I have finally entered the Ravelympics 2010. The project? Sock #2 of Forest Footfalls. I really need to finish it and figure this is the perfect way to give myself a deadline and feel guilt if I am watching any Olympic event without Sock #2.
I also have this to motivate me; a new project calling out my name.
I went to the Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival and again, asked myself why as I was touring the booths of fibers. Again, 95% of the fiber was of animal origin. Beautiful but with lots of imagined suffering included. Ok, I get I am in the minority when it comes to my views on animals and food. I would love for the world to say, do we need to wear fur and eat cute happy animals, but again I know I may be on the extreme and most people have made peace with the choices they make. There is still that piece of me that hopes, I guess. Even if there are relatively few knitting vegans around here, aren't there knitters who can't use wool due to allergies? Come on vendors, please bring something cool like hemp, linen, soy and bamboos! I had only about three yarns to choose from. Thank the goddess I found the Eco Cotton!
That's right, it's a "kit" for a wrap that includes 8 balls of lovely Eco Cotton 100% Organic Cotton fibre. Good for animals, the environment, and me! Such a winning situation. I snagged some buttons there too so we are ready to go, ahem, once Sock #2 is completed. I selected an orange colorway and then thought, wow I like orange. I figure I can blend into the wall of Wee One's nursery like camouflage now if I feel inspired to lurk for some reason. The kit is from a shop called Bloomin' Yarns which I believe is not too far either...
The coolest part by far was the Ravelry meet up at the show. I met some lovely people but due to Wee One's lack of mid-day nap and impending meltdown, we couldn't stay long. One thing is certain though; if you go and plan to bring a baby, especially a cute one, look out because you are in for lots of people coming up to you and talking to said bambino. Which makes it hard to buy yarn, but thankfully not impossible.
Oh and what a Valentine's Day! Nature Boy surprised me with not one but several lovely things, what a charmer. Behold the booty:
An orchid-
New tea kettle and chocolate-
Made a quick treat for us too, some chocolate covered pretzels. I melted down some vegan chocolate chips in a double boiler, coated some pretzel rods, then sprinkled them with toppings (chopped peanuts, some vegan cake sprinkles called "Let's Do Sprinkles" and some decorating sugar from India Tree). I was hoping to coat some in coconut but my coconut looked a little un-fresh so we decided to toss it instead of risking illness. These were fast and so very good.
Oh and back to the show--I have already voiced my need for more variety in fibres on past reviews of this show and feel I need to warn the organizers I am now considering this to be a case of Vegan Discrimination. Please be kind to the vegans, they really are people too.
I received my package yesterday from my Raverly Vegan for All Seasons pal, Emily:
We have two beautiful skeins of what looks to be cotton hand-dyed yarn, as well as two skeins of a soy/bamboo blend. A soy candle (almond scent), two bars of handcrafted soap (they smell wonderful), a beautiful autumn acorn card, a box of seeds and some yummy mandarin orange lip balm were also in the box. Last but not least, some maple sugar candies from Marquard's Tree Farm. This girl was spoiled indeed--thanks Emily, your a great swap bud! Even the scents of the soaps are the kinds I would pick out for myself.
So the Week of Creative Pursuits has sadly not yielded as much as expected. With Samhain and trick or treat mayhem and my working what should total about 51 hours this week, my time at home has been spent lying on the couch napping. I did clean the estate before going in to work on Thursday (worked 3pm-8pm that day) so that yesterday was truly a "day off." What did I do, you ask?
Made THESE:
Back from a recent camping trip with Nature Boy, Ms. Knitsburgh feels rested and re-connected with the universe. Here are some highlights of the trip:
The lake:
Spores!
Little hop-toad:
No balloon but found the note:
Fuzzy caterpillar:
Salamander!
As you can see, some knitting was accomplished. I turned the heel of Sock #1 in Pair O'Sox. Now on to the toe...at this rate, I hope they are finished before flip flop season begins anew!
