Moi???   Umm, yes, I hate to admit, but yesterday was a revelation to me, to say the least.

Do you remember what you did yesterday, a week ago, a month ago or even a year ago????  I often cannot remember what I leave a room for, much less what I did an hour or two ago.  Some things stick in you mind as some event that was momentuous in your life occurred.

 One year ago yesterday on 10-24-06, my Mom’s husband passed away and I got to have my first ‘book signing.’ 

 So, yesterday was 10-24-07.  Exactly one year later.  I thought about what happened one year ago today and what I was doing and actually knew the answer.  The scary thing is that when I looked down and thought about it….I had on the same EXACT outfit that I had on one year ago.  This was not on purpose, but what I felt like wearing yesterday.  Too odd, I guess it is very appropriate for the month of October and strange, but true stories. 

What:  Cannonsburgh Harvest Days and 11^th Annual Fiber FestivalDate:   Saturday, October 27, 2007Time:   10:00 am to 5:00 pmWhere: Historic

Happy Monday… I am knitting a pair of socks using someone else’s pattern and it has been a loooong time since I have done that.  I usually make up my own patterns.  I know why now, LOL.  I often tell my sock students that one of the benefits of knitting on two circs is that you can try your sock on at any time.  I also recommend trying a sock on when working with a new pattern.  I have a painted sign at my house that says “Here, take my advice…I am not using it.”  Well, that is so true today/last night!  Last night, I finished knitting the first cuff of the Loksin from Shibui and the darn thing is so tight that it barely fits over my fit and FORGET getting it over my heel.  The pattern called for 60 sts and said it would stretch as the pattern is lacey and ribby.  Yeah.  Right.   So, I am going to have to rip that puppy out and start over.  Someday.   I have too many other things I want to do, so that idea is going on the back burner. Can you say TRY IT ON NEXT TIME, DUMMY?   
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The Yarn Fairy must think she is on an extended vacation as far as deliveries to my house go.  I have not ordered much lately because I have been really busy taking care of my dogs, etc.  I did see something at Blackdog that I could not live without.  If you scroll down to the 10-14 post titled Socks and Such, you will see a knitted swatch of Ankh, my new beauty.  Twisted Sisters, Arial yarn in Ankh colorway  
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I am such a lucky person to get to work for such a wonderful LYS!!!  I get to help choose sock yarn sometimes and patterns too.  A few weeks ago, we were reordering sock yarn at Haus of Yarn and I saw this really cool pattern and just H-A-D to have it.  Once the patterns came in, I began considering my yarn choices.  Of course, I had to have new yarn….stash yarn just would not do.  Can you say Malabrigo?  Can you say s-o-f-t and y-u-m-m-y???   Too sweet!
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To catch up, I have been posting hints for Jan about her birthday.  
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Well, the day finally came last Tuesday and we celebrated by going to the new Longhorn in Murfreesboro and the attended the soft opening of the brand spanking new Barnes & Noble.  Jan finally got to find out the Red Riding Hood present was as well.  It was actually a black and white gift box stuffed full of goodies that related to the five senses (the better to see you with, my dear…..etc.).  Jan had guessed a Zebra with M&Ms in his pocket, LOL.  There was fiber, yummy smelling soap, cheaters (reading glasses), lint mitts (for removing stray fiber from black pants), etc.  Lots of fun. 
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 I purchased a new CD by Rodrigo y Gabriella that is phenomenal.  Problem with track 3.  I called and ordered a new one.  Gave them old CD and told them which track was bad.  Got home and found I had given them bad CD case, but gave them my Raul Malo CD instead ARGGGH!  So, I call and have them hold it for me to go trade out.  In the meantime, I listen to the replacement CD…..problem with track 3 AGAIN.  Must be a bad batch or something.  They are going to special order for me and see if we can get this fixed.  Interesting, never had this happen before. Happy Monday, everyone!

I have (had?) a goal to complete the mates to four one socks by the end of October.  I finished two of the mates and now have two completed pairs of socks.  A few roadblocks were thrown up and I am in thinking mode on the final two socks that need mates.  The first is knitted from Koigu and I cannot find the ball band so I am not sure which dye lot the yarn came from (I have two dye lots to choose from).  The other roadblock is for the boot sock and I need to find my needles, size 5 and size 8, to knit the sock.  That one is probably easy, but all of this thinking gave me pause.  I have been wanting to knit a pair of Loksins and have had yarn marinating in my stash for just such an occasion.  As a reward for finishing half of my goal, I allowed myself to cast on (actually I had to cast on twice because I made an error the first go round).  I love the pattern so far. 

Shibui Loksins:    (click to make bigger to see detail)

I just thought I would throw this out there….when I use a pattern with charts, I enter the chart in Excel and put them in order as they are to be knit to make it easier to follow.  Just an idea I thought you might like to see.
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In April, 2007, I attended a two-day class taught by Charlene Schurch titled Socks to Dye for. The first day, we learned to dye sock yarn two different ways, the first was a self striping yarn and the second was a handpainted hank of yarn.  The second day, we worked on sock knitting techniques.  As for the handpainted hank of yarn that I worked with, there were not a lot of colors left when we got to this portion of the class.  I ended up using colors that I would never have used and the final result was something that was not visually pleasing.   
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Remember this - Handpainted yarn from Charlene’s class?
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Then         Now 
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Amazing!
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I took this yarn with me to Dye Day this past Saturday.  I dipped it in the Logwood pot and the yarn underwent an amazing transformation:    Wow, if all I have to say.  I am much happier with the yarn now.  The resulting colors are not something I would have done on purpose or thought of, but I like the subtlety of the yarn.
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 Jake says “let me at that Indigo….I will give it a good shake!” (and run all over the yard with it, ha)
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Today is the unveiling…Jan is having a Birthday!  She gets to find out what her birthday surprise is.  Clues so far have led her to guess a zebra with M&Ms in his pocket.  LOL  We shall see. 

The local spinning group meets the second Saturday of each month and spins, eats, knits, etc.  Once a year, they host a Dye Day in October.  I have not gotten to attend the Dye Days in the past because I usually compete in dog agility at the St. Jude’s Animal Showcase in Memphis, TN.  Because of my pulled hamstring, I pulled from the competition and stayed home so I Finally got to go to Dye Day and find out what it is all about. 
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 Saturday was a gloriously wonderful day.  The sun was shining, it was warm, but not too warm, and many happy, smiling faces arrivied at Three Creeks Farm outside of Charlotte, TN.  A variety of knitters and spinners descended upon the farm to participate and/or learn about dyeing.  Instead of open fires this year, the owners of Three Creeks had hibachi grills and propane cookers available to use for dyeing since the weather conditions are so very dry here in our area.  The farm offers well water and we did not want to contend with any out-of-control fires. 
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Smart thinking! 
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 Sadly or gladly blogless Jan and I rode together and shared our supplies.  She has a Happy Face on because she LOVES dyeing.  She is the dye expert between the two of us.  She commented on what different things were dyed this year versus last year. She mentioned that there was lots of Kool Aid and Wilton dyeing last year. This year must’ve been the year of natural dyeing because a lot of it was going on.  I chose to dye with Logwood and Indigo.   There were several dye books available, but it was difficult to find information on what type of mordant to use with Logwood.  I was interested in what logwood actually is as well so I came home and googled it get a better understanding.  We used alum acetate as a mordant for lack of better knowledge of what to use.  After reading further when I got home, I see there were several things we could’ve used.  Interesting. 
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In addition to the natural dyes, I also dyed two different items in an acid dye, one in Pumpkin Spice and the other in Avocado, both sock yarns.  There was a big pot of Marigold available to dye in and it made a beautiful color.  There was also lichen in a pot, but I did not get to see this dyed up because it has to steep/ferment overnight before you can dye with it.  All in all, it was a beautiful day and I was very happy that I chose to attend Dye Day instead of going to Memphis.   
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Pot of Marigolds
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Logwood   Roving dyed with logwood
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Various dyepots 
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Knitting:    Malabrigo  (he and his wife took a new wheel home with them too, how fun!)
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Spinning
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  Eating
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  See the girl grinning on the Left???  She took home a Kromski Saxony wheel.  Lucky girl.  Ramona, on the right, was her willing accomplice and helped pile the wheel safely into their van.
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Yarn I dyed: 
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Roving I dyed with Indigo: 
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Look at all the pretty colors!   
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After I finished dyeing, I took a walk down through the farm and took pictures of some of the very interesting inhabitants of the farm.  I believe the owners must show birds because there were some Veddy interesting characters there to see.   
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 Chickens from Holland (they have feathers on their feet) 
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Golden Pheasant, a Chinese breed (male & female, guess which one is the male—so not fair!)  .
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Sheep   
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Someone needs to dye a colorway after this pretty Poser! 
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Look, an egg! 
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Llama  and Horses
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Very interesting day and most enjoyable!  Now to get this Indigo off of my hands…. 

Pam, The Yarn Goddess, shares lots of pictures of yarn that she gets from Indie Dyers.  This yarn is delivered, as she describes it, by the Yarn Fairy.  Her Yarn Fairy must be male in nature, because when he does not visit in a timely manner or bring what she thinks he should bring, she talks about twisting round, hairy objects off of him in a very graphic nature.  Seriously, you should read her blog sometime, she is a hoot. The Yarn Fairy brings ‘stuff’ to my house too, but I often do not get to see who brings it.  I know that my regular route person is female, so I will have to think up a different method of torture if she does not cooperate fully to my expectations.  I usually gift her with a small token of my appreciation every year around Christmas because she always gets packages and mail to me that is not always labeled in the best manner.  Our shipments/mail are important, please be sure to thank your Yarn Fairy  mail person/express delivery person, etc.  They bring very important stuff into our lives. 

I shared what the Yarn Fairy brought me earlier this week from Chameleon Colorworks.  I must’ve been extra good this week because she brought me the last installment of the three-month sock club from Simply Socks Yarn Company.  This month’s club offering was dyed by Dream in Color and the colorway is called Brouhaha.  SSYC offers an interview with Dream in Color on their blog this month as well.  The main color of this yarn offering is orange and uses a veiled dye process.  That sounds like I know what I am talking about, but I am just repeating what I was told.  I am clueless as to what that means, but I was also told that yarn dyed using this method will not pool.  As Martha would say, “That is a good thing.”  I was not crazy about the first month’s yarn color, I liked the second installment from Spunky, and I love this month’s yarn offering.  It makes me glad that I joined this sock club.  I have never seen Dream in Color in person and it is very nice yarn.  I am a happy camper.  Australian merino superwash – Brouhaha 450 yards
Different views     Okay, now I guess I have a Sock Fairy because she has visited me twice this week.  Yeup….I have a second finished PAIR (uh huh TWO of the same sock) of socks.  Woo hoo.   

 Sea Socks - My new beaded rib pattern

Another birthday hint for the illustrious Jan.  Hmm, what to say without giving away the farm…. Lemmesee.  It’s black and white on the outside and multicolored on the inside.  Good thing her birthday is next Tuesday, I am running out of hints without saying what IT is.  Okay, I have to give a Red Riding Hood Related hint.  What did Red Riding Hood have in her basket when she went to visit Grandma?   

The local spinning group hosts a Dye Day every October.  I usually do not get to go because I attend the annual St. Jude’s Dog Showcase and compete in dog agility events.  I pulled from this event because of my hamstring so I get a consolation, or is that bonus, prize of getting to go and learn to dye.  I will be riding with Jan and it is always fun to spend time with her and knit/spin/shop or whatever kind of trouble we can get into.  So, if I come back with funny colored hands next week, it will be because I am a real clutz and fell in or something. Happy Friday everyone!

A few months ago, I posted about the three-month sock-of-the-month club that I subscribed to from Simply Socks Yarn Company.  The dye artists included are Sleeping Dragon, Spunky Eclectic and Dream in Color.  I also wrote about fiber clubs and asked everyone what they thought about sock/fiber clubs.  It was interesting to read what everyone’s opinions were on the subject.  Several people listed the clubs they belong to and gave recommendations. That leads to today’s post.  After reading about one particular person’s experience, I went to Chamelion Colorworks and checked it out.  Oh.  My.  I did not remember, but I must’ve pushed “The” button because I received a notification a week ago stating that I had a shipment coming from this company.  I received a squishy envelope in my mailbox yesterday and am I so glad that I did push that button.   I received 4 oz of Optim in the colorway Tie Dye Autumn.  I have heard of Optim before, but never had the opportunity to feel it.  It has a lovely sheen that just reflects light and it is oh-so-soft.  The label says to predraft, it has properties of silk, but warmth of wool….and it doesn’t felt.  Interesting.  I definitely recommend THIS club!  Optim - Tie Dye Autumn  
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Speaking of fiber clubs, I received notification this week that the last installment of the Simply Socks Yarn Company sock club is on its way….that means I will be Dreaming in Color very soon. Dogs.  I have used the same groomer since 1991 and have been very happy with them.  Things/dogs/places change sometimes and I began looking for other options.  I have found a groomer that comes highly recommended.  She grooms at a local shop some days and has a mobile grooming service as well.  Well, this groomer is going to be visiting me very soon…..I can’t wait to see what the dogs and I think about that!  It will be nice not to have to load up the car and drive 30 minutes one way to go to the groomer.  I will let everyone know what we think about the whole thing. Worked till midnight last night and am working all night tonight on a computer release.  Really cuts out any knitting time darnit.    Does anyone want to donate a winning lottery ticket???

I have been plugging away and knitting every chance I get on the Hand Paint Highlights sock knitted using Paigewood Farms colorway Prism.  Well, I have a finished PAIR, yes TWO of socks from the same yarn.  In the same year.  Woo hoo.
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       detail 
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After grafting the final toe, I quickly moved onto another second SIP (sock in progress) and am decreasing on the toe almost as we speak.  I will have another finished pair to share tomorrow.  Double Woo hoo. 
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Finishing these two pairs of socks means I have a couple of Christmas presents done and ready to wrap.  I have had a few people ask why the Seaside sock cuffs are so short.  I find it interesting that many people think the cuffs should always be long.  I think they are cute short.  They are quicker to knit too, hehe. 
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Finishing these two pairs of socks means that I only (only?  Yeah, right) have two more One socks to go to finish up another couple of pairs of socks.  
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Socks that need mates:   (Koigu)       (Lorna’s Laces)

My goal was to finish four One Socks to become four pairs by the end of September.  There was a lot of drama and stress in my life during that time that I was not able to share so I did not meet that goal.  I guess that is what goals are for…to adjust, if need be.  So, the goal is to finish the other two One Socks to become mates to One Socks that exist….by the end of October.  We will see….
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 On the news front, Jan sadly blogless, AKA WorldyGirl on Ravelry, is going to be celebrating a birthday next week.  I have been slightly torturing her with birthday present hints.  Just slightly, but I think it is time to turn the heat up a bit.   Jan, your birthday has a theme of Little Red Riding Hood.
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My, what big ears you have:  “oh, the better to hear you with, my dear”
Or, My what big eyes you have:   “oh, the better to see you with my dear”
Or, What big teeth you have:  “oh, the better to taste you with my dear”
And On and ON 
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Jan - I do hope you are intrigued, but that I have not given too many hints.  It will be interesting to see if you guess anything correctly. 
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Happy Monday, Everone.  Thanks for stopping by.

A new book is coming out soon…it will include designs from designers all over the country.   One of my designs is included in this book.  My goal was to have my design on the cover.  It is not on the cover.  I don’t feel bad as I do feel it was “cover” worthy.  The publishers included pictures of balls of yarn, toys, and other things.  I wish they had consulted me first (big grin).
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What book is this, you ask?   It is called 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders by Judith Durant. 
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Which design is mine, you ask?  The Scrunchie Handwarmer! 
                                                   

Three Haus of Yarn employees are represented in this book.   Just like the original One Skein Wonders (I have a sock design in that one on page 114), this new book promises to have lots of great designs to use up some of that great yarn that has been marinating in your stash.  When will it be released?  I hear late October.   Stop by Haus of Yarn to get your copy autographed by all three designers!   Oh….if you would like to take a class, I will be teaching how to make this fun handwarmer in the October.
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Carolyn, owner of Haus of Yarn, has the most amazing dog named Sophie.  She is smart, smart, smart and boy is she fast.  She leaves the EverReady Bunny eating her dust a day later!  If Carolyn isn’t tired, she should be from trying to keep up with her!  Sophie is about six months old and is a precocious teenager.  She loves her toys and gives em all she’s got.  Her job is get that darned squeaker out.    A few months ago, I attended an agility trial and found a sweet little cute Pink and White bone that had Sophie’s name all over it.  Believe it or not, that bone is still in one piece and it still crinkles and squeaks…..and Sophie really played with it too.  This weekend, the same vendor was there and had a few more toys from the same manufacturer so I grabbed them up for little Sophie.  I know she will be happy to see sometihng new :)  It is fun picking out cute girl toys….
So, if you are on the look for cute, Very Durable Toys, look no further:
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   They crinkle, they squeek…they are cute….they last a looong time.
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I took a few pictures this morning to include on the blog and Sprite decided it was a great time for a photo op…..Hi Sprite!
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 Agility:  There was a four-day trial this weekend near Nashville, TN.  I was entered Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.  Because my hamstring has been pulled since 08-26-07, I have not been able to run and have been training a lot of distance work since then.  Jake tried to run with someone Thursday morning but got ’skeered’ after jumping through the tire and ran to his Mommy (me) who was standing right outside the ring.  Oh well.  I sat there and stewed over it, thought about it, then decided I had nothing to lose if I was careful.  I “ran” both Gracie and Jake in Exc JWW.  Gracie did not get into her weaves straight and missed the first pole.  Jake actually Qd.  Amazing.  All this with me doing a two jump lead out and sending my dog ahead.  I walked the course and Jake ran it two seconds slower than the course winner.  I think I need to change my running style.  Hmm.    I ran walked four courses Saturday, but no Q’s.  Sunday morning, I attempted to run Jake in Exc Std and decided that he and my hamstring were not up to it afte he took the third obstacle (a tunnel by mistake and then a wrong jump).  I looked at the judge and asked to be excused.  Jake layed down.  The crowd say “Awwwww.”  LOL.  I took him to the agility barn afterward and let him run a little to let him do ’something right’ so the day did not end on a sour note.  We then went home and took a two hour nap.  Next trial will be in November.  My hamstring should be fully healed by then too.  Thank goodness.

Early this summer, I planted a few new-to-me annuals and have enjoyed watching them grow and have kept an eye out for what I really like as I may want to plant some of the same things next year.    One new addition was the Mexican heather
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Then         Now 
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Another is the Penta
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Then       Now 
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A few plants that I repeated this year are the Gerber daisies and the Spanish Lavender.  The Gerbers….I had to replant.  The Lavender…..it made it through the winter and multiplied like crazy. 
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Spanish Lavender
 beggining of Summer     Now .
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It is interesting to see that the plant labels really are right and those things do grow just about to what the labels says.  I never believe them and plant them thicker and closer together.  Next year, I will plant the Penta again, but will give it more room to sprout.  I have a feeling that the Mexican Heather would’ve gotten much bigger if it had been given the room also.  I guess it is sometimes like a fish aquarium…..they will grow to the size of the tank.  The title Beginnings comes today from the beginning of a season such as Summer where the plants are small and hopeful.  Growth because the darned things did grow and do what the plant label said they would and Endings because it is now Fall and Frost will some come and coat the leaves and wither the life from the plants to make room for new plants next year.  Such is the way of life.  Change is not always easy, but once you get past the hard part and have something fresh and new to look forward to, it is worth it. 
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Fiber…..Boy, did I get something beautiful in the mail last week.  I am so glad that I am a Spunky Junky!   This month’s fiber club selection is superwash merino/tencel in colorway Aspen.  It is just so nice to pet and will make some beautiful yarn someday.  I would say it is marinating in my stash, but it has not gotten that far yet.  It is on my stove so I can look at it each time I walk by and occasionally stop and touch it and just admire it.  I really enjoy participating in the Spunky Club! 
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Socks….I do have a little bit of sock progress.  I am on the home stretch and my goal is to finish this puppy by the end of the week! 
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The Haus of Yarn Sock Knit-A-Long is this Thursday….5:30 to 7:30.   Come and knit socks with us and see what everyone is working on and their beautiful sock yarns.  Speaking of sock yarn…..HOY has some new sock yarn that the Sock Knitalongers will get to preview first.  Hope to see you Thursday!