Since this is a knitting blog, I guess I’ll actually share some knitting updates :). I have done very little on the Woman’s Continental, but I did knit a sweater since my state fair post. My great niece turned two today (Happy, BD, Erika!). Her mom called me Wednesday evening to invite us to a little party for Erika to be held yesterday afternoon. I realized that other than her family Christmas stocking, I had never knitted her anything, so I thought I’d try to whip something up. Good plan, but the timeline was a little tight. I bought the yarn on my way to knitting (on Thursday, after my day at the fair) and started that evening. Friday I worked all day. That did not leave a lot of time. I had until 3:15 pm Sunday to finish. I sewed the button on at 3 pm. I was still wet and not dressed. That is cutting it close. I’m not sure if or when it will fit her — she was covered in chocolate cake and frosting when the gift was opened, so we did not let it near her! But it was a labor of love. I’ll share a picture and project details when my daughter brings the camera back.Â
August 28, 2006
From Susan — There’s More
Sally found another picture of the the Sock Monkey Bra Gown showing the BACK, with sock monkey back pack in full view:
The name of this dress may need to change to the Sock Monkey Butt Gown. The designer is Rebecca Yaker. She sells these creations through Crafty Planet, located at 2318 Lowry Ave. NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota phone: 612-788-1180. Go ahead, you know you want one!
Are we done with monkeys yet?Â
August 26, 2006
From Susan — Going Bananas for Monkeys
Apparently we struck a chord with the State Fair post, so I thought I would share the photo I took of the Sock Monkey Bra Gown. This gown has a sleek silouette for a more sophisticated look. The gowns are not hand knit, but rather sewn from knit fabric. Please note the adorable matching back pack that rounds out the ensemble :). To view the Sock Monkey Ball Gown, scroll down through the next post.
August 24, 2006
From Susan — The 148th Minnesota State Fair
The Great Minnesota Get Together
The weather: cloudy, rainy, dreary
The crowds: not bad
The food: put it on a stick, fry it and you’ll find it there. This is pretty much how I looked after a Pronto Pup, pork chop on-a-stick, and a Caramel Pecan Log (omigod, the best!):
This is a momma pig waiting to give birth in the Miracle of Birth Center. They time the pregnancies so live births occur every day of the fair. It is pretty fascinating. The bars are to prevent mom from rolling over on the babies.
Back to What’s REALLY Important
Yes, the phone rang just as Sally hit “publish.” I called her with the “breaking news.” As usual, I was a bit surprised at what ribbons went to each item. I was absolutely certain that some things would do extremely well (they didn’t), and equally convinced that some things would not do that well or even get a ribbon (they did). This happens every year and every year I am surprised — last year pleasantly so, and this year, not so much.
The results, in a nutshell:
And, as they were displayed in the Creative Activities Building:
Sunrise was tucked behind a post, next to Mermaid:
The silk scarf was displayed rather nicely:
I could not get a good picture of the Camilla Gloves — they were hanging down from the ceiling and the light reflected so much off the glass that you couldn’t see anything.
There are many types of handiwork in the fair. In the What-the-Heck-is-That? Category:
Another guy and I were looking on in slack-jawed amazement. Check out the dress behind it with the built-in Monkey Bra.
As someone who tats, I love to see beautiful work:
And here is the sweepstakes winner:
What a gorgeous shawl. Thursdays at Four is contributing a $25 gift card from Panera’s:
I guess now we have to pay up! There was a sweepstakes award on another item as well (I don’t quite get how all the categories work). You may recognize the Koigu Hexagon Skirt from Vogue knitting:
The real excitement for me came when I found that my daughter Laura’s artwork, “Through the Woods,” had been selected for display from among the many high school entries. She won Honorable Mention (whatever that means — but, hey, a ribbon is involved!). Again, the reflection made it difficult to get a good picture:
<
So, please excuse this long post. It’s been a long day! But — it’s Thursday! I am heading to Panera’s for knitting group!
From Sally — The Tension is Building
This is the first day of the Minnesota State Fair, which means my sister will be there bright and early to see how her knitted items fared. I expect a telephone call at any moment. . . .
August 23, 2006
From Susan — A Classy Post
I taught a new class last evening and had four of my favorite knitters there, so it was really fun. I called it “I-Cord: the Versatile Wonder.” We did i-cord bind off and edging, double i-cord straps, etc.Â
The official countdown has begun. Tomorrow is the fair. We had a lot of rain last night so I am hoping for no rain tomorrow, 80 degrees and partly cloudy skies for fair day.Â
Again, my knitting mojo did not kick in yesterday. I did some knitting over my lunch hour, but nothing other than that. It will be back soon — I HOPE!! 😐
August 22, 2006
From Susan — The Earth Stopped Spinning on its Axis Yesterday
I did not knit yesterday. Not a single stitch. I cannot remember the last day that went by without knitting — they are few and far between! When I said I started the front of my jacket, I had started it Sunday at the Como Zoo. I did nothing yesterday — shame on me 🙁
August 21, 2006
From Susan — BRIEF Jacket Update
I finished the back and started one of the fronts. I sure hope it turns out — you never really know. I thought I got inspired to do this project last year, but my forensic evidence (I found the receipt) confirms that I actually decided on this project in June of 2004 — boy, time flies!
August 20, 2006
From Susan — Too Popular?
My dad once told me about the local grocery store that stopped selling one of his favorite items because they sold too fast to keep the shelves stocked.Â
I am going to Washington, DC in September to visit Sally (I’ll be her unpaid personal attendant) and to collaborate on our sweater design — plus, of course, it is a good excuse to hit a few yarn shops. I thought I would check to see when the DC Knit-Out Event is being held – what if it was held the weekend I was there.  Well, it is not being held this year at all because it proved too popular to be managed by the loyal group of volunteers that have been organizing it the past five years. They had 8,000 attendees last year!! WOW! They have decided to regroup and try to involve yarn companies, etc. to help defray the expenses. They hope to be up and running again next year. 2popular4words.
