The Laptop Has Returned!

Hi guys! Our laptop has returned from the black hole known as the Geek Squad! The Rowing Cat had a small accident involving water and the keyboard . . . Luckily we only had to replace the keyboard on the laptop and all is well again. We do have an old laptop as a backup, but it's incredible how slow the 5 year old one feels! I still remember the days of punch cards, so I shouldn't complain. Our kids don't know how good they have it.

My finger has improved to the point of being able to knit again - Yay! I think knitting will probably be the best physical therapy and that it will feel normal again much quicker than the doctor has indicated.

My sister-in-law and I had the fun experience of taking a class with Annie Modesitt a few weeks ago! She is a riot and had us all laughing on a Sunday morning - no mean feat! We spent the morning learning her combination method of knitting. It was an interesting exercise for me. I'm not sure that I'll use it, but it's always good to have another arsenal to pull out of your bag. She also taught us how to cable without a cable needle. Now, this is something that I've always wanted to try, but didn't quite get it from looking at pictures. She made us come up in groups and watch her do it. It's a great trick! I wanted to remember how to do it so I cast on the next day for my next pair of "bus" socks and incorporated the technique. Not too bad!


Here are my beautiful Monkey socks! I'm still totally in love with this yarn and they are turning out great! I got the yarn in the Magic Ball Swap over on Ravelry - check it out - it was loads of fun! This pattern is so easy to knit (shhhhh . . . don't let the muggles know!) so I'm looking forward to trying more of Cookie A's patterns.


There has also been some spinning going on. My LYS is beginning to carry roving so I naturally
had to encourage this by buying some. It's Louet roving and is spinnng up wonderfully. It's pencil roving so it needs no pre-drafting. I have an entire pound of this, so I think I'm going to make an Elizabeth Zimmerman Pi Shawl from it. It will be for the Rowing Cat because she picked out the color. She has really turned into a shawl wearer. And she looks so natural with the way she drapes a shawl over her shoulders. I did tell you that she confiscated my last Clapotis the instant it was off the needles?



Here is the February fiber from Spunky Eclectic! It is a beautifully soft and springy fiber in beautiful spring colors. I'm thinking of plying it with some grey Kidsilk Haze from the stash to make some very decadent sock yarn.


And here's my Rhinebeck fiber all spun up ready to be turned into the Sarcelle Shawl. I've been feeling drawn to lace knitting recently. I pulled out my Faux Russian Stole and just threw it on a chair in the living room so that I'd pick it up if I was a little cold. What was I waiting for? I love the soft feel of the yarn and love looking at the intricate pattern. So it's on to my next lace shawl when the Monkey Socks are finished!


I went a little crazy and signed up for the Hill Country Sock Yarn club - I should be getting my first shipment this week. I can't wait!

Thanks to all who participated in my contest! The package has been sent to Nora in Australia!