learning to knit

I don't remember learning to knit. I know I learned as a child, and I know my Grammie Rosie taught me. What I don't remember is the actual moment I learned to use sticks and string to make a loop, pull yarn through, and make a stitch. I vaguely remember red 'Red Heart' yarn and aluminum knitting needles. My grammie also taught me to crochet. As a child I remember making 'granny squares' and 'book worm' book marks, I don't crochet anymore. I don't remember knitting anything, except a small misshapen red square.

I got bitten by the knitting bug when I was in OT school. I remember my mom at that time sitting down and refreshing my memory on how to make the loops, pull yarn through and make stitches. I made hats, mittens, socks, knitting on and off for years. When I was pregnant with my son, I was placed on bed rest. With nothing to do (daytime tv was not an option, and I couldn't focus to read), I picked up my knitting. I haven't put it down since.

Knitting, not only provides me with entertainment and a creative outlet, it connects me to my past. Both of my grandmothers knit, my mom still knits. My Grammie Rosie knit basic things, afghans, hats and mittens. In her later years, she mostly knit dish cloths (one of which is pictured above). Every Christmas she would give them as gifts. I can't bear to use the one above, it was the last one she made me before she died. I try to remember her teaching me to knit and crochet, but the memory remains fuzzy. When you're a kid, you don't know that moment will be important one day. She still sits with me when I knit. When I am trying to tell myself that the mistake I made 3 rows back, which I think I can live with because "no one will know it is there"...She tells me, "but, you will know it is there" is always her response. She is right, I fix the mistake and go on. I tell her: "Thank-you grammie, for giving me this gift. Like so many of the things you gave me it came from your heart." Unlike so many material things/gifts that are cast off, I still have knitting to bring me joy, comfort, and connection.

On the knitting front, I have been sock crazy. I currently have 3 pairs in various stages of completion, and am thinking about casting on another pair in some of the 'Bearfoot' I picked-up last week. They are the perfect summer project, portable and small. Our summer has been pretty cool (I am not complaining, I hate hot, humid weather), so I have not had to put away the knitting. My last order from the Loopy Ewe put me in 'Loopy Groupie' status, with lots of cool stuff included in the package. I generally try to shop at my LYSs, but TLE has lots of great independent dyers, that I can't find here, and their customer service is great.
Here are my Mini Mochi socks, heel is turned and I am on the home stretch:

tour de fleece

I decided that my goals for this year's Tour de Fleece would be to spin a 4 ply cabled yarn. I have been reading Judith MacKenzie McCuin's Intentional Spinner and Amy King's Spin Control . In addition, got some tips from HokieKnitter and working4yarn on ravelry (one of the many reasons I love ravelry is the ability to ask questions of other fiber freaks).

I picked fiber from the stash, fulfilling another goal of spinning from stash. The sparkly batt is an Enchanted Knoll farm raised batt in 'Monster Mash' (cotswold, targhee, sari silk and angelina), and my spring sheep share from Foxfire Fiber and Designs in Aster (wool and mohair blend). I thought the combination of fibers would work well together, and the purples complimented each other. Plus, Josette and Barb are two of my favorite fiber folks, I liked the idea of their wools combining in a happy yarn.

Next I spun 4 bobbins of singles. This was hard, because I spinning mojo was not in full force, due to an ear infection and such. Once the singles were spun, I plied them into a 2 ply with lots of twist (recommended by the books and the spinners mentioned above).

I then cabled the 2 bobbins of 2ply. In Judith's book, she recommends using a fast take-up and allowing the yarns to snap together. I love how the yarn looks. It was a multi step process, but taken a step at a time it wasn't bad. I will do it again. It makes a very strong yarn. I am thinking cabled mittens for me.

I started spinning last June. My goal for this year is to become more technically proficient in my spinning and to try new things. I may make mistakes along the way, but I will learn more from the mistakes than staying in my comfort zone. My next challenge, core spinning. I'll keep you posted.

out and about

I am off on Wednesdays, during the summer Whyboy and I are out and about. Today we went to the Henry Vilas Zoo, so Whyboy could checkout the gila monster and green tree python. It is a much smaller zoo than the Milwaukee zoo, but it is in town, and free! We go there a lot. Whyboy was thrilled to see the gila monster and the green tree python. We took pictures of the gila monsters for his cousin, she doesn't believe they exist. The anaconda's were very active, which we have never seen. We stopped at the 'zoo store' and Whyboy picked out a stuffed green python.

After the zoo, we headed to Lakeside Fibers, another one of my favorite LYS's. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but they had a bunch of Mountain Colors Bearfoot sock yarn. I love Mountain Colors yarn, the colors are so rich and the yarn is yummy to work with. I couldn't make up my mind. I was chatting with 2 knitters who were visiting from OK, trying to pick out colors. I finally decided on Copper Mountain and Glacier Teal, checked out and filled my punch card. Since I now had $20 to spend, I also bought Larkspur Bearfoot and some more Mini-Mochi in Flame Rainbow. While I was shopping Whyboy was chatting away with the store clerk and his snake. He decided to name the snake 'James' and told her all about various snakes and reptiles. The clerk thought he was 'cute', which was nice. Whyboy is intense, and a bit hyper-verbal, especially about subjects he in interested in (reptiles, dinosaurs). Sometimes I wonder what people think of him when they meet him for the first time.

After stopping for some groceries, we arrived home. I finished my cabled yarn. It is drying as I type. I decided to start spinning some Blue Ring Octopus lambkins merino roving from Enchanted Knoll Farm. I love spinning lambkins, it is so soft and drafts like a dream. Planning a bulky yarn to knit something for Whyboy. I made pesto, and got dinner ready (whole wheat pasta, green beans and pesto). Whyboy has T-ball tonight, and he wants turn his room into a 'jungle' so 'James' feels at home.

biking and spinning

Yesterday, my spinning mojo finally returned. I am participating in the Tour de Fleece on Ravelry. I have been in a bit of a slump, and not spinning as much as I hoped to. Most of this is due to being knocked out with an ear infection, and being on antibiotics for 3 weeks. I am finally starting to get my energy back. I cranked some Neil Young (Everybody Knows This is Nowhere), finished the singles and started the plying, for a 4 ply cabled yarn. I will discuss the full process in a later post.

This morning, we headed out to bike the Sugar River Trail. A nice level trail built on an old rail bed, through the rolling countryside.

We stopped for lunch in Monticello,WI, at the M&M Cafe. It is a little diner with great food. The pie is supposed to be wonderful, but we were saving room for ice cream. Whyboy always needs a bit of encouragement to finish the ride. After lunch, we headed across the street to play in a local park.

On the way back to the trail head, we stopped to take pictures of cows. Whyboy peddled hard on the way back....ice cream is a powerful motivator.

farmer's market

Most Saturday mornings, at 6:30 (from late April to early November) you will find me at Dane County Farmer's Market. Cooking with local, fresh ingredients is one of my passions. I love going to market, strolling around the square with my friends, and chatting with the farmers. I have developed friendships with many of these farmer's over the years. Join me for a walk around the square.

6:15: I get my coffee, and join G. on the bench to wait for the rest of the crew. Bill from Snug Haven Farm stops by to chat and give me the rundown on the tomato varieties he has available today. By 6:30 there are 6 of us who set off around the square.

My first stop is at Snug Haven for tomatoes. Bill explains to the guy helping out, that I am a 'repeat offender'. Bill knows I will be there, weekly and yearly buying his tomatoes. Today I buy some sungolds and early girls. Sungolds are incredibly sweet cherry tomatoes, that Whyboy eats like candy. Next is Fountain Prairie for grass fed beef, I choose a flank steak for tonight's dinner. On the first leg of the square I picked up corn, cherries, strawberries, and blueberries.

At Jones Valley Farm I buy mesculn mix. I am totally addicted to their greens. As the winter wears on I actually find myself dreaming about them. They are so succulent, with a slight bite. Paired with feta, strawberries and a simple vinaigrette (my current favorite salad), heavenly!

I treat myself to a bunch of flowers every week from Bill and Julie. Today Julie tells me that their daughter got engaged, I tell her that I know a good place for flowers and laugh...the flowers for my wedding came from their farm.

One of the rewards of being an early market shopper is that you get the good stuff. At Blue Skies Berry Farm, I was rewarded with their only raspberries of the week, much to my friend, G's, dismay. I did offer to share a few. They also had haricot verts, tender little green beans...are you hungry yet?

I picked up some raw honey at Blue Valley farms. My breakfast most mornings consists of yogurt, berries and honey. At Hook's cheese, I picked up some Farmer's cheese. Tony and Julie are award winning cheese makers. Their 12 year cheddar is amazing, just ask my dad. I bring it to him when I visit, and he rations it out to us, because it is "for good." Along the way I picked up sugar snap peas, basil and other veggies.

Remember I mentioned the feta in my salad....well, that feta comes from Butler's Farm. Janet makes lovely sheep's milk cheeses. Sheep's milk feta is divine, very creamy with a bit of a salty, briny bite. She also sells the most incredible eggs...with deep yellow-orange yolks. I also pick up some brebis, a fresh cheese. We chat a bit about knitting and spinning, and I almost forget to pay.

I thought I was done shopping, but some black cap raspberries caught my eye...with the last of my cash, I bought them. Their flavor is so delicate, and they are wondrous in my morning yogurt.

Tonight's dinner will be entirely local: flank steak, potatoes, salad, and grilled baby zucchini. It is the kind of meal I try to prepare most of the time. Growing up we enjoyed the bounty of my grandfathers' gardens. I remember waiting for the first tomatoes for a tomato sandwich (my favorite summer lunch), shucking peas, beet greens with little beets, and filling the pantry with pickles and canned goods. We picked strawberries, black berries and wild blueberries for jams and to freeze. As I grew older I started going to farmer's markets. Living in Madison I am spoiled by the prevalence and abundance of locally grown foods. I enjoy knowing where my food comes from and developing a relationship with the people who grow my food. The local food movement is growing, I don't want to sound preachy, but if you are interested may I suggest: The Omnivore's Dilemma, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, or Fields of Plenty.

Now off to spin, more on that later.

zoo tripping...

Today Whyboy, J. and I headed out to the Milwaukee County Zoo. Someone at camp had told Whyboy there was a cobra there, and he is in a bit of a snake/reptile phase now. Needless to say he was very excited. I don't really understand the snake fascination. He was dismayed at not finding any garter snakes in our yard this weekend. He came up with the idea of releasing mice into the yard to entice the snakes to take up residence.

Once we got to the zoo, he asked every 5 minutes when we would get to the snakes. It was a nice day, sunny with a bit of a breeze. We wandered through the exhibits. They have a great Big Cat exhibit with cheetahs, and snow leopards. There is a platform that lets you get eye to eye with a giraffe. Whyboy liked seeing these animals, but he was holding out maximum excitement for the reptiles. Seeing the Mongoose and Meerkat peaked his interest (they kill cobras, you know). He could hardly contain himself when we finally entered the exhibit, and right there was a King Cobra. He was mesmerized. The Cobra just was just laying there, but to Whyboy this was as good as it gets...eye to eye with a Cobra. "He's playing dead" he told me. He learned from PBS Nature, that snakes will play dead when they are in danger...this only added to the charm.

In the gift shop he found Cobra and Meerkat figurines. He is planning a Rikki Tikki Tavi celebration. He has been watching Rikki Tikki for weeks. So far the plan is that we will invite our neighbors (the girl is 2 1/2 and loves Whyboy), have cake, and play "Mongoose Games" (Rikki Tikki Tag and Cobra Hide and Seek). Since we couldn't find a mongoose, the meerkat will have to do. The cobra and mongoose (meerkat) will decorate the cake. I am surprised he went for the substitution, he is usually a stickler for authenticity.

I made good progress on the Vanilla socks on the drive to and from the zoo. I really need to get some spinning done today for the Tour de Fleece. Thanks to Seabluewool for the words of encouragement.

socks...

Many knitters have answered the question why knit socks? I always have socks on the needles, at least a few pairs going at once. I generally knit them 2 at a time, so no more orphaned socks in the knitting basket. They are portable and I have a bit of an unhealthy addiction to sock yarn....really I can 't resist it. Lately I have been spinning my own sock yarn from lovely batts from Enchanted Knoll Happy Hooves batts created by the lovely Farm-witch. This hasn't stopped me from buying sock yarn, though. Last Friday I spent 6 hours in a computer training for work (I never sit that long without knitting or spinning), after that I just needed a fix. You know that feeling, you just have to go look, fondle, smell some yarn. I headed to the Sow's Ear, ya' know 'just to look'. After all I am on a yarn diet, and I am supposed to be finishing things....plus I just cast-on a pair of socks a few days ago. Well, I totally fell for some Mini Mochi in the Rainbow colorway. Cast them on in the shop, while sipping lemonade. There is no better feeling then buying yarn and casting on. I did need some vanilla socks for knitting at work during my lunch. The Mini Mochi is so soft and fuzzy. It is a single, not plied, a blend of sw wool and nylon. I am knitting it at a gage of 9 sts/in, hopefully they will wear well.

I finished a pair of Monkeys out of my handspun (March Happy Hooves, Cabaret). I love the pattern so much, I immediately cast on another pair this time in my One Fish, Two Fish handspun (May Happy Hooves) for my friend, Susan. I have knit her 2 pairs of socks, and she loves them dearly (even offered to buy me sock yarn...little does she know what lurks in the stash). I don't mind knitting for non-knitters, who are wool worthy.

When I pulled out my newly cast-on vanilla socks at lunch, my friend PK looked at me wondering when her socks will be done. I assured her they would be ready for fall, not like she can wear them now. She picked out the yarn last Sept. at the WI Sheep and Wool Festival from Creatively Dyed. I am currently at the heel...half done. Maybe she will have them for this year's festival.

why?

Why can't we have an alligator in the back yard? Why can't I release mice to attract snakes to our house? Why is Ezzy our pet, she is boring....Why? Why? Why????

Why start a blog? I'm not really sure. It is just that sometimes there are things I want to write down, so I don't forget. I am a mom of a boy, a six year-old boy, who asks questions. I don't always have the answers, and I usually have to hold back laughter. Once out of the blue, he asked "why aren't we cannibals?" Like he had been thinking all morning about this as a potential lifestyle choice. I am always torn between the easy, quick answer and the longer, more complicated answer.

When contemplating the big and little questions posed by my son, I knit and spin. Both give me space to think, and sometimes I actually finish something.

Join me for some knitting, spinning and kid adventures.