The Side Effect

I've noticed that after I attend any kind of fibery celebration I get inspired to attempt new things. Yesterday was no different. Every fiber festival has its own style or tone. The one in West Branch each fall is casual and laid back. It has a good amount of fiber, tools and techniques. The West Michigan Fiber Festival, held in Allegan is simply overwhelming in quantity of everything. There are lots and lots of vendors and demonstrators. Plus fiber animals--rabbits, sheep, goats, alpacas, and once even a camel! The atmosphere is fun frantic and the weather is often sizzling hot.

The show at Castle Farms in Charlevoix is a whole different ballgame. Being a resort area there is a...I don't know, classier atmosphere maybe? Very nice venue. There are lots of finished items. Lots of hand dyed yarns and fibers. I splurged on a couple woven shawls. One a purplish pashmina type, machine made. The other from a good friend, a dyed alpaca shawl--toasty and warm. I found a couple patterns, one with the merino yarn it called for. And a scrumptious blend of pale green mostly angora they called "crack for spinners." It is soooo soft.

But the side effect this time was that I came home inspired to try my hand at chair pads, crocheted out of roving. I tried one that was thick, soft and comfy. And the pads breath and let the air through. I may take it to spinning. Those plastic seats are very warm to sit on.

Back home, until I can find the humungus crochet hook, the Best Bud's Baby's sweater is growing. I'm getting ready to start the pocket.

And I did start one non-sweater project. A small pair of socks.

Small dog included for scale.

 

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Road Trip!

After a change of partners for the ride, the trip is on.  Another fiber friend, Pat, and I are headed to beautiful Charlevoix Michigan for a fiber arts festival at the Castle Farms.
I can't wait to get there.

Off the Needles

First off, I have received many complaints about the tentative name for the highly awaited grandchild. No one likes Lil' Roscoe. So, in the spirit of flexibility, I will henceforth call my grandchild Grandly.

But his/her first sweater is off the needles. It still needs buttons picked out, but here is a sneak peek.

I will not say it is done. I have a few ends to weave in.

Then I can cast on for the previously promised Best Bud's Baby's Sweater. Also known as Little Sparty With a Touch of Maize.

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Summer in Green and Brown

The heat goes on, making me dream of winter. But the heat has caused the corn, at least that was planted early, to pop out the tassels this week. This picture was taken early this week. Today there are tassels. Very important to the development of the ears and kernels.

But another crop is done with its growing. This field of wheat was waving in the hot breeze on Monday.

But today, not only has it been combined, the straw has need baled and picked up. Busy neighbors. But back on the homestead, we have gotten our delivery of our winter fuel.

Guess that will keep Hubby busy once it cools off.

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Lil' Roscoe's Baby Surprise

I have been hard at work knitting the first sweater for my impending grandchild (AKA Lil' Roscoe). It is the one and only Baby Surprise Jacket designed by Elizabeth Zimmermann. It is such a fun knit.

It looks like nothing hanging from the needles. But give it a few flips and folds and....bam! It's a sweater.

I have been knitting for only a week and am a bit beyond this. I should easily have it done before the end of the week. By then, I should work on Older Son's Best Bud's baby sweater. After all that baby is due in a couple months. Interestingly enough, the difference in age between these long time friends will be about the same as the difference in the age of their babies.

But for now, back to the grandchild's knitting.

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