Not according to plan

At a recent spin-in, I planned to sit next to the spinner we all consider the best and have her show me how she pre-drafts, but she was knitting, not spinning, that day.

The roving I brought to work on is a bit felted and is producing a very dark, unattractive yarn. So the spin-in was not a very satisfactory session for me. I plan to run the rest of the roving through the drum carder with something else, to see if I can lighten (and loosen) it up.

Knitting: Inching along on the socks.
Spinning: See above.
Weaving: See below.

I wanted to warp a set of log cabin towels before the next rigid heddle weaving study group since the topic was to be color weaving. Following the directions in an issue of Little Looms, I worked my way across the loom, but when I reached the end, I realized there was a mistake. The error turned out to be near the beginning - it's hard to see white yarn against a white heddle - and I debated on how to fix it. In the end, I UNwarped the loom and started over.

Now I find that all that abrasion on the yarn has produced a couple of broken warp threads. *sigh*

Another leadership idea... for me

Between the yard, the house, my family, my friends, the pets, the guilds, etc., I feel a bit overwhelmed these days. So when someone suggested the spinning guild needs a study group in fiber prep and spinning techniques, I nearly collapsed. However, later I thought that instead of a separate group, we (and by "we" I mean the Old Guard) could teach these skills in a series of programs... NEXT YEAR. The guild has a lot of younger members these days who are not very adept at skills like flick carding, hand carding, plying techniques, spinning techniques, etc. so there is a need. If we old(er) spinners don't share our knowledge, it may be lost at the local level.

Dyeing: I zoomed in on a talk about dyeing with invasives, presented by a member of the Austin fiber guild, which got me looking up local invasives I could dye with. Dame's rocket is on the list, and guess what? I have a volunteer patch of that in my yard. Not much online about using this pretty biannual as a dye source, but I went ahead and plucked the flower heads, which are soaking in tap water (and getting a bit stinky).
Knitting: During a spin-in this past week, I managed to get to the heel turn on both socks. People think I knit a lot of socks (and maybe I do, compared to others), but it's my portable project.
Spinning: I finished spindling and plying the remainder of the fiber from the class I attended. I'm amazed at how balanced the yarn is.
Weaving: The houndstooth towels are off the loom, laundered, and awaiting hemming.

One technique I am not very adept at is pre-drafting and drafting. One of my fiber friends is considered the best spinner among us, as her yarn is very consistant. Her trick is careful pre-drafting. The other night, I watched our resident spindling expert as she spun, and she is very careful with her drafting, so her yarn is very consistant as well. At spin-ins, I need to park myself next to these experts and learn from the best.

Potholders!

The program at this week's weaving guild meeting was about weaving potholders. The best part - we all had the opportunity to weave a potholder. I didn't have time to finish mine at the meeting, but I did so the next day. Fun, but a little hard on my arthritic hands and wrists.

There were lots of examples of patterns one can weave on a potholder loom...

... including houndstooth.

Not sure how one weaves this house.

There were also examples of what one can make from the potholders, like a bag...

... or some balls.

One of the presenters had on a top that looked like it was made from potholders, although it wasn't. Wish I had taken a pic. If you are potholder-curious, here are some resources:

• Facebook groups: Potholder People, Potholder Design Genie, Radical Potholder Weavers
• Friendly Loom Wizard
• Online community, loops, books, patterns, kits at Kate Kilmurray
• "Make a potholder loom" with Kelly Casanova
• Piglet's Potholder Patterns

And of course there are many YouTube videos to help you along this path.

Spinning: I 2-plied the yarn that was on the spindle.
Weaving: Besides finishing my potholder, I finished the mug rugs - separate post to follow.

An item on my fiber arts "bucket list" is to dye with indigo. I've done this in a class or two over the years, but I don't really understand the whole process. Maiwa School of Textiles offers online classes, including one called Journey into Indigo. I'm very tempted.

Colorway inspiration

Every year the weaving guild issues a challenge. This year is to create a warp wrapping using colors from a picture. Not wanting to purchase any yarn, I contemplated "reverse engineering" the colors, choosing ones that I would match with a photo after the fact. Instead, I am inspired by the colors of spring blossoms in my yard.

I also decided they did not have to match 100%.

I think I like the bottom one the best. Thoughts?

It's been a busy week regarding fiber gatherings. I volunteered to take over the librarian responsibilities for the weaving guild next year. That was met by the 90-year-old current librarian not only with tearful relief, but it has also led to helping purge the library books, as our cabinet is FULL. The evictees will be offered to the guild members for 75% off their online used book value.

This past week was also the inaugural meeting of the rigid heddle weaving study group. One never knows how these things will work out, but I could not have asked for a better response from the group. We helped each other, learned something new, socialized, etc. The May meeting is already scheduled, and we may continue into the summer - that's how much fun it was.

Yesterday was an easy fiber gathering, at least for me, as it was a spin-in at the Little Shop of Spinning in Roanoke IN. All I had to do was show up. Ditto today's fiber club.

Knitting: At the above mentioned spin-in, I worked on the current pair of socks.
Spinning: Almost every day, I practice spindling.
Weaving: Warped the SampleIt at the study group using the yarns from last week's sample and wove a couple of mug rugs both then and at today's fiber club.

At the fiber club today, I sat at a table with an inkle loom weaver. The two of us generated a certain amount of interest, so perhaps we will have some new weavers in the future.

A-spindling we will go....

Many (MANY) years ago I took a class in how to spin using a spindle. It didn't take - too slow - so I bought a wheel. Recently, after watching a weaving guild member spin on a supported spindle during a meeting, I became interested in spindling again. Fortuitously, a spinning guild member offered a class through the local parks and rec department. That - and a few YouTube videos - got me going, so now I can spin on a spindle. (Plying is another story.)

(An aside: as you recall, I could not find my supported spindle a while back. When I did find it, I put a newly purchased spindle with it and tucked them in a safe place, or so I thought. Now I can't find them. The class fee included a spindle and fiber, so no problem there, but I would really like to find the missing ones.)

Dyeing: I dyed a couple of skeins in a dye bath made from avocado pits and peels; separate post to follow.
Knitting: Still working on the socks.
Spinning: Just the spindling, ma'am.
Weaving: Finally put on my big girl panties and wrestled with the poor tension on the houndstooth towels; the added weights help... sort of.

Wove a sample using some handspun for the weft (not sure if the warp is handspun - if it is, it was spun by someone other than me), that may lead to a table runner.

As if that is not enough, I am also experimenting with cyanotype on this lovely sunny day. Fun stuff!

Bucket list(s) revisited

After executing a search through my blog for "bucket", I found several references to fiber bucket lists. Have I made any progress on any of these? Let's see.

From April 9, 2023: 

• Dyeing: 
• With mushrooms 
• With lichens 
• Precipitate natural dye from the dye bath 
• Weaving: 
• Double weave 
• Weave with two heddles 
• Spinning: 
• Chain-ply 
• Core spinning 
• Projects: 
• Weave rugs from tee shirts 
• Weave rugs with all the rug yarn I have 
• Weave rugs from "rags" 
• Weave with "plarn" (yarn made from plastic bags)

From December 29, 2024:

• Sweaters:
• Adult-size baby surprise, using acid-dyed Cascade 220
• Imitate one from the cover of the Fun Times (local Parks and Rec publication)

From March 1, 2026:

• Weaving:
• Italian hemstitch

Hmmm. About the only items on these lists that I have accomplished is learning to chain-ply and playing around with core spinning (and not very successfully). Are these bucket lists still important to me? Is there more I want to do? Less? Something to ponder.

Knitting: The toes are done on the latest pair of socks and they are on their way.
Spinning: The Polish merino is plied, mostly three-plied with the leftover bits chain-plied.

We may not live by bread alone, but I am still exploring baking with sourdough. This week I made scones from the discard, plus baked a third loaf. My starter is finally beginning to develop a tang. I'm also learning that, since my house is a bit cooler than most, the dough needs more time to rise.

Speaking of scones, I think it is time for my afternoon tea break. Ta!

I can see clearly now...

The cataract surgeries are over - what a simple procedure! Other than dozing the rest of the day away, there is very little to recover from. All I have to do is remember to use the eye drops and DON'T RUB MY EYES (difficult as pollen season is starting). Since I opted for the upgrade, my astigmatism has been corrected, but I still need reading glasses for close work (like knitting, reading, and computer work). It's sort of like having permanent contact lenses without the hassle.

Knitting: Started a new pair of socks.

Spinning: Finished spinning the Polish merino.

Taxes are over, too - I efiled today. I have used TurboTax for many years, but the interface wasn't as good this time. I had to go through the whole thing twice to make sure everything was done right. No fun.

Almost too successful, part 2

I passed around a sign-up sheet for a rigid heddle weaving study group at both the spinning guild and the weaving guild, plus at the fiber club. Sixteen people signed up. That is a lot. Now I have to organize everyone and everything and find a venue. My vision is the more experienced weavers will help the noobs, but we'll see how that works out.

Knitting: In the homestretch on the second pair of anklets.
Sewing: Finished the weaving class tote, finally.
Spinning: Not quite done with the Polish merino.
Weaving: Stymied by the tension issues on the houndstooth towels. I needed something to demo at the Jay County Fiber Arts and Artisans Fair, so I warped up a houndstooth scarf.

I came down with another cold this past week, but it seems to have departed prematurely (except for feelings of fatigue). I made it to the fair for a couple of hours. I'm glad I went, as I overheard the spinning guild VP mention to a passerby that we were going to be Zooming the meetings. Huh? I had started working on that myself. I am happy she took the initiative, but it would have been nice to be informed about it since I am the president.

At this week's weaving guild, I brought up a couple of things we can do to attract more members, then dropped them in the other members' laps. It would be easy for them to just let me do it all, but I want some buy-in from the rest of the gang. Fortunately, a couple of them stepped up. We have several new members, so that helps demonstrate what I doing as the "outreach coordinator".

Almost too successful

Today's FW Fiber Arts Club was packed with twenty-five attendees. The program was "gathering dye materials for natural dyeing", which may have been part of the draw, but many present were from the local embroidery guild. Everyone listened to what the speakers had to say and asked questions, then afterwards chatted up a storm amongst themselves. On their way out, several thanked me for organizing the group. If the meetings get any larger, we may need to find an alternative place to meet.

Two books I think my library needs:
This past week my SO and I attended an artist talk at a local gallery. The speaker is a member of the weaving guild, but her fiber career has taken off and we rarely see her anymore. One of her areas of expertise is ice dyeing fabric and yarn. (Now I find myself wondering if there is a way to marry ice dyeing and natural dyeing. Something to meditate on.)

Knitting: Turned the heels on the latest anklets.
Sewing: The practice bag is finished.
Spinning: In the homestretch spinning the Polish merino.
Weaving: Tension problems mount on the houndstooth towels, which may become one towel and a placemat.

Something new for you weavers: a tutorial on how to do Italian hemstitch. I haven't tried this yet, but it is on my fiber bucket list.

This past week I met with the doctor who is going to perform cataract surgery on my tired old eyes later this month. It's not critical, but it would be nice to knit black or navy yarn without wearing a headlamp.

A fiber-ish week

One of my ideas for gaining new weaving guild members is to demonstrate weaving at the local yarn stores. As I mentioned before, one is closing (and I still think it would make a great fiber club). I visited another one yesterday, Simply Socks, but Allison wasn't there. I eyeballed the space, and quite frankly, there isn't much room for setting up a loom, even a small one. The place is simply full of yarn (minus four skeins that followed me home).

Above are two skeins of Cascade Cotton Sox I plan to weave into a summer-weight shawl. Below is some Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light + Copper.

If you look closely, you can see the copper glitter. I'm not sure what I will do with this but probably weave it into something. I bought two skeins, so that shoud be enough for something, right?

Knitting: I planned to do about two hours of knitting during an online natural dyeing presentation, but it was canceled at the last minute. Oh, well.
Sewing: Stymied by the tote made from handwoven cloth, I decided the best thing to do would be make a practice one out of regular cloth. This helped me get the directions straight in my head. Neither bag is finished, but I feel more confident going forward.
Spinning: Deligently spinning the Polish merino (at least, I think that is what it is).
Weaving: Still slaving away at the houndstooth towels; one is done. The practice bag needed a handle, so I wove one on the inkle loom, lickety split.

While I was complaining to my SO about the missing supported spindle, I said something like, "I even bought silk roving to spin on it" - and a light bulb went off. I knew *exactly* where the spindle was - with that fiber. And I was right. End of mystery.

A pause - sort of

The first half of the month is very busy for me, with fiber meetings and fiber meet-ups of one sort or another. The second half is usually calmer, but stuff keeps cropping up. I don't suffer from FOMO, but....

And yet I am contemplating starting a rigid heddle weaving study group. Thinking there might be three or four interested parties, I was surprised to have about eight would-be weavers interested... and I haven't even asked at the weaving guild meeting yet. I'm glad the interest is there, though. (This is part of my agenda to get more members for the weaving guild.)

It also would be easier if I did not belong to a couple of non-local guilds. Yesterday I attended a two-hour meeting (remotely) about transitioning from using commercial yarn to handspun for weaving. It was very interesting, informative, and inspiritng. The chitchat was running into a third hour, though, so I bailed.

Knitting: I forgot to mention before that I finished the headband several weeks ago. The Melt the ICE hat is done as well. I made a lot of progress on the anklets during that online meeting.

Spinning: Finished chain-plying the last of the merino/alpaca fiber and skeined it. I forgot to mention that I started spinning the Polish merino about a month ago - I can't keep up.
Weaving: Working on the houndstooth towels; the tension is really messed up, so it is slow going.

I decided to put my new spindle with the supported spindle and its spinning dish, for safekeeping. But I can't find the latter. I have a set of drawers with each drawer dedicated to a different fiber activity, so I put the spindle in the spinning drawer. I hope I remember that it is there come March, and I hope I can find the missing supported spindle by then as well, as the March spinning guild meeting is about spindling. It is hell getting old.

It's a bit much

Saturday I (remotely) attended a Guild Development Retreat hosted by the Handweavers Guild of America (which is about more than weaving). Four sessions on various topics, plus chat rooms. I picked up a LOT of ideas for building both of the guilds I belong to.

Today I led the latest fiber gathering which now has a name: the Fort Wayne Fiber Arts Club. The other organizer could not be there, so it fell on me. Fortunately, I had help: some spinning guild members demonstrated prepping fiber using flickers, combs, cards, and a blending board, plus spindling. We also listened to a mini-lecture about historical undergarments.

Tuesday evening the local quilt guild is having a sale, which I feel compelled to attend. And on Wednesday I am one of the program presenters at the weaving guild. Then there is a spin-in next Saturday and the spinning guild meeting next week. Whew!

Knitting: Progress on the anklets, mostly achieved during one of the retreat sessions that didn't really apply to my guilds. Purchased the pattern for the Melt the Ice hat (available on Ravelry).
Spinning: Chain-plying the merino-alpaca yarn, which keeps breaking.
Weaving: Some progress on the houndstooth towels.

I was going to write a post about dyeing with Indian hemp, but the results were so disappointing, plus my notes kind of petered out after a while. The yarn is some mystery handspun singles, so the type of wool may have contributed to this failure. I plan to overdye it this summer, with something, *anything*.

One of my other hobbies is pottery, which has fallen by the wayside. And you can see why.

Thrifting

My granddaughter wanted to go "thrifting" today. We hit up the three thrift stores closest to my house. She found a couple of tops. I found a "new" sewing machine.

Finding a manual for it is another thing. Hopefully, Singer's customer support will be able to help me.

I also found a mug I could not resist.

Knitting: A while back I knit a dishcloth from some yarn I dyed with the dye left over from the tie-dye program at the spinning guild; I finished a second one from the same skein, so now I consider that project finished. Some knitting occurred on the second pair of anklets.
Spinning: Some of the merino/alpaca is three-plied; I plan to chainply the rest.
Weaving: The 24" Ashford rigid heddle loom is warped with red and black 8/4 cotton warp, for a pair of houndstooth dish towels. I continue to prep for the next weaving guild program - tapestry techniques.

Speaking of dyeing, I recently learned of the Maiwa School of Textiles which offers some online classes, one of which is titled "The Natural Dye Workshop". Yes, I have taken some natural dye workshops from local teachers, but this is at a different level. The price of the class itself is reasonable, but the (optional) supply kit is a bit expensive. I'm tempted, but don't have the time right now. Maybe this summer?

That's MADAME President

I agreed to be the president for the spinning guild for 2026, and already I am regretting it a bit. Getting everything organized has been a lot of work! I'm hoping once I get the committee chairs named, things will fall into place and everything will just glide along. (HAHAHAHA)

Actually, we have a great group of officers who are young (as in younger than me) and enthusiastic. I am hopeful that it will be a great year for the guild.

Knitting: The anklets are ready for the Kitchener stitch to close the toes (tonight's goal); there is enough yarn to make another pair.

Spinning: At yesterday's spin-in, I finished spinning the merino/alpaca.

I'm still planning to catch up on outstanding blog posts. Hopefully, you don't feel overly inundated with what I have managed so far. They just might be a little slower coming.

Fiber guilds everywhere

Not satisfied with belonging to two fiber guilds here in town, I have joined the Michigan League of Handweavers and the Weavers and Spinners Society of Austin (Texas). Actually, I was a member of the Michigan one several years ago, to get discounts on classes at the Michigan Fiber Festival. One of my (now local) fiber friends is from Texas, has retained her membership in the guild, and speaks highly of it, enticing me to join. With the magic of Zoom, it is possible to participate remotely.

I hope there is a fiber guild or two where you live.

Knitting: One anklet is ready for the toe, the other over halfway there.
Spinning: During a Zoom spin-in with the Austin guild, I worked on the merino/alpaca blend.
Weaving: *Finally* hung the leno curtains in my bathroom, so now I consider them done-done

Once again, I have been working on the mess I call a studio, partially because the mess had extended to the dining room. Step one was to corral all the handspun into trash bags - TWO big ones! - so I could sort what was not yarn. I also disassembled the Great Grizzly with the intention of selling it, as I never completed one project on it. Now the dining room mess is in the studio in a not-so-messy state.

I don't have any resolutions for the new year. In the past, it seemed like they resembled wishful thinking more than goals. I am hoping to figure out what to do with all that handspun, though. Using handspun has been the theme of a series of programs with the Austin guild this past year or so, and those sessions are recorded. Hopefully, something there will inspire me.

Hiatus

I think I am "off duty" for the next couple of weeks, although I'm sure something will crop up. When I was still working, I tried to save vacation days for the last week of the year and used that time to get things in order for the coming year. A good habit to have.

One big event this past week was the spinning guild holiday party, which was also the end of our 50th anniversary celebrations. Ordinarily, members bring dishes to share, including entrees. This time I suggested that the guild provide the meat, and the request was for Honey Baked Ham (and roasted turkey). That was a hit.

Toward the end of the meal, our special guests - former members - shared some memories of the guild, many of which involved those members who have left this mortal coil. One of those long-gone members was well known for her cream puffs, so one of the guests provided those in rememberance.

Then there was the "Yankee Swap" gift exchange. One problem that is arising is sometimes the gift is something another member made. Also, at the very end, the last one to choose a gift was faced with her own gift... which she was happy to take back.

One can never have too many yarn bowls

My ulterior motive for staging this party was to drive home to the younger, less involved members the need for them to step up so that the guild continues for another fifty years.

Knitting: Started a pair of footies from sock yarn I think I dyed at a workshop and don't care for, first as toe-up, but I kept screwing up, so switched to top-down.

Top-down socks are a rarity for me

Spinning: Working on some fine yarn I don't care for much - I can't seem to get enough twist into it.
Weaving: Started a checked scarf because I screwed up the warping for another houndstooth scarf.

How NOT to warp for houndstooth

I like the checks, the selvages not so much

Another event this week was demonstrating fiber arts at one of the weekend farmers markets (my reason for warping the scarf). One member spun a combination of dog hair and wool, using her spindle. Two members spun on their e-spinners. Another brought a harness loom on which he was weaving a band. And I was there with my SampleIt and pocket loom. We had some items for sale but sold nothing.

Quite a few of those wandering through were wearing handmade scarves and hats and mitts, which led to conversations about fiber arts, which led to handing them business cards for the guilds, my not-so-hidden agenda for organizing these demonstrations.

Now all I need to do is get through the holidays.

Back to the museum

One thing my SO and I have learned is that curator's tours or opening nights are not the best time to view art at a museum or gallery. Sometimes we skip the evening events since we know we will have to return. And back we went to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art to view Paper Made II again.

This piece intrigued me, maybe because it is something I could duplicate. I removed the sheers from one of the patio doors, but there needs to be *something* there. Perhaps my version of this weaving?

I remembered to photograph the information card this time.

"The Blue Route" refers to the blue stripe through the work (I assume).

The FWMoA has a LOT of glass work, which I am not a fan of, but I like this William Morris piece (which happens to have been donated by my ex-sister-in-law).

We also attended an opening at Kinhouse Gallery last night. No pics because crowded. But I met someone new who told me about another local art guild that has been in existance for 50 years, yet I had never heard of it. Their online presence is practically non-existant. This new friend also runs a gallery, so we will have to visit it post-Thanksgiving.

Knitting: On the cuffs of the zebra socks, which is good because I am itching to knit something - anything! - besides socks.
Spinning: The last of the Romney is chain-plied, so *that* is finished... except for setting the twist, labeling the skeins, etc. Someday I will dye it as well.
Weaving: I ordered some supplies from Wawak so I can finish the tote bag.

I'm getting the itch to weave more. Maybe towels? And a scarf for my SO because he lost the last one I wove for him. I was really proud of it and never had a chance to share it with the weaving guild. Wah!

A night at the museum

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art has a monthly event on the second Thursday, when they are open in the evening (and free admission!) There is usually a "curator's talk". This past Thursday, we lucked out and heard three of the artists whose work was in the exhibit.

The exhibit was titled "Paper Made II" and represented about half of the entries to said show curated by the magazine Fiber Art Now. One of the artists present not only exhibited a dress made from National Geographic maps, but wore a paper dress and carried a bag woven from paper. Another artist had a wire and copper mesh piece that had been dipped in flax mush; over time, the copper oxidized and "ate" some of the flax and the artwork continues to evolve. The work of the third artist present was this huge series of nested rings of paper that were suspended from the ceiling; one could walk under and around the piece for different perspectives.

I apologize for not getting names or taking more photos, but the gallery was a bit crowded and a second group was scheduled to come through. I did find some inspriration from this piece, although I would not use paper but yarn (of course), probably felted. The grommets and chains show how a similar piece could come together.

One of the other spectators was wearing what I will described as a "stash sweater". I wanted to chase her down for a photo, but she escaped before I had a chance. The front was blocks similar to a log cabin quilt but larger; the back knit from many colors. More inspiration.

Knitting: Progress on the zebra socks is slow, but I keep plugging along. One of the dishcloths is finished; I think there is enough yarn left over for a slightly smaller second one.
Needle felting: One of the local art spaces is having a fundraiser and is asking for holiday ornaments to sell, so I started one (after the program as the recent spinning guild meeting featured needle felting).
Spinning: All the Romney is spun! And almost all three-plied! There is just a bit leftover that I will chain ply.

My SO and I continue our accountability group. He is a photographer who greatly edits pix in Photoshop and has been grinding out one each day. I don't complete much, but I'm motivated to do *something* each day. That was the goal.

Perseverance

I subscribe to the New York Times online, which gives me access to their puzzles. One of my favorites is Spelling Bee, where the player identifies as many words as they can from the provided seven letters (one of the letters is designated as a "must have" in each word and there is at least one "pangram" that uses all the letters). One's level is determined by the percentage of words one finds. I usually make it to "Amazing" on my first go-round of the day, eventually achieving "Genius" by lunchtime. Once in a great while I find them all and am crowned "Queen Bee".

I have various strategies for figuring out the words - looking for prefixes, suffixes (especially -ed and -ing), compound words, etc. - but mostly my high level of achievement is from pure persistance.

Persistance is also needed in fiber arts. I've learned it (more or less) for knitting and crocheting and spinning, but not so much weaving. Until this tote bag project. Once the loom is warped, the actual weaving (at least, if it is plain weave) is a piece of cake... as long as one sticks with it. And it doesn't take that long. The body of the tote bag involved an hour a day for three days; the strap I finished in one day (with a break or two). And then that part was done.

Now comes the hard part, for me: finishing. The number of WIPs in my project list on Ravelry is testament to my lack of perseverance there.

Knitting: Turned the heels on the zebra socks. For some reason, I started knitting a dishcloth, from yarn I dyed with dyes left over from the tie-dye program at the spinning guild.

Spinning: I've taken to spinning a bit, then plying a bit, to work through the last of the Romney.
Weaving: The tote strap wove up nicely on the inkle loom; both it and the fabric went through the wash today.

For an audio book, I listened to John LeCarre read his novel, The Constant Gardener. Then I checked out the hardcopy version of the book from the local library and was surprised at how long it was. Well, it turned out the audio version was abridged. Boo!

Hello, darkness, my old friend

Daylight savings time ends tomorrow. THANK GOD! I am not one of those people who likes to be out and about until 10pm during the summer, prefer the morning light. So I am looking forward to what will now be early dog walks and early evenings when I can just sit and knit (or whatever) in the dark.

Knitting: Speaking of knitting, I am making progress on the zebra socks, about ready to turn the heels; and I was right - they are turning out weird, which I decided to embrace.

Spinning: More Romney has been plied; I feel like I am in the homestretch.

Weaving: With much swearing (and Annie MacHale's help), I managed to warp the inkle loom for the tote bag strap.

Last night was Trick or Treat here. Instead of locking the pets away while I jumped up to answer the doorbell periodically, I sat in a rocker on the front porch and knit. Before my time, this neighborhood had lots of kids. Now - not so much. A total of 16, including a few that were a bit old to be begging for candy. I think that is an all time low.