Dawn Brocco's Life and Design Blog

I'm waiting on the natural black and natural white cashmere to come in, to start Dad's hat (and scarf, if I can get both done, and if the hat uses just 2 hanks).

But, as I almost never want to spend the time to knit anything without having it become a pattern (most designers really don't have the time to *just* knit), I pulled out all my stitch dictionaries and began looking for something "manly" yet interesting and not too simple looking, so that the design won't look like it was picked up in a shop anywhere. Handknits should always have that *something* about them that make them stand out from mass-produced.

I found some slip stitch cables, some narrow and some wider, and thought that one of the wide ones would be ideal, as regular cables generally use 1/3 more yarn, which, in cashmere, I wasn't going to do.

So, the slip stitch cable would satisfy the need for texture yet make a lighter weight hat. I started a swatch interspersing the cable with ribbing, which was OK. But then, as I swatch, ideas always crop up, and I thought - wouldn't it be nice if I could make a woman's version using the same cable, with beading? Well, of course I could. But then the ribbing just didn't suit that version of the idea. BUT, the smaller slip stitch cable interspersed with the larger one, surrounded by purls. but skipping the knit sts of the ribbing, would allow for beading it the way I would want to. Another idea firmed up.

So, I ripped the first swatch and redid it with just the cables and purl sts, measured, and plotted the hat for Dad's size, and promptly continued the bead search I've been doing online for DAYS now, trying to find as many shops that had 5.5 mm or size 3/0 beads.

I ordered some from Mill Hill, but other than theirs, the only others in glass that I've seen are the Miyuki triangle beads. They do seem to be very shiny, as the sites say, and I will definitely order some small amounts to try them out, but am concerned about the triangular shape not being ideal for all knit garments. I'd think one would want the flat side of the bead against the body, leaving the pointed end facing out. I much prefer the look of round beads, instead. But googling for 5.5 mm pebble beads gives other sites selling the Mill Hill beads! I *would* like to have other options!

I have the Fire Mountain catalog and am not impressed. Most of the beads are too small for knitting, tho they *do* seem to have every color of the Miyuki triangle beads. I ordered the Bead Warehouse catalog on Saturday, and will be eager to see what they offer.

So many places have the Czech beads which are lesser quality than Miyuki, as are Matsuno and Toho, at least from what I've been reading. With such a fine quality yarn, I'm not about to sacrifice quality with the beads! But the Miyuki seed beads don't seem to go large enough?! More searching later, for sure.

Am awaiting the Gazette to come back from the last knitter who's helped me proof this issue, then I really got to get going on its printing. I'd NOT like to have to mail Gazettes AND Christmas presents at the same time! But that *would* be my life - never enough time.

Today, I'm continuing writing up a pattern for a cardigan I knit over 2 years ago - yeah, it just hit a roadblock, and even now, after re-cogitating about the problem, I come to the same answer - it's only going to be in 1 size. But, then it dawned on me that's it's not as horrible as I initially thought. My Maine Raglan Jacket, Woodland Trio, and Wild Rose Raglan are each in one size only and it hasn't thwarted sales - as long as that one size is *large* enough, it will suit enough women's sizes these days.

So, this one is 47", which covers a 36" chest, like mine, with an oversized fit, to 40" with a classic fit. I wouldn't even suggest 42", as the ease at that size only allows between a classic and a close-fitting fit. As the design is a norwegian-style cardigan, classic to oversized is preferred, not close-fitting. The larger the body, the more ease that is needed to get the same level of comfort within a garment, so I wouldn't suggest larger than 40".

I've seen photos of larger women wearing skin tight hand knit sweaters, and they are not doing themselves or the sweater any justice. EASE!! Knitters really need to allow ease. HOW much ease is personal, and as EZ always recommended - compare the measurements of a similar-weight sweater you already own.

If you don't own one of that weight (and yarn thickness DOES affect the amount of internal ease available - there's less ease with thicker yarns), then take thyself (with fabric tape measure in purse) to the nearest mall and find some sweaters of a similar weight, take them into the dressing room and try them on.

When you find one that FITS you nicely, take it off, lay it on the bench or chair in the dressing room and measure across its widest part (usually just under the armholes). Multiply by 2 and *that's* the # of inches *you* need in that weight sweater. I think alot of knitters would be surprised to find out that the ease (the difference between their chest meas. and the garment's meas.) is going to be more than 2"!!

The only sweaters I can wear with just 2" ease are DK wt or thinner pullovers or cardigans with 3" ease and up to a heavy worsted wt. But in both cases, IF and only if, they are shorter than hip length. End result - know thy body and know thy fit preferences and you won't end up knitting things that don't fit the way you want them to.

Ah, yet more laundry and I have a ton of ironing to do, as well. I have lots of linen napkins that I've collected over the years, so, I can go a long while before needing to iron any, but the cupboard is getting bare and that means a few hours ironing lies ahead.

I've also did a bunch of printing this morning to refill the pattern coffers. And printed another 15 retail catalogs.

Doing more pattern work today, more Gazette editing and am making some elbow patches for one of my 2, or is it 3-year old Old Navy sweaters.

Tried calling about that merino wool but there was no answer. They're open tomorrow, as well, so I'll try again - I'm getting eager to do the other samples for these patterns.

Spent yesterday getting ready for today - cleaning, laundry, making the sage stuffing, setting the dining room table, etc.

Spent today cooking, then Dad came up with Ann for dinner and dessert, then drove home as it's a ways and he has work tomorrow, as does hubby. Washed all the dishes and pots, watched a bit of one of the Bond movies, then went back to pattern-writing, which I'm still on. Am crunching the #'s for the 4 sizes of the heavy worsted wt. version of one of the new cardigan designs. This one will be in bulky wt and heavy worsted, both in 4 sizes.

I'm no big fan of so much cooking, but at least it will last a few days - fresh green beans cooked then tossed with butter toasted almonds, the sage stuffing, made from scratch, including spending several hours toasting the 40 slices of bread, giblet gravy, again from scratch, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, green salad, fresh from my garden this morning, and iced tea - yup, fresh brewed, not powder, and the turkey, which hubby took care of. And, Ann made a cheesecake with a touch of orange, of which only a third remains!

I've been pooped for hours, yawning my brains out, so I'm gonna go make a cup of tea and go back to the Bondathon!

Spent the entire day and evening working on patterns in 4 sizes. Took a small break to go with son to pick up Pickles from his haircut at the groomer. And did laundry and dishes, as always, and dinner for son. I wish I had something uncomplicated to knit on, but that would mean a new design and that means taking notes and doing all the math first.

And I haven't got any yarn available anyway. Well, I do have 2 bags of Alpaca Boucle, as I was *going to* work a 2nd sample for this color-blocked cardigan design in it, BUT, I went and changed my mind and expanded the design to include 2 other versions, so I need to do 2 more samples and not in the Alpaca Boucle! I do have another idea that I can use one of the bags of boucle for, and if my brain gets twisted enough, staring at all these patterns' numbers and words, I may well cast this idea on.

The only other yarns I have are bits - part skeins. I am still waiting on the Chester Farms merino to become available, then I have to order 3 bags of 20, 4 oz hanks each - no small purchase, and 10 hanks of cashmere to get in, some of which is for Dad's Christmas gift and to add to some I have already, for a design sample.

So, I'm plodding my way, day after day, through pattern-writing. It's no quick thing to do. But, time's a wastin' Earl - so back I go....

Got the order for Unicorn ready for UPS to pick up sometime tomorrow.

Son arrived home today for the Thanksgiving holiday, and we spent many hours talking about politics, quantum physics, black holes, the string theory and other brain-twisting things! No conversation with my son is ever about anything small, mundane or trivial! He's a delight. It's so stimulating to talk with someone whose brain is always *on* and up on topics most people don't read, nor talk, about.

But now I need to get back to work! I printed initial copies of 2 patterns I'm working on, for proofing, but - and this seems to happen alot lately - I name the design, then if I think the design idea warrants a series of designs, I give it a "collection" name as well. So, a design now has 2 versions, which fit some collection or series theme.

But, I have that new Lily Chin book, about beading. Just bought it Saturday. So, I'm jotting notes and fine-tuning my thoughts on the theme and the idea hits for a 3rd variation on the theme. Then, it's like a mix of "oh no" and "oh yes" as it hits me. Oh yes, as the idea is great and oh, no, as it means more samples to knit before I can publish the design!

Then I'm thinking that that really great collection name I had given it no longer fits (darn) and I need to expand it to be inclusive of this 3rd idea.

But that's OK - in the end, it will be a better pattern for offering so much more than it was going to offer, when it began. But this is what's it's like to have many more ideas than time!

I was rereading parts of EZ's "Knitting Around", particularly the part where Arnold gets himself in hot water with the "powers that be" in 1936 Germany by calling some temples of honor (Ehrentempel) Scheisshaeusl instead! And promptly having to find a way out of the country.

I was adding to my database yesterday morning, and one entry was an order to a knitter in Germany with a street name of Baeckerstr. Words and language were my first love, and I couldn't help but say strasse over again in my mind. How is rolls off the tongue. This led me to reread EZ's entry.

There is a lilt in language, music hidden within. Saying the words is like playing a tune. It entrances me. If I could, I'd be a sponge, spending weeks to months in so many countries soaking up the language, culture and beauty. Almost everywhere from the Iceland to Italy. Sigh.

We went to the new Barnes & Noble. I could spend forever looking at books. Hubby doesn't quite have the stamina, but I did manage to find a few Christmas gifts and Lily Chin's book - "Knit and Crochet with Beads". I'm glad it was softcover - I really can't afford hardback books often.

We had to stop at Home Depot, which grumpled hubby as they had only 1 live body manning a register on a Saturday afternoon! Then we had to go to Adam's to get his Locatelli Romano, but it was crowded and it was raining harder by then, and no-one knows how to drive in the rain!, so he was getting increasingly agitated. But, once home, away from the crowds, harmony restores itself in due time.

Today I need to get those booklets printed and bound - so, work awaits....

Didn't get back to that aran last night - spent most of the day and entire evening working on the Peace Fleece cardigan pattern. Hopefully, can do it today and begin work on that pattern.

A book re-order from Unicorn came in yesterday that I need to work on printing and binding up today through the weekend. And hubby said we can go to the new B&N tomorrow, that opened recently in Kingston, NY, as it's supposed to be a yucky day, so he can't continue with the house prep. So, it looks like a book-ish weekend!

I took a photo of the new cardie:

Peace Fleece color - Samantha-Katia Pink. It's not pink, but is a warm, wine heathered color.

I just have to single crochet, then slip stitch, around the cuffs - forgot to do that the other day.

Instead of waist shaping, I ran the cables all round at the waist, which creates waist shaping. It has square inset sleeves, which, in a closely fitted design, like this, approximate a set-in sleeve's fit without the hassle. There's a deep front crew neck and back-of-the-neck shaping, so the deep collar sits away from the neck. Single crochet front bands make a shallow, yet sturdy, band, and single crocheted then slip stitched lower edging (and cuff edging!) which finishes the design without detracting from the cables.

As I was working on the pattern, I thought I'd also like a pullover version of the design, with a loose turtleneck that was removable. I'm not crazy about turtlenecks, as they can make one too warm when indoors, but they're great when outdoors, so I thought, why not? I just have to cogitate on what neck edging I want on the deep crew neck that will look good on its own, yet be able to attach the turtle invisibly. Ant what color? Every time I see a soft pink anything in the mags, I'm drawn to it. I never was into pink that much before - always blues and reds. But pink is so feminine and my inner femininity must be calling out for representation! So, I though a soft pink it will be. And it will go with my oxford grey slacks and tan cords equally as well.

Pickles got another bath yesterday. He's due for a haircut, but that won't be until next week, and the longer his hair is, the faster he gets stinky! I tried an all-natural shampoo on him with oatmeal to see if that helps his itchy patches and I toweled him dry instead of blow drying him. It took 3 bath and 1 hand towels and my arms were pooped afterwards, but the dog needs TLC just like the rest of us!

Today he got his lyme shot - nervous nelly he is in the car. He gets excited about the *prospect* of getting in the car and going somewhere, but then shakes and pants all the way there.

I've got my usual monthly hormone-withdrawal headache that refuses to go away no matter what I do, so I'll be taking it easy today and actually for the next few days - no stress, thank you, no aggravation, no excitement, no talking, and I can make it through in one piece.

I'm going to work on some patterns and finally, get back to that long-suffering aran cardigan/jacket.

I proofed the Gazette, then sent it off to a kindly knitter to be proofed again.

Well, I packed hubby his lunch, did the dishes, am finishing up the laundry and will do as much work as I can handle today.

I hear gunshots in the distance - why hunters are in this area, I don't know - there's no state lands here - just private property. Ufda. Hand the deer each a gun, so at least it would be more equitable. Sport, yeah right. If they must allow deer hunting, it shouldn't be a sport, so a bunch of fools can have a head on their walls and brag to their equally foolish buddies. It should be herd maintenance only AND all the meat should go to the homeless and poor. Then, at least the poor animals would be of service to those who are the neediest in our abundant society, where a very small minority of people "need" to kill their meat or else starve.

But noooooo, the right to own a gun is the "American Way". Geez, as if we were still living in the Pioneer days. This cowboy mentality will forever be part of what holds America back from being seen as truly great and beneficent. Puritans, with a gun in one hand and the Bible in the other, and we wonder why the world shakes their collective heads. Off the soapbox, well, this one, at least, for now....

I finished that cardigan tonight - inset sleeves slip stitched together, crocheted front and lower edges and knit the deep, ribbed collar. Washed it, spun it out and it's lying flat to dry, as I write. All I have left is to sew on the 7 gold buttons. The Peace Fleece is softer than other millspun wool yarns and gets softer, yet, after washing. I'm very pleased with it.

I'll continue working on the pattern tonight, though I need to knit another sample yet. Haven't heard yet about the availability of the Chester Farms Fine Merino.

Got the Gazette just about put together. Will print a copy tomorrow to proof, then print 2 more copies to send out to 2 knitters who have kindly offered to help with the proofing for this issue.

It feels good to knit. The only trouble I have with the dilated eye is picking up and knitting sts and crossing cables. So, I squint that eye closed, so I can focus with just the good eye. So, it's not so bad, but I'm still cutting my corners sharp and walking into doorways and walls!

I think I'll finish up that long-suffering aran as soon as this pattern is written. It, too, needs a 2nd sample, though. And the alpaca boucle design that needs a 2nd sample - all these 2nd samples to knit!

It was a busy weekend for me - orders, databaseing, printing, binding - and I'm finally caught up! Also got the 2nd sleeve finished on that Peace Fleece cardigan and worked on the Gazette.

I started to write up this cardigan pattern in 3 sizes. I've also begun the crochet front bands.

When Joan Shrouder and Jaya were visiting, they both admired a cardigan I designed and knit several years ago. I never published the pattern as the rep for the main motif is rather large and I wasn't sure how I wanted to deal with that and get logical sizes. It's a ljus-patterned, Norwegian-style, drop shoulder, steeked (yes, I can hear the gasps of fright as I write that word!) cardigan with pewter clasps. The main motif was adapted from a circa 1700's weaving draft (or draught, as it was called then). I knit it in Lamb's Pride Worsted at about 5 sts/1", so it's a good weight - not too thick nor thin.

A year back or so, I thought I'd redo it in another yarn and bought a bunch of Halcyon's Botanica for it. I actually began the corrugated ribbing and ljus pattern, then it stalled, as projects do, when something more urgent crops up, like a Gazette issue. But, I never got back to it. I wasn't sure I wanted it in that yarn. I like the Lamb's Pride - it makes a soft and cozy sweater, even though it foes fuzz a bit and pill a little.

I think I'll leave it as is and work the pattern up. I made the 46" size sample, which works well as a jacket for my 36" bust. Though, as I think about it, the 39" size would make a closer-fitting cardigan, not jacket. So, I may do another sample, anyway. I'll mull it over, as I finish up some other projects that have been sitting here since doomsday (pre-retina surgeries)!

One last package to get ready to send tomorrow, then a respite to read the latest "W" magazine that's come in today....

What IS with all this white stuff?????

It IS only Nov. 12th!! And this isn't New England, it's the Mid-Hudson Valley of NY - no snow, not for another month!

Finished that sleeve yesterday, so have knit up the sts around the other armhole and want to get the 2nd sleeve worked up, particularly as it's a gloomy day - all grey and wintry-looking.

Will spend the weekend working on the Gazette, this sleeve, and then, hopefully, the front bands and collar.

I downloaded Movable Type today, but after reading all the installation instructions, it doesn't look like I'll be switching over from Blogger. Cgi scrips and perl and yet more directory nonsense - it's just a blog, not something important, like my website.

It's not that I don't like Blogger, I do, but to get to use all the features it offers, I'd need to have a Mac running OS 10, which I haven't got. I'm still running 9 and both my Macs are too old for 10. And I have no intention of getting a mac that NEEDS to run on 10, as the progs I use don't have upgrades for that OS. And I'm not keen on having to learn an entirely new OS, anyway. I know where all my stuff is with 9. It works well, much better than OS 8 - with the only freezes occurring because of IE 5. Yeah, I've tried Netscape - slower than dirt and way too inflated a prog for my taste. I've also tried Opera. I like the way IE 5 for Mac works - I just have to accept that some sites, made with the newest site-building progs, are gonna give me trouble now and then.

So, anyway, I was grumbling to myself that as I can't do anything fancy (if you can call basic formatting fancy!) with Blogger unless I spend time learning some html tags - yeah right - maybe there was another free blogging service available, that worked with Mac OS 9? If anyone uses one or knows of one, do let me know. My email.

I just finished cleaning up after Joan's and Jaya's visit. What a nice couple of hours we had, talking about knitting lists, teaching, designing, publishing, magazines and related designer stuff!

Had the retina doc visit this morning. Got up an hour early for the early appointment, then sat 1 hour and 15 minutes, as doc had a surgery that ran late.

The eye is healing and, thank goodness, I only have to see him once more, in about 3 weeks, but all the way down in Poughkeepsie, which is an hour there and back, then hubby has to turn around and drive back to Poughkeepsie again, as he works there. But then all I need to do is see the local ophthalmologist to get the eye fitted for a new prescription lens.

Am going to have a quiet evening of working on this Peace Fleece cardigan.

Spent yesterday getting ready for Joan Shrouder and Jaya's visit tomorrow! Cleaned up and set the table with my Bavarian china, silver and linen napkins.

Also did some raking of the endless leaves and pine needles. Actually went outside 3 times, before I was brave enough to stay outside and tackle the raking in the cold and wind. It was a nasty day and so, I didn't get too far, before getting too cold. Today is just as cold, but not so windy, so I did more. You couldn't even see the driveway and parking areas for all the pine needles covering it! At least now, they're clear and the walkway across the front lawn which is now dotted with huge piles of leaves.

Today, I also need to make the apple crisp, scones and devonshire cream for tomorrow, as I have a retina doc visit in the morning and there's nothing like having to rush at the last minute to make me cranky! So, I try to avoid that whenever I can.

Worked some more on one of the Peace Fleece sleeves yesterday. I am doing a square inset sleeve on this design, so the sleeve is worked back and forth until the inset depth is reached, then it is worked in the round to the cuff. The underarms are later slipped stitched or seamed together. I prefer slip stitching to seaming, as it's much easier to rip back, if necessary. Will try to get the rest of that sleeve done today, in between laundry, vacuuming and baking.

Also retook some of the photos for the Gazette. Nothing like a digital camera to make that process easy. To think we used to take rolls of 35 mm film, then wait for the developing, only to find out they didn't come out well. For years we put up with that process. I don't miss it, nor the cost!

Finished the back of the new cardie Sunday night, including back of the neck shaping. And finished the last front section last night. Got the shoulders seamed up and picked up sts for one sleeve. This one is the small size at 39". The next sample will be a medium at 42". I think I'll wait for the Chester Farms Fine Merino yarn to be available and I'll swatch the cable pattern in that yarn to see if I can make the next sample in it. Then write the pattern as a generic heavy worsted / aran yarn weight pattern, but also list the yarns I used for the samples.

Working mostly on the Gazette issue yesterday and today - photos, layout, the color bits. I think I like that part best - choosing the colors for the cover and then selecting which of those colors will highlight titles, page numbers, and the Hoefler Text Ornaments I use in the Materials lists, then which colors will border the photos and important text boxes. I love playing with color! Of course, not until print sample pages, do I see if the colors selected print as I want them to. I often need to reselect colors, so that the photos and all the supporting colors work well together.

It was flurrying on hubby yesterday morning, as he was priming part of the house front! It was only Nov. 8th, so it's a fluke, yes, a fluke! That "won't" return for at least another month, right?!

I had my son redo the color in the cashmere scarf kit ad for the next (Winter) VK issue. He's got Photoshop and I haven't. I'm hoping the color prints out better next time in the mag. I think if I had time (and I don't) I'd submit an entirely different ad, as no orders have come in for the scarf kits yet. But the deadline is here and I've lost a lot of time being laid up from the surgeries. I'm hoping that colder weather brings sales or it'll take me forever to repay the investment of these 2 ads, plus interest!

I sent the new booklet (Love Collection) off to Unicorn Books and to Plymouth Yarns. I always send samples of my designs and books to the yarn companies whose yarns I design with, even though I purchase all my yarns - I don't ask for yarn support for my work.

I need to come up with the next design collection. I have wanted to do a book of mitten patterns, for awhile now, but other things need finishing first. Maybe socks - maybe the "The Best of the Heels and Toes Gazette"? That would work - trans-seasonal designs, not just winter wear... It might entice knitters to try sock knitting.

Socks were some of the first things I ever made for myself, after I taught myself to knit - not scarves. I did socks and sweaters - I dove right into the harder stuff, as I didn't think it was hard, and I still don't, one just needs to keep one's brain about oneself.

But then, none of my creativity up until that point had been anything one might consider to be mindless, like so much of today's knitting is - mindful, mindless, whatever, the result is the same - simpler things that the hands can make, while the brain rests from the drains of daily life. So, I was used to "involving" myself in my work, not looking for an escape. And yet, "involving" oneself in something that is enjoyable "is" an escape.

Spending time in one's head thinking about patterns and stitch counts and how deep to make that armhole, etc, is an escape from dealing with kids, and housework and jobs and co-workers and all the things that take us "outside" of ourselves.

In case the idea hasn't hit knitters yet, when you are knitting on something that doesn't require your brain to be there with you, it means your attention can well be given to other things and people. So, if you "really" want to escape, embroil yourself in an attention-involving project, and then your attention "can't" be pulled away to other things and people! It's easier for others to leave you alone if you're doing something that looks complex. But try and just sit and veg in front of the tv and they will inevitably say, "but mom you're just watching tv, you're not doing anything important!" rationalizing that it's OK for them to bother you. Well, nip that in the bud by casting on an aran sweater or a twisted stitch gauntlet mitten or Fair Isle "anything"! Then while away a couple hours happily not being bothered because "this project demands my attention". Let them sulk and maybe they'll learn to fend for themselves for a bit, or at the very least, you can deal with their problems and demands when "you" feel like it. Think of it, an entirely new approach for harried women to get time for themselves!

Finally began doing some raking around here. Hubby has had no time to tackle any of it and, until recently, I haven't been able to. But an hour is about all I can do per day, before the tendonitis acts up, but at only an hour a day, and maybe not every day, as weather tends to conspire against all outdoor plans, it could take me well over a month to get it all done! So, well see how far I get.

I also cut back a stupid-looking bush that previous owners planted in an inconvenient place. It put out small, white, unscented flowers in spring, but otherwise doesn't have the nicest form and whose canes get in the way of walking from the driveway to the back path to the kitchen. I should dig it up in the spring.

I also cut back all the peonies, as needs doing every autumn after they've completely died back. I had wanted to do more subdividing of some of the larger, older bushes and transplant them along the driveway border, as I've begun doing a few years back. I don't know if I'll get to it though. Sometimes the mood will strike me to do such things, other times, I could care less.

I'm not particularly crazy about peonies. They look OK, but I can't stand the scent and won't cut them for fresh flowers for the house. They do Ok in the part shade of the driveway, though, and that's why I began dividing them and transplanting, as my azaleas didn't take well there, even though they are supposed to like the shade and the acid soil they certainly get with the pines hovering overhead.

I much prefer the smell of lilacs, and roses and even lily of the valley, though one needs a lot of pips to get enough flowers for vases. They dry well, though.

In the next house, I'd like to have more sunny areas for my gardens. I'm not really fond of the woodland, shady look, I much prefer all the flowering, scented plants that require sun.

Been working on the next Gazette issue every day, but was feeling lazy last night and did hardly any knitting on the Peace Fleece cardigan. So, I'm gonna get some done today, in between the laundry, while watching Chef Inspector Morse. It's not Sunday without the mystery movies!

Am done with the bod and right front of the Peace Fleece cardigan and have begun the upper back. I'm already eager to wear it!

It's been a blustery day since last night. The wind even woke me, but that's typical for November in NY! Also typical is having it knock the power out temporarily.

I printed 2 dozen more of the new booklet today and will punch and bind them tomorrow. I also need to do more work on the next Gazette issue - but only during daylight. Too bad daylight savings has to mess things up. We don't need that extra hour of daylight in the morning, we really need it at night, or rather by late afternoon. Makes winter all the gloomier having it get dark by 4:30.

Well, that's it. Nothing exciting happening here. No travel anytime in the forseeable future, as we need to hunker down and conserve resources, what with hubby being home on disability for 3 months this year and his needing a bridge earlier in the year. I think the only trip we'll be taking is an hour away, across the Hudson, to scout out the northwestern part of Columbia County, as a prospective area for relocation. Cape Cod definitely has its drawbacks. But so does Columbia County. It's beautiful there - pastoral, full of historic houses, but no jobs. But Pittsfield, MA is just across the border and maybe work exists there. So, we gotta go see, but not until it's too cold for hubby to get any more outside work done on the house prep.

DD is also not having it easy with finances and won't be home for any holidays this year. DS is managing Thanksgiving, but I don't know yet about Christmas.

I've gotta go rinse out the hair dye now - it's been WAY too long since I dyed it last, thanks to be laid up on the couch for 2 weeks. Mousy brown hair with WAY too much grey does nothing good for my appearance! It just makes me look dowdy and old, neither of which my vibrant self is, so out it goes!

Well, it's been a hard working day. I got the garment design samples into the shopping cart and uploaded. You can see them here.

I also got the new booklet into the cart and uploaded. It can be seen here.

I've emailed all my website subscribers and all the shops accounts I have. That took awhile. I really gotta find another program for doing my mass mailings.

I've also added the booklet to both my retail and wholesale catalogs, made new pdfs, and printed them. Also added it to my wholesale price sheet and printed them.

Printed about a dozen booklets and bound them.

Called to order that hank of Fine Merino from Chester Farms, but it's not available yet - poot. It'll be a few weeks yet. They've got a nice range of colors in the Fine Merino and I had SO wanted to swatch it up and wash the swatches to REALLY see how the yarn behaves and feels. There's really no substitution for taking the time to hand wash your swatches and let them dry.

It's past 6 pm, and I told myself I wouldn't work past dark on the computer, and it's been dark over an hour now, so it looks like it's time for knitting and give my eyes a break!

Knitting continues on the Peace Fleece cardigan - almost at the underarms now. How timely to be using a yarn called "Peace" Fleece. The irony has not escaped me.

Maybe some knitters have seen the nice blurb the editors have written for my "Winter Scarf Collection" in the new Family Circle Easy Knitting? Complete with cover photo!

This is the same booklet of designs that Unicorn Books is distributing to shops around the country via their auto-ship program. So, maybe a LYS near you will have some copies. If they don't, do ask them to stock it! Unicorn is also distributing my 2 previous design collections and my newish booklet, "Charting Your Way Through Heel Turns". Yes, shameless self-promotion, but it "is" my blog!

I've just printed up a few copies of my very newest booklet of designs, "Love Collection". These all use Plymouth Yarns Alpaca Boucle, an absolutely wonderful alpaca boucle yarn that won't break your budget. I'll have it up on my site any day now.

The cold has finally broken the freezing point, so hubby has taken in the pond pump and all the hoses. The house is not yet ready to be painted. It looks like Spring will be priming and painting time, if, IF it doesn't rain again ALL Spring, as with the past 2 years! Fingers and toes crossed. It's GOT to get done.

I just finished cooking up some carrots and zucchini for part of hubby's lunch, fed Pickles, and now will go bind the new bklet and work more on the Gazette, as well as get the new bklet onto my site and into the shopping cart. I've also worked on updating the Sale page, but haven't uploaded it yet, as I need to enter all the samples into the cart, as well. This takes time on dial-up.

Last night I ordered some olive oil soap, goat's milk soap and goat's milk moisturizer, to help keep our skin from drying out as winter approaches. I always shop at drugstore.com , as they deliver quickly enough, certainly more quickly than how often I get to go downtown to the health food store. Though I try to shop locally, when I can, and will send hubby, when I can't, I knew they didn't have everything I was needing this time.

The olive oil soap is wonderful. it doesn't foam up like most soaps, thanks to the high fat content, but it's that high fat content that doesn't dry out my skin. But, it's definitely seasonal use only. It's a bit too moisturizing for summer use. And I ordered an all natural, moisturizing dog shampoo for Pickles, as he's itchy and scratchy lately, as well. No reason for him to suffer, either.

I've been on an oatmeal kick lately. And not always for breakfast, usually for dinner! I'll make a 2-3 day batch and refrigerate, heating up some as I need it. It must be autumn and the return to warm, comforting foods, like apple crisp and homemade stews.

I'm really enjoying knitting up this new Peace Fleece design. I've made a pair of socks in their DK wt and I don't remember liking it as much as this heavy worsted wt yarn. It can be used for socks, but reinforcement is necessary. As I'm brutal on my socks, that DK wt pair are long gone.

I received the new merino wool yarn samples from Chester Farms today - nice! Their fine merino comes in some great colors. Their superfine merino (I can't feel the difference, at least in the color cards) comes in just a few colors. Again, in my favorite - heavy worsted - wt. They also have sheepskin slippers and steering wheel covers. Hubby's hands are always cold in the car in winter. I bought him gloves, but he doesn't always wear them. As his fingers get SO cracked and split in the cold, I think the cover will help, as he won't be gripping an ice cold wheel.

I think I'll order a hank at retail to try it out, to see how it wears and if it pills, as merinos tend to do. I like that it's not superwash, and it could be a more inexpensive option for my cashmere kits, yet still be a soft yarn. We'll see.

Sat seemingly forever, yesterday, at the doc's office yesterday. We got home in just enough time for hubby to pack his lunch and head to work - whole morning shot. But the repairs to the eye are holding up. Gotta get yet more drops, this one for the increased eye pressure it has since the last visit 5 days ago - so now, there's 4 different drops to put in every day - 2 at twice a day and 2 at 4x a day. At least she gave me a tip about how to keep the drops from entering the sinus cavity and sliding down my throat. They are disgusting in taste, and I had been putting up with it for 2 weeks.

Looks like I'll be having some fellow knit designers for a visit next week! I've never been fortunate enough to meet up with other designers, but one designer will be in the area from Oregon, as she's been travelling and teaching and will be bringing some cohorts. So, I'm planning homemade scones, devonshire cream and hot apple crisp with tea as a mid afternoon repast.

I lucked out on Saturday when hubby took me shopping. He dropped me off at the mall, as he hates following me around, whilst he went shopping for plumbing parts so he can get that new steam boiler put in. I flit here and there, quite quickly, stopping mid stride to check something out and it makes him nuts! But I found replacement stretch cords in a chino color to replace that pair from Cape Cod that shrank, and at half price. I also found some herringbone-patterned cozy slacks for house wear at 66% off! The only 2 things I paid full price for were 2 cotton ribbed v-neck pullovers from Old Navy at $12 each. Worth it - very comfortable.

I saw a wonderful cardigan that would make a great part of a holiday outfit. Soft pink cardigan with pink faux fur collar with silvery clasp closure. They had some sort of skirt with it, but I envision it with a full silver skirt. Taffeta or organza or even something soft, but over a crinoline. Very 50's, with strappy sandals. I can picture it, but, of course, I have no place to wear such a beautiful outfit.

Hi Maus!
Yes, I can do some typing every day, as long as it's daylight. Typing with artificial light on this black keyboard isn't easy! And I know my readers expect to see something new every day or so! But, I'm not up to speed yet writing into the lists. That takes more time and thought than doing this.

I've done handspinning, natural dyeing and weaving as well as quilting and rughooking.

I had a great loom once - a 45" counterbalance Rio Grande walking loom. One stood on the treadles and "walked" them. You don't get that hip problem from the usual sitting on weaving benches and leaning left and right. It wasn't tiring. It had texsolv heddles, so it was quiet to use, and a sectional rear beam - heaven.

It was the kit form, way back then - about 13-14 years ago, the kit was about $800. If you go to the Rio Grande website today, you'll see the kit is about tripled in price. I put it together myself, but then had to sell it when we decided to move to this 13 room house in need of restoration, so to run a B&B. Had no idea we wouldn't enjoy it. Too close to NYC and all the princesses that live there.

I liked weaving. It had a lot of prep work in terms of planning a large warp and getting many things woven off it. Warping and threading are so time intensive, it's a waste of time to setup to do one small weaving project.

I liked spinning, as well and was definitely into production spinning. The dyeing was great, but a lot of work.

I just love the smell of fleece and would lay it out to dry on the bit of lawn we had with our first house. It was fodder for neighborhood gab. But I didn't care. I took to these fiber arts like I was remembering from lives long past. It all came so easily.

I also crochet. It was the first textile art I learned as a child from my maternal grandmother. She also taught me to tat, but I didn't take to that as easily. I crocheted for many years before getting married to not-so-dear hubby #1 and having my children. Later on, after divorcing him, and marrying my high school sweetheart, I took to all the other textile arts and tried selling them at the major craft shows in the city. I even did a wholesale show in DC. Never made any $ at it. What I created was just outside mainstream desires enough to be un-saleable, I guess! So, I taught myself to knit and the rest is her-story! Where there's a will (and my will is formidable!), there's a way!

Had to get up early today so we could get to vote before the appointment with the other retina doc. She books all her first appointments at 10 am. Last time I had to see her, there were 6 people standing in the hall, all with 10 am appointments and the doc was late. But then, she showed up late for my surgery as well. So, instead of sitting and waiting, I'm going to vote.

I've been eager to vote for years now, 4 long years to be exact. And my kids are voting. They, too, have been waiting impatiently for this day. They've eagerly had many conversations with me over the past several months. May the bearers of mediocrity, subterfuge and downright thievery get ground into the dirt today.

Only the best of minds should ever be running our country. We can't afford less.

Worked a bit on the cabled cardigan Saturday and yesterday. Though I have another sample of a design to knit in the Alpaca Boucle, I don't think I can get to it until after this eye undilates in about 6 weeks, as a lot of it is black and the boucle really does need better eyesight than my current sight to knit it. The Peace Fleece stitch setup is such that I can knit without looking all the time. The hardest part is doing the cable crossing rows, but it's do-able.

I got the edits inserted for my new design booklet and will print up a few copies today. It's been on hold too long already and really needs to get out there for this autumn/winter season.

I had no appetite whilst being on those meds, but my appetite is back now! Hubby made a nice dinner last night and I still managed to finish off a slice of pound cake topped with chocolate ice cream and chocolate syrup on top! That went done real easy - too easy! I had lost 6 lbs lying on this couch those 2 weeks, not eating much. 3 lbs of it was water, which I gained back right away after stopping the meds and being up and about. I'd prefer, though, NOT to gain back the remaining 3 lbs! So, no pound cake and ice cream tonight!

Hi Maus!
I've never listened to books on tape, preferring to read the actual book itself, but as it will be awhile before I can comfortably read large amounts of text, I may give the tapes a try. Thanks for telling me about Diane Duane. I hadn't heard of her.

Well, work awaits. So, I gotta get going on the day and see how far I can go.