Vintage Knitting

Annie, tweeted about this great post on vintage knitting. Check it out! It is a little snapshot of American history. There are some pretty funny entries!

The Carnage....

The Yarn Mangler!

Now everyone who knows me knows that I love my dog. I love Kobe more than anything and quite possibly most people. My friends have accused me of spoiling him rotten. I can see that. Kobe has free run of the house and can do just about anything he wants. Of course there is just one rule: He is not to touch my yarn.

This rule has been in place since he came to live with me in 2006 and it has never been an issue. He has torn up the trash, eaten my socks, shredded newspaper, mail, and paper towels ( he LOOVES to tear up paper towels) and I had no problem with it. He is a dog. I just cleaned it up and bought him more toys.

But he does not touch my yarn. I leave it just about everywhere. I have projects sitting on my bed, on my nightstand, in the bookcase in my room, on the sofa upstairs in my knitting studio and he walks right past them.

But this morning. This morning, I went upstairs and nearly had a heart attack. Kobe had pulled out at least 15 skeins of yarn. Nothing was shredded, the skeins were just everywhere. It was as if he had found a box of toys and went to town. Now to make it worse, we walked past a giant bag of acrylic yarn that I am donating to the Yarn Garage.

No, that did not meet his standard. Kobe went after my Malabrigo, both the Silky Merino and the Aquarella Solis. He took a liking to the Noro Silk Garden, the Rowan KidSilk Haze, the Kraemer Bear Creek Bulky and Berroco Zen. I could tell that he nibbled and played with them. Tossed the skeins in the air like they were his toys. But his favorite was the Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky (yes, the yarn I just bought at the ten year sample sale!), he actually unbraided the skeins of that. I'm thinking it was animal magnetism. Now there are no photos of the carnage, I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

I was livid. I screamed at Kobe so loud, he went outside and didn't want to come back in. I was so mad, I brought him back in the house and made him go back upstairs so I could yell at him while I cleaned it up. Now, I have never yelled at Kobe like this. He was so scared, that he didn't want to go back upstairs.

After I calmed down, I gave him treats both downstairs and upstairs. I felt so bad. He didn't destroy anything and I shouldn't have yelled at him like that. I love my dog. In fact I love him even more now because after this I realize that it is just yarn and he is worth more to me than yarn. But I really hope he doesn't do this again.

Eryka

My Priorities

I went to lunch with a couple of coworkers this afternoon. We were going to the Good Day Cafe (just off 394) so of course I grabbed my knitting bag. Itwould be a prime opportunity to finish my swatch for the Spence-a-Long.

Lunch was fabulous! I actually had breakfast and I did make a lot or progress on the swatch I started yesterday.

It wasn't until the bill came that I realized I had forgotten to bring my purse! I brought my knitting bag, but nothing that would enable me to pay my share of lunch.

Needless to say, I was mortified! Fortunately, Heather paid for my lunch and I promptly paid her back when we got back to the office, but I think I will have a hard time living this one down!

Here is a picture of my swatch. I took it with my BB so it is a bit fuzzy.

Eryka

KAL: Sideways Spencer Redux (Spence-A-Long)

Hi All,

As you may know, one of my knitting goals for year is to knit Annie Modesitt's Sideways Spencer Redux Sweater. Well, it seems that a group of us share that same passion, so we are starting a KAL. We had our first meeting a few weeks ago at Cupcake Cafe (which is really cool place to visit), but we did more talking than knitting!!

So, we set a goal for ourselves to have a swatch finished by our next knitting group meeting, which is Feb. 26. I am starting my swatch tonight and I don't think I should have too much trouble with it. The yarn I am using is Praire Silks in Burnished Copper. It is a lovely yarn by Brown Sheep Company.

Since this is a favorite piece for many, I think the more people who join the KAL the better. If you would like to do so, please download the Spencer Sideways Redux Sweater pattern from Annie's site then, send leave a comment below and we will get you signed up for the group.

P.S. Kobe said hi.

Thanks!
Eryka

Knit Out 2009 Recap

Hi all,

Knit Out 2009 is now behind us, and I must say it was better than ever this year! In addition to major yarn manufacturers like Lion Brand, Red Heart, Carons, Bernat, and Patons, there was also a plethora of classes and demonstrations. I didn't get a chance to do any of the classes; every time I got to one I wanted to do, it was full! I think I will have to arrive earlier next year!








Lion Brand displayed several new yarns in their LB collection. I was enamoured with the cashmere and organic wool, but the collection also includes cotton bamboo and super merino (looks like a sock yarn). The Lion Brand Lion was also there, entertaining the kids and knitters who are kids-at-heart!



Clover was back with its wall of needles and a team demonstrating some of their coolest notions. They were also raising money for breast cancer research. (it looks as if we did pretty well)



Leisure Arts and Storey were in full force offering the latest books and pattern guides. Elise Duvekot was on hand demonstrating the knit one below technique. I was correct in thinking that the knit-one-below stitch is similar to the brioche stitch, it is just saner!



The charity knitting area was full of neat surprises this year. In addition to a knitting bible study group, there was a great organization there called the Mother Bear Project. They get knitters and crocheters around the world to create dolls and send them in. Then the group stitches on a felt heart and sends them to children in African countries with HIV/AIDS.


I had such fun. I was supposed to meet some of the ladies from the knitting group, but I was late and I missed them. So I milled about the event to see if I could find them.

As I was about the leave, Patsy asked me to help teach some of the learning to knit classes. It was nice...I taught three different groups. I felt really good.

I loved Knit Out this year, I can't wait until next year! Here are more the rest of the photos from the event.

Knit Out 2009

Ta,
Eryka

Getting Ready for the Knit Out

Hi,

I am really looking forward to this weekend! Knit Out 2009 starts on Saturday morning at the Mall of America, and like every year, I can not wait! Of course this year has more in store! In addition to the vendors, classes, fashion shows, and other exciting activities we enjoy every year, this year Yarnery is setting up a cart between Nordstrom's and Macy's near H&M. They promise to have a fabulous selection of yarns available for purchase, including Malabrigo and others..

They like me...They really really like me!

Hi all,

I just found out that the lovely ladies at both Hope Knits and Twinset have nominated me for a Kreativ Blogger Award! I am so flattered! You know when I started the venture, I didn’t really think anyone would care about my knitting, but I have made so many wonderful friends this way.

I love reading so many incredible sites that it would be impossible for me to honor those who are way more deserving than me. But, In keeping with the rules, I shall do my best! Here is a list of sites that inspire and motivate me as knitter. They also entertainment and keep me linked to a community which I love dearly.

However, before I get to my list, here are the rules for the Kreative Awards:

As a new nominee, you are encouraged to:
1. Copy the award to your site.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate 8 other bloggers.
4. Link to those on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

Here are my nominees:

Chris

Carolyn

Ellen & Jan
Julie
Turtle
Lime Dragon
Zukeila
Beverly

I hope you meet some new knitting friends at the sites above. Thanks again for all the love!!