BeverlyArmyWilliams – Page 101 – Beverly Army Williams

KSKS Bag: Fini

I spent the entire day–nearly twelve hours–sewing yesterday. I completed two Madison bags: one for Lisa who won it for completing Tour de Fleece and this one (almost identical–different lining) for my KSKS pal. My pal is an exquisite knitter, so I’m super worried about the pattern. I keep looking at stitch dictionaries hoping to find just the right pattern for her and the yarn I’ve selected. While I fret over patterns I’m working on a needle case to include as well as a little wallet per Split Yarn’s tutorial.

My almost-15-year-old nephew came over to hang with me last week. He’s into drawing and music and art–an anomoly in my highly pragmatic family, as I am. Well, let me clarify. There is a lot of creativity floating around in my family, but there seems to be an inability to embrace it, to take risks with new skills. But I’m going off on a tangent that I could write about for hours.

So the kid comes over, and I’ve got three pounds of roving and some new dye from Selling Dye 2 You (won via Dye-O-Rama, woo hoo). What better way to play than to mess around with these supplies? Here are some of the results, all destined for PIF :

There’s a pink and black roving that didn’t make the picture. I’m going to spin it into yarn for my nephew to use. I tried to teach him to crochet (he wants a skater boy beanie), but he lost patience too quickly. He thinks I’m going to make the beanie for him, but he’s wrong. I’m a determined teacher and auntie!

Jen posted a link to this beautiful sweater. I bought the pattern, and I’ve decided to make it as a reward for turning UFOs into FOs. It may be the prettiest sweater I’ve seen in a long time. Ok, it is. And, as you know I believe, sometimes pretty is enough.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Funky Scarf Swap. I can’t wait to challenge myself with a fun scarf for a new friend.

Going Back to School

I stood at the counter of the moth-ball smelling closet-sized yarn shop as the lovely owner showed me how to cast on the requisite number of stitches. Armed with the Martha Stewart article and deep purple wool, I was determined to finally learn how to knit. A scarf. It was wonky because there were about a million things I didn’t know about knitting. Nine years later, lots of questions asked and books read later, loads of scarves, purses, shawls and socks later, I’ve got a hankering to return to the scarf.

Maybe it’s the hot weather that has got me hopeful for fall.

Maybe it’s the impending start of the school year making me want to look at my early skills.

Maybe it’s Art Scouts firing me up.

Maybe it’s the idea that I could knit a fabu (not wonky) scarf for a stranger.

Maybe it’s my confidence in my ability to design a beautiful scarf.

Maybe it’s Scout aching for a new swap.

So. If the idea of returning to what, for many of us, was your first project, but bringing all of the knitting skills you’ve learned to a new version of the project appeals to you, head over to the Funky Scarf Swap for sign up directions. Hope you’ll play with us!

Art Scouts

Like so many fans of Brenda Dayne, I hopped right on over to download Lime & Violet’s podcast. I listened to the first two episodes today, and I hope you’ll go grab them for yourself. Plus these podcasters, like the Craftborgs, are also KSKS participants.

As I read through Lime & Violet’s blog this evening, I came across Miss Violet’s Art Scouts. Mind you, I was not a joiner as a child. I would have been mortified to be a Girl Scout. Things are different now, though, and I want badges. Art Scout badges. How about you?

Granted, some of the steps for activities I’ve done seem simple. The Knitting and Quilting Houses, for example, have steps that I could just breeze over. But maybe I’d be better served to spend some time on them, rethink the early steps of what I already know.

I’ve decided to explore Art Journaling first. For years I’ve messed around with watercolors and words, and I’ve fantasized about this ideal journal…not ideal in a high-pressure way, but ideal in incorporating the varied aspects of my creative interests. So, here goes!

UFO, PIF, and Other Acronyms

Scout asked, so I complied. Here it is, a picture of my current UFOs, only the Stripes are Stars sweater (think I"m going to frog it) and the Baby Bib o’Love (um, where did I put it?) are missing. The bib, by the way, only needs for me to sew on a button. Yeah, I know.

So. The pink blob is my Clapotis. Green felted bag needs handles, lonely Jaywalker waiting for a mate, Think Pink scarf, Summer of Sock / Cascade Fixation Army Green sock 1 waiting for a partner (love me that sock!), Shadow Shawl, looking a bit miffed, a crochet project for my KSKS pal, and my Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono. I keep all these projects (‘cept the Clapotis) in a basket on the table next to the chair where I hang out in our living room. While I waited for my camera batteries to charge I began to work on the second sleeve of the baby kimono, so yeah for showing off UFOs. By the way, tag, you’re it.

I joined UFO August in an effort to get some of this stuff finished up. I’m leaving on Saturday for a week at the beach with my sister and her two kids, all of whom I taught to knit. Usually the four of us huddle under the beach umbrella with books and knitting projects and soak up the warmth. I’m sure I can finish a few things next week.

I had some lovely mail this week. Mama-E, one of the most generous ladies in blogland, sent me these earrings as a part of her Pay it Forward project. I’d like to PIF 13 times as that’s my lucky number( I even have it tattooed on the back of my neck). I dyed some roving and made some beaded goodies of my own. By the time I get back from my beach trip I hope to take a big bundle of love to the post office. So be on the look out, and remember, if you send or recieve for PIF, map yourself, and take the button, too!

And look what arrived from Simple Sparrow. I had a hard time getting a good picture of this, but hit the link to her site, and you’ll see this lovely with its siblings. It is one of the most cheerful, festive objects I’ve brought into my home in ages. I adore this little spool of crochet thread!

Le Tour de Fleece–Yellow Jersey for Moi

I did it. I spun enough sockweight yarn for a pair of socks. I want to spin a little extra to be sure that my 6 ozs. won’t leave me short (although I’ve been assured that 8 oz. is enough for knee-hi socks). And I’ll need to ply this yarn o’ mine.

I was away for most of the Tour, unable to spin. More than anything, the Tour has been a great way for me to get Zinnia out of her bag and spinning. Thanks, Katherine, for organizing this–it’s really helped me to feel more confident as a spinner.

On a totally different note, I’m watching Something’s Gotta Give on tv. I wanted to see it lo those many years ago in the theater, but it was sold out the night I went. Diane Keaton’s character just had a mad crying jag, which got me to thinking about how awful such jags are. Then I thought about the (luckily) few times I’ve had them: when a good friend of mine died in a motorcycle crash and when my ex asked me for a divorce. Not bad for a girl in her thirties. There have been other things to make me sad, but those have been the only two to produce full out wailing in me. And both jags happened in my same Peekskill, NY, apartment. I sometimes think that places have a spiritual energy, take up our energy as we live there. My NM apartment, for example, has an energy of creation and healing to me. And the house I’m learning to consider mine has a rock-like stability to me. What energy does your home have?

While in Taos, in between doting on Tiwa and dancing with handsome men in hats (oh, yeah, and some writing) I visited La Lana Wool. I purchased two skeins of their handspun, plant dyed "forever random" blend. Wanna see?

These lovelies came with some tempting free "one skein" patterns. The yarn is outside my usual price range, so it’s nice to have some good patterns to show off my splurge.

Catching Up

So much to show, so much to tell. Taos was wonderful, especially because my girlie Liz adopted an adorable mutt, Tiwa, from the Taos Pueblo. I’m sure she’ll have the whole story and pictures up before long, so I’ll let you read about them from her. Trust me, though, Tiwa is possibly the most amazing little pup, and she got lots of love at the conference. She’s hit the lottery going to live with such a loving family, too!

I workshopped a story that I first drafted about two years ago, and I think I’m almost done with it. I plan to give it one more draft, then send it out into the world of seldom-read lit mags. Believe me, I’ll keep you posted if there is ever good news on the writing front.

I got back on the wheel pretty quickly after my return home. Tour de Fleece, after all, is almost at a close. I, as noted on the Tour blog, am among those who decided to change strategy. After much input from spinners wiser than I am, I ordered some new roving for my sock yarn challenge. I’ve got almost an entire bobbin filled, but I spin on a Lendrum, so that’s not saying much! I do have a question, though. I’ve got 8 oz. of roving, all of which I intend to spin. So, I’ll also need to ply that, too, right? So I’ll have the "length" of 4 oz. of roving, all together, right? Does that make any sense whatsoever?

Ok. Now for some pictures.

My KSKS kit from Scout! She included a fabu fair isle pattern from Blue Moon, her own beautiful handpainted yarn, lovely stitch markers, an extra skein of sock yarn in a beautiful burgundy, pretty incense and lots of tasty goodies. I had a great visit with her, T., the Super kids, and Mr. Gus, the baby dog. I’ll confess. It was hard to leave them all behind in NM! Either they’ve got to move back east (ha!) or I may need to go back there. By the way, did you notice how Scout chose a fabric that matches my blog?

There were packages waiting for me when I got home, too.

The gorgeous July Project Spectrum color from Mama-E.

And.

This lovely box of goodies from my One Skein Secret Pal. She spun the yarn herself, and it is SO pretty! Thank you!

With Apologies to Neal

I love me a cowboy.

When I first moved to NM, I was taken with the men in cowboy boots and hats. See, on the East Coast, at least my little edge of it, a guy in a cowboy hat. Well. Shall we just say poseur? It’s for real out here.

Last night my Taos Conference girlies and I stepped up to the bar at the Sagebrush Inn, and before long, we were being spun around the dance floor by men who really knew how to dance. In cowboy hats. With a patina on them.

It pays to have a cute dancing dress and shoes. Just sayin’.

Not a Broken Collarbone, But a Setback

I leave for the Taos Summer Writers’ Conference tomorrow, sans wheel, so no spinning until July 18th. Then, the pressure will be on! I will be bringing my first pair of Summer of Socks socks, which are also part of the Cascade Sock KAL. And I also have some crochet to do for KSKS and the One Skein Secret Pal exchange. Now if I could just finish the story I want to workshop!

I was up past midnight sewing, but pictures will have to wait…I made myself a little needle case (still expermenting with the interior…what would you like best in your ideal travel/needle case?), a few headbands, and another little something.

I’ll do my best to post from Taos. Hey, if Kirsten can post from Sweden, I surely can from New Mexico!

Can’t wait to answer the big NM question: Red or green? Green, please!!

Pile Up in Valkenburg and Happy Birthday, USA

The narrow twisting roads of Valkenburg have caused many a spinner to tumble, and yesterday’s results in the Tour de Fleece were little different. In stage two of my challenge, I lifted Zinnia from her case, adjusted her, tested her out. I began to spin (um, yes. Zinnia and my first spinning together). The romney. Which may or may not work out well for socks. The living room lights are pathetic, and after a good start, I lost the yarn. I could not find it. In the style of Italian soccer players, I flung myself on my bed, dramatic in my setback. I decided to wait until better conditions (light) prevailed.

Today I sewed. A little present for Scout. Shhh…don’t tell her! I’ll give it to her when I see her at the end of my New Mexico trip. I’m going to start gathering projects for my 11 days away. But first, a little more sewing. I think I want to make myself a little project bag to go.

I hope you all have a festive Fourth of July. We’re keeping things quiet here as Neal’s got a nasty cold. But I’ll look forward to setting off some fireworks another night.

No Yellow Jersey For Me

At least not today. I started my Tour de Fleece challenge last night by weighing out 6 oz. of Romney roving from my big three pound bag. I plan to spin sock-weight yarn, which I’ll later dye and knit up. Is Romney good for this? Anyone? It’s what I have enough of on hand, so I’m hoping! I had wanted to spin today, but Neal and I spent the entire day cleaning, trying to get the rest of my stuff put up, and I’m just too tired right now. Tomorrow, though. I’ve got great hopes for tomorrow.

How about a start-of-the-month update?

I started knitting my first Think Pink scarf last week. I decided to put off the second Jaywalker (I know, I know) in order to knit my first full Summer of Socks socks: Alison’s Ankle Socks out of Army Green Cascade Fixation. My Wardrobe Refashion has been lame. I haven’t bought anything new to wear since the first of June, but I also haven’t worked on any of the projects I’d thought about. Let’s hope I get refashion-inspired in July. This month’s challenge is to make a recycled bag, which is right up my alley. I’ve been sketching bag ideas for my KSKS pal–have you seen what some of the kitters have made? FABU! AND. I made some stitch markers this week for her, too. I’m Fit and I Knit has changed for me. Instead of boxing (I miss my coach and boxing partner!), I’m going to try to kayak each week…finally made it out this week on a rain-less afternoon! I’ve been adding some running to my daily walk with the dogs, too. Bitchin’ Mittens is all in my head still…I haven’t had an idea good enough to sketch out yet, but I will. Project Spectrum, as Scout will have you know, has been through R-O-Y-G-B and now it’s V. Since my KSKS pal LURVS purple, I’ll be a PS fairy this month! AND. I’ve decided on the project I’ll make for my One Skein Secret Pal: Twitterpated, which I loved when Carole made hers.

AND.

Lisa from Knitting By the Sea was my PS Postcard Swap pal. Get a load of these goodies. There was chocolate, too. Was. And a beautiful card that I’ve already written to a good friend, lovely fabric, adorable gift cards, ribbon, seed beads, ginger mints, and a cool gel pen and little notebook.

That’s all I have tonight. Oh. Except this. Happy Birthday, Noelle! Mwuah!

Author: BeverlyArmyWilliams