Friday Frolics (I know, I can’t think of anything better)

Here’s a picture of a pretty little knitted gift bag my Taos knitting friend, Laura, gave me.  Tucked inside was a safety pin full of pearl and bead stitchmarkers.  I’ll be reminded of her every time I use them.
 
Laura is the one who “founded” our knitting group that has become so close-knit (pun [...]

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Knitting in the Garden

In spite of the high winds we’ve had in Taos lately, I’ve been able to get in a little knitting in the garden.  Our garden walls block some of the wind, and the light is wonderful for seeing small stitches and true colors of yarn.
I’ve gotten to the heel flap on the first of the [...]

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May Take It Further Challenge Completed

For the month of May Sharon B issued this challenge:
What do you call yourself, and why? 
This question has a very specific focus with regard to those of us who work with fibers, fabric, color, design, etc. 
The challenge color palette uses these colors:

At first I wanted to make some kind of garment, either a [...]

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Diamonds and Pearls Shawl Completed

Yesterday I blocked my Diamonds and Pearls Shawl and today it is off the board and ready to wear.

I am quite pleased with how it turned out, although I’m not sure I blocked the shoulder shaping correctly.  And I did have trouble with the bind off, as many other people have had. 
I [...]

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To the Blocking Board

I finished the knitting on my Diamonds and Pearls Shawl yesterday and it’s ready to be washed and blocked.  Lace blocking takes quite a while to get just right, so I am anticipating a pretty intensive time getting this piece blocked.  I want to handle it very carefully because the yarn is mohair and silk.
It [...]

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Pagosa Fiber Festival

We couldn’t have asked for a better day.  We kept saying that over and over as three of us from the Taos Yarn Lovers knitting group traveled from Taos to the Pagosa Fiber Festival in Pagosa Springs, Colorado yesterday.
The sky was crystal blue punctuated by fluffy clouds that appeared to be painted onto that gorgeous [...]

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Great Desserts

Most of my creative activity Friday and Saturday went into making desserts for our neighborhood Memorial weekend block party.  Several of the people who have homes in our little subdivision in Taos do not live here full time.  So whenever nearly everyone is here we have a party.
It’s become traditional for me to bring dessert, [...]

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First Attempt

On Wednesday Linda from my knitting group taught me how to spin using a drop spindle.  Boy, did I feel like a klutz.  However, she told me I was doing fine and to keep practicing.

She sent me home with a spindle and some roving and I’ve been practicing a couple times a day.

Yesterday [...]

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A Surprise Gift

Last night my friend Meredith gave me a wonderful going away gift when our knitting group gathered over pizza.  Although I’m not moving for a couple of weeks yet, we wanted to share a meal together before I leave.

Meredith totally surprised me with this gorgeous cashmere scarf.  I think she said the lace pattern [...]

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Diamonds and Pearls

I started my Diamonds and Pearls Shawl designed by Sheila January in The Knitter’s Book of Yarn yesterday.  I’m using the suggested yarn, Artyarns Silk Rhapsody, in a pink and green colorway, no. 105.
This is the third pattern I’ve worked from this book, and also the third Sheila January pattern.  I really like her [...]

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