theraineysisters knitting and so much more

This is a tale from my long and sordid past.  When I was a mere twenty-something, I fancied myself to be quite the crafter.  I dabbled in everything: tatting, embroidery, crewel, knitting, and it was the hey day of my sewing years.

The other day I was reading Yarn Harlot and had a total flash back — the post was about loom weaving.  OMG!  I remembered that I own a loom!!  I have owned a loom for decades, but have never even taken the bloomin’ thing out of the box:

You can see that the box has suffered many moves over the years and yet the loom itself is brand new…untouched as it were.

Why has it not been removed from the box, you might ask?  This:

“Owners of Natural Erica Looms should apply a finish before assembly.”  Okay, then, buh bye!!  I shut that box so fast it would make your head spin and I have not opened it since!!  The thought of sanding and varnishing and whatever else just turned me completely off from weaving.  They are out of production but available here and there —  someone else bought “my” loom at a garage sale for $5!!! 

My fantasy about weaving was that I would knit a sweater and then weave fabric to make a matching skirt ala Harris Tweed.  Oh, well.  Maybe I’ll get it out someday and actually put it together, but for now, back in the box, Erica (“No, no, not the box!!”).

Last evening I had so much fun!  My knitting group started an annual holiday tradition several years ago.  Mary — knitting peep and wonderful hostess! — has our Thursdays at Four group to her home and does all of the cooking.  This year, yummy spaghetti with all of the trimmings!  We then sit, chat, laugh, and have a gift exchange.  It is really one of the highlights of my holiday season. 

Mary presented me with an additional surprise:

It is a book with a ton of hilarious pictures of sock monkeys in different garb and circumstances.  I laughed  until I cried  ! 

Thanks to all of you for a wonderful evening!!

Last Monday I met up with some fun knitting peeps at a LYS near my work.  Beth mentioned the new knitting store in Mahtomedi called Lila and Claudine’s and, hey, I’m in!!  We all decided to head to Mahtomedi on Friday to check it out.  It was well worth the trip. 

When you enter the building, you need to go downstairs to the huge shop (because of the stairs, it is not “accessible”):

The elaborate decorating on the stairs gives you an inkling of things to come!  Here are some pictures that give you an idea of this fun and whimsical shop…

Wow, right?  It is a kaleidoscope of color and fun.  It took me at least 20 minutes to notice the yarn — and they do have a very impressive inventory.  Truth be told, it is a gift shop as much as a knitting store, but there is plenty for all.  Sisters Polly and Kirsten own the store, which is named for their grandmothers.  They are both warm, welcoming and VERY helpful.  They encourage knitters to stop and knit a while!

I did buy a little bit of yarn because they had some things I had not seen elsewhere.  I’ll show it as I knit it up — it is mostly for some more small Christmas projects.   We ate down the street at a little Italian deli called Roma’s that boasts a fine menu and a woodfire pizza oven.  Mahtomedi is northeast of St. Paul, but it only took about 30-40 minutes for me to get there.

To wrap it up, here is a picture of either Lila or Claudine!

My, I ate a lot yesterday!  Oh, well. It is the tradition we have grown to love.  My beloved FIL did all of the cooking (with daughter Mary’s help) but said he just couldn’t do it any more.  It really is hard to see him get older and unable to do what he enjoys. 

Today I did something I NEVER do: I woke up at 4:30 am and ran out to Target to buy a $3 toaster (page 21)!  My husband thought I was crazy…hey, crazy smart!  I did indeed snag me a $3 toaster that I plan on taking to work.  I did not want to spend a lot (check) because I knew it was not an appropriate charge for reimbursement (check).  So, I marched into Target with hundreds of other idiots bargain hunters who were there for much more interesting items.

On the gift-knitting front — I have opted for much smaller scale projects than Surly.  Here you see the latest of my recent FOs, knit for my niece (sister to the Marsan Watchcap recipient):

The pattern is Baby Fan Mitts by Morgan Wolf (free Ravelry download).  I loved the feather and fan lace and the fact that the right and left glovelets are identical.  I also liked what Morgan said about the sizing:

“The gloves measure 6.5 inches (16 cm) around and 6.5 inches (16 cm) from cuff to top. Thanks to the stretchiness of the lace, they are comfortable for hands up to 8 inches so they fit women’s size medium to large. Adjustments to size can be made by adjusting yarn and needle size.”

Not being sure of Tara’s size, I like the idea that they stretch to fit just about anyone.  They do fit me very well and would certainly fit someone with smaller hands.  I do not think mine would stretch to 8″ though because my bind off is too tight.  If Tara’s hands ARE larger than mine, I will need to redo the bind off.

The only change I made was to the decreases — Morgan has all of the decreases worked as “k2tog.”  I changed the two at the end of the pattern repeat to SSK for symmetry. 

Project Summary

Grade: A

Pattern: Baby Fan Mitts by Morgan Wolf

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Suri Alpaca and Silk (80% Suri Alpaca, 20% Silk; 109 yards per 50 grams, 2 skeins)

Color: Deep Velvet #2015

Needles: US Size 3 dpns

We are so happy this year to be spending the day with our families — unfortunately not everyone together in the same place, but all of us with someone!  Susan’s husband works crazy shifts and this is the first holiday in a very long time that he will be able to spend the day with his father and siblings, of course with Susan and daughters in tow.  Our dad is visiting Sally (if she can get him out of the Air and Space Museum 😉 ), and Nora is home from school for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Sally has another special visitor and may share a photo!  Brother Barry is with his kids and his wife’s side of the family.   So together but separate are we.

Hope all of you are sharing this holiday with someone you love.

ETA from Sally: Yep — my Little Assistant is visiting for the holiday. It’s really good to see him.