Summertime

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Anna, who turned the big 5-0. Along with her family, came the Warp, Wheel and Wool friends, to share in the celebration.























It was originally planned to be a surprise, but it's hard to surprise someone when you're having a huge party at their house. We discovered that Anna knew about it, with 2 week's notice.

I was looking for a good wine at World Market, and discovered Black Sheep wine (Anna has sheep on her farm) that seemed appropriate.

Then my husband happened to find this selection that was an even better find. I still can't get over it!

There was a lot of good barbeque: hamburgers, bratwurst, pork steak, ham, potato salad, fruit salad, and much more.

Anna's daughter made a very impressive "Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding." It was so wonderful, and very elegant looking.
This was so amazing, and I didn't get a picture of it, but you can see it here:
http://www.pauladeen.com/recipe_view/521


Anna showed us a gorgeous red chenille scarf that she had woven. It got passed around for handling, praise, and exclamations of delight. The softness, drape, and COLOR of this piece is just incredible.







Look at these photos and see for yourself! Click on them to make them bigger.

Oh yeah, now I have to make one, thanks a LOT, Anna!



















When Anna took out this beautiful quilt she pieced, the light shone through it like stained glass, and it took our breath away.


















Anna is working on another beautiful quilt. Fifty years and she doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

The next day, my husband and I decided to take to the Katy Trail for another long ride.

This ride will take us to old town St. Charles, and then on to New Town.














There are a lot of scenic views along the way.



















This view is my personal favorite.
I don't mind riding behind my hubby.
Early morning, or early evening are my favorite times to bike. This was an evening ride.

New Town is very different from any place I have ever been. So many unique features in this active community.

One thing that always gets my attention is the organic farm.








This is a working windmill.

It pumps water into a small pond, as you can see in the next photo. There are greenhouses, crop fields, and animals roaming around.


















Here you really do have to wonder why the chickens cross the road.

People driving by have to watch for chickens because they are roaming free and get past the fence. It's fun to see them clucking and milling around.
You also have to watch your step as you walk. The chickens get out of the way, but what they leave behind gets on your shoes.


Our destination in New Town was this charming ice cream shop. You get it at the counter, and then eat outside at little tables, cafe style.
























Better to take a picture of something this pretty. It was amazingly delicious.


As dusk quickly approached, we headed home, and spotted some deer in a field. They were curious about us, and didn't hang around long. I'm sure they felt somewhat protected behind the barbed fence.

The ride back went quickly, as we finished a 26 mile trip.

I know I've said this before, but promise more knitting and weaving will be happening in the next post.

There are good people out there

I've learned after being stuck twice this week with the car, that there are good people out there who will offer to help a stranger.

On Monday, while running an errand for work, my car broke down on a stretch of ramp off a busy interstate. An entire load of antifreeze had spilled out in a green river. White smoke billowed out from under the right side of the hood. I pulled over as much as I could, and traffic slowly passed around me. While waiting for police assistance, there were people offering to help.

Although I appreciated it greatly, anxiety clouded out their images, as I tried to evaluate the situation and how I was going to get out of there. Eventually, help arrived and immediate issues were resolved.

I remember thanking these people for their kind offers of assistance, although my help was already on the way. Chances are good that they will never see this little piece of blogosphere, so maybe each of you can help someone out when you get the opportunity, however big or small.

So here's to:

...the smiling girls who asked if I needed help, holding a cell phone from their window for me to use if needed

...the other two people who asked if they could help me on their way by

...the police officer who stayed with my car until the tow truck came for it

...the man who offered to look at my car when it all happened again a second time

After what we thought had been repaired, it all happened again the next day. I am now sitting in a Subway sandwich shop, frustrated with my car as it sits in the shopping center parking lot, and alongside of it, the familiar stream of green liquid.

...and last, because this one's not a stranger, but a hero nonetheless...my husband, who had to drop everything on two occasions to leave work, recover wife and vehicle, and work on the car. All will be well, eventually. I'm also thankful for the cell phone, computer, and especially the knitting that accompanied me.

On a brighter note, my latest project is the Hexagon Scarf, by designer Robyn Diliberto. This was easy and fun to make. The pattern is a great deal for $2.50.

I used sock yarn "Zauberball" color number 1564. I love this yarn! The colors are lively and the yarn is soft and easy to knit with. One ball (500g) was enough to complete the scarf.

That's it for now. I happen to be getting a lot of knitting done these days. You'll see more of it next post.

Warps, Wheels, and Wools

It was time for another meeting of Warp, Wheel, and Wool. This time, we met at Barb B's house.

There are sprinkles of whimsy in Barb's home decor, and this sheep got my attention right away.

...as did the charming mix of Italian country, and cooking smells of an authentic Italian kitchen that takes me back to the early days of childhood.





















I'll start with the food, which was a wonderful spread of Greek dishes, including lamb kabobs, goat cheeses, (including chocolate goat cheese), several mixed salads, fruit, baklava, delicious rhubarb cake, gooey butter chocolate cake, and more.

We couldn't help but notice this bottle of Merlot in the kitchen.

We gathered in the dining room, and there was a lot of catching up and assorted conversation.

Then we settled into our projects.














Barb B. is working on making thread from a "silk bell."

We always are talking about our UFO's (unfinished objects). Anna had something very interesting to share with us. I think she wins the award for Oldest UFO.

"I started this vest for my mother when I was back in like 8th grade (crochet and totally wrong size too - as my mother is not even 5ft tall and this is a LARGE vest (even back then I didn't believe in swatching). So around 1974 is what I am thinking.

She moves out in April and pulls this out of one of the boxes and says - Anna, can you please finish this? I about dropped on the floor.

She did find someone to finish a small piece I left undone, and wants me to [now] finish a cord so she can actually wear it - only 35 years later. Of course it's TG&Y (dime store in San Jose) ACRYLIC..."
Mary Ann was working on what she called the "Never Ending Blanket."

She says that as much as she works on it, it never seems to get very far along. I think we can all relate to those kind of projects!



Since this loom sat for a month on my dining room table (looking so intimidating), I had planned to wait until the meeting, and have help getting started.
Fortunately, Mary Ann was willing to get me going on it.

Back home to more complex weaving, I dressed the table loom, and got started on some dish towels.

You might recognize the "waffle weave" design.
The texture and raised threads in the pattern create air space which helps to make the towels so absorbent.

I am using 8/2 cotton thread. The design comes from the March/April 2002 of Handwoven.

Have you been enjoying the late spring weather? Although we have gotten a lot of rain, we did get a decent batch of strawberries this year.


...and some beautiful spring flowers.

Pleasant Surprises

Sunday was such a pretty day, and the boys had their own plans out. So my husband and I decided to venture out on our bicycles, riding the Katy Trail to the old town district of St. Charles.


This is what we found.








We parked our bikes and walked around. What we saw was an encampment, and demonstrations from the 1806 time period.

There was only one spinner there. She was working on a blend of Merino and Border Leicester wool.
Several people were standing around to talk to her.

Most of the conversation hovered around the time it takes to spin wool into yarn, and how much it would cost to compensate for the workmanship and time.

Covering the cost of time and labor is the lament of many artisans...which is why we do these things for ourselves and as heirlooms for our families. It is our hope that the gifts we give of our time and talents are appreciated by those who are lucky to receive them.


This piece shows off a technique called float weaving. The pattern is "Joshua Star. Click on the pictures for better views.
I have never seen these patterns before, and don't know if these designs were made on the loom, or sewn on afterward.








Naturally, the folks at the booths were busy, and we were just passing through, so I didn't get the opportunity to ask questions.















There were a lot of demonstrations of things I haven't seen before at any other festival. This man was making a bucket out of wood.
















This girl was carving designs and words into wood, using a special piece of wood-burning glass. They were selling the glass there.

The bright spot that you see on the wood was smoking. They were selling the round glass pieces. It reminded me when I was a kid, and we used to burn things with our magnifying glasses. (Yeah, mom, we did that in the back yard)
There was a lady there, making felt.
She was rolling it out and showing people wooden forms that are used to shape the hats.

These shoes are interesting, but I can't imagine anyone wearing them. Unless one happens to be an elf.





















This woman was using fabric to decorate hats.

The Voyageur Ancient Drum and Fife Corps was there to provide the music.

We got to watch them practice on the pavilion steps...

...which was before the parade.
We were eating lunch outside as it went by on Main Street. It was an unexpected surprise.





After lunch, we stopped at my favorite yarn store, Knit and Caboodle, also on Main Street. I ordered some wool for a coat that I want to make for this year's trip to Rhinebeck. More about that later!

We stopped at the sweet shop and bought a brick of fudge to snack on later.
Then, back on our bikes. The best part of all, was the detour we took off the Katy Trail, going to Creve Coeur Park. I wasn't prepared for the very steep hills that it took to get to the bridge, but it was SO worth it.

At the top of the hill, spanned the Veteran's Memorial Bridge (also known as the Page Avenue Extension) going over the Missouri River.

The view from here is spectacular. This section is especially for for bikers and hikers.

Every time I tried to take pictures of the river, I got some lovely chain link fence.
My tall husband took the camera, and raised it up and over the fence.






So here's the view you get when you have long legs and arms:

A view of the trail on the downhill side.

The ride down the hill was a blast!


I would ride up steep hills for this.

Walking With Ariel, Down on the Farm

I recently finished a pair of really amazing socks, from a pattern called "Ariel," by Robyn Diliberto. You can find the pattern here.

These were so much fun to knit, that I am thinking about making another pair,


...only I'd make them two at a time, so the second sock gets done sometime during the span of my life.

Don't get me wrong, the pattern works up very quickly... but you have to actually do the knitting. It's so typical of me to work on multiple projects and not get any of them finished.

These are such a treat to wear, and are so cute. I like the way the rib pattern flows around the foot and on up the ankle.

Ariel knits up extra special with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn; the color name is "Cool."



Lately, I decided to try a bit of sewing. The Emmeline apron got my attention, and I ordered the pattern here. Since I am fairly new to sewing, Barb assisted me. Here she models the one she made for a friend's shower gift.
























The apron is feminine, stylish, and reversible. It's like having two aprons! It wasn't hard to make at all. (In the second picture, the strap got caught around my collar, but it normally falls to the back.)

All in all, it took us about 8 hours from start to finish...but that included coffee breaks, good conversation, and of course, there was chocolate.





















I could be twins?

I took a ride to visit my friend, Fran, at Stotler Farm. I like to bring the camera along, because the animals and scenery there are so amazing.

There is quite a menagerie of characters, and each time, I find a new favorite. This little fellow got my attention as the cutest creature. A little Finn lamb called Tim.

The bottle-fed lamb follows Fran everywhere.
What really got my attention was when Fran called for Tim.
It was just like calling a small child.



Tim answered each of Fran's calls with a call back. Then, from a hidden spot across the pasture, he suddenly popped into sight and bobbled over to her.















This goat is living proof that the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence!



















Umber guards whatever she thinks needs guarding, even if it is an empty yard, or a couple of chickens. Her dense coat is ever so beautiful in the sun.













Yes, this is a camel. Ali is so friendly, that he is misunderstood among the creatures of his barnyard.
He doesn't seem to realize how intimidating he is to the other animals. Just ask the horses!

'Al' loves attention and will nuzzle up to you, which is really sweet, if you can take a bit of drool.

I enjoyed watching the chickens roam around, looking for bugs. Farm fresh eggs are so delicious, and the chickens did their part to contribute to the wonderful quiche Fran made for lunch.

Aside from the tour of the farm and the animal personalities, I really enjoyed my visit with Fran.
There really is not much better than a visit with a good friend, and what can be more lovely than springtime on the farm?

I Love Bunnies in the Springtime

There's something about Angora fuzz.
Little bits of fluff that stick in the grass after grooming. Like the anticipation of Easter, it holds the promise of something wonderful to come.

I see the fluffies and imagine the possibilities of lovely handspun yarns and blends.

When Carolyn asked if I was going to the Midwest Trailblazers Rabbit Club Show, I agreed that it was time to make the trip.

The Mid America Angora Club was participating, and although I didn't bring a bunny to show, it was fun meeting up with all the "bunny people" and some good friends.

There were rabbits of all kinds, everywhere in the main building.

I always visit the black and white ones because of their color, and photogenic qualities. They looked a lot like the kind of meat rabbits that my husband's uncles raised on their farms.

This was just a diversion from the goings on with the Angora competition, so let's go on over there.














Judges are very meticulous when they look at a bunny. They look at body type, eyes, ears, teeth, virtually all parts of the rabbit.













They look for mites, disease, and any imperfection in form. Fur mites tend to reside in the ears of rabbits. Experienced breeders treat their bunnies for mites before bringing them to the show table.














Margaret Bartold is very experienced at raising and showing English Angora rabbits. Here she is blowing out the coat. This process removes dander and dust, and fluffs out the wool.

Here, she grooms the rabbit before it goes to the judging table.








The bun resembles a giant puff ball, and the creature inside the puff is really very tiny in comparison.

The coat is a lot longer for show than what most people that grow them for fiber only would consider. This is mostly because of the problems associated with wool block, matting, and upkeep.

The end result is a beautifully groomed bunny, ready for the show table.

This is a 14-month old English Angora called Carmelite.
The beauty and color of her coat comes from heritage in breeding, and care in health management. I thought that Carmelite tolerated being fussed over rather well. Isn't she spectacular?

It is important to note that angora rabbits should not be used as "Easter bunnies." They are high maintenance animals and not to be considered for small children. Haircuts must be done every 3 to 4 months throughout it's 5-8 year lifetime, and wool block issues can lead to death if one is not familiar with the symptoms and treatments (and even if one is).

Carolyn has a way with the bunnies, and all creatures. She seems to cast a spell over the animals, and I've even witnessed one of her rabbits run over to her when called.








So no surprise to see both Carolyn and the bun enjoying their time together.
Having raised a multitude of angoras for many years, and in the process of downsizing her bunny family, she had to repeat to herself, "I will not come home with a bunny..." yet her face seemed to be saying, "I'll take you home in a New York minute!"














A group of us got some spinning done as well, and I enjoyed their company immensely.







This little one is getting groomed. He is just a baby.


I could have easily brought him home, and it was hard to leave him behind, but there are three at home already and I had to borrow Carolyn's mantra.
























There's something about this face.

Time for Weaving

FINALLY....























I decided to get some weaving started, as I have my heart set on waffle-weave dishtowels, and also, a scarf from some Lion Suede that was on sale a few weeks ago. I don't use Lion Brand much, but the Suede has a cozy feel to it.

The towels are going to present a challenge. 351 threads to wind on, and taking my time about it.














I've been doing scarves for so long, that the quantity of threads seems so daunting. But the colors are ocean-like, and I'm so looking forward to the moment when the texture magically appears in the weaving.














The scarf on the other loom, is simply plain weave--but with alternating rows of color in the weft: 2 dark, 1 red, 2 dark, 2 red, repeat. I'm noticing with plain weave, most of the color is showing up in the weft.

I really want to get this done before the weather gets too nice. I'll still be weaving, but it's hard when there are daffodils welcoming spring outside your window.














Let the housework wait.