I had a great time at the Bead Expo in Santa Fe a couple of weekends ago. The classes were great. I took one on beaded crochet necklaces. It's an easy technique, and really only uses the chain stitch, so no real crochet skill involved. I made the one on the right in class, the copper was my second attempt.

Sheila's back, and look what she brought. The middle photo is my magnolia tree. This was the year that I was going to beat the freeze and get a picture of the blooms. Foiled again!

Good knitting weather, though. I actually didn't cast on anything yesterday. The AddiExpress came, and I got caught up in playing with it. Pretty fun, and even made a passable hat in record time. It took about 10 minutes to knit a 12" tube, start to finish. It makes me have second thoughts about knitting machines. It may turn out to be another on my list of "never say nevers".



The new Knit Kits finally arrived, and they are really cute. One of those things that you didn't know you needed until you saw it.

Don't ask; you had to be there.

Yesterday was delivery bonanza! We got every color of Poems sock yarn, and it is beautiful--makes me motivated to get a pair of socks off the needles so I can cast some on.
We also got the Knit Kits, bamboo sock yarn, and LOTS of regular Poems.

For those of you who are asking about when we can expect the return of Sheila, my understanding is that she will resume her yarn shop duties on Friday. We just had what I believe was our last knitting group without her; she will hopefully be with us next Tuesday.

Much as all of us have been having a great time running amok, deviating from her assigned fair isle activity, ordering up stuff, planning a special welcome back Saturday, and talking trash about her, it will be good to have her back.

On Sunday, Annie gave a class on Russian knitting. It was absolutely wonderful, getting rave reviews by all who participated. I didn't realize that Annie was such a gifted teacher, but then it only makes sense as she developed her skills as did I, but playing school in the basement.

We got a folder with clear instructions and a wonderful chart pattern, and I was instantly addicted. It was a great excuse to use my cashmere/silk yarn and bone needles. If we can talk her into giving the class again, I heartily recommend it!

We had some show and tell.




We had Becky come to help celebrate Selma's birthday.


We had an update on Jana's sock knitting.

Yesterday was the dreaded time change, and I must admit that much as I hate it, it's a great relief to not have to wake up the first Monday morning and get out of the house at 5:00. It's bad enough that Sheila is on her way to Egypt, leaving me stranded by myself in the shop. We "celebrated" yesterday with the kickoff of the Portuguese, fair isle knitalong. We did all manage to get cast on, and some of us did a little ribbing. (Me included, though I've since changed my mind and will be tinking the whole thing. I think it's going to be great fun, though, and I welcome the challenge. Maybe next time we will have something to take pictures of.

The casting on fever has been out of control the past few days. My latest is the cover sweater from Knit'n'Style made from the Blue Ridge silk that has been tormenting me since it arrived. I know it's naughty to be knitting so many things at once, but it sure is fun!

The yarns we just got are keeping me awake at night and agitated all day trying to decide what I should do with them besides fondling. There are: cashmere, cashmere with silk, cashmere with merino, and just plain old Uruguayan merino. What's a girl to do?

I joined a few swaps on Ravelry. I'm looking forward to it. It's been years since I've participated in swaps, and my past experience was very positive. It forced me to focus and create, it was fun to look forward to getting something fun in the mail, it broadened my mind and horizons by seeing what other people are doing and thinking. In the past, I was doing mixed media, and when I started doing less of that and more knitting, it just kind of fell by the wayside. I guess I really didn't see the potential in fiberarts. Exchanging dishcloths just didn't do it for me, but I found a few that tickled my fancy, and I'm excited about it!

What do you do when you wake up at 3 am and feel like you're ready for the day? Cast on something new, of course. That's exactly what I did yesterday. I had this Lanaloft handpaint calling to me, started a topdown. I love love love this yarn!

I finished the short row heel, and I'm not pleased with how it looks, but I do like the fit. I did this one with the unwrapped turns. Next time I'll bite the bullet and see if the wrapping gives a better look.