On this episode of Yarn Hoarder

I had the great fortune to be able to take a class on color knittting with Joan Schrouder this weekend. I was THRILLED!!!! I had to play in Tyler with the "Beatles" (cover band)

and so I missed her Friday class on lace. Not happy about that, but hey! Work? Play? Work? Play? Which one pays the bills? So, I did sneak into the color class at the last minute on Saturday when someone cancelled. It was very interesting to me to see how she had the class structured and how she handles teaching new techniques. There was something for everyone to learn whether beginner or long time color knitter. I was particularly interested in the crocheted steeks and of course, how she handles her two strands. Since I have knit in a vacuum for so long without any other Fair Islers around to teach me, I was extremely glad to see how someone elses color work looks in person after blocked. The samples she brought were fabulous, including Abalone and several of her design. They were all wonderful. I should have taken more pictures!!!!

I also came home with this fabulous bag that I think is perfection for carrying socks in progress around in style. :0)



And I also grabbed a pair of Addi lace circs to see how they compare. Just in looking, I think I will really like the pointy tips. I have some lace stuff that is screaming at me to get started and done, and I think I will have to comply.

A little further on the Season of Darkness and Winter Light from Norsk Strikkedesign. I really love this design. I am almost up to the underarm steek on the second side. It is going to be a little strange to put this thing together as the directions are not like any I have ever seen. I will keep you updated on it. Hopefully this doesn't turn into a really wooly pillow!


Socks, socks, socks and sock yarn. Eunny's Bayerische still moving along at a ridiculously slow pace.

Rainy Day Socks from Mag Knits in Lorna's Laces Sherbet.

Cherry Tree Hill yarn from Socks For Soldiers. No idea what the color is. Looks like Halloween something....not sure. Will have to find a not-so-scary pattern. ;0)

Lorna's Laces in Red Rover and Irving Park. They look GREAT!!! I secured these from one of my favorite stores on the web, Loopy Ewe!

Look who's come out of hiding....

it's the Season of Darkness and Winter Light. Trying to get her finished, but I fear it is too late for this season anyway. Nevertheless, it is a design I am eager to wear. I am on the second half, but will still have cabled cuffs and bands to go once I get this done.


I am working on some new socks out of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport. The design is called Rainy Day Socks and I found it at Magknits. I changed the cast on #'s quite a bit as I wanted the fabric knit a lot tighter than what it called for. I used 72 instead of 48 and am using much smaller needles. I like the way it is turning out so far. Pics to come as soon as there is something interesting to see. :0)

A little more spinning happening at chez sillyewe as well. This is from Somerhill Farm in Ohio.


It is a gorgeous shade of orange with a touch of fire engine red occasionally. It is from her Bluefaced Leicester flock. I ordered a ton of it and I am very glad about that. I intend to use it for something special......just not sure what yet....

As promised....more pics of birch. This is such a girlie shade of pink.





NOW FOR THE BEST NEWS OF ALL!!! I told you about the soldier in Iraq I have corresponded with??? remember...two entries or so ago? I got word today that he is going home!!! I am so thrilled for him! Congrats, Chuck! I know you and your unit and your families are ecstatic! I have so enjoyed getting to know you. Have a safe journey and I hope this will be a wonderful new chapter of your life adventure. Thanks for bestowing your friendship and sharing your knowledge.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.....

Even though this reed has some obvious flaws...at least to an oboist...this was one great reed! Every now and then you get one that you would like to use forever, or at least bronze. This was one of those. Deep and rich, flexible.....singing quality...Unfortunately, they don't tend to last much longer than a few good rehearsals or concerts. I'm going to miss you little reed. (sniff sniff)





Here is my reed thread drawer. It looks suspiciously unorganized like my yarn room.....



I heard on NPR recently that unorganization could mean you are just creative. Did I already tell you that? Well.....I think there must be some truth in that. Right? Right???

"What's Cookin'?"

That's what my brother always asks me. Knowing my lack of culinary skills he isn't usually asking what is in the oven or on the stove. Well...it's not exactly a lack thereof....just not a burning desire to make use of the limited skills I possess. Unless we are talking baking....and chocolate....and butternut squash. Not necessarly in combination......but it makes me wonder....

Anyway, to what's cookin'. I recently let you all in on the bead knitting I have fallen in love with. I have been in touch with Herma of Kralenwerk in the Netherlands. She has been pointing me in the right direction with books, supplies and a little encouragement to get started. She has an online shop with everything one needs to knit beads. Look at this beautiful coffee table book she has on her site.



It has a great deal of history and some gorgeous patterns in it. It is written in German but is out of print. Turns out that most of this traditional knitting of beadwork comes from the Netherlands, but also from near the area in Germany where V. comes from. Isn't that interesting? I would never have known that had I not started reading this book. They apparently produced these beads in the 19th and 20th centuries around that area. I would suspect that many of the beads that came to North America for trade with Native Americans came from this area...but I haven't confirmed it. Just a suspicion.

Sock knitting continues.....

it is a constant these days along with whatever other knitting seems to be catching my divided attention at the moment. Birch is moving along and will be done soon. Just in time for the last subscription concert in April, I hope. It's Beethoven 3!!!!! Whhhhheeeee! Eroica!!!!! I have been waiting all year to play this one with this orchestra. I have played it twice previously, but never with this group.

Last weekend I played up in a small town north of here. Here are some of us between rehearsals having dinner. I am behind the camera, you see. ;0)



On the drive up we encountered a dust storm. I had seen them before in New Mexico, but never here. You could see the sky begin to turn yellow and before long the dust came in. At first a little...



Then a LOT!!!



I started panicking seeing visions of pile-ups dancing in my head. One of my passengers mentioned quietly that we COULD slow down if I wanted........oh yeah. Of course. Take your foot OFF of the accelerator, dumb$%#S!!!


I finally also finished spinning and plying the Platinum from mama-E. Here it is in all of it's glory.




I haven't figured yardage yet, but I think I will try something lacy. It is merino and tencel...so no socks here. I made some socks last year with a 100% merino wool and ran holes in them the second wearing. The pattern was fairly intricate. :0(


So, did you guys see that Ennio Morricone got an honorary Academy Award!!!!!! I was so thrilled for him. His music is just marvelous and I don't believe he has been recognized nearly enough for his work. If you haven't heard Gabriel's Oboe....run out and buy the Mission soundtrack right now. Go on...I'll wait! It is a heartwrenchingly beautiful short piece that many of you may have heard at the 911 memorial when it was televised. Yeah, I am biased because it is an oboe....but still! It's too good not to mention.

And another work week begins.....