Grinny Possum

Posted by tata on Friday Aug 29, 2008 Under Knit Night

Today, my friend P and I hung out for the first time (I swear it is the very first time ever) sans children while also being sober. We have such a hard time collaborating our schedules to hook up. She’s on vacation this week, though and promised to kick it with me, even if just for a bit.

She called last night and we planned to check out one of the local yarn stores (LYS) since she wants me to knit her a pair of socks. We also intended on getting coffee and perusing the nearby Goodwill.

We head out to the LYS. It was delicious in there! So many yummy yarns to touch and I wanted to take them all home. The air in there was a bit stiff, however, and I got a couple of sideways glances from the lady running the place ’cause I just had to touch everything. P held back and I looked at her with sheer befuddlement: “Why aren’t you touching?!”

Afterwards, we went to Java, a little coffee shop just next door. The owner was super friendly and made a damn fine mocha latte. I was disappointed that I couldn’t smoke on the patio, though. I quickly drained my mug and we decided to hit the other yarn store across the bridge in Indiana. We had such a hard time deciding on yarn. Plus, earlier this week, Sonnie sent me an email invite to the Knit Night at the LYS where she works part-time, complete with 20% coupon for yarn. We didn’t have the coupon with us, but I planned to attend the Knit Night later and this way, we could make a more informed decision about yarn for socks.

The word about town is that Grinny Possum is the place to go for all one’s yarn needs because it just the best place.

Well, that is not entirely true…

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Knitting and Yarn

Posted by tata on Wednesday Aug 20, 2008 Under Crafts
This is the awesome yarn TheSockKnitter sent to me for my first pair of socks. I love the colors! Thank you sooooo much, girl. You are too sweet!The MeiMeis I ordered.
Fifteen 60″ circular knitting needles US size 0-15.
I’m going to make so much stuff with these!
The yarn I bought for P.
She wants a Circles to Square blanket like I made for mom’s birthday.
I may take it back for sock yarn, though!

Some shots from Sunergo’s last night. Joy took most of the pictures.
She models Ila’s hat. Looks great!Sonnie’s daughter and Joy were fast friends.
I can’t believe I’m knitting socks!
Thanks again, Sonnie, for showing me the ropes (yarn?!) in magik looping.
I am really enjoying it and really rather be doing that now ;)
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Spinning on a drop spindle

Posted by tata on Tuesday Aug 5, 2008 Under Crafts
I went to Sunergos again tonight for knitting with the locals. I didn’t bring my camera tonight as I mistakenly thought I was running late (turns out I was early!), but you can check Sonya’s blog in a day or two to see pictures from the get-together. She took one of me spinning for the very first time. Thanks, Sonya!

Babybear loaned me her drop spindle and showed me how to use it. She also gave me some light coopworth roving to practice with. It’s so cool how you start with this fluffy stuff and finish with yarn! Thanks, Rebekah! I’m really having fun learning this craft.

Again, she brought her spinning wheel and I watched intently. It’s fascinating! She even let me try it, but her wheel is… quirky and kept spinning in the wrong direction for me. I gave up rather quickly. Too hard to focus on the foot getting the wheel turning properly and the hands pulling the roving.

Drop spindleDrop spindleA close-up:

Drop spindle close-up

Obviously, I’m not very good yet - slubs everywhere (see, I can remember technical terms!). But I am absolutely infatuated with the whole process and hope to get my very own spinning wheel in the very near future. The one I’m really impressed with is the Mach 1. The LYS (local yarn store) Grinny Possum’s carries it for a very affordable $495.00, which includes a spinning class (valued at $50) and 49 “Grinny Bucks.”
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