Dodged the Bullet?

We were all geared up for a brute of an ice storm. We rarely get snow in Columbia, SC just that nastly old ice. I'm glad it was not near as bad as they were predicting.

All day yesterday I felt like I had ADD. Constantly switching between projects, going outside to check the freezing and just generally disorganized. The amazing thing is that when I got up this morning I realized how much I had really done.

1. Spun, plied and set some merino/silk. Too bad at 125 yds it's really not enough for anything.
2. Finished the swatches for a machine knitting class I'm teaching next weekend.
3. Almost finished the pink beads socks for the Six Sox Knit-Along. (Finished today.)
4. Taught myself how to knit socks from the toe up.

All in all it was a very productive day.

There's something eerie about having your options taken away as this storm did. Maybe it's the knowledge that even if you wanted to go somewhere it wouldn't be the smart thing to do. You have the car, the gas and the money you're still stuck. But then there's the ice. In spite of its' seductive beauty it's safer inside.

Pink Beads from the Six Sox Knit-Along 

The Magic of Light

I recently got 2 Ott lights. A small one that clamps or stands and a floor lamp. The amazing thing is that I never realized how really bad the lighting was until I turned the first one on. It's amazing how much better I can see and the reduction in eye tiredness.

I was knitting on the standard knitting machine last night and moved the floor light next to the machine bed. All I can say is wow!! Mind you, I haven't knitted on this machine in over year but it is wonder that I accomplished what I did. It is making this second go-round of learning to machine knit so much more pleasant. Maybe I can actually make something other than hats and scarves now that I can see the stitches and needles better.

I also like the lamps for hand knitting. I've started using them mainly when working on socks or dark colors and there's no struggle to see the details.

Since I spent most of yesterday evening running back and forth from the machine to the TV, American Idol started last night, I've really got to blast ahead to get my swatches made for the demo on edgings. It also looks like I might actually finish the knitalong socks on time. The more I look at it the more I realize that I really dislike the beads but I'll cross that bridge before I start the second sock.

Scarf Central

I finished the Fluted Banisters for the Six Sox Knitalong and I've turned heel on the pink beads. I stopped after the first banister was done to knit Xmas presents.

5 Seaman's scarves, all from various "stash" yarns
1 fan and feather, Jaeger Matchmaker Merino DK in a soft peach from "stash"
1 2x2 rib, love the Noro Implessions from the "stash"
4 felted purses
1 felted hat

The bad news is that the Hook 'n' Needle has a sale going on and I bought 12 balls of sock yarn (100 g balls), 2 books and 36 balls of Takhi Pansy (12 x 3 different colors). I'm still very conscientous about knitting from the stash yarn, but this didn't help the situation out much.

I must admit though, that I've been successful in using stash yarns with the exception of the yarns I've bought for felting. I just can't seem to part with the wools I have in my stash for felting. I prefer Kureyon, Brown Sheep, Cascade 220 or
Galway. In March I'll be teaching a felting class for the Palmetto Purlers Weekend Knit-In in Columbia, SC and another class on button making. I'll also be teaching a class on Machine Knit Edging for the Midland Machine Knitter's the first week of February. Busy, busy, busy.

The Susan Seaman's Scarf from Stahman's Shawls and Scarves by Myrna A.I. Stahman is a wonderful well written book. I recommend it highly.

In Memoriam

It's been difficult to blog. I've attempted to post several times and just couldn't so I'd like to make this post a memorial to my father who passed on December 1st. Rest in peace daddy.

MSG Billy Morris USA (Retired)
March 7 1937 - December 1, 2004
Interred December 30, 2004 Arlington National Cemetary

Stash Guilt

I've just returned from a stash raiding trip. I call it a trip because my stash doesn't actually reside at my house. I rent a storage unit specifically for the purpose of storing the majority of my hand and machine knitting yarns. It's a 10x10 with boxes and bins of yarn as far as you can see.

Pretty disgusting. And yet I shop for more. The really sad thing is it's not just run of the mill cheapos. Silks, wools, cottons, mohairs and cashmeres reside in the stash. Wonderful blends and textures that make you smile and wonder how someone could make something so beautiful.

I figure that if I hand knit 20 sweaters a year it would still take me 15-20 years to clear the hand knitting stash. Mind you I said sweaters. I rarely purchase less than enough to knit at a minimum a sleeveless sweater. That's why with the exception of some yarns for Xmas gifts I'm on a serious stash reduction diet. Although the truth is I should have checked before I bought those. I've just returned from a Xmas stash raid.

I need a drink, a smoke and some knitting therapy.