I figured it was time for a Project Roundup, and a few other things. First, the few other things. You all might remember the Knitter’s Hunk contest that Kim had a couple weeks ago. I took second place for nominating the winner, Alan Rickman (but only because Emily evoked visions of a naked Alan in her tie-breaking entry–I should have thought of that). As a prize, I got a very cool package full of stuff from Kim. Here are the highlights:
Note the lovely mitts, the knitting journal, and the spectacular Lavold Silky Tweed! Oh, and the photo, in case you hadn’t noticed that. She included that as well. Thanks, Kim! Great contest!
Now the PR. I’ve still been working on that bamboo top, but am bored with it. It’s not summer anymore, it’s just miles of stockinette, and it’s going into time-out as of today. Here it is, all bagged up for now. It’s my blog, and I’ll knit what I want to.
I’ll get back to that eventually, but not now. So what’s taking it’s place in the queue?
This:
Miles and miles of grey Peace Fleece, in all its glorious sheepiness. The color is Negotiation Grey, and it will be a sweater for John. I had ordered the pattern with it, which is the Father/Son Pullover from this page, and then tried to convince him that the Cobblestone pullover from the latest Interweave would be better. He firmly likes this one though, so plain plain plain it will be. It’s a good thing I’m happy to knit plain plain plain.
Here’s where I am with Langsjal Jóhönnu. I’m about halfway done with this, and pretty much have the lace pattern stitch memorized. I have 2 more balls of the yarn left, and I have the opposite border done already, so I “just” need to knit till I only have enough yarn to do the grafting, and that’s it.
Here’s the new sock yarn, some very orangey goodness. This is Sock Hop, in the color Spirit In The Sky, one of my very favorite oldies songs.
And the sock it’s making:
You might be wondering what that big ball of yellow yarn up there is. It’s Briggs & Little Regal, another bunch of sheepy-smelling stuff. I get to use that this week. A few months ago my boss showed me a brochure from a yarn shop in Idaho. It was for a knitters’ retreat this coming week. (Click “current events” at the bottom of their home page.) Despite the fact that she didn’t know how to knit at the time, she said “Wanna go??” A short time later we were booked and ready. I’m taking this yarn, and this book with me:
Beth Brown-Reinsel is teaching a two-day class on knitting ganseys, and I am so signed up. And yes, I know I just got back from vacation. What can I say, my boss made me do this. What was I supposed to do, say I’d rather work? There is no internet access (or cellular!) where we’re going, so I’ll check back in when we get home!
Last but not least, before I forget, one of my favorite blogs is back after a summer break. Go check out the latest info on the best way to do decreases!
I want your life.
😉
Congrats on your contest win – fun goodies! I just read about your meeting with Teyani over at her place – jealous of both of you!
Ooh – you could have won 1st place if you’d mentioned that AND a martini in his hand just waiting for you. Sigh. What a cute contest and a great prize. Enjoy. But how will you concentrate on your knitting with that picture to stare at???
Project Round-Up indeed, you busy knitblogger!
Woo-hoo! What a bunch of groovitude!
I was just listening to Spirit In The Sky yesterday. I was ferrying daughters and had in a new 70s rock CD compilation. They were bemused. The oldest thought Spirit in the Sky was pretty “patchouli” — a family term for hippie-ness. Another song on there was “Kung Fu Fighting”, and they asked, “Mom, what in the world prompted that song?” I had to admit that I had no idea, and only a fuzzy recollection of it at the time. (I figured it was cashing in on Bruce Lee movies, but I told them to ask their dad, who’s a little older than I am. Ha.)
Have an awesome time at the knitting retreat; I’m jealous. In a good way. Next year, I hope to go to Meg Swansen’s Knitting Camp (I’ve always had work conflicts even though there are several weeks offered). And Annie Modesitt is part of a knitting cruise next September 2008 in New England/Quebec area — doesn’t that sound awesome? Do you think I could be gone for the first two weeks of school and not have the household fall apart? Doubtful….
I like how Alan gets bigger in every picture :o)
Nice knittiness, too!
sigh.. Alan is a dreamy guy. Congrats on your winnings 🙂
The sweater for John looks like it’ll be the perfect take-along project for pretty much anywhere you need to knit and chat.
A boss that encourages knitting retreats – how wonderful. We should all work for people like that! Have a fabulous time.
So glad everything arrived intact. And I’m liking your listening list: Cohen, Kristofferson and Cash. Nice.
What a dishy pic of Alan and great contest spoils!
I’m with Claudia, I want your life 🙂
Have fun at the retreat you lucky knitter!
Oohh…just watched Sense and Sensibility again with Alan Rickman. This girl totally gets the Alan thing!
Your prizes look fantastic, but I would expect nothing less from Kim …
I took a ganseys class from Beth Brown-Reinsel this past January and it was incredible! She is not only a great and patient teacher, but so nice on top of that.
Enjoy!
I’ve met Beth Brown-Reinsel – I didn’t take her class at the time because I was assisting Nancy Bush with hers (just a little shameless name dropping there!). But she was very gracious and I’ve heard her class is great. And I’ve made several toddler sweaters from her book. You’re going to love the techniques. And, just for the record, I go back to work from a three week vacation, work one day then take the day off for an Elsebeth Lavold class. We must have our priorities.
Alan Rickman. Droooool.
I heart Beth Brown-Reinsel. I took a twined knitting sock class from her. Tell her Mary Kay from the DFW Fiber Fest says hello.
That’s a great picture of Alan. Oh, and the other stuff you got is nice too.
I need to do a PR, but I think that today is not the day.
Birds of a feather…. spirit in the sky is the ringtone on my cell phone! 🙂 I went on the site, I would have loved to order it! But 🙁 EVERYThing is sold out 🙁
Maybe next time!
My mom is mentioned in Beth’s book. Which one do you like? Guernsey is on my mind too. Along with a few other things. 🙂
What a great opportunity you have to take that class. I love that book, and I’ve promised myself that this year (which means 2008 to me!) I will knit my first Gansey with gussets. I have one “Gansey style” I’ll try to do this fall without gussets, but then it is on to the real thing.
Your projects are inspiring! Can’t wait to see hubby’s sweater. I’m going on year 2 of making a sweater for my husband. I think I need to finish it before Christmas!! Great inspiration you will find in your class! I classes.
Oh what a lovely prize!
He IS a hunk. Do you think he has cross-age appeal?
Fall revved up the knitting, eh? I too have abandoned the summer stuff, but not as publicly. Have a wonderful time at the gansey workshop. Julia was the only one who finished her teensy gansey at TKGA this summer.
congrats on the cool prizes. I respect that Alan won – but I’m still devoted to Mike.
And it is your knitting! I agree 100 percent. A knitting retreat – that your boss wanted you to go to? You can’t have possibly said no! Have fun!
All I can say is, ‘What a TERRIFIC boss you have!’ I just purchased that Gansey book not long ago with the intention of knitting the mini-gansey sampler in it and then moving on to an Alice Starmore gansey. I’ll be keeping an eye on your blog to see what inspires you as a result of taking the class with Beth herself!
Enjoy the retreat.
I. Am. So. Jealous!
Yes! Typepad is finally letting me comment! Those socks match my sunset,
Li