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Thanks in part to our weekend away at SPA, I made a lot of progress this week. I did 2 pattern repeats on the skirt of the Tilted Duster. On the Blue Note socks, I finished the foot, turned the heel and did a couple of inches of the cuff. I spun two skeins of yarn at SPA. And I did the long-awaited Etsy update. I also did this: 
My very first crochet project – a small bag. Just right for tucking into my work bag or purse. I’m quite pleased with it. The yarn is Cascade 220 Tweed in Aubergine and I used a size G hook. The button is from my stash (having a button stash, however small, is so fun – convenient too!). I just finished it tonight. It was FUN to do! The best part of taking the crochet class was that I got over my attitude that I can’t crochet. Not can I do it, I love it! I’m planning to sign up for Webs’ Crochet I class – I want more!
Lastly, there is one other almost finished thing, although it has nothing to do with fiber: my job! Tomorrow is my last day at Gilead. Its going to feel really good to make my hideous commute tomorrow, knowing that its the last time. Just 8 hours more and I’m done. I can’t wait until its over… There’s good things to come.
(yes, this is my 3rd post today – last one, I promise)
I just added lots of new yarn and rovings to my Etsy shop! There’s BFL and Angora blend rovings, Alpaca Handpaint and Jasmine. I even added two new colorways for spring – Birch Mountain and Larkspur. L-R, BFL Roving in Birch Mountain, Alpaca Handpaint in Larkspur and Angora Blend Roving in Larkspur:
The Larkspur colorway was actually inspired by my Crabby February swap. One of the elements was our flower, which is Larkspur. I wanted to incorporate it into my partner’s gift in a unique way, so I created a colorway inspired by the larkspur. Amy was the first to have yarn in this new colorway – now that she’s received her package, I’ve added yarn and fiber in Larkspur to the shop.
Of course, you can check out all of the new listings here in my Etsy shop.
Look what arrived today:
This package of goodies came from Amy, aka DreamAskew, my “Crabby February” Swap partner. Crabby February is a swap on Ravelry, for those who are Cancers (born June 22 to July 23). We were challenged to put together a package of goodies that incorporated elements of our sign – colors, metal, flower the crab, etc and had something fibery. Amy put together this wonderful gift, incorporating so many of the elements. There’s Tofuties (yarn with fiber made from crab shells!) in a color that just so spring-y, Austermann Natura – a new to me yarn in another great color, sheep buttons, a moon wind chime, a Celtic cup (that will brighten up my new office), coffee and chocolate. She even thought of the kitties – there’s a whole tin of organic ‘nip.
Thank you Amy! You brightened up my day!
Relaxing doesn’t begin to describe this weekend. It was blissful. Two hotels packed with knitters and spinners, vendors and spa services in mid-winter, in Maine – I’m not sure it gets much better. I didn’t want to leave. Everett and I haven’t had a real weekend away in more than a year – it was just what we needed. We stayed at the Hilton in Freeport – where much of the SPA activities were, within walking distance of the shops and restaurants. We felt pampered – no obligations or schedules (other than a massage appointment!), no household stuff, nothing. We did what we wanted, when we wanted. We spent time together and did our own things. Perfect in every way.
I spent much of my “alone” time doing SPA stuff. There were knitters and spinners everywhere. The lobby, along with a large area set up for us adjacent to the hotel, were packed – some getting informal instruction from others, many just hanging out playing with fiber. I met so many people, from all over New England. Some I had run across in blogland or Ravelry, like Carole. There were a few familiar faces, from the guild or festivals or other events. It was great fun to just spend time spinning and knitting and chatting. I spun up two little skeins of yarn – see them here and here. On Saturday evening, I had an hour long Swedish massage – just divine! I think she worked out 6 months’ worth of knots from my job… My massage was followed by the fashion show and more knitting time. A perfect evening. Of course, there was shopping! I found some new favorites in the marketplace – rovings from Spunky Eclectic, a pattern for a beautiful tunic from Aloisia Pollock (a local designer) and Knitspot patterns (I bought 4 – Bee Fields, Honeybee Stole, That Little Scarf and Oh! Canada). My favorite purchase was this:
3 skeins of Opulence 50/50 merino and silk yarn from The Woolen Rabbit. I wish you could reach out and touch it – its incredible yarn. I bought it for the Oh! Canada shawl – Kim of The Woolen Rabbit, terrible enabler that she is, says that it knits up quickly and easily. I am forcing myself not to wind the yarn and cast on NOW. Must finish something first. Speaking of finishing projects, I didn’t this weekend. But I’m getting there. I knit for hours and hours. I think it saved our sanity on the way up – yes, we drove through the snow storm and yes it was bad – especially once we got into Maine. I focused on my Tilted Duster, completing 1/3 of the skirt, which frankly, kept me from freaking out about just how bad the roads were (I’m not a good passenger in bad weather). I also got through the foot and heel on my Blue Note socks and crocheted most of my class project. Lots accomplished! I can’t wait for next year’s SPA.
In between SPA activities, Everett and I poked around Freeport and did some outlet shopping in Kittery. We also took a drove up to Bath to visit Halycon Yarn – a great place for fiber stuff – they have a huge selection of wheels. We got home last night. We are both exhausted from our weekend – glad we both took today off to recover!
I have much to do today – some things to take care of in preparation for starting the new job on Friday (just 3 days left at Gilead – woo hoo!). I am going to do an Etsy update this afternoon. Its about time, I know. It won’t be huge though there are some new colorways in yarn and fiber going up. More dyeing this weekend.
Enjoy your day!
We’re off to SPA for the weekend – knitting, spinning and spa treatments, all tucked into a couple of Freeport hotels. Aaaahhhh, its going to be a good weekend! I’m computer free until Sunday night, at least – I’ll catch up then!
Have a great weekend!
Just one WIP to update this week: the Tilted Duster. I joined the fronts and back, picked up the stitches for the skirt and got one repeat done. Here’s what it looks like now:
I really want to finish this soon – I want to be able to wear it a couple of times while its still cold! Mohair and spring days don’t mix so well! The skirt is really fun to do – just enough shaping to keep it interesting. I’ll work on it a lot this weekend – we’ll be up at SPA, so I’ll have plenty of time to work on fibery things. A whole weekend dedicated to knitting and spinning and relaxing in Maine – ooooh, I can’t wait to hit the road on Friday morning! I can’t think of a better way to spend a winter weekend!
And by the way, I have only 4 days left at the job (SPA’s timing was so perfect – I had put in to take a 4 day weekend months before I resigned). Just tomorrow and three days next week and I’m done!!! The new job is so close I can taste it… can’t wait!
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