Christmas Outside the Haus

We are a long ways from the Haus. About a 20 hour drive west of the Haus - Helena, Montana to be specific- to be with DH's brother, SIL, and 2 nephews. There is nothing like having a three-and-a-half year old wake you up because IT'S CHRISTMAS!

At this point in our stay, I have no pictures of the kids that are not blurred. This was the best of the photos so far - taken in the dark while they are momentarily not in motion emptying their stockings.



This was about 17 hours into our drive, somewhere west of Sheridan, Wyoming. I was surprised that we have so much more snow in Wisconsin than here.



Even though we are not at home for Christmas, we still got a tree last weekend. Here are two of my favorite ornaments. The first I received after my maternal grandmother passed away. I had no idea she had made ornaments from pictures of her grandchildren. I won't say how old this ornament is. I think I was about 3-4 years old in this photo.



The second is a crown made by my mother for the top of our tree.





The cats were particularly helpful in the run-up to Christmas, helping with both wrapping gifts





and decorating the tree.



Wherever you are and however you celebrate this time of light returning, I hope your day has been filled with joy and love, family and friends, good food and drinks and, of course, fiber.

The State Of Things

The Christmas knitting continues.

I'm pleased with the progress - helped along by another winter storm this past weekend.

Hat and fingerless mitts for the foreign exchange student - Done.



All with less than one skein of Malabrigo worsted. I've cast on for a ruffly scarf with the second skein.

If you're looking for quick and easy fingerless mitts,
Fetching is a great pattern. If I had knit for a solid day, I could have completed them both in one day. And I am not a fast knitter.

I wouldn't mind making a pair for myself, but I would have to significantly adjust the pattern as I've got large hands.

The BIL's scarf - one skein done, three to go.




The SIL's wimple. Nearly done with the first of two skeins.


The color is much richer than the photo shows - but I just couldn't get a true color photo in the winter light.

Anything on your needles for Christmas?

Miscellany

First - the winner of the Thanksgiving yarn - which is a skein of the desperately sought after Wollmeise goes to Susan R! I'll be popping that in the mail to you.

The last couple of weeks have been full of work, baking, and holiday functions.

Last weekend, my friend "Ivy" and her sisters "Holly" and "Berry" had a few of their friends over for a Christmas Tea. It was a wonderful time.



As you can see, they went all out in the costume department. I only had a flashing necklace so I felt a bit underdressed. I'll have to start planning for next year.

I don't know why but I've been in a baking mood. Last weekend was our first snow storm, which means that I knitted and baked about 8 dozen cookies on Saturday while listening to Christmas music. Meanwhile the snow fell until we had 8 inches on the ground. We got another 3/4 inch yesterday and we're looking at another 2-4 inches tomorrow.

I found the best way to soften up butter. Ten minutes and it's ready to mix into the batter.



I like to avoid knitting under the pressure of deadlines and especially avoid the whole gotta-get-X-Y-Z-knitted-before-Christmas knitting. Except for this year. Our friends have an exchange student from Frankfurt who is returning home later this month. Her favorite color is orange, so I have knit her the Flower Bud Beanie and am half-way finished with a pair of Fetching made from orange Malabrigo worsted weight.

I've also started Christmas gifts for my brother and sister-in-law as we'll be together at their house in Montana for Christmas (weather-permitting, that is). My MIL and SIL will each get Lauren's Wimple made from Mountain Colors Weavers Wool and my BIL will get a scarf made from Blue Sky Alpaca. I'd like to get these done before we leave. Even though I'll have lots of knitting time in the car (at least 11 hours if I do half of the driving), I don't want to have to block these at their house as they've got 2 boys under the age of 4 running around.

I'm happy to report all the yarn is from stash. I've added a ticker as I'd like to see how long I can go without buying yarn (other than for a swap - I'm not counting yarn I'm buying as a gift for another person.) We'll see how long my resolve can hold out.

Happy Thanksgiving! And Win Some Yarn II

He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.
~J.A. Shedd

Thanksgiving comes to us out of the prehistoric dimness, universal to all ages and all faiths. At whatever straws we must grasp, there is always a time for gratitude and new beginnings.
~J. Robert Moskin

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.
~Cicero

If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”
~Mother Teresa

Dear Lord; we beg but one boon more: Peace in the hearts of all men living, peace in the whole world this Thanksgiving.
~Joseph Auslander

At this time last year, I had a contest - leave a comment about what you're thankful for and you could win yarn. I'm going to repeat that contest again this year.

Leave a comment by midnight (US Central Time) on St. Nick's (December 6th, 2010). I'll assign a number to each person leaving a comment and will draw one number. The lucky winner will be send some special fiber.

And, in the meantime, don't leave your pumpkin pie unattended...

Knitter's Last Will and Testament*

I, Stashhaus, being of sound mind (a statement which does not bear close examination) do hereby record my Knitter's Will and Testament.

With the knowledge that DH, my husband, hasn't the least understanding, appreciation for, or knowledge of my extensive fiber collections, said collection being suitably deposited in sundry places for safekeeping, and

With the knowledge that DH and most of my family or heirs will dispose of aforementioned collection without thought or due consideration as to the value of the collection (a thought which causes severe heart palpitations),

I, therefore, do will this collections and all other collections related to it, to my dear friends and fellow fiber preservationists Austine, Frank, Jayne, Lynn, Martha, Maureen, Sue, Susan, and Veronica.

It is my wish that each of them, upon hearing of my death and obtaining clear proof that I did not manage to take it with me (although goodness know I tried), would come to my house post haste, and search out my collection. I entreat them to search all usual places, including but not limited to: kitchen cupboards, closets, attic, basement, any storage bins, the oven, my car, and any other places where fiber is similarly stored at their own abode.

Further, it is my wish that they should rescue said collection and stack it in my knitting room, along with books, magazines, loose patterns, all works in progress and all knitting accoutrements. Upon completion of the rescue they shall send invitations to all my friends not yet departed and hold a wake in the knitting room, complete with refreshments, and during said wake they shall say lovely and kind things about me until they run out. Then they shall divide amongst themselves, by lot, my wonderful stash.

I shall be hovering (not to be confused with "hoovering") over that very spot until this is done.

A., F., J., L., M., M., S., S., and V. shall then quit this spot and close the door, leaving trivialities to those who do not understand.

This is my wish on the matter. **

*Adapted from the Knitter's Last Will and Testament by Elinor Peace Baily.
**This is not a legal document.

Best Line

I've seen in a 1927 silent film with Clara Bow called "It" -

"I'll take the snap out of your garters yet."

The Aging Process

While cheese and wine are the better for age, I'm not sure about my knitting.

At the end of October, I had posted about what was on my needles.

Martha, you need not have been so impressed. Keep in mind that there had not been much knitting content seen on this blog since the beginning of summer. Yes, there are an inordinate amount of WIPs around here - but they are the result of months of start-itis.

One of the items I've been working on was The Age of Steam and Brass Kerchief.

This is what it looked like when I left a conference and headed to the retreat two weeks ago.



This is what it looked like after the retreat -

after I frogged it for the fourth time.



Apparently I cannot talk and knit a deceptively simple pattern at the same time. I made a glaring error on the first two garter stitch sections that I just couldn't ignore.

I need to get this done as it's going to be a gift for someone.

But my attention has been diverted.

By the Gathered Scarf.





I may end up making more than one of these.

Memories Can Keep You Warm

On the first morning of the crafter's retreat we took a walk, stopping at the building where most of the quilters were staying. One quilter was working on a commission to make 8 quilts for a family whose grandmother had recently passed away. One of the traits she is remembered for is wearing novelty sweater and sweatshirts. So her family is putting her wardrobe to good use.











Family pictures are also part of the quilt.

Only In Smallville, USA

Advert seen in the weekly paper:

"Wisconsin's New Drunk Driving Law...FIRST OFFENSE $2,546* plus lawyer and insurance fees

* - Includes fines, court costs, AODA assessment, ignition interlock device installation and monitoring & reinstatement of license.

Don't drink and drive.

You Drink, You Drive, You Lose!

Call us and we'll give you a ride home, 123-4567!

Smallville Police."

Not quite the same as in Mayberry R.F.D. -



but I'm glad the police offer this service.

Crafter's Retreat

After enduring 3 conferences in the space of a month, I was more than ready to get away this past weekend to a Crafter's Retreat. There were scrapbookers and quilters galore but just five of us knitting.

The property is beautiful







and has more than enough room for everyone and their accoutrements.





In addition to the knitting, talking, eating, talking, knitting, knitting, chocolate, chocolate, talking...(you get the idea), we went star gazing one night (it was a beautiful night to view Jupiter) and had a bon fire the next night.

There was plenty of inspiration - but that's for the next post.

No Tricks, Just Treats

This is the revamped Lakeside Fibers. I hadn't been to the shop since they re-opened, so as I was in the area between appointments I stopped in.



My favorite feature is the canoe full of yarn.




I received a package from Melissa, my swap partner in A Swap For All Seasons on Ravelry. She sent some gorgeous yarn called Jackalope from Light Brown Hare, autumn Jelly Bellies, a pack of notecards featuring the whimsical work of Thomas Joseph,


and fingerless mitts made from some delectable yarn called Cookie Dough by Decadent Fibers. (With a name like Cookie Dough, how can you go wrong?)


It's never easy to take pictures of one's own hands, is it?

Thanks, Melissa!!

November 1st

Are you going to let tomorrow pass you by without making your voice heard?

Do your research.

Find out the facts.

Thanks to the many who went before us, we have right to vote for who we believe is the better candidate, without the threat of retribution, without risking our lives. All we have to do is go to our local polling place and vote.

One's citizenship comes with responsibilities, not just privileges and rights.

Embrace that responsibility.

Others have died for the right to have that obligation.

If you need more incentive, and live near a Famous Dave's BBQ Restaurant, they are offering 15% off your total order if you come in (tomorrow only) wearing your "I Voted" sticker.

So now you've got no excuse.

Get out there tomorrow.

And to quote one of my favorite bloggers, Helen Philpot:

I mean it. Really.

On The Needles

Knitting is still happening here at the Haus.

I was inspired by the Guild's speaker in October - Jared Flood.


He had knitted samples of some of his patterns. I fell in love with Wayfarer. Until I saw it in person, it wasn't really on my radar. Probably because pictures I had seen of it didn't do justice to the pattern.

I was so inspired, I'm knitting it twice in yarns of different fibers and weights.

The first is in Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb (color - Cranberry).


The second is in alpaca from Martinie's Ranch in Holland, MI


This is Summer in Kansas knitted with Wool In The Woods Ballet. I'm at the point of knitting the lace edging.



The Reflection Shawl is almost done.



The Lacy Kerchief Scarf knitted in Classic Elite Miracle is halfway done.


Progress continues on the First Socks. These are toe-up socks using Judy's Magic Cast On and Cat Bordhi's method of increasing until you're just able to cover your toes. For the remainder of the sock, I'm using Wendy Johnson's basic sock pattern with the slip stitch heel. I've started the gusset on one and am ready to start the gusset on the other.

The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. I'm using a skein for each sock. Although the dye lot is the same, the socks will end up being barely fraternal.

I'm feeling quite virtuous as the yarn for all these in-progress projects is from the stash.

I did find love elsewhere, though. This is the Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf made from Lang Yarns Tosca Light - bought this past spring. This is an easy pattern that is reversible, good for Company Knitting, and shows off variegated yarns.

Since I've Been Back

My sister and I went to see my niece at a Revolutionary War reenactment. (She's the one who's standing.)







I dropped in for two hours at the sheep and wool festival.




DH and I took guests from Germany to the Milwaukee Public Museum. One of my favorite sections is the Puelicher Butterfly Wing.







At the September guild meeting, the guest speaker was Nancy Shroyer from Nancy's Knit Knacks.



I realized that I absolutely need to get myself this. That and some Bonine and I'm good to go!

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign, Part III

This was a sign in London - not Amsterdam's Red LIght District -



and on a baby-changing table in a public restroom.