Pet Platypus

My Zoo Swap box came in the mail and look at what waddled out...

My very own Platypus!
Isn't he the cutest?
He came all the way from Idaho

First out was a skein of 100% recycled silk yarn. It's so pretty. The colors just glow.

Next out was a skein of hand dyed sock yarn in the colorway Playful Playtpus. Everything about this yarn is perfect. The colors are my favorites. It's a tonal variegation so will look great in a patterned sock. It has tweed flecks!!! A yarn couldn't be more perfect.


Next out was the spinning fiber. A fabulous pure white Corriedale. It's so clean with a nice crisp hand and beautiful crimp. It was the wonderful heady smell of clean wool. Soap and lanolin and sunshine and sheep. I'm just back from a 3 day spinning workshop and I can't wait to use what I learned on this fiber.
And the most wonderful, cuddly, sweetest, knit Platypus. I love him.

sheltiemama you nailed it. Everything is just right and so me. Thank you.

Christmas In July

Not wanting a repeat of last year I started my Christmas/New Year's knitting early this year. Of the 10 people I knit for 5 are already finished. July is dedicated to finishing more. Wouldn't it be great to finish all Christmas knitting in the summer? The best part it's super secret knitting.

This is a good time to pull out the photos of last New Year's sweaters. Icelandic sweaters from The Best of Lopi knit in Encore Worsted.




The patterns call for a bulky weight yarn not worsted. I did a little math and cast on the size with the right stitch count and then knit the length to fit.

Mid Year Review

I'm writing my midyear review at work and what an unpleasant task. So I decided I should take on a quick fun review of life. A review of New Year's Resolutions.

1. Empty my storage unit. It took 6 months but it is done.done.done. Done after a trip or 3 this weekend to gather the last bit of debris and detritus. I said it was going to be hard. I didn't even know. Financially, emotionally, and logistically. Nothing ever goes smooth but I like having all my stuff available to me. With it locked away it felt like I was waiting for my life to begin again. I have books again. A loom in the living room again. It feels wonderful.

2. Be wound just right. I started strong. Jan, Feb, and March A+. April B. May c-. June F.

A month that involves paying overnight shipping for a deadline, staying up late and getting up early to finish knitting for a deadline, asking for an extension on another deadline. Taking 3 scissors with me to a conference; one in my purse, one in my totebag, and one in my suitcase and yet with my taking my purse and totebag with me everywhere I go, not once did I have scissors with me in a class that called for them on the supply list. Loosing every pen I touch, and writing a check for Two-fifty instead of two.50.

Pretty much to be expected with the work load I've taken on and I love it. Everything was dealt with and nothing bad happened but it's time to regroup. As much as I can with Midwest 2013 looming on the horizon.

It doesn't need to be said that Vestune is spilling over into other months. I did knit up 3 of the 8 balls of the Tailored Vest but it's going into time out since the knitting load in July is high enough without it.

3. Knit 6 pairs of work socks each to match it’s own particular work shirt 1 pair done


4. Knit 6 balls of stash sock yarn knit into anything 9 done

Not bad for 6 months.