knitting, etc. Â
Thanks, Wendy, for a great time! Hope we can do it next time I visit. I did present Wendy with a small gift.Â
The pattern is one I wrote up for a class I teach occasionally here in the Twin Cities and is based on a fairly standard amulet bag design — though I did use built in i-cord this time on the flap. I certainly cannot take credit for the method — check out any antique store and you will probably find a purse knitted with this style of beading. It has been around quite a while and is a fun break from most of the knitting I do.
Saturday
Sally and I worked on stash enhancement. We visited a couple of nice stores in Maryland.Â
We both fell in love with two patterns in this book and of course, silk is to die for. Mine is the silver and Sally’s the pale green.Â
From Sally:
Yes, my sister waited on me hand and foot. What about it? The cake requests were from my children — I guess they’ve been deprived of sugar during my convalescence. I insisted on the shortbread cookies, even though the recipe is right here waiting on the blog. With my husband bicycling in Italy and my children both back in school (college and high school respectively), it was really nice to have adult companionship and some help. A big thank you to my big sister.
The yarn shops we visited were Woolstock in Glyndon and All About Yarn in Columbia. Both shops are fun places to shop and they both carry beautiful yarn. We were especially taken by the buttons at Woolstock and by the beautiful silk yarn at All About Yarn.
When Susan was allowed out of the kitchen, we sat in my library and watched movies while we knitted. A favorite was the classic film noir Double Indemnity. Barbara Stanwyck is bored with her husband and reduced to knitting (the horror!) until Fred MacMurray comes along. Yes, those insurance salesman are SO much more interesting . . .
The amulet bag is so wonderful! Will you consider offering for sale the pattern and/or kits? I will be first in line to buy!
Comment by me, Mavis — September 11, 2006 @ 6:38 pm
Just found your blog in a link from Wendy. What fun to read that you had gone to two of my favorite shops! (I live in Towson.) I’ll be reading your blog again. And you made me jealous…my sister and I are close (although she lives in Denver), but she is not a knitter…but I keep working on her!
I love the amulet bag. I have done some beaded knitting of jewelry and just love it. And what wonderful gifts beaded knitting items make.
Comment by Doris — September 11, 2006 @ 6:59 pm
Good to hear that Sally is getting better. What better way to celebrate than with loved ones, knitterly friends and stash enhancment? I’m not looking at that Claudia yarn! Handpainted yarn is my weakness. The pure silk looks gorgeous.
Comment by Marina — September 11, 2006 @ 8:47 pm
From Jena
Its good to have my mommy back!!!!!
Comment by surly — September 11, 2006 @ 9:46 pm
From Susan:
It is good to be back with my Bena!!
Comment by surly — September 11, 2006 @ 9:47 pm
I found your site through the fair isle knitters’ ring link on Wendy’s site. Your Starmore sweaters areamazing. How do you work the i-cord border on the purse flap? I have knit several of these type of bags from a Bag Lady pattern, but the flaps on mine don’t look very finished.
I hope Dear Surly’s foot is better soon. I have a heel spur, so I know first-hand that when your feet hurt, you hurt all over.
Brenda in Iowa.
Comment by Brenda — September 11, 2006 @ 11:30 pm
I clicked in this direction from Wendy’s blog–and see that Susan is a Minnesota girl. (Sally, were you one too before heading east? or did Susan head west?). The beaded bag you gave Wendy is lovely (and I love the colors). Do you sell the kits somewhere in the Metro area? I may have to send friends and family on a mission (although I do have a pretty healthy bead stash…hmm). I’m in Rochester–not so far away. Nice to run across other Minnesota knitters (and bloggers)
Comment by Judy in MN — September 12, 2006 @ 7:25 am