KnitQuest

Cruise Report

Who knew it would be sunny, 60 some degrees and completely snow free in Alaska?! I guess if I’d really given it some thought I might have realized that it being September and all the towns we visited being on the coast would add up to a temperate climate that looked a whole lot like the Seattle area. I however, gave it no real consideration and had visions of classic TV and fiction Alaska. Much to my dismay freezing temps, snow everywhere and bears roaming down main street were no where to be found. The wool pants and fleecy gloves I packed were never worn and in fact I had to break out the sunglasses quite a bit. In short, not what I expected weather wise.

People wise my expectations were on the money. Every event I go to I meet fun, kind, inspiring and downright wonderful knitters. I’m beginning to think wool has not only magic powers of warmth and springiness, but the ability to transform normal people into amazing ones.

I had a marvelous time hanging out Sivia Harding (my roomie for the trip), spending more time with the lovely ladies from Serial Knitters, and meeting some new friends (Hi Nanette, Martha, Nan and Caroline!).

I also meet the very lovely and generous Amy O’Neill-Houck in Juneau. She was kind enough to pick Sivia and I up and show us around town. We visited an interesting exhibit of the history of Alaska through it’s hats at the the Alaska State Museum, hiked around the abandoned Treadwell gold mine (all the pics below) and then sent us home with her very own caught and canned salmon.

Besides socializing, eating an obscene amount of food (I miss you breadsticks and chocolate-peanut butter mousse!) and viewing some amazing scenery, there was actually quite a bit of knitting time. Strangely that never seems to happen at knitting events and was a real treat. I finished a pair of mitts and a hat as well as starting a new shawl, a second pair of mitts, and untangling an in progress hat that Moxie had gotten ahold of.

All in all, if you get a chance to cruise to Alaska with a group of fab and fun knitters start packing, you’ll have a great time. And don’t forget your elastic waist pants and lots of yarn.

PS – Yes, I did bring home a ball of Qiveut. Did you really think there was a chance I wouldn’t.

Alaska Bound

I can’t believe it’s actually time, but it must be because I’m packing for my cruise to Alaska tomorrow. I’m looking forward to meeting all the knitters, hanging with my roomie Sivia, teaching and of course seeing Alaska. Cross your fingers that I don’t break my back with all the luggage, that I see some whales, and that I can keep my right and left hands straight while teaching.

PS - Wireless on the boat is ridiculous, so I won’t be checking in unless we get lucky while on shore. See you in a week! I promise to take lots of pictures.

Return to Routine

Hi there. Remember me? It seems I took an unplanned sabbatical in August. Summer does that to me. No routine, no activities, and no alone time, lead to an extreme lack of focus on my part. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the kids and can’t help but be a little sad that it’s over. Mac is starting 5th grade this year and I know I don’t have too many more carefree summers left.

On the other hand I’m pretty darn excited to have a bit time to myself and to get back on a schedule, and I’m downright over the moon about cleaning the house and having it stay that way for more than five seconds.

No matter what I feel about it, summer is over and it’s time to get back to work, school, activities and homework. Before we fold up the beach towels and put away the sunglasses I thought you might like a quick look at what I’ve been doing the last month.

Did you see Judy Becker’s new book Beyond Toes? The vest on the cover is called Djinn and it is my design. As you might imagine I’m pretty excited about it.

Besides that, I’ve been working on some old stuff, just for fun. I finished a Shawl that Jazz in BMFA Twisted, color Blackbird and started a pair of truffle mitts.

And of course I can’t help up tinker with some new stuff too. I finished a cowl in BMFA Luscious Silk, color True Blood Red. I’m almost afraid to tell you all about it because the darn yarn is down right addictive. It feels so good running through your fingers and wearing it around your neck is sinful.  I been wearing it around the house just so I can pet myself. Don’t judge until you feel it yourself.

I’m also working on a super secret shawl for the Twisted Socks are for Suckers club and a new fingerless mitt design that coordinates with Shawl that Jazz.

Besides the knitting there was a trip to Alderbrook resort, a lumpy dog (Moxie had an allergic reaction to a spider bite), a visit to the zoo, two sinus infections and a ridiculous amount of weeding. I hope you all had a fun filled summer too and like me had enough fun that you’re ready from some fall knitting.

Now it’s time to get my Martha on and finish cleaning the house and make some 1st day of school brownies. Happy back to school day!