Rare Breed

A few days ago I ordered an online class from Craftsy called, "Know Your Wool" which explained the variety and make up of many common breeds of wool. It was fascinating!  This morning I read an article from Knitter's Review" on Muskox Qiviut which is eight times warmer than wool.  That led me to Windy Valley's website and their article on Vicuna yarn.

Muskox Qiviut

Knitter's Review had a recent poll asking readers if they cared what breed of sheep produced the yarn they like to use.  I had to say, I haven't been so picky in the past but I am becoming more so now.  It seems that origins are more important than we realize.  At least I'm beginning to feel that way.  They're important to our clothing (cotton, silk, wool, etc.), they're important to our language (etymology), and they're even important to our behavior.  Some of us come from very caring families while others come from places where you have to fend for yourself at an early age.  Some families are wealthy while others are poor.  

When it comes to fiber, the tougher the environment, the more delicate the undercoat of the fiber is.  Which leads me back to my online wool investigations!  "Vicuña is the rarest and finest hair fiber available in the world and these animals live only in the upper altitudes of the Andes Mountains." according to the Windy Valley website.  A single strand is hollow, which makes it able to trap air and be the warmest fiber in the world, as well as the most expensive.

Vicuna

Our circumstances, origins and environment play a big role in our character and behavior. The worst circumstances can often bring out the very best of who and what we are. So the next time you are feeling down about your past or current difficult circumstances, remember the Vicuna.  Know that what's in you may be more valuable than you think!!

Getting Crafty

 Knitting
After starting a scarf for my friend, I'd only gotten about 6-8 inches into the project when I weighed the scarf-so-far and then weighed the remaining yarn.  They were almost exactly the same!  I knew that this would be a lost cause.  (This is the way knitters determine if you have enough yarn left to make a project.) No one really wants a scarf that's 14 inches long.  Time to rip it out and start over.

Yesterday morning I was up really early, and ended up in the garage going through my stash trying to find suitable yarn for an alternate project for my friend.  I had tried a crochet hat that started out well the night before, but my DH looked at me funny when I showed him what I'd done.  The hat was very 70's and kind of like the one that guy wore on Welcome Back Kotter, with a brim in the front.  Nah.

Then I started a couple of scarves,  but did not like either of them so I'm officially in a simmering mode.  Just giving it time. But I will make something for Jeannie.  She is a generous friend and quickly gave me not one, but two wreaths for my front door. One for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas.

Thanksgiving wreath

Christmas wreath

 She's very talented and made these shoes for a friend.  What an artist!

Shoes by Jeannie

Spinning
So I spun some more of the Dryer-Lint roving and made a cool, artsy hank of wool.  I'm trying to find a large amount of yarn to make a throw for my DD and SIL.  They asked for one this weekend; one that was soft and big enough to use over the whole body without lace holes.  Got it.  Probably will mean acrylic from Hobby Lobby in chunky or bulky weight.  I love a challenge!  And I see Christmas Present on the gift tag!

Family
We had a marvelous day with our new granddaughter Saturday.  It was her first trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  I remember that last time they visited was before the baby was born, and I realized when they left that day, that the next time there would be a baby in the back seat.  She's a doll in her car seat.  And she's a doll when she sleeps and when she's awake.  And I was elated to see her laugh when we sang Toot Sweets from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Apparently the songs from the movie are sung all the time around her house.  So guess what album we just bought.  Well, we had to settle for the Broadway album, but Charlotte will never know. 

Thinking how much fun it is to go to Grandma's

Taking the Plunge

Tonight the weather is truly taking the plunge - 36 degrees!  After a really hot summer and some early cool temperatures, the cold weather is finally here.  I'm not one to wear shorts in the snow, although I used to live in the mountains where the locals thought nothing of shorts in winter. Not me!  I am always up for a cozy sweater, homemade socks and if possible, clogs!  Yes, I love wearing my clogs with handknitted socks.  My daughter assures me that it should not be done, sometimes I can't help myself.   I'd love a real true pair of dutch clogs like these:

YES?

When I moved to TN from the mountains of NC, I had thoroughly embraced being a mountain gal.  I used to wear overalls with a t-shirt and Birkenstocks without a second thought.
Then I moved to Nashville, TN, where folks are a bit more vain (please forgive me, but its true) and I realized I was in a whole other rodeo.  Not the kind where you wear cowboy hats and boots.  People here all color their hair, they wear very trendy clothes and shave their beards and mustaches in all kinds of funny ways.  I've had a lot of learning to do, and tried to adapt quickly, but occasionally, you'll catch me wearing something that would land me a permanent spot on What Not To Wear.
Anyway, I know my friends will still love me if they catch me wearing clogs and wool socks!

Knitting:
After visiting my friend Jeannie in IN, I knew I had to start a project for her.

Check out the WREATH she made! 

 I bought some super squishy yarn at a LYS and decided it would make a perfect feather-and-fan scarf for her.  Jeannie knows how to wear scarves so I knew this would be the perfect new project . 

And I have to share some of the goodies I got at my friend, Suzanne's house a couple of weeks ago. 
There were lots of spinning accessories including these gorgeous wool combs. and hand cards. 

Combs and Hand Cards

There were spindles of all sizes, knitting needles and a great crochet hook. 

Drop Spindles and Books

Bags of woo and needles

There was beautiful wool in great bags on the front porch of her log cabin. 
Yes, I said log cabin.  Not your average run of the mill ranch style house in the suburbs.  It sooo reminded me of the mountain cabins where we used to live.  Rustic with woods all around. 

And I got some excellent books. Books like A Gathering of Lace, and a Barbara Walker Treasury!  And cookbooks and gardening books.  I'm telling you, I scored!!

I made a deal with myself though;  that I would NOT  try to spin any of the wool I got until next year.  I'm trying to "Spin Down in 2012".  That is to say that I'm trying to spin all the wool I have in my stash, before starting any new spinning projects.  I'm kind of behind with the new grandbaby and a spontaneous trip to IN last weekend.  Not much spinning this week, but I did finish knitting and sewing up the cable pillows for my daughter!

As for reading, I'm on an audio book kick.  I started a new one today, and I've almost finished it already. 

Its by Henry Cloud.  He has a great book on Boundaries in case you need some help in that area.  I highly recommend it!
I finished the book by Bernie Madoff's daughter in law. It was quite sad and left me a little depressed.  So many people hurt by this one man. A compelling story but not a happy ending, as you probably already guessed.
 I've enjoyed this new book and its been very encouraging, especially as I'm entering a new phase of life. 

Life is Good

What a wonderful, crazy week I've had.  I am at a loss for words to convey the range of emotion I've experienced this week.

Little Angel

In the same week my son's firstborn came into this world, and my husband's father had a stroke.
In the same week I cried great tears at the sight of my first grandchild, and cried tears on the phone telling my daughter that we were following an ambulance carrying my father in law to the hospital.

While everyone is well, I am emotionally spent. Thank you Lord for knitting and coffee. Thank you Lord for Your Word that guides me through the paths of life.  Thank you Lord for friends and family that support us and cheer us on.  Thank you Lord for Your grace that leaves me wiggle room when I'm a mess.
Thank you Lord Jesus!

Quiet moment with my wonderful husband

We have so much to be thankful for, in all things, give thanks!