Socks

Ayup, socks!! I have knitted the odd sweater over the years — and I’ve probably made 75 square dishcloths out of 4/4 cotton — but decided that I needed to try something different. Thought I needed some needles — the DPNs that all the knitters talk about (double point needles — see how fast I’m picking this up?) So I went to my local yarn shop, which I had never been in before. Big mistake. HUGE!@!! Can you believe that I walked out of there with $50 less in my checking account? Nobody told me that it was possible to fall in love with yarn and all the doodads and absolutely have to have it all — never mind that the price is $17.95 for 100 grams of yarn. This is the color that I got — just love it. According to the label (this yarn comes from Germany) it’s supposed to be enough to make one pair of socks. Or at least I think that’s the little hieroglyphics are trying to say. (For all I know, they’re might be saying “the eagle flies at midnight.) The yarn seems to be saying also that it is infused with aloe and jojoba oil. So — all at once, a little voice in my head told me “you would be three kinds of a fool if you use this yarn to make socks — which, may I remind you, you don’t know how to do yet.” Smart little voice. I mosied mosyed strolled over to the bargain bin and found 2 skeins that were buy one get one free (my favorite words next to Blue Light Special) . Granted, I had to buy bigger needles because the yarn is heavier but they were on sale too. So far I’ve ripped out the cuff at least 4 times, but each time I learn something from it. I’ll tell you, knitting with 3 needles is something that takes some practice. I’m still not very good at it, and the needles have a mind and agenda of their own. So — not only am I down to the wire on my great niece’s quilt, I’m trying to teach this old dog new tricks. More later.

One Wild and Crazy Quilt

This is the initial layout — I’ll probably walk by it 20 times and twist a block or swap one for another. I hope it’s not to wild for my niece’s taste. I really like it — much more than I thought I would. Please feel free to leave comments — I’ll be sewing it up in a day or so and getting it off to my friend for the long arm quilting. The MotherBlessing is the first week of July so I’m really cutting it close. Click the thumbnail for the larger pic.

My friend at work has decided that it should be named Tetris.

Sunday Scribblings #62 Town and Country

I like to think that we live in the perfect blend of Town & Country. From where I sit on my hill in a village of about 7,000 +/-, I am enjoying the fresh air with birds flitting in and out among the trees, squirrels chasing each other and picturesque rivers, but I’m no further than 5 minutes away from schools, grocery shopping, book stores, antique shops, and the library. If I feel the need for more rural surroundings, it’s a short drive of 3 or 4 miles north or west and I will be in the midst of meadows, hills, and rock walls. If you would like to take a peek at my corner of Connecticut, Click here I have to say, it is a lovely little town, but I am totally biased, having lived here 20+ years.

And from where I sit on my hill in a village of about 7,000+/-, if I feel the need to visit a city, Boston and Hartford are both about an hour away, New York City is about 2 1/2 hours by train, and Providence is about 45 minutes. Great restaurants, professional baseball and football teams, concert venues, museums, hospitals and fabulous shopping are all within reach of my little village. It’s wonderful to be in a much slower paced town and knowing that the faster paced life is lurking just outside if it is needed.