Greenville Knit-In

Friday I packed a suitcase of yarn, needles and projects and headed to Greenville SC, with mom in tow, for the SC Knitting Guild's Knit-In. We arrived at the hotel around 7:00 pm, checked in and registered.

Byron, my youngest brother lives in Greenville and joined us for the evening. I've never been in downtown Greenville and it is wonderful. Lots of restaurants, shops and pubs catering to all ages. It was wonderful to see people over the age of 35 enjoying themselves and hanging out without appearing to be something of an oddity. Part of Greenville's eclectic appeal and openess is probably directly related to the number of European companies and employees living in the area.

Columbia's evening scene caters to the under 35 set. It's been a while since I've been out but if it's getting anything closer to what I'experienced this weekend it's a definite improvement. I can totally understand why little bro' rarely stays here overnight when he comes to visit.

On Saturday the real fun began. They hotel was quickly inundated with knitters. There were 3 vendors who set up shop and I purchased an Interlacement beaded scarf kit,


TNT Beaded Scarf Kit
a huge Laurel Burch bag (It will hold an entire sweater in progress along with several smaller projects unlike my favorite knitting bag.)


Deborah, one of the Guild members, gave up her spot for me in the Fair Isle class. I met Lou of the Piedmont Knitting Guild who helped me out of jam in the Fair Isle class when I couldn't strand the non-working yarn carried in my right hand. One of the guild members taught me the Magic Loop method which I'll demo during the sock class. Byron picked up mom to go shopping earlier and told her that he felt a little overwhelmed. He'd never seen that many knitters in his life!!!

The Yarngineer kindly drove 3 of us to The Needletree for their annual knit-in sale. I purchased yarn for a scarf, a bunch of 40" addi Turbos, scarfStyle and the recent VK.




That evening I got an impromptu spinning lesson that evening from Linda, also with the Piedmont group, and will remember from now on that where there are knitters there are usually spinners and vice versa and pack my wheel. She gave me some excellent tips on spinning on the Majacraft Little Gem. She spins on Majacraft Suzie and a Reeves Wheel, don't remember which one.

I made some new friends, learned some new things, had a great time and finally got a picture of the completed Log Cabin Socks.



Specs:

Pattern: Log Cabin Socks from Handknit Holidays
Yarn: Cascade Pastaza
Needles: 8 US Inox circular
Size: Men's size 14
Started: December 6, 2006 Finished: December 24, 2006

Modifications: I added 4 stitches to allow enough width the foot. These were inserted on each side of the cable pattern.

Maybe New Year

I know that's a strange name for a post, but it would seem that the fates have conspired against us. The kitchen will not be complete for Xmas and probably not for New Year's either. The refrigerator space is too small which means that some of the cabinets will need to be disassembled and spacers added. Aside from the refrig sitting in the middle of the floor and the missing microwave most of the kitchen is completed. The convection oven is in so that will ease some of the workload on the main oven.

I've already begun prep since I'll be the main cook for the day. Mom's having her knee scoped on the 19th so that leaves me as the sole chef. It's funny but last Xmas I was in the same situation because she had injured her knee.

The Log Cabin socks are 50% complete. I'm making a men's size 14 and these puppies are nice and warm. Other than the extreme amount of shedding that is occurring this yarn is very nice to knit.


One foot done with a fish mouth toe. I don't know if these are long enough so just to be on the safe side I haven't grafted the toe.


This isn't a great pic but it shows the depth of the cables and the pattern better than any of the other photos.


This pic shows the true color of the yarn. The pattern is excellent and little brother should love these manly socks.

There are a few more things to cast on. One more bolero, a pair of slippers and maybe a shawl.