a goal has been reached.

[sigh]

Finally, end to a long week and a busy weekend! My sale went super great, leaving my stock severely diminished. I had a lot of positive comments about the display and repeat customers who came back to get more, reporting how much they enjoyed what they bought last year – always a good sign.

I had also brought some yarn and sold 14 of 17 skeins. That was the biggest surprise. I didn’t think there were that many people here who would be interested in handspun yarn. Definitely something I will continue to offer. The mitts sold the best, as they have done in the past. I love it when people say, “But my fingers are the first thing to get cold!” I sold several neck muffles and snuggly cuffs too, that latter being a last minute addition.

Also today is my 23rd birthday. I do not think I’ll be buying myself a new wheel this year! Having 3 in the house is plenty. Now I’ll be able to get back to dyeing and spinning and finishing up my Christmas present knits.

staying in the house

Saturday, while knitting at Cosy’s, I started a sock using the 2 circulars method. She provided me with the yarn, which she dyed. I want to call them “Forest Walkers” or something. Anyway, the first pattern in the book was a simple ribbed sock in 3 sizes, none of which were mine. Originally I did the child’s medium, but it was determined after turning the heel that that was too small. So I got out my Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook and Knitting Rules by S. Pearl-McPhee, and did something new. I worked a gauge swatch (though tiny) and measured my foot. After finding my numbers in the charts provided, I cast on 56 stitches and went to town! Early into it, I could tell that these were going to fit me much better. I continued to refer to the 2 circs book in case there was something vitally important that I need to know regarding the intricacies of working socks on 2 circular needles. Everything went fine – I made the heel flap using a different yarn, got the heel turned, gussets, and now I’m into the foot and I feel great!

This has been a very positive experience, especially after Thursday’s series of unfortunate events.  I must be transparent in my struggles and it has been coming out here. Well, I have not had any formal training in anything – no art, no nothing! At first it was fun just to bumble through things with nothing particular in mind. But now I can’t say that. I want more predictability and I’m just not getting it. I need to take a class or something or just keep trying or just shut up.

A photo of my Birthday Axes from Richard. If you recall, from Saxon Summer, I enjoy throwing axes quite a bit.

what’s in a name?

Laura asked if I’d given the Sonata a name yet. I told her no and asked if she had any suggestions. The Ashford is Eden and the Harp is Eleanor (named in part after an adorable little girl I had the pleasure of meeting at Pennsic – if anyone could convince me to change my mind about having children, it would be her). Anyway, it’s evident that I have an “E” theme going on and I don’t mind continuing it. So, Laura supplied me with this list of names:

Elaine, Effie, Eliza, Ella, Eloise, Elsa, Enid, Erica, Esther, Ethel, Eunice

I enjoy Enid, but my brain gets a bit frazzled between Eden and Enid. The wheel is quite fancy, so maybe Eloise or Eliza.. but Elsa is fun too. Caste your votes!And here are the cupcakes I made for my birthday. I wasn’t sure if making one’s own cake was something one just didn’t do, but I was assured it was fine. But having to encourage people to sing – that was a little ridiculous. And yes, I realize the photo isn’t crisp, but I like that about it!

what else did i get?

The rest of my birthday went fine. Unfortunately it tends to snow a lot and ruin my plans, so we didn’t go out for Japanese like we’d planned on Sunday night. I opened the rest of my gifts though, along with eating some cupcakes. Sunday morning I decided on a whim that I wanted a cake for my birthday. But since I don’t really like “cake”, and I didn’t want to buy one at the grocery store, I made cupcakes instead. Cherry chip with cream cheese frosting (the only kind I like).  I dusted them with snowflake sprinkles.  

As for gifts, from my parents I got Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi with two circs and sock yarn (packaged by Knit Picks); also Vogue Knitting Vol. 3: Colorwork, which I am returning due to its uninformativeness. All it has in it is charts! What if I need help and guidance actually KNITTING WITH MULTIPLE STRANDS? The only instructional photos they had in the back were about doing yarn-overs!  The best gift was from Rich. He gave me a set of three throwing axes. Now I have my very own set that I can become acquainted with. I won’t have to wait for weapons to become available when I want to throw and I don’t have worry about someone else banging them up. Isn’t he thoughtful?

(Photos to come)

I’ve been plodding around the house toting my wheel along with me – into the living room, into the bedroom. I want an excuse to take it with me somewhere. 

happy birthday to…

Me!

I realize this all happened rather fast, but everything just fell into place! My LYS happened to be a Kromski dealer, she happened to have a Sonata in the store, it happened to be my birthday, it happens to match my loom… I couldn’t resist.

And here she is. I really wasn’t expecting this to happen so soon. Rich was sure to let me know all the reasons why I should buy it. How can it get better than that? Yes, well, it wasn’t his $500. whoa! At least I got to spend it on something I wanted rather than textbooks I’ll never read, right? Better do it now before I have electric bills to pay.

And just for some humor…